Chapter 4

Lucy's POV

The wind swept my hair back as I stared at the school campus below. Annoyingly, some of the loose hair strands flew straight into my mouth. I gagged, spat it out, and pulled out the remaining strands. Too graceful.

When Gray had left, I immediately locked the door, to prevent anyone else from entering my silent haven. Even though I had no company, it was peaceful. But I still had a lingering regret of leaving Mira. I reached into my pocket and found her note that she had written for me. Guilt prickled my heart.

Suddenly, the door opened. Wait…but I locked..the door!? I then realized it might be a teacher or a tutor who had the key. I panicked, scrambling around. No hiding spots. …Play it cool, Lucy. So I stopped and plopped myself on the ground again, staring out at the campus as if I were in deep contemplation.

"Ahhh! What a long day! Geez, at least extend this break to an hour." Sweat beads rolled down my forehead. Calm down. It's just another human being…

"Oi! You there! Can I join you?!" A jolt of electricity ran down my spine. No..? Yes? Ahh I don't know. Surprisingly, my mouth stayed quiet, and I coolly ignored him.

"Can you hear me? CAN I JOIN YOU?!" The guy called out louder. I scrunched a little, but stayed silent. "Geez. Cold chick." Annoyance trickled in my brain.

"…" His voice sounds familiar though…should I answer?

"….Ah…fine. Whatever." I heard footsteps descend, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

No company again. Maybe I should've replied… I twiddled with my thumbs, and my shoe held down Mirajane's note from flying away with the wind. Peace returned again.

Suddenly…

"BOO!" A face appeared above me, upside-down with a baseball cap. I let out a little shriek and punched it. He let out a groan and stumbled a little. I immediately pushed him away and scuttled backwards to the other side of the rooftop, blushing at contact. He cringed on the ground as I hunched my shoulders, stancing myself in a defense position. He let out a few more groans. I stiffened. Then, he slowly got up, and I gasped. Right underneath his cap, a fist imprinted itself onto his nose.

"Urghhh.." He clenched his teeth to reveal four pointy canine teeth. He gingerly touched the red spot and winced in pain. Muttering something unintelligent, he looked up and scowled. "I can't believe it's you again."

"Who are you, prick?" Nooo! AWGFAWORGGAW!

"You really are a blonde," he muttered, and before I could say something, he took off his baseball cap, revealing a bed-headed mess of pink hair.

"OH!" I shouted. "IT'S WEIRD PINK FREAK PERVERT!"

"That's a long nickname," he commented.

"Well, I don't know your name, pink freak." Ah mean side…but I don't mind, since it's him.

"Well," he retorted back, "you never asked."

"Because I'm not interested in your stupid name."

"Liar."

"Am not. You are."

"I'm a liar. You're a liar. Truce."

I opened my mouth to say something but then I shut it. Wow I actually stopped myself. Grunting, I sat back on the floor and whipped around with my back facing him.

"My conversation too smart for you?"

"As if." I snorted.

"So…liar," he emphasized it, "what's up?"

"…The sky…"

"That's old."

"I know."

He chuckled. I heard the fence clang. He probably was leaning against it right now. "Liar," he said again, prickling my annoyance level.

"Nothing wrong with being a liar, you hypocrite."

"Did I mention? I'm a hypocrite; you're a hypocrite."

"How's it bad?"

"I never said it was bad."

"But it goes against our morals, so it is." I pouted and folded my arms, leaning onto my knees.

He clicked his tongue. "Morals," he muttered.

Silence. "What?... What's your principle?" I asked, suddenly curious.

"Hmm…" It was quiet for a few seconds. "Yolo? What's yours, blondie?"

"Lucy," I corrected.

"What's yours, Lucy?"

"…That everyone should treat others the way they want to themselves. Respect."

"Oh really?"

"Yea, everyone spreads random rumors about me. And I hate it."

"But you follow that principle?"

"Yea."

"You are definitely a hypocrite." He sighed. The fence clanged more, and I took a peek, seeing that he was adjusting his sitting position. He continued, "I bet if I mirrored you, you wouldn't like it."

I scrunched a little.

"Plain example of a hypocrite. Remember this morning? Geez woman…"

I bit my lips. He was right. I was a jerk. But frustration still clawed me, knowing that he was right, and I was in the wrong.

So, I immediately stood up and managed to bang my arm against the fence. It was in pain, but I shouted at him, "I KNOW! I KNOW I'M A JERK! THIS MORNING, I FELT SO GUILTY AFTER SAYING THOSE STUFF TO YOU! I FELT TERRIBLE, BUT…AISH!" I furiously whirled around, not wanting him to see my eyes watering.

It was awkward when you viewed the scenario. A girl trembling in tears while a guy just sat there dumbfounded. It was like a typical confession scene.

Eventually, I calmed down; my breathing returned to normal, and now guilt pricked at me. I just threw random words at this guy's face. He eventually unstiffened from his position with a blank expression. "Thanks, I guess?"

A cellphone rang, playing Totoro's main theme. He scurried and shuffled, finding it in his pocket. He flicked it open. "Hello?"

A woman's voice squeaked inside the phone. He smiled a little. "Yea, I'll be there. I still have an hour to go for tutoring though. Yea….Meeting? Ok. …Oh, don't worry. I'll deal with it. Ok…bye. See you later!" He snapped it shut and placed it back into his pocket.

"Girlfriend?" I attempted at a weak joke.

"No. Just a co-worker."

The wind drifted past us, a bemused spectator. A pigeon cooed, and a pile of bird poop suddenly landed in between us. I looked up. A crow.

"…Anyways…" I stiffened, realizing that he was going back to that topic.

He seemed to realize the tense atmosphere as well, but he continued anyway. He turned around his head, facing the other direction. "It's…it's not too late to start over…" he mumbled.

"What?" You're an idiot, Lucy.

"I said," he faced me this time, "it's not too late to start over. I've heard rumors about you when I headed towards the rooftop. A vicious girl. A hot-tempered person. A cheating student. A slut." I cringed each time he mentioned one.

I tried to defend myself. "It's not tr—! "

"Of course I know it's not true. They're rumors. Most of the time, they're lies." He clicked his tongue. It seemed like his signature.

"Oh…"

He pointed at me. "Accept the rumors."

"Wait what?!" I almost screamed. "You just said they're not true!"

"Right. They're lies. Then why do you act so guilty? Running away. Staying silent. That's worse. Anyways, who gives a damn about what they say?" He shrugged his shoulders. I slumped to the floor, trying to comprehend what he just said.

"Everyone gives a damn….it's like rumors are their source of entertainment…" I muttered.

There was a brief silence. Laughter and screams were heard below us as the school bell rang. The sun was three hours away from settling itself onto the horizon, and the clouds attempted to conceal its position. A shiver ran through me.

He suddenly spoke. "Lucy, want to run away with me?"

" ?" This guy isn't serious, is he?

"Why not? You hate this school. I hate my environment. Run away with me." He held out a hand.

I idiotically looked at him with my mouth hanging open. "Huh?!"

Suddenly, the guy walked towards me, and I found myself instinctively walking backwards. I was now pressed against the fence with his hand next to my face.

"I like you, Lucy. Do you not like me too?" He looked nostalgic.

What is with this scenario?! His face was literally a foot away now. I felt myself blushing. It was my first time being so close to a person—with the fact that it was a guy.

"Ah-fw-favw—gwa-f" I stuttered. What the heck! I don't even know your name! How old are you anyways?! But I couldn't say it.

"We both hate the worlds we live in. We can run away with my savings. I'm not as poor as you think I am."

"Wait wait! I just met you and-aghowhfaw—!" And this is crazy. So here's my num—NO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SING IN YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW, LUCY!

"That doesn't matter," he insisted as my attention turned back to him, "trust me…."

"I…." I faltered. I can't trust you.

It was now really quiet. The only sounds were still heard by the children playing below, but they were getting ready to go home. I felt his breath. Wait that means he can feel mines. OH MY FLAPJACKS! WHAT DO I DO?!

Suddenly, he smirked. "I was just joking, geez. You and your Fantas—!" I punched him. Hard with the knuckles. Something inside me ticked again, and I felt my whole body light on fire.

"That was a joke? Don't screw around with me, prick!" I spat out. "I was worried you had some mental problem! And I'm a student while you're a teacher. I don't have time to play around with you! Disgusting pink pedophile!"

He held his cheek, which was now bruised along with his nose. "I'm probably only two years older than you, you know. And I'm not a teacher. I'm just a tutor for today. Haha." Then he rubbed it.

"What? So you're like…eighteen?"

"Yea." He blinked.

"You're still gross. You could be labeled a sex offender if I reported it."

"You won't." He pulled himself up gently, wincing at the pain.

"Hmph."

He patted his back, rummaged through his pocket, and pulled out packaged bread. He tossed it to me, which I barely managed to catch. "W-what is this…?"

"You didn't have lunch." He stated as a fact. "Eat it and go pick up your bag at your classroom. School's over. And it's cold." He walked towards the door as I sat in awed silence.

The click of the doorknob brought me back to life. "WAIT!" He stopped and watched me. I flushed a little. "What's your name? I never got to know."

He blinked and smiled. "Natsu Dragneel. You?"

"Lucy …Uh...You're still a creep, so I won't say my last name…Ah—well, just remember it!" I looked down at the package. He can see my face! I can sense it! Ahhh! So embarrassing! It was melon bread. "Oh..and thanks…you know…for that…and this.." I held it up to cover my face.

He cheekily grinned. "You're welcome. Thanks for your first name." I sheepishly ducked my head again. He was about to enter the doorway, but then he paused. "You know, Lucy…you have the ability to overcome that mental thing."

"How?"

"I don't know. But you just did. With me…Just accept both sides." He clicked his tongue one last time and disappeared behind the door.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I sprawled onto my bed and rolled myself beneath the covers. I let out a stuttered breath, quivering in the cold.

"You just did. With me."

I grumbled and pulled the covers over my face. What's with him? Acting all grown-up..wise…and stuff.

Jerk. Even though he wasn't. Great. But my mind couldn't help wonder about tomorrow. Will he be there….? To my disappointment, I remembered his cellphone conversation and the mention of him being a tutor. Usually, they only came for a day as volunteering. The edges of my lips immediately turned downward.

Wait a minute, he's eighteen? Did he graduate early? Or did he drop out of high school? Grr. He's weird. I just saw him two times in a row….

Wait what am I doing? I smacked myself on the cheek and winced at my own strength. I raised my head and smashed it back onto my pillow.

"Just accept both sides…"

His voice and face invaded my mind again as I shook it out. Two sides? Accept them? What?

God damn it. I flipped over to the other side and angrily mumbled myself to sleep.

XXXXXX Natsu's POV XXXXXXX

"Hey good work, Natsu!" The old man called.

I looked up to see Makarov, who was still working on cutting and shaping the leather. I smiled in reply and waved. "You too gramps! Have a safe trip home!"

"Wait Natsu!" He came with an envelope in his hand. "You worked overtime! Here's the extra pay."

I formed a giant X with my arms. "Gramps, it's fine. Don't worry about me. Really."

"But Natsu, you have trouble with your rent." He pushed it into my hands and insisted, "Have it."

"Gramps," I sighed, exasperated, "it's fine. Trust me."

"But that's why you took this job."

"I'm fine now with the pay you're giving me. Consider this a late father's day gift."

"Late by two months?"

"Yep!" I patted him on the shoulder.

He contorted his face in annoyance. "Ah young ones. So stubborn I can't deal with you guys." He hobbled away to work on his purse, with my sketch in his hand. "This artist…" he mumbled, "is so picky geez, whoever he is…"

I cheekily grinned and clicked my tongue. "Night Gramps!"

A mutter emerged, causing me to laugh.

I opened the door, and a cold blast hit me in the face despite my heat packs. I lifted my striped scarf to hide my mouth and bravely walked into the bitter cold. People squirmed inside nearby shops. Summer was already gone, with fall to replace its position.

The engine instantly revved to life, and it puttered, growling at the sudden coldness. I sat for a few minutes, letting it warm itself to brace for the sudden wind. I thought of Makarov, with a slight mischievous guilt dangling on my back.

Truth is, I wasn't poor or anything.

Instead, I was filthy rich.

I really did hate the world I lived in.

I stepped onto the petal, and the motorcycle roared, flaring itself to life. I sped through the darkness, swiftly swerving through traffic and taking a sharp turn. The Orlando company building came to view, and I took a left.

Almost there.

I turned to a sharp dip, entering the valet parking lot. A building loomed over, reading Saber Hotel. There. I yanked off my helmet and shook my bed-hair, combing it back with my fingers.

"I'm sorry sir. This is valet parking. You would need to live here to enter this structure." A man in his thirties appeared next to me, his voice dripping with venom and distaste.

I looked down at my outfit. Red flannel, a simple leather jacket, dark ripped jeans, combat boots. And a white striped scarf. Yep I'm a hobo.

I looked back up at him. "But I do," I grinned sweetly.

"Sir, we do not have time to joke around…" I searched through my wallet. "…It is distasteful for the staff and the occupants of the hotel. Please leav—"

"You were saying?" I flipped a card at him. It shone gold and proudly proclaimed "VIP" on the upper right side. On the bottom, it read my name. He gaped at it.

And stuttered like an idiot. "M-m-may I see y-your driver's license?" I presented my driver's license on my wallet. He paled as I smirked. Immediately, he bowed. "I'm so sorry sir. Please forgive my attitude. But we don't park motorcycles."

I waved my hand. "It's cool, don't sweat it. I would break your neck if you touched my motorcycle." Beads of sweat appeared on the nape of his neck as he quivered. "Haha, I was just kidding. Bye." I rode away, leaving the poor-stricken man to wobble back to his position.

I found my usual parking spot, and to my relief, it wasn't taken. Locking my helmet in place, I settled the sidestand onto the ground and hopped off, walking towards the elevator.

As I waited, a woman in her forties appeared. She was a little chubby, but she proudly plopped herself next to me and showed off her jewelry, twiddling back and forth for the light to reflect on the jewels.

I almost clicked my tongue on instinct. I never knew why I did that. It was just a habit. But she took a glance at me and let out a small hmph.

Immediately, an image of Lucy came into my mind. I faced the other direction, grinning like an idiot.

"…Punk…causing so much trouble for that ma…Probably got in a fight." she muttered under her breath. I looked at her, and she turned away from me.

Instinctively, I touched my cheek. It was probably bruised from Lucy. That blondie…

"…Filthy clothes…"

Already judging me by my clothes. I smiled as the elevator doors opened. I pressed one side of the elevator back and bowed humbly. "Ma'am. Please. If you will."

Haughtily, she bounced herself in. I stepped in myself, and I realized she was scooting as far away from me as she could. Like I had the Ebola virus. I wanted to laugh.

I then pulled out my phone. I scrolled down until it read Minerva Orlando, and I pressed call on speakers.

"Hello?" Her voice came, and the woman, recognizing the sound, widened her eyes. I coughed.

"Hey Minerva. How's the company doing?"

"Sort of good. Being the only CEO is tiring you know." Her voice whined.

I laughed with the woman still gaping at my phone.

"Hey, come over tomorrow to my office. I need to talk to you about something for an upcoming project."

"Great. I'll be there. Orlando company right?" I winked.

A scoff. "Where else, idiot?" The old woman froze and looked like she was about to faint. "I'm going to go read Wendy a bedtime story now. Night."

"Night." I sing-sang. And clicked the phone shut.

Ding.

The elevator doors opened. I stepped out and swiftly turned around to meet the woman by the eyes. "Next time," I clicked my tongue, "don't judge by appearance." The elevator doors then started to close.

The woman, realizing this, let out a small gasp.

"Wait, hold o—!" The doors shut close and she was cut off. I swiftly spun around to head towards my suite.

The life of the rich.

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sorry if i made natsu look like a jerk lol. hehe C: But i wanted some place to go for him so he could have some character development along with lucy. yay.

enjoy. i won't write much here. ty for the reviews and favs and follows :D 3