I'm sorry for the late update!:( Merry Christmas this is my present to you!
I do not own Fairy Tail, All rights reserved to Hiro Mashima
Please Review and Enjoy!^^
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And there's a beating in my chest, and it seeming to suggest that before this day is through it might go my way
:~:~:~:
Tick
Tock
Scribble.
Tick Tock
Tap
Scribble
Glance.
Tick
Tock
Sigh
Glance again.
Nothing.
Lucy furrowed her eyes down at her paper. It's been twenty minutes in fourth period, her English class. Their assignment was to write about the book they were assigned a month before that Guildarts-sensei gave them; about Jane Eyre.
She was looking forward to this because writing was her specialty and she wanted to once and for all try to show up Gray in her field.
But the idiot isn't here.
The blonde girl sighed as she reverted her gaze from his empty desk to her paper. She shook her head, trying to regain her concentration on this essay but no such luck. They have a remaining 20 minutes left to finish and she only needs to revise and have a conclusion.
But she couldn't shake off the nagging feeling in her chest.
"Bakaa" she mumbled as she rewrote her thesis again just to kill time 'he knows that this is an important assignment and he blows it off'
She rubbed her chin as she reverted the gaze from her essay to his desk, having a panging feeling of loneliness conjure up. She bit her lip and shook her head as if trying to take the jitters off.
'It's not like I miss the idiot it's just so weird not having him here' gloomily she thought.
Suddenly the door slammed open revealing the raven-haired lad clad in his khaki pant uniform and buttoned up white-collar shirt.
But instead of wearing the usual blazer with the Fairy Tail in sigma he had a black coat and the red tie that was always tied carelessly was replaced with a dark black one tied up neatly and up to his neck.
Murmurs went out through the classroom as they watched him enter, he seemed out of breath as he strode in with papers that seemed to be his excuse for why he wasn't here.
Gildarts stared at him cautiously as if he wasn't expecting for the boy to even show up, his eyebrow went up as he grabbed the papers from Gray's hand.
"You're late" he stated sternly with a hint of curiosity in it.
"Yeah sorry I was in a—"
Gildarts raised his hand up signaling that he didn't need an explanation "Don't give me the details, Lyon came in earlier and explained it all"
Gray nodded understanding "I only came to do the essay right now"
Gildarts rubbed his chin pondering about it, his expression went blank and drowsy "Ne, Don't push yourself Gray-kun I can let you take a makeup tomorrow or after school since I know the circumstances. Plus you only have 20 minutes left"
Gray only shook his head "No see that's the problem I won't be here after school because the bi—I mean my supervisor has held another 3 meetings right after that and then I would be gone for the rest of the week" he looked apologetic "So let me take it now onegai"
The class has been starting to whisper since Gray's entrance not minding if their essay was done or not. Lucy looked at him skeptically and also worried all the same 'How can he finish this in only 20 minutes?' she cried inside her head.
Majority of the class have been all thinking the same, even Natsu who for some reason got to his conclusion on time was even worried about his friend.
"Mmmm well I guess, but it might not be as good as the other essays since they had more time. Are you okay with the grade you might receive?"
Gray smirked as he left from the front to his desk that is seated next to Lucy, he waved his hand off reassuring his teacher and the rest of the class
"Sensiii" he cooed "Are you perhaps doubting my skills as a student? Ahah" he scoffed "You're talking to Gray Fullbuster" his voice ranged with cockiness "Who excels in study, sports, etc. a mere what 14 minutes is just enough time"
More murmurs were echoed as he dragged his seat out and seated himself down. Lucy looked at him oddly, observing if what he was saying has any truth to it.
He caught her staring as he took out a piece of paper, he couldn't help but grin to himself as the pencil in his hand twirled around his fingers effortlessly.
"What even Heartfilia-san doubts my powers?" he mocked
Her eyes narrowed "Baka, even I couldn't write an essay down that fast"
He smirked, he turned his head to return her gaze, and without missing a beat he starts writing his thesis swiftly in nice neat cursive writing, with his left hand. The class stared at him amazed, Lucy looked baffled. Gildarts looked amused.
"Oh yeah sensei what's the prompt?" he asked
"EHHHHHH?"
Lucy frowned at him, giving a disappointing stare "HOW CAN YOU WRITE AN ESSASY AND NOT KNOW THE PROMPT?" she yelled
"Give three facts on how Jane Eyre is a bildungsroman novel"
"Ok got it!"
"EHHHHH?" the class roared again, Natsu slammed his fists on his desk out of enjoyment, he pumped his fist in the hair "GO DROOPY EYES, I'll be counting down!"
"Senseii!" Gray called giving a cheeky grin at Lucy who still couldn't understand how Gray can keep writing on his paper without looking at it.
"Is there a specific word count on this?"
"Nope"
"Great then I'm half way done"
"EHHHH?" the whole class shrieked. Lucy eyebrows were now twitching, she spent her entire period finishing her essay, perfecting it, giving into big details and then proofreading it till it was perfect. Then here is Gray not only doing exactly the opposite of her but seems more confident in his work than she is in her own.
"Hmph," she bloated up her cheeks and looked away from annoyance and started to finish her concluding statement and started to speak "I don't know why you guys are so engrossed with Fullbuster-san when we have 10 minutes ourselves to finish the essay"
"AHHHH!" Lucy sweat dropped, she still couldn't believe that some of her classmates were this slow.
"Pfft whatever." She frowned.
Gray couldn't help himself but chuckle a bit, finding Lucy's reaction to be funny, and for a moment glad he came by to finish this and spend the remaining of the day with his classmates.
"Five minutes left" Gildarts grunted as he looked from the clock to the rest of the class "You better hurry brats"
xxxoxxx
"ITS FINALLY OVER" Natsu screamed happily running towards the cafeteria followed slowly by Levy, Lucy, Jet, Droy, and Gray who stared at him bewildered trying to figure out how Natsu refrains his energetic ball of energy through out the whole day.
"That walking match stick is sure is something" Gray mumbled while he unfastens his black tie "Man this thing is annoying"
Lucy and levy watched him amused as he took off the tie so quickly "It's still amazing that you managed to write a page in 15 minutes Gray-kun" Levy stated amazed.
Jet and Droy nodded as they took their place in line for the food "Yeah Gray, I might be fast in general but you sure beat me in writing fast" Jet said
"Simply amazing!" Droy added.
Gray rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as he gave them a lopsided grin "Ah it wasn't anything really. It was quite hard since I couldn't remember the content of that book"
"Hnnn" Lucy said unimpressed "So you mean to say you didn't read the book?" her tone going a bit rigid.
Gray stared at her blankly "Ah no, mostly because I read it two years ago and kind have forgotten some of it" he said casually.
The four of them looked at him in shock "Wait you mean to tell me you have read this book before this assignment?" Levy exclaimed.
"Uh yeah? Is that a problem?" Gray said unknowingly as if his answer seemed normal enough.
"Why would you read a classic novel that even University students have to analyze on your own will?" Jet said in a shock voice.
Gray shrugged "I don't know, I saw the cover of it one day, thought it looked interesting, bought it, read it, and there you go"
Droy and Jet sobbed, just thinking of reading classic English literature seemed to pain the muscles inside their head, so to do it for let alone fun seemed impossible for them.
"Grayy.." Jet whined, "You're something else."
Gray blinked, unsure whether or not to take that as a compliment or not "Okay…"
Lucy laughed as they continued to go along the line with their trays of food, though she hates to admit that Gray may have beaten her today she couldn't help but feel that they do have some things in common.
Some points that is.
But there was also something that was going on in her mind, sure he may not show interest but she can guarantee that Gray does care about school so why was he late?
And then what he said earlier was starting to bug her as well "I will be gone the rest of the week" though she can't pinpoint why it bothers her she still felt something.
That something was wrong and it even seemed that Gray didn't want to fulfill this promise as well.
Or maybe she was thinking too much on it? She shook her head furiously, blushing 'It's not I think about him all the time jeez! It's just the situation seems weird that's all' she chastised herself. Before she could go into depth of her inner thoughts a soothing warm feeling started to pat around her head.
"You okay?" a voice asked as his body shifted beside her, Lucy's ears turned pink due to the proximity of how close they were and how he came up out of no where.
"Ah y-yeah" she said nervously "I'm f-fine!" she waved her hand off and ran to their groups table. Gray raised an eyebrow at this, the blonde was acting quite odd but he decided not to question it. If something were going on with her he would wait for her to say it to him.
That is if she is willing to or not.
The gang reached their table greeted by the rest of their friends and a joyous Natsu who was stuffing down his throat with massive amounts of food.
"Why is he so happy about?" Lucy asked as she sat herself down. Lisanna giggled as she decided to answer for Natsu "He's just happy because he feels he actually done well in his essay"
"Oh really, what's different about this one Natsu?" the blonde girl asked him
"Diis terrrmrr err gerrt herrrwp" he grumbled as he swallowed his food.
"What?"
He gulped down the remains of his chicken before answering, "I said this time I actually got help"
"Nani? Who could help you?" Lucy reprimanded with a tone of curiosity. She had made many attempts before to teach Natsu or to help him with an assignment at school, but it always ended in a disaster.
"Mmmm" he looked down "I hate to admit it but" he made a menacing glance at Gray who gladly returned the glare "But the droopy eye bastard helped me a bit..."
Lucy looked back at Gray who was munching on his food still "You did?" she said surprised. He shrugged at her comment with indifference.
"Well I do owe him so I decided to help him with just the basics" he took a sip of his water. "Though he was a pain in my ass"
"Pfft like I wanted you to tutor me you dick, but since you were the only option I had no choice" Natsu crossed his arms and frowned at his companion. Gray smirked "Whatever Flame head"
Natsu glared at him "Popsicle"
"Match stick"
"Snow-cone"
"Ash brain"
"Snowman"
"Pinky"
Natsu's eyes twitched with anger and frustration as he made a glance at Gray, who was jeering with confidence and cockiness just from the look from his grin.
"Don't call me PINKY Droopy eyes!"
"So-rry Squinty eyes but I'm just calling you by the color of your hair" he chimed back
Natsu suddenly stood up "SO you want to go at it! HUH?"
Everyone at the table sweat dropped 'Not again'
Gray slammed his fists on the table as he stood up with a sly grin etched on his face "Bring it! I dare you!"
"You guys shouldn't fight especially in the cafeteria" Levy chastised, the boys there also nodded "No need to cause a ruckus" said Droy.
"At least take it outside, you guys are causing a scene!" yelled Jet.
Both boys inched closer to each other, having only their foreheads touching each other, the veins and tic marcs were visible on their face. Their teeth gritted with their menacing glares facing each other.
"Does the Salamander have enough flame to melt me?" Gray taunted.
"Come at me Gray! Or should I just call you by your trade name?" Natsu retorted "Hell Angel?" a smirk played on his rough lips.
But instead of Gray acting out or yelling at him he only grinned, "Can't believe you remember that chump"
"Heheh How can I forget such an idiotic name like that? "
"But still" Gray started before he took a few steps back "You shouldn't use that name when referring to me" his gaze landed on Natsu, his dark blue eyes telling him that he was dead serious, a grim expression was made on to his face.
"Why? Bothered by it?"
"Hmph" he shoved his hands into his pockets "I'm not going to fight someone who can't even address their opponent correctly."
"Huh?" Natsu arched an eyebrow up, confusion was written all over face. "What do you mean?"
"He means that that's not his nickname Natsu-kun," a voice behind him said with an eerie atmosphere surrounding the lad.
Natsu shivered after recognizing that voice "Ah Lyon!"
"What are you two doing in the cafeteria? Is one warning not enough?" a stern voice said behind Gray, he jumped up out of fright "Ah Erza!"
"Took you guys long enough" Lucy said as she stretched her arms upward "Those two idiots seem to get into fights easily."
"Oh really?" a disappointing glare was directed towards them two that they jumped into each other's embrace "N-no way E-Erza! We were just having a good tussle like best friends do? Right Gray?"
"R-right! We wouldn't do anything like that especially here in the cafeteria. I'm just catching up with Natsu!"
"Y-yeah!"
Erza looked at both of them for a while, she nodded her head in approval, believing in what the duo of chaos just said, "All right then, but if you want to catch up like that do it outside!"
"Yes Ma'am!" they said in unison. Lucy rolled her eyes, no wonder Erza was elected student council president, and she's able to handle any situation and is able to control these two idiots. Good thing her natural talent is leadership, and fencing.
Lyon chuckled "You're still the same Scarlet". She smiled at him "Isn't it about time you called me Erza? You didn't have a problem with that when we were kids"
Lyon rubbed the back of his head sheepishly "I know, but it seems your fan club didn't like that the transfer student is on a first name basis with their beloved President"
Erza blushed furiously "I THOUGHT I DISBANDED THEM!" At the academy where any average high schooler can participate in club activities, there's one that was shut down "THE I LOVE ERZA FANCLUB' their behavior was outrageous that Erza had to shut it down.
Lyon laughed, "Yeah that might be true but it doesn't mean they will stop adoring you secretly"
"WAIT TILL I GET MY HANDS ON THOSE PESTS!"
"Calm down Erza, I'm sure they're not causing harm to any one" Levy tried to reassure.
"Woah Erza has fans? Don't they know what a cruel mon—" before Natsu could finish his statement Gray chugged a bottle of tobacco sauce down his throat so he would be unable to speak "MNSNASKLSM MSASH!"
"Well they did threaten me to stay away from her" Lyon spoke out.
"I'M GONNA KILL THEM!"
"Calm down Erza, Lyon can handle himself no need to fuss about it" Gray said, Lyon nodded agreeing, "Yeah it wasn't a big deal"
"Have any one else been threatened lately?" Erza asked
"Not that we know of" Droy spoke "Well I haven't noticed"
"Yeah me either" Jet said
Erza sighed "I'm flattered really but this is too much, they shouldn't have a say in whom I'm close to or not, and I feel like I'm hurting their feelings if I tell them to stop" she said glumly.
"You don't need to worry about small things like that Erza-san" a cool velvet voice said. Everyone turned their heads towards the direction of the voice. The person was Jellel who was just coming by with his tray of food.
"Jellel!" Erza shouted surprised "Tell me have you been threatened or put into a dangerous situation lately?" she asked worried
He smiled at her assuredly "Nope, being Vice Prez means I don't get hassled a lot, no one wants to mess with anyone in Student Council. Plus I can take care of myself you of all people should know that Erza-san"
Erza still looked doubtful but decided to be comforted by Jellel words, they both sat down in their usual spots, Lyon grabbed a chair and pulled it next to Lucy.
"You shouldn't fuss about this Erza, they LOVE YOU, and just want to watch for your well being. Jellel being in Student Council they won't lay a finger on him. Plus they wouldn't dare to face the wrath of Natsu or Gray; they probably don't see Droy or Jet as a threat. So that only leaves me and thought I would be an easy target, I guess they don't do their research well since they didn't know I took martial arts."
Jellel made a smug smirk after Lyon's comment "Pffft I remember we took class together once, didn't I beat you up on that day?"
Lyon only smiled in response but it could be felt there was resentment hidden from that forced grin "Oh yea, but then I heard you got whipped easily from Erza"
Jellel only rolled his eyes "Well we were 7 at that time, I hardly remember"
"Oh I seeee, so you have what some people call a selective memory?" Lyon teased as he grabbed his orange juice and took a sip. Jellel only waved it off "Ahhh Lyon, I forgot how witty your remarks were"
Natsu wiped the remaining crumbs off of his mouth before speaking "So then Lyon, what do you mean that's not Gray's nickname, I hear a bunch of kids call him that while you guys were still around"
Gray shook his head before he answered "No, you got it wrong, they weren't calling me that, the person who was always there with me was called that."
"Who? You kind of fit the criteria, well except the angel part. Then who else would it be?"
Lyon chuckled "That would be me Natsu"
Everyone at the table stared at him bewilderedly "EHHH LYON?!"
"That doesn't make sense though!" Lucy spoke out "Lyon you're so nice, and funny why would anyone want to call you Hell's Angel?"
Lyon faced everyone as he placed his chin in his hands; his elbows were resting on the table "Well first let me correct you with one thing. It's not Hell's Angel as Natsu just said but they called me Hail Angel. H-A-I-L Angel. But since most kids that age don't hear the difference it just became Hell Angel"
"You should've been called Snow Devil though" Gray mumbled, Lyon smacked him on the head but only playfully gaining a few stares from his friends "Gray-chii don't be like that. Its not like I wanted that name. If you ask me that name fits you more than you're actual trade name"
"Wait can you explain to me what are Trade names?" Lucy asked. Lyon smiled and nodded "Sure. Well Mangolia is known for having this prestigious school 'Fairy Tail', given that you have a worthy talent you're able to register and become a student. Living in Mangolia you're given a Trade name based on your talent, if its' good enough that is."
Everyone nodded, excluding Lucy who only moved here a year before many of the students have Trade names that label them on what type of person they are, not all students have this which is still okay but most notorious students are eligible in gaining this 'Nickname'
"Back then if you're talent was beyond unbelievable you would be part in a different category called 'The Saints', this batch of people have undeniable strength and wisdom, our Jii-chan is actually one of them. Only one student in this school is actually a part of them. So far there's only 10 so it's the 'Ten Holy Saints' for now"
"EHHH Really? " Lucy looked surprised. She heard of the Ten Saints, they're well known for their unbelievable skill and knowledge but to think someone in this school managed to get in, that person must be insane with power.
Lyon laughed, "Actually you know this person well Lucy"
Lucy quirked an eyebrow up, wait she knew this person? How could she miss that then? She looked around the table, everyone was grinning at her. She locked eyes with everyone but she still couldn't see who it could be.
Her eyes finally landed on Jellel who sheepishly smiled and put his hands up in defense "AH you caught me"
"EHHH JELLEL SENPAI?" Everyone laughed at her reaction "I can't believe you didn't know that Lucy!" Natsu laughed across the table, he earned him self a good kick in the groin, Lucy scowled at him before reverting her eyes back to Jellel waiting for an explanation"
"Ah, well you flatter me Lyon, but you know I given up that role, they said I should wait until after I graduate until I join back, they feel I'm not ready yet. I'm nothing special I promise you Lucy-san" he looked embarrassed but he continued to smile.
"That's why his trade name for now is 'Prince', because he is most likely to get into the saints after graduation."
"Yeah, though Prince doesn't really portray a sign of my talent unlike you guys"
Lucy nodded, now that she thinks about it Natsu, Erza, and Lyon have trade names that match up to their talent. Natsu being 'The Salamnder' for reasons of his talent unknown to some students, Erza with her brilliant leadership and Sword defense skills she is known as the "Titania", and Lyon who for some reason hasn't mentioned his talent is nicknamed "Hail Angel".
"Everyone eventually will get their trade names while attending Fairy Tail Academy, but I heard that if you don't get one then you will probably won't graduate"
Lucy's face paled "S-so if we don't get one w-we might n-not graduate?"
Erza pondered about it "Well I'm not sure but it's never heard of to have someone graduate and still doesn't have a trade name"
"You also have to make sure that you excel well and portray your talent amazing, even if it sucks, because once someone gives you your trade name you're kind of stuck with it, unless you get into the saints."
"Yeah it's true Lu-chan, I hate my trade name so I prefer it when people call me Levy" Levy piped up sadly
"Eh? Even you Levy-chan? What is it?"
"Bookworm" she mumbled quietly. Lucy tried her best not to laugh before replying, "Ahh it's cute Levy-chan you don't have to worry about it! At least you have one" Lucy said glumly.
"Don't worry, you will get one soon I know it!" Levy pumped up. Everyone at the table nodded "Yeah I don't think you need to worry about it Lucy-chan" Lyon said
"Yeah you will get one for sure Lucy!" Natsu yelled.
"If it makes you feel better I don't have one either Lucy-chan" Lissana said as she gave Lucy a pat on the back. Lucy smiled at the young Strauss "Then lets work hard okay!"
"Un!"
"All right now I feel all fired up!" Natsu roared with excitement, Gray smacked him on the head "Why are you getting fired up you all ready have a trade name!"
Everyone at the table giggled as Natsu returned to his seat with an embarrassed look but he still kept his toothy grin.
"Oh! That reminds me, Fullbuster what's your trade name?" Lucy suddenly asked, she whipped her head and faced him. He jolted and looked the other way 'Ah shit'
"Yeah you haven't told us yours Ice-block!" Natsu slammed his fist on the table "Tell us why don't you"
Lyon grinned, "Ah Gray come on, it's not something to be ashamed of. Though you don't want to be recognized for that talent it can't be helped"
"What do you mean Lyon?" Lucy asked
He only sighed as he spoke again "Well me and Gray have similar talents but I'm more interested in soccer and getting to regionals so I asked Jii-chan if I can be registered as that. Gray was about to do the same but due to a certain situation he's forced to be registered with that talent. Poor Gray-chii and you have so many other talents you shouldn't be limited to that one"
This only made Lucy and the gang more curious, setting aside Erza and Jellel who all ready know his talent and trade name (Student Council do their research well!)
Gray sighed and ruffled his hair in frustration "Fine Fine. Its similar to Lyon's so you will understand what my talent relates with"
Lucy waited patiently, she was getting a bit excited finding out something new about Gray, they have been on good terms lately sure but they haven't progressed. So getting to know him better secretly is making her a bit happy.
Gray looked down at the table, giving in to what he's going to say with deep thought 'Ah well it doesn't matter if they do know. It's just the name itself reminds me of that damn woman' he narrowed his eyes slightly before heaving a breath to release out stress.
"Avalanche" He breathed out slowly, causing the hairs on Lucy's neck to stand, she didn't like the feeling she was getting as soon as the words were spoken.
"Actually I have two, Avalanche is my alias when I'm working but there's also another"
"And what's that?" Natsu asked seriously. His tone has changed from cheery to remorse in a sense 'I think I know, but I hope I'm wrong'
Gray looked down at his fingers, analyzing them, trying to avoid the stares he was receiving, he knew it was better to not keep secrets. He remembered Lucy's words at that moment "It's better to share your problems with someone. They can help ease the pain" 'I hope you're right blondie'
"I'm not quite fond of this one though but it's what I'm registered here as, and Natsu I know you may know it so please refrain yourself from saying it. Everyone else I'm just going to say it once and I'm not going to repeat it"
Everyone nodded. Gray exhaled a sigh but the jolt in his chest was less weak now, he feels the stress coming off of his shoulders now that he can show a peak of the true Gray Fullbuster.
"You might have heard of me, as Black Ice"
And she's the reason why you're drowning
GAH SO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE! i noticed it gotten funny then serious all in one chapter O_O how did i do that?
But thank you for all the faves, follows, and reviews it gives me good joy and its the only reason why I keep updating! Thank you so much! AND WOW gotten so complicated! Next chapter it will talk about the grand festival DUN DUN. The complications just keep on getting bigger and bigger! But don't worry I'll squeeze more Graylu moments next chapter!
Thank you!
x Pika-Chan