NOTE: This story has characters which do not exist in Hiro Mashima-sensei's work. They are my ORIGINAL CHARACTERS and they are mine. Everything else is not mine, but sensei's. Also, even if I do not write very well, please respect my work! Thank you!

-CHAPTER THREE: THE DATE (Lucy's Perspective)-
"A… friend?, Lucy thought. Yes, she realized. Jacques was just a friend."

Dear God, I do love him!

Lucy closed her eyes tightly. Since two days ago, she had been deliberating with herself as to why she said those words and why she wanted Natsu to say those to her, too. It took her forty-eight hours to come up with the verdict and now that she has, she'd rather she didn't.

Now, it way Tuesday. Her date with Jacques was only moments away. Lucy stared blankly into space. She contemplated on the everything that had happened for the past three days.

Jerk! I'll show you!

"—today, ebi?"

You and your denseness! Why was he just unbelievably dense?

"Ms. Lucy?"

"H-huh?"

Lucy snapped out of her daydream. She had let her mind drift off a lot more than usual. Since she had realized how much Natsu meant to her (and that he wasn't even noticing it), Lucy hasn't been herself. She and her feelings were just too transparent to Natsu, too invisible.

"What do you want to wear for tonight, ebi?" Cancer was apparently helping her out with her dinner look.

"I dunno Cancer, what do you think?" Lucy said inattentively. Although the idea of her date with Jacques hyped her up, the heavy feeling in her gut was still there and still burdened her.

Cancer nodded. Pop! All of a sudden, a long see-through gown appeared. Cancer held it out to Lucy.

"Okay, that's just bothersome. Let's save that for another appointment." Lucy said.

Pop!

"I don't think so, Cancer…"

Pop!

"Cancer!" Lucy flushed.

Pop after pop, Lucy critiqued the dresses. It went on like that until she decided on the black cocktail dress. After dressing up (Cancer went back to the Spirit World), she sprayed herself with her most fragrant perfume. She took a clutch bag and stuffer some of her things in: her house keys, her Stellar Spirit keys and her money.

She was just about to leave when she realized someone was sitting on her couch.

"Yo!"

Gray was sitting there, making himself at home—as usual.

"How many times do I need to remind you not to go in without permission?" Lucy said, more irritated than shocked.

"Relax Lucy." Gray stood up. He wasn't naked, like usual. He was wearing a tuxedo that Lucy thought looked good on him! She didn't know whether to get angry at his trespassing or laugh at his get up. Mostly, it was the latter. "I'm here to chaperone you."

"Really, Gray? So what, you're the overprotective big brother now?" Lucy smiled.

"Nope. Let's just say that I'm doing this as an errand. Besides, if I didn't do this—"

Before Gray could finish his sentence, one name struck Lucy's mind. Only one person could send Gray there to "chaperone" her.

"Erza?" Lucy guessed.

Gray only smiled.

There were two things, Lucy wasn't entirely expecting: one, Gray was her chaperone for the night and two, she was going to ride in a motorcycle (powered by magic, of course). Upon riding it a while ago, Lucy had to hold on for dear life as Gray was driving at full speed. Now, Lucy's hair was a mess and she looked absolutely messed up. There was very little time to fix her hair ("Awwe! And Cancer put so much effort in it, too!" Lucy added) and Jacques was already waiting for her. Unlike any theater acts or books that Lucy has watched and read, Jacques was waiting for Lucy outside. Usually, the leading male character would wait for his date inside the restaurant. Just as Lucy thought, Jacques was unpredictable and this made her stomach jolt.

"Wow, Lucy. You look—special tonight." Jacques said as he stared at the current state of her tangled hair.

"I'm sorry… Um… You remember Gray, right? Gray Fullbuster?" Lucy said while turning to Gray. "He was with me the first time we met."

"Yeah, I do. Is he coming with us?" Jacques said, having an uncomfortable look on his face. Yet, he forced a smile.

"No!" Lucy said while Gray chorused. "He's just my chaperone."

"Oh…" he said, smiling, relieved. "Well, then. Shall we go inside?"

"Yes, please…. Let's…" Lucy said while glancing at Gray. He was showing her his fingers, all ten of them, meaning that he'd pick her up by ten.

Jacques seemed to see this because he said, "No need to fetch her, Gray-san. I'll take her home myself."

Gray scoffed.

"By the way, Gray!" Lucy said as Gray glanced at her. "Your clothes!" she winked.

"Oh, crap!" Gray muttered under his breath as he hurried onto the motorcycle and fled.

The harbor was living up to its reputation. The ambiance was just amazing! There were magic violins and a pianist (probably controlling the violins, Lucy thought) playing very sweet ballads. The tables were covered with linen clothing and the food looked absolutely superb!

Jacques led Lucy to a circular table by the balcony at the second floor. They talked about a lot of stuff, not even feeling the least bit awkward. Laughing and chatting, Lucy forgot about the stress she's been having for the past few days. She was just there, having fun with nothing to think about: no Natsu, no pressure, no worries and no Natsu. Just there, relaxing for the first time in a while, with a friend.

A… friend?, Lucy thought. Yes, she realized. Jacques was just a friend. Why is this even a date? And why was she making him hope that something could come out of this?

Guilt flooded Lucy. Jacques was too nice a guy too make a fool out of.

Lucy stood up. Jacques stared in amazement.

"Lucy? Is there something wrong?"

"Um… B-bathroom…" Lucy said. This was the perfect getaway that the lead female in books uses whenever she's in trouble.

"I understand. It's downstairs, near the receptionist. Hurry up, okay? Dinner will be served soon." Jacques smiled.

When Lucy returned, food was already at the table. But it wasn't served on plates—it was put in small take-out packages. Jacques was still in his seat, waiting.

"Um… Is this how they serve food in here?" Lucy said while taking her seat.

Jacques laughed. "No… I got a feeling that you wanted to eat these at your house." He was clearly avoiding Lucy's gaze.

"I…" Can he read minds?

"It's okay, Lucy." Jacques said kindly. "I figured." He can read minds!

"I'm sorry, Jacques. I hope this won't come between our friendship. It's just that, you're too kind. You… probably deserve somebody else…" Lucy said between bitten lips.

Jacques forced out a laugh again. "It's okay. I didn't want to force you anyway." He said as he picked up their take-out.

Lucy was relieved, yet still guilty. She didn't know how Jacques felt but she sure was thankful he doesn't feel awkward. In fact, he felt warmer than before.

When they left The Harbor, they talked a lot. Jacques started by talking about his friends and how much fun he was having at Lamia Scale. Lucy talked, too, and relayed how much trouble and damage they give other people—even their clients that led both of them to laugh loudly despite the ocean of people they passed.

"I remember one mission in particular where I and my teammates also had to give up our reward because we destroyed the clients' house and the neighboring houses." Jacques said while imitating an explosion.

Lucy giggled.

"By the way, that guy from before."

"Who, Gray?" Lucy said.

"No, the other one… The one with the pink hair?" Jacques clarified. Lucy's heart sank.

Please don't talk about him. Please don't. She gave a nervous chuckle. "Y-You mean, Natsu Dragneel?" She managed to stutter.

"Yeah, him… Please don't be alarmed by what I'm about to say."

"W-why? What's wrong?" Lucy gulped. Has he found out that it was because of Natsu that she couldn't take him seriously?

"Well, you see…" he started.

Lucy's heart sank. Her stomach felt like a million butterflies were fluttering about.

"…he's been following us around since we went in the restaurant."

Third chapter! Thank you for those who took the time to read this! I'm so thankful! You make me want to try harder!

To lilmissshortie1 and Elizabeth Mustang, thanks so much!