Omgee. Sorry for the super late update. I lost interest in writing fanfiction but now I'm getting back into it. It might take a bit longer because I have other things to do, but I will definitely keep up with them. To make it up for the EXTREMELY late update, I made this super long! Just in case, you know, if I lose interest again. Haha. I kid.
Chapter 7: Tension
General POV:
Gray nervously twiddled his thumbs and looked towards Juvia while sweating nervously. "Uh, well, I have something to get to, so I have to get going!" He stammered and got up.
Juvia quickly grabbed his sleeve and beamed, "Yes, Gray-sama, I believe you have an appointment with me!"
"A what?" Gray questioned, getting sweater by the minute.
"An appointment," Juvia smiled and got closer to Gray, nearly toppling him over, "We're going to explore the town!" Gray sighed and tried to loosen Juvia's hold. Juvia gripped him even tighter, "I'll take you to a store that sells ice cream, shaved ice and other frozen desserts!"
Gray shoved his hand into his pocket and gave up trying to "escape" from Juvia. "I've already been there. Lucy recommended the place." He scratched his head and headed towards the door, dragging Juvia along with him. "Now, can you please let go? I really have to get going." He gave a huge jerk and released his arm from Juvia's grip.
Juvia looked down and stated, "All Juvia wanted to do was have fun with you, Gray-sama." She looked like she was about to tear up any minute. Gray glanced at Juvia as she continued staring at the ground, circling the floor with her feet. He smiled a little.
"Well," he began, scratching his head, "I guess I have a little time before my appointment." He exited the door. A smile quickly grew on Juvia's face, "Gray-sama, has Juvia ever told you that you are beautifully handsome?!" She quickly trailed after him, her love greatly emerging from her heart.
Gray waved his hand, "Yeah, I've been told quite a few times," he chuckled.
Outside with Lucy and Michelle:
"Michelle, why did you want to talk privately?" Lucy questioned, her eyebrows furrowed, worried that something had happened.
Michelle looked around and took a deep breath, "Lucy-nee-chan, I don't want to sound like a tattletale and break up your friendship, but I feel that what I'm about to sound is necessary for you to know."
Lucy nodded and held Michelle's hand, "Michelle, I would never get mad at you. You're like my sister, I'll forever trust you." She gave Michelle a reassuring smile. Michelle gave a relieved smile.
"Well, the other night, I followed Juvia-san and went to a coffee shop." Michelle paused and gestured towards a shop down the street that was pretty close to where they lived. She looked down and continued. "It turns out that she was meeting with Erza-san." Michelle glanced up at Lucy. Surprisingly, she had no reaction to that, her face was motionless.
Lucy smiled, "I'm sure it's nothing," she finally replied. She started walking to her work as Michelle walked by her side. "Michelle, have I ever told you what a guild means?" Michelle shook her head.
Lucy smiled and looked up at the sky. "Well, a guild is a home where nakamas gather. Everybody knows each other in a guild. A guild is a family; it's where they'll accept you no matter who you are." She looked at Michelle, "That's what I've learned from my family."
Michelle began, "Soo—"
"Although we may seem to be, as what Juvia calls us, 'Love Rivals', we're still friends and family. Family understands each other." Michelle gave Lucy a puzzled look. Lucy stopped and turned towards Michelle. "What I'm saying is, Juvia knows that I don't want to go back to guild. She wouldn't betray me, because we're a true family."
Michelle started to smile as well, "I guess I understand what you're saying Lucy-nee-chan. Maybe I'm just over thinking this." Michelle stated, "Well, I guess you have to go to work now. I hope I didn't hold you back too long.
Lucy shook her head. "I'm pretty sure I can make up some good excuses," she chuckled. "Okay, thanks for telling me anyways. I have to go now."
Michelle waved and they parted ways. Michelle headed home while Lucy went to work.
"She" looked down at the ground and twiddled her thumbs. She took a deep breath and looked at her exceed. "She" gave her an understanding smile while her exceed remained with a stoic face and shrugged. "She" nodded and her friend flew off.
"Who's there?" Michelle asked and looked around. She had this feeling that somebody was listening to their conversation and following her. Michelle made a face and muttered to herself, "I think I'm becoming paranoid. Maybe I should go see a psychiatrist."
Lucy's POV
After my talk with Michelle, I headed straight to work, in a hurry. Often I stopped because I felt as if somebody was watching me, but I figured it was just my imagination and continued on my way.
As soon as I got there, as expected I got the punishment for being late, which ended being that I had to stay a few more hours than usual, which was fine with me. I told Michelle about it and she said that she'll just wait until I get home for dinner.
Ring! Another customer entered. "Welcome to Crater!" I beamed at them.
"Love Rival" the girl with blue hair pointed at me.
"Oh, um, hi Juvia," I glanced at Gray. It was obvious that they were on a date, but if I were just another person on the street, I would've thought that he was being kidnapped. His arm looked like it was losing circulation as Juvia held it even tighter when she noticed me glancing at it. "I guess you're out on a date?" I shrugged. She glared at me.
"Yes, Gray-sama loves Juviamore than Love Rival. Now don't stick to Gray-sama anymore. Juvia can tell its hard work trying to shake Love Rival off, you know. Love Rival is a stalker. It's very creepy." I raised my eyebrows, and chuckled to myself. I looked over at Gray, who was trying to pry himself away from Juvia's death grip who gave me an understanding smile.
"What's so funny?" Juvia said in a stern voice, she glanced at both of us. I put my hand against me mouth and tried to cover my stifling laughter.
"Well?" she intrigued.
"No, it's just that, that sentence actually came from your mouth." I chuckled and looked at Gray. "Plus, I think you should loosen your grip, a few more minutes and he'd have one arm." I pointed to his arm. Juvia looked at her "manly" grip on Gray and noticed his reddening face. She quickly let go.
"Oh, Gray-sama! Juvia apologizes for such inconsiderate behavior!"
"It's fine," Gray winced and tried to wave his head. I could tell he was feeling the "Thousand needle ants". I smiled at that.
Juvia quickly came over and stared straight at my eye, inches away from my face, "Stop staring at Juvia's beautifully handsome Gray-sama."
I put my hands in front of me to protect myself and tried to explain, "I would-"She continued glaring at me, "Okay." I replied. Well, I hope that's over. I looked up at Juvia. Okaaayyy, maybe not.
"Juvia, would you like anything to drink?" I gestured them towards a table. They walked to the table, Gray pulled out a chair for Juvia. Juvia gave him a dreamy look and out her hand on his arm, "Gray-sama is so well mannered. I think I'm falling for you again." She sat down and put her hands in her lap.
Gray gave her a look and pushed her chair in, "Thanks, I guess?" He turned towards me and gave me a friendly smile, "I'll have the Cresent tea."
"Juvia will get whatever Gray-sama orders!" she piped up. I nodded my head, "Got it," and went to the kitchen.
They stayed for a while and left after it got crowded.
Ring! Someone entered the pub.
"Hey! Look, its Fairy Tail's Titania!" I heard someone shout. Titania? Erza's here? Did Juvia really betray me? I quickly ducked behind a counter.
Mitty, the girl with green hair, bend down. "Are you okay?" she looked worried.
"Uh-yeah, I was just looking for something I dropped," I stuttered. She nodded and replied, "Alright, tell me if you find it." I continued pretending to look for something until she left. I took a deep sigh and looked over the counter, secretly. I could see that Erza was a few tables away. I saw Mitty walk over to Erza, she asked Erza something.
"I'd like the delicious strawberry shortcake," Erza replied with her booming loud voice. I could hear her over all the loud noises that the drunken men were making. Is she not here to see me? I saw Mitty returning to the counter and quickly ducked. I sat there tapping my fingers on the ground.
"Lucy, did you find what you were looking for?" I looked up finding myself face to face with Mitty. "Well, I-uh-I, um," I bit my lip. "Okay, please don't say anything but do you see the girl over there?" I pointed to the overly excited girl eating her strawberry shortcake. Mitty nodded. "Well, I'm trying to-," I pondered. Should I tell her? I don't know what she's going to do after she finds out the truth. Well, I guess it's just meant to happen then. "Hide from her," I finished. I bit my lip, staring at Mitty's face trying to find what she thought of it.
Mitty grinned, "Well, that's all you need to say! There's nothing wrong with that!"
I gave Mitty a relieved smile and asked, "Can you go over there and ask her what she plans on doing after leaving?" Mitty glanced in Erza's direction and nodded. She stood up and and walked over to Erza. She started out by just making a conversation and finally asked the question. She secretly glanced over at me from time to time. I watched her while still crouching behind the counter. The pub suddenly got louder as more people entered. I could no longer hear Erza's overpowering voice, I barely managed to hear bits and pieces of her conversation, "Leave..look….cake…" I giggled. Of course only Erza would ramble about her "liking" for strawberry shortcake.
I saw Mitty coming back with a huge smile and she secretly gave me a thumbs up. She ducked down and gave me an answer, "Apparently your friend is going to leave the town to find you. I don't think she knows you're here and that she really loves strawberry shortcake." Mitty chuckled. I took a deep breath and smiled. I guess Juvia really didn't say anything.
"Thanks, Mitty, for going over there to ask her." I gave Mitty a big hug.
"No problem, I mean, we're friends right?" Mitty gave me a big grin. I nodded.
"Uhh, hello?" We heard a voice; I quickly froze as I realized the voice belonged to. Mitty quickly got up and dusted herself.
"Oh! Uhm, hello, Erza, " she said, nudging me.
"What were you doing down there?" Erza tried to look over the counter. Mitty quickly blocked her view and gave me a hand gesture, telling me to scoot closer to the counter. I quickly leaned against the counter and held my breath. I could hear my pounding heart.
"Nothing," Mitty tucked her hair behind her ear, "I was just….looking for something."
"Alright," Erza grinned, "Well, thanks for your delicious strawberry shortcake." She patted Mitty's back.
"Omph," Mitty made a sound as Erza "patted" her back, it was more like a punch to the back. Mitty waved goodbye and Erza exited the pub.
"She's gone," Mitty told me. I held my hand against my beating heart. I took deep breaths and tried to calm down.
"Hey! I've been waiting for a while now!" I heard someone shout.
"Oops, I have to get back now!" Mitty apologized and ran over to the customer.
I got up myself and dusted my apron off. "Well, I guess I have to get back to working as well." Ring! Someone entered. "Welcome to Crater!" I beamed and went over to them.
Meanwhile with Gray and Juvia…
"Gray-sama! Wait up for me!" Juvia puffed and walked quickly in order to keep up with Gray. Gray kept walking forward without even acknowledging Juvia's request.
Suddenly, he abruptly stopped. Juvia halted to a stop and asked Gray, "Gray-sama, why did you stop?" She tried to catch her breath. Gray pointed striaght. Juvia's eyes followed his finger and noticed a girl with blue hair and her exceed.
"Wendy and Carla?" Juvia asked. Gray nodded and headed over to Wendy and Carla with Juvia trailing him.
"Wendy?" Gray asked, approaching her. Wendy turned around and widened her eyes; she quickly tried to run away. Gray held her by her shoulder.
Juvia asked, "What are you doing here, Wendy-san?" Wendy turned around and nervously twiddled her thumbs. She looked up at Gray and Juvia and looked back down immediately. "Well," she began, "I'm looking for Lucy with Erza-san." She glanced up at Gray and Juvia.
"Erza?!" Gray shouted.
"Erza-san?! She's here?" Juvia asked nervously. Wendy nodded.
"Why are you so nervous around us?" Gray realized.
"Uhm, I've figured out Lucy's location…" Wendy explained. Gray and Juvia looked at each other.
"Wendy!" Gray cut her off; he pulled her to a bench by the fountain and sat her down. He seated next to her while Carla sat in her lap.
"So, I want to make a deal here," Gray started, "We know that you've figured out Lucy's location and you're planning to tell Erza but….can you not say anything about Lucy?" Wendy gave him a questioning look.
"Why?" she asked.
"We understand why you're looking for Lucy-san," Juvia explained, "Because that's what we were thinking at first too." Juvia put her hand on Wendy's shoulder. Wendy looked down at Carla and exchanged looks.
"We know," Wendy told them, "I noticed that you guys had already found Lucy-san. I figured you guys had a reason not to tell our guild members about your findings. I wasn't planning to go tell anybody anyways. I mean Lucy-san looks pretty content with her life right now." Wendy gave Carla a smile, Carla smiled back.
Juvia and Gray exchanged looks; Juvia hugged Wendy and Carla, nearly squeezing them to death.
Gray flashed them a smile, "Thanks!"
"Wendy!" they all turned their heads to see a woman with scarlet red hair walking towards them wearing armor and dragging a cart with tons of her bags behind her whilst eating strawberry ice-cream happily. "Did you know they had delicious strawberry ice-cream here?!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"Erza?" Gray exclaimed unbelievably. Erza turned her head and noticed Gray and Juvia staring at her.
"Oh hey!" she "patted" them on the back, "What are you doing here?"
"Oh well," Gray scratched the back of his head nervously.
"They were just roaming around the town and I accidently bumped into them!" Wendy piped up. Juvia looked at Wendy, surprised. Wendy secretly smiled at .
"So, how's it going, looking for Lucy?" Erza asked. She licked her ice-cream.
"They haven't had any luck yet," Carla answered for them. She sat with her arms crossed in front of her chest, remaining with a stoic expression.
"Oh okay, well, see you," Erza replied, "Hey Wendy, let's go now." She turned to Gray and Juvia, "We have to get to the next town, looks like she's not here," she explained. "Don't bother wasting your time in this town, unless you want to get some ice-cream. They have some real delicious ice-cream, shaved ice, and frozen yogurt," she pointed her ice-cream towards Gray. A drop fell on the ground, Erza quickly licked it.
"Well, I guess we'll check it out before we leave," Gray responded.
Erza shrugged, "Up to you guys, now let's go Wendy." Wendy got off the seat and brushed her dress down. Carla stood next to her. They waved Gray and Juvia goodbye and left on their way. Wendy glanced back and smiled, walking side by side with Erza. "Thank you!" Juvia mouthed to Wendy.
"No problem!" Wendy shouted back and waved, energetically.
"What's that?" Erza asked and looked back.
"Oh nothing," Wendy exchanged smiles with Carla and dragged Erza by her arm, "Come on, Erza-san, let's get going to the next town!" Erza beamed and agreed.
Hey guys! How did you like the new chapter? As promised, I made it a little longer than usual! .
Okay, so I want to discuss something with you guys. I'm planning to transfer my series onto WattPad, basically an app that allows you to upload stories and…fanfiction. I want to know your opinions on it and decide for me whether I should or I should not. So leave a reply about your opinions!
Well, thanks for reading my FINALLY updated chapter! Please favorite if you haven't yet!