Lucy stared at the half-filled-out piece of paper in front of her. Six days had passed since meeting with Master Makarov, and she was almost done with the sample work, except she couldn't get the ending quite right. This had to be perfect. It had to be her best work, or she might not be admitted into Fairy Tail. Surely there were a bunch of talented people enrolling. People more talented than her.
These thoughts hadn't even crossed her mind a week ago, but after bombing what seemed like countless endings, Lucy had spent a lot of time thinking over Makarov's comment about all the applications.
"Ugh." Lucy sat back in the hotel's wheeled chair. She had been cooped up in this hotel room to write, only pausing for food, bathroom, shower, and sleep breaks.
Maybe if she took a walk around Magnolia, she'd get some inspiration. Lucy jumped up and stalked out of the hotel, taking her story with her.
The blonde-haired girl found herself staring at the outside of a cute little cafe. Gosh, what a cliche place to write. Lucy walked in, got a coffee, and swung herself in a prime seat for people-watching. Not feeling very motivated to write at the moment, she found herself staring out at the people passing by. Magnolia was a quiet little place, and it reminded her of how her estate used to be. Quiet, but not painfully so. More like peaceful.
Lucy's mind wandered into the past.
"Lucy dear, slow down. I can't keep up." Lucy's' mother was struggling to keep up in her heavy hoop skirt, while seven-year-old Lucy bounced around up ahead in her tutu, hopping nimbly from rock to rock.
They were exploring the grounds around the mansion. The area was huge, not to mention quiet. Rarely anyone new showed up in this place, especially in this wooded area. Lucy loved the quiet. She could hear the birds, the wind blowing through the trees, and at night, the crickets and cicadas.
Layla Heartfilia smiled down at her beautiful little girl. Even at seven, Lucy looked like a miniature version of her mother, with the same blond hair, brown eyes, and kind face.
Little Lucy looked back at the blond woman on the rock path and smiled happily. At that moment it had felt like nothing ever would, no...could, change. Like everything would always just be her, her mother, and her father. Always happy.
Lucy felt a single tear make its way down her cheek. Back then, everything had been so simple. But once her mother died, everything spiraled downhill. Her father stopped paying attention to her, instead becoming absorbed in his work, and that eventually got to the point where he didn't even seem to care about her. The way Lucy saw it, the only time he acknowledged her existence was when she could benefit him and his company. That was why she left; why she had so desperately wanted to get away. That was the point the quiet became deafening.
A shock of pink hair outside the window brought Lucy back from the past. Her eyes followed Natsu as he made his way to the door of the cafe, seemingly not noticing her. When he was in the door, he walked up to the counter, chatted with the barista for a moment like they were old friends, was handed a coffee, and started to head in the direction of the blond.
Reaching her, he seemed surprised. "Lucy." Finally, he got my name right. "This is my seat." Great, he's one of those people.
Lucy smiled and shifted her papers. "You can still sit here." He grinned and plopped down into the other seat, still not removing the scarf he always seemed to have on, despite the fact that they were inside.
He picked up one of her papers. It was one of the ones with the actual story on it. The other papers all either held the story, drafts of the story, or random notes and ideas.
Lucy reached forward and plucked it from his hands. "Haven't you ever heard of asking before touching other peoples' stuff?" she asked, a little annoyed.
"Oh. Can I see it?" He responded innocently.
"No." Lucy clutched the papers containing her actual story to her chest.
A surprised look crossed Natsu's face. "Why not? I asked."
"Yeah. After you had already grabbed it. Plus, it's not done." The last sentence was delivered with a little less confidence on Lucy's part, like it was an embarrassing comment.
Natsu pouted. Lucy barely knew the guy and she was already starting to develop a fondness for him. Something about his goofy nature and friendly personality made him somehow...endearing.
Lucy smiled softly, the pink-haired boy's over-the-top-ness amusing her. He noticed and grinned happily.
"So...you changed your mind?" He held out his hand.
Lucy's smile disappeared. "No."
However, despite her annoyance, Lucy still felt an indescribable feeling starting to grow inside her. Something told her she wouldn't be feeling alone for much longer.