I'm trying to speed things up for you guys, you've been probably waiting for so long, I apologize for the delay, but here's the next chapter! Hopefully, other chapters will come within the succeeding days! :) Please read! I actually kinda like this chapter :))

Chapter 8: The Day before the Magnolia Festival is the day of making memories and remembering some

"This is where you freakin' live?" I said as I stared at the neat apartment before me. My eyes widened almost twice their normal size when I saw how everything was so clean and organized (I swear the room even sparkled! Or maybe it's just me). I strolled around the apartment, roomy, enough space for the both of us. Gray was constantly watching me. I clapped my hands in a kind of applause

"Great place you got here!" I said, giving the place one last inspection I found what I wanted. Using my foot I nudge away a few stuff from a corner, I gave him a grin, while putting my foot firmly down on the spot that I choose. He gave me a puzzled look.

"Why are you looking at me like that? This is my spot; I'm going to be staying here from now on. So, this is where I'm going to sleep." He was still staring at me blankly. I began to feel irritated at that. "Just go to your room, brat, get some sleep." I say and then I sat on the floor. It was his turn to scowl at me; he looks cuter when he does it.

Hey, give me a break; I just can't help teasing him.

"I'm not a kid anymore! Why the heck do you always treat me like one? YOU'RE NOT MY MOTHER!" he yelled.

Wait…what the hell did he just call me?

"What did you call me, you damn brat!" I yelled, forming a ball of energy at the same time. He barely had enough time to duck when I threw it at him. Gray gave me a pissed look.

"YOU DAMN HAG!"

"STUPID BRAT!"

And you can guess what happened next, the whole place was a mess, we got in trouble with the landlady (a bit of advice, if ever you live in an apartment and the person you give your rent to is a cranky old lady, make sure you know how to run really fast). The landlady gave us first the most annoying lecture and when I offered to fix the place with magic, she wielded a broom and started bashing us with it!

Gray and I barely got away! Now, I know what you're thinking, we all powerful fairy tail members running from an old lady with a broomstick. DO NOT underestimate the old ones, buddy, trust me, you'll have less pain if you do. Gray was cursing all the way, saying how stupid it is to be running away from a landlady. I could only laugh, it reminded me of the times we had together, running because we were being chased or just running.

I'm a sucker for memories. They're something precious to me I guess. Most of them anyway.

We stopped at the place where I had fallen asleep. I sat down, I was still laughing. He was glaring at me like I had done something stupid. "You realize that freakin' landlady's going to double the rent because of the damn stunt you did!" he yelled. Took me awhile to catch my breath before I could answer him.

"Blockhead, what are you so worried about? You can earn the money and besides, since we're in a team we'll just split the cash" I replied.

"That's if we don't fail."

"That's 'cause you let your rival do all the work while you stay at the sidelines."

"You make me sound like I'm a bum!"

"What? So, you are?"

"Shut your damn mouth, hag!"

"Quit calling me a hag, brat, you'll never mature if you let your emotions control you."

"Look who's talking!"

"Sheesh, you're still the same, always letting your mouth talk and not thinking—"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!"

I paused and look at him, he was standing now. There was anger in his eyes, a fury I knew all too well. I knew this boy, I knew him well. I think this is time that he wants to be taken seriously.

"Who are you to dictate what I should say and what I should think? You left me here without even saying goodbye! Do you have any idea what I went through, I spent how many years waiting for you to come back and yet you treat me like some dumbass kid!"

He looked me in the eye.

"I'm not a kid anymore; I don't need your damn advice, guidance or protection. I'm different from then, I'm stronger now. So, why can't you see that?"

In a blink of an eye, he was suddenly inches away from my face.

"Why can't you see that I'm no longer a child? I'm a man now. I don't need your protection. I just want you."

My eyes widened when I realized he was coming closer and closer to me. I was in panic, I yearned to run but my body was frozen. I wanted to stay. I wanted to touch him. Even as he neared me I felt the urge of going closer to him. Just one kiss? What could happen? I was tempted. But no, it cannot be. I quickly edged away from him.

He gave me a shocked look.

I spat on the ground and didn't look at his face; I didn't want him to see my face.

"Aren't you a little fast lover boy? I haven't even said anything about how I felt about you. I don't recall telling you anything. Don't be a fool, Lucy seems nice enough, Erza too. Maybe even Levi but right now I'm telling you this," I looked him in the eye "It would be a fool's errand to try and test your luck on me."

He stiffened; I saw the look of pain in his eyes before he turned away. Stupid and foolish but necessary. I didn't want him to be involved with me. My sensei died, the people I care about always die when I'm close to them. No one's going to die anymore, at least I hoped.

I sighed, there goes my one chance of finally getting a kiss and it was going to be from the boy I liked too. How unfortunate, yes, I lead a pathetic life. Makes me wonder if I can ever rearrange it.

"Hey doll." A voice above me said. I looked up.

I found myself looking up at Laxus Dreyar. Oh great, another bimbo who wants to pick a fight for no other good reason but to prove that 'I can beat you', jerks these days. Wish they could get a life and leave me alone.

He gave me a saucy grin, I merely stared at him.

"Okay, cut the formalities about the challenge, just tell me when and where. I'm free at noon tomorrow, I can also do morning too but not at night I like sleeping and don't even thinking about protesting. You want the fight, right? I don't expect to fulfill requests, I make them. If you want to fight me those are the conditions, get me? Now—"

"Actually, Zeira-san I didn't come here to fight you."

I blinked rapidly, what?

"I merely wished to have a conversation with you in private, say we eat together? There's a restaurant nearby which I think you might enjoy." He said.

Well, I was surprised. Though to be honest I wasn't really hungry but who couldn't accept some free food? Nothing wrong with it.

"Sure," I replied, I got up and walked beside him.

~GRAY'S POV: ~

'Damn it, just damn it all' thought Gray as he walked. He had the urge of being violent and to scream. Of all the things he hopped for it was for Zeira to come back and maybe even a small just. No matter how small, he hopped that she had the same feelings for him. What fool he was dreaming up stupid fantasies.

But the most stupid thing that he probably did that day was to run away. How could he be so weak? Even if Zeira hated him he didn't care, he only wanted to be near her. To patch the damages that happened so many years before. It wasn't fair, because of her he wasn't able to look at any other girls, and he couldn't forget her. Not even for a moment, love is so cruel. The worst problem would probably be: would she ever look at him the same way?

Suddenly, he felt all of his emotions collide. He was in confusion, what was worse he didn't know what to do.

Then, he saw her.

Gray was about to call her but then he stopped, 'why the heck is she with Laxus?' he thought. He knew this was probably him just being paranoid but he decided to follow them. Gray watched them like a hawk s they entered the nearby restaurant, they sat near the window and there he simply watched. He was dying to know what they were saying but he didn't dare approach. He waited and watched for a long time but then just as he was about to give up watching she heard Zeira shout: "WHAT ARE YOU, A DAMN LUNATIC? YOU KEEP YOUR STINKIN' THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF, YOU ASS!"

Talk about timing that sounded perfect to go inside.

~ZERIA'S POV: ~

"WHAT ARE YOU, A DAMN LUNATIC? YOU KEEP YOUR STINKIN' THOUGHTS TO YOURSEF, YOU ASS!" I yelled, as I stood up. No, not a lunatic, he was insane. Of all things he wanted to talk about with me. REPLACE MAKAROV? Was he nuts? I knew that old man; I knew how powerful he was. Heck, even Laxus should know better than me, he's the freakin' grandson of Makarov.

"I just thought it would be nice to hear your opinion on it, my mistake, but my offer still stands. With your capabilities you are a perfect edition to the group. I could use someone of your talents and I'll tell you this, your efforts will not go unrewarded." He looked me in the eye.

"I am offering you a once in a life time offer, Zeira, think about it before you get out of this restaurant." He suddenly sparked. I heard a faint crackle.

A chill ran down my spine. 'Lightning', I thought. I don't like lightning, its unpredictable, uncontainable…uncontrollable. At that very moment I really wanted to run but I couldn't move. I couldn't do anything till I gave this guy a reply...so what should I do? Run and risk my skin? Fight and still risk my skin. None of the options seemed any good to me. So, much for plan A and B now I really need a plan C. Unfortunately, I had none.

"Hey, Laxus, if you want to fight her now do it when there isn't a crowd."

You can't imagine the relief I felt when I heard his voice, I no longer felt scared. Laxus could only glare at Gray as he grabbed the sleeve of my coat and dragged me out of the restaurant. As soon as we were outside I felt like collapsing, I quickly whispered to Gray, "Take me to a place where we can't be seen, quickly."

Without another word he walked me to the nearest alley where I collapsed to the ground. I couldn't stop shaking; I couldn't help remembering the lightning. It reminded me of a lot of things…unpleasant things. I hid my face from Gray, why was he here anyway? That stupid brat, thank god he came just in time.

"Why were you with Laxus? Not only are you a granny but you're an idiot as well. If there's anything more stupid, it's to be alone with Laxus! I thought that you had more sense than that!" he said. I could only listen with my head down, I knew how much he cared about me, and it's too bad I can't return his feelings. But to protect him and the people I care about I'll shut out as many emotions as possible. I know it hurts them but it even hurts me more to know I injure the people I care about so much, it's a rotten feeling. What makes it worse is that I'm afraid now. Then, I felt something wet slide down my cheek. Tears?

When was the last time I had cried?

Gray at that moment had suddenly become very quiet. I heard him sit down, I sensed his hesitation but he cautiously placed his hand on my head.

"You're scared right now, no one's here to see you cry, I'll keep it a secret so take your time. Right now you don't need to worry." He said, with a kind voice.

I realized then how sweet he could be when he saw someone hurt and I thought I knew him so well. The little boy I knew is gone, the feelings that I shut away have resurfaced again. This wasn't fair. I'm too old for this guy and yet I still get jealous when other girls stick around him. Even though I push him away I still want to stay beside him. This is wrong. This is confusing. Is this love? Stupid brat…when did you change so much?

Because now I can't keep up with you anymore.

After that, we ended up sitting on the bench. It was only now that I realized that there was so many decorations put up.

"Hey, what gives? Why are there so many decorations up?" I asked.

"Tomorrow is the Magnolia Festival." Gray replied, turning his head to me, his ebony eyes staring at me as if they're searching me.

"I still haven't given up on you." He said.

I just gave him a look.

"Don't touch me next time," I replied.

"WHAT? WHY NOT!"

"Because I absorb energy when any living creature touches my skin, it's the reason I wear my trench coat and gloves all the time. They're made with a special cloth that only block a portion of the energy but if you touch my skin," I removed my glove as I said this and I touched a nearby plant with my ungloved hand. It wilted before my eyes but I felt the energy flow into me. I quickly placed on my glove. "That will happen, so please avoid touching my skin or me for that matter." I said.

Gray could only stare in bafflement then he began to blush. Now, what the heck was he blushing about?

"Why are you blushing?" I asked.

"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" he yelled back.

"TELL ME!"

"NO WAY!"

So, our relationship is still normal but I can only wonder how it's going to end.

Yup, now Zeira knows how Gray feels about her but she still rejects him even though she loves him! Yeah, I know you want to read the next chapter and honestly I can't wait to write it! I just finished this chapter today! So, till the next chapter guys! Your support is great! Thanks for being so patient with this third-ate writer! :) LOL.