I thank each and every one of you who gave some of their precious time to read this story, thanks for those who listed this as their favourite and for those who alerted as well. It made me so much happy! It is much appreciated! *bows*
Can't believe I've got so many reviewers this time,, so thanks so much! ^^
I'm warning everyone. I don't know if anyone of you will hate me or will ever review again after reading this chapter, which I hope won't happen, so enjoy reading? ^^"
Again, English is my second language and I'm not that good of a writer so I beg for forgiveness if there are wrong spellings or grammar...thank you!
Genre: Drama, Family, Friendship, Romance, some Humor, Hurt/ Comfort.
Pairings: GrayXLucy, ErzaXJellal, NatsuXLisanna, GajeelXLevy, LokeXsoon to be revealed?, SeigrainXUltear maybe.
Summary: Gray hates the world for taking his parents away, for making his life miserable. But with his new family, friends and a certain blonde girl, will they make him change the idea about the world? Or will he just hate it even more?
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairytail or any of its characters. I am NOT Hiro Mashima!
CHAPTER 21:I Hate You
"I like you…"
Those three words that have lots of meanings were said. Did he really say that? What is his true intention behind those words? What could it possibly mean? "I like you" like him liking her as a lover? Or was it "I like you" like him liking her as a person? Or was it something else?
Lucy was in shock. All these questions kept on rewinding inside her head. Different scenarios flashed; her time with him when they were little, her confession to him on the rooftop, and their first kiss. Her brain wasn't functioning well, her heart started skipping. Her hands sweating and the butterflies in her stomach won't stop. She felt like the world stops spinning, like the only ones in it are just him and her. What if he didn't mean it?
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She doesn't care.
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All that she was thinking earlier vanished; all that's left is the uttered words and the meaning 'she thought' was behind it. Happiness was what she felt.
But for Loke who was standing beside her, who loves Lucy secretly or rather showing it but was never felt by the one he loves, was heartbroken. He knew she loves Gray, even if she had told him earlier that she didn't like the guy, he can feel it and it hurts. He trusted his best friend that he doesn't like Lucy, then why did he say that? And worst in front of him.
He doesn't know what to do; he knows Lucy is happy hearing those words. Should he be happy for her as well? Should he support them, even if his best friend betrayed his trust?
Loke made a ball using his fist. He should've punched Gray, but he knows well that Lucy will hate him if doing so, and he couldn't handle that, no…anyone but her. All he could feel was hatred, the feeling of being betrayed and the feeling of rejection. Rejection is one word he doesn't want to hear or feel. He didn't even started courting her yet, not even telling her what she meant to him. And now, the thing that he doesn't want to feel the most was haunting him; he's been rejected, even though indirectly. But, he doesn't want his love for Lucy to end up like his love for his mother. NO! He won't let that happen!
Lucy's lips was about to stretch upwards while Loke was about to say something when Gray beat them to it.
"…you're a great friend…and I don't want that to change…"
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All the hope that Lucy have, had shattered into tiny pieces like it can never be whole again. The thought of Gray finally remembering her and that he feels the same, were destroyed with just a simple word; FRIENDS and what had made it worse is the fact that he doesn't want to change it.
Gray took his hands off Lucy's shoulders, the latter missing the warmth of his touch. She should be crying right about that moment but, she doesn't want that. She doesn't want to be pitied.
Lucy looked down and chuckled bitterly before looking back at Gray's black orbs again, hiding what she truly feels inside.
"What are you saying? Don't make it sound like you really like me…I might just fall in love with you!" she said in a teasing tone. Great acting Lucy! She sarcastically said to herself. "What are you trying to do anyways?" she asked and rolled her eyes at him who seemed to be surprised by her sudden change of attitude.
"I just want to make things clear…you know, from what I said earlier?" he explained. Is she lying to me? He mentally asked himself as he furrowed his brows. Lucy chuckled bitterly again.
"That I'm not going to be a special someone for you? Psh. Well, let me tell you this, I don't care. If you like me as friend then fine, because I like you as well!" she practically yelled the last sentence, making an awkward silence. Realizing what she said, she quickly added, "Because you're different from other guys! Because you don't like me the way they do!" she explained. Shit Lucy! Don't let this get to you! You already started lying after meeting him again, nothing will change if you kept on doing it! Maybe it is better if he doesn't know that you are the girl from before! She told herself.
She turned around to walk off to her classroom when Gray grabbed her wrist.
"Wait!" he said.What now? What is he going to tell me now? I don't wanna look back, it already hurts. Facing him again, my tears might fall. She thought again, fighting the tears from showing.
"What?" she asked with a hoarse voice, her back was still facing him. How she wish that Gray didn't caught her croaky voice. She cursed herself for being weak. Why can't she fight back the feelings inside her? Oh yea, she's hurt. And all she wanted to do at that moment was to cry…but not in front of him. Gray tightened the hold on her wrist.
"Please explain to everyone that last Monday was not a date… I can't take it anymore. It's getting really annoying…" he said. That was the last straw! Now she's determined not to tell him anything about their past. Is he really that dense that he can't even tell if someone was in love with him? Is he really into her, the girl from the rooftop, that he doesn't even want to look at anybody else? Lucy bit her lower lip. Her body froze, she can't hold the tears. It will fall anytime so she decided to do as she told before that happens.
She removed Gray's firm grip off her wrist before turning and looking at her 'audience'. They were staring mainly at her. She looked at Gray and rolled her eyes when she saw that he was looking at Loke, who was still gaping at the little scene.
"Listen up everyone! This is really getting on my nerves…" she started. This wasn't the Lucy that everyone had grown fond of, but she was so hurt to even think about it now. IT IS really getting on her nerves. After considering it as a date, this is what she gets? The obscured fact that she was hiding the happiness she felt when hearing everyone talking about their 'date' and the act she put up just so it won't be obvious that she's happy was all broken down with this stupid happening! It was hard to put on such an act but it's much harder to lie after hearing him say those words. It hurts and it made her angry. She wanted to tell everyone that she was happy but he just had to ruin all of it. She sighed before continuing.
"I'll say this once more; last Monday was not a date. We…we just went to Camp Basanova to make the reservation for the trip and that's all there is to it. Nothing more, nothing less. He's just there to protect me from unwanted accidents, and that is his sole purpose of coming with me. Now, do I make myself clear?" she asked, acting nonchalant and faced Gray.
"Happy?" she asked and left, clenching her fist. Gray felt there was something wrong with Lucy but, what is it? Is it because she's irritated as well that everyone was talking about the rumours that they went on a date last Monday? To be honest, he's not really irritated, he just want Loke to see that the rumours aren't true…even if it was. Yes, he was happy having to go with her in a place that he holds special memories with but, he doesn't want to disappoint Loke anymore. But he can't stand seeing Lucy at this state as well. Gray was about to call her but Loke stopped him from doing so. Loke smiled at him and told Gray to go back together to their classroom. He nodded but was really worried for his blonde friend.
..ooOoo..
After Lucy was out of earshot and when no one can see her, she let the tears fall. She walked faster to get to the place she always goes to when sad so she can cry all her heart's content: the greenhouse at the back of the school that only a few students, like her, knew about.
She opened the glass door and was greeted with beautiful flowers she secretly taken care off. But its beauty was ignored as Lucy slid down the door and wailed, knowing that no one would hear her from her distance from the school buildings that holds classes. She buried her face on her hands and continued crying with no care for the world. The hurt she's feeling right now should be released or else she doesn't know what will happen to her. The bell rang but she did not care one bit. Gray's words still clangs inside her head…
I like you…you're a great friend…and I don't want to change that fact…"W-why Gray? Why can't you recognize me?" she asked to no one in particular.
"Please explain to everyone that last Monday was not a date… I can't take it anymore. It's getting really annoying…"
"I-I h-hate you…" she whispered to herself.
..ooOoo..
Natsu was walking aimlessly at the schools backyard. Yes, he skipped class. He's just too lazy to listen to every word his teachers say. With his hands behind his head, he roamed around the yard while whistling, and yes, he didn't care if he was found out by one of the teachers or students. If ever he was seen walking around skipping classes, he'll just have to make up a good excuse. But for the meantime, enjoying his free time was all he did.
While walking, he heard wailing coming from a not so far away place. He stopped and tried to figure out where the cry is coming from. At first he thought that he was being power tripped by a ghost. But honestly! How can a ghost power trip a person? Do they even do that? He was scared but decided to still check it out.
A greenhouse? Natsu mentally asked, not wanting the crying 'ghost' know where he is, hiding himself behind some bushes. He gulped as he saw a slumping figure behind the glass door of the greenhouse. This is it Natsu. If it's not a ghost then you'll have to lecture the person that he/she shouldn't be cutting classes. He nodded in determination. Wait! He doesn't have the right to say that when he himself was skipping classes as well!GOING BACK! If it's a ghost then…then…Oh what the fuck! Just run for your life! He thought as he gulped another lump in his throat.
Heart throbbing furiously inside his chest, he bravely walked closer to the blonde haired figure. Wait, blonde? He asked himself. No Natsu! Don't be deceived! So what if she's blonde? So what if she had those side ponytails like Lucy? So what if – wait, Lucy?He stopped his tracks and raised an eyebrow at his thought. It is Lucy! Finally recognizing the girl, Natsu let out a grin. Lucy skipping classes? What privileges do top students get? Hehe she won't mind a little fun right?With that thought in mind, he started walking close to the blonde. He looked for another entrance and luckily for him he found one. He grinned evilly, planning something inside his head.
He sneaked in and was surprised by what he saw. He didn't know that such a place existed in their school. Now he wondered if he's the only one that doesn't know the place because if not, then it will be such a waste. A beautiful place like this should be exposed.
He shook his head before completely forgetting what he came there for. He looked around and smiled spotting who he's looking for.
Lucy was hugging her knees. She's still crying but, not that loud anymore. Only faint sobs can be heard. Natsu was about to scare her but, he stopped when he heard her say, "I hate you…"
He was taken aback by her voice. It's not the usual happy tone she used and that made him worried. So instead of scaring her, he just called for her name. "Lucy…"
Lucy flinched and looked up only to come face-to-face with a frowning Natsu.
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Natsu's eyes widen with what he saw. Lucy…she's crying. Her eyes were as wide as his; only difference was, it's red and puffy. Tears still cascaded down her damped cheeks as she quiver from crying.
"I-I-I-I'm s-s-so-sorry! I-I-I d-d-didn't mean to scare you! I swear!" Natsu said thinking he was the one who made her cry while waving his hands in front of him in haste. But the sight of him only caused Lucy to cry even more. He bowed down and was about to take off when Lucy tackled and hugged him tightly.
"NATSU! WAAAH!"
Due to the impact, they landed on the ground, with Natsu's butt first. Natsu couldn't comprehend as to why Lucy was like this. But the next words she said made him realized what was happening.
"I-I hate him…I hate him…I hate him…" Lucy repeated while hugging Natsu still. As a friend, he did what he had to do. He patted her back, shushing her in comfort and uttering consoling words in the process.
After she calmed down, she broke the hug and wiped her tears using the back of her hands. "I'm sorry, Natsu. I was just…it's just that –"
"Gray…wasn't it?" Natsu said cutting off what Lucy was about to say. She looked at him in surprise. How could the densest person she knew possibly fathom something like this?
Natsu gave his reassuring smile and patted her head. "How did you…?" she asked.
"I didn't mean it when I heard Levy said it! Honest!" Natsu defended, realizing what he had said, even if Lucy didn't really get what he was saying. She blinked and tilted her head. "Levy?" she asked again.
"U-uhm, well, yea…I heard her say that you like Gray and that Gray feels the same, so I thought maybe he's the reason why you're crying. You did say you hate 'HIM', right?" Natsu asked while scratching his head. Lucy sighed, remembering what she told Levy.
Seeing her sad face, Natsu patted her head again, eyeing her shadowed face with sympathy. He felt the urge to beat Gray up but, he can't just leave Lucy alone at this state. He felt her need of comfort, a shoulder to lean on.
"N-Natsu…" there goes her hoarse voice again. She doesn't want what's happening to her, but she can't help it. She needs to tell the uneasiness she feels to someone.
"Can I trust you with my most precious but probably my most problematic secret as well?" she asked and looked up at him again. Natsu nodded wearing his infamous grin and Lucy saw the sincerity in his eyes; that was enough for her to tell everything to him. But his smile was replaced with a surprised face and later turned into a scowl after hearing her story.
Lucy told him everything, eyes downcast as tears started flowing down her face again. She told him everything about her and Gray that she was the girl that Gray met a few years back, the girl on the rooftop that Gray was waiting for. She told him about how they met, how she confessed, how she felt with their first kiss, how she was happy meeting him again, how she was heartbroken when she learned that he doesn't recognize her, how she was happy for their shared moment last Monday, and how much pain she's suffering now as to how badly he had hurt her earlier. She continued crying.
"Why didn't you tell him?" Natsu asked, clenching his fist. I can't believe she's the girl. But then why didn't he recognize her?
"I-I can't…" she said. Natsu's frown deepened and wanted to know more but just sighed in reply, not wanting to make Lucy feel much worse. He stood up and dusted his pants before looking over at Lucy.
"Well then, if you don't want to tell him, then let me do –"
"NO!" Natsu was shocked. Lucy grabbed his leg and looked at him in terror.
"Please, Natsu! Please! Don't!" she begged and breathed heavily.
"Please! Don't tell anybody about this! Especially to Gray…"
Natsu saw the horror in her eyes, as if mentioning anything about her past will torture her and bleed her to death. Lucy released his leg and put her hands on the ground and started crying again but this time as scared as ever. Natsu crouched down and couldn't understand as to why Lucy was being like this. He held her shoulders and calmed her.
"Lucy…Lucy, it's ok…"
Once she calmed down a bit, he asked, "If you don't mind me asking, why don't you wanna tell him?"
"Because I…I promised…" she said.
"What are you saying?"
"I promised someone that I'll never talk to Gray again and I'll stay away from him but, I broke that promise and the only thing I can do now is…*sob* to not tell him that I'm the girl, knowing that he didn't recognize me…" she explained.
"But Gray needs to know you're the girl…" Natsu reasoned.
"But I promised," Lucy argued.
"BUT THIS IS NO TIME FOR THAT DAMNED THING!" Natsu bellowed which made Lucy cry even more.
"I KNOW! I KNOW! BUT I CAN'T…because I'm a coward…" Lucy said just as loud.
"I can't say it…I don't want to be bullied again, *hiccup* I don't want *hiccup* to get hurt again, I don't want *hiccup* to cry myself to sleep again, I just…I don't want *hiccup* to go back to the past. I know she's still watching my every move. And she'll hurt me again…she'll –" Lucy said but her breath begin to sped up. She held her clutched her chest and breath heavily again.
"L-Lucy?" Natsu's sour expression turned into a worried one. He shook her gently but her breath sped even more. Lucy shakily took out something from her pocket. She gave it to Natsu which he took reluctantly.
"C-call Nana Supetto for m-me…and d-don't tell take me to the infirmary…please h-hurry…I ca-can't b-brea –" she didn't got to finish what she was going say and collapsed.
"LUCY!" Natsu yelled.
"Oh God! This is not happening," he muttered and panicky searched 'Nana Supetto' from Lucy's phone using one of his hands while holding Lucy with his other.
"I swear, I'm NEVER gonna skip class EVER again!" He said as he dialled the phone.
..ooOoo..
Natsu was waiting patiently outside Lucy's room, crossed armed while leaning on the wall, after they managed to get her home after the incident. 'Nana Supetto' called the Heartfilia's doctor that was now examining Lucy.
I hate him… Natsu remembered what Lucy said. She's suffering because of him. This happened because of him. That damned bastard! He doesn't know that he's hurting the girl he says he love. Why can't he recognize her? He thought and clenched his fist; his frown didn't leave his handsome face.
"I swear I'll make him realize what he did…" he muttered and glared at no one in particular before the door swung open.
Natsu snapped out of his thought and went over to the doctor. "Hey, Doc! Is she alright?" he asked worriedly.
The doctor just smiled at him before answering his question. "Yes she is. She just got tired for crying so much. Say, are you her boyfriend?" he asked curiously.
"Wha –?" Natsu said and blushed. He can't even say a thing because of the sudden question. The doctor laughed and patted his shoulder even if he still got no answer from the boy.
"Well then, please take care of Miss Heartfilia. She still tired so please let her rest. And kindly tell Supetto-san to not let Miss Heartfilia go to school tomorrow." The doctor and smiled at Natsu before leaving.
"I'm not her boyfriend!" he said but the doctor was now out of hearing range. He sighed and went inside Lucy's bedroom.
He took a seat next to her bed and observed her sleeping figure. The frown on her face tells him that Lucy's still not okay. He was really scared when she collapsed, he doesn't know what to do. It's a good thing that Supetto went there fast enough cause if not, then he might bring her to the infirmary and everyone will know that they're cutting classes.
Lucy groaned as she shifted in her bed. She slowly opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings to find Natsu staring worriedly at her.
Natsu sighed in relief once Lucy smiled at him. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm fine, I guess…what happened?" she said and tried to sit up but Natsu prevent her from doing so.
"Stay down, you need rest," he said while pushing her down.
"You collapsed. You told me to call 'Nana Supetto-san' so I called her through your phone. We brought you here and the doctor said you need rest. He also told me that you're not allowed to go to school tomorrow." Natsu explained.
"But I still have so many things to do for the council!" Lucy argued and was about to sit up just to be pushed down again. "Look Lucy, everyone from the council is there. You don't need to worry. Also, we'll be there as well, me, Loke and Gray…" Lucy flinched at the mention of the name, and as Natsu realized what he said, he apologized which Lucy responded with a forced smile.
"Natsu? Please, promise me you won't tell this to anyone? If ever they asked where I've been, tell them I got dizzy and went home and won't be there tomorrow to help them for some council works. Tell them my doctor said I need to rest and they will believe it." Lucy asked.
"Okay. I guess I need to go now. If I stay here any longer and missed the practice, God knows what Mira might do to me." Natsu said cheerfully to remove the gloomy atmosphere that's surrounding them. He stood up and walked towards the door.
"What practice?" Lucy asked in confusion. Natsu stopped, sweating cold bullets. He needs to think fast, but thinking fast was what he find difficult to do.
"Uhm, well…Mira was…uhm…practicing us…for the…uhm…for the trip…" he said and stiffened while answering.
"Why?" Lucy asked further.
"B-because…for the…AH-HAH!" Natsu said as a light bulb animatedly appeared above his head. He turned around and grinned at her as if he thought of the perfect alibi.
"Because we're somewhat part of the council, Mira's practicing us to become a leader, for the trip!"
"Oh…Okay, well, good luck, I guess." Lucy said and smiled at him.
"Yea! See ya on Friday! Take care!" Natsu said and waved goodbye. After closing the door, he sighed. Man! She made him sigh a lot!
On the other hand, Lucy's smile faded as Natsu closed the door. She really can't help but think about what happened.
"Gray…" was what she said before covering herself with her comforter.
..ooOoo..
Natsu walked in the hallway. Classes are over and he was on his way towards their classroom to get his things. But even though he was at school, he can't take his mind off of what happened earlier.
"Hey Natsu, where have you been? Cutting classes again?" Natsu heard. That voice. He thought and scowled. Natsu faced the person and felt his blood boiling in anger. He doesn't know why he's feeling this way towards the guy but all he can think about this time was to beat and hurt him in any way he can.
As he came closer, Natsu punched him square off the face that sends the guy down to the tiled floor, earning gasps from the students around them. Blood started dripping from the guy's mouth due to the strong impact. His head snapped at Natsu with an irritated look.
"WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?" he shouted, still seated at the floor.
"YOU'RE THE PROBLEM! YOU MADE HER CRY!" Natsu answered pointing his index finger accusingly and giving the guy a different look; a look that he doesn't usually use, a look which Natsu only use when seriously angered. The guy's eyes widen in shock, this is the first time Natsu used that look on him.
"You don't know that you hurt Lu – you made her cry. And this is the only thing I could do to make you pay for what you did. Thank her that she told me not to tell anything so I could only punch you once, because if she didn't, I could've remind you everything…with every word I say comes with a matching punch in every single part of your body leaving your eyes the only part without a bruise." Natsu said before turning but before he can walk off the guy called his attention, shocked and confused at what he's saying.
"What…are you talking about?" he asked.
"Shut it Gray! I admit defeat whenever you win against me so this time…THIS TIME YOU LOST…and I won," Natsu said before walking off with Gray left on the floor, staring shocked at the retreating back of his 'friend'.
..ooOoo..
Ok, I know everyone was expecting something from the 'I like you' part last chapter but I had to make thing difficult for them and put drama because if not and everything you expects happens then it'll be the end of the story, did you get what I mean? Hehe, I guess that's it for now…
Oh and Emil C, I know you were expecting some 'action' between Gray and Loke, but instead I made it Gray-Natsu kinda thing, I hope that's alright? Hehe, but don't worry, the Gray-Loke part will take part in the later chapters,, ^^ (I kinda think the 'Gray-Natsu' and 'Gray-Loke' pertains to something else instead of the word 'rivalry'…hehehe)
Uhm so? What do you guys think? OK, I'm confessing something…I'm a NaLu fan before, and because of the 'chariot' chapter I'm starting to love Natsu again so I got inspired and made some NaLu moments there…I hope I did fine back there?…wait, did you guys think Sting is as H-O-T as Gray? Kyaaaaa~! Gosh! I'm in love, again! I hope Gray would forgive me after saying that! Hehe
So next chapter? I still don't know,, hehe, but I guess it'll be out sooner? Hehe
Good? Crappy? Worth reading? Review? Hehe
Ja'ne
v(^o^)v
