Lucy only realised that she hadn't actually said anything in response when the attractive man cleared his throat and asked, "Uh… So, are you new?"
Snapping back to reality, Lucy nodded earnestly. "Yes! First day," she chirped. "Are you new too?"
The man chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah, second year. Tell me, Miss First Day, you a Communications major?"
It made sense that he jumped to that conclusion. She was sitting in a Communications class after all. Instead, Lucy shook her head. "No, Business major. Communications minor."
"Oh, nice! Me too!" he said, sitting on a desk and facing Lucy.
"Does that mean you have Business Ethics at five with Professor Bickslow?"
"Uh, yeah, I do. He's a stickler, but he loves me. Aced his courses in my first year," the man said with a small, nonchalant shrug.
"Great! Well, I guess I'll see you there too!" Lucy responded brightly.
"No you won't," the man shook his head. "It's an advanced level course. Second years only."
"I did a bunch of extra credit stuff as an undergrad. I mean, I could potentially graduate a semester early, so the Academic Office let me take advanced courses, and I'm enrolled in Business Ethics at five," Lucy gloated with a little nonchalant shrug of her own.
"Miss First Day is quickly turning out to be Miss Brainiac, huh? What're you gonna do with all that extra time?"
"Turn my Communications minor into a Communications major," Lucy fired back confidently. Then, without wanting to step on his toes, she carefully asked, "If you're a second year, why are you in an entry level Communications course?"
The man looked like something had just dawned on him. "Oh! Right, first day. I'm not in this course. I'm the TA for this course. I don't know why I expected you to know that. My bad, sorry. Should've probably introduced myself."
Lucy looked at him curiously before flipping open her course packet and pulling out the syllabus. There, at the top of the page, was marked Professor: J. Fernandes; TA: G. Fullbuster.
"Fullbuster?" Lucy asked, looking up from the page.
"That's me. Gray," the man said, walking up to Lucy with his hand extended.
"Lucy Heartfilia," she replied warmly, shaking his hand.
"Welcome, Lucy. Hope you settle in nicely, and feel free to find me if you need help with anything. Shouldn't be hard, given that I have a feeling you'll be in several of my classes," he smiled.
"How many first years have you made this offer to?" she snickered.
"Well, it's the first hour of the first day, and you're the first first year I've talked to, so only one. But I don't see that number going up drastically. I got a good feeling about you, Luce," he said with a wink. Before Lucy could respond, more students began trickling in and Gray walked up to each of them, introducing himself.
Luce? No one's called me 'Luce' in a while… I should've stopped him. Corrected him. But… It didn't hurt when he said it. It actually felt nice to be called Luce again. Maybe… Maybe Luce is okay.
Lucy stayed lost in thought until a man, who was no doubt the professor, walked into the room. He was tall, with dark hair and piercing eyes. He couldn't have been more than fifteen years older than her. He had an intricate tattoo on the side of his neck, but Lucy only briefly glimpsed it. For the most part, it stayed hidden underneath his chin length hair and high collared shirt.
"Good morning, class. And welcome to Principles of Communication. I am Professor Fernandes. That young man over there," he pointed to Gray, "is your teaching assistant, Gray Fullbuster. He is your first point of contact for any queries you may have, and if he cannot answer them, then you may come to me. You are not to listen to him when he tells you to call me 'Ferny'. Calling me Ferny in class will result in extra work, as Mr. Fullbuster can attest to. He got away with it because he is a brilliant student who managed to complete every extra assignment I threw at him. I do not suspect that the rest of you will be as lucky, or as brilliant, but please, feel free to prove me wrong. We will meet twice a week, and I hold office hours once a week. You are expected to do your readings before class and if you have not done your readings, I would recommend not attending class that day. I have no desire to instruct someone who will stare blankly at me in response. You will have two long essays, two short essays, and two exams. As we go through the material, I will conduct short, surprise quizzes. These quizzes contribute significantly towards your grade, so if you happen to skip class on a day we're having a quiz, well then, I wish you luck. In light of this, I suggest you attend every class, irrespective of how bored you may think you are, and do all your readings, irrespective of how dull you may think they are. Finally, if you wish to use your cellphone, you may do so, however, you will leave my class to use your phone, and you are then welcome to not return for the remainder of that session. Are the ground rules clear? Shall we proceed?"
The room was deathly silent as everyone watched their striking professor in awe. After a few murmured yeses, Professor Fernandes looked around the room, nodded his head once, and took his place behind the desk.
Lucy stayed enraptured the entire class. Her hand flew over her notebook, writing down practically every word that left Professor Fernandes's mouth. She was floored by his intellect, and how well-read he was, and the smooth, soft voice in which he spoke. She hadn't met her other professors yet, but she had a feeling that Professor Fernandes would be her favourite. When he subtly looked at his wristwatch and called for the end of class, Lucy felt almost sad. She packed up her bag and walked to the front of the classroom.
"Professor? Lucy Heartfilia," she said, extending her hand. He shook it, with a simple nod. "I really enjoyed your class, Professor. I look forward to the rest of the semester."
"Well, Ms. Heartfilia, it is only day one, after all. Let's hope your enthusiasm doesn't wane." His eyes held the faint glint of humour and something told Lucy that he wasn't necessarily the uptight man he made himself out to be.
"Thank you, Professor," Lucy replied, smiling broadly before heading to the door.
"Oh Luce, sucking up already?" she heard a voice behind her say. She turned to find Gray leaning against the wall.
"I was just saying I enjoyed the class. That's not sucking up!" she justified.
Gray looked at her incredulously with a raised brow.
"Okay, fine. Maybe I was sucking up a little," Lucy admitted. "But it's only because I really did like the class! And him!"
"Oof, wait until he assigns a twenty page paper two weeks before the due date. You'll really like him then," Gray said, gesturing to the exit before starting to walk out of class.
"Don't scare me, it's only my first day," Lucy pouted.
"Tell you what. Meet me at the library ten minutes before Business Ethics. We'll walk to class together and I'll scare you some more. Sounds good?" Gray offered.
Lucy wasn't sure if he was flirting with her or just being nice, but it was her first day in a brand new place and she wasn't turning down the first friendly person she met.
Who knows? Maybe I'm talking to my new best friend, she thought.
"Okay, cool. I'll see you outside the library before class," Lucy grinned.
"Have a good first day!" Gray waved goodbye as he walked away, calling excitedly to a friend he'd spotted down the corridor.
Lucy's phone buzzed in her pocket as she sat on a bench outside the library.
Having not had a class before her five p.m. one, Lucy had decided to scope out the library to kill time. She had her breath nearly wrenched from her lungs when she walked into the palatial room. It was adorned from floor to ceiling with rows and rows of books, across two levels. There were over a million books in here, and the thought both daunted and excited Lucy. She finally found herself in a corner of the library, surrounded by a stack of twenty books, having had trouble picking just one. She leafed through each, jumping back and forth between all of them until she checked her phone and saw she had only ten minutes until she was supposed to meet Gray. Hurriedly returning all the books to their respective shelves, Lucy sadly left the library, silently promising to be back soon. She found a warm spot on a stone bench right outside, and it was sitting there that she got her text from Laxus.
She wrenched her phone out of her pocket, clicking hastily on the notification.
"Just landed. Flight was dumb. A baby cried the entire way. How's first day going, love?"
Lucy began drafting a text before hitting the 'Dial' button instead. The phone rang once before Laxus picked up.
"Hey gorgeous," he said. Lucy could practically hear his smile. In her head she saw the way his mouth would curve up to one side and his eyes would twinkle. It nearly made her cry.
"Hey baby," she responded thickly. "Sorry your flight sucked."
"It sucked mainly because you weren't on it with me," Laxus chuckled.
Lucy felt tears rapidly approach. "I miss you," she whispered, sniffling.
"Hey hey hey. Lucy. No crying, baby. Please. We both need to be strong and do what we can until we're together again. And we'll be together again soon, I swear. So please, my love, don't cry. Because if you cry, then I'll cry, and then I'll get right back on a flight, pick you up, and take you far away where no one can take you from me."
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," Lucy laughed through her sniffles.
"How's your day been so far? I want to know everything," Laxus deftly changed the subject before either of them could contemplate dropping their life plans.
"Classes have been good. I had this amazing professor in the morning. He's so smart, but like, not showy about it. And his material is so interesting. I was hooked."
"That's amazing, babe! You tell me first if you're going to live out some professor-student fantasy, though, okay? I'll need to vet the guy to make sure he's good enough," Laxus joked.
"Pssh, as if. No one but you is good enough," Lucy purred.
"Are we going to have phone sex now? Because I need to get somewhere private first," he asked seriously.
"Shut up, Laxus! I have class now! My friend and I are going together," Lucy slipped in.
"Friend? Look at you, Miss Popular. It's not even been a full day and you're already making friends."
"Well, acquaintance, really. Or, I don't even know if we're acquaintances. He's the TA in my Communications course. He's a second year, so we have advanced level Business courses together. He was nice to me in the morning. Offered to help me out and everything, if I needed it. He's really sweet, Laxus." Lucy realised she was subtly justifying her friendship with this man, hoping Laxus would feel jealous or threatened.
"I'm so glad, Lucy," Laxus responded calmly, without a trace of discomfort at the new friend Lucy had made. "It's great you have someone to help you out and show you the ropes! My seniors at college honestly shaped my entire experience. Hopefully this guy does the same with you!"
Elated at his cheerfulness, Lucy responded brightly, "Yeah! I hope we can actually become friends. It'll be nice to have a friendly face in class, especially in the beginning."
"As long as it isn't too friendly," Laxus laughed. "Make sure he knows you have a big, strong boyfriend waiting for you." While his tone was pleasant and joke-y, Lucy could hear the undercurrent of trepidation in his voice.
"And you better make sure those models you'll be working with know you have a tiny girlfriend who won't hesitate to tear their hair out," Lucy retaliated with a laugh, trying to ease the concerns they both felt.
"I'll let them know," Laxus promised. Just then, Lucy saw Gray approaching.
"Hey, listen. I need to get to class. My friend's here. Call you later?" she spoke quickly.
"Okay, yeah. Talk to you later, love. Bye," Laxus said.
"Bye baby," Lucy whispered before ending the call and pushing her phone back into her pocket.
"Points for punctuality," Gray commented as he neared her.
"I've been her for over an hour," Lucy rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Cherish this. Next year, when you have a thesis and four professors crawling up your ass, you're going to pray for the days when you could sit in the library and do nothing for an hour," Gray shrugged. He waited until Lucy picked up her bag before continuing down the corridor.
"It's only day one, Gray. You don't need to pack all the scaring into today."
"It's just the truth. Also, more truth, this class is supposed to end at seven, but it never ends before half-past. So, post class, are you down for a 'first day done successfully' beer? There's a University standard pub we all go to. It's kind of tradition," Gray looked at her with a grin.
"Well… If it's tradition…" Lucy drawled exaggeratedly.
"It is."
"Okay, fine. Guess I can't say no to tradition," she giggled. And then it occurred to her. "Hey, Gray?"
"Yeah?"
"This isn't like a… A date, is it?"
"Why? Did you want it to be?" he wagged his eyebrows suggestively.
"No, it's… I have a boyfriend."
Gray stopped and turned to face her. "Is this a real boyfriend or a fake boyfriend that you'll magically dump once you've scoped the place?"
In response, Lucy pulled out her phone and held it out to Gray, showing him her home screen, which was a picture of her and Laxus kissing.
"So a real boyfriend, then. Good," Gray nodded, resuming his march towards class.
"Good?" Lucy clarified, jogging a little to keep up with his long strides.
"The number of fake boyfriends on this campus will astound you. Refreshing to meet someone who isn't lying when she turns down a date because she's in a relationship."
"So tonight was a date?" Lucy clarified. She felt her heart start to sink as the prospect of a friendship with this man began slipping through her fingers.
"Nah, don't worry, Luce. We're still on for tonight. As friends. And if you're asking whether I'd have said no to a date, then no, I'd have never said no to a date, but I fully respect your relationship, and won't cross that line. Plus, you seem like a fun person to hang out with, boyfriend or not. I don't see anything stopping us from still being friends. That cool?"
Lucy nodded her head vigorously. "Yes. Friends," she said, beaming to herself.
"Perfect. Drinks after class, then," Gray said, pushing the classroom door open.
"Hey Gray?" Lucy whispered. She was about to ask him an embarrassing question, and she felt it best to not dwell on it.
"Yeah?"
"Can I sit next to you? Please?" Lucy whispered urgently.
Gray looked at her for two seconds before bursting out in uproarious laughter. "You crack me up, Miss First Day. Yeah, you can sit next to me," he chuckled, navigating his way to a chair. Lucy pulled out the one next to him and slid in, grateful to have a friend in this class full of seniors.
"Congratulations on getting done with your first day, Miss First Day," Gray said, setting a bottle of beer down in front of Lucy.
"Thank you for being a great guide and a decent TA," Lucy snorted.
"You watch your tongue. I'm gonna be the best goddamn TA you've ever had," Gray wiggled his finger in her face.
"By the way, best goddamn TA, how much do I owe you?"
"For?"
Lucy looked at him like he was daft. "The beer. Duh."
"Oh, that," Gray nodded before waving his hand. "Nothing. My treat. Consider it your welcome gift."
"So, is this whole night my welcome gift, or…" Lucy trailed off.
"Shut up and drink your free beer. The next round is on you. I'm not feeling that generous either," Gray teased, clinking his bottle against hers. After downing a large sip, Gray put his beer back on the table. "So, Luce. Tell me about yourself," he asked loudly, over the din of rock music playing in the background.
"What do you want to know?" she asked in response.
"Everything. Family, dreams, hopes, aspirations, boyfriend, favourite food, most hated band, all of it."
"Why?"
"Because you are the first genuinely fun person I've met in a while, and I would be an idiot to not be your friend. And friends ask each other insane questions."
Lucy suddenly got butterflies and she wanted to do a happy dance. With Laxus, there had always been sexual tension, and though they became friends first, they both knew from the start that they'd be something more. But with Gray, there wasn't that sexual tension. Lucy was in a happy, committed relationship, that he respected, and so this was him truly just trying to become her friend. It had been a while since someone had actively courted her friendship, and it made her feel good that he genuinely wanted to get to know her. And so, she told him everything. And he told her everything. Or at least as much as they could cram in before closing time. As they exited the pub, Lucy couldn't help but think how easy it had been to talk to him. Suddenly, she couldn't wait for the rest of the year, because something about Gray told her that he'd end up being really special.
"Which way are you?" he asked as they got out onto the street.
Lucy jerked her thumb to the left.
"Oh, great. Me too. Walk you back?" Gray offered.
"Yeah, thank you," Lucy replied sincerely. It dawned on her that, in their extensive chatting, they hadn't once discussed where the other lived. But as quickly as the thought came, it went away as she slipped back into easy conversation with him. They walked until they rounded the corner towards Lucy's apartment building.
"Well, that's me," Lucy said, pointing at the structure.
"Guess I'm coming inside with you then," Gray said casually.
Lucy paused, tugging at his arm and bringing him to a halt too. "Uh, what? Gray, I thought… You know about Laxus. I'd never do that to him, Gray! And I thought you wanted to be friends! You said it wasn't a date!" Lucy cried angrily. When she noted that he looked neither ashamed nor guilty, but rather quite amused, the pieces slowly fell in place.
"It wasn't a date," she said slowly, to which Gray shook his head. "And you do want to be friends," she clarified, to which he nodded, grinning. "And you're coming inside because you live in this building too," she finished, feeling idiotic.
"Well, aren't you a regular Sherlock," Gray snickered.
"Hey!" Lucy punched his arm. "Honest mistake."
"I'm not that terrible, Luce. Not gonna try and get in your pants hours after telling you I won't," Gray feigned hurt.
"I never thought you were. I'm just an idiot," she admitted.
"At least you're a fun idiot," Gray shrugged, quickly stepping out of the way as Lucy threw another whack in his direction.
They got onto the elevator, and Lucy pressed the button for the fifth floor. Gray reached around her, pressing the button for the eighth.
"Damn, must be a nice view up there," Lucy whistled.
"Come upstairs for sunrise one morning. It's truly spectacular."
"I'll take you up on that," Lucy beamed.
"I wouldn't expect anything less. But please text me the night before first? I will not be happy if you arbitrarily wake me up at the ass crack of dawn."
The pair laughed together until the same thought hit them just as the doors opened onto Lucy's floor.
"I don't have your number."
"You don't have my number."
They spoke simultaneously, chuckling at their timing. Gray leaned against the elevator doors to prevent them from closing as he handed Lucy his phone. Lucy gave him hers in return and after quickly adding each other's numbers, they swapped back.
"Well, text me for anything," Gray lingered at the elevator.
"Right back at you. I make a mean chicken parmesan, so if you're ever in the mood, just let me know."
Gray clutched his chest dramatically. "A woman after my own heart."
Lucy laughed, and soon Gray joined. As their mirth died down, the pair continued to hover around the elevator. Lucy hesitated momentarily, debating between two options before finally deciding on one. She stepped forward and awkwardly wrapped an arm around Gray's middle. He reciprocated with an equally awkward arm around her shoulders.
"Thanks, Gray. I had a great time tonight," she said, stepping out of the hug.
"Yeah, me too." His voice was thick and he cleared his throat to get rid of it.
"Goodnight, best goddamn TA," Lucy smiled.
"Goodnight, Miss First Day," Gray winked as the elevator doors slid shut.
A/N: We're FINALLY at the part of the story that I have been writing in my head for a while now! Thank fuck, because I was so eager to get here! Also, I really thought I was being kinda sneaky by not revealing who the man was in the last chapter, but literally everyone saw through that and guessed Gray. I've been writing him in my head for so long now, and I'm literally so excited to be putting him down into print. Kinda had his character fleshed out the minute I decided I wanted to write a sequel. Hope you liked this chapter and liked their blossoming friendship!