Erza was a boiling pot of emotions, and the lid was about to burst wide open. She tried, she tried everything in her possible ability to remove Natsu from her mind, but to no avail. Even as Jellal walked her to her next class. She couldn't get that handsome, cute, goofy face out of her head. She shook her head repeatedly, causing her boyfriend to walk in their daily walk to their classes.
He stood in front of her, a concerned frown marring his features. "Hey, you okay?" He asked, rubbing her hand in any sort of comfort to provide her.
Erza twisted in a malaform of feelings. What could she say to him? She couldn't possibly tell him about Natsu being here. Eventually yes the two would cross paths, but she'd rather avoid that path as long as she could. She bit her lip tightly, forcing a smile upon her lips. "I'm fine, babe. I'm sorry.. just couldn't get much sleep last night is all. You know me, always the book worm with studying," she waved her hand dismissively with a small giggle as her boyfriend rolled his eyes.
"You know you're a handful sometimes."
Erza chuckled, leaning in to kiss his cheek with a sweet smile, her cheeks tinted in red. "But you love me all the same, right?"
"Of course I do. You're the most precious thing to me. Nothing will ever change that fact," Jellal spoke softly, leaning in to give her lips a gentle kiss.
Erza's stomach twisted in a knot as she returned the kiss in kind. Why did it feel so wrong to kiss him? She loved Jellal. He was a shoulder that came to her when she needed it. But why did it feel... it should be...
She pulled away from the kiss, taking a hold of Jellal's hand with a small smile. "Come on, you still gotta escort me to class mister!"
A chuckle escaped his lips, feeling his body be dragged across the halls without much a choice. "But of course. The scarlet beauty needs her extravagant escort in her daily routine."
Erza couldn't help but snort, punching him in the shoulder playfully. "That was beyond cheesy. Never do that again," her eyes looked forward, noticing the gymnasium coming up ahead. "I can walk from here. Get to class and I'll see you later, okay?"
"We still on after school?"
If she could smack herself repeatedly in the head she would. So wrapped up in the thoughts of Natsu, she forgot her and Jellal set up an evening together. He mentioned taking her to a fancy restaurant in town, then after going to her favorite desert shop for her strawberry cheesecake she lived and craved. Erza nodded her head with a bright grin, leaning in to kiss his cheek.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. See ya!" She waved towards her boyfriend, before walking into the girl's locker room.
Many of the girl's who were changing into their gym clothes waved with a bright smile. She returned their greetings in kind, placing her books down on one of many benches that housed many school books and binders. She stepped up to her locker, rotating the lock to the right number of combinations before clicking it open. She was quick to remove her blouse and skirt, almost like practical magic. As she was about to slip on her black tank top, a head of blond hair caught her eye.
She turned to be met with Lucy.
"Oh, hello Lucy," the scarlet hair kindly greeted her with a smile. "Can I help you with anything?"
Lucy rubbed the back of her neck with a nervous giggle as Erza raised a brow in curiosity of the girl's behavior. She could tell in her body posture that Lucy was nervous, but why? The blond shuffled her feet, twiddling her fingers as she averted her gaze from Erza.
"I..." Lucy bit her lip, urging herself to ask the question. But was it really her business to pry Into others affairs? No.. Natsu was her friend and she had to know what was going on. She could tell the moment those two crossed paths that something changed in him, like he had just saw a ghost.
"Lucy, I need to get dressed. If there's something you want to ask, please spit it out before I lose my patience." Erza crossed her arms over her bountiful chest, giving the blond a stern glare. "Now come out with it."
"Okay, okay," Lucy raised her hands defensively, running a hand through her unruly blond hair with a sigh to escape her lips. "It's... it's about Natsu."
Erza froze on the spot hearing that very man's name. The man that was swimming in her head rent free without her consent. Her chest tightened, sinking her nails into her palms with clenched teeth. "What... what about Natsu?"
"Do you and him have a history together?" The blond inquired, rubbing her arm nervously avoiding Erza's gaze. "It.. it just seems like it is all. Natsu looked like he saw a ghost when you two met. Did you two used to... ya know date?"
'Why does she want to know about this? Is she.. interested in him?'
"I..." Erza bit down on her lip, steeling her nerves together to give the blond a proper response. "Yes.. we did used to date, but that was in the past. I'm with Jellal now," she slipped on her black tank top and shorts, giving Lucy a side eye glance. "Why do you want to know?
"N-no reason! It's just.. Natsu seemed pretty hurt. I think he was crying, but I wasn't sure," her face deepened in a grim frown. "I honestly think there's something more going on with him. He doesn't hide it well. I can see something, something dark in his eyes. He's been through something beyond traumatic," she turned away from Erza, rubbing her shoulder as her eyes watered slightly at the memory of her deceased mother. "I should know."
Erza's heart tightly clenched her chest. So she wasn't the only one to see it? Natsu isn't the same boy she grew up with. He's changed, in more ways than one. Where was his parents? Now that she really thought about it her parents never said much about his parents after Natsu dissapeared. Something more was going on here, something big. But was it really her business to dig? Natsu wasn't hers anymore. He was the best thing to happen to her, but at the same time the worst when he left. Her heart was beyond empty, broken apart into multiple pieces. But she knew, she knew in the bottom of her heart that something was deeply wrong.
"I-I see..." Erza cleared her throat, tying her hair back into a tight pony tail. "Well, it is not my business to pry Into his own affairs. I can only hope whatever is going on with him fixes itself."
"F-fair enough," Lucy threw on her tight black t-shirt with a small frown. "Thanks for telling me, Erza. I'll leave you be now," she finished as she walked out of the locker room, along with the other girls, leaving Erza alone with only her thoughts to keep her company.
"Natsu... what aren't you revealing?" She rubbed at her eyes that leaked with tears, before taking a deep breath.
"Okay.. time to go."
My heart about stopped in my chest when I saw him. The boy of my invading thoughts standing across from me with as wide eyes as mine. I guess we had very many classes together, which posed the problem of Natsu and Jellal crossing paths. Not that she would think any of them would say much to each other, more so Jellal than him. I remembered the night he came over to my house to comfort me. I've seen so many emotions rile around in that guy's head, but anger has never been one of them. He was beyond furious for what Natsu did, swearing up and down if they ever crossed paths he would give him a piece of his mind.
I dropped the subject, not wanting to elicit anymore dredged up past. It surprised me when Jellal asked me to be his girlfriend, making promises to the high heavens that he would keep me safe, and loved unlike Natsu. Maybe it was pain, maybe it was grief swallowing me whole in that moment. I was vulnerable, something was rare to happen on any occasion. I've always hid behind a make pretend suit of armor, an armor Natsu melted away without much effort to be given.
But now when I look into those eyes.. there isn't any warmth, only a cold dreadful aura of pain and tradegy. He avoided my gaze, staring at the floor with a hardened expression, his fists clenched tightly together. Did.. did I bring him pain in some kind of way? Is that why he dissapeared? Or was there more... so much more.. UUUGH! I'm so tired of these games! Why do I feel so damn conflicted on my feelings about him? Isn't Jellal enough? Am I really that selfish?
The teacher greets Natsu who is stiff as a board. I couldn't blame him in that regard though. Mr. Snyder was... an interesting individual to say the least. Years of military service had really done a number on his mental state. To how he was picked to be a gym teacher I will never know. He passed by Natsu who releases a sigh of relief of the lack of pressure on top of him.
"We'll be making laps around the room, including a rep of sit ups and push ups!" The teacher announces to the whole class as everyone groans in annoyance.
I stay quiet, not really being bothered by it. Me and Natsu used to run laps around the neighborhood, always racing each other like little arch rivals. A time I greatly miss.. he was so sweet, so funny, so kind.. so...
My cheeks grow flushed just thinking about him. Why am I so confused on my feelings for him? This is getting beyond fustrating...
The teacher blows his whistle as all of us take off into a miniature sprint around the room. I keep my pacing at an even speed, not overworking my lungs or the muscles in my legs. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Natsu and Lucy jogging side by side. My heart feels like it's being stabbed a hundred times over. What did she want with Natsu? Why did she care? Why... why do I care?
Shaking my head of these overwhelming thoughts, I take off across the small circular track, guided only by the colored tape across the floor. I pass my many students who are groaning, some barely putting in any effort. My eyes glance over to Natsu who was currently conversating with Lucy. A frown curved across her lips, not liking whatever response Natsu gave.
Every part of me screams to stop by him, talk to him, pry open the can of secrets he was obviously hiding. But... I graze on by him, taking one side glance before I'm gone in a blur.
Sweat beads form, running down my head as I wipe them away with heavy breaths. Mr. Snyder was always so extreme with his gym activities. It felt like a boot camp and we were the trainees.
"Keep your clothes on Fullbuster!" Mr. Snyder voice boomed across the room towards Gray who scrambled to put his shirt back on. What was with that boy and his stripping habit? The world may never know.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I notice Natsu slowing down. His face was covered in so much sweat, he was practically leaking it out. Lucy slowed her pace to match his, before he started walking. His legs trembled underneath, nearly stumbling over his steps. Something was wrong... very wrong.
Everyone stopped what they were doing to gaze in Natsu's direction.
"We are not done Dragneel, get moving!" Mr. Snyder barks across the room towards Natsu who was currently hunched over, breathing heavily.
I send our teacher a sharp glare, before running over to meet Natsu face to face. All the color was drained from his face, his breathing was growing more ragged by the second. Lucy gives me a concerned frown, her eyes landed on the back of his head.
"Natsu, are you okay?" I call out to him, but he doesn't respond to it. My feet step closer to his shaking body.
Natsu slowly raises his head to meet my eyes that widen in shock at his condition. His eyes looked completely glazed over, lifeless. His breathing was becoming worse by the second, including his cheeks that looked red as a tomato. It didn't take a genius to know that he was really sick. He could barely stand on his two feet, to which I reached out to grab his arms tightly to keep him steady.
"Are you sick?" I ask, only this time my voice is gentle and soft enough to reach through. My hand reaches up to press against his forehead, to which it recoils feeling my hand nearly burn against it's touch. "You're burning up..."
I couldn't take it anymore. My arms squeezed into his arms that felt like brittle bones, lacking the muscles he once had. Tears are slowly peaking in the corners of my vision, but I didn't care. Something happened to Natsu all those months ago, and he was going to tell me.. I needed to know the truth!
"Talk to me. What is going on with you?!" I practically scream out towards him, but his eyes look right through me like I wasn't even there.
"E-erza I..." He mutters out a whisper I can barely hear, which only causes me to lean my head in further. "I'm sooor..."
His eyes roll to the back of his head as his body collapses against me, like a dead log. My arms let go as I lower him to the ground, tears streaming down my cheeks as I shake him violently. "Natsu! Natsu, talk to me!"
"Oh shit!" I hear the scrambling of feet behind me as Gray drops down next to me to lift his head. My hands continue to shake his body, begging, pleading that he regained consciousness, but to no avail. "Natsu, come on, please wake up!" I continue to call out in desperation, hoping and praying he hears me.
Students all gather around with concerned looks.
"Out of the way, out of the way!" Mr. Snyder demands, shoving many students out of the way as he gets down on his knees next to me and Gray. His fingers press against Natsu's throat with focused eyes.
A sigh of relief escapes the old man's lips. "He's breathing. Gray, Erza, I'm gonna need your help getting him to the nurses office."
We both nod in acknowledgment as the teacher slowly lifts Natsu to his feet. I take one arm while Gray takes the other.
"The rest of you stay here. Do not leave this room unless the bell rings, am I understood?"
Many of the students nod, their eyes locked on Natsu, whose head was slumped over. We slowly make our way out of the gymnasium, walking down the halls. My grip is tight on Natsu's arm. My lip wouldn't stop quivering.
What the hell was going on?...
"You really are something, aren't you, Natsu?"
A sweet angelic voice echoed through his ears like a gentle song. He smiled, rubbing her arm with his eyes closed. Her fingers combed through his hair, bringing a soothing feeling to relax every worry, every thought, anything that brought him sadness melted away. Nothing else mattered. Nobody else mattered. It just him and her, snuggled up with one another like fate intended for them.
"But that's why you love me, isn't it?" Natsu asked, peaking an eye open with a playful grin written upon his lips. "It's never a dull day when Natsu Dragneel is here."
The woman who rolled her eyes at his antics provided a warm smile that scared his demons away. "That it isn't. But what if I get boring to you, huh?"
"Not gonna happen," he immediately denied the thought with a smile of his own. "Erza Scarlet is a lot of things, but boring is definitely not one of them. I love you, every part of you. I wouldn't want you to change for anyone, including me. You are perfect just the way you are," his hands reached out to cup her soft, smooth cheeks with a bright toothy grin. "You're mine, Erza, always and forever."
Erza's eyes watered, an infectious smile making its way across her lips. She leaned down, parting her lips as her hands gently rested on his cheeks. Their lips touched together, both of them bathing in each other's warmth. Her lips tasted of strawberries and vanilla. His tasted of cinnamon and smoked wood. They were in their own personal heaven, an oasis away from prying eyes.
Leaves gently bristled in the wind, parting away from an oak tree they currently were under, shading them away from the suns harmful gaze.
"Hey, love birds!"
Erza and Natsu immediately separated from their kiss, shooting around to see Natsu's father Igneel standing their with the biggest grin on his face. Both kids were deeply blushing, realizing they've been caught.
"You two can mash lips later. Come get some food!"
"DAD!" Natsu roars in outrage, a fierce blush across his cheeks as his girlfriend let out a small giggle, patting his head.
"Well, I know your stomach can't deny food," Erza stood up off the grass, offering her hand with the brightest smile, putting the sun to shame against her angelic beauty. "So let's go. We'll come back once we're done, I promise."
Natsu stared at her in awe, truly realizing how lucky he was to snatch such a beautiful girl. He thanked any gods up above that this angel was sent to him. Love couldn't even begin to compare what he felt for her. She was everything, she was his life, his heart, his happiness. Nothing in this world would ever take that away from him... nothing.
He smiled, reaching out to take her hand. "I'll hold you to that," Natsu stood up off the ground, brushing away the leaves and dirt that stained his pants and shirt.
"Well... RACE YA DRAGON BOY!" Erza shouted, taking off across the field with a fit of giggles to follow her.
"OI! Get back here!"
Natsu took off with her, laughing gleefully, knowing full good and well that his life was perfect.
And nothing and he meant nothing could possibly change that.
Erza sat in silence, watching the clock above her head tick by. Her finger nails slowly drummed along the armrest of her seat, glancing over towards the still conscious body of Natsu. She didn't know how long she was sitting here, she didn't really care.
His chest slowly raised and lowered. His breathing was slow and shallow, causing her heart to clench tightly onto it's self.
Lucy and Gray sat on the opposite sides. Her eyes never left Natsu's body, unlike Gray who pulled out his phone to scroll around on it mindlessly. With an exasperated sigh, he slipped his phone into his shorts pocket, running a hand through his hair. "What even happened out there?"
"Exhaustion, lack of sleep and nutrition."
Everyone turned their heads towards a woman who stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She wore a long flowing gown, two pins in her pink hair that became a bun.
"Mrs. Dreyar.." Erza muttered softly, standing up from her seat. She glanced down at Natsu and back to the older woman. "What is wrong with him?"
Porlyusica wore a deep frown, walking over to inspect Natsu who had yet to regain consciousness. Her fingers gently pressed against his arms, scanning over his entire body with quick focused eyes. Their were many things wrong here. The sunken in eyes, his pale complexion, the fever that was still going strong. Was he being abused at home? Mistreated? Starved? She wasn't sure. The further she studied him, the deeper her frown became. This boy was sick, she had a half a mind to say he needed to go to the hospital.
She shook her head, stepping away from Natsu. "Oh dear..."
"W-what?" Lucy stood up from her seat, nearly in tears at her friends condition. "What's going on?"
"This boy hasn't slept or eaten in days. I fear he may need to go to the hospital if I'm being completely honest here."
Erza covered her mouth, tears leaking from her eyes. She walked up to his body, placing a hand on his arm, a deep frown soon to follow. "B-but his parents aren't like that at all. They are the sweetest people you'd ever meet. Why.. w-why would he be sleep deprived, and hungry? It doesn't make any sense at all!"
"I'm not sure child, but... his pare-"
A groan escaped Natsu's lips as his body shuffled on the cot. His eyes slowly cracked open, blinking a couple times against the harsh light above him. "Where...?" He slowly pulled himself up on shaky palms, before his body froze.
Staring with tearful, wide eyes was many of the people he had just met, Including... her.
"W-what... what happened?" Natsu muttered, rubbing his head and eyes. His head felt like it was splitting open with a pain he could barely contain.
"You're in the nurse's office Natsu," Porlyusica responded, meeting his eyes face to face. Her face was stern, motherly, caring. He knew this woman from Makarov's portrait on his desk. "You lost consciousness in gym class. Mr. Snyder, Erza and Gray took you here."
"Oh... can I go?" He asked, already standing up off the cot on shaky legs. "I-I don't want to be late for class."
The older woman shook her head. "You may not leave this room Natsu. You are really sick. I suggest you go to the hospital under these conditions."
"W-what conditions? I'm fine!"
"Dude, you are the farthest thing from fine," Gray said, standing in front of the door to block his path. "Passing out in the middle of class isn't normal man."
Natsu's eyes twitched in annoyance. "And your stripping habit is? Look, I'm fine I just needed some rest. I'm back, good as new! Now let me g-"
"How can you sit there and say you're fine when you're not?!" Erza cried, stepping forward towards him as he took a hesitant step back. "You're not fine... what happened to you? Why.. why does it feel like you're not being honest with me? Why Natsu, WHY?!"
"And why the hell do you care?!" He snapped in a reply, growling under his breath as he clenched his fists tightly together, his hair shadowing the pain underneath. "You have Jellal now don't you? You don't need me anymore. I was forgotten about, thrown away like yesterday's garbage, and now all of a sudden you fucking care?!"
She was left speechless, unable to move, unable to say a thing back. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she turned away from him. "I care about you deeply, Natsu... I never stopped.."
"You sure as hell have a funny way of showing it..."
A silence spread through out the room until the nurse's office door opened up to reveal a concerned principle. Makarov slowly walked inside, standing in front of the doorway. His eyes met Natsu's who turned away from the old man's gaze. "Natsu, come on boy. I'm taking you to the hospital."
"I'm coming with him," Erza stated, crossing her arms over her chest with a sharp glare towards Makarov who sweated under the demonic scarlet woman's gaze. "And I'm not taking no for an answer."
"A-alright, come on then. You've both been excused from school today," he gestured towards Natsu who wouldn't move from his spot. "Natsu, I'm not letting you leave this room unless it's the hospital."
"Fine..." A sigh escaped the boy's lips as he stood up off the cot. He slowly walked past Erza, trailing behind Makarov who led the way. She followed along, keeping her head down as the door closed behind them.
"You two may go back to your classes. I will notify your teachers on why you were late," Porlyusica said, taking a seat at her desk with a small smile. "You're excused now."
Lucy and Gray both stood up from their seats, thanking Mrs. Dreyar before leaving in tow with one another.
The old woman let out an exhausted sigh, rubbing between the wrinkles of her cheeks. She turned around in her chair, watching out the window as Natsu, Erza and Makarov all got into his car, before taking off.
"What a mess..."
This probably feels like rushed garbage at this point. I honestly don't know what I'm doing at all. I don't mean to sound super negative, but this story is just.. I don't know. There wasn't a proper plan. I had so many ideas but now I feel like they're falling through.
Next time, Natsu goes to the hospital, only to be left with the one person he's tried to avoid.
I hope, even if this feels like garbage. Enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you in the next one. Later
