Natsu had to walk across the entire building to get to Lucy's fourth period class. Usually he lightening sped downed the hallways hearing different teachers yelling out his name.
"No running, Natsu!"
"Watch it, Natsu"
Today however, he slogged his way through the masses. Damn he was tired.
After Lucy left, Natsu's annoyance towards Igneel boiled over. He felt a prickling flame of irritation going through his nerves and convulsing throughout his body. Mentally, a firery rage grew beneath this surface. Physically, he decided to actually take up Zeref's offer to chill out.
And now current Natsu was paying the price with brain fog and exhaustion. Natsu smoked so rarely, that any tiny amount meant he would end up sleeping for 15 hours. Too bad it was a school night. Any other time, he might've just said fuck it and slept through, but he wanted to apologize properly to Lucy. Turns out, she left for different reasons. Damn so then I could've slept!
Wow, I never realize how many people I just fly by.
He saw Levy and Jet talking at their lockers. Levy seemed to be upset or concerned about something, and Jet what a look of shock on his face.
He saw Cana and Mira walking out of the bathroom giggling. They catch up to Erza and started giggling to her. Her face turned red and they all three walked around the corner.
When he went into the stairwell, he was surprised to see Mavis behind the stairs.
"Hey Mavis! What are you doing here?"
"Oh I uh, dropped my um, notebook when I was walking down the stairs," she said uncertaintly.
"Oh okay then."
"Yeah, well, now I've got it, so uh, I'm gonna go," Mavis said.
That was weird.
He passed the down the main hallway of the second floor, which by now already had people scattered sitting for lunch. Meredy was sitting with a girl he'd never seen before. Gray, Ultear, and Jellal walked by him, muttering about who cares what.
"You're going the wrong way, Natsu!" Gray called.
"I'm meeting someone!" Natsu retorted annoyed.
He didn't particularly care for the two Gray was with. He hated Jellal because Erza did. And Ultear by mere association.
Natsu mustered up whatever energy he had left, and ran towards Lucy's class. He finally arrived just as Lucy walked out.
"Why are you wet and panting?!" Lucy cried.
"Do you know how far away the 500 classes and 3000 classes are? A football field and three flights of stairs!" Natsu whine-yelled.
Lucy smiled, "Well then let's not make it in vain. Let's go!"
"Yup hold up one second," Natsu said as he shot Gray a quick text:
Natsu: Why do you even talk to them?
"Alright let's go!"
Levy was so relieved Lucy wanted to join the tutor program. Truth be told, it was hard to find any volunteers. You have to meet the school's requirements of having a minimum of an A- course average in a particular subject and having less than 5 unexcused absences. That alone was a nightmare. On top that there was the weekly afterschool obligation, and zero financial compensation. Levy didn't realize what hole she had been put in when she accepted the position as the coordinator.
And even more so on top of that, one of the students on her roster sent shivers of nerves and dread down her spine. Gajeel Redfox.
She knew him, well more like knew of him. He was a senior who transferred midway through his sophomore year after being expelled. In the last year and a half, he has received countless detentions, multiple suspensions, and has failed half his classes. Why would he of all people sign up?
Levy was deep in thought as she opened her locker. She didn't notice when Jet came up next to her.
"You look shaken up," he said.
Levy couldn't hide it, "One of my assigned students… is Gajeel Redfox. I just saw the email go out," she said numbly.
"Are you serious!?"
Erza was walking towards the courtyard for lunch period, when Cana and Mira approached her giggling like crazy.
"So Erza~" Mira sang.
"Somebody has a crush on you~" Cana mimicked.
"H-huh!?" Erza said as her face flushed, "How do you know?"
"Wellll," Cana said leading Erza down the hall, "Basically, Mira is friends with this guy, Sting. He let it slip to Mira that his friend, Rogue, thinks you're cute!"
Rogue. Who was that again? Right. "He's in the lacrosse team right?" Erza asked.
"No basketball," Mira said laughing, "He's the tall guy with the black hair and that tortured poet look."
"Okay now I'm picturing Natsu's brother," Erza said confused.
"No! Like in a mysterious broody way, not in a one wrong move your dead way," Cana said.
"And," Mira added, "I thought it would be cool if we all hung out after school today!"
"What!" Erza exclaimed shocked.
"Cmon Erza! Sting is totally my type! And I'm sure you'd like Rogue!" Cana pleaded.
"And you need some experience with boys before college," Mira laughed.
Ouch. That hurt in two different ways. On one hand, her friends thought she was a loser who couldn't get a guy. But on the other hand, it guilt shot through her body at their wrong assumption. What would they think if they knew.
And with all boys, why did she have to let it be him?! After some thought, Erza began to think the hangout might not be such a bad idea. Have some experiences outside of him.
"Alright, I'll go."
Mavis started listing all her obligations through her head:
Plan first student council meeting
Start AP Psychology homework
Schedule and make posters for volleyball try outs
Submit Short Essay Draft
Make welcome back video
Make the service hours sign up sheet
Submit the year club rosters to the principal
Send out party invites
Respond to grandma
Finish sorting laundry
And now.. go to the lake?
And all by today?
Mavis felt dread at what was to come. She wasn't worried if it would get done. She knew it would. But she also knew the utter annoyance that was to come.
She desperately didn't want to attend fifth period. She wanted some sort of break before her night of scramble began. I bet Zeref isn't going to fifth period.
She pulled out her phone to text him. Like he'd respond.
Mavis: where are you
She wandered out by the end of the hallway. She opened the door leading to outside and looked around. Nobody was there. This was one of his skipping spots.
She wandered by the bleachers before she quietly opened the small door around the corner. It was a tiny office, now being used for storage. Nobody was inside.
She walked towards the end of the 3000 hallway and went behind the stairwell. All of a sudden the door swung open and Natsu busted through. Damn.
"Hey Mavis, what are you doing here?" He asked confused.
Mavis brain went blank. She looked at the notebook in her arms, "I was running to class, and uh, my backpack was open, and my notebook fell." She said nervously. Wow that sounded so suspicious, I'm just gonna leave before things get worse.
She didnt wait for him to respond before pushing out, "well now that I've got it, I'm gonna go!" She said as she ran past him.
She headed towards the school parking lot. When students wander the school, much less, leave the building, admin always makes a fuss. Not with her though, they implicitly trusted her and always assumed she was doing something good, even with evidence thrown in their face.
She walked through the parking lot until she found Zeref's car. It had changed since this morning. She pulled out her phone.
Mavis: I'm ditching class rn so you better answer me!
"Hey Ultear! Wait up!" Gray called after the tall alluring girl.
Both she and her companion, Jellal stopped. "What's up Gray?" Ultear asked.
"Uh well, you know that girl from yesterday, Juvia?"
They continued walking when Gray caught up, "Yeah, apparently she and Meredy really hit it off," Ultear responded, "why, you need advice for when you finally make into the girls team?" She said teasingly.
"Oh, Meredy made a new friend?" Jellal asked inquiringly.
"Yeah, new girl on our team. Apparently she won it for her team at regionals," Ultear responded, "you'll probably meet her soon."
"Has she been like, texting you non stop?" Gray asked.
"Actually, I don't think I got her number," Ultear said, "and Lyon doesn't think I don't notice him texting her."
"I guess she just really likes me and Meredy," Gray said.
"Yeah, sure, that's it," Ultear smirked.
"Hey isn't that your friend Gray," Jellal motioned toward the pink haired boy who awkwardly fought against the rush of students going the opposite direction. He looked like a fool.
"Natsu, you're going the wrong way!" Gray yelled to him.
"I'm going somewhere !"
"What was that about?"
"Wow having the last pick of classes is the absolute worst!" Lucy said groaning. She and Natsu began the trek back down to then main courtyard.
"I got the best classes! Some even right by the entrance!" Natsu bragged.
"That's because they're meant for freshman…"
"Don't worry! This year I will pass! Because of my brother!" Natsu laughed.
"Speaking of your brother," Lucy said, "what's with him and Mavis?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean! Like are they..?"
"What? Are they what."
"You know what, never mind," Lucy said rolling her eyes.
Then she asked,
"What's the deal with your dad though? You thought he made me leave?"
"Never mind that, what did your dad do Lucy?" Natsu said evading the question. Lucy decided to let it go for now.
"He forbade me from visiting you again."
"He didn't like hurt you or anything though, right?"
"N-no!"
Natsu gave a laugh, "Oh!? Who cares what he says! Like I'm listening to him!"
"But he tracks my phone!"
"Oh Lucy, you're going to love what public school can offer."
~
Gray pulled out his phone as he sat down at their lunch spot. Erza was already there, with Mira and Cana whispering and giggling. He read the text from Natsu.
Natsu: why do you even talk to them
Gray: ultear is cool. jellal was just there
Gray was just about to blatantly hate Ultear because of her friend. He'd practically grown up with her. Him, Lyon and Ultear grew up on the same street. They'd play outside as kids, constantly roaming around, going to the pool, or going through the small forest. And one time , when they went through the awkward middle school phase, Ultear, let Gray and Lyon touch her boobs. That was epic.
Besides, he didn't fully understand Erza's hatred of Jellal. From what Gray has seen, his existence just pisses Erza off. She probably just has some weird fucked up crush. Then again, it's Erza he's talking about. She's just as likely to have a crush on a courtyard pole.
"What are you going to wear?" Cana asked.
"And use your super pushy up bra," Mira said, "you know which one."
"I guess that black skirt with that white tank…" Erza said back.
"What are you guys talking about?" Gray interrupted while crunchy the ice from his water bottle.
"We're just trying to set me up," Cana said smiling, "and Erza."
Gray chocked on the ice and spat it out. He knows how scary Erza can get. He's seen her come full undone before. He shuddered and imagined Erza as a girl friend. Constantly walking around on eggshells fearing Erza's wrath.
"God help them," he said seriously.
"You wanna say that again," said a dark calm voice. Even Cana and Mira stopped giggling.
"No ma'am! So sorry," Gray said meekly.
"That's what I thought," Erza said matter of factly.
"Alright everyone! Don't worry I'm here," Natsu's voice said approaching.
"What about your meeting?" Gray asked.
"I was meeting Lucy!"
"Why would you do that? You were going to the same place!"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because now the entire school had to have the displeasure of you going through!" Gray yelled.
"Oh geez…"Lucy said. This could go on for a while.
"Ooooo who's your cutie friend Natsu?" Cana cuts in.
"Oh, I'm Lucy!"
Cana got up and walked up to Lucy. She sat a little to close, for someone she just met.
"Hey, why don't I bail on Mira and Erza and we go out on a date instead? You're like a female Sting anyway!" Cana said with a mischievous grin.
"Quit being creepy, Cana," Gray said.
"Alright alright. But I'm only half kidding," Cana said winking.
"So Erza, what's this about a date?" Lucy asked grinning.
"Ehhe…" Erza blushed profusely.
"I'm getting set up!" Cana exclaimed.
"We're going to hang out with some boys on the basketball team afterschool," Mira said.
"Really? Some fool asked out Erza!?" Natsu exclaimed. Erza shot him a death glare, and he shrunk back.
"Well," Natsu said, "In all the years we've known her, she never once has ever talked about a guy who she didn't consider a friend."
"Yeah, except for Jellal," Gray said laughing.
He clearly must've of stuck a nerve, because next thing he knew she jumped and his own fist flew into his forehead. Startled, he let go of his metal thermos which fell directly onto his lap, crushing his balls. She had grabbed his wrist so fast and forcefully that he managed to sucker punch and disman himself in the same motion.
"HEY WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!" He screamed at her as she stormed away.
"What the hell is her problem, it was just a joke," Gray grumbled.
"She hates him Gray! There's nothing worse for a girl than when people reduce their genuine anger into silly romance," Mira said.
"Whatever," Gray said, no longer in the mood to be around them either. He got up and left.
"This can be our lunch spot! It's perfect, it's like a little nook," Meredy said as she and Juvia sat at the end of the second floor halfway.
"Our spot? Like, you want to sit with me everyday?" Juvia asked surprised.
"Well yeah, and whoever else we decide to invite. But for now, I think it's better just us," Meredy said.
Juvia never had a friend like this before. Most girls whispered mean things behind her back, or even worse pretend to befriend her, just to make fun of her. With Meredy though, it felt different.
Less than 24 hours ago, they were strangers.
Juvia thought back to the night before, after the cards were dealt, and bottle was passed.
"Strip poker, I dont know if -" Juvia stuttered.
"Relax, the first round is just the boys. Why do you think I invited Rufus?" Ultear said passing the plastic water bottle to Juvia, "just enjoy the show for now."
Juvia stared into the bottle. She felt uncertain. Meredy took the bottle from her.
"Here you count and I'll chug until you stop," Meredy said, "then we'll switch!"
"O-okay," Juvia said, "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-"
Meredy made a face and stopped, "omg 9? Are you trying to kill me?"
Juvia laughed, "you didn't say when to stop."
"Oh well, now I'm counting to 9 for you!"
Juvia expected, it to burn, sting, taste overwhelmingly horrible, but it kinda just tasted like water.
"What the hell?! Lyon yelled, "how did you just do that?!"
"I dont know I just drank it like water," Juvia said.
The alcohol helped loosen her nerves. She felt smooth and free - like her mind was temporarily liquid, and it dribbled out her lips. She couldn't stop talking.
Meredy was the same way, the two of them couldn't stop talking. Throughout the entire night, Meredy and Juvia's voice could be heard talking fast paced, high pitched jibberish.
Even after they went home, they texted up until the early hours of the morning. Juvia expected it to be one off thing, but was surprised to see Meredy waiting for her as she arrived to school.
Here she is, still in shock Meredy wanted to actually be her friend. Meredy already had friends, why did she choose to spend lunch with Juvia?
"Don't you want to invite any of your other friends?" Juvia asked.
"Maybe another time, but right now, I wanna talk about boys," Meredy said cheekily.
"Oh?" Juvia said smiling, "Do tell."
"Well, Lyon."
After lunch ended, Lucy walked down a flight of stairs into the school's computer lab for her AP Computer Science class. Despite what some people thought, she wasn't some dumb blonde. It was her first time going to this class, someone had dropped and she was next on the waitlist.
Today really felt more like the official first day of school for Lucy, after yesterday's fiasco with her schedule.
Of course, I'm the only girl.
Lucy pulled out her phone and began aimlessly scrolling. She didn't recognize many faces in the class. The bell rang and the teacher stood to begin class, when suddenly the door opened and an out of breath girl toppled through the door way. She had a short platinum bob with gorgeous brown eyes.
"Sorry, my class is in the 200 building!" She said out of breath.
She then quietly took her seat on the other side of class, and logged into her computer.
Lucy wants to befriend her.
Erza walked down the hallway with a cool demeanor, but a battle was happening in her mind. Why couldn't you play it cool? That was so suspicious.
She thought about what Natsu and Gray had said, how they'd reacted. It's true what Natsu said, she's never really had a crush before. She never had a problem befriending guys, and her feelings have never gone further. And it's true what Gray said, Jellal is the one guy she could never consider a friend. In more ways that they knew.
Well they used to be friends, way back then. And sure, maybe it felt different, being around him rather than her other friends, but she wasn't willing to admit that yet.
I really hope this hangout works.
It was halfway through last period by the time Mavis finally found Zeref.
He was behind the football storage shed at the back of the stadium parking lot. He was leaning against the shed. Next to Zeref stood super senior Mard Gear holding a half-lit joint. They were joined by two other seniors, Jackal and Kiyoka. Jackal was a champion for the wrestling team - until he was kicked off, while Kiyoka was a known truant and drug abuser. Zeref look up as she approached him.
"Mavis, what are you doing here?" He asked confused.
"I texted you," she responded apprehensively.
"I left my phone on the counter this morning."
"Oh."
Mard Gear sneered, "You better run along now, before you see something that scares you. You don't wanna get caught up in our crimes, right Student Prez?"
Mavis shot him a hard look and came up right next to him.
She held up two fingers motioning for him to pass the joint to her.
"Oh, your corruption knows no bounds, Zeref," Jackal laughed as she took a hit, "Careful, it hurts."
Mavis turned towards him and exhaled right in his face without so much as a cough. She looked him in the eye, "Don't mess with me Jackal. I know just who you really 'wiped out' that night, and I know just who you're keeping it from."
Jackal's smile immediately died.
"Oh we have a firecracker here," Kiyoka said with a demonic grin, "but you should listen our warnings, you might come around this corner one day and see something you really don't want to see."
"Cut it out Kiyoka, you sound stupid," Zeref said as he walked toward Mavis,
"Why did you come all the way out here?"
"Same as you," she said pulling out another joint, "I made it this morning before school."
"Uh oh, don't suppose it's a trap from ol' Principal Dreyar?" Mard Gear said teasingly.
"Well, if I ever get caught I plan on blaming you," Mavis shot back.
Mard Gear's smile vanished, but quickly returned, "damn this girl is cold."
They were halfway through the joint when the dismissal bell rang.
"Oh, I gotta go!" Mavis said as she took out a travel perfume bottle. She began to douse herself in the mist to cover the weed smell.
"Where are you going?" Asked Zeref.
She turned the bottle towards him and began to spray, "I have plans!"
"Hey don't spray me!"
"Too bad!" She yelled as she ran off.
Oh god Levy thought as the dismissal bell rang. Her imminent meeting with Gajeel Redfox was now only minutes away.