~Wednesday~

"Your test is next week, Lucy," Layla said. Her daughter stood before her. Laxus was the only other in the dojo, but he was cleaning the windows.

"I've been doing this for two weeks, though," Lucy said, surprised that she was testing.

"That's why we are going to practice," Layla said with a smirk. Laxus smiled and shook his head. That was just like Layla.

"Whatever," Lucy mumbled, crossing her arms.

"I knew Gray wouldn't take fighting you seriously, so I'll fight you instead," Layla said.

"Fighting?" Lucy repeated.

"Yep! There is a competition for lower belts, and you will be going as a yellow bet when you pass your test," Layla explained.

"What makes you so sure I'll pass?" Lucy asked.

"Stop arguing and put your hands up!"

X

"Lucy! Where were you?!" Ciel yelled. "It's seven! You were suppose to be here two hours ago!"

"Sorry," she apologized. She groaned when she sat down. Layla made her fight for three hours, and she was sore. She was told she was at a green belt's fighting level, so she was at least happy about that.

"Whatever. We have to practiced," Ciel said. He went over to the piano in the small apartment living room. He started playing. Lucy took a deep breath and started singing. Halfway through, Ciel stopped.

"You aren't breathing properly," he said. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her stomach. She blushed and looked at him, wondering what he was doing. "Take a deep breath." She did so. "Is it difficult?"

"No?" she asked. "Why would it be difficult?"

"That's the point," he said. "You are breathing with your shoulders." He moved his hands to her shoulders. "Take another deep breath. Do you feel the difference?"

"Thats weird," she said. "It feels like I'm a balloon being filled with air."

He moved his hands back to her stomach. "Don't use your shoulders." She took another deep breath.

"That's really hard," she admitted.

"That's because I am putting pressure on your diaphragm. You were taking shallow breaths, but if you breathe with your diaphragm, you get more air. So breathe that way." He let her go. "I only put pressure on your stomach so you would know if you are doing it right."

"I never knew I breathed wrong," she laughed.

"A lot of people do," he said, sitting back down at the piano. He started playing. Lucy took correct deep breath and started singing.

~Thursday~

"Tomorrow is the dance!" a cheerleader announced over the intercom. "Don't forget to buy your tickets and get a date! And remember to bring your younger siblings! There will be kid-friendly area in the corner of the gym!"

"They are too cheery," Gajeel mumbled.

"Gray, are you bringing Wendy?" Jellal asked.

"If you're bringing Mystogen," Gray laughed. "They are so adorable. Wendy blushed every five seconds around him."

"Wendy has a little crush? That's so cute!" Layla squealed, joining the conversation.

"Picture an older version of Wendy," Mira said. "And put her next to Jellal. Won't they look so cute together when they are older?"

"Does Mystogen look that much like Jellal?" Layla asked, slightly shocked.

"He has the birthmark and everything," Lisanna said.

"Hey guys minus one," Lucy said, joining the table. Laxus and Gray knew what she meant by 'minus one,' but everyone else was confused.

"Do you all have a date to the dance?" Mira asked the members of Black Widow, who sat down the same time as Lucy. The were off doing you-know-what.

"Yup," Ciel said with a smirk. "Seven o'clock."

"Seriously, though," Mira giggled.

"No, we don't," Yuki said.

"Kyo is going with Lisanna, though," Lucy said. Said parties blushed and denied it. "Come on, you two look good together. You are not allowed to refuse. Besides, you're dress and shirt colors match."

"You made us match?!" Kyo gasped. Lucy had insisted on picking his shirt out, and now he knew why.

"I''m sorry, but we better get back," Ceil said, putting a hand on Lucy's head. She sighed and followed him back to the music room.

Juvia was glaring daggers into Lucy's back. How can she run off with Ciel when she has Gray? Juvia couldn't forgive her for playing with Gray's heart like that.

X

"As you all know, next week is testing," Layla told her martial arts class. Lucy felt her stomach turn. She was told she would pass, which would mean she has to go fight a bunch of people. Even Gray left the NYMAC with an injured ankle and bruises.

"Everyone will have to practice on their own," Gray said. "Get into groups of your belt rank and practice. And when you want a break, go to the lower belts and help them out."

"And don't work yourselves too hard," Juvia added.

Everyone quickly split up. Lucy watched everyone. They worked on blocks, kicks, punches, and their forms. Juvia and Gray were even helping each other. They were both going to test for their second blackbelt. She was only testing for her yellow belt. She was so far behind Gray.

"Lucy, what's wrong?" Layla asked, walking over to her daughter. She looked over to Gray and Juvia. "That reminds me. Juvia will be giving you your test."

"Why?" Lucy asked, trying not to sound rude about it. She was actually hoping Gray could do her test.

"We wouldn't want people thinking your results are biased, do we?" Layla asked. She laughed for a moment. "Gray would pass you even if you didn't take the test."

"That's not true," Lucy said skeptically. She sighed. "Okay, he would"

"So do you want me to help you practice?" Layla asked.

Lucy but her lip and looked over to Juvia. "Yeah, let's practice."

VERY UNEVENTFUL CHAPTER! But the next one is the dance, so be happy about that!

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