Lucy's story was fully locked and loaded. If Natsu brings any question that concerned Gray, she was ready to answer and put end to it. With a courageous breath, she took a step into the school hallway with confidence but it quickly faded when she heard "look, it's Gray's new girlfriend." Damn.
Lucy practically walked like a zombie to her locker and clung unto the handle with her life. She didn't like that she was being noticed, not one bit.
This is all my fault. Why did I have to do that? Lucy cried mentally and picked up her textbooks.
"Morning Luce!" Natsu chirped.
She screamed by surprise and turned. "Natsu!"
"Oh my god, sorry!" He crouched down to hold back his laughter then looked up to her with a chuckle, "you look like you saw a ghost."
"N-nah! Just haven't got much sleep really." She smiled sheepishly. "Good morning."
He stood up and walked with her down the hall. "Sooo, how are you? How are you and Gray?"
Good question, Natsu. "Actually, we broke up this morning," Lucy tried her best to look sad. "We were talking around one last night and we started arguing over Juvia. I don't know how but things broke down afterwards and it got worse so... we broke up. Maybe it's just not meant to be. Maybe she has a strong hold on him. He's whipped and there's no room in his heart for me."
"Are you sure?" He looked at her weird.
She nodded. "Super sure. Like, superman super sure. That's why I didn't get enough sleep last night."
Natsu gave her a funny look, "that's not what he said to me when I saw him at the bookstore."
"What the heck was he doing at a bookstore?"
He shrugged. "Dunno. But when I saw him about to walk out, I ran up to him and asked when you guys started going out and he said recently."
Whaaaat... "Really?"
"Uhuh. Apparently he really likes you."
Lucy looked shock and Natsu stopped in front of her class. "I know, I was surprised too."
"You were surprised that he would like me?"
"Not burst your bubble, Luce but... Gray isn't exactly the kind of guy who would date someone like you," Lucy stared at him without a smile and he quickly tries to redeem himself. "I mean, you're not..."
"What? Not pretty like Juvia?"
"I didn't say that! You are pretty. You're a sweet, independent beautiful girl who likes her freedom with her friends, with Lisanna and her family... and with me... I don't know. Gray doesn't strike me as someone who would fall for someone like you."
"I don't follow," Lucy was starting to sound offended.
Before Natsu could say another word, Cana and Levy walked up behind them.
"Yo Natsu!" Cana waved. "Do you have basketball practice afterschool?"
"Yep," Natsu answered, sighing that he got cut off. "What's up?"
"Gildarts returned yesterday." Cana grinned. "You should visit him. He's looking for ya."
"Sure, I will. I'll visit this weekend." Natsu turns to explain himself but she stopped him with a shaking head. "Lucy—"
"You should go to class," Lucy smiles slightly to hide how hurt she was and made light wave. "It's fine. I know you mean well."
Cana turned her head back and forth and tilted her head. "Are you guys arguing? This is a first."
Levy placed a hand on Cana's mouth and hissed. "Cana!"
"No, we're not arguing." Lucy added quickly. "Let's go in."
Natsu walked away, clueless and unsure. Lucy held unto her chest and tried to let her anger slip. Being compared to someone never makes anybody feel good, even more for Lucy. But when Lucy walked in with her friends and spotted Gray, her anger instantly faded. She needed to straighten things out with him.
Gray sat in front of Lucy during English class and she wrote him a note.
Why'd you tell Natsu that we're going out?
Lucy kicked the back of his chair then he turned around and she handed him the note. She watched him slouch in his seat then scribbled before tipping back and dropped the note on her desk without turning.
Isn't it true? He added a smiley face.
Lucy pressed unto her mechanical pencil so hard that the lead broke within every word she wrote. Seriously, answer the question.
He turned around and mouthed, "we'll talk later." Then he stood up and walked out to excuse himself to the bathroom.
Lucy growled under her breath and let out a frustrated sigh. When Gray returned, the bell rang. All of the students rushed to pack their belongings and left on a whim. Gray's friends stayed back and waited for him to tag along.
"You guys go ahead. I'll meet you at the parking lot." He saluted them goodbye.
Gray's friends looked confused. But they all shared a shrug and walked out together after telling Gray to keep his phone on so he's updated in case they leave him. He texted something then put his phone back in his pocket.
"Are you two staying in class?" Their teacher raised her brow.
"Yes." They answered together.
"I have a meeting so can you guys watch over my classroom?" She stood up and grabbed her things. "I'm gonna lock the doors."
"Yes, Miss Mavis." Lucy said politely.
"We'll just close your doors when we leave," Gray noted.
With a nod, their teacher walks out and shuts the door. They shared a moment of silence when she was gone.
Gray sat back on his chair and turned. "Okay, so let's talk."
Lucy blinked. "Right now?"
"Yes," He smiled and said casually. "Need help putting your things away?"
"No. It's fine."
She took her time putting her things away but Gray's eyes were piercing so she rushed.
"Stop looking at me."
"Why not?" Gray leaned on the desk with one hand on his face, still looking at her.
"It feels weird."
"Get used to it."
When she was done, she looked away.
"Why did you—... Why did you tell Natsu that we're together?"
"Are you mad?" Gray blinked. "I don't understand. I covered for you. I could've blown you on spot."
"You're right." Lucy paused and crossed her arms. "So why didn't you?"
He scowled. "You sure have a funny way of saying thank you, Luce."
"Why should I thank you? I get that you went along with the whole kissing thing but-"
"Yeah, you're welcome," he said again.
"Gray, I already told Natsu that we broke up because you're still stuck on Juvia so you don't have to pretend anymore."
"Stuck on Juvia? You made me sound so whipped."
"Uh, yeah. Aren't you? You've been together since... middle school. You guys did everything together."
Gray glared at her. "You don't know what you're talking about, Luce."
With a sigh, she continued, "Look, all I'm saying is that you guys will get back together soon. You guys have broken up to make up so many times before. So it's understandable if you get back together. I mean first kiss, probably if the rumors were true then first sex—"
"Wait, how did you know—"
"Everyone knows. I'm nobody and even I know you guys did it at her house."
Slowly Gray said, "Weren't you guys best friends?"
"We were friends," she nodded. "I wouldn't really say best friends, but... anyways. You don't have to be a detective to figure out that Juvia is the jealous type, especially when it comes to you. She's... She was a very jealous person—or is she still a jealous person? I remember one time when I hung out with you when we were kids and Juvia..."
Gray stared at her with a mischievous grin and it suddenly made Lucy Nervous.
"What?" She asked.
"Let's keep doing this for a while."
"Do what?"
"Let's..." Gray held her hand. "Let's keep doing this couple thing."
She frowned at the idea of being a couple.
"It's probably driving Juvia nuts not knowing what's going on between the two of us. Why don't we keep going for a little bit longer? It's actually sorta perfect with our position. You're dating me so I can cover you up for Natsu and I'm dating you so Juvia can really see we're over." He raised an eyebrow. "Are you keeping up?"
"Yeah, yeah I think so..."
Gray leaned closer to her that she could feel his breath on her face. It was minty. "So then, let's date."
"Fake date?"
He laughed and cocked his head to the side, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Date." He repeated.
"Gray, I told you. I don't like you that way. You know what that means right? I'm. Not. Interested. In. You. You."
"That's the whole point," Gray shuddered. "I'm not interested in you either. Not one bit. So what do you say?"
Lucy pushed his hands away that his hands dropped to his side. "Hello! Didn't I just finish explaining how Juvia gets jealous to anyone that gets with you!?"
Gray waved his hands. "She's not going to. You don't know her like I do. Plus this would help you out with Natsu. Weren't you worried about him finding out that you still have feelings for him? This could save you from the truth. So let's..." he thought of a word. "Let's pretend to date. Strictly business though, so there's no falling in love with me, and no falling in love with you."
Sweetly, Lucy took the turn to put her hands on his shoulders. "Gray, I don't want to be your pretend girlfriend, much less your real one."
He blinked, "why not?"
"You read my letter," She leaned her body back and crossed her legs. "Nobody would even believe I like you; even I can't see myself liking you."
Gray seemed bored with this conversation so he gave a shrug. "I was just trying to do us a favor. I mean, Natsu looked like he definitely believed it."
And without thinking once more, Lucy said, "Fine. Deal."
"That fast?" He made a playful smirk.
"Shut it. I can take it back."
"Mhm... Sure." His wicked smile made Lucy feel like she just made another mistake but he sounded convincing. Damn it all to hell. "Oh. You still have my jacket right?" he asked as he grabbed his bag.
"Uh yeah, why?"
"I want you to wear it tomorrow," Gray stood up. "You're already pretty so no need to get dolled up."
"You're already pretty so don't get dolled up," Lucy mimicked. "Easy for you to say, you're good looking."
"I wouldn't lie to my girlfriend. If she's pretty, I'll let her know." By the door, Gray snickered. "But I'm glad you know that your boyfriend's handsome."
After one wink he was gone and Lucy stared at the ground. Why does this feel deja vu?
Ria: combined some chapters if you all don't mind. so sorry about that guys.