Crystal: Well this one had me stumped after the first chapter lol I know I suck at starting new stories because I always get really into writing out the idea and then I don't know where to go from there. But anyways this chapter is basically my sorry excuse of getting my mind to function again. This will include a song, it does not belong to me. This chapter will be sort of boring, I'm sorry!

Song: Crazy in Love by Sofia Karlberg

Tumblr: celestialgoddesslucy

The beginner

Tap. Tap…Thump. A repeated cycle of leaps and a slight pause before a pirouette takes place. Lucy huffed and panted after having practiced for hours on her routine. She gave a shaky breath as she used a white cloth she left next to her on the floor to wipe the sweat that was sliding down her forehead and neck. She took a seat on the glossy wooden floor as she stretched her feet out right in front of her and reached for her toes. The aching and the slight tug of nerves strangely relaxed her. She glanced up slightly feeling an intense stare at the back of her head. She looked up to find the same girl from three weeks before glaring at her.

She sighed heavily. Why did that girl hate her that much anyways? It was something she didn't understand. More importantly, it had been three weeks and she hadn't actually the courage to go back to Natsu's room. Even after they'd promised each other to practice and help each other. He had somehow convinced the land lady to give him her number and they had spent various nights talking on the phone, but she never got the courage to go over to his apartment, and he was nice enough not to question this or ask about it. But every night he called her at the same time asking her about her day and she couldn't help, but smile at how his simple questions made her feel special.

And it was something about the way he laughed that had her almost crying of laughter herself when he made a terrible joke. She would always imagine how he would look laughing. Couldn't get the memory of his eyes, his bright smile just like when they'd just met. She shook her head suddenly as she felt her face heat up. What the heck was wrong with her? They were barely even getting to know each other and sure they had been talking for some time, but they hadn't seen each other, but once. She clapped her hands on her face as to get needless thoughts out of her head.

"Alright, ladies! Come sit so we can go over the routines once more", Brandon clapped as the girls eagerly went to sit. Levy pulled Lucy to sit next her as Lisanna joined them with a bright smile. Despite everything, the blonde was fond of Lisanna and did not let her jealously ruin their friendship. The white haired woman had done nothing but offer her friendship and kindness to her. "I'm so excited for rehearsal! The show is only in two weeks' time! I haven't really practiced at home which makes me feel sort of bad" the white haired woman chirped.

"Yeah! It's kind of nerve wracking though", Levy confessed sheepishly. Lucy laughed softly. "It'll be great", she chuckled, but it came out more disappointed than anything. Their attention was caught by their instructor as both Lucy and Lisanna were called up to perform. "Okay, so this is how it will work. We'll have you both dance one of the numbers and I'll observe which one of you has the most attention from your peers. I'll measure progress in this way", Brandon explained taking a clipboard in his hands as he scribbled a few words on his paper.

The girls looked at each other hesitantly before nodding and heading to the front by the mirrors. They arched their arms as they slightly wiggled their toes for a quick stretch. The music began as both women began to dance the routine. The blonde, yet again, was way too focused on getting every move to perfection and she would now and again glance at Lisanna and found her to be so interesting. The expressions of pain and sorrow that were expressed in the music were on her face as well and it was breathtaking. It made her determined to try harder as her toes continued to move on synch with the music. She felt pretty good and she slightly smiled to herself. However, when she glanced to her peers and found their eyes on the white haired girl, she felt herself fill with regret, a stinging sensation at her eyes.

She was going to cry and she could feel it. In three weeks, she still couldn't get the attention deserved of how much she practiced. Lisanna even said herself that her practice of the routine was non-existent, not counting practice during their lessons and such, yet she was still amazing. The blonde realized then that her focus had been completely broken. Panic got the best of her as her foot stumbled at her opposite leg's ankle and she tripped forward and onto the ground. The piano music stopped as collective gasps and steps were heard surrounding her.

"Lu-chan!" Levy was the first who leaned down to prop her up. Lucy instinctively used her arms to cover her eyes. She felt useless and she hated it. "Fuck", she muttered silently under her breath going unheard by everyone.

Brandon soon made his way to her as he gave a heavy sigh. She looked up her eyes still glazed with a promise of tears. "Maybe you should take the rest of the night, Lucy", Brandon muttered cautiously. The blonde couldn't even respond and nodded slowly as she stood up and scrambled out to the locker room. "Lu-chan!" Levy yelled almost running after her, but being stopped by their instructor. "Levy, you're up next. You can't leave", Brandon chastised as the blue haired looked worriedly at the direction her best friend had exit before nodding slowly.

~~xXXx~~

"Will I never be enough?" she questioned to more of herself as she cried softly, walking down the streets. It was very cold and the air sort of stung at contact with her skin, her breaths releasing small clouds of smoke. She realized that she hadn't even changed from her clothes which consisted of a black leotard and a white skirt. She had let her bun lose from the top, making her hair into a pony tail. She wasn't preoccupied with the weather. She was more concerned with the idea that she still wasn't good enough to be the main Juliet. She knew it was selfish of her, but it was all for her mother. She wanted nothing more than to fulfill her wish, and even then she felt it was her own dream too.

This dancing company was famous for having trained the best dancers known today. If she was noticed for her outstanding skill she could go all over the world and perform. The thought only made her cry even more. She suddenly bumped into someone and she looked up to find three guys standing in front of her. "I'm sorry", she muttered going to evade them, but one of them grabbed her arm. "Where are you going, pretty lady?" one of them asked her with a chuckle. Lucy sensed the trouble immediately. "I'm just headed home", she responded casually and calmly as if she didn't sense their intentions. She tried pulling her arm away, but if anything, his grip got tighter.

"But the night is young, gorgeous. Wouldn't you rather have fun with us?" the second asked faking disappointment as he shoved her against the brick wall of a building. "I rather not", she spat looking every way for a possible escape. "But I'm sure you'll enjoy it", the first directed her again as he lunged forward. He tried groping her, but she trashed instinctively using her knee to hit him right in the point of no return. He doubled over as she took the distraction to run. She didn't even get far enough when the other two lackeys held onto her arms. "Let go!" She yelled as the leader seemed to regain from the hit at his nether regions and most likely his pride. "You bitch! I'll teach you some damn manners!" he yelled angrily as he shoved her and went to grab her.

No matter how much she trashed she couldn't stop his lips from trailing her neck. 'Help', she thought helplessly as she was at the mercy of these men. Just as he was about to land his mouth on hers, she shut her eyes tight. Her first kiss, about to be stolen just like that. She felt disgusted expecting lips but instead, she heard the sound of yells and grunts. She opened her eyes, after feeling hands being removed from her body, shocked to see that she had been released and that the three men were now beat up and piled on the floor. "You okay, Luce?" a voice asked her gently. Lucy looked up, voice so familiar, body still shaky and saw none other than her neighbor, Natsu, standing in front of her.

She finally was able to see his face again after such a long time. Her eyes filled suddenly with tears.

Without a second thought she jumped forward to grasp onto him tightly. She sobbed loudly as she felt his muscular arms envelop her in a tight embrace. She didn't even know what she was crying about anymore. It could be the fear of what had almost taken place or the fact that she still felt hopeless about her dream, but she didn't care because this man had helped her feel alive in just a few days and now he had saved her. He let her go and she was confused as to why she felt so disappointed. She had been reduced to a shaking and sniffling mess as Natsu had removed a red hoodie he had on and handed it to her. "Go ahead, put it on. You're freaking cold", he muttered gently either out of caution or out of the fact that she couldn't really hear him since her ears were slightly numb from the cold.

Regardless, she whispered a thanks before placing on the hoodie that conveniently reached just a little above her thighs. Without a warning, she didn't feel the ground beneath her feet as Natsu had scooped her into his arms bridal style. "W-What are y-you doing?" she squeaked as a blush spread on her cheeks. Thank goodness it was cold! She could excuse a blush because of the cold. "Carrying you. Is that not obvious, weirdo?" he laughed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Who are you calling weirdo? And I know what you're doing, but why?" she pouted heavily.

"Cause I'm not letting you skip another day of breaking our promise", he grinned widely at her. She was stunned silent. So he remembered their promise and all this time he had been waiting for her? She felt guilt consume her. But what had assured her that he would even remember? After all they were just becoming friends. That seemed to keep her quiet as she swiftly placed the hood on to cover her blush. She wasn't about to let him know just how happy he'd made her with the fact that he'd taken their promise so seriously. For the rest of the walk, they remained silent only hearing the occasional police siren and the honking of cars.

~~xXXx~~

Natsu walked straight past her door not giving her a chance to make an excuse to go into her own room as he unlocked the door to his apartment and carried her inside. "You c-could have left me to c-change you know?" she protested as he let her down. "You're right, but I didn't", he laughed. He disappeared into a room coming back with his notebook and his phone. He looked up to see her expression become bitter. "Hey, are you still upset about a few minutes ago?" he questioned as she shook her head. "No, I just think that maybe…you should ask someone else to help you with the dance", she confessed. "Why? Did I upset you?" Natsu asked her his voice seeming to fill with disappointment.

"No! Really…it's just. I'm no good. I'll just end up messing up your routine like I messed up mine", she muttered and her voice seemed to crack. "Hey now!" Natsu suddenly rose his voice as he ran up to pull her wrist and lead her to the middle of his living room. "You were great the first time", he inquired. "But that was you leading me. I've heard that I'm dull and boring and show no emotions when I dance", she explained. "Look, Luce, the key thing is to feel the music. Don't focus on getting the moves or what someone else is doing. Just do you. Now let's try it!" He urged her with a smile. Despite how much she was still bothered by her incompetence from before, she smiled and slowly nodded to him.

He placed his iPhone into a pair of speakers and then disappeared once more into another room. "Take off the hoodie so we can work better!" he called out as she did as told. She removed the hood as told and stretched her arms a little before he came out making her stunned silent. He was not wearing a shirt and had a pair of black sweats on this time. "W-Why don't you h-have a shirt on?!" she squeaked embarrassed. He seemed genuinely bewildered as to her reaction, but seeing the fierce blush on her face made him smirk deviously as he slid his hand to choose a different song and press play on the song on his iPhone.

The blonde remained confused as the slow beat started. She was confused as he said nothing and simply stalked his way towards her. She began to step back slowly before the words of the song played.

I look and stare so deep in your eyes. I touch on you more and more every time.

His eyes looked at her so intensely and she finally seemed to begin to understand what her instructor meant from expression. She was already being caught up with just his gaze. She didn't even realize when his body was suddenly against hers as he pulled her close. She was suddenly dipped back as he slid his hand painfully slow, matching the song beat, from her lower back and up. She unconsciously shivered as he suddenly pulled her up straight against him. She suddenly knew where this was going and let herself have some fun if only for the sake of her shitty experience.

She placed her arms around his neck before the next few lyrics were sung

When you leave, I'm begging you not to go. Call your name, two three times in a row

At that Lucy gave a leap away, an expression of feign hurt on her face, from him as he clutched onto her hand and twirled her back against his chest wrapping his other arm around her as to encompass his denial at her departure. He seemed to be having too much fun as he literally whispered her name twice. "Lucy, Lucy", he whispered, but it sounded so realistic.

Such a funny thing for me to try to explain how I'm feeling but my pride is the one to blame. Yeah, cause I know I don't understand how your love can do what no one else can.

At this point, Lucy turned to Natsu with a loving expression, but this time it was him who looked away from her crossing his arms, but not before pretending to push her way. She demonstrated her anger by leaping away once more and ending on the floor elegantly as she used her arms to show despair and hurt. Just as the main chorus was about to arrive, they looked at each other with longing as she moved her body to rest on one knee the other outstretched back as she guide her hand to him.

Got me looking so crazy right now, your love's got me looking so crazy right now. Got me looking so crazy right now, your touch got me looking so crazy right now.

As soon as the beat changed, Natsu abruptly pulled her up into a lift in a circle as she pulled her hands up. He let her down as he twirled her consecutively giving her the ability to use her ballet abilities to incorporate. He could feel the pleasantly pleased sigh that Natsu gave. He dipped her down caressing her face with his free hand before she pushed him away and he moved his arm to the side as in frustration.

Got me hoping you page me right now. Your kiss got me hoping you save me right now. Looking so crazy your love's got me looking, got me looking, so crazy in love.

Lucy used the freedom in the dance to give two pirouettes before he too made moves with his hips as he slid side to side to reach for her and lift her once more. He had her against him yet again before he feigned that he would kiss her, but did not near her face as much before she took hold of his hands so that she could lean on her toes and outstretch her leg out, using his hands as support. As the beat finally slowed down he helped her up as he neared her, his face dangerously close to her, lips dangerously ghosting over hers before the song ended.

He detached from her and that's when she realized just how close he had been to her. She blushed furiously just remembering some of the moves they had done and she looked away from him as he stopped the iPhone before another song could play. "OMG! T-That was s-so hot!" a voice squealed and both people in the room turned to the door to find Levy standing there. If anything, Lucy felt she could die of embarrassment. "L-Levy! You saw all of that?" she mumbled. Levy nodded with a smug smirk. "Here I was all worried about you and I didn't see you in the room. I was going to knock, but the door was left wide open. But now I'm sure you were in great hands", the blunette grinned.

"S-Stop! We were just dancing", Lucy mumbled. Natsu went up to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "What a lie. I'm sure we were about to do more than just dancing. You hurt me, Luce", he whispered, but in way quietly. Levy squealed as Lucy's eyes widened at his suggestion. "Y-You!" she had become a stuttering mess. "Jokes! Ha! See you do show emotions. That's the beauty of lyrical dancing. You express dance and emotion depending on what the lyrics convey", Natsu explained as Levy had run back to the room fangirling.

Lucy remained quiet. Lyrical dancing. It was remarkable and very free, "Anyways, I wanted to know if you'd like to come to my dance studio tomorrow. I know you don't practice on Saturdays and I was wondering if you'd like to see, you know?" he began to say as he got bashful suddenly. She had no words to express from the sudden invitation, but regardless she nodded. "Uh, yeah! I'd love to", she smiled as he grinned widely. "Great, I'll come by around 1 PM for you", he inquired excitedly. "That would be great", she giggled as he led her towards the door. She stood outside almost awkwardly.

"Well, uh, then tomorrow?" she questioned although she knew the answer. "Yeah, totally. Well then, yeah", he smiled just as awkwardly before he was suddenly close to her. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before he rushed inside his apartment and closed the door. She was frozen in place as she grabbed her cheek and smiled to herself. "Good night, Natsu", she whispered as she walked to her own apartment.

Unknowing to her he was leaning against the door with small smile of his own. "Good night, Luce."

Crystal: Well I'm sorry it took so long. I need more ideas on what to do next. I only have a general idea on how I want it to end, but I need more ideas to get them to have more time together. Anyways, please review lovelies!