Ayyyyyy here's Ch 8 (finally)(what's new tho)(nothing)
"Wait, so...you're mad at him?" Lucy asked.
"Yes. Well, no. But yes. He thought my plan was dumb." Levy responded, hands gripped around her backpack straps.
"He must've said that because he was mad about something...did you take one of his pencils?"
"Of course not! You know what happened to Lyon in Biology last year."
"Regardless, Levy, your plan was dumb, and it's also a dumb reason for you to be mad at him!" the blonde laughed as they walked down the hall.
"Whatever. Bottom line is that I don't need his help. I'm an independent woman and I can fix my own problems!" she nodded, puffing her chest proudly.
"True," Lucy shrugged. "Either way, if it doesn't seem like a big deal to me, then it's definitely not a big deal to Gajeel."
"You're one to talk. Weren't you the one that sent me fifteen frantic texts Saturday night?"
Lucy face reddened. "That's different."
"Riiight." Levy pulled out her phone, smirking as she opened her text messages with her friend. "'Levy, you won't believe what happened with Natsu! He cares about me!'" she read.
"That's different- "
"'It made me so happy to know that he actually cares- '"
"-Alright! I get it!" Lucy interrupted, Levy laughing in triumph. They turned to a familiar set of blue lockers, Lucy opening hers and Levy opening one a couple doors down. "At least I know when I'm being illogical."
Levy scoffed. "I'm not being illogical, I'm just- " She opened her locker, gasping suddenly.
"What? What is it?!" Lucy asked, jumping next to her friend. The blonde raised her eyebrows. "Hey, aren't those your…" she started, but all Levy could do was nod, unable to speak. At the top shelf of Levy's locker were her notebooks, all accounted for and stacked in the order of her schedule. While she was still in shock, Lucy looked at her with a smirk. "Right. Illogical."
Erza walked to her locker at a hurried pace. She had left her house almost too late- she got to school a mere three minutes ago, leaving her only ten minutes till the first period bell rang. She reached her locker, opening the metal door after spinning her combination. She almost dumped her textbooks in before gasping at the sight in front of her.
Inside her locker was an orange box. But not just any orange box- this box she would recognize from miles away. It was from Tangerine, a local bakery in Magnolia. She hesitantly opened it, only to gasp again: inside was the most decadent, chocolately brownie with- wait, is that strawberry filling? She could feel herself drooling.
"Erza!" Mira greeted bubbly, popping up next to her.
Startled, Erza snapped out of her daze. "Mira, hi. What's up?"
"Whatcha got there?" the white haired girl asked.
Erza's hands instinctively wrapped around the item. "Oh, nothing, just...triple chocolate brownies with strawberry filling."
"Ooh, nice. Did you pick some up before school?"
The redhead suddenly frowned, looking between her locker and the dessert in her arms. "Actually, now that you mention it, I have no idea how it got here."
Mira tilted her head, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"I'm not sure. I walked into school, went to my locker like usual, and it was just...here." She turned to Mira, eyes slit. "Someone broke into my locker."
Mira's eyes suddenly widened. "Oh, no, I'm sure it was someone you know."
"No worries, I can easily dust for fingerprints. I took a crime scene investigation class over the summer, so I know how to- "
"I have an idea!" Mira interjected, trying to hide her panic from her red haired friend. "Why don't we brainstorm who has your locker combo? Dusting for prints requires effort on your part, and you never know when that powder will ever come in handy again…" She looked hopefully at Erza.
Erza paused, before nodding in agreement. "Fair enough."
Mira internally sighed in relief. "Okay, so who has your combo?"
She pursed her lips in thought. "Only a couple people," she thought, "Lucy, Gray, Jellal…" Her eyes suddenly widened. "Oh my gosh. What if...what if Jellal gave this to me?"
Mira mentally slapped herself. I wonder if Cana's having this much trouble. "Jellal didn't give you that."
"How would you know? He used to buy the same thing when we were dating, I'm sure if he thought about it he would definitely- "
"It wasn't him!"
Erza raised her eyebrow in suspicion. "What makes you so sure?"
Mira gulped under her gaze, but continued anyway. "If you ask me," she leaned in, "I think Gray did."
"Gray? Why would Gray- " Realization dawned on her face. "Of course! He asked me to get cake over the weekend and forgot, but now he feels guilty for making me get ready so he's paying me back!" Erza looked down at the cake in joy. "I must thank him immediately!" she exclaimed, before shutting her locker and running off, box in her arms.
As soon as she left Mira leaned against the metal doors, sighing in relief. "Too close…" she muttered.
Amidst their the sound of their productive classmates, Mira looked at the brunette across from her with a confused stare. "What do you mean Gray's not here?" she asked.
Cana rolled her eyes. "I'm sayin he's not here! Maybe he has an appointment, or he's just late...but it's already third hour, and he ain't here."
"We'll have to work with it. Did you put it in his locker?"
"Duh. But listen, if he doesn't show up till tomorrow and I have to clean up whatever moldy mess is in there, I can assure you that I will not be a happy camper."
"Relax, Cana. I have a feeling he'll show up."
"Right, your feelings, because those are so reliable- "
"-Cana! Mira!" a voice interrupted. The two looked up from their joined desks to the door, seeing Lucy in the hallway.
"What?" Cana mouthed. Lucy waved her hand at them, motioning for them to come outside. Mira nodded, and they walked out of the room, unnoticed by their working classmates and occupied teacher.
"What's up?" Mira asked, the three of them stepping a ways away from the classroom door.
Lucy smiled excitedly. "I have news!" she giggled, "So I know we already have a plan with Gray and Erza, but- " She frowned, remembering something. "By the way, did you see the brownie Gray got for Erza?"
Cana and Mira exchanged smirks. "Yeah, totally from Gray." Mira snickered.
Lucy looked between the two in wonder. "Hold up, you guys..?" She clapped her hands in delight. "No way! She's totally convinced he did."
Cana shrugged. "Yeah, we're good."
"I don't know how you guys do it." Lucy laughed, "Anyway, I was hanging out with Natsu and Romeo over the weekend, and I found out some things. And I know we're already working on Gray and Erza, but I think- "
"Hold on. Are you finally asking for help with Natsu?" Mira exclaimed.
"What? No!" Lucy shook her head, face reddening. "Romeo was talking about Wendy, and I think they like each other!"
"So?" Cana shrugged.
"So we should get them together!"
Mira laughed. "Lucy, they're babies."
"They are not! Freshman year is where it all starts, after all."
"I don't know, Gray and Erza take up a lot of my time. I love Wendy and Romeo, but I'm not sure if I can handle another." Mira spoke warily.
"What if we incorporated all of them in one plan?"
"I don't know…"
"Wait, that's a good idea." Cana interrupted, the other two turning to her. "I was hanging out with Gray on Saturday, and he was talking about Gajeel and Levy. Apparently Gajeel made Gray give all Levy's notebooks back."
"So you want to spend all that time on them too?" Mira laughed. "God, how will I sleep- "
"I'm saying it wouldn't be that hard. Besides, what's one more- " They were suddenly interrupted by someone else.
"Hey, Mira." Freed spoke, the green haired boy walking towards them from the classroom down the hall.
Mira's eyes lit up, stepping away from her friends. "Freed! What are you doing?"
"I have Spanish, but I needed a walk. Too much subjunctive, too many forms…" He shook his head, turning to her. "What are you doing?" He motioned at the three of them. "Some sort of secret meeting?"
"What? Secret meeting? Of course not!" Mira shook her head frantically.
"Right, we're doing nothing like that!" Lucy added.
Cana simply rolled her eyes. "Hey, you free on Friday?" she asked Freed. "I'm having everyone over."
Freed shook his head. "I have to work a double on Friday." He turned to Mira. "You should all come visit."
Mira raised her eyebrows. "Visit your work?" She smiled. "Yeah, I should."
Freed nodded, before checking his watch. "I should probably get back. I'll catch you guys at lunch." He gave them a quick wave, before leaving down the hall.
Mira watched him leave. "Wow, that was random." She turned back to Lucy and Cana. "Anyway, what were we talking about?"
"Merging plans?" Lucy reminded her.
"Oh, right." Mira nodded. "I think that'll be fine. We have to be careful, but it might just be easy."
Cana smirked to herself, looking between Mira and Freed's retreating figure. "Of course it will."
Gray grumbled as he spun his locker combination with a few quick turns of his finger. He was four hours late; lunch was already over, and passing time to 6th period was already going on. It's not like it was his fault to begin with: first he had overslept, then when he finally made his way to school he saw the new taco truck so he had to stop by. And then out of nowhere Wendy called, asking for a ride to school because she was late too. And while he was happy to be out of class for that long, the reality of how much material he had missed was sinking in. He pulled down on the lock in his hand, the device still stuck in place. "Stupid piece of metal…" he muttered.
After trying the third combination he exhaled sharply as the metal circle finally unlocked in his grip. He almost dumped his books in without a thought, when he was interrupted by a hand slamming loudly against his locker door. "Gray!" his intruder greeted bubbly.
Gray jumped back in surprise, rolling his eyes as he recognized his new company. "Cana, what the hell."
"So happy to see you here! Where've you been? It's already 6th hour!" the brunette inquired.
"I had a lot to do. I'm surprised I even- "
"Wow, look at that box! I wonder what it could be?" Cana interrupted.
He frowned, following her gaze to see a neon orange box inside his locker. "Tangerine..?" he read. "That's a library or something...right?"
"It's a bakery, you idiot! Now open it!" she continued.
Gray looked at her suspiciously, but followed her suggestion anyway. His eyes widened as he saw the white frosted, sprinkle coated cake inside. "What...did you do this?" He looked up at Cana, confused. "Why would you- "
"Wow, Gray, that's amazing! But gee, if you were to ask me? Hm, well I don't know for sure, but I can probably guess!"
"I didn't ask- "
"Erza did it, of course!"
He frowned. "Erza? Why would she do it?"
"Because she's the sweetest, kindest person I know! To some people, anyway." She winked at him, but his frown told her he wasn't convinced. Without another thought she reached into the box, scooping a handful of cake in her hand. "C'mon, have a bite!" she urged, shoving the yellow cake in Gray's mouth.
"Wha- mmoomph!"
Cana nodded as she watched him chew. "Wow, Erza's the best isn't she? I would be so proud and so thankful. She's amazing, huh?"
"Mmomai mmee mih!"
"I know, you can't believe the assertive, amazing, and attractive Erza Scarlet could ever- "
"Mhelw mhree!"
"-like you, because you're a slob that can't swallow your food." She finally looked at him, but something was strange. His mouth was full so she couldn't understand what he was saying, but his eyes were wide in fear. "What?" she asked. Gray ran to one of the hallway trash cans, spitting out the cake. "Ew, Gray, what the hell?!" Cana almost laughed, stepping away as he walked back.
"That's yellow!" he exclaimed, pointing to the cake.
"Okay, yeah, so?"
"I'M ALLERGIC TO YELLOW DYE!"
Cana's eyes widened, her mind flashing back to making the cake with Mira last night recalling the six drops of food coloring her friend had added. "Dammit, Mira!" she cursed. How could they forget the hives Gray got from the artificial dye?
"Mira?! What the fuck does Mira have to- "
"-Gray, good to see you." The two turned to see Erza standing next to them. "I wanted to thank you for- " The redhead frowned when she saw Gray's angry expression, taking no notice of the orange box in his hand. "What's going on here?"
"This idiot- " Gray pointed at Cana, "made me- "
Cana's eyes suddenly lit up, pushing Gray aside. "Erza, thank god you're here!" she suddenly exclaimed. "Gray was eating something he found on the ground, when I suddenly realized it was yellow cake!"
"You realized?! I was the one that- "
Erza's frown deepened. "But you're allergic to yellow dye." she told Gray.
Gray rolled his eyes, "Yes, I know, but she was the one that- "
"Erza, you must take him to the nurse now!" Cana gripped the redhead's shoulders. "Or he'll get hives in his esophagus!"
"In my esophagus- "
But Erza nodded to Cana, ignoring Gray. She yanked him with her, her signature titanium grip locking him in place as they strode down the hall. Gray looked over his shoulder at Cana, who was happily waving at him. He turned back around, shaking his head. "She's insane."
"Don't speak." Erza instructed.
"What? Why?"
"I don't want you talking with an allergic reaction going on."
"I only get hives, nothing in my throat- "
"Gray. Shut up." She nodded to herself.
Gray shook his head. "Okay, hold on. Answer me one thing, and then I'll stop: why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
"Y'know, taking me to the office. I'm perfectly able, and I know your next class is important."
Erza's face reddened slightly, but she shook her head. "I don't want you losing consciousness on your way over." She cleared her throat. "Anyway, I'd like to thank you for the brownies. They're delicious."
"Brownies? I should be thanking you for the cake, I guess. I'm sure it was great."
Erza frowned in confusion, but realized that they were already at the nurse's office. Without a second thought she pushed Gray inside. Gray fell to the ground, yelping in surprise. "Thanks a lot!" she blurted, before rushing to her next class.
Gray stared after her, crumpled on the tile floor. "What the- Erza!" he called, but she had already left. What was going on?
Ultear tilted her watch towards her, exhaling sharply. She was supposed to start tutoring at 3:40, and at the moment it was 3:38 and she was on the other side of the school. She walked briskly down the hallway, hoping her lateness wouldn't affect today's session.
"Hey now, where are you going to so quickly?" Meredy called, jogging to her. They were now walking next to each other, paces matched.
"I have a session that starts in two minutes." She double checked her watch. "One."
"Jellal? It's not like it'll matter to him. He'll be thinking about other things, huh?" Ultear gave her a look. "Y'know, you!"
The dark haired girl rolled her eyes. "Meredy, please. Spare me of your hypotheses."
"It's not a hypothesis! I assure you that you're all he's thinking of."
"Oh boy." Ultear scoffed. "And if I'm not?"
"Then it's up to you. You make the first move."
Ultear's cheeks reddened, but she rolled her eyes. "You're reading those self-help books again, aren't you?"
"Hell yeah! Which, by the way, are amaaazing!" Meredy took her arm. "You have to take the chance. You never know when you'll speak to him next. Like today, you guys could be fine, but what if after this tutoring session you get in a big fight, and vow to never come into contact again?"
"Yeah, right." she snorted. "Why don't you read 'Lord of the Rings' or something?"
Meredy rolled her eyes. "I'm serious! You need to step up and take that chance, because- ooh!" The pink haired girl suddenly stopped walking, looking behind them.
"What is it?" Ultear followed her gaze to see Lyon Vastia at his locker, putting a book in his bag. "Oh, no."
Meredy ignored her remark, already walking towards him. "Remember what I said!"
"Absolutely not!" she called after her, but Meredy had already reached Lyon, the two now talking casually. She chuckled to herself. "Take the chance, huh?" She shook her head and continued her walk to the library.
To her surprise Jellal was standing outside the doors. "Hey." she greeted, but she went unnoticed. Jellal had his phone to his ear, a concerned expression on his face. "Jellal?"
The blue haired boy looked up in surprise. "Hey, Ultear." he greeted, hastily putting his phone into his pocket. "We're in here, right?" he asked, motioning to the library.
"Yeah, let's go." she nodded, stepping inside. She turned around to ask him about his day, only to see his attention was on his phone. He never uses that thing. she recalled, giving him one more suspicious look before walking inside.
-Natsu slumped his shoulders, groaning disappointedly at the sight in front of him. "Dammit, Gray!" he whined.
"What?" Gray asked, turning away from his locker and to his friend.
"Cana said you had an allergic reaction!"
"A potential allergic reaction, but what does that- " He jumped as Natsu suddenly began tugging his arms, inspecting his skin. "Yo, what the hell?"
Natsu threw Gray's arm down. "Not even a single hive!"
Gray shrugged. "Yeah, well Benadryl does work."
"Weak." He raised his hand, shaking his key ring. "Anyway, we goin?"
"Yeah." Gray nodded. He looked in his locker, seeing that the cake Erza left him was still there. He paused, before grabbing the orange box. He shut his locker, walking down the hall with Natsu.
"What's that?" the pink haired boy asked, nodding at the box.
"Oh, this? Erza got it for me," he shrugged, "but I'm pretty sure it has yellow dye, so you can have it- " He paused, seeing that Natsu had stopped walking. "What?"
"Erza? Bought you cake?"
"Yeah, supposedly. Why?"
Natsu erupted into a fit of laughter, holding his sides. "She bought you cake- and you were allergic- ha!"
Gray rolled his eyes. "Shut up." He looked back down at the box in his hand. "It was nice."
"Wait wait wait. So you're telling me that even though she bought you something you were allergic to and almost gave you an allergic reaction, you think it's nice?"
"I guess. It was thoughtful."
Natsu laughed harder. "Gray, you're an idiot." His expression suddenly changed, pointing at the box. "But really, are you not gonna eat the rest of that? I mean you can't, right?"
Gray smacked the back of his friend's head. "Natsu, you're stupid."
Erza was writing in a notebook, scribbling quotes from the book held in her hand. She looked up slightly, seeing the bright orange box from earlier discarded in her trash bin. She paused, sighed, then continued her writing.
"Okay, what is it?"
She looked up from her homework, seeing Lucy on the other side of her room. The blonde stared at her expectantly. "What's what?"
"It's been five minutes."
"So?"
"You've sighed almost three times every minute."
"...So?"
"So what's the reason?"
"No reason."
Lucy snickered. "I know you, Erza. I'd assume you're annoyed, but you sound too relaxed." she squinted at her. "That, and your stress wrinkle isn't there."
Erza's hand immediately touched her forehead. "Why is everyone mentioning my stress wrinkle- "
"I know it's not that, but something's definitely on your mind."
Her eyes briefly darted to her trash bin, but she shrugged anyway. "Not at all."
But Lucy was too observant. She followed her gaze, seeing the orange box as well. "I knew it!" She clapped her hands triumphantly, "You're thinking about Gray!"
Erza's face instantly reddened. "I am not!" she countered.
"You're still shocked that he brought you that dessert, but you're also really flattered he did so."
The redhead arched an eyebrow, nodding slightly. "It was a nice gesture."
Lucy scoffed. "Nice gesture? That's it? C'mon, go for it already!"
"Go for what?" Erza shook her head. "Gray is my friend."
"A friend that is very special to you."
"Exactly. A special friend." She looked out the window. "I don't think he'd think of me any differently either."
Lucy watched her, rolling her eyes. "Right."
Sorry for the lack of updates pretty much everywhere. My school year is finally coming to a close as all my extracurriculars are slowly dying down. It's like the middle of the final exhale for me...Anyway, don't you guys worry, this story will be done! I hope you all enjoyed, and leave a review if you did!
-Pinky