Hey guys, it's Nikki! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, school has been a bit crazy since we first started and I was making sure I started off the year right. I hope to update more frequently now so be on the look-out for new updates and maybe even a new story or two!

On another note, I want to remind everyone that this is a slow NaLu story. The couple in the end will be Natsu and Lucy and will not be altered, but I do appreciate all the comments and suggestions so keep it up, you lovely readers c: I do not think I will be adding Sting to my story as a romantic interest for Lucy, mostly because I don't think they are very compatible relationship-wise, just my opinion. We'll see, though. I might add him in to be an antagonist once the Lisanna arc is finished...

Anyway, enjoy and don't forget to review! I love hearing what you guys think!

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Natsu made his way back to class, numbly going over what had just happened in his head. The information he had just received seemed so... shocking. Yet, he had a sinking feeling that he already knew about it, he just didn't want to believe it.

"Hey, Flame Brain!" A voice broke him out of his reverie and he glanced around, sighing when he spotted his best friend.

"Hey, Gray."

"What's wrong..?" The black haired male questioned, catching right on to the sullen sound of his friend's voice.

"What's going on between Lis and Bixlow?" He demanded, talking quietly in the slight crowded hallway. Gray froze slightly, his face paling at his words.

"What're you talking about? Lis loves you..." Natsu growled at this, slamming his fist into one of the lockers beside him. Everyone paused, lingering on their conversation.

"So it's true?!" He snarled, glancing around to see if any of the bystanders were Bixlow or Lisanna. Boy, were they in for it!

Speaking of the latter, here she was now. Gray's head turned at the sighting of white hair and he let out a little gasp, backing away to go find Juvia. By now, Natsu had noticed the approaching girl who was grinning from ear to ear. Latching herself onto his arm, she began to speak.

"Hey babe! I have the perfect idea of what date we can do next," She spoke with genuine happiness, excited to be going on a date with the pink haired boy. Of course, he would pay and she could give him an idea of a really expensive date, but she just didn't care, as long as he was accompanying her.

"Shove it," He growled, ripping his arm from her grip. She gasped and backed up slightly, her eyebrows furrowing at this.

"What the hell is your problem?" The demand reached his ears and his face twisted into an angry scowl, sharp canines showing as he leaned in slightly.

"My problem? My girlfriend's cheating on me, that's my problem!" Her eyes widened, her small body backing up more until she collided with a firm body. Turning her head slightly, she saw Bixlow steadying her. A grateful smile formed on her lips only to be replaced with a frown as she turned her attention back to her angry boyfriend.

"I'm not cheating on you, Natsu." She was lying through her teeth and he knew it. She was a damn good liar, but he knew her too well. Her tell was showing, too. He growled once more, stepping forward with his fists clenched at his sides. He was going to lose it soon if Lisanna kept lying.

"Don't lie to me, Lisanna. You're cheating on me with Bixlow. Just admit it!" His voice was just barely a scream, causing those around him to cringe slightly. They had seen him mad, but never this mad.

"I... Fine, I am." She sighed softly, her blue eyes full of regret. He knew that she was regretful for hurting him, but the cheating was the only way she could get a rush of excitement anymore. Maybe now she could find a new guy to cheat on, he was done.

"Why?" He questioned. "How could you do that to me without feeling sick about yourself?" His words were demanding and she frowned, her arms coming up to wrap around her body.

"I felt bad, but it just felt so good." She replied and the bystanders swore they heard Natsu's teeth grinding loud and clear. The pink haired male was about to take a step forward when a warm hand on his arm stopped him. Glancing back, he saw Lucy Heartfilia looking away.

"You'll get expelled. Calm down and come with me," She spoke softly, gently tugging on his arm. He glanced back at Lisanna and then back to the blonde, nodding his head as he allowed her to pull him away from the scene.

He followed the blonde through the halls, people parting to let them through as the final bell of the day rang. They parted ways at their lockers, Lucy planning on staying after school to study while Natsu traveled to the gym to blow off some steam.

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"Lu-chan!" The girl in question glanced up, chocolate eyes landing on source of the noise. Levy-chan. Lucy offered the blue-haired girl a bright smile and moved her stuff out of the seat beside her and onto the floor. Levy happily sat down and turned to face the blonde, her face mischievous.

"So... You and Natsu?" She questioned, prodding Lucy gently in the arm.

"What about us?" Lucy looked back to her work, knowing exactly what Levy was trying to get at.

"Calming him down and leading him away from Lisanna? The whole school was talking about it!"

Lucy made a face at that, placing her pen down to look at Levy.

"I was being a good friend is all. It was nothing, Levy-chan." She responded, brushing a stray piece of her blonde hair behind her ear. The look on Levy's face was anything but convinced, but she said nothing more of the matter and instead got out her books and got to studying. Lucy nearly sighed in relief, happy to not talk about Natsu anymore. She couldn't help but think of him, though. Was he still angry about earlier? Their fight was a dozy... Getting to her feet, she mumbled to Levy about going to use the bathroom before shuffling out the door. She had to talk to him, had to make sure he wasn't mad at her. It killed her when he was mad, especially at her...

The blonde approached the weight room's entrance and stopped herself to take a deep breath before opening one of the doors and slipping through, her chocolate eyes scanning the room upon entering. She spotted his spiky pink hair immediately, his shirtless body positioned in front of a punching bag. 'You don't have to talk to him now, Lucy. Just go back the way you came, go back to Levy-chan.' Her mind tried to reason with her, but she had already made her decision. Luckily, he was one of the two people in there, the other being a guy unknown to her with blonde hair. She moved closer to him, reaching out to tap his shoulder lightly. As he turned around, her breath caught in her throat and her heart fluttered.

"Lucy?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow at her sudden appearance. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she offered a small, shaky smile.

"Can I talk to you outside?" He nodded at her words and she turned, knowing he was following her as she moved out the door. Turning to face him, she glanced around before beginning.

"Listen, Natsu..." She started, pausing to think of what to say. "I... Are you mad? About earlier, I mean..." She noticed the shaky tone she had, not good. Lifting her gaze to meet his, she caught him shaking his head before he stepped closer.

"I was mad then, but not now." He offered a grin, brushing her hair back. "Besides, who could be mad at you with those brown eyes?" She blushed, smiling back at him.

"I'm glad, Natsu." Lucy breathed, moving in to hug him. He welcomed her embrace easily, his arms wrapped around her waist. The pink haired boy lifted her suddenly and she let out a surprised shriek, clinging to him as he spun her around. Both were laughing and panting by the time he finally put her down, arms still around each other. Lucy smiled and stepped back, slipping from his grip and leaving him slightly disappointed.

"I'll let you get back to working out, ok?" He nodded and they went their separate ways for the day, both with a permanent smile on their faces.

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I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I wanted to make it a good one to make it up to you faithful readers for not updating sooner, so I hope I did just that! Be on the lookout for more updates for both Teenage Dream and this story c: