Chapter 2
The province of Era is known for its preserved historical sites such as old churches and houses, government establishments and even cobble stoned roads. The place is also known for the sandy beaches bordering it, popular especially among surfers who are fond of ors big waves and white sands.
The gang arrived at the capital of the province at around noon. They decided to have lunch before looking for a place to stay. Around 2:00 they checked in in a hotel. The room they have had 4 beds which they decided to arranye side by side to accomodate all of them. Erza layed down on the bed until dozing off to a deep slumber.
It's almost dark when she woke up, she slowly opened her eyes and scanned her surrounding. She noticed that everyone was missing. She suddenly sat up.
"Good morning sleepyhead!" Gray greeted her who just entered the room from the porch.
Erza rubbed her hand on her eyes and sighed, "I guess I was tired from the trip...where is everybody?"
"They're at the bowling area..."
"Oh, ok. Why didn't you join them?"
Gray blushed lightly and turned to the porch, "I was enjoying the view! It was very very relaxing!"
Erza giggled and stood up, "I'll just freshen up and join them. And I'm also getting hungry.."
After a few minutes Erza finished taking a shower. As she went out of the bathroom, she heard Gray arguing with his girlfriend over the phone. She slowly sat at the edge of one of the beds while combing her hair. A few moments later, Gray came in from the porch obviously looking bumed about his earlier conversation on the phone.
"Juvia?" Erza asked.
Gray sighed, "Yeah..."
"And?"
"She is angry because she just found out that she failed three subjects..."
Erza's eyes grew wide, knowing Juvia is a smart girl, she never expexted this to happen. "Oh, geez why, what happened?"
"I don't care what happened, I'm just pissed because she is taking it out on me. I mean, it's not my fault right?"
Erza put her hand on her friend's shoulder and took a deep breath, "maybe she is just really really upset? Now I'm starting to feel scared, what if I failed too?"
Gray's anger seemed to have vanished, then he faced Erza and held her hand, "Hey don't think like that, we all are going to make it. The 11 of us will be third years in three weeks time!"
"Thanks Gray," Erza smiled and hugged him tightly, "you know, Jellal always tells me that I will fail, that I will repeat a year or two. I dont know, maybe that's how low he sees me. But I promised myself, I will never let that happen..."
"You guys promised to look at the results together after we get back to Magnolia so that you won't stress out about it.. Let's just enjoy our vacation and stop thinking of the results, med school, even Jellal and Juvia for a while, ok?"
With almost teary eyes, Erza smiled and looked straight into Gray's eyes. She is thankful for having a great friend like him. Their group may not be the smartest students but they are good persons worth making memories with.
"Uh finally you are awake!" Natsu said and sat down between them. "the others said we will go out and eat and they sent me to get you."
"Yeah! We are getting ready to go down and join you guys anyway!"
"Ok lets go then!" Natsu stood up and walked toward door. "oh dont forget to tame the key!"
Gray nodded and stood up, he reached his hand to Erza and she looked at him. Gray smiled at her and she smiled back then taking his hand as she stood up.
After eating some local delicacies. They decuded to check out the night life of the city. They found a bar which is very much enjoyable yet not as crowded as what they normally see. They drank and dance all night long.
On the next day, they woke up at about lunchtime. After having their lunch, they went to visit the historical places that they've heard so much about. It was true what they say, the history is very well preserved in this place. Old wooden mansions which are still elegant, cobble-stoned roads, renaissance styled churches, and of course, the popular white sand beach.
It is their last night in Era before going back to Magnolia. It is also the night when their school posted who passed and will be in their thirdyear two weeks from now.
In their hotel room...
"God please let me pass, let me pass, let me pass..." Mira is chanting repeatedly with closed eyes as Lucy scanned the names posted in the internet.
Erza ie sitting on the floor at the edge of the bed while covering her ears with her hands. Eve and Hibiki kept on walking around the room. Gajeel is holding Levy's hand while anxiously waiting.
"Ok here we go guys..." Lucy declared. "Mira...congratulations!"
Mira kept jumping around as she checked out the list and saw her name personally among those who passed. "Thank God!"
"Erza is next," Erza covered her ears more. She did not want to hear because it may not be a good news for her. Gray saw her and he also started to become anxious. "Congratulations Erza! You are in!"
Erza is almost teary eyed and jumped happily. Gray turned to her and gave her a tight hug that even the others felt uneasy seeing them looking like they are so in love with each other.
Lucy's face twitched a bit and decidec to continue the announcement as Gray and Erza separated from the hug awkwardly. "Cana, Eve, and Levy. You guys are in too!"
The three happily hugged each other about the news. But silence came to them as they realized something. They looked at Ren, Gajeel, and Hibiki. The three did not make it. They failed. Sadness filled the room.
"Hey guys cheer up, its alright," Gajeel said, "we already knew this would happen. We were ready".
Levy walked up to her boyfriend, "Gajeel..."
"Its ok, we are just delayed for one year. We will still see each other in school!" Hibiki added.
"Life doesn't end even in failure," Gajeel told them, "we will all be doctors, you guys just have to deal with patients a little earlier than us!"
Natsu opened up a bottle of champagne, "guys don't be sad! Let's celebrate!"
"Yes dont worry about us guys. Me, Gajeel and Hibiki will definitely be third years next year!" Ren said.
"Yeah me too!"Natsu added, "I may not be with you in med school anymore, I'll soon open my coffeeshop near the school and you can visit anytime!"
Their last night in Era. Goodnews came for Erza, Mira, Cana, Levy and Eve after a stressful remedial classes. Lucy and Gray already passes without going through remedials. But even if Gajeel, Ren and Hibiki failed to fo so, they will not give up their dream. Natsu already quit when he found out he failed three subjects and decided to stary his own business.
As the school year opened, Natsu's business also started its operation. Gray broke up with Juvia after a month since she kept on stressing him about sonething he did not do. Adding more stress to his streasful life as a third year medical student. Third years are having duties at the hospital every morning to interview the patients before the doctor would see them. In the afternoon, they would have at least two exams everyday after a lecture. Gray and Erza started to hang out with each other more often. At lunch they have lunch together even without their other friends. Lucy and Natsu also broke up since Natsu felt that Lucy doesnt have time for him anymore. This angered Lucy because she expected him to understand that she started to become very busy this school year. Lucy and Gajeel are still together. Levy makes time to teach Gajeel some of the lessons he did not understand everyday. Cana decided to stay at a apartment with Eve, Mira and Lucy. They rented a house in front of Erza's apartment.
"Ugh this lesson is giving me too much headache!" Lucy cried while holding her head.
Levy is sitting beside her and smiled, "it's quite an easy topic Luce. I'll try to simplify it more and help you guys back at your apartnent.
"Thank you Levy, you are such a doll..."
Gray is sitting in a corner while watching Levy and Lucy. Erza walked pass him and talked to Mira and Eve. When she went back to her chair, Gray grabbed her arm. "Hey Erza..."
Erza sat on the vacant chair beside him, "what?"
He seemed agitated. "I need your opinion..." he said seriously as he moved closer to his friend, "do you think.. Its ok if... I court Lucy?