Natsu wasn't one to overthink things, he preferred to act on instinct rather than ponder the ramifications of his actions. This isn't to say he was stupid; he was one of the smartest people in his graduating class, especially pertaining to the sciences. But right now, none of that helped, as he stood standing in his doorway, staring at the girl he has had a crush on since he first met her in seventh grade at the End-of-the-Year Crocus Science Fair. They had neighboring booths, so they talked between judges and eager parents passing by. It was the best three days he'd had since his dad passed away two years before. He hadn't had the courage to get her number before the fair ended, so he promised himself that he would go next year, and ask her then.
The next year he searched the entire fair, but she wasn't there. He asked around, and found out she dropped out of school halfway through the year. After some more snooping, he discovered that Lucy's mother had passed away, causing her father to pull her out of school because he wanted to spend more time with her now that it was just them. At the time he was crushed; partially for her, because he knew the pain she was probably going through, and for himself, because the opportunities that he saw with her passed just out of his reach. He had no way to contact her. Less than a year later, he was at The Fairy Ranch, unable to contact anyone from the outside other than family.
Family he didn't have.
But that was irrelevant now, because she was here, in his dorm. In the back of his mind (what was still functioning), he took mental notes of the changes in her appearance. Her hair was longer now, medium length instead of the short bob it used to be. She had a few more piercings now; on her right nostril, an industrial in her right ear, and a second and third set of lobe piercings. She had obviously physically matured, her curves appearing, obvious in her black skinny jeans and white v-neck t-shirt. She looked absolutely gorgeous.
And here he was, standing in the doorway to his tool and exercise equipment covered room with faded bubblegum pink hair tied back in a flame-print bandana, covered in engine grease, a wrench in one hand, and an earbud dangling out of one ear. Looking like an idiot.
How. Embarrassing.
All of this went through his brain in the time it took for Erza to, apparently say his name enough times that she got tired of speaking in a normal tone, and decided to throw one of her boots at his head.
Unfortunately for Natsu, the heel connected squarely with his temple, and he promptly passed out.
A.N.: Greeting my lovely gypsies! I hope you're having a great day today.
Shout-out to 4evrDorkly17 for reviewing on Chapter 1 and motivating me to write this chapter!
Many thanks to my beawesome beta reader Michael Grimm who helped me realize that the first chapter's ending was totally screwed up, and desperately needed fixing. Chapter 1 has been re-uploaded with the edited version! Please go check that out (especially the ending, good lord it was awful). :)
Sorry the chapter is so short, but this is what I had in me today.
Remember, reviews feed the beast!
Catch ya later,
Rory