Chapter 9: The Day of the Dance
Natsu's POV:
Calm down, Natsu. Just calm down. Oh, what are you saying, you're just going to freak out more! And besides, the clock is ticking, almost time to arrive at the dance.
No, that's not it. The problem is that instead of Juvia and I matching, it's going to be me and Lucy! Also, Cana wants me to deliver the next rose. Tonight.
I don't even have the note yet, Cana told me that the plan will 'commence' while the names for King and Queen are announced. Obviously, I won't win, but I still would like which of my nakama wins.
Anyways, I was getting ready for the dance, and Mira helped me also. She told me that she was going to see Mr. Laxus at the dance, and she was going to be his partner. I was actually shocked, because I didn't think she'd fall for my teacher!
Honestly, I would've thought she would go for Mr. Freed; he's younger and about her age anyways. She gave me a pat on the back before leaving, and warned me to not fool around with anyone. Then she just gave me her usual smile, delighted to go to see her new 'boyfriend'.
I walked out the house and pulled out a cigarette, I started to smoke around 15 years old. Although, Lisanna warned me not too, I did it anyways to get my mind off things. At least I wasn't addicted, only sometimes.
Turning around, I saw Lisanna strut out of our house, wearing a dark blue dress, with a mask like a peacock. Her dress was puffy, and it stopped mid-thigh. There were little embellishments that surrounded her waist, some were also around her chest. Starting from her waist down, a black lace stopped where her dress was at a halt.
"I can't believe it. My baby sister is getting ready for her date~" I stated playfully, as I nudged her shoulder a bit. She chuckled in reply.
Smiling, she opened her mouth to speak. "Haha, very funny. I can't help it; I wanna look good for Bixlow."
"Oh?" My eyebrow twitched. "Bixlow?" I asked, curiously.
She sighed, sadly. "He's a guy in my class. He knows Evergreen and Mr. Freed; they grew together. However, Mr. Freed is 4 years older than Bixlow, so he was kinda the leader of their group. Anyways, I kinda have a crush on him." She twiddled her fingers. "Too bad.. He has a girlfriend."
Her expression lightened up a bit. "At least he's my partner..!" She tried to smile, but it did not go though me.
"Whatever." I played along so she wouldn't suspect anything. "Let's go then, Lisanna. You'll see him at school."
Mirajane ran out the house and turned on her car. "Hurry up, let's go!" Enthusiastically as she was, she grabbed us and shoved us into the car. "Sorry, guys, but I really wanna see Laxus!" She got into the driver's seat, and sped off.
~O~O~
We arrived at the school on time, and waltzed into the gym. Honestly, it was beautiful. The only lights that were available were the candles, and they were scattered throughout the vast gym. I looked up and the lights were on, but they were dimmed to set the scene.
There were mirror frames, and you had to get in the back of them like you were stuck in them, while someone took a picture of you. There were some tables, but not too many since this was only for seniors and juniors. The freshmen and sophomores got a dance aside from us.
The center pieces of the tables were feathers, a mask, and fans; like you were hiding your face. The walls were covered some kind of cloth that drooped down; I didn't know what it was, though. Finally, there was a dance floor.
Some people were arriving after us, but everything was alright. Most of us were already here. I took a glance at the girls, but they were gone. Lisanna going to Bixlow; Mira going to Mr. Laxus.
Well, they lef- I felt a chill around the area. Looking around, I didn't see anything, but then I felt two hands grab my shoulders. "Heya, Natsu~" Turning, I saw Cana grinning, with her thumb up.
"How ya doin' so far? Good? Well, here's the note. You got the rose?" She asked me, checking her surroundings to see if anyone were staring. She handed me the note, and I handed her the money. "Now, change of plans. Instead of doing it during the announcement, put it now, y'know, since no one's in the school. I'll come with you and I'll also tell you how to get into her locker."
I nodded, and we walked out of the gym.
Not long after, we were in-front of her locker. Sweat beads dripped down my forehead; I was nervous. "Can I see the note at least?"
"Nope, I have a feeling that after Lucy will see it, she'll tell you about it. So lemme put her code in..." She licked her lips then clapped her hands together. "Okay!" She input the numbers 0-7-0-1 and her lock opened. Cana huffed arrogantly then signaled me to put it in her locker. I did as she commanded me to do, and then we locked her locker, and left.
~O~O~
Cana and I arrived back at the gym only to see such a beauty. This beauty was Lucy, and she looked even more gorgeous than before. "L-Lucy?" I asked, still shocked of her presence.
She took a glance towards my way, and I watched her sad expression lighten up. "Natsu!" Running over to me, she smiled. "I was looking for you. Where were you?"
Cana snickered evily as Lucy questioned me, and I gave her a slight nudge. "Shh, Cana!"
"Okay, okay." She left Lucy and I alone.
"Anyways," I started. "I was taking care of some business." I looked away, remembering what I just have done. "Moving along... You look very pretty."
And I wasn't lying. She basically stood out from everyone in here. She had a dress that didn't show her feet, but it went straight down, amplifying her curves. God, did she look sexy! There was a imprint on her dress, but it was kinda hard to see. There was also a strap that surrounded a bit under her chest. She also had a cat-like mask, she looked mighty fine!
"I don't see your partner around.." I looked left and right.
She laughed in response. "I don't see your's... What are you implying...?"
I threw in my trademark grin. "Well, then shall I have this dance, Ms. Heartfilia?" I was nervous as to what she was going to say.
"Hmm, let me think, Sir Dragneel." She smiled, and took my hand. "I thought, and yes we shall!" I put my right hand on her waist, and she placed her left on my right shoulder. Our free hand fingers entwined together, and I held my grip on her.
We waltzed together, our faces coming close together. I could almost feel her cherry lips on mine's, but in the end it was unsuccessful. Erza just had to come in and ruin the moment.
"Oi! No flirting!" Erza yelled as she chopped our heads, but immediately stopped as Jellal came over.
"No need to do that, Erza. Just come with me, all your problems will go away." He was fully aware of her feelings for him, and he often liked to play with her. He lured her into his arms and held her tight. Next thing we knew, they were dancing together, her head against his chest.
We continued on dancing, shaking off Erza's comment as to what we were doing. Our principal, Mr. Happy, came over to us.
"Hey, Lucy! He likeesssssssssssssss you~" He stretched the last note, making sure we heard his significance of his statement. I blushed as lightly as Erza's hair, looking away to make sure Lucy didn't see my flushed face.
Lucy merely chuckled, throwing in a smile as well. "Oh, Mr. Happy? Making assumption, I assume? What about you? I'm sure you 'likeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee' Ms. Carla." She pointed towards the feline cat's way, verifying that he absolutely saw the white cat. She smirked knowing the effect it had on the small cat. He made his way over to Ms. Carla, scratching his head while talking to her.
I saw his blue fur turn into a light shade of pink. Sometimes, I wondered why we have a cat as our principal. Oh whatever. They probably have some special reasoning for it.
Continuing to dance, Lucy placed her head on my shoulders. "I wonder why people keep asking us that. Like, just be happy that we're just close like that. You're one of my closest nakama, that's why I treasure you. I don't understand why people would keep on making hunch on thinking we're together. It's whatever, though. It's fine as long as it's you."
She really didn't know of the pressure she was giving me. My face turned rosy, but she started to speak again. "Don't you notice that everyone is with who they like? Y'know, besides the people who aren't together."
My head perked up because of her inference. Looking around, I noticed what she was saying. Juvia and Gray were dancing together, along with Jellal and Erza. Gajeel was just carrying Levy, and Cana and Bacchus were scheming something. The only two people I didn't see were Dan and Evergreen; and they were partners.
"Hey.." I moved away from Lucy. "Where's Evergreen?" I looked around, finding not one sight of her. Sweat began to drip from my forehead, I felt nervous. What happened to her?
"Uhm... Natsu...? Uh, we weren't supposed to tell you, but Evergreen left with Elfman." Lucy confessed, twiddling her fingers.
I turned around to look back at Lucy. "Huh? Well then, good for them! Why weren't you supposed to tell me?" I asked, curiously.
"Oh, really? ... Uh, they said that you were going to get mad or something, because they supposedly did something or I don't know the details.." Lucy answered, she stopped looking down.
I laughed. "No problem! I mean, if it would be me and -" I was cut off by the sound of the microphone blaring. Covering my ears, I turned to the stage.
"Ahem.. Testing, 1, 2, 3... Okay, it works." Jellal spoke into the microphone, grabbing everyone's attention. "I would like to announce the winners for the Masquerade Costume Battle. Firstly, I'm gonna start off with the juniors."
The younger students murmured as they discussed as to who was to win. Their voices were silenced from the powerful, booming voice from Jellal.
"EXCUSE ME!" Jellal spoke, his voice echoing in the gym, causing everyone to shut their mouths. The voices were quieted down by his dominant voice. "Ahem, as I was saying. The winners for the Costume Battle for Juniors are... Lisanna and Bixlow!"
All the lights shut down, and the spotlight turned on only to end on Bixlow and Lisanna. So this is the guy she likes... Eh, he's alright.
They both walked to the stage as I shouted for Lisanna, cheering her on as she got crowned. I smiled, happy that she won. "As for the seniors... Oh? What?" One of the teachers gave him a note. "Well, there was a mix-up! It seems the two who won weren't actually partners! Give it up for Gray and Juvia!"
I clapped for them as they went up to the stage. Taking a glance towards Mr. Laxus's way, I saw his face being strained because he specifically told them not to be partners. Laughing, I noticed that Lucy disappeared. Where did she go?
Catching a glimpse of her blond hair, I followed the trail, and it led up to her locker, inside the school. "Oh, Natsu! I was just getting my textbook that I forgot. I'm leaving soon, anyways." She took out her book, and the rose fell out along with it.
"Again?" She had a suspicious look on her face as she picked up the rose, along with the note attached to it. I was curious since earlier, so I walked towards her way, and held her book for her.
"Dance, dance; we're falling apart to half time
Dance, dance; and these are the lives you love to lead
Dance, this is the way they'd love...
If they knew how misery loved me."
Hello all~! I hope y'all like this chapter~! I FINALLY wrote the Masquerade Dance chapter, and phew did that take off a pile off my plate. Natsu and Lucy's outfit links are in my dA chapter of it, because I can't put links. The outfits are based of The Vampire Diaries Katherine and Stefan (from Season 2), which I absolutely LOVE. If you wanna see them, you could either go to my deviantart account (~FairyTailLover01 [minus the ~]), or search up "TVD Katherine and Stefan Masquerade" and click 'Images'. (although the links I gave showed more of their outfit, but it's up to you.) Anyways, thanks for reading, I hope you like and review!