Chapter 7: The Swipey-Swipey App
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Lucy can't take it anymore.
The heavy curtains blocked out most light in the room, with only the projector highlighting her curvy silhouette. As she continued leading the meeting with her executives, she couldn't stop thinking about…
That idiot.
He told her to call him that night but when she did, he hadn't picked up, and he hadn't texted her either. What really made her think he's a scumbag was when she went to potentially talk to him on the dating app, she saw that he was active. When she saw that green button next to his name, the few lingering moments of sadness she felt was replaced by rage.
He made a move on her! Why is she facing the humiliation of rejection? Is this what rejection feels like?
"So, as our research teams continue researching star KIC 8462852's Dyson Sphere behavior, Loke and Aries will advance with Agria Co. for the deal that we manufacture their nuclear reactor- "Lucy abruptly stopped once she heard a knock at the door.
Capricorn opened the door and gently motioned for Juvia to come in.
Loke smiled brightly at her," Yo! Juvia, what's up cutie?"
Lucy growled at him," Mind your manners Loke! You're married to Aries!" He cowered behind Aries who tried to comfort both. Everyone thought she was being more testy than usual.
Lucy continued to glare at him but turned to Juvia.
Then froze.
Her eyes examined from Juvia's redden, and slightly puffy eyes, her nose looked like it had seen many tissues, then to her sullen downturned mouth. Concern flooded into her system and her presentation can wait another day.
"Capricorn, can you move this to another time when we're all available. Meeting is dismissed for now."
Aquarius, who was painting her nails for the duration of the meeting anyway, was suddenly outraged. "What do you mean?! We already spent an hour at this stupid meeting. Just finish it already, I'm not doing this again, stupid girl."
Lucy deadpanned at her," No."
The room collectively gasped at her response.
While this is Lucy's company, Aquarius is more of a mentor than an executive. Not only that but since Layla Heartfilia's death, she's the closest thing akin to a mother figure to Lucy. She never talks back at Aquarius, regardless of how offensive or derogatory she might be.
Lucy gently grabbed Juvia's hand and walked out the room, knowing whatever Aquarius decides to do with her 'outburst' would probably mean bodily harm.
Once the two escaped, all the executives doubled up and began whispering while staring at the still shocked Aquarius processing what had just happened.
Handing her a glass of water, Lucy sat down next to her on her office couch. She was waiting for her to begin but Juvia's lips trembled with every whine or noise trying to escape.
"He-he…."
"You're not Michael Jackson Juvia."
Juvia harrumphed a beat of a laugh before wiping off her tears.
"Gray-sa…Gray. He said he would take Juvia on a d-date yesterday but he-he just never showed up! Juvia tried to call him, but the phone was picked up hours later by a-a-a…. A LADY!" At this point Juvia was sobbing, so much so that her nose was running as well. Lucy noticed this because Juvia clung on her to her like a second skin and made note of the fluids on her dress.
"Oh Juvia, he's a stupid boy I'm so sorry. Did he say anything today?" Lucy secretly hated Gray, he kept giving Juvia false hopes by meeting up with her but never pursued anything further than staying friends. She even saw him on that app…
…God, that stupid fucking app.
"All he said was that he was busy, and when Juvia questioned which harlot answered his device all he said was that she-she's JUST A FRIEND." Lucy was convinced her top was soaked with tears, but she didn't care.
"Screw these garbage men, they deserve to get knocked out. God, what is it with these Fairy Tail men and their stupid ghosting." Juvia peeked up at Lucy's face from her bosom.
"…You mean, you are having problems with Natsu-san?"
Lucy felt herself get flustered from the innocent question," I-I'm not having-No! We're not anything, it's just…" Lucy felt that unfamiliar icky feeling in her stomach again.
She didn't want to admit it, but she was…disappointed. The energy and heat she felt on that day was so addictive, despite only feeling it once. She spent the entire night fantasizing about it, dreaming about it even. She made the excuse for herself that he might have fallen asleep by the time she called him. She made an excuse to coddle herself and to have hope.
In her life, she's had a great grasp of expectations. Coming from the Heartfilia Konzern, she was used to being the one in control. As privileged as it sounds, having the name and money to back her up made her safety net solid. Then once she left her home and began her company, she started from nothing. Despite not having her solid safety net, she knew what to do after carefully observing her father toil away day and night.
She realized how unpredictable the world is, but she can control her decisions. When something goes wrong, she seldom gets disappointed because she knows the next decision to make. What is the better choice, what should she switch to, and why should she? It was methodical.
With Natsu, she has no idea what to do. He tumbled into her life and made her feel things she's never felt before. She wasn't naïve, she knew she had plenty of life ahead of her and perhaps she'd meet someone better in her future.
His smile, his laugh, his eyes plagued her thoughts from the few instances they've met. This rejection hurt her pride but what hurts the most is that she might not be able to feel the spark between them.
"He's been ghosting me entirely after he umm…made a move." Juvia lightly gasped at her words. "Lucy! You did not inform Juvia! What did he do?"
Lucy blushed at the memory," He sort of hugged me? From behind, and then he- "She took a quick breath and avoided eye contact, "He kissed my neck, but it was just a peck!"
Juvia's jaw fell at this news," WHAT! Juvia has not even received a consensual hug from Gray-sam- Juvia means Gray after two years! How did you seduce Natsu-san!"
Lucy scoffed," I didn't even know he saw me like that he just suddenly changed the mood and said he wanted to…Well, anyway! Let's go back to this. That idiot needs to pay for this. We can't just let this slide, otherwise he'll just keep doing this. Do you even want to see him again?"
Juvia pondered for a moment,"…Yes." Lucy sighed in disappointment but didn't comment. "Juvia knows…Gray-sama is genuinely kind but he does not accept it from others because he feels as though he does not deserve it."
"That doesn't mean you need to be a martyr! Just because there is a reason doesn't justify mistreating you!" Lucy spat out.
Juvia looked to the floor dejectedly and Lucy felt terrible for her eruption.
"Sorry, I know you're patient and you'll make it work. It's just awful to see you like this. But, I have an idea."
Juvia perked up at her words," An idea for what?"
She smiled brightly at the girl, "Don't you worry, but tomorrow show up to the main Fairy Tail building." Juvia opened her mouth to question more but Lucy interrupted her. "Don't worry, just show up at 6:00. Wear something…revenge-like. Think Diana after the divorce. Also, you have a call from Blue Pegasus in 10 minutes!"
Juvia jumped out of her arms, before running to her desk. Once she left the room Lucy let out a heavy sigh and then fell back into the couch.
[Read the next line in the voice of Morgan Freeman]
She, in fact, did not have an idea.
Natsu was in disarray, and he might've infected Gray with his confusion. Spread his confusion like a flu.
After that night with Lucy, he felt like a volcano had erupted inside him. He knew he liked her, but he never even expected himself to just...lose control like that. He wanted to clear all the confusion and said exactly what was on his mind and she…didn't seem to mind it. He almost wished he kept going but didn't know how much more control will slip away. The last thing he wanted to do is scare her.
That night he tumbled into his home where Happy greeted him in confusion from his clearly bothered father. He locked himself in the dark room and wanted to stay there forever or at least until he calmed down. He couldn't stop thinking about how good she smelled, and how much better it got up close. He wanted to do so much more, he wanted to pin her against the wall and shove his tongue in her mouth. To hold her tiny waist and have her wrap those long legs around him and do whatever felt good. Everything about her felt intoxicating.
He couldn't help himself as he unzipped his pants and imagined her small hands moving it all over his member. Then she'd spit on it or maybe even wrap those full lips on the…
Before he knew it, he saw two missed calls from her, and it had already been three hours. He panicked and wanted to send a text instead but got so flustered at the thought of her. Instead, he fell asleep in frustration.
The next day wasn't better, every time he even read her name, he'd get rock hard without fail. Not to mention he was tasked with a security guard position to a famous supermodel, it left no time to fix his mistake. Now that the job is over, and it's been days since the incident, and she's gone radio silent.
Now, he doesn't even know if she'll forgive him for this but given her reactions to his previous perverted incidents, she definitely won't forgive him for getting bricked up or who knows what he'll do if he saw her.
"'Dunno man, can't you just say you were busy?" Gray carelessly said as they left the Fairy Tail doors. They had just debriefed the Master on their recent job.
"I'm gonna attack her if I see her again, I just know it." Natsu buried his face in his hands.
Gray snorted at the younger man," So what? She might like it. I know Jenny wouldn't have minded."
Natsu groaned at his words," Mavis, that chick was crazy. She kept going on and on about my arms for some reason it was so fucking annoying."
Gray nodded," She kept telling me I'm so handsome for a guard, she even secretly took my phone and put her number in it."
Snorting back at him," Calling your ugly mug handsome? As if. But wouldn't you like it if she tried to get with you? You go for everyone but Juvia."
Gray's face fell in anger, and he kicked a stone on the ground with his hands in his pockets. "It's not like that, she's too good for me. I want her to be with some-woah. Check that car out."
He pointed to a super car headed towards their direction. "That things like worth a whole years' worth of S-Class missions, I can't believe someone in Magnolia can afford that."
Natsu disinterestedly looked at the vehicle, he's never been a car guy…or a motion guy.
As the car came closer, it suddenly pulled over close to them. They both stared as the drivers door opened and out came…
Natsu gulped at Lucy stomping over towards them with a metal baseball bat in one hand and bouquet of hyacinths in the other.
She came here to murder him.
She's gonna kill him.
Today was his last day on Earthland and he didn't even know.
She was going to clobber him with a bat then lay the flowers on his body.
God she looks so hot…Wait-no I'm going to die
…So hot.
He was trembling and backed away with his eyes shut and arms raised to protect himself.
"U-UWAGHH!" He heard a heavy thud.
Huh?
When he looked back up he saw Lucy standing above Gray's body with the metal bat pointed at Gray.
Gray looked bewildered but then screamed at her," W-What the hell, Lucy?!"
"Shut up!" He quickly closed his mouth.
"How could you just ditch Juvia like that?!"
Confused, Gray asked her," What? What do you mean?"
"You stood her up yesterday! She was so upset and then she said some lady picked up the phone when she tried calling you!" She accused.
"CAN I GET UP!"
"HELL NO!"
Meanwhile Natsu was gazing lovingly at the fiery blonde for attacking his best friend and protecting her own. Just when he thought he couldn't be more into her.
"What was yesterday? We didn't have anything planned, and I was on a job yesterday, so I wasn't doing shit with other women." He explained.
Lucy was getting frustrated," You and Juvia had a date planned, and you didn't even say anything!"
Gray jolted his head back to look at her incredulously," No! Our date isn't scheduled until…Oh shit."
Lucy's scowled at the man," You forgot." She stated.
Gray sheepishly nodded.
Her eyebrows scrunched," Then who was that woman?"
Gray pondered for a moment before realizing," Oh! It was probably Jenny. Our job was to escort her for the Mermaid's Secret fashion show. You know that, Jenny. She kept hitting on me and Natsu, she even took my phone at some point, it was probably her."
Lucy finally stole an angry glance at the pink-haired man that was observing their situation like a movie but turned back to the one on his back in the middle of the sidewalk.
She paused for a moment and retreated the metal bat in a neutral position by her side.
She waited for him to get up and asked," What are your intentions with her?"
Gray sighed," Man, shouldn't you fix your own relationship before butting into mine?" Lucy reddened at the insinuation but before she could say anything he continued.
"I want to have a relationship with her but she's too good for me."
"I agree."
Gray looked to the ground longingly.
Lucy let out a slight breath," But I know she's not going to give up on you. So, make yourself better for her. Stop giving her false hopes, she is too good for you, so treat her better." They locked eyes for a moment, he could feel this is the test of approval.
He caught the bouquet she threw towards him.
"I told her to meet me here in a few minutes, I don't know or care what you're going to do now but give those to her and apologize. She loves flowers and their different meanings; these ones are forgiveness flowers. Her favorite spot is the one behind the cathedral. Her dream date is having a picnic by the water during the sunset. Just ask her out already." Grays' eyes widened at her words; he stuttered out a thank you.
She looked at him for a moment before starting to walk back to the car.
"Wait!"
Her metal bat looked really useful once she heard that voice.
She glared at the guilty looking man in front of her.
"S-sorry, could we talk?" He asked her hopefully.
Her eyes narrowed at him some more and he flinched at the poignant stare.
"I'll drop you home, you can explain yourself on the way."
"O-Okay."