Chapter 13: Volleyball: Couples Edition

LUCY'S POV

The moment Natsu said 'deal', I felt my world crumble down. Seriously?! Since when did I agree to this? A couple's edition of Volleyball?! And me and Natsu would be playing?! We are not even a couple! This is really becoming out of hand…

The second that Natsu pulled my hand to walk into the court, I had the urge to question him. "Natsu, we are not even a couple…Why do we have to play? Can't we just pass in this game?"

"I get you that we're not a couple but it's just a game…" Natsu replied without even looking at me

"Exactly, it's just a game, so can't we just forfeit?"

"No…come on Luce, it'll be fun!" This time, Natsu turned and looked at me in the face while showing his famous grin.

"Fun?! Natsu! Don't you realize that whether we win a point or lose, we have to kiss! We can't just kiss!" I shouted back at him as I stared at his face telling me there is no way I can convince him to agree with me.

"Then let's win a point so that I'll just kiss you in your cheeks."

"No!"

"Come on Luce…As if I didn't kiss your cheeks before"

"Well that was in private and…unintentional"

"Its intentional weirdo…and come on let's make a difference. Make it public"

Before I could argue with him, another voice called out to us which caught our attention. "Come on guys! Let's start the game!"

Gray shouted before he took his position to serve the ball. As soon as I saw the ball flying in the air, I became a statue staring at the ball with my mouth open. I was so stunned with what was happening until I heard a voice shout at me.

"Luce! The ball!"

"And it's in!" A female voice this time declared, so I looked at the source and saw Levy cheered near to her boyfriend.

As I stared at them, a pink head was walking towards me. Natsu then stood in front of me and waved a hand in front of me, "Oy Luce, are you okay? It's game time already"

I couldn't answer him, I was still too stunned. But moments later, I heard a girl's voice squeak. "Yehay! 1 point for us Gray-sama! Kiss~"

People in the background started chanting, kiss! kiss! kiss! kiss! kiss!

I then saw Gray leaned down and kissed her cheek which made Juvia blush and giggle like a little girl. So adorable. But then I realized something…

kiss! kiss! kiss! kiss! kiss!

People were now chanting it again but this time towards me. I looked at my side and saw him stand there next to me but looking at the mob. "Natsu-"

I was cut off quickly…I didn't understand what was happening. All I felt was a warm pressure in my lips. It felt weird but at the same time good. It felt like I wanted to give pressure too but I didn't know how. That's the moment I realize, Natsu was already kissing me…Tenderly but…quick.

Next second I know, he pulled away and stared at my eyes. He was holding a serious look. I wanted to talk but he beats me to it. "Game!"

Natsu then takes his position and me, as usual, still in my position, stunned. People were all like fan girling with what happened. But me, I couldn't explain what was happening to me. I started to run my fingers in my tingling lips until I mumbled to myself, "He just stole my first kiss."

"Come on Luce! Focus if you didn't want to be kissed in the lips again." Natsu then shouted at me which pulled me out of my trance. And yes, I started to position and focus.

"Y-yeah…I'll focus." I somehow lied 'cause I was still stunned but the moment I heard a ball being hit, my attention was now on.

After 15 minutes of playing, me and Natsu won the game with a score of 25-15. And yes, I got kissed in the lips 15 times. Who wouldn't feel awkward with your best friend after the game? After our game, Levy and Gajeel fought with Lissana and Sting while Erza and Jellal competed with Loke and Aries.

While our other friends were playing, other tourists were watching with us and cheered. But for me and Natsu, were somehow seated apart. I guess I wouldn't wonder after what happened in the game. We were just both silent cheering for our friends. But from time to time, I glance at him. And I catch him glancing at me.

The night has fallen. And each one of us was all exhausted. But then, it's the first night of summer! We wanted to party! So we all decided to bring dinner at the beach and start dancing and swim with all new people and friends. Girls were all flirting Natsu since they learned that he was single and we were about to enter college and stuff. Guys were doing the same with us girls too but heck, their boyfriends know when to enter.

With all the fuss happening in the party, I decided to sit alone in a big rock sort of away from them all. However, people were still everywhere but the good thing is they didn't bother me. So now, I'm alone, staring at the dark sky with millions of star. Cool breeze hitting my almost bare skin. I miss a warm hug.

"What's up?" A manly voice suddenly said coming from my right which made me look at the source.

"Nothing…Just…taking a break from partying, I guess." I said back to him and scooted a bit because I know he would be sitting next to me.

"Ah…right, you're not a hard core party girl."

"You know me well Natsu… But, don't the other girls want you there? I mean their all over you" I chuckled somehow with the idea until he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

"Well, they may want me there but I like being here with you. And I know you would really love a warm hug from me after all-"

"Yeah yeah, I know you have a weird body temperature…" I then giggled and moved closer to his newly realized naked chest. But who cares, I need warmth.

"Hey…I, uh…wanted to uh…say sorry." Natsu then whispered in my ear really softly, so I looked at his face and realized his face was so damn close that with another inch, my 16th kiss would come. With that proximity, I had to look away because I'm starting to feel my cheeks to warm up, "Uh…sorry for what?"

"The kiss…I didn't mean to still your first kiss."

"How'd you know?!" His statement made me surprised which caused me to look at him again and yet his face was still too close so I looked away again. Then I continued myself, "Never mind…Look, I know you didn't like what you did and I'm not mad. I uh…just hope nothing changes."

"No I promise!" Natsu then moved in front of me and looked at me in my eyes. "I'll make sure that that kiss is not gonna destroy our friendship."

"Friendship? Just…that?"

"Yeah…I guess. Why-"

"Never mind…" I then looked away from his eyes and tried to stare at the beach. He returned to his old position and stared with me at the sea.

With whatever I said, I didn't understand what I was feeling… It felt like I could fall in love with him so I was like somehow expecting that…he could like…court me. WHAT THE HECK IS RUNNING IN MY MIND?!

The next thing I know, I was leaning my head in his shoulder and whispered to him, "Surprisingly, I expected you to be my first kiss…"

-End of Chapter 13-