ExtremelyCreativeGirl: Hey again :) It's been a while, one month I think. I would have been done sooner if there wasn't for school. Doesn't matter, what matters is that it's finally here!
Merely an Attraction
Chapter 3
"Levy Mcgarden?" I said pointing my finger at the bluenette.
"Yes!" She said clapping her hands.
"Gajeel Redfox?"
"Not bad for a newbie."
"Gray Fullbuster?"
"Good memory!"
"And you are?" I asked as I pointed my finger at a bluenette who wasn't here yesterday. She has short light blue hair and was a little pale, but she was still beautiful.
"Juvia Locksar." She said clinging onto Gray's arm.
"She's the swimming Champion of Magnolia. She lives next to Gray, so on the same floor as we. P.S. don't touch that ice princess when you're in her proximity. You don't know what this woman is capable of."
I looked at the couple. Nah, I don't think that they're a couple. It looks more like unrequited love. But she didn't seem that upset about it.
I can't blame her. That boy loses his clothes too fast. It's only natural to fall for his well build body.
A chill ran down my back after she glared at me, definitely signaling me 'don't look at my Gray!'
"Well, I'll be going now. Still have to clean up the rooms a bit." I said, drinking up the last sip of my beer. I actually didn't want to get involved in a fight with a jealous woman.
"Wait for me!" Natsu said following me out the bar. Since we met, he wouldn't let me stay alone and followed my every step. It's getting annoyed!
He slung his arm around my neck.
"Lucy. Where are we going?" He said cheerfully.
I stopped abruptly. "What do you mean by 'we'?"
"Well you, me and the rest of the crew." He said somehow confused by my question.
I stared at him a long while. What did he mean?
He suddenly started laughing.
"So you don't remember! We said that we would give you a tour around the town. You agreed with it."
I can't remember anymore. But a tour doesn't sound that bad. It isn't my first time in Magnolia thought. When I was little I came here with my family. But I can't remember the details anymore.
"Okay. How about a movie then? ", I suggested.
He nodded. "Fine by me, but only if I can sit next to you."
"Do what you want." I said entering the apartment. As I thought, Natsu also entered the apartment and plopped down on the couch.
I walked towards the fridge and took out two Cokes. I tossed one towards him and sat down on the other couch.
Natsu frowned at me as he sat up straight. "Come sit next to me. Let's watch something."
I rolled my eyes but still stood up and went to the seat next to him.
We watched silently the TV, mostly cartoons. Wendy already came home and went to her room. She said something about rearranging her stuff.
"You know when you said everyone's name back in the bar?" Natsu suddenly asked.
"Mhm."
"I want you to say my name!"
I looked at him a bit surprised. "What?"
"You said everyone else's name, so I want you to say mine too."
As far as I remember, he didn't tell me his surname.
"I don't know your surname."
"It's Dragneel. Natsu Dragneel. Now it's your turn to say it!"
I took a deep breath. It isn't that hard to say, but still, I'm still a little embarrassed.
"N-natsu D-dragneel..."
"Say it more natural!" He said with a frown.
"Natsu Dragneel..." I said quieter than the first time.
He showed me a disappointed look. But finally he shrugged and turned towards the TV.
As for me, my heart wouldn't stop beating. It's weird that I said everyone's name down stairs, but I couldn't say Natsu's.
"You said that you came to Magnolia because you got a new job, right?" Natsu asked.
"Yes. Tomorrow is my first day."
"Sorcerer Magazine?"
"Yes. That reminds me, where are you working?"
He snorted at my question.
"I'm working for that guy, Luxus. Actually when I started Makarov was the boss but he retired two years ago and gave his position to his grandson, Laxus."
Laxus Dreyar, the CEO of the famous Fairy Tail Inc.
Yeah, I saw him already in magazines when he became the successor. Tall, blond guy, really young, I think around 26 years old.
"Is he nice?" I asked.
"Weeeeeell, not really. He's more like a dictator than a boss. He always orders me around, like 'Bring me a sandwich Natsu' and then when I bring him one he says 'You know what, I'm not hungry anymore but I'm thirsty. So bring me water'. Not just me, but also Gray."
I laughed at his words. It seems like Laxus doesn't see them as workers but more like slaves.
"Then why don't you quit?"
He chuckled. "I already thought about that. But sometimes I think that that's the reason why he treats me like that. He surely wants to see if I would give up or if I would stay."
And for his pride, he decided to stay.
I hope that my boss won't be like that.
~Monday morning~
"You must be Lucy Heartfilia. Hello. My name is Jason." The blond man in front of me introduced himself.
"So, how was your trip? I hope you found a nice place here." He continued.
"It's nice thank you." I answered.
"You seem like a nice young lady. It's a shame that you can't work here", the guy named Jason said.
My eyes widened at his comment. He turned around with his wheelchair now facing the window.
"What do you mean?" I asked. Maybe I just misheard that or something. "There is a small change of plan. It's not because of you. Your resume is quite good. You're a Heartfilia, I didn't expect anything else. But someone else came here for the same position. We decided to give her the job."
This can't be happening. This isn't real, right?
"I am really sorry if you moved extra for this job." He said while returning back facing me again.
I sighed. So I came here for nothing. Everything for nothing.
"But you can still work here! You can bring the workers coffee or water. Maybe prepare some sandwiches for us if you don't mind." He proposed.
So practically I should do the job Natsu and Gray are doing for Laxus? No thank you. Yes they may have their pride but not me.
"I'm sorry, but my answer is no. I came here to write and not to become your slave." I said determined.
"Well then, I am sorry too. You know were the door is. I have work to do." He said pointing at the exit of his office.
I was speechless and slightly shocked. Now I know the real reason, why Natsu and Gray let themselves being used like that from Laxus: If you disobey your Boss, you'll be thrown out. They don't show any mercy when it comes to that.
I stood up and headed towards the door. I opened it slowly and stepped out of the room. The eyes of the workers landed on me. Some of the people started giggling. They surely eavesdropped on our conversation.
"If you came here to write then why don't you just start writing your own book?" He lastly said before I closed the door behind myself.
It actually wasn't such a bad idea.
I stood in the elevator, the only thing I wanted was to go home. Before the elevator reached the floor I wanted to go, it opened once again and a dark-haired woman came in.
She wasn't looking at me and neither was she paying attention to me. When the doors closed behind her, she started talking, "Lucy Heartfilia. It's a shame that you didn't get the job. Lucky I thought."
I looked at her with a frown. She smirked at the end. She must be the one who got the job it seems.
"And your name is?" I asked her. Surprisingly, I wasn't bothered by the fact that she got the job instead of me. It was only that her guts annoyed me.
The doors opened at her destination and before she quit she said, "Sayla."
I never heard about that name and I hope that I don't have to meet her ever again.
You know that feeling when you do something without thinking about it and then sulk over your decision?
Yeah, that's how I feel now.
I didn't get the job and declined when he still gave me a chance to work there.
I made the wrong decision. Maybe after some months someone would decide to quit. Then there would be a place for me. I still could have become a writer there if I stayed.
Well, one week already passed since that incident. I didn't tell anyone that I actually didn't got the job and I'll keep it that way. Because they know that I came here only because of the job offer.
Since then, I go every morning in the city to search for a new job. No success until now. At least not for the decent jobs.
Right now, I'm sitting in a cafe and drinking hot chocolate. I like cafe but I adore hot chocolate.
I'm thinking about the words of my should-have-been-boss.
'If you came here to write then why don't you just start writing your own book?'
Good idea, but about what? There were plenty of things I already wrote about. My own stories were never read by anyone, except for the people who like to go through my stuff find the stories. But until now it were only family members.
Even though they said that my stories were good, I had a feeling that something was missing.
After I got home I asked Wendy about the matter. Of course, I left out the part with the lost job.
"Why not write something like a diary? They are better than autobiographies and most people would want to read it." She suggested.
Why didn't I thought of that?
"Thanks Wendy!" I said as I stood up and planted a kiss on her cheek, before I proceeded to my room.
However, because of some unknown reason, I still wasn't confident enough to write. The more I thought about it, the less confident I felt. I plopped down on my bed and stared at the ceiling.
"What am I going to do?" I asked myself.
"Meow! "
I lifted my head and looked around. I could swear that I just heard a meowing. It was definitely not Charles. She never meows. Except if she wants to mock you.
I stood up and walked towards the window. I opened it and saw a blue cat sitting on the fire stairs.
Blue cat... That's new. I wonder who the owner of this cat is.
"Hey Lucy."
I turned to my right and saw my 'favorite' pinky leaning on the wall.
"What are you doing here?" I asked climbing out of the window. I leaned myself next to him and stared at the blue cat.
"I wanted to visit you, but your window was locked."
I rolled my eyes. "Why can't you just use the door like every other person?"
He showed me a pout. "I wanted to surprise you... You seemed sad."
I started smiling. "That's really sweet of you."
I went to the railing and leaned on it. The view is nice. The buildings in Magnolia are tall, but I could still see the sunset from here. After all, my room was on the third floor.
The blue cat jumped on the railing and snuggled closer to me. When I petted its head, it started purring.
"Let me introduce you to Happy." Natsu said as he stretched out his hand. The cat went to his hand and licked it.
Then he looked at me, kind of confused. I frowned," What?"
He chuckled, "Won't you ask why he's blue?"
I turned away, "I never asked why your hair is pink, so why should I ask why he's blue."
He started laughing. "Usually people ask these questions."
"Well I don't."
"And that's why I think that you're weird."
There is no use in getting mad at him, so I just sighed and looked at the sunset. The sun was already half down and the sky was rosy and orange. It calmed me down.
"Maybe you're right. I must be weird to be friends with you." I said with a gentle smile on my lips.
I actually expected him to get annoyed or pout that he couldn't tease me the way he always does, but surprisingly he only chuckled.
"I'm really glad that we're friends." Natsu said.
We both watched the sunset for a while until the light of the sun faded away. I would have stayed longer to watch the stars but it became cold so I decided to return to my room.
"Yeah, me too", I said while turning around to go back to my room. I was already half trough the window when Natsu also turned around.
"Won't you tell me why you were so sad these past few days?" He asked while also entering my room.
"Nothing important. Just some personal stuff." I said
"Has it something to do with a book?"
My eyes widened. Did he eavesdrop on my chat with Wendy?
"How did you -"
He lifted up a pile of papers from my desk and showed them to me. I jumped up and ran towards him to take my story back. I pressed it on my chest. Nobody was supposed to read this. God, I'm so embarrassed at this moment.
"It's a really good story if you ask me. You shouldn't be ashamed to have such a wonderful talent." He said with a bright grin.
My mood started brighten up. "You think?" He nodded.
"I actually never let anyone read my stories."
"You should start writing a book."
"Wendy suggested a diary. But I don't know how to start and at what point to start."
"Start at the point where you met me." He said.
I looked at him a bit confused. Before I could say anything, he continued, "Because that is the beginning of the exciting part of your life. It wouldn't be interesting if I wasn't in the book."
His answer pissed me of a bit. Even thought it wasn't that bad.
As I was in deep thoughts about my future book, Natsu and Happy were exploring my closet.
I didn't notice at first. Not until Natsu said, "Lucy look! Happy is wearing your panties on his head!"
That's it. He already started running around the room as he was aware of my intention to kill him at the moment.
I charged at him while screaming, "You're so dead, Natsu Dragneel!"
Natsu stopped abruptly and as for me, I crashed in his back. Because of the impact, I landed on my ass.
"Repeat that." He said, while still not facing me. I was confused. Why?
"You're so dead, Natsu Dragneel?"
He then turned around. I was able to see his toothy grin.
"You said it! You said my name! You were able to say it!" He said while looking at me with shining eyes.
I looked away. "It's not something to be excited about..." I said while trying to keep calm. But I wasn't able to hide my blush. Why is a person so happy to hear his own name? Although, he did look cute.
He kneeled down in front of me and place his hand on my cheek to turn my head towards him.
A warm smile was plastered on his face. "You're cute when you blush. There is no need to hide such an adorable face."
My face got only redder. It got quiet in the room. I was looking in Natsu's eyes and he in mine. He slowly leaned closer to me.
We were now only inches away from each other. I closed my eyes when his face came even closer. My heart couldn't stop beating. We were about to kiss. Just a little closer and we would kiss.
Just a little closer...
*knock, knock* "Lucy?"
My eyes snapped open and Natsu backed away. Wendy. What time was it?
"Lucy, Teen Wolf is about to start. You coming?" She asked through the door. Already time for Teen Wolf? I've completely forgotten about that.
"Yeah, I'm coming." I said back. I stood up and turned to Natsu. He wasn't looking at me but at the ground. I stretched my hand out to him to get his attention and it worked.
"Let's forget about this. Wanna watch with us?" I asked. He showed me a smile and took my hand to stand up.
"Thanks for the offer, but I have to go back home. I have to check something." He said while exiting my room through the window.
I didn't tell Wendy that Natsu was in my room and that night, he didn't sleep at my place. I used this opportunity to start writing my diary. The next day when we saw each other at the bar, we only nodded to each other and started laughing. Our friends didn't know why and asked us if something happened between us.
We said no, but actually we knew that the incident from the previous night only brought us closer.