A/N: Thank you for the lovely reviews! :) Here's another chapter!

(and I won netball - yay! We have finals next week, which is exciting :3)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything!

Enjoy!

Chapter 8

"It was really good to see you again," Wendy told Lucy as she hugged her goodbye. They were at the middle school, dropping Wendy off at her dorm.

"You too, Wendy," Lucy smiled. "I hope I didn't intrude too much on your time with your brother,"

"Not at all!" the girl smiled. Then she turned to her brother.

"Seeya Wendy," he smiled, ruffling her hair. She scowled at him for a second before hugging him.

"Bye, Natsu-nii, thanks for finally bringing her!" she grinned. "I'll see you on Saturday!" she called, waving. She turned and headed inside.

"Saturday?" Natsu asked.

"I invited her to the game," Lucy smiled.

"Oh," Natsu replied. "Will she be alright by herself? She's really small,"

"Don't worry," Lucy giggled. "She's going to bring a friend,"

The two headed towards the high school in silence.

"Thanks for inviting me today, Natsu," Lucy eventually said. "I had a lot of fun,"

"No problem, Luce," he grinned. "I had fun, too, and so did Wendy,"

Natsu dropped Lucy off at the girls' dorm with a goodnight hug, and Lucy walked inside.

She was greeted by Mira, Erza, Levy, Bisca, Cana and Juvia. They were all smirking; they must have seen the hug through the glass doors.

Lucy sighed and made a futile attempt to walk past them.

"You're not going anywhere," Cana grabbed her wrist.

"Guys, I'm really tired. I just want to go to bed," Lucy lied desperately.

"Not until you tell us everything," Bisca said, holding her other arm.

"There's nothing to tell!" Lucy cried. "I had a fun day with Natsu and Wendy. We went shopping, saw a movie and ate. That's it,"

"What about that hug?" Erza asked.

"That was just a friendly hug! I hugged Wendy loads more!"

"But that's different, Lu-chan,"

"I don't see how," Lucy grumbled. "It's the same as hugging Gray, or Elfman – it doesn't mean anything other than friendship!" she sank down into the closest chair, defeated.

"Lucy, Natsu might really like you," Mirajane said seriously. "Like, for real,"

"No," Lucy said. "There's no way that Natsu likes me, or anyone. He doesn't have a clue about this sort of thing – when he tried to understand, he thought that Lisanna and Elfman liked each other!" Lucy cried, and she saw all the girls sweat drop. "So, no. He doesn't,"

"But Lu-chan–"

"I'm tired," Lucy cut her off. "Can I go to bed now?"

The girls reluctantly nodded and let her go. Lucy sighed when she got into her room. She wrote a new chapter of her novel and a letter to her mother before she got into bed. She was already half-asleep when Cana came in.

The next morning, Lucy finally found Juvia alone, walking to breakfast.

"Juvia!" she called. "Wait up!"

"What can Juvia do for you?" she asked.

Lucy pulled her into the shadows off to the side.

"I know about you and Gray," she burst, smiling at her friend.

Juvia visibly paled.

"First of all, I won't tell anyone, and second, congratulations!" she cried, hugging the girl. It was a second before Juvia hugged back.

"Thank you," she replied. "You really won't tell anyone?" she asked.

"Of course not! I know that Gray wants to keep it a secret for now, and as much as I want you to be open about your relationship, I will respect your wishes," Lucy told her.

"Thank you. But, why is Lucy being so kind to Juvia?" she asked sheepishly. "After all, Juvia has not been so nice about Natsu,"

"I'm not going to backstab my friends over something like that," Lucy told her. "Sure, the teasing gets annoying, but I know you girls are only looking out for me, so how can I be mad?"

"Juvia always knew Lucy was kind, but Juvia did not realise she was this kind," she cried, flinging herself at Lucy.

"Just make sure you tell him if you feel uncomfortable hiding it any longer," Lucy told her. "And tell me if he does anything to hurt you – I'll sort him out!"

Once Juvia had calmed down, the two walked to breakfast together.

Later, as Lucy was walking to lunch with Natsu, Erza and Lisanna, Gray came running up to her.

"Hey, Lucy!" he called. "You got a sec?"

"Sure," Lucy called. "I'll meet you in there," Lucy told Natsu, who stopped with her. Frowning, he walked after Erza and Lisanna.

"Juvia told me everything," Gray started when they were alone. "I just wanted to say thanks,"

"No worries," Lucy smiled. "Just don't make her wait too long, okay?" she warned him.

Gray nodded; it was no secret that Lucy scared him sometimes. He was smart enough to know not to get on her bad side.

"I know what the girls can be like," Lucy added. "So I understand where you're coming from, and why you're scared. But I don't think you have too much to be scared about. They'll all be happy for you, Gray. You like her, don't you?"

"Very much," he replied, blushing.

"Well then what's there to worry about?" she asked. "Honestly, making her hide this for too long could be more harmful than the girls,"

"I – I guess…"

"I'm only saying this because I care, and I want you two to be happy," Lucy smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks, Lucy," Gray smiled, hugging her.

"No worries," she smiled back. "Are you coming in to lunch?"

"In a sec, I just need to do something quickly first," he told her, thinking hard.

"Okay," she smiled, walking into the dining hall to find her friends.

"What was all that about?" Natsu asked as Lucy sat down next to him.

"He just needed my help with something," she smiled.

Gray walked in shortly, looking determined. He sat down, without speaking or even looking at anyone.

He didn't even react when Natsu flicked one of his peas at him.

"Jeez Luce, what did you do to him?" Natsu asked.

"Nothing!" Lucy cried.

"Whatever," Natsu mumbled.

"Hey Juvia," Mirajane greeted the bluenette. Gray's head snapped up at her name.

"Juvia," Gray said, standing up.

"Gray-sama?"

"No more hiding," he whispered before grabbing her arms and pressing his lips to hers.

Everyone stopped and stared at the two.

"Did everyone know about that, too?" Natsu demanded loudly, breaking the silence.

There was a collective sweat drop throughout the room. Lucy sighed, putting her head in her hand. He never changes.

"Seriously, Natsu, we have a test today! Shut up and study!" Lucy hissed. They had a free period with Lisanna, and Lucy was trying to study for their upcoming Chemistry test.

"But I just don't understand!" he cried. He was still stressing over the fact that he didn't see Gray and Juvia coming.

"That doesn't matter right now!" Lucy growled. "Now study!"

Natsu shrank down in his chair. He had somehow released 'Demon Lucy'.

Lucy turned back to her book, happy that he was finally studying quietly. She noticed that Lisanna hadn't said a word during their whole conversation, she just stared down at her book the entire time. Lucy guessed she was used to Natsu's yelling by now – she'd known him almost her whole life.

But, then why hadn't she turned the page all lesson?

"Luce, you're not even studying!" Natsu cried, making Lucy jump.

"I am!" she retorted, turning to her book.

"Man, that test was hard!" Natsu complained as they walked out of Chemistry at the end of the day.

"It would have been easier if you'd studied more," Lucy told him.

"Whatever," Natsu grunted. "I'll see you later at the gym," he said. They had reached the library, and Lucy went inside with a wave for Writer's Club.

Lucy found herself distracted throughout the meeting. She honestly couldn't tell you what they talked about. Normally this was her favourite part of the day, but today, her thoughts kept drifting; first to Erza and Jellal, then Gray and Juvia, before finally resting on little Wendy and Romeo.

She really hoped that things worked out for Wendy; she was such an amazing girl, she didn't see how he could not like her!

She wondered what he was like. She hoped he was a nice boy, worthy of Wendy. She was sure that Wendy would have good taste, though.

Lucy was just really excited about Saturday: cheerleading, the first football game, seeing Wendy again and meeting Romeo! She couldn't wait!

"Lu-chan," Levy's voice broke into her thoughts.

"Huh?"

"The meetings over, everyone's gone," she giggled. "Were you even paying attention at all today?"

"Sorry," Lucy mumbled sheepishly. "I was thinking about Saturday," she admitted.

"Oh, don't remind me! I'm so nervous!" Levy wailed.

"You have nothing to be nervous about," Lucy assured her.

"Easy for you to say; you aren't the one getting thrown in the air!"

"Don't you trust me to catch you?" Lucy faked being hurt.

"Of course I trust you," Levy said quickly. "But it's still scary,"

"You know what's scary?" Lucy asked. "Being on top of the pyramid!"

The two girls headed back to the dorm, talking excitedly about their routines and the upcoming game. By the time they got there, Lucy was sure that Levy was actually as excited as herself about Saturday.

A/N: Okay, I promise that there are more intense Nalu moments coming up; just be patient! Good things come to those who wait ;)

Thanks again to those who have reviewed! And those who have favourited and followed! It means a lot to me that you've taken the time to let me know that you like my story :)