The next morning, Lucy yawned inside the bus. Although she would prefer driving, she enjoyed taking the bus because she didn't have to do anything. She loved looking outside the window and the coldness that remains against the surface of her skin. Her eyelids were slowly coming to a drop when she heard a crowd growing the closer the bus came to its stop. She peeked her head out and saw Gray waiting on the bench for her. He looked impatient but he sat there with his messy hair and arms crossed to his chest.

When she got off, he looked up, scanned her outfit and gave a wink.

"Hey beautiful," Gray greeted. "Do you take the bus everyday?"

"Hey to you too... and in the meantime yes," Lucy stopped in front of him. "The car's being fixed remember? I can use Mirajane's car during her day-offs, but that's rare."

While they walked Gray let out a sigh and Lucy within that instant felt offended.

"I'm sorry your girlfriend takes the bus," she spat sarcastically. "I know I'm a downgrade."

"Why couldn't you just ask me for a ride?" He ignores her comment and tries to reach for her bag. "I wouldn't mind."

"I don't need a ride from you." Lucy yanked away and almost screeched. "What're you doing? I can carry my own bag!"

"Just give me your bag," He hissed. "If you're not going to let me hold your hand, at least let me do that much."

She held her tongue with a grumble as she handed her bag to Gray and watched him happily accept it with a hum. He walked down the hallway in a certain speed she couldn't keep up with. Was it necessary for couples to hold hands or express something physical in public for others to acknowledge that something between them is a relationship? Natsu and Lisanna barely showed anything romantic in public; they were well kept and everyone knew that they were together.

Gray made another sigh when she caught up next to him. He gently grabbed and held Lucy's hand halfway down to her locker. She knew it should've been special, considering this is her first but it wasn't real. He kept saying hi to people and Lucy forced herself to smile.

Smile like it's natural, she reminded herself.

"Hello? Earth to Lucy?" Gray waved at Lucy's face at the front of her locker. "What are you spacing out for?"

Her hands began to feel sweaty so she tried to slip out from his grasp but he tightened his grip. "I can't do this," she whispered harshly.

Through clenched teeth he said, "yes, you can," then released her hand.

As Lucy grabbed her books, Lucy frowned. Juvia's hands were probably never sweaty. They were probably able to hold hands for days without worrying about sweating and all. Deep in thought, she closed her locker door and hadn't caught Gray trying to lean in and kiss her on the mouth. When she did, she quickly steps back and places a book in between them, resulting Gray to kiss the solid, hard book material.

"Lucy!" He groaned at his failure.

"D-Don't just kiss me out of nowhere!" She didn't feel bad but her heart was beating really fast. Why was her heart beating so fast? It wasn't like Gray succeeded in kissing her. Lucy's chest rose with a deep inhalation of air, ready to beat and snap the crap out of him but she saw Juvia walking down the hallway.

"I have to go!" Lucy cried and darted off to the opposite direction.

"Go where?" Gray was looking at Juvia then turned to his faux-lover running away. "Wait for me!"

But Lucy pretended not to hear his call and continued walking forward.

"Are you okay?" Levy and Cana turned to look at their friend drop to her seat with her bag.

"Y-Yeah," Lucy said breathlessly. "Just... Just thought I was going to be late.

Cana sat by the door because she wanted to leave first but Lucy knew it was because it included having the ability to snoop down the hall to see if there were any dramas happening. These were one of those days where she looked out and caught a potential one. Cana's eyes widened at the sight and looked back at Lucy who was taking out the things from her bag.

"Did you see Gray this morning?" Cana asked, still looking outside.

Lucy nodded, completely focused on her things. "Yeah, why?"

"Was Juvia with him?"

That caught Lucy's attention. Her head turns to Cana. "No, why?"

"They're talking outside, right now. Look."

Curiously, Lucy takes a peek at where her friend was pointing. Gray and Juvia were talking about something. Juvia was on to something. Juvia looked extremely aggravated and Gray looked bored. He wasn't listening to whatever it was she was saying and it was making her mad. She could see Juvia's cheeks turn red and she was tapping her feet impatiently, snapping for his attention. Gray's eyes were wandering with a lifeless look until he met Lucy's eyes. His eyes lit up like Fourth of July.

"I'm gonna go," he stopped Juvia in the middle of her bantering.

"What do you mean you're gonna go?" Juvia was taken back, "Love, you need to tell me about her!"

"Uh, love?" Gray turned, walking backwards towards Lucy. Facing Juvia, he yelled, "last time I checked, you broke up with me. I have Lucy now!"

Once he reached Lucy, she slapped him. "Gray! People are going to hear you."

Juvia was staring right at them.

Lucy turned, all of a sudden feeling fear and wanting to go back inside the classroom but Gray grabs her from her wrist and pulls her to a light kiss. Her eyes widened. Gray had his eyes closed like he was really feeling it so she closed hers with a squint. She could hear Cana giggling and feel her smirk but she could also feel Juvia's wrath not too far from they stood. The kiss felt long, but it felt nice. She was unable to process any thoughts. Damn it all to Gray.

"Thank you," Gray whispered and kissed her forehead.

"Jerk..." Lucy mumbled with her face flushed due to the tingling sensation on her lips.

He grinned, "you're a good kisser. You'd be a professional if you kept doing it. Good thing you have me."

Cana whistled.

"Go back to class, I'll catch up." He said, pushing her gently inside. After sneaking a glance at Juvia standing embarrassed and alone at the middle of the hallway, Gray made a sheepish smile and walked down to the restroom. Lucy was speechless and Cana patted her on the shoulder but Lucy couldn't help but feel worse than she was when she got nervous with her sweaty hands.

"You guys kissed for almost a minute," Cana noted. "I'm impressed."

A huge part of Lucy was saying this was all wrong, but she walked back to her seat convincing herself that things were going to fall back into place.

Nope. Things were not going to fall back into place.

Gray couldn't wait up for Lucy after their last period, but she was glad that he wasn't around. She packed her bags and walked out of the classroom. It was weird to walk out alone, Levy and Cana would usually wait for her or Natsu would text her that he's waiting for her at the parking lot, but she received nothing. She took out her phone and glanced at the time; it was too early to head home and Mirajane would be surprised if she were. She should head out somewhere for a bit before going home.

She might not have noticed Juvia walking towards her, because if she did she would have avoided bumping unto her. It was a hard bump, but Lucy was the one who fell back on the ground along with her things. She looked up to apologize, but her heart dropped when she caught a glimpse on Juvia's blue hair. The girl was furious. Lucy gulped. Uh, oh.

"Watch where you're going girl." Juvia glared before dusting herself off. She didn't bother helping Lucy but instead, stared at her fallen position with satisfaction.

"S-Sorry," Lucy apologized, rubbing her bottom before reaching for her bag and cellphone.

Juvia smiled slyly. "I wonder what my love will say when he finds out that you hurt me?"

Hurt you? Lucy screamed into her head, but instead she found herself say, "your love...?"

"Are you implying something?"

"No." She stood up to gather some courage and plastered a strong look. "Are you? Because he's not your love or anyone else's."

"Isn't he yours?"

Lucy chucked her phone into her bag pocket. "He's mine but I don't treat him like he's my property," she said firmly before passing her but she paused and turned. "Also, go ahead and tell him I hurt you, the outcome might not be what you expect."

She was already a couple of feet away but she still heard Juvia's voice echoing through her head. Her throat ran dry and she wanted to cry.

"You better know who you're dealing with before somebody gets hurt, Lucy. You don't know what I'm capable of. Your boyfriend can come crawling back in my bed if I let it."

How could people like Juvia? How could she be so popular when she says something like that?

Things were not going to fall back into place. Not this way.

Lucy pressed a hand on her forehead as she rushed out to the parking lot. It was hot. Her face was hot. Her heart was beating really fast too. At that point, she realized how afraid and intimidated she was. Maybe she wasn't prepared enough, maybe she was never prepared to begin with. She never felt this kind of emotion before. This fear... she hasn't felt it since her mom passed away.

She needed to see Gray and call it quits. This was not going to work.