Thank you guys so much for your reviews, likes and awesome comments! They make me so happy! XD! It's sad to say that this story is coming close to it's end and I'm so glad everyone enjoyed the first fanfic I've ever written! Thanks again! 3 ^-^
The next morning, after a long shower and debating with myself on what to wear, I finally was ready to go to class. The knee-length dress I wore made it easy for me to move around on my crutches and my cardigan kept me warm from the chilly fall air.
As I stood on top the hill my dorm building resided on, I looked down begrudgingly, knowing this was going to be a challenge. I looked across campus at the buildings that held my classes, sighing at how long it would take me to get there.
I really should've left earlier, but no, I just had to make sure I looked nice when I saw…blah! That doesn't matter!
I was getting ready to take my first one-legged hop when I heard someone yell, "Hey! What are you doing?!"
Turning myself around, I saw Gajeel leaning through the window of his truck. "That's your favorite question these days, huh? And what does it look like? I'm trying to get the courage to walk to class."
Leaping out of his truck with it still running, he jogged over to me, with a determined look in his eyes. "Oh, no you're not! I'm driving you to class." He demanded lifting me along with the crutches running back to his truck.
I tried my best to argue with him, telling him how capable I am of walking to class by myself without his aid. But to no avail, I was placed into the passenger seat with me hugging my bookbag, pouting heavily.
"I don't understand why you're doing this?"
"Just be quiet and enjoy the ride shorty." He stated looking forward, while I glared at him.
I'm not a child, so why is he treating me like one? I may not be the best walker right now, but I can move at least. I tried my best to stay mad at him, but that didn't last too long. He immediately started asking me questions about how I was feeling, if I took my pain meds, did I eat breakfast, am I in pain, and so many more. It resulted to me giggling at his concern.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked pulling into the parking lot of the building that held my first two classes.
"Nothing. Thanks for giving me a ride." I smiled, letting the last remints of my laughter die down.
"No problem. I'll be out here waiting for you after class, if you want to get lunch with everybody." He said watching me closely as I slipped out of his truck. Agreeing, knowing I didn't have a choice, I hopped on my crutches towards the doors.
In all of my classes, everyone was so happy to see Lucy and I, but it bothered me how fast rumors could spread at this school. Even though it was nothing bad, I still felt embarrassed and hated the pitiful looks some people flashed our way. But how could you blame them? I'm pretty sure I would be giving the same looks if I was in their shoes too.
I was mostly frustrated by how much material I missed and knew I had a lot to catch up on, so that means a long night in the library for me. You miss one day, and you feel like you missed a week.
I'm pretty sure I was giving off sulking vibes, because Lucy patted me on the shoulder, asking if I was ok.
"I'll be fine, I just feel like I'm so behind." I confessed in a hushed voice.
"Me too. Want to study tonight in the library?"
"Was already planning on it." I smiled, turning back to my notes.
Classes went by faster than I thought, but I was so ready to go to the library to study. We had about an hour before our next set of classes, so we might as well utilize that time to do some work. Lunch can wait. Lucy and I limped our way out of the classroom and into the hallway, discussing the topics we would have to catch up on.
We decided to take another exit, due to Gajeel waiting for me and knowing him, he would probably drag us to lunch, whether we want to go or not. So when we finally took a seat at one of the tables in the library, I let out a relieved sigh.
Instantly, we got to work utilizing every bit of time we had before our next class. It was natural for us to come together and help each other out, so much that normal conversation interweaved themselves into our schoolwork. Lucy was telling me something Happy did and I was giggling until a big hand slammed against the table startling both of us.
Angry red eyes stared me down, causing me to shrink into my seat while the wave of guilt washed over me.
"I knew I'll catch you here. Why didn't you tell me where you went?" he nearly shouted catching everyone's attention, making me shrink further down in embarrassment.
"Gajeel don't yell. We're in a library" Lucy scolded.
He shot her look of 'I don't give a fuck', before looking back at me. "You don't need to be moving around so much with your leg broken."
"I'm fine, I'm not some fragile little girl, Gajeel."
He mumbled something under his breath that I could barely hear, but only caught, "to me you are." I don't know why this angered me, but it did. Sitting up straighter, I stared him down plainly stating once again how capable I am of taking care of myself.
Obviously, arguing with a natural stubborn hot-head wasn't such a great idea, but my anger rose as we argued back in forth in hushed voices. I can still be courteous to the people around me when I'm upset, but even so, we were still hushed by the librarian.
"Gajeel! Why don't you sit down, before you get all of us kicked out?!" Lucy aggravated voice said smacking his arm to try to get him into a seat.
Slowly he sat down in a chair, with our eyes locked in a heated staring contest with both of us determined not to let the other win. It wasn't until he finally sat down, that I didn't realize how close his face was time or how close his body was.
His leg bumped against mine letting the tingling heat radiate throughout my body and stop at my cheeks. I quickly looked away trying to cover the red hue my cheeks. "Stupid Gajeel." Was all that I muttered as I tried to push away the feeling of his eyes still on me.
We were both still in a dead lock, refusing to give up on our argument, but that entire conversation just drained me of most of my energy for the day. For the sake of not wanting him to win, I tried my best to pretend everything was the same.
"Hey, Levy. It's time for our next class, we better get going." Lucy spoke stuffing her things back into her bookbag. Nodding my head, I collected my things too, standing up in order to place my bookbag on my back before grabbing my crutches.
Feeling the strap being snatched out of my hands I heard a mumbled, "I got it." Even though we were still in a mental battle, he continued to be overprotective by carrying my bookbag for me.
All of us walked in silence, Gajeel too upset to talk, Lucy just not knowing what to say and me too tired to even speak. Damn, I still haven't fully recovered my energy back yet, this is so annoying.
When we made to class, he silently gave me my bag, watching us as we entered the room.
"You ok?" Lucy finally asked.
Nodding my head, "yea, I'm just tired now." I stated leaning my still red cheeks against my fist.
I was so happy when the day was over and I was finally laying down in my bed, breathing heavily from my intense walk back to my room. I once again avoided Gajeel, but only because I was still mad at him for calling me a little kid and making me feel this way.
Ever since I had those dreams in the hospital, I don't know how to act around him. Should I pretend that I have no feelings for him or should I find out whether he's my stalker or not, before I continue with anything?
"Ugh, I'm too tired to think about this." I huffed, feeling my eyes get droopy. My body was sore from hauling my weight around on one leg, and finally started to relax. But that stopped when a soft knock stirred me awake.
"Coming!" I shouted moving slowly to the door.
"Hey! You sure you're ok?" Lucy asked stepping into my room, as I hopped back to my comfortable bed.
"Yes, I'm just tired. I think I'm going to skip dinner in the café and just eat something in here tonight."
She frowned at me, disapproving of my decision, "are you still upset over your argument with Gajeel?"
"Sort of, I'm just being stubborn like he is, I know that."
"You guys love each other so much, it's funny." She sighed with a small smile, causing my body to heat up at her words.
L-Love? I finally came to terms with liking him, but love? I'm not sure about that? I gripped the handles of my crutches, trying to calm my rapid heartbeat and unnatural feeling in my stomach.
"I don't know if he's been stalking me or not, so how could I love him?" I fumbled trying to ignore the tingle that ran up my spine.
"Well that's easy, I'll just tell you if he is or not, then you'll make your decision from there."
"Alright! Tell me!" I nearly shouted making her flinch slightly.
She shuffled around a little bit unsure if she wanted to say anything or not, but the pleading look I gave her, made her give in. I needed to know.
"Ok, fine! He…when I looked at the map that showed the course for the Halloween 5k, I saw that the route for it didn't lead to our dorm. It wasn't even close to it actually."
I stood silent, unable to move at her words with a million thoughts running through my mind.
The map didn't intercept nowhere near our dorm and him knowing where my classes were, wasn't an accident. So he was watching me, but why? I'm just a little kid, like he said. This makes no sense. He could've just walked up to me and started a conversation, he didn't have to follow me around for Mavis know how long.
"Levy. Levy! You ok?" Lucy asked rubbing my shoulder.
"Yea, just slightly shocked and extremely curious. Do you think it'll be bad for me to confront him?" I asked nervously.
She thought it over for a few seconds before shaking her head no. "I don't see why not, but be careful. Even though Gajeel seems tough, we all know he's just a big softie on the inside, so approach with caution."
Nodding my head in agreement, Lucy took her leave to meet up with Natsu in order to get food. Whereas I was so lost in thought I didn't realize I was still standing in the same place for an hour after she left.
My head was spinning with so many questions that it was hard for me to even comprehend my own thoughts. Should I confront him about it was the big question, and when, where and how? Will he be angry, scared or happy that I found out? Will he tell me everything or will I have to force everything from him? Knowing him, I may have to push a little in order to get some information.
Sighing loudly, I hung my shoulders giving up on everything at this point. My head was starting to pound, the pain increasing with every race of speculation that popped up. So when a hard pounding came from my door, I cringed at the loud sound, wobbling to it.
Opening the door, angry eyes flashed down at me but then immediately sobered to a worried glare as I tiredly leaned against the door. "What's wrong?" he asked as I let him in, my head throbbing from overthinking and my body tired from walking so much in one day.
"Nothing, just…have a lot on mind right now. Everything ok with you? You seemed angry at first."
It may be better for me to bring this up at different time when my body isn't feeling weak and when I'm ready for what he has to say. Yea, when I'm feeling better, that's when I'll confront him.
Looking at him carefully, I didn't realize the bag he had in his hand when he first walked in. He placed the bag on my desk, moving oddly close to me. The short distance was suffocating for me, but he seemed to be unfazed by the lack of personal space he gave me.
Leaning in close, he placed his hand against my forehead making me squeak in surprise. "Bunny girl told me you were going to skip out on dinner, so I got mad knowing you weren't going to eat at all. But when I saw you, you looked tired. Your face is really red, are you getting sick?"
"I-I'm fine." I stuttered removing his hand from my forehead, ignoring the usual tingling warmth that always came with us touching. "I'm just tired and want to go to sleep."
"Not without eating you're not." He demanded pulling out my desk chair, signaling for me to sit. I refused, crossing my arms over my chest. "Do I have to pick you up and place you here or are you going to do it the easy way."
Huffing and puffing, I hopped over to the seat without my crunches, just to be defiant. I sat down, watching him pull out a container from the mysterious bag and place it in front of me. Even though the scent and steam was strong, the meal looked really good. "Pasta?" I questioned accepting the utensil he gave me, but he just nodded his head pulling up a chair next to me.
Why does he always have to be so close and why is my heart still reacting this way when I now know the truth?