Chapter 8: Unknowingly messing with her head.

(Lucy's POV)

After saying goodbye to our new friends, we went to our client to give him the doll and receive our reward. Since it was too late to go back to Magnolia, we decided to stay the night at a hot spring.

We had a big diner to celebrate. Everyone was in a festive mood, including me. We ate and laughed a lot. Of course, Natsu and Gray broke some things along the way. And Erza broke something else while lecturing them (and by lecturing them, I mean beating them up) for creating a mess.

They eventually calmed down, and we went to the hot baths. I was now relaxing with Erza.

"Hm. Nothing's better than hot springs," I stated as I stretched out in the water.

"I agree." Erza nodded.

"Erza, won't you take off your armor?" I asked her.

She looked down, "Oh, right." Of course she hadn't noticed. "That's better?" She was now naked. That's Erza for you, she never does anything halfway.

"Well, yeah." I still replied.

"Talking about clothes, I noticed you were wearing Gray's coat before." She was smiling at me.

"Right. He gave it to me because I was cold. Why?" Please, not an interrogation again. At least, Juvia wasn't here yet.

"Who gave you what?" I heard a voice speaking behind me. Well, I spoke too fast.

"Gray gave her his coat." Erza answered without blinking.

'Why did you tell her that?' I mentally asked her, giving her an explicit stare. She just frowned, not understanding what I was trying to tell her.

"Oh, that's so romantic. I envy you." Juvia whined. She took the news better than I thought. I tend to forget she's not head over heels with Gray anymore. Or at least that she doesn't show it anymore.

"It's just a coat, you know. No need to make a big deal out of it." I tried to reason my two friends.

"But it's like a guy giving the girl he likes his coat when she's cold. That's so romantic. I'm sure he put it himself on you." Juvia was dreaming again.

I didn't respond. I felt my cheeks getting warmer. I couldn't tell her that it was exactly what happened, since it would make it look even more suspicious. But not answering would be even worse…

"What's more surprising is that he actually had a coat to give you." Erza then remarked jokingly. Thank you for saving me, Erza.

"Actually, he lost it. But then, it appeared in front of us. Don't ask me how." I explained.

"I won't try to question anything that happened in this house." Juvia agreed.

"And you, Juvia. You seem to get along better with Lyon these days." Erza had found her next target.

"Not really. I still find him a bit annoying." Juvia was playing with her hands, looking on her right with a pouting face.

"Just a bit? That's progress." I joined in.

"Girls, stop it." She whined.

"Hai, hai!" I laughed. She's so cute when she's shy.

xxxxx

Juvia and Erza were already sleeping deeply, while I was still wide awake. No matter how hard I'd tried, I couldn't get what everyone said out of my head. Here I was, lying on my back, my eyes wide opened, seeing things. I was seeing bubbles with people talking in it.

First, there was one of Ulf telling me "I've got a good eye for these things. At least, I'm pretty sure he doesn't see you just as a friend." Another one had popped out next to it, and was Juvia telling me, "It's like a guy giving the girl he likes his coat when she's cold. That's so romantic." And finally, a bubble with Happy in it, cooing "Something's going on between them!"

I shut my eyes hard, wishing for the bubbles to disappear. But when I opened them again, the bubbles were getting closer, with everyone in it saying "He likes you! He likes you!" again and again.

Frustrated, I shoo'd them off with my hands, trying not to yell and wake Juvia or Erza up. I breathed out of relief when they really disappeared.

There was no way I could sleep in my current state, so I decided to take some fresh air to clear my mind. I stopped on a little bridge, looking at the water flowing beneath me.

"Couldn't fall asleep either?" Someone suddenly asked me. It was Gray. He went next to me, leaning on the bridge like me.

"Yep. You too?" I replied shortly. I was too busy trying not to have weird thoughts around him to find a better answer.

"Yeah, I swear they're having a snoring battle in there. They're so loud I had to go out or I would have punched them." He explained to me.

I laughed. "At least you were able to control yourself."

"Right. And you, why are out there at this hour?"

"My brain wouldn't let me fall asleep." I vaguely answered.

"And why's that?" Please, stop asking me further information.

"It's ridiculous, really." I stated, thinking about it again. Maybe I should laugh about it instead of being bothered by it.

"What is?" He insisted.

"Well, you see. When Ulf forced me to stay with him while you were fighting the werewolf, he told me weird things."

"Right, he asked you out, didn't he?"

"No. Well, yeah. But that wasn't what I was talking about. He told me… That's really insane, but he told me that you…" I couldn't say it.

"That I…?"

"Nothing." I was such a coward.

"Come on, now you have to tell me." He pushed.

I hesitated a little. "Ok. I think it'll make you laugh too, anyway. He told me he was certain that you liked me." I finally told him, "Insane, right?" Why was my voice so shaky?

The weirdest was his reaction. First, there was briefly some surprise showing on his face, and then he looked away from me. "Would it be that insane?" He asked me, still not looking at me.

"Well, yeah. I mean, we're friends. And you always found Juvia's illusions about us insane. That's the same thing. I don't even know why it was bothering me." I was rambling on.

"Things can change, you know." He stated, stopping my rambling immediately. Stopping me from saying anything at all. I could only stare at him, agape.

"Ch..Change?" I finally managed to utter.

He put his hands on my shoulders, obliging me to face him. "Look, Lucy… I know it's really sudden and all, but the truth is, these days, my feelings for you have… changed."

I blinked. "Gray?"

"Lucy…" He quietly said my name, his head slowly getting closer from mine. Slowly enough to let me decide.

"Gray…" I whispered, still not moving an inch. Then it hit me. Hard.

xxxxx

No seriously, something literally hit me in the head. "Ouch!"

I rubbed my head and opened my eyes to see what it was. It was Erza's armored arm. Wait, why was I next to Erza?

I looked around. I was in our bedroom, on my futon.

"A dream?" I realized. I felt my cheeks burn as I remembered what the dream was about. I covered my face with my hands, and shrieked quietly. What was this about? Why was I having these kinds of dreams about Gray?

Stop it, Lucy. Don't think about it anymore. Go back to sleep.

I tried, really. But I couldn't stay put. So, I went out. Déjà vu much.

"This is all because of that idiot. Telling me weird things. If I ever see his demonic-face again, I swear he won't dare to tease me anymore." I angrily ranted out loud. "Uuuugh!" I stopped and growled.

That's exactly like what happened when Mirajane convinced me that Natsu had a thing for me. It's crazy how easily influenced I am.

I finally realized were I was: on a little bridge. Exactly like in my dream…

"Lucy, get a grip!" I yelled to myself as I was shaking my head.

"Why are you talking to yourself instead of sleeping?" I heard a voice coming from behind.

I knew who it was, but I didn't dare to look at him. If he saw me right now, he'd think I became crazy. Wait, if he'd heard me, he was probably thinking that already.

"Lucy?" His voice now sounded worried. He came closer to me.

"I'm fine, I'm totally fine!" I urgently assured him, my arms stretched and my hands shaking to keep him from getting closer.

"Right, you seem totally fine." He mocked.

I scratched my head, embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I just didn't get much sleep and I think it's showing right now."

"Don't worry. You're still more normal than the specimens I'm sharing a room with." He joked.

"Are they talking in their sleep or what?" I laughed at the thought.

"Worse. Fighting in their sleep. I was between the two of them, and felt like a punching ball. So I decided to go out, not without throwing them a pillow in the head first, though." He smirked maliciously. He was now next to me, casually leaning his back on the bridge.

"I'm not surprised about Natsu, but I didn't picture Lyon like that."

"He likes to act cool, but he can be really ridiculous sometimes."

"I believe you."

I so wanted to escape, but that would look very weird. And he wasn't gullible like Natsu, so I'd better be careful not to be obvious. So, I just stared intensely at the water.

After a few seconds, he turned around and copied my position, before speaking up, "By the way, what did you talk about that guy?"

"That guy?" I was so busy trying to look normal that I wasn't listening to him. "Oh, Ulf?" It finally hit me.

"Yeah. He was talking like you had some big talk, so I was a little curious."

Please tell me I'm not tomato-red right now, because in my head I am. "Hm… Nothing much. Ah! His father knows us apparently. He's a resident of Galuna Island."

"Oh, right we wouldn't have recognized him since he must have been a kid when it happened."

Good job at changing the subject Lucy. I mentally high-fived myself.

"He also asked you out, huh." He then added.

I really should stop thinking too fast. "Right, but I think he was mostly doing it to tease me. Even if he was serious, I rejected him you know. As if I'd go out with some weird guy who captured me like him." Me and my ramblings…

He laughed. "I know, you don't have to explain yourself to me."

He was right. Why was I trying to explain myself so much?

"Sorry," I merely replied, embarrassed.

It was getting windy, I felt a cold breeze on my skin.

I was going to use this as an excuse to go back into my room, but suddenly Gray raised his arm and moved his hand closer to my head. What's this situation? I panicked.

"Wha.. What are you doing?" I managed to ask.

It felt like he'd taken something out of my hair. I looked at him. He was showing me a leaf. "It went in your hair." He explained to me, totally oblivious of what he was doing to me.

"Right. Thank you. It's probably because of the wind. By the way, it's getting really cold, I think I should go back to my room. I have to sleep, too. Goodnight, see ya!" I said at high-speed and escaped as fast as I could, while he was too dumbstruck to react.

So much for looking normal, but I couldn't stay any longer around him in this state.

Damn you, Ulf!

xxxxx

The next two days were so hard for me. I would blush, overreact, and panic every time he was a little too close or said something that I could misinterpret or that reminded me of the dream. And I'm not even talking about the others that always have to say weird things.

Why did I have this damn dream? I thought I would stop thinking about it after one day or two, but now I don't think I will. I was starting to mentally begging for Gray to say or do something that would totally break the spell, something that would make me a hundred percent certain that he did not feel that way about me. Like Natsu did without even realizing it. But no. He didn't look for a random box and ask me to help him dig it up, he didn't make funny faces' contests with Happy, he didn't eat like a pig… He didn't act ridiculous at all. He was just cool, like he always was.

It even made me wonder why I'd never had a crush on him before. I mean, when I think about it, there's nothing wrong about him. He's not a jerk or a player, most of the times he's not childish, he's smart… I think he's one of the sanest members of our guild. Well, of course he was on my list of 'boyfriend material' I made before joining the guild, but that was long before. I mean, I had Loki and Jellal (well, he was on it as Siegrain at that time) on this list, and they were at the top of it. But, as soon as I saw Loki and crossed him out, I decided to just throw the book away, and never thought about it again. Now that I think about it, I may have crossed Gray out after our first meeting, since I met his underwear before I met him.

That's right, the only thing ridiculous about him is his stripping habit, and I don't even find it ridiculous anymore. Plus, that's not the sight of his bare chest that would stop me for having weird thoughts. On the contrary… Oh Gosh Lucy, stop, just stop!

I'm going crazy right now. I have to do something about… my condition. But what? I can't just go and face him head on, asking him 'do you like me or not?' The mere thought of me saying this is giving me chills.

No, just no. I'm imagining things. He does not like me that way. He's just a very good friend. I have to stop listening to what people say, or else I'll embarrass myself. I probably already did, by the way. I've been like this long enough. Now, I'll go back to normal again. No more weird thoughts, no more panicking and running away from him. It was just a dream. It was not real. Even if it felt real, it was not. Just a dream I had because of a weirdo saying weird things to me and a girls talk before going to bed. Juvia's imagination has rubbed on me. That's all.

So, I'll stop thinking about it. Right now. In 3…2…1…Now!

"Here. I'm feeling better already." I happily said out loud to myself. "Now, let's go meet the others at the guild."

xxxxx

"Lucy! Tell him that I made a better face than him!" Natsu whined at me. "Look." He did it again. "It's really funny, isn't it?"

I sighed, resting my head on my hand. "Yeah, really funny." I agreed with absolutely no conviction, not even looking at him.

"See! Lucy agreed! I won!" He pestered Happy.

"That doesn't count! She didn't even look at you." Happy argued.

"Ok. Then… HEY! Elfman! Look!" Natsu had found another referee and left me alone at the table.

"That's a manly face!" I heard our friend reply. I could almost hear him nod.

I rested my head on the table.

"Hey Lucy, are you ok?" Mira asked me, sounding a bit worried.

"I'm fine, why?"

"You don't really look well."

"Oh, that's probably because I lack sleep."

"Is something bothering you?"

Not something. Someone. "Nope. I just couldn't sleep much, that's all. Don't worry." I assured her with a smile.

"If you say so. But you know you can talk to me if you want to."

I smiled genuinely. "Yes, I know. Thanks."

"Mira, I need a refill!" Another member of the guild called.

"Hai, hai!" She yelled back and walked away to do her job.

Mira's really nice and I love her, but I just can't bring myself to talk to her about this issue. First, she'd be really excited and would probably try to put us together, and then, I just can't say it out loud. If I said it out loud, it wouldn't be just one of my divagations that'd last just a few days. Plus, I've already decided it's already over. I'm fine now, so no need to even talk about it.

"Yo."

I jumped a little. Gray was sitting next to me, smirking. Seriously, he always pops out as the worst moments these days. "Gray. Hi."

He chuckled, "Did I scare you?"

"A little. I didn't hear you coming at all." I admitted.

"That's probably because you were lost in your thoughts. So, what's on your mind?" He inquired.

"Nothing special. I was just spacing out." As if I would tell him the truth. 'I was thinking about not thinking about you.' Yeah, that wouldn't be weird at all.

"And why were you frowning and shaking your head then?" He teased me.

"That's because… I was trying to remember… where I put my favorite ribbon! This has been bothering me since this morning." I tried to invent an excuse.

"Isn't it the one you're wearing?" He pointed at my head.

"That's not this one, baka." I immediately replied.

"Oh, I thought it was the one you have the more often, and that therefore it was your favorite. Guess not, then."

I was wearing my blue ribbon. Which was the one I did wear the more often. "I do. But I'm not talking about this one, no." I denied. I didn't even know how he could be so sure about it. I also often wear my red ribbon; I was wearing it even yesterday. I wondered if he noticed I wore the blue one more often, or if he just didn't notice I often wore the red one too.

Lucy, don't put too much thought in this.

"Lucy?" Gray was waving his hand in front of my face.

"What?" I merely said.

"You were spacing out again, and while staring at me this time. Did I say something weird?"

"No, no. I was just amazed by your observation skills." I replied. This was the truth after all.

"I do see you every day you know. Plus, I've got a pretty good memory." He explained not so humbly.

"Funny you say that since you never remember where and when you left your clothes." I laughed.

"Hey, that's totally different!" He argued.

"Yeah, right." I teased.

"Anyway, I didn't come to talk to you only about our respective clothing habits." He told me. "I wanted to ask you something while you were alone, and especially without that Fire head near you." He looked around to make sure Natsu was still busy somewhere else. He was now fighting about something random with Gajeel.

Come on Lucy, don't fall into the same trap twice. Wait for him to explain himself before jumping to conclusions. I mentally told myself.

"Wh… What did you want to ask?" I couldn't help but still blush a little.

He then moved his face closer to mine, as if he'd tell me a secret – which certainly didn't help my face to regain its normal color – and said quietly, "Could you help me on a mission?"

"That's it?" I was surprised. "Why did you need to make it so confidential?"

"Because I don't want Natsu to come along. Because then he'd destroy everything, and we'd have to split even more the money since he'd bring at least Happy, and then more people would come along just like a few days ago, and it's a job for only two mages anyway."

"Okay, okay. You don't want Natsu to go, I get it. So, why do you want me to go with you? You could've asked Juvia."

"Well…" He made a face and scratched his head, "This mission would be weird for the two of us. I don't want her to feel awkward."

"Just what kind of mission is this?" What he said maid me even more curious.

"Well…"