High School Reunion

Chapter 9

Sting was confused. Lucy had returned the day after the reunion, just as planned. But she didn't come back the same. He knew to expect the pain in her eyes or the sorrow but this was different. She seemed more confused than he was, and she was easily distracted. Even in the middle of a conversation, he would find her eyes glazing over and a far off look appearing in them.

When he asked how it went, she only replied by saying it was fine, nothing else. She wouldn't go into details and he understood if she needed time but he was growing impatient. Did something happen to her? Did Natsu say or do something to her? But if something did happen then he would expect her to be depressed or in pain, not confused.

Lucy stared out the window in her bedroom, eyes locked onto the starry night. Natsu's confession played repeatedly in her mind. She couldn't stop thinking of him. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do. She was not willing to forgive him just like that but what about Sting? She can't keep leading him on when she knew that she would never be able to love him. Her heart belonged to Natsu, she has always known that whether she admitted it or not.

She was going to have to talk to Sting. There was no avoiding. Life just kept throwing twists her way and she felt as if she couldn't keep up. It was one surprised after another. She waited in her room, knowing that Sting would be at the office late tonight. She couldn't hold him back any longer, it just wasn't right.

Lucy continued to stare out her window, not really noticing what she was looking at anymore. Her mind was far from her. It was because of this that she didn't hear the door opening, or the footsteps approaching. She shrieked in surprised when a large hand landed on her shoulder.

"Shh, it's just me." Sting said, worried even more for her. She has been really jumpy lately. How did she not notice him come in, it's not like he was trying to be quiet or anything. Lucy sighed but her hand remained over her pounding heart. It has been a long time since she was scared that badly. Back in high school, she was used to those sort of things because Natsu loved to play pranks on her but it's been so long that she no longer keeps her guard up.

"Sting we need-"

"I know." His voice held so much sorrow and his eyes, it hurt Lucy just to look into them. Sting knew this was coming, even if he didn't want it. Something in the back of his mind kept whispering that this was a huge possibility but he just kept ignoring and hoping for the best. He walked over at down on the bed they shared. The same one that they spent countless nights laying in each others arms. They would sometimes whisper to each other long into the night. Her speaking of her latest book she was working on while he talked about his newest client.

So much time was put into their relationship and they made some wonderful memories but maybe that is all it will ever be, just memories. The past, not the future. She sat next to him, her hands were tucked in her lap. Sting loosened the tie around his neck with a sigh. No matter if he knew this would happen, he still wasn't prepared for it.

"Sting, we have had some wonderful times together. You helped me so much that I feel as if I could never repay you. We haven't had the easiest of a life but hopefully things get better. Just know that I do love you, I'm just not in love with you."

She heard him sigh once more, his eyes glaring at the carpet beneath his feet. It wasn't as bad as he thought it would, but hearing that still hurt. He felt like a fool for ever thinking she would marry him when she had never once told him she loved him. At least not in the way he wanted to hear it. He knew her enough to know that she would never marry for anything but love.

"Is this because of Natsu?" She glanced in his direction while biting her lips. The answer to that question was complicated but she knew that she owed him answers.

"Yes. And no." He turned to look at her, his confusion evident on his face. "I am not leaving you for him, I would never do something like that, but he made me realize just what I was doing to you. How selfish I was to hold onto you even though I knew that it would end like this eventually."

Sting understood what she was saying, and knew that she was right. Even if he didn't care and only wanted to be with her, he knew that he would never convince her to stay with him. She was set on this, he could see it in her big brown eyes. He was a little pleased to hear that she wasn't going back to Natsu but something told him that it was only a matter of time.

"So this is the end, huh?" Sting glanced towards the window, remembering the times that they laid out in the backyard and looked at the stars. He knew that Lucy was always fond of them, how she treasured her memories with her mother as they did the same. Lucy looked at him once more, he could see that she was upset. There were tears forming in her eyes but he knew that she just didn't like hurting him. She wasn't crying because they were breaking up. No, she was crying because she had hurt him and felt guilty.

"Yes."

Her simple reply was more like a chocked sob but he did not attempt to console her. She would just push him away anyway. She wouldn't want to lean on him any longer. He stood up, sent another glance towards the crying blond before walking over to the closet. He pulled out a few suits and other articles of clothing before loading up his suitcase.

"You don't have to leave tonight. You can stay here until you find a place." Lucy managed to say in between sniffles. Sting shook his head. He couldn't do something like that. Put himself through something like that. Being so close to her yet so far away. It would be too painful.

"I'll be fine. I'll just go to a hotel until I find an apartment. Thank you for worrying though." He smiled at her and Lucy's eyes widened. She wasn't expecting that. How could he be so strong? Look pain right in the face and still smile. She was once like that herself, and she wanted to become that girl once more. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and returned the smile that he gave her.

She stood up and walked towards him. He watched her come closer knowing that this is her goodbye. She reached up and pulled him in for a hug. She held him tight as he wrapped his arms around her waist for the last time. This would be their last embrace, the last time he would be able to hold her like this. But saying goodbye didn't seem so bad. He would miss her dearly but he wished her the best and wanted her to be happy. It was clear that he couldn't give her that.

"Sting, I want you to find your happiness. I still feel as if you never got over your first love. Find her, only then would you truly be happy." Sting's eyes widened before a small smile came to his lips. Maybe she was right. She placed a kiss upon his forehead before he grabbed his suitcase and walked out that door. This would be the last time she would ever see him leave. The last time he would be here with her.

She threw herself onto her bed as tears fell from her eyes. That was hard for her to do, but she knew it was the right thing. She felt like she had just lost a best friend. Just as her eyes began to grow heavy, her phone vibrated on the nightstand. She unlocked the screen to see that it was from Facebook. Upon opening the page she saw that she had a new friend request.

Natsu Dragneel would like to be your friend.