"So you're here for welding?" I asked after swallowing my bite of cheeseburger.
"Yea, I love workin' with metal. I was surprised this place even had a weldin' program."
"Fairy Tail has a lot of different and unique programs for everyone and the people are awesome. That's what makes this place great."
"What about you shorty, whatta ya here for?"
"I want to be the best researcher there is and work for the council! Deciphering codes, messages, that kind of stuff." I said smiling big.
"Sounds like the perfect place for a bookworm like ya." He said sticking a fry into his mouth.
We have been sitting here for a while just talking about ourselves. At first I was really nervous, but he just took over-thank goodness, and just started talking. I learned a lot about him, without even really asking.
He and Natsu are actually cousins, their adoptive fathers were brothers and raised them single handily. Even though they were raised in different cities, they came together for holidays and birthdays, which is sweet.
Gajeel's dad name is Metalicana, if his name is as rough as the man looks, I'm afraid to meet him. I can imagine him now, as tall as Gajeel with probably the same piercing glare he has, but worse. Probably have metal studs everywhere as well.
He told me about his childhood friend Juvia, I think her name was, and she goes here. He didn't speak much about her, just how they were in the same class in grade school and it went from there. I really want to meet her now, I wonder if she would give me some more info on Gajeel. Stuff he won't tell me.
"So what do you make out of the metal? Do you craft it into anything?"
"I can't do any of that frilly crap, like make it look dainty or small, but I can make super sweet sculptures." he said pride dripping from his tone.
Sculptures, eh? I can see that, but definitely not the dainty stuff he was talking about.
"You make anything you're really proud of?"
"Pfft, o'course! I made this really tall metal dragon for pops birthday! He o'course loved it!"
I tried my best to hold in my giggles due to his proud smile. I bet he did love it, it was a gift that his son made specifically for him. If anyone made me gift, no matter how crappy it looks, I would love it because they made it for me. I remember Jet and Droy made a poorly done flower crown for me, when we were kids but I adored it just as much as if it was made out of gold.
"I bet. Someone he loves made something for him. Jet and Droy did the same when we were kids, except it wasn't a super cool dragon. I know they'll be sad when we eventually part ways, because of my work with the council."
"I'm pretty sure they will be, its gonna happen eventually."
"Heh, yea, I guess so. I just hope Jet and Droy don't get upset when that day comes."
"They'll be ok, they follow ya around everywhere so it'll be good for'em."
"I know they do." I sighed lowering my gaze to my almost empty plate.
I know they'll be fine, they have to be. Soon, they'll get over this crush and move on….I hope at least. But…wait a sec!
"How do you know them actually? Have you talked to them before?" I asked lifting my gaze back up to look at him. He averted his gaze as he scrunched his eyebrows together, crossing his arms over his wide chest.
Is he trying to remember or trying to think of a way to get out of this? I can't really read his face or his body language, but something is missing.
Bringing his eyes back to mine, he just shrugged his shoulders shaking his head, "Nope, I never really talked to 'em,"
"Then how do you know them?"
"It's like I told you before shrimp. It's hard not to." He said.
Lowering my eyes from his, I couldn't help know that he's right. My childhood friends aren't the most discreet in hiding their obsession for me. There's been too many times, when I would have to tell them to tone it down some. But….I still feel uneasy about his answer, but I don't want to push it.
I feel an awkward tension between us now, maybe I should change the subject, so we could continue talking.
"So, uh….this race? Are you ready for it?"
"I guess, I don't have to do much, but scare'em."
"Sounds like fun. I actually like Halloween. It comes with all different types of stories, theories and myths. Oh, and lots of candy!"
"Leave it to you, to find somethin' educational in somethin' that's supposed to be scary." He smirked leaning back in his chair.
"Wha-What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothin', just sayin you're smart is all. Wish I had your brains." He shrugged nonchalantly, causing my cheeks to flush a light pink.
Dang it! How can he just say simple compliments, and still get a reaction out of me? Just from that one sentence, my cheeks are tingly with heat and my chest is fluttering like crazy!
"You ready to go shrimp?" He asked breaking my thoughts as he stood up from his chair.
"Uh, yea!" I nodded standing up with him. Grabbing for my purse, I searched for my wallet.
"Don't worry about it, I got it." He said placing enough money for both our meals plus tip on the table.
"But I could-"
"I said don't worry about shorty. Next time you can pay, how about that?"
Next time? He wants to do this again? He wants to eat with me again? I don't know why but that made me extremely happy that he enjoyed my company enough to want to do this again.
Giving him a bright smile and a quick nod, he returned with a little smirk.
"Thank you! Come again!" The waitress called out as we exited the restaurant.
Looking up at the sky, I didn't realize how late it was. It must be around 8 or 9pm right now. The sun was already making its descent, leaving a trail of dark blues and purples with it. The stars and moon where starting to dully shine, awaiting their time to show their true brightness.
A small nostalgic smile curved my lips, at memories of my old home, and childhood. I've always loved sunsets, it was something about actually watching the flow of time, going from day to night that amazed me. Also, the fact that no matter how many books I've read, sunsets are always different, always described and illustrated differently, but yet they're all the same no matter what part of the world you're in. It's one of the things I've came to terms with not understanding, but just enjoying.
I had to be standing there for quite a while looking up to the sky, smiling like an idiot, before realizing where I was. Snapping back to my senses, I looked over at Gajeel to see him staring at me with slight pink cheeks, a look of shock and another one I couldn't read.
"Sorry." I nearly whispered quickly looking away from him as my own cheeks stung with heat, for the hundredth time today.
"It's ok. You looked like you were rememberin some good times."
"Yea, I guess you can say that. I just really like sunsets, there's something romantic and nostalgic about them." I said, but then quickly clapped my hands over my mouth.
ROMANTIC? How could I say something so embarrassing? I absolutely, completely, and totally ruined the moment! It was like nice, soft music was playing in the background as I reminisced, then I went and said that. Making the music stop abruptly like, someone immediately stopped a record playing. Now all I hear is crickets.
"Gihi! I'm not the romantic type, so I don't see it." He said. I could feel his eyes on me, as I kept my head down, hiding my shameful red face away from him.
He's not the romantic type? I guess that could be a good thing for me, since he doesn't seem fazed by my comment. It makes sense though, he's rough around the edges and I couldn't imagine Mr. Gajeel Redfox doing something cute or adorable for the girl he likes.
I didn't know I was holding my breath until, I let out a deep sigh, looking back up to him with a little smile.
"I better get back, I have to continue studying for my exam tomorrow."
"Aight. Good luck shorty. Seeya around." He said turning to walk to his truck with a little wave of his hand.
"Thanks" I muttered sulking slightly to my car.
Sitting down in the driver seat, I wanted desperately, to not see him again. Even though he brushed my comment off, that still don't mean he did not hear me. Why do I keep embarrassing myself in front of him?
Shifting my car into reverse, I drove back to the University, contemplating why I keep putting my foot in my mouth around Gajeel.
It seems all I do these days, is sigh and blush every time I'm around him. And I still haven't made up my mind about the Halloween dance. Should I go? Should I not go? Uuuugggh this is so frustrating!
Slumping over my desk, I concentrated with all my might on my studying. If I fail this exam, I'm going to cry.
"Ok, if you mix this protein with this catalyze….." I muttered drawing out the chemical compounds on a spare sheet of paper.
HA! I got it! It worked! I cheered to myself, secretly knowing everything will be fine, but I still doubt myself a little.