prompt eight: excuses

rate: T for Teens and Up

eight out of one hundred.

"Excuses only delay the inevitable – the need for honesty and accountability in a loving relationship." —unknown

x

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She might have a slight crush with the captain of the football team.

But who didn't?

It was kind of hard to avoid and invalidate since they're around each other all the time since she was on the cheerleading squad and he was on the football team. It wasn't her fault and it made it so much harder that he was so charming and charismatic. Everyone wanted a piece of him—she was sure her own damn coach wanted that man. Then again, her coach was only in her early thirties and being around all these horny college students who looked too damn good could do that to you.

She was never into football guys since she practically hated the stereotype of a football player and cheerleader running off into the sunset. It was too cliché and so she had opted out for every other sport guys out there.

Her favorites were soccer and basketball players until she had come to college. Hockey guys had a soft spot in her heart since she was used to attending games with her roommate, Juvia, who happened to be in love with their captain. They got pretty close to the team and on the occasion they would go out and party with them. She may have kissed a couple of them on the team but she tried to stay away because Juvia would cry about her becoming a love rival when in reality she was most definitely not into Gray like that.

Gray was cute and all but he was like a brother to her. It really sucked a lot when she found out that Gray and the captain of the football team were actually bros. In the worst way possible, really, because she was at lunch with him and Juvia and she spilled the beans about how she thinks the football captain was super cute and the shit-eating grin on his face made her instantly regret her confession.

She was fifty shades of red while shouting at him that it was nothing but a stupid crush but he would constantly tease her about it and she would deny, deny, deny but he was an asshole and she's known that.

So when he invited her to some party his buds were throwing and casually tossed in there that Natsu would be there as well, she was frantic.

They might have shared a couple of conversations throughout the years they've ran into each other and at games but nothing serious. She tried to appear cool and unfazed because so many of the girls liked him so she was not trying to become a target. He probably doesn't even know her name.

But it was so hard because he had this super cute grin that would light up his face and then of course when he was in the game and bringing his team together, his face would hardened with all seriousness and it made not only her melt, but the entire fucking world. His body was sculpted as if he was some Greek God and if that didn't make him any hotter, his tan skin and his odd color hair did. He was so fucking sexy that sometimes Lucy had to think back if he was just some kind of person she made up in her mind but it was nice to know that other people might be as delusional as she was.

He was a social butterfly and made friends very quickly. She could even see from her own eyes that he was a chatterbox and was obviously a man who attracted attention wherever he may be. There were always girls at his side, hoping to catch his eyes while they giggled and brazenly flirted and she always ignored it, not wanting to seem like the other desperate girls who hoped for any ounce of attention.

She had the soccer team anyways! She's been kind of in this on and off again thing with Dan anyways so whatever. And it's not like she wasn't getting phone numbers left and right but she always prioritized her sports and her education before anything else.

So why the hell was her hands shaking as she came to the hockey team's house with Juvia in tow? She wished she had taken more shots like Juvia had encouraged her to but someone had to be somewhat sober when they showed up.

Juvia was already a slurring bubbling mess by the time they arrived and the safety of this woman was her main concern as her warm buzzed body tried its best to drag this love sick woman into the bumping house full of sweaty drunk college students. She was thankful that Gray was nearby when they came because he was instantly at her side, gripping Juvia who was a blubbering mess.

"How much did you two drink?"

"Juvia drank nearly the entire bottle herself," Lucy emphasized as she looked at her red-faced roommate. "I'm only three shots deep."

"Let's get you a drink, you deserve it, kiddo." Gray gave her an affectionate pat on the head making her growl. She swat at his hand while he laughed out loud, the three of them squeezing past the many people who stood around dancing and talking. "What will it be, miss?"

"Whatever you got besides beer," Lucy responded as Gray gave Juvia a sloppy kiss that had her praticallty moaning. Eventually Gray had pulled away to grab a cup and pour a mysterious red liquid in it where he finally thrusted it out to his friend who eyed it suspiciously. She didn't give it a second longer before she tossed her head back and drank the liquid and it burned while it traveled down her body. She shivered and handed Gray back the cup for him to refill while his laughter filled her ears. "Disgusting."

"And yet you want more?" He laughed as he helped Juvia onto the barstool.

She let out a small burp and grimaced at the flavor. "It's not about the journey, it's about the destination."

Gray quirked a brow at her as he refilled her cup and she watched how his eyes trailed behind her to stare at something before a smirk decorated his lips. "Incoming."

"Huh—?"

"Hey dickwad, I was lookin' for ya. Need a pong bud, you in?"

The voice was enough for her to understand who it was and her eyes bugged out of her eyes as she stared at Gray's smirking face. She could see he was holding back a laugh as she felt the warm presence behind her, radiating off heat.

"Is that—?" Turning around to greet the said devil, she offered a small awkward smile at the football captain who towered over her small figure. "I thought so. Heya, Lucy, how are ya?"

"Y—you know my name?" She wanted to slap herself for stuttering and asking such a stupid fucking question. Her eyes darted to Juvia who was leaning against the counter watching with Gray who looked too amused for her liking.

To her surprise, he laughed and her stomach did that thing whenever he did. "Yeah, of course I do. We practically share the field every day."

In a way, she felt happy that he knew who she was. "Yeah… of course. I just didn't think you'd know my name."

"Everyone knows who you are." He rolled his eyes while he stepped around her to refill his own cup.

Lucy exchanged a look with Gray who shrugged and then looked back to see him filling his cup from the beer tap. She couldn't rip her eyes away from his body as his muscles bunched with his movement. He looked so sexy and she wondered how he was able to look so good anytime of the day as if he was ready for the paparazzi to come and take his photos.

"What does that mean?" She asked as she forced herself to tear her ogling eyes away from his body.

He turned to look at her and her breath nearly hitched in her throat at the way his bangs fell over his eyes and how the corner of his lips curled up. "You're referred to as the Golden Goddess of MU." His smile grew with the way she blinked at him dumbly. "It's hard not to know about you."

Lucy felt like a goldfish out of water as her mouth opened and closed. Who the hell calls her the Golden Goddess and why are they calling her that? And since when?

But for some reason, it made her insides warm to think Natsu knew who she was this whole time and maybe it wasn't too creepy to think she was obsessed with a man who she thought didn't even know she existed.

"That's ridiculous," she let out a small giggle and she was happily accepting her cup back from Gray who slid it over to her. "Did you know about this?"

Gray shrugged once more as he brought his cup against his mouth. "Heard it once or twice. Didn't think it was you they were referring to. Makes sense now."

"I didn't think you were friends with Gray," Natsu jumped in the conversation as he looked at his friend back to the blonde. It startled her as she forgot about him for a second as she took a wary step back to create space between them so she didn't melt.

"Yeah, well, my roommate is very into hockey…" Lucy's voice trailed off as she looked to see Juvia giggling to herself, cheeks flushed and hair covering most of her face while she was in her own world. "So we kind of got acquainted like this."

"I'm hurt you only think of me as an acquaintance, Lucy, I thought what we had was more special." Gray placed a hand over his chest, gawking at the cheerleader who rolled her eyes at his offense.

"In your dreams, Fullbuster. You know I don't mess with you puckbunnies." She snickered at the nickname she gave the team earlier in the year.

To her surprise, Natsu was laughing right next to her and she felt some sort of pride for making him laugh. She did that! Was anyone else around to see? She wished she could ask Gray to take a photo of this moment without it looking weird.

Gray snickered at her and the stupid smirk on his face was back and she kind of regretted saying her words. "Got bigger fish to catch? Like the soccer team? Or maybe the basketball team is better suited for you, hm? Maybe a certain—?"

Lucy opened her mouth to stop him but was grateful that someone had come crashing into him, shoving him to the ground as Lucy took a large step back to avoid him falling into her. Natsu seemed to have the same idea as the two stared at the hockey player who groaned out loud, face down on the floor as one of the hockey players laid on top of him.

"What the fuck Lyon?! Get your fat ass off of me!"

"It wasn't my fault! It was that bastard Invel!"

"I'm going to kill you both!"

Watching how her friend tried to shove his fellow teammate over and throw down, Lucy took another step back and let out a sigh.

Would it really be a hockey player if he didn't resort to throwing punches every time there's a slight inconvenience?

"So," the voice next to her made her nearly jump out of her skin as she turned to face her crush. Her cheeks flushed crimson with how close he was. "Gray was supposed to be my pong buddy but looks like the ice princess is a bit occupied. You want to be my partner?"

Her heart raced as she swallowed the lump in her throat. "If you're alright with losing."

He raised a brow at her. "Why would we lose?"

"I'm terrible at pong," she let out a soft laugh. "You'd have a better chance partnering up with a broomstick."

Natsu's laugh always made butterflies flutter inside of her as if she just had a cage full of them ready to be released. She had no idea what this man did to her since she's never felt such strong feelings for anyone—especially someone she didn't even know. But it felt like she knew him. The amount of things that girls knew about this man from his favorite color (red) to his favorite food (spicy fire chicken) and to his favorite animal (dragon) was a bit terrifying. Sometimes she wondered if there was something he didn't tell just anyone and maybe one day, she'd have the courage to ask him.

But she couldn't even listen to this man laugh without her knees wobbling so how the hell was she supposed to talk to him casually?

"I'm kind of hurt, Luce," he placed his hand on his chest and she followed it just to take a glimpse of his toned chest beneath that tight t-shirt. "You'd think I'd let us lose? Don't you believe in me?"

Did this man not know what he was saying? No wonders girls fell in love with him so quickly. She wanted to scream into a pillow.

"It's not you—it's me." She reasoned and he snickered.

"Says every sad clinché heartbreaker." He teased as he reached for her arm. "Don't break my heart too fast, we haven't even played yet. Come on, let me show ya."

Where was Gray and that goddamn camera she desperately needed? Is anyone else seeing Natsu Dragneel holding her by the arm and dragging her to the pong table?

The answer to that: yes.

Everyone was watching them as he guided her through the crowd and for once, she was unsure if she wanted to be around Natsu at this moment.

—X—

After embarrassing herself at the pong table where everyone watched, Lucy felt defeated.

There weren't many things she wasn't good at. She strived to be miss perfect since daddy didn't expect anything less. So it kind of crushed her spirits that she lost and of course, made the football star lose.

She was quick to get out of there afterwards, struggling to find Gray and Juvia as she shoved through the crowd. And the sooner she got away from Natsu, the sooner she would regain her memory on how to speak and act properly because that shit was god awful and way too painful to reenact. He made her feel so squirmish and the heated looks from the girls around made her super uncomfortable. So every time he would talk or slightly brush up against her, it made her hyper aware of just how many girls were glaring at her.

Thankfully she was a lot more buzzed than she was earlier since they had to drink so much but she felt more exhausted than anything else.

Coming to the kitchen to get herself a glass of water, Lucy let out a sigh as she finally felt the need to relax. She sent a message to Gray to see if he and Juvia were safe and now she waited, wondering if they were off to do spicy things.

"Hey, there you are," Natsu pushed through the crowd and came over to where she was. It made her stiffen at the sudden sight and she offered an awkward smile. "You ran off. I was looking for ya."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I just needed water." She waved it off, taking a step back so he could have a chance for a refill.

"You know," he started as he came over to where she was, leaning against the counter opposite of her so they could face each other. "Every time I try to talk to you, you run off. Why is that?"

Lucy felt her cheeks bloom in color and she refrained from sputtering. "I—I didn't realize I did that. I just needed some water."

"No," he laughed, shaking his head back and forth. "You do it all the time. Here, on the field, in the halls… you always just run away."

"I mean…" she rubbed her hand up and down her bicep in awkwardness. "It's kind of hard to talk to you…"

"Why is that?" He crossed his arms across his chest and cocked his head to the side.

She could have burst into flames right there.

Her eyes darted around their audience and Natsu looked around as well, seeing how people awkwardly shifted away when he noticed them and the lightbulb finally turned on.

"Oh."

"Yeah… oh."

"I guess I don't notice it anymore since I'm used to it."

"Perks of being captain of the football team, right?"

Natsu flashed her a wide smile and he stood up, grabbing his cup from the counter. He leaned in just enough so she could hear him and it made her entire body stiffen at the proximity. "Meet me outside in five. I'll be around the large oak tree in the back."

Her heart would not calm down no matter what she did because his smell still lingered and he just asked her to meet him outside! She really, really wished she could have Gray around but she made a mental note to try and strap a go-pro on her the next time she was out.

She chugged a whole cup for courage and made sure nobody saw her as she snuck out of the house, making sure she went through the front door to not look suspicious. If she were to hook up with him tonight, her entire world would literally be made. She could die happy and she would have such bragging privileges. She'll make sure her kids know about this historic event.

Trying to calm her breathing, she slowly came out to the backyard where the music started to die down. She could see a couple of naughty kids sucking face and inappropriately groping one another and she tried her best to ignore them as she approached the figure behind the tree. She could feel his warmth before she was in front of him, her heart thundering while he turned to grin at her.

"You came." He said as if he wasn't expecting her to actually show.

"You didn't really give me a choice. You kind of hightailed it out of there after telling me to meet you." Lucy was glad it was dark out so he couldn't see how red she was.

He laughed out loud and the butterflies were back as he motioned for her to come around the oak tree and sit. "I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable. I know it could be hard when you have a million eyes on you."

"You seem to be fine with it." She played with the grass underneath her, nervous.

"Comes with being the captain of the football team and a total heartthrob," he smirked at her, cup against his lips while he sipped loudly.

Lucy giggled as she pulled her knees up to her chest, leaning against her legs while her fingers brushed against the grass. "So you do know."

"Kind of hard not to when you have people staring at you as if I invented fire." He snorted and she was giggling again.

She felt like one of those love-sick idiots who giggle at everything someone says and she cringed slightly at the idea she may seem like every other desperate girl who approaches this prodigy. But the butterflies weren't captured just yet and the alcohol buzzing through her made her feel fuzzy and a bit stupid.

"Consider it perks. You can have any girl you want and practically get away with murder if you tried."

Natsu snort caught her attention as she laid her cheek against her knees, eyes slowly glazing over his figure. His muscles looked as if they were about to burst through the seams and the way he leaned back against his hand and allowed every part of him so open had her drooling.

"That's not true."

"Yeah, murder might be a bit too risky especially since you'd want to live freely." Lucy laughed lightly.

"That's not what I'm talkin' about."

Her eyes lifted up to look at his face as the profile of his face appeared so serious. His sharp jawline and pointed eyes looked so animated in the moonlight as the noise in the distance didn't matter but the way her heart skipped a beat did. He looked lost in his thoughts in a way and she couldn't force herself to look away because he looked… sad.

"What are you talking about?" She tried and he was silent for a moment, quietly drinking from his cup while he looked up at the moon as if he was asking for permission.

His jaw muscle popped with his movement and he turned to look at her which made her entire body grow cold from his expression. "I can't get any girl I want."

Lucy swallowed hard, afraid to look away. "Why do you say that?"

"Because the only girl I ever wanted always runs away from me."

Her heart was so close to bursting through her chest and right into his hands as she was in a loss of words. She was sure he was talking about her but she didn't want to assume as her mouth opened to close immediately, mimicking a goldfish out of water.

She forced herself to speak but she turned her head away, breaking their eye contact. "That's… unfortunate. Have you tried to talk to her about it?"

"Well, I asked her to come meet me by the oak tree and she did so I kind of hoped I would get some answers on why she does." He shrugged nonchalantly and her breath hitched. "I'm still waiting for the answer."

He was talking about her.

Wait… Natsu Dragneel wants her?! The girl he wants is her?!

Why didn't she strap a go-pro on her tonight?! Goddamn it!

She was sputtering, unable to form sentences as she looked at him with wide eyes. "Wh—wha—I—I—bu—you—" She felt dizzy and she wondered if she was dreaming as she had no idea how to react. She needed someone to slap her in the face so she'd either wake up or finally know what to say because she was sure Natsu was staring at her because she looked stupid. "Come again?" She squeaked and she was hitting herself for such a stupid response.

His laugh made her flush even deeper and she wished she could just shrink down and disappear. He was having the time of his life and she wondered if he was just fucking with her, eyes roaming to see if there was any cameras or people around to jump out and laugh in her face.

Was he fucking with her?

"Can I be honest?" He asked and it made her slowly nod her head, unable to form words. "I always thought you were pretty. I mean, you're literally called the Golden Goddess," he scoffed, running his hand through his locks. "The day I saw you, I wanted to come up and introduce myself but you were just so… intimidating."

Her eyes widened at his confession as she wondered if she ever looked intimidating. He looks intimidating with his build and height and looks. She was just some five-foot-four gal on the cheer squad. How could she be more intimidating than the football captain?

"And it was always excuse after excuse." He laughed lightly but it felt like he was laughing at himself rather than at the situation. "You were always busy or around others or just…" he let out a shaky breath and she watched how his fingers tightened around his cup for it to crinkle slightly. "I hated myself for not being able to say anything to you before. I tried to tell myself that you'd probably take it the wrong way or the other girls might harass you because you're friends with me or you wouldn't be interested."

"Are you kidding? Who isn't interested in you? I'm pretty sure my coach even wants to fuck you." She blurted out before she could stop herself and once the words slipped out her eyes widened and she snapped her mouth shut. She was pretty sure he even heard the clatter of her teeth and the tips of her ears burned at the look he gave. "I—I mean—"

"Well," he laughed again and she wanted to curl up in embarrassment. "That's, uh, good to know, I guess." He rubbed the back of his neck and she could only call herself an idiot. "Wait, does that mean you are?" He whipped his head back to look at her surprised expression.

"Am I… what?" She choked out as the butterflies were going to pour out of her throat.

"Interested?"

"In you?"

"No, the fuckin' dirt." He deadpanned which she smiled sheepishly to. "Yes, me."

"Well…" her cheeks were to burn off at this rate. Her entire body was warm from head to toe and she could feel her hairline moisten. This was not like how she imagined her confession would go and she certainly did not think she would even ever admit out loud to the said person she had a big old fat crush on him. "Like I said, who doesn't?" She cleared her throat, eyes casted down in between the two.

"Lucy," the way he said her voice made her shiver and her eyes to drag back up to lock with his. "I've had a crush on you for almost two years."

All the air got sucked out of her and she had no idea what to do. She's never been in this situation before—well, yes, but not with someone she liked, either. Her whole world felt like it came to a halt and she wondered if this was the part where someone jumped out of the bush and caught her on live television.

"Wh..what?" She squeaked and a part of her needed to know if she heard that right and the other part just wanted to hear it again. "You… but… I… huh?"

If he wasn't blushing, she was sure she was getting punked.

"I was stoked to see you here. I always wanted to come up and talk to you but I just kept making excuses on why I shouldn't. I guess it was the right timing because when I saw you walk in with Gray's girl, I knew I just had to."

Has he always been this close? Why does it look like he's leaning in?

"Lucy, I'd love to get to know you if you'd allow me to."

"A—as in… friends or..?" She trailed off and she felt stupid to ask such a question.

The corners of his lips curled up and she noticed he was much closer to her that if she just reached over she could brush the bangs out of his face.

"Whatever you want to be," he sounded breathless and she desperately wanted to touch him. "But I prefer if we could be more than friends."

"More than friends?" She echoed, eyebrows knitted together.

"I didn't mean it that way," he sputtered and it surprised her how different this man was one-on-one. "I'm not trying to just fuck you. Well, I am, but I didn't mean it that way. I just think you're really hot and—fuck, disregard that last thing I said. You know what? Disregard this whole conversation."

Seeing how flustered Natsu was, it made her just sit there and blink stupidly at this adorable persona he had. She never thought this heartthrob would be such a cutie and she was starting to even like him more now that she's seen this side of him. And did he just admit he wants to fuck her? How does she not burst into flames after that confession? One of the hottest guys in school literally told her he wants to fuck her and get to know her and she's just sitting here gaping like a dumb fish and keeping quiet.

It only made her giggle before she had bursted into fits of laughter because she felt so silly. Everything he said made her realize how much she held back, too. All the stupid excuses of him not wanting her, her thinking it was just her imagination when she could see him look at her, all the times she convinced herself that he had no idea who she was or would want to, and all the times she avoided contact so she didn't seem like all the desperate girls who wanted this stud muffin.

"I'd never think I would see the day where the almighty Natsu Dragneel blushes and stutters as much as he does right now." She said while wiping the tear from her eye. "It's really cute. Makes you seem like a little kid." She smiled and the look he was giving her made her smile drop just a bit.

"I am a lot of things, Lucy, but I am certainly not a little kid."

The air shifted and she could feel the goosebumps trail up her body. She shivered at what he had said and she could only look at him with wide eyes as he was much closer to her than she thought. Her eyes flickered down to his lips before looking back into his eyes and she could see he was doing the same thing. She wet her lips in anticipation and she quickly looked away, laughing awkwardly.

"Right. Sorry." She tried to focus on anything else as her heart hammered wildly in her heart.

"Lucy?"

"Yeah?" She bit down on her bottom lip before turning to look at him but as soon as she turned her head she felt the warmth of his lips brush against hers. Her breath hitched as he kissed her and it took her too long to react because he was pulling away from her as fast as he kissed her.

"I hope you don't hate me for that but I always wanted to do that." His eyes were swirling with so many emotions she didn't know which one he was truly feeling.

Before he could say anything else, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his again. This one was brief just like the first one but Natsu had now abandoned his cup and he reached forward to cup her face in his hands, bringing her face back to his where he kissed her a bit more fiercely this time. His lips were hot against hers as tingles ran down her back. Her brain couldn't process what the hell was happening but she was happy to receive a kiss from her crush. And apparently, he was too as he was sliding his tongue against her lips to grant him entrance. It took everything out of her not to melt in his hands as she felt his warm tongue flick against her own and she moaned shamelessly, the taste of beer invading her taste buds.

When they had separated, she knew she had to be dreaming because she felt so dizzy and she just made out with Natsu Dragneel.

Nobody would fucking believe her.

"Do you want to get out of here? I live right down the street. We could order some take out and watch a movie or something." He bit down on his lip as if he was afraid she was going to slap him and run for the hills.

She swallowed hard, eyes wide and cheeks flushed as she stared at her crush, heart thundering. "Yes."

With his hand wrapped tightly around hers, he practically ran down the street with her in tow with a wide grin and cute blush to his cheeks.

Maybe running off into the sunset with a football player wasn't such a bad idea. Clincés were clincés for a reason… right?

Or is that just another excuse?

X

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Fin.