CHAPTER 3: Flowers from the boy

As the second day of school begins, Lucy came to school early once again. She was walking inside the school building when suddenly someone covered her eyes which startled her and made her stop walking. She gasped and struggled a little, but quickly relaxes when she heard a soft chuckle. Given that the person hasn't removed their hands yet, she just let herself guess who it was.

"Natsu? Is that you?" Lucy guessed as she gently took the hands over her face and removed it.

The person chuckled in surprise before answering, "Umm… No, it's me…" Lucy then turns to look at the person, "Sting"

Lucy was stunned for a moment by the unexpectedness of the gesture. But she quickly forces herself to relax as she smiled at him, "Hi, didn't expect you here early,"

Sting chuckles again, shaking his head, "I'm always early in school. I just don't go to class on time," he and Lucy then laughed at the irony of it. "So, are you okay now? You look a lot better than yesterday,"

Lucy smiled gently as she nodded her head, "Yeah, I guess I am..." she then shrugged her shoulders as she recalls yesterday's revelation of Natsu. Lucy then turns and begins to walk, which the blonde boy followed. The two stayed silent for a few minutes before Lucy glanced at the boy.

She eyed him and Sting was just staring straight ahead, seeming to be unfazed by her direct attention. Copying the other blonde, Lucy looked straight ahead as well as they both climbed up the stairs to their designated corridor.

As minutes pass them by, Lucy couldn't help but comment, "You seem different," she then looked at the blonde, who slowly looked back at her, letting her finish, "It's not that I'm complaining, but we don't use to hangout or anything. But now…you seem to act like we're close,"

Sting was a little surprised by the girl's bluntness, not expecting her to be outwardly frank. Sting slightly blushed as he looked away and tried to compose himself. He then clears his throat as he tries to respond, "Well, I'm sorry if I seemed to be a little feeling too close,"

"No-no-no, it's okay…" Lucy then stops in front of him and franticly waves her hand, as if trying to dismiss Sting's thoughts, "I'm just curious. I mean, we've known you since middle school, but we just never hang out together. And it's just surprising that now, you're reaching out to other people,"

Sting then smiled at the friendly tone of the blonde, "I guess I have to,"

Lucy tilts her head in wonder, "What do you mean?"

Sting started walking again as Lucy walks next to him, "Well, I'm sure you've noticed that Rogue isn't around anymore,"

"Right, yeah, Rogue Cheney. Your best friend," Lucy recalls the black-haired boy that Sting always spends time with.

"He was offered a scholarship at Sabertooth Academy last summer and he accepted it. He didn't really want to leave but, his parents encouraged him to take the opportunity, so I pretty much lost a companion." Sting then looked at the blonde. Lucy didn't look at him like he was pitiful, and he felt relieved. She was just intently listening and so he continued, "Rogue insisted that I learn to make new friends. Rogue is my childhood best friend, he's pretty much just my only friend. So, he told me that I should be friends with my classmates…At least," Sting then shrugged his shoulder as he and Lucy then chuckled together.

"Well, that's a good plan…" Lucy sweetly smiled at the boy, "But…why me? I mean, I don't remember making a conversation with you before. I didn't even know you know my name,"

Sting tilts his head as he looked at the blonde confused, "Why would you think that?"

"I don't know," Lucy shrugs her shoulders before she halts in front of their classroom's door. Sting then opened it and revealed an empty room. The duo then steps inside and went straight to their seats. "You just seem to be the kind of guy who doesn't seem to care,"

"Well, I do care," Sting stated bluntly as he takes his seat, unaware of the blonde's surprised expression.

"Oh…" Lucy trails off as she stops behind the boy. When Sting looks back at her, Lucy shook her head and quickly takes her place. "Look, Sting, I'm sorry if I misjudged you,"

"No, it's okay. I mean, I chose to be aloof to others and didn't bother to talk to you guys," Sting then gave a small smile, "Rogue has always reprimanded me about not making new friends. I remembered Levy talking to me once and I just stared at her,"

"Oh, yeah…she mentioned that" Lucy nods her head in recollection.

"So, yeah. Half of the reason for my lack of friends is my fault." Sting then shook his head as he pulled his bag on top of his desk and pulled out a notebook, "But the reason why I approached yesterday was that…"

Lucy stopped pulling her things out as well to look at Sting and lets him continue, "I've always known you're a kind person. You always smile and greet people. You might think that I don't notice, but I always hear you greet me in the morning. I just pretend not to,"

Lucy just looked at the boy for a few seconds before she smiled at him and felt her cheeks warm up, "I knew it. I saw you smile once when I gave you a thumbs up for that high score in literature,"

Sting blushed for a second before shaking his head and looking away from Lucy. He then resumed his task, "I also actually decided to…get to know the girl that I like,"

"Oh?" Lucy beamed at the idea, "Really? May I know who she is?"

"Maybe next time…" Sting said before glancing at the shorter blonde and grinning. The two then fell into a comfortable silence as they began reading their textbook for their upcoming class.


As the first period was approaching, Lucy, Levy, and Sting were surprisingly sitting close to each other as they read their textbook. They were discussing a few topics in the book when the door to the classroom opens loudly.

Startled in her seat, Lucy suddenly bellowed, "Uh! Why do people keep on doing that?! Can't you guys open the door gently?" Lucy then looked up at the newly arrived student and was appalled by the pinkette.

"Sorry, my hands are quite full. I had to open the door with my foot," Natsu then grinned as he walks up to the group.

"Natsu? What—" Levy stared confusedly at her friend, carrying a bouquet of sunflowers.

"Hey, guys, good morning," Natsu nonchalantly greets as he walks past them and dropped his bag on his desk. He then looked at the blonde boy, who was looking at him funnily. "Same to you Sting…"

Natsu then shakes his head as he rolls his eyes and focused on his things again.

Lucy gaped at the flowers and didn't know exactly how she was going to ask the question in her mind. She felt the familiar pang in her chest yesterday, but she refuses to acknowledge it as she shakes to clear her head.

Lucy clears her throat, "Um, is that…is that for Lisanna?" she then waited for the pinkette to answer while she stared at the flowers. But then quickly breaks the gaze when she felt like her throat was closing up.

"These flowers?" Natsu looks down and cradles the bouquet before looking back at the blonde, "No it's for someone very dear to me," He then handed the flowers to the blonde beauty as he adds, "It's for you."

Lucy's eyes then grew wide, and her mouth parted, completely stunned at the gesture. After all the revelation she heard yesterday, she'd expect that Natsu would be more affectionate toward another girl and not her. And seeing him do this was out of the expectation.

Lucy didn't reach out to accept the flowers and just shook her head. She then tries to push the flowers back to the pink head, "Why are you giving me flowers?"

"Nothing…" Natsu shrugs his shoulders, as if his gesture was something he causally does, "Cause you're my best friend. Can't I give my best friend flowers for no reason?"

Natsu then heard Sting subtly chortling at his seat, trying to hide it with his closed fist over his mouth. Natsu narrowed his gaze at the blonde and questioned him, "What's so funny?"

Sting shrugged his shoulders coolly as he crosses his arms over his chest, "Nothing. I actually find this very endearing, Natsu." He then gave a thumbs up, making Natsu look at him with a scrunched face.

"Anyways, Natsu, forget about that…" Levy quickly cuts off the growing tension between the two boys, "What's the occasion? This seems to be out of your character,"

"Nothing," Natsu then pouts as he drops the bouquet gently at Lucy's desk, "I don't need to have an occasion to give Lucy flowers,"

"But Natsu, you don't have to give me flowers," Lucy looked at the beautiful sunflowers before glancing at the retreating pinkette.

"Well, I insist. It's for you," Natsu and Lucy then stared at one another before he looks away and began to pull out his textbook, positioning the book in front of him, covering his entire face.

As Natsu hid behind his book, Lucy suddenly felt a little guilty for declining her best friend's gesture. It was really sweet of him. But after yesterday's confession, Lucy can't take any more of Natsu's sweet gestures. It just breaks her heart a little more by thinking of the wrong impression of his sweetness.


LUCY'S POV

As I sit in class and try to listen to our history teacher, I couldn't help but glance at the bouquet resting on the windowsill next to me. After receiving this from Natsu for no apparent reason, I can't help but feel a little uneased. I mean, the gesture is definitely sweet and kind, and who wouldn't like that? But that fact that he gave me these flowers like I was the one he was courting, I can't help but have these weird mixed feelings.

My friends have always known that I have a crush on Natsu, of which he isn't still aware. Like, seriously? Why hasn't my best friend noticed when almost everyone points it out? I will never understand. So, the fact that he'd given me flowers and then pretend to act like it was nothing, I don't know if I can do this without actually blushing. Just thinking of him giving me the flowers a while ago, makes me blush!

We're just friends!

We're just friends! Lucy! You're just friends with him!

I then groaned in frustration as I slumped my head over my desk. When suddenly, someone tapped me on my shoulder, making me grunt even more. I then lifted my head and peeked over my shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Natsu mouthed to me inaudibly. Before I could reply, someone tapped my arm and made me shift my attention.

"Lucy, do you have—why are you blushing?" Sting whispered as he leaned closer.

I then moved back and gaped at the other blonde. My eyes grew wide as I quickly looked away from him and clasp my hands over my cheeks. I screwed my eyes shut, mentally slapping myself for allowing myself to feel this way.

"Looking for an eraser?" Natsu suddenly mumbles behind me, making me look over my shoulder and saw him toss an eraser toward Sting. "Stop bugging Lucy," He then looked in my direction, causing me to squeak softly and look away.

Despite escaping Natsu's gaze, I could feel that he had kept his eyes on my back, and it makes me feel a little agitated as if he'll figure out what I had thought about. I then felt someone staring at me by my side and made a quick glance. Sting was looking at me as well, confused, and was like asking me if I was okay, which I don't think I am.

So, I just looked away and tried to keep a poker face on, even if I knew that my cheeks remained redder than usual.

As I tried to focus on class, I was able to finally calm myself and keep my attention on the lecture instead of the flowers next to me. Soon enough, I saw Levy glancing my way and giving me a grin, and I quickly remembered that it was a Thursday.

I then smiled at myself as I got excited that I'll get to spend the morning break with the girls without the boys around. This is going to be the time in which we don't have to worry about hearing the boys' gibberish comments about things they liked.

~DING, DING, DONG~

"Alright, class! Don't forget to read the summary chapter and answer the questions. Papers to be submitted on Tuesday, 12 noon." Ms. Yamato, our teacher, instructs as she settles her marker down.

"Hai, sensei," everyone exclaims as we took note of the page and assignment. Soon enough, our teacher left, and all of us students began standing to head out of our room.

Levy immediately walked up to me and giggled as she eyed the flowers next to me. I knew those glints and I'm sure the flowers were going to be the topic of discussion.

"Hey Natsu," I called to him as I pulled out my own snacks, "It's Thursday, you know the drill," I then grinned at my best friend only to be greeted by an empty chair. Scrunching my eyebrows, I nearly glared at the open seat before realizing I was just talking to myself.

I then glanced at Sting, slowly feeling embarrassed at what had transpired, "Where's Natsu?"

"He left," Sting said shrugging his shoulders.

I then blushed a little more, thinking of all the possible embarrassing scenarios that Sting had the privilege to see. "Did—Did he walk out on me or was I just…"

"He left before you even spoke," Sting then smiled at me, as if to assure me it was the least embarrassing scene possible, "I guess that's better than being walked out on,"

I then gave an awkward smile to him before looking away. I then glanced at the bouquet and, all of a sudden, it brought me pain. It felt like someone had pinched my heart painfully and makes me feel like wanting to tear up.

I bite my lip, looking back at Levy, who only sighed back at me. She then pulled my arm and bid goodbye to the blonde boy instead, "See you later, Sting!"


SOME OUTDOOR GARDENS IN SCHOOL

Sitting under a large oak tree, the girls settled on the blanket with their snacks placed in the middle. They were all sharing their treats with one another as they talked about various things that they did.

As Levy and Lucy finally arrive, Erza, Juvia, and Cana quickly spotted them and urged them to join. Cana quickly notices the bouquet Lucy was holding.

"Ohhh, look at you! It's just the second day of school and you've got yourself a suitor!" Cana teased as took the flowers from the blonde, who took a seat next to her.

"Don't be ridiculous, Cana. It's from Natsu," Lucy muttered as she places her sandwiches in the middle and grabbed a pudding instead.

"From Natsu?" Erza repeats with surprise in her voice, "What's the occasion?"

"That's the problem, I don't know," Lucy pursed her lips as she softly glares at the flowers in Cana's arms, cradling them like a baby. "He just gave it to me because he wanted to,"

"Aww, Natsu-san, is so sweet!" Juvia comments dreamily, before taking the flowers from Cana's arms, "I wish Gray-sama would give me flowers too,"

"Well, I doubt that. Gray can be quite dense too," Cana states as she leans on her arm behind, "Natsu and Gray are quite a pair,"

"Then I'm lucky enough Gajeel has more common sense than those two boys." Levy and the girls then chuckle, "And at least, Gajeel can be more honest about his feelings,"

Lucy then rolls her eyes, seeing Levy's sarcasm about Natsu's gesture, "No one can predict Natsu's intentions. I even can't read him,"

"You're his best friend already," Cana sniggers as she shakes her head, "How will we ever figure Natsu out if his best friend can't even understand him,"

"Maybe, he likes you…" Erza nonchalantly adds as she takes a bite of her cake and hummed in delight with her strawberry shortcake.

"Really Erza?" Levy then rolls her eyes at the scarlet-haired girl, "Did you forget that Natsu said that he was interested in someone else?"

"Oh, yeah, about that!" Cana exclaims as she sits up straight, "That is totally wild,"

Juvia shakes her head in laughter, "Erza-san, just because you're in love with Jellal-san, doesn't mean everyone's sweet gesture is in love,"

Erza then threw a dagger look at the blue-haired swimmer, while blushing furiously, "I didn't mean that way…"

"We get it, Erza, our student president is definitely happy with our vice president," Levy then bumps the redhead on her shoulders, making the girl even more flushed. The girls then giggle at Erza's bashful face.

Lucy slows down with her laughter as she eyed the scarlet-haired girl. She felt that pang in her chest again as she thought about Erza and Jellal's relationship. Jellal is very sweet with Erza, as he always brings the girl her favorite strawberry shortcake to school. Then after school, he'd always walk Erza home, even if they had their own school activities. Jellal never seemed to be intimidated by Erza even if she can be strict and tough. If anything, he becomes more in love when Erza when acts like a lady boss.

"What I mean is," Erza finally rebuffs their comments and looked at Lucy with soft eyes, "Maybe, Natsu wants to show that he truly cares for you,"

"Like in a friendly way or in a more romantic way?" Levy then shakes her head, "He just said he was interested in someone else, but then he treats Lucy like she's the special girl. I mean that's just outright confusing and can make a girl have false hope—"

Lucy ducks her head and blushes a little, trying to keep herself small as her friends continued to discuss. When suddenly a new voice spoke.

"Those flowers are pretty…"

The four girls then looked at the source of the female voice. Each one of them widens their eyes as they got surprised at who it was.

Breaking the silence, Lucy clears her throat and greet, "Hey Lisanna! You're finally back,"

"Hi, Lucy! Hi girls," Lisanna gleefully smiles at the blonde as she squeezes in between the blonde and the petite blunette, "It's so nice to see you all again!"

"Yeah…" Cana utters as she tries to smile coolly at the silver-haired girl, who then tilts her head in wonder.

"Why do you all look surprised that I'm here?" Lisanna then chuckles before she nudges Levy.

"N-no… It's just been a long time. Since summer until yesterday, we haven't seen you." Juvia said as she then leans forward and handed the silverette a sandwich.

"Yeah…I guess your family trip took a very long time?" Erza asked as she eyed the girl.

Lisanna then nods her head happily as she accepted the food. She then slowly unwraps the sandwich and looked at the redhead, "The family reunion was long overdue and relatives just wanted to spend the time together. Although, half of my summer vacation wasn't my family's fault," She then giggled.

Cana raised a brow, "And whose fault would it be?"

"Well…" Lisanna then grinned, "Blame Natsu…"

The girls looked at the silver-haired beauty with curiosity in their eyes as they watched her blush and giggle with enthusiasm.

"He had accompanied me at the beginning of summer. Lucy knew that. We've been hanging out lately and a lot of things happened," Lisanna then smiles to herself, as she recollects memories on her own.

Levy couldn't help but raise a brow at the silver-haired girl, "Really? He did? I thought Lu-chan spent the summer with Natsu alone?"

Lucy was then startled as everyone's eyes were on her, "Oh, uh, yeah…I spent half of the summer with him after Lisanna had gone home to their province. Back then, Natsu just said he'd had plans on his own. I didn't realize he was spending it with you," Lucy then smiled tightly at Lisanna before looking down at her nails.

"Oh, that silly Natsu!" Lisanna chuckles as she leans over Lucy's shoulder and wrapped her arms around her, "Why didn't he tell you? We could have gone to the fair together,"

"Fair?" Juvia and Cana whispered to each other as they eyed the short-haired girl.

"Anyways, Lu, who gave these beautiful flowers to you?" Lisanna then takes the flowers that were in the middle of the group.

"Na—" Juvia started but was immediately cut off by the blonde.

"Sting!"

Juvia and the others then looked at the blonde student inquisitively as they tilt their heads. Lucy tries to ignore the look of her friends as she hides her nervousness about lying by smiling timidly at the silverette.

Seeing the blonde's hand fidget, Juvia knew that she needed help in covering up her story. "Um, yeah…Sting-san gave those flowers to her this morning,"

"Really?" Lisanna bafflingly looked at Lucy before smirking at her, "Since when did the two of you become close? Why didn't Natsu tell me this?" Lisanna then shrilled before she embraces the blonde.

Lucy was left dumbfounded with her mouth open. She didn't know what to answer to the beauty. But the others quickly notice it and came to her rescue.

"We didn't know either. Lucy didn't know either. It just happened," Erza shrugs her shoulders calmly.

"Yeah, Sting just walked up to Lucy and started acting friendly!" Levy adds as they all nodded their heads, "And honestly, he is a chill and fun person more than I thought,"

"That's true!" Juvia chimes in this time, "He just casually asked Lucy if he could join us yesterday and he's pretty much a decent guy to hang around," Juvia then grinned before looking at Lucy, who mouths her thanks to her friends.

"Really? Well then, that's cool," Lisanna then glances at her blonde friend, "Never thought he had that side…" She then looked at the flowers, "It's just funny though, Natsu gave me similar flowers like this yesterday,"

"Yesterday?" Cana repeats and then everyone remembered Natsu saying that he was going to surprise someone, "He gave you flowers…and we didn't know?"

Lisanna then chuckles at the brunette, "I'm sorry girls, I was just totally surprised when Natsu did that. I wasn't actually able to attend school anymore, but he dropped by the house. He gave me a bouquet of white roses with lilac clematis…Like this, except yours are sunflower instead of roses,"

"And hers are pink clematis, instead of lilac. It suits Lucy well," Erza then smiled at her blonde friend, who turns a little pink with the compliment.

"I guess, Sting and Natsu have similar tastes," Lisanna suddenly comments, snapping everyone out of their thoughts and realizing that they had to change the topic, or else Lisanna might figure out that they have lied.

Erza immediately spoke and asked, "Anyways, so, Natsu surprised you yesterday,"

Lisanna nods and hums happily, "He even brought me chocolates,"

"Did he…did he ask you out or something?" Levy inquired while subtly holding Lucy's hand.

Lisanna then blushes as she bites her lower lip, "He did ask me…"

"And?!" All of the girls except Lucy exclaimed, leaning close to the silverette.

Lisanna giddily laughs, "I haven't answered him yet…"

"Because?" Cana questioned.

"Well, since Natsu's best friend is my close friend..." Lisanna then glanced at the blonde and held her free hand, "I was hoping to know him more through you before I say yes,"

Everyone's eyes then grew wide with surprise as they recognize that Lisanna was intending to accept Natsu as her boyfriend, whether she knew him more or not through Lucy.

"I know, you might think 'what's the reason for knowing Natsu more through his best friend if I tend to say yes'." Lisanna then shakes her head in disbelief, "I just can't help it. Natsu's such a sweetheart, he cares a lot for me, and he's funny and smart…"

Lisanna then squeezes Lucy's hand, grabbing the attention of the blonde, "I know that you know him the best. I just want to make sure that I'm doing the right thing. I think he likes me just the way I like him,"

Lucy was stunned, utterly speechless as she didn't know what to say. She continuously felt that pang in her chest like it will burst if she continues to listen.

Lucy suddenly laughs a watery laugh as she shakes her head and squeezed Lisanna's hand back, "He sure does…" She then felt her throat tighten and immediately tries to clear it. Lucy looked at her friends and slowly stood up, "I just remembered, I have to go to the library to look for a book that I have been researching on since summer. Umm…" Lucy swallows hard as she tries to keep her eyes from watering, "I'll go ahead and see you guys later,"

And with that, Lucy abruptly left without waiting for the others to reply.

"Does Lucy seem okay to you guys?" Lisanna asks the moment Lucy disappears from the garden. She looked at the girls and their shoulders evidently droop down.

"I'm not sure. But for now, let's leave her alone," Erza said as she gives Lisanna an assurance smile.

To be continued.