God I'm so bored of my facking cabin. Swear to sweet jesus it's like being stuck between a rock and a angry baboon pointing a sword at you here. (It's that bad)
If I don't die from boredom the mosquito's out here will definitely kill me.
Help me. ~welps~
Anyways, as I was saying before my immense pain and suffering got in the way.
Here's my update.
Hope you enjoyed the previous chapter.
That one was such a blast to write. Yippee.
Yes, Natsu is coming around. I know I'm pretty stoked too.
Please enjoy this chapter and please don't forget to sauce me a spicy review when you're done.
P.S – GaLe is mentioned in this chapter. If you don't like that pairing (although I don't know why you wouldn't) please forgive me.
Revised: 2015
~The Following Afternoon: Dark Arts Class~
Lucy felt as if her head was going to explode. It was around 1 in the afternoon, right after lunch.
Professor Zeref was droning on about Murk Brownies, awful little magicked little goblins who live in swamps and go out of their way to make any inhabitants of the area absolutely miserable.
Usually Lucy would be doodling in her notebook or passing notes with Levy whilst whispering about how cute Professor Zeref was but today she was exhausted.
Everything was wrong. First her dreams, now Angel, whatever and whoever he was could surely not be anything good and now Natsu.
Lucy sank further into her seat at the thought of the pink haired wizard. She had skipped breakfast and grabbed an apple and a tuna sandwich at lunch then dashed outside to eat in solitude.
Her friends knew something was wrong but none of them had been able to catch the blonde long enough to truly begin asking questions, which was exactly how Lucy wanted it. She wasn't sure she'd be able to say anything without bursting into stress induced tears.
"Murk Brownies have pointed black noses and are around the the size of a rabbit. They have dense black fur and beady pink or red eyes. Although they may appear cute and cuddly Murk Brownies are the nastiest Brownies known to man due to their shared goblin bloodline." Professor Zeref pointed his long meter stick at the picture projected on the screen in the front of the class.
Everyone beside the distressed blonde witch and an angry and frustrated pink haired wizard were sitting in their desks attentively taking notes.
Natsu, due to his reputation, sat in the very back of the class, Lucy near the front.
He stared at the back of her head, her hands constantly tugging at her blonde locks in what was either frustration or deep thought.
Natsu's pink brows knitted together, a deep frown moulding his face.
He himself had little to no sleep last night, his thoughts, much to his chagrin, set on a certain blonde witch. Maybe it had something to do with that never in his life had he actually formally apologized to someone. Never. Not even if, as a kid, when had knocked his younger sister Wendy off the swing set.
Not when he and Gray had decided it was a good idea to try to dye their teeth black and instead they turned a horrid green then he had blamed it on Loke. Still to this day Natsu never admitted to Gray that he was the one in fact who switched the bottles, hoping to foil his friend.
Last night he had apologized. It might not be a big deal to Lucy but it was a big deal to him.
Natsu winced as he remembered the aftermath of the apology. It was like every thought he had had at the moment rolled off his tongue, including those sappy words he had said in the spur of the moment.
Regret and anger surged in Natsu's blood, he was embarrassed! She had made a fool out of him! His first time apologizing to anyone and then she made him feel so damn stupid. She made him feel unwanted and unworthy.
Natsu continued to glare heatedly at the back of Lucy's head. If looks could kill.
"So that concludes my little speech on Murk Brownies. Any questions?" Professor Zeref leaned against his desk, lean, muscular arms crossed over his slightly wrinkled white blazer casually.
Lucy's hand shot up in the air.
Natsu huffed, rolling his eyes, he doubted she was even listening to him. Not that she needed to with her seemingly limitless knowledge nowadays, Natsu thought bitterly.
"Yes Lucy, what is it?" Professor Zeref asked, he had always had a soft spot for Lucy, even though she got bad grades.
Lucy's brown eyes bored fixated up at her Professor. Her lips set into a grim line.
"This isn't a question about Murk Brownies Professor." Lucy said, voice hard.
Zeref's brows pulled upwards questioningly. But the look on Lucy's face told him this was a serious matter.
"Indulge me." He said lightly, black eyes flickering.
Lucy swallowed, her throat parched, sweat itching her forehead.
"I know it's an odd question Professor and I'm not really comfortable telling you how I came across this knowledge but . . ." Lucy rambled nervously, "What is an 'Eater'?"
All eyes turned to Zeref, none of them had heard the word 'Eater' before, nor had any idea what it could possibly be.
Zeref's face grew very pale. His lips tight, lacking colour.
"W-where did you hear that word?" Zeref asked tightly, his usual sweet faced expression clouding.
Lucy leaned backwards in her chair, desperation and terror reeking off Zeref.
Silence swallowed the classroom, all ears awaiting Lucy's answer.
Should she tell the truth? She desperately wanted too. She wanted it off her chest, be able to leverage her overwhelming problem on to someone else.
Lucy desperately wanted help. To have someone understand. It was a selfish thought.
Swallowing the want to have someone understand, to help. Lucy spoke,
"I-I stumbled across it in a book in the library Professor. I-I was just curious, it didn't have a description, it was like the page was torn out, beside the title." Lucy lied through her teeth.
Mr. Zeref retracted, his tense shoulders easing slightly.
"Ah. I see. What book was this in Lucy?" He asked, although his words were light something told her he was still very unnerved by the whole situation.
Lucy diverted her eyes from his gaze, not wanting him to see the lies in her eyes.
"I-I don't remember Professor. I only looked at it briefly."
Zeref's mouth turned downwards deeply, he grabbed his spectacles off his desk.
"I must have a word with the librarian. Everyone please read pages 677-700 please. Excuse me for a moment." And with that Zeref rushed out, his cloak whipping behind him.
Lucy watched him go, fear as sharp as a knife sticking into her stomach.
This was worse than she thought.
It was so much worse.
~After Classes~
The library was empty. Lucy sat at a small study desk in the very back, nose stuffed in a book.
She'd picked this seat specifically. Situated at the very back of the library the likelihood of anyone finding her was slim. She needed closure. Quiet.
Thoughts buzzed inside her head like a hive of angry gnats. Stomach clenched in worry and fear.
Lucy tapped on the edge of the oak desk with her pencil, which was now just a pathetic stub.
She'd been in here for nearly five hours and had found nothing to help her.
Everyone was at dinner, probably chowing down on the many buffet items offered daily.
At that thought her stomach groaned with displeasure. She hadn't eaten since lunch.
Lucy licked her thumb, gingerly turning the page of the humongous book that sat on the table in front of her.
She'd seen books on everything from Water Nixies to the lighting Dragons in Norway, but nothing on 'Eaters'. A sinister shudder vibrated through Lucy's body, she was insane for even wanting to solve this mystery. Part of her wanted to pack all her valuables and become a hermit in some nice forest somewhere, hidden forever.
She knew running wouldn't solve her problems. It seemed to follow her like a shadow, stalking her, waiting for the second to pounce.
Lucy pushed that thought aside, there was no point dwelling on it.
Closing the book, Lucy stood, stretching her cramped muscles. She decided she'd see if the kitchen had any scraps of dinner left.
Organizing her papers Lucy grabbed her books and made her way to the check out counter.
Miss. Tibble's sat behind her desk, appearing dwarfed in comparison to the large mahogany desk and stacks of tomes.
The librarian resembled a raisin, wiry grey hair stuck out wildly and her face was a mass of wrinkles.
A bony hand clutched a red fountain pen, scribbling down something on a pad of paper.
Miss. Tibble's was so absorbed in her work that she hadn't even noticed Lucy standing patiently.
Lucy cleared her throat, getting the librarian's attention.
Startled Miss. Tibble's smeared red ink across the page.
"Look what you made me do!" The elderly lady scolded crossly, blotching at the ink splotch furiously to no avail.
"Sorry ma'am. But I'd like to check out these books please." Lucy said, plopping the large amount of books on the desk roughly.
Miss. Tibble's sniffled, examining the books.
"Name please." She asked, finding a fresh page of paper.
"Lucy Heartfillia."
Miss. Tibble's looked up at her, grey eyes peering up at Lucy thoughtfully.
"You look so much like your mother, has anyone ever told you that? Similar to her in looks and interests it would seem." She smiled stiffly, glancing at the thick book. "Your mother was such a talented young witch, well she became one eventually. It seemed it took her longer than others to find her way with magic." Miss. Tibble's began writing down the book titles alongside Lucy's name.
"But when she turned seventeen she burst out of her cocoon, like a marvellous butterfly!" She added wistfully, still looking at Lucy with gauged curiosity.
"Much like yourself young Lucy. An odd family you Heartfillia's are in that respect. Magical nitwits until the age of seventeen; very odd if you ask me. Shame she died, she was such a magical wonder that one. Everyone grieved the day she passed. Your mother was a wondrous woman, don't you ever forget that."
Lucy gulped, her mouth dry. She knew her mother had been a talented witch. But her mother had neglected to tell her she had come into her powers at seventeen.
Just as Lucy had, the coincidence settled in her mind uncomfortably. It was much more than a simple coincidence.
"Can you tell me more about my mother?" Lucy asked abruptly.
Miss. Tibble's wrinkles shifted in a expression of confusion.
"Well, she was very odd. Even more so when she turned seventeen, she dropped out at the end of the year. Declaring she already knew everything she needed to know. It was all very dramatic, the school exploded in speculation as she took off on a flying Volaran. I remember it clearly, god, she looked beautiful as she flew away from the school, in search of adventure I suppose." Miss. Tibble's waved her hand dismissively.
"Then she settled down, got married and had you, no one saw her, nor heard from her much after she bought that huge house of yours. She completely locked herself out of the wizarding world. Pretending we were a bad omen, perish the thought! The last time I saw her was at her funeral. Looking as young and gorgeous as any of us remembered in that open casket, timeless. Trust me if any of us at the school knew her murderer he'd be long dead." Miss. Tibble's smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry dear but she's as big a mystery to me as she is to you I'm afraid." Miss. Tibble's finished sorrowfully, glancing up at Lucy sympathetically.
Lucy couldn't hide her disappointment, she was hoping someone might be able to tell her about the mystery of her mother's last year at the Academy.
"But I'll tell you one secret dearie. . ." Miss. Tibble's said in a hushed tone.
Lucy diverted her attention back to the ancient librarian, hope rising in her chest.
"If Layla was close with anyone it was Professor Bob."
Lucy wrinkled her nose, Professor Bob was the infamous Literature teacher and tranny.
Why would her mom pick him to trust?
As if reading her face Miss. Tibble's spoke again. " Although Bob carries himself like a fool, he is wise. More than anybody gives him credit for, he holds as many secrets as your mother. If you want to know more about you mother, speak with him." Miss. Tibble's leaned back in her desk chair, her face stony, like she'd regret telling Lucy that tidbit of information.
"Now shoo. I've work to do." She snapped, flapping her arms at Lucy.
Lucy grabbed her books, even more thoughts swimming in her head than previous.
Lucy walked briskly down the long corridors of the school. The torches flamed brightly, casting warm glowing balls around the halls.
Her head was overstuffed with information, like a million loose ends withering unhappily in her mind. It was driving her mad, the incomplete, misplaced stories and mysteries overwhelming her with unresolved problems.
Lucy had spent more time that she'd expected in the kitchen. Her favourite chef, Louie, had in fact many scraps of dinner for her. He'd warmed her up a large bowl of heirloom tomato soup and had just finished making a beautiful batch of whole grain buns.
Her stomach hummed joyfully, the food sitting pleasantly in her gut, warming her insides.
It was getting dark though, curfew was drawing close. Lately it seemed like she was always late.
Laughter buzzed in Lucy's ears, perking up Lucy walked a little faster.
She didn't want any conformation, not in this state. Not when everyone was looking at her oddly and whispering when she entered the room, or walked past them,
She only had her close friends now, Levy, Lisanna, Cana, Erza. Trust still bloomed between them and Lucy wished with all her heart that she could trust them with her secret.
On the other hand, her old friends well . . . acquaintances, were scared of her. Or that's how it seemed, the thought saddened Lucy deeply.
Is this what Angel wanted, what the so called 'Eaters' wanted?
To make her feel like an outcast, isolated from her peers?
The laughter grew more raucous, louder. It sounded like a boy and a girl, the girl's laugh familiar.
"Stop it, you're tickling me!" The girl choked out through giggles, her voice shrill.
A much heartier laugh tore from the boy's voice.
Breathing raggedly Lucy felt very awkward, what the hell were they doing?
Whatever it was Lucy wasn't sure she wanted to know.
Giggles came from around the corner, well it sure sounded like they were having a good time.
A migraine ripping through Lucy's head she hurried on, smiling with amusement.
Deciding it best to return to her dorm Lucy clutched her books closer to her chest and made her way towards her dorm, dawdling along the way to inspect the crime scene from the night previous. Nothing was out of place, it all looked normal, A small part of her wanted to pass it off as some sort of vivid dream but then Natsu had been there so that wasn't possible. Oh, this was all so terribly messed up. Pushing onwards, climbing up her dormitory stairs she pushed open the door to her room, giggles of her fellow dorm mates awaiting her.
"Wait! You were doing what!?" The voice of Lisanna squealed like a piglet, clapping her hands together.
"I know, I know it was crazy, and it happened so fast but he just well . . ." Levy began to explain.
Lucy nibbled her lip, poking her face around the corner to where her friends sat on the edges of their beds.
"Hey guys, am I interrupting something?" Lucy asked, a joking lilt to her voice.
All heads snapped around, eyes wide, jaws shut.
Once they realized it was Lucy they all let out a relieved laugh, waving her to join them.
"Hey Lucy, you have to hear what Levy was just doing with a certain someone!" Cana teased, waggling her eyebrows at the furiously blushing bluette.
A wave of relief washed over Lucy, normalcy, finally. It felt like a life time since she'd been able to settle down and talk boys with her friends.
Lucy plopped down on the edge of her bed, elbows on her knees, cupping her chin.
"Was Levy out snogging some guy? Because, matter of fact, as I was walking here a rather noisy couple was getting it on in the hallway. That wouldn't have happened to be you, would it Levy?" Lucy asked coyly, brown eyes glimmering with their usual luster.
Levy turned twelve shades of red, burying her face in her hands and groaning.
"Guys! Stop it!" Levy squeaked like a mouse.
Whispers of amusement tore through the room, the girls all enjoying Levy's embarrassment highly.
"So who's the guy you were sucking face with?" Lisanna prompted.
Levy glared daggers at the white haired witch.
"None of your guy's business! How can I even call myself a dedicated scholar when I was just making out in the hallway like a floozy!?" Levy cried, intensely dismayed.
"Aww, come on Levy, every girl has to let their hair down once in a while. If you know what I mean." Cana winked at her friends saucily, laughing.
Levy just let out a whimper, blubbering like a baby. "My smart girl reputation!"
Lucy clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Levy I think it's well time you let go of your ridiculous reputation nonsense."
Everyone stared at Lucy, wide-eyed, jaws gaping.
"What I'm trying to say is, change it up. Mix it up, surprise people. Try something new." Lucy crossed her legs, holding Levy's shocked gaze.
"C-change it up?" Levy asked confused. "How?"
Lucy shrugged, looking extremely relaxed. "Do something you've never done before. Make people talk."
Erza cleared her throat, finally speaking. "Lucy may have a point, a very blunt point, but still a point."
Levy wiped her eyes, sitting up straighter, her nervous hands fixed her skirt.
"Are you sure?" Levy asked.
"Of course it'll be fun." Lucy smiled.
Hey, thanks for reading.
Hope you enjoyed.
Please review and such.
Means a million.
I'll update in a few days.
Thanks, byee.
3 Suicidal