I ran to the train station and boarded my scheduled train that would lead me to Clander in a little less than an hour. As soon as the train took off and my bag was safely stowed away in the seat across from me, I opened the box I was still holding from Natsu. Inside was a piece of really fancy paper, l ike the kind people print important letters or certificates on. My eyes scanned the page.
Natsu had bought me a star. The paper showed me where to find it in the sky. Natsu's messy handwriting was in the bottom corner, where the lines said to write who it was from and what they're naming the star. 'From Natsu' 'Lucy's Star'
My eyes clouded up. I didn't even know you could do that. It was so kind, and thoughtful, and touching, and—
That's when the regret set in. If only I had actually told someone I was leaving and where I was going. My friends are going to be so worried about me if they don't re-read the note that Mira found. And what if she threw it away? Then the only thing that says where I am is the note I left for Natsu, and that wasn't detailed at all! And what id something bad happens while I'm away? I'll be all by myself. I should have waited for Natsu to come over, like he does almost every night. Even if he didn't come, he could at least tell everyone else that I would be gone for a few days.
"Well, it's too late now," I murmured to myself, catching the attention of the guy sitting across the aisle from me. The three seats around him were empty as well. He had blonde hair and was kind of gangly, but also attractive in a nerdy kind of way. He looked about my age.
"Hello! My name is Cleo," he said, sticking his hand out for me to shake. I nodded politely and smiled at his green eyes. They were such an odd shade; I found it hard to look away. The green was so light, it looked like new grass in the beginning of spring.
"I'm Lucy," I said. He gapes at me.
"You have blonde hair and brown eyes, and is that a key ring I see? Do you happen to by Lucky Lucy of the Heartfilias?" he gasped. I squirmed in my seat. How did this guy know all about me and my keys? Don't tell me I got on the train with a stalker.
"Well, I'm not so lucky anymore, but yes," I said. "How did you know?"
"I've read so many articles about your family! You are Jude and Layla Heartfilia's daughter, Lucy! I always wanted to be just like your dad! Tell me, is he as amazing as all the stories I've read say?" Cleo's enthusiasm reminded me of Jason, the reported that from the Sorcerer Magazine that always pops up out of nowhere.
I chuckled nervously and pulled my hand back. Cleo had been holding it the entire time, creeping me out a little. He looked slightly annoyed when I moved, but he wiped it away a second later. They guy was way too interested in my life, and I didn't particularly want to tell him all about the past of my past I didn't really want to remember in detail. "I guess so."
"That is so cool! I haven't heard anything about your family in a long time, besides the fact the Just lost his business and left. But I don't believe that's the end of the story! The Heartfilia Rail Company was doing great! So what actually happened? Did he just move out of the spotlight? Do you still live with him? Maybe I could go meet him sometime with you!"
My anger slowly rose as he babbled. I give him my iciest glare. "Excuse me, but it's not any of your business. I don't typically go around telling people I just met about my family, or inviting them back to my house. Now if you'll excuse me," I snapped, turning the opposite way to face my window. Cleo's reflection in the glass looked irritated and angry.
Strangers these days… Honestly! I don't go around asking people about their lives! There should be a code of conduct for meeting someone on a train. What was that guy's problem? And why did he know and want to know so much about my family?
I cleared the creep out of my mind. The more I think about him, the madder I get. The box sitting in my lap rattled when I tried to gently slide the star certificate back in it. I stuck my hand in and fished around the cardboard until my fingers touched something smooth and cold. What I saw warmed my heart.
I almost started crying. Natsu had found me a silver gate key. Telescopium, the telescope. I've seen this as one of the magic shops a town away before, but I didn't have any money with me at the time. Did I ever mention it to Natsu, or did he get it based on the star he also got me? Now I'd have a way to see that much more clearly.
I slipped the paper into the box and clipped the new key with the rest onto my belt, deciding that I would make a contract with it later and look for the star as soon as I can.
The rest of the train ride passed in silence. I was stills teaming over how nosy and rude Cleo was and obsessing over how sweet Natsu was when I got off and started searching for the house my old friends live in. It wasn't a large town, so it was easy to spot, even in the darkness. It was a large mansion set back a half mile from all the other houses. I walked down the cobble paths, looking around in wonder. This place was so much like the house I grew up in. The houses were small but cute, decorated with flowers everywhere. An owl hooted to the left.
I rapped three times on the door of the only little cottage closest to the mansion.
"Mistress Lucy!" Ms. Spetto cried when she threw open the door. The older lady hugged me around my legs and squeezed tight, almost knocking me over. "Oh, you've grown so much!"
"Hi Ms. Spetto!" I laughed, hugging her as much as I could in return.
"Oh my dearie, you must be exhausted! Come on, come on, let's get you inside!" She shepherded me in, closing the door behind me. "The people we work for are so nice now. They have given the dour of us our own little house to share over here. The father is so kind. He spends so much time with his wife and two children. One's a girl named Marley and the other is a boy a year older, Tamaki. Such wonderful children, and such a wonderful man too," Spetto babbled, showing me around the house and sitting me down on the couch in the small living room beside the entrance to the house. My heart hurt a little hearing her talk of the new family, although I was beyond happy for everyone, including those children. They have the best servants possible to watch out for them now.
"Aed! Ribbon! Bero!" Ms. Spetto called through the house. The little cottage was even cuter on the inside then the outside, with just enough room for the four people living in it. The walls were a light mint green. The two large couches and chairs decorating the room were a deep chocolate brown and the most comfortable things I've ever sat in. There was a stone fireplace against the wall a few feet away, roaring happily. Across the hall was the kitchen, and more rooms branched off the long corridor. It was a surprisingly large cottage. I've only been here a few minutes, and I already feel at home.
"Miss Lucy!" my friends yelled, swarming around me, all talking at once. I laughed and leaned back on the couch after hugging everyone. Nobody looked any different at all. They may have gotten a little shorter, although I suppose I could have just gotten taller since the last time I went back to the estate. Once the hellos were made, I accidently yawned.
"Let's get you some blankets so you can sleep!" Ms. Spetto said, disappearing down the hallway. She returned a minute later with a stack of quilts and blankets far taller than she was. She refused my offers of help and piled the warm sheets over me after I'd changed into my pink pajamas.
"We can talk later. Right now, you should sleep!" she said, kissing my forehead and leaving me lying on the couch. The others followed her, back to where I assumed their rooms were.
It was more than a little strange. I thought we'd stay up and talk a little more before I want to sleep. It doesn't even seem that late!
I checked to make sure my suitcase and present from Natsu weren't too close to the fire. My eyes close of their own choice and didn't open again until morning.
"I'm really sorry, but I can't stay for long. I kind of left without telling anyone and I'm worried they'll be mad at me," I confessed when everyone was gathered in the front room again bright and early in the morning, plates of deliciously cooked food stacked on the table in front of us. Ms. Spetto sighed in relief.
"That quite alright," Ribbon said.
"We didn't know you'd be coming so soon. If the family hadn't been out of town, we'd have to be in the mansion right now with them. They're due to arrive by noon, and we need to be there to greet them and get to work," Bero explained.
"I'm sorry I didn't give any warning," I said, feeling even guiltier now.
"Now worries, Mistress Lucy!" Spetto comforted me. She went to the closet hesitantly and pulled out a package wrapped in brown paper. The others stared at me seriously.
"That be the present from your mother," Aed said, abandoning the book he was examining.
"Do you guys know what it is?" I asked, nervously pulling the paper off of the box. Their silence informed me that they did. I pulled off the lid and stared into its contents cautiously.
How did you like this one, Fairies? Leave a comment to let me know, or to give me a suggestion, or to just talk!