A/N: Ok, so I lied. Chapter thirteen is not the epilogue. There is a lot more to go, and if I tried to put it all in one chapter, it would literally be, like 10K words. I have a feeling you guys would not want to read that.

So this chapter is the set up for the epilogue. Hope you guys like it. Thanks for the many reviews, follows, and favorites! As always, you guys are the best! Arigato gozaimasu!

"He's not perfect. You aren't either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn't going to quote poetry, he's not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don't hurt him, don't change him, and don't expect for more than he can give. Don't analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he's not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don't exist, but there's always one guy that is perfect for you."

-Bob Marley

Erza's POV

How could I have been so stupid to forget homecoming?

I sighed and slapped my forehead for the umpteenth time as I looked at the two dresses I held in each hand. One was black, the other was white.

Homecoming tonight was at the Fairy Tail guild hall, a beautiful building that catered these types of parties. Lucy, Natsu, Gray, and I had booked a limousine service to take us there at about 7, since the dance began at 8. Now, Jellal and his sister Juvia would be joining us. Gray had asked her to the dance after their game. I could still hear her squeal of excitement.

I couldn't help to smile as I thought about Fairy Tail's win today. Gray and Natsu couldn't have been happier, and I couldn't be more proud.

But you wanna know the best part?

Magnolia University showed up to the game. Gray hadn't been the only one to apply there. So had Natsu, but he hadn't heard back from them.

Until now.

I was sitting in the hallway outside the boy's locker room with Lucy and Jellal while we waited for the boys to come down. The hallway was dead silent, and then I heard loud shouts of happiness and ecstatic giddiness.

The next thing I saw were two heads flying at me, one pink, the other black. I managed to let out a startled squeak before I was bowled over by the black haired boy. A similar squeak from Lucy told me she met the same fate at the hands of the pinkette.

When my vision cleared, I was able to make out Jellal's startled and bemused face looking down at me, his eyes swimming with barely contained laughter.

I glared at him, but failed miserably when the person hugging me squeezed just a bit too hard.

"God damnit, Gray," I wheezed. "Can't... breathe!"

The boy in question grinned and let me go, standing up and offering me his hand. I gave him a withering look. "Was it really necessary," I began, grabbing his hand so he could pull me upright, "to knock me down on the floor. I mean, I know you're excited and all, but-"

"Guess what!" Natsu broke in, holding Lucy's hand and grinning like a madman.

Jellal gave the pinkette a curious glance. 'What happened/" he asked, rather cautiously, since he'd learned that the pinkette could be, well, unpredictable.

Natsu jumped up and down like a little kid, full of energy and excitement. "The coach from MU came to the game today. I've been personally recruited to play soccer with Gray at MU, and they're willing to pay my tuition fees!"

I gaped, completely forgetting my mere annoyance with Gray. I leaped at Natsu and gave him a flying hug, crushing him to my chest. "Oh my god, Natsu," I exclaimed, a smile on my face. "Congradulations!"

"Ouch," he mumbled, his voice muffled. He pulled away from me and spat out a mouthful of my hair. "Tastes bad."

Jellal came up to us and clapped Natsu on the shoulder. "Great job, Natsu. Congradulations."

Lucy smiled and ruffled the pinkette's hair. "I knew you could do it," she murmured. He turned his head and pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead.

I blushed and turned away from them, giving them space. Jellal reached over and took my hand, while Gray ran off. "I'm going to find Juvia," he said over his shoulder.

I frowned and looked at the two dresses in front of me, again.

I loved them both. The problem was, I could only wear one.

The black dress was made out of lace, with a sweetheart neckline and a slit up the front, which would expose my left leg all the way up to the middle of my thigh. It was simplistic, black lace flower pattern upon black chiffon.

The white dress was made out of chiffon. It was tunic style, with a piece of cloth draped over one shoulder, the other arm bare. The border was made out of gold chiffon. The dress fell in easy, flowing waves, with another slit going up the front. It was completed with a gold belt around the bodice.

There was a knock on my door, and I turned. "Enter," I said, and the door opened, revealing Lucy. She had a covered bag in her hands, which I believed to be her dress.

Her eyes widened when she saw my dresses, and immediately figured out my dilemma. She draped the bag on my bed and marched over to me, her eyebrows furrowed, lips pursed, eyes fierce and concentrated. She opened her mouth, then thought harder and closed it.

I looked at her pleadingly. "Help," I whispered.

She looked at me, as if picturing me in both dresses. Then she looked at the dresses, one by one.

She looked at me. "The white one," she said finally. "The gold bring out your hair. Please tell me you have gold heels."

I nodded wordlessly. "They're in my closet."

Lucy smiled and whipped out her phone. "Natsu and Gray took Jellal to one of those boutiques in town," she explained to me. "They're gonna try and find him a suit. I'm telling Natsu to find something with gold or white in it."

I sat down on my bed with a thump. "Good god, Lucy," I whispered. "I'm actually going to homecoming with someone other than Gray. It's almost surreal."

She grinned and plopped down beside me. "True, it's weird," she agreed. "But just think. You love Jellal, and I just know the guy loves you."

I looked at her curiously. "Really? How'd you know?"

She snorted. "It's so obvious. He stares at you as if you're a wonder of the world- which I'm not saying you aren't- and he's someone who's seeing for the first time. He always reaches out for you, even when you're not there. I've never seen a guy so smitten."

I smiled. Even though Jellal had had a hard life, and he pushed so many people away, he loved so strongly.

He wasn't the most perfect boy. He lived his entire life with the weight of guilt sitting on his shoulders. He separated himself from others, believing he was the reason why the people around him got hurt.

He was flawed. He was broken.

But he was slowly piecing himself back together. Under all that pain and sorrow, the brokenness and the guilt, there was a fire so strong, that it would never burn out.

He had given himself to me, even though he was afraid of hurting me. Yet he trusted me and let me into his life, breaking down those walls he had built to keep people out. And what I found underneath, the love and the light, was stunning.

That was what made me fall in love with him. That this lonely, beautiful, isolated boy was passionate and caring about the people and things he loved.

I stood up, and picked the white dress up. I looked over at the clock. 5:00. Lucy and I had two hours to get ready.

I looked over my shoulder at Lucy. "You can use the bathroom once I've changed, ok?" I said.

She nodded. "Take your time," she replied. "I've already got my hair and makeup figured out. it's you I worry about."

I made a face. "Shut up," I said, and shut the door.

Jellal's POV

I ducked as Natsu sent another shirt flying into the dressing room with a "Heads up!"

I snatched the white dress shirt out of the air and poked my head through the curtains that separated me from the others. "Can you not?" I asked. I shook the shirt at him. "This isn't even ours!"

Gray shrugged and waved me off. "nah, don't worry, Fernandes. This place is pretty chill. The owner knows me and Natsu, so we're off the hook. Now, are you decent?"

I glared at him. "No," I said, ducking back into the room and throwing the shirt on over my bare chest while zipping up my black dress pants at the same time.

A suit jacket zipped over the curtain and whacked me over the head. For a minute, I saw black as the silk cloth covered my eyes.

"Natsu Dragneel!" I roared. "Quit it."

"Quit what?" I heard him ask innocently.

I sighed and rolled my eyes, pulling the suit jacket off my head. And that's when it hit me.

I felt completely at home with them.

Comfortable.

At ease.

Happy.

I didn't remember the last time I felt comfortable with a group of people, let alone Erza. My relationship with her was different. Being able to laugh and joke around with guys my age, made me feel complete.

I sighed and pulled the suit jacket on, buttoning it up, before stepping out of the dressing room.

Gray looked me up and down. Natsu whistled, and I stood there uncomfortably.

"I like it," Gray finally said. "It just needs one tiny thing."

Natsu looked at him. "Right. That thing."

I looked at them suspiciously. "What thing?" I asked, beginning to sound standoffish.

Gray walked over to me. "You forgot to button the collar," he said.

I shrugged. "I don't think this will work," I mumbled. "It feels way too expensive, and I don't have that much money right now-"

"Shut up," Gray advised, reaching up and buttoning my collar for me. "It's on me today. Hey, if it's anything for Erza, then I'm in all the way. You can pay me back some other day. Now, head up," he said, preventing me from protesting.

Natsu chuckled. "Don't try to fight him," the pinkette warned, gesturing to Gray, who was currently wrapping something around my neck. "The guy becomes a pitbull when he sets his mind on something."

I nodded wordlessly, the protest dying from my lips.

Gray straightened the unnameable thing around my throat, and stepped back. He and Natsu exchanged a look before giving me a thumbs up. "Perfect," Gray said.

Natsu nodded to the mirror behind me. "Take a look, Fernandes," he advised.

I turned, and my eyes widened. "This is me?" I asked, looking at my reflection up and down. Never before had I ever looked this neat. Tidy.

The entire suit was black and elegant. Underneath, I wore the expensive white collared shirt. The entire outfit was completed with a white bow tie. I looked somewhat, nice for a change. Maybe even, handsome?

Gray nodded approvingly. "You don't know how many times Erza and Lucy would bring us in here, fitting us the "proper" way. According to them, black and white is the best way to go."

I looked at them. "And what are you wearing?"

Gray shrugged. "Lisanna took Juvia out to one of those boutiques for women. I think she said she's wearing silver and black. While you were changing, I already bought myself a little something. and Natsu over here is already set."

I began to head back into the dressing room. "Ok then," I began, already unbuttoning my jacket. "I guess I'll-"

"Where do you think you're going?" Natsu interceded. "It's about 6:30. Gray and I are getting changed, and we're heading to a flower shop before we pick the girls up. You are staying in those clothes."

I blanched. "What?" I asked dumbly.

Erza's POV

"Lucy, you're stunning!" I gasped, my eyes wide while my best friend twirled around my room, her golden dress swirling around her legs

It was a one shoulder dress, leaving her left arm bare. It was also tunic style, the fabric bunched over her right shoulder. The rest of the dress fell down in sparkling, golden waves, bunching around her feet.

Now I realized why she had spent so much time in the bathroom.

She had done her hair in elaborate curls, pulling them back into a bun and letting the rest fall in a small, curly ponytail that fell over her left shoulder. She had done her makeup with golden eyeshadow, bringing out the brown in her eyes. She looked stunning.

She smiled and pointed to me. "I would say the same about you. C'mere."

I frowned, but stood up and walked over to her. She grabbed my hand and pulled me to stand next to her. Together, we looked at our reflections in the mirror.

Lucy smiled. "The white dress is perfect," she breathed. "The you look like a Roman goddess. Just wait until I do your hair and makeup."

She looked at the alarm clock on my dresser, and said a very un-Lucylike word. 'Crap," she whispered. "We have to hurry. it's 6:30."

She turned to me. "Sit," she commanded, pointing me to the chair. I rolled my eyes and sat down. "Relax, Lucy," I said. "It's not like it's prom or anything-"

"It's our last Homecoming dance together before we go out into the world. It has to memorable, and we have to be the most beautiful people there. Now shut up, and let me work."

I shut my mouth. In a way, Lucy was a lot like Gray when she got her mind set on something. Both of them turning into pitbulls.

Lucy whipped out a hair curler and began to brush my hair. "Close your eyes,"she advised. "I don't want you to see what I'm doing. It's a surprise."

I looked at her in the mirror. "Excuse me?" * asked. "What if-"

"Have I ever failed you before?" she interrupted. She met my glare. "Are you doubting your best friend?"

I sighed and closed my eyes. "No," I muttered.

She harrumphed and continued her work. She began to curl my hair in soft, gentle waves- that much I could feel.

I felt her style my hair, doing something and gathering it in a loose side ponytail. She left my side for a second, and I felt the urge to open my eyes, but I didn't.

"Hey, Erza, do you have any golden circlets? You know, like the headbands?" I heard Lucy ask.

I nodded. "Check the closet!" I said.

I heard her open the door and fumble around. I heard a grunt of victory. "Perfect," she muttered, and came back to my side. I felt the circlet press against my forehead.

Lucy came around to face me; I felt her hands on my face. "Don't move," she whispered. "Thank god we both have gold themes going on here. This makeup will work perfectly."

I felt her bring an eyeliner brush across my eyelids, drawing out a very thin line. She then began to brush my upper eyelids with something- probably an eyeshadow brush. Next came the lips: a little lip gloss.

She stepped away from me. "Okay," she said. "Open your eyes."

I did as she said and blinked, looking at my reflection. Was that even me? Who was that looking back at me in the mirror.

Lucy had curled my hair in soft waves. She left two pieces to frame my cheeks, and gathered the rest in a loose side ponytail that draped over my right shoulder, tying it with a gold ribbon. Around my forehead was a gold circlet, plain and simple. She had done my eyes with golden eyeshadow, bringing out the brown and golden tones in my eyes. the black eyeliner and mascara darkened my eyes and made them bigger. I looked...I looked like...

"Venus, the Roman goddess of beauty," Lucy murmured, looking pleased with herself. "You're welcome. I am amazing."

I looked at her. "Yes," I said, getting up and giving her a small hug. "Yes you are."

She pulled away from me, and grabbed her bag. "I was thinking of wearing these, but now I think I'll give them to you. Here," she said, handing me two golden bands. I looked at them curiously. "What-"

"i can't believe you. The most beautiful and popular girl in high school has no idea when it comes to accessories," she muttered, snatching them out of my hand. "They're arm bands. They'll go perfectly with your outfit. Here," she said, grabbing my arm and slipping the band up to my bicep. She did this with my other arm.

She stepped back. "Ok," she said. "Just a few more things." She hurried over to my dresser, where my little jewelry box sat, and pulled out one of my favorite gold necklaces. It was a simple charm, just a plain golden leaf, but she slipped it around my neck anyway.

"Perfect," she said. "Now I'm happy."

I gave her withering look. "You mean you weren't before?"

She ignored me and turned to look at the clock. "Just about 7. They should be here any-"

There was a knock on my door.

"-Minute," Lucy finished. She began to walk to my door. "Get your shoes," she said. "I got this."

I nodded and ran into my bathroom, grabbing my gold heels from the floor, where I had left them. I heard Lucy open the door and invite the boys in- Natsu and Jellal. My heart began to beat wildly.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and took a deep breath. Then my eyes landed on a small package sitting on the counter.

Right. While I was changing, Lucy had called up one of those flower boutiques and ordered a boutonniere for Jellal. It was a golden rose, surrounded by baby's breath- tiny white flowers.

I slipped the heels on my feet and grabbed the package. "Breathe, Erza Scarlet," I told myself. "You've got this."

I pushed my shoulders back and grasped the handle of the door. "It's Jellal," I said to myself. "You'll be fine."

I opened the door.

Jellal's POV

The sound of Erza's bathroom door alerted me, and I looked up from my shoes. Immediately, my jaw dropped, and I'm sure my eyes popped out of my head.

Who was this goddess I was looking at?

I started from the bottom first. She wore glittering gold heels. Her dress was white, falling in gentle waves around her body. There was a slit up the front, exposing one smooth leg all the way up to her creamy thigh.

The dress had a band of deep gold around the bodice. Continuing up, It draped diagonally over her right shoulder bordered in gold, leaving both arms bare, save the two golden armbands decorating her biceps.

A golden leaf necklace circled her throat. Her hair was curled, pulled in a side ponytail draping over her right shoulder. Two pieces of hair curled around her cheeks, framing her face. Her eyes were darkened, and there was gold on her eyelids, bringing out the brown in her eyes. A golden circlet rested on her forehead.

She looked like a Roman goddess.

Lucy giggled next to me and elbowed me. "She looks pretty, right?"

I looked Erza straight in the eyes. "Stunning," i whispered quietly. "Beautiful."

Natsu waved by Lucy's side. "Yo, Erza," he said. "You look great."

Erza smiled and made her way over to us. "Thanks Natsu. You should really compliment Lucy, she's the one who did all this."

He winked. "I already complimented her, for other reasons."

She slapped his arm. "Stop it," she murmured.

She looked at Erza. "Natsu and I are going to meet Gray and Juvia. Come when you're ready." she said. Natsu proffered his arms to her, and she looped her arm in his.

Erza looked like she was going to protest, but shut her mouth. Lucy and Natsu stepped out, and then it was just me and her left.

I looked at her. "I have never seen anyone more beautiful in my life." I said, taking a step forward.

She smiled at me, handing me a small package. "Here," she whispered.

I suddenly remembered my gift to her. I reached into my jacket and pulled out a small box. "Here," I whispered. "We can exchange."

She smiled and took my package, and I took hers. I opened the package, and a little smile came on my face.

It was a little boutonniere, a golden rose surrounded by tiny white flowers.

Erza gasped, and I looked at her. She pulled out her corsage. Gray had helped me pick it out. It was a batch of white orchids, with several buds sprayed golden sprinkled in between the white flowers.

Erza smiled. "Oh, Jellal," she whispered. "It's beautiful."

I reached out for it. "Here," I whispered, taking it from her. "Let me." Being very careful, I slid it onto her right wrist.

She took the boutonniere out of my hand. "Now it's my turn. Hold still," she said, gently pinning the golden flower to my jacket.

She pulled away from me, but I took her hand and pulled it to my lips. "I love you, Erza Scarlet. Or should I say, Venus?"

She rolled her eyes. "Shut up," she whispered, reaching up to place a chaste kiss on my lips. "Let's go."

"Yes, ma'am."

We sat in the limousine, Erza pressed up against my right side. Next to us sat Natsu and Lucy, and across from us sat Gray and Juvia. My little sister wore a short, black, chiffon dress. It had a sweetheart neckline, and a silver sash extended down from her right shoulder. There were silver sparkles on the dress, making her look like the night sky. Gray wore a black suit, a silver suit vest underneath, and a silver tie. They looked really nice together.

My phone buzzed. I looked at Erza, who was busy talking with Lucy. While she was distracted, I pulled out my phone, and read the text.

On our way. See ya there.

I smiled and shoved the phone back into my pocket.

This was going to be the best night of my life.

There are those who say love hurts, but that isn't true. What hurts is loneliness, rejection, losing someone you love. We confuse these with love, and build walls around us, to prevent more pain from hurting us and the ones we love most. We think we're protecting ourselves, but it's a mistake. We're only hurting ourselves by not letting love in. Love is the only thing that covers the pain and makes us feel happy.

People build up walls around them, and there is only one special person who cares enough to break them down.

Find that person, and don't hesitate to let them in.

A/N: I'm sorry, it's taking me forever to update this story. Things are moving super slowly, only because I'm trying to balance so many things going on in my life. But I promise, I will update this last chapter in a week or so. Promise!

Tell me what you think!

See ya soon! Happy Writing!

-Wolf