Sorry this is late, guys, but guess what?
I'M GETTING BRACES.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
So I had a fucking frantic week with my dentist appointment and finding out I need the metal squares of death, and also trying not to cry at the amount of homework AND the project I have to do before school starts, which, I might mention, is in TWO WEEKS. TWO WEEKS?! Summer's too fast... Fuuuuuuck...
I haven't even started on the project, by the way, and haven't practiced the flute either :( My band teacher is going to kill me.
(P.S. Anybody heard of Dean Patterson, drum major? So I almost died from laughing when I found out that he had a whole fanbase and fangirls. What made it funny is that Mr. P is my band teacher; it's amusing that so many girls like him when they don't really know him. [P.P.S, if you wanna woo him, give him a funnel cake].)
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Lucy felt so dizzy the world was spinning; can someone please turn off the ride? She wants to get off.
Trying and failing to get her nausea under control, they all slowly approached the school with a cautious and slightly ill mind.
Just outside of the doors, Lucy stopped. Natsu, who had his arm around her shoulders, had to stop as well.
"Lucy?"
Everyone was now gathered around her, worry on their faces.
"I... I need something to remember. Something to remind me that we really are going to stick together." Lucy said.
They all exchanged glances; half confused and half understanding.
Wordlessly, Natsu reached over and grabbed her hand.
Then Levy grasped her other one.
Juvia tightly gripped Natsu's waiting hand.
Gajeel looked miffed, but he gently grabbed onto Levy's free hand anyway.
Gray was the last to move; his pale hand wrapped around Juvia's own.
For that moment, they were connected. Their hearts beated together, and they understood the others.
"We got this." Gray said confidently.
"We'll show those assholes," Natsu grinned, his fangs glinting.
"Juvia believes in her friends!"
"We're together."
"Yeah."
"... We're together." Lucy repeated Levy's simple but meaningful words. "We're together."
Tears gathered at her eyes, but she was smiling. It seemed like the sun was shining just for her as a certain sparkle twinkled in her eyes.
"So let's go!" Natsu roared, releasing Lucy's and Juvia's hands, sprinting towards the front doors.
"Ash brain's right!" Gray shouted. "C'mon, Juvia!"
"Yes, Gray-sama!"
"Shrimp, hurry up!"
"I'm trying!"
Lucy took a deep breath.
'We're together.'
"Wait for me!"
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Romeo walked into the hospital, smiling at the front desk lady.
"Oh, hello, Romeo-san!" She said pleasently. "Visiting Wendy-chan again?"
Romeo nodded, a smile on his lips. "Is she awake?"
"Yes, she woke up a few minutes ago," she said, amused. "You can go see her."
"Thanks," Romeo said, waving bye to her before sprinting up the stairs.
He absolutely refused to take the elevator; it was the whole reason his dad wasn't with him.
Trying not to let bitterness and sadness take over him, Romeo focused on the pounding of his feet and his fastly beating heart before he skidded to a stop.
Breath more heavy than when he first entered to building, Romeo stopped in front of a door and knocked gently.
"Come in," someone said sweetly from inside.
Romeo opened the white door, the scent of fresh flowers greeting him.
She was already sitting in her bed, a gentle smile on her face that he knew was only reserved for him.
Unable to hold back a grin himself, Romeo hopped over and sat down in the chair beside her.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, smiling as she reached over and held his hand gently.
"Better than yesterday," Wendy replied. "I-I missed you."
Romeo's cheeks reddened. "Y-Yeah. I missed you too."
"Really?" Wendy asked, her eyes hopeful as she leaned closer. Romeo gulped. From the short distance between them, he could see the warmth in her beautiful brown eyes, her long lashes kissing her cheeks everytime she blinked, the soft blush on her naturally pale skin.
"Yeah..." Romeo repeated, his mind too busy malfunctioning to make a proper response. His eyes flicked down to her lips for a quick half second. Were they that naturally pink? Did they actually feel as soft as they looked?
These questions swirled around Romeo's hazy mind, but he wasn't too distracted to not notice that he was leaning forward slowly, the distance between them growing smaller ever so slightly.
Closer...
And then they were only a breath's away from each other, and oh god Romeo really wanted to kiss her.
So, only a centimeter away, he leaned in, and -
Wait.
"R... Romeo?" Wendy whispered, her eyes cloudy as she stared at him. "What's wrong?"
"Wendy... What're those?" Romeo asked, his eyes fixed on something behind her shoulder.
"Huh?"
Romeo's hand reached out and grabbed something. He brought it to his chest so Wendy could see.
Her eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the small, white box.
Slowly, Romeo opened it and revealed a pair of sparkling sapphire earrings. They were beautiful; the gem was shaped like a tear, small diamonds and gold surrounding it as intricate carvings of vines swirled around the said gold.
"This... This is real," Romeo said. After years of living with the royal family, he could tell the difference between real and fake valuables like the back of his hand. "Who gave you this?"
"Y-You can't tell anyone!" Wendy said, her voice full of fear and worry. "He didn't mean any harm; he just wanted to get a present for me!"
"Who's he?"
"I... I don't know," Wendy whispered, staring at the glittering earrings. "He comes to visit me every day, right before visiting hours are over. He just lets me call him Mister."
"Does he do anything?" Romeo asked, his voice concerned.
"Oh, no!" Wendy quickly assured him, picking up on his tone. "He's very kind and only stands beside me."
"Well... Do you two talk?"
Wendy shook her head slowly. "He... He never really speaks. He only calls me name when he needs my attention."
"I don't know about this guy..."
"No! Romeo-kun, please, don't tell anyone!" Wendy begged. "He's such a nice man, I know he won't do anything to hurt me! Please don't tell anyone!"
"Wendy..." Romeo said, eyes softening as he reached out and squeezed her hand gently.
"He's only been kind," Wendy sniffed, small tears dripping down her face. "He just makes sure I'm okay before he leaves. He w-would never h-h-hurt me!"
Romeo's heart was shattering with each sob she was uttering. Feeling so immensely guilty, he pulled the girl into a hug.
"I won't tell anyone," he murmured, stroking her soft blue hair. She smelled of cherries and cream. "I trust you."
Wendy sniffled, burying her face into his shoulder.
Overwhelming love (yes, even thirteen-year-olds fall in love) swelled within his heart.
"I'll always trust you."
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Sorry, I would have covered more bits with Lucy and the others, but that part with Romeo and Wendy was really important.
Also, I'M SO SORRY WITH HOW I MISSED LAST WEEK'S UPDATE. I just kinda broke down.
I do hope you enjoyed this chapter, leave a lovely review, all of that!
But... wah... braces... I don't like pain...
Until next week!