Chapter 1: Hands off

Summer has finally ended and school days are back. It's another school year in Fairy Tail High and all students are excited to come back to school to see their friends.

One of them is Lucy Heartfilia, one of the smartest students in the school. She may be smart but she's not a nerdy nerd because she is considered to be a beauty as well. Because of her beauty, she has become popular with guys. And since she gets a lot of attention, there is this one person that Lucy has that protects her from all the cat callings and admirers. Lucy has become a single lady ever since because of her best friend, Natsu.

Natsu Dragneel is one of Fairy tail's best basketball players and is well-admired by girls. He has become popular because of his skills on the basketball court. But even if he is an athlete, he has a way to be a top student. He may act as if he didn't care about studying because of his habit of being late in class, but he never fails his teachers to answer their questions. Because of this, younger students and girls admired him for being cool. But even if he gets a lot of attention, he cares for one person, his best friend, Lucy. He has met Lucy since they were kids and up until now, they stick together no matter what. Since his best friend is as popular as he is, he developed the attitude of being protective. So now, he never allows any guy to court Lucy because he just cares for his best friend.

On the first day of school, a certain blonde-haired student has gone to school already. It's still too early in the morning to be on campus, but Lucy is not surprisingly early walking toward their school's main building already. While walking, she was humming some song when suddenly an arm surprised her around her shoulder. "Good morning Luce!"

"Natsu?! what are you doing here?!" Lucy looked at her best friend with wide eyes, "I mean, you don't usually come to school this early..." Lucy pulled back a bit as she raised a brow at him, "Wait you are real, right? Not some double ganger?" Lucy then stops in her tracks and started to grasp her best friend's face to look and check at him if he was for real.

"You're being weird again, Luce. Of course, I'm here at school because it's the first day of classes..." Natsu replied as he took Lucy's hands off his face and just held onto her wrist, "And besides...I wanted to surprise someone…"

Lucy was somehow surprised by what he said, so unconsciously her face began to color. She then began to think if it was her that he wanted to surprise, but she didn't want to assume anything. She then shakes the thought away and asks instead, "Oh? Who is it? Do I know who?"

"SECRET!" Natsu grinned widely, "But I'll tell you later, promise! Gotta go, see you later, Luce!" Natsu shouted as he runs off away from her going inside the building.

"Wait! Natsu!" Lucy called but he was halfway near the school building already. Keeping her gaze on the descending figure of her best friend, she suddenly sees him wave goodbye before disappearing inside the building.

"Good morning, Lu-chan!" A female voice suddenly shouts afar behind Lucy, making her turn around to identify the person who called her. Seeing who it is, she gives a smile to the blue-haired girl approaching her, "Good morning, Levy-chan,"

"Was that Natsu earlier?" Levy asked with surprise in her tone. Lucy nods her head as she stifled a laugh at the surprised expression of the blunette, "He is sure early today!" Levy said as she stands next to the blonde. Soon enough, the two continue to walk along the trail towards the building Natsu went into.

"Yeah..." Lucy then trails off while biting her lower lip, as she thought about what Natsu had told her, "he said he wanted to surprise someone…"

"Oh?" Levy eyed her best friend, "Who? You?" Levy asks meaningfully as if she was implying something, causing the blonde to blush faintly.

"Of course not, Levy!..." Lucy bellowed back as she ignores the warmth on her cheeks while they both entered the building and headed straight to the lockers, "Well I don't know really…" Lucy slightly bits her lower lip again. Reaching their lockers, Lucy and Levy began to unlock their respective lockers and stuffed their things inside.

"Oh come on, Lu-chan! We know Natsu has been the sweetest best fri-" Levy was then cut off by her blonde friend.

"That's it, Levy! Best friend, nothing else…" Lucy then shakes her head, "We have been friends for so long and I'm pretty sure that's how he only sees me…" she then closes her locker along with her blue-haired friend before looking back at her.

"Yeah, right!" Levy turns to the blonde as she leans on her locker, "Is that how you see him too?" Levy started to tease the blonde by nudging her with her elbow.

But Lucy just scoffed at her friend as she gave a disbelief smile, "Yeah, of course…"

"Right..." Levy says with a roll of her eyes. She then stood up straight and looked at the blonde, "Oh-kay, if you say so..." Levy replied with a shrug of her shoulders, sounding unconvinced by the response Lucy made. Knowing her other best friend, Lucy just looked away and tried her best to hide her red cheeks.

Soon Lucy and Levy left the lockers area and walked into their room. As they entered room 3-A with only a few students inside, Lucy immediately took a seat beside the window on the second to the last row.

After a good 30 minutes of wait, the bell finally rang at 7:00 am. Students finally started filling in inside the classroom, rushing in to grab their seats. Their first class was world Literature and Ms. Mary has come in already for her subject.

Despite coming to school early, Lucy hasn't found any sign of her pink-haired friend in the room. Lucy knew that Natsu would be her classmate for the school year as she was the one that got the schedule for him in the office. But somehow the young man was starting to run late again, which is not surprising since he is always like that every school year. But being the overly concerned best friend to the pinkette, Lucy had to find a way to contact him. So, despite disobeying the rule of no texting during class, she grabs her phone from her bag and started texting him.

7: 07 AM

To: Natsu baka

Where are you?! Our teacher is here already! Hurry up! The class is starting!

Lucy quickly hid her phone back in her bag, when suddenly the door slammed open.

It revealed a blonde teen and he had a lazy expression toward the teacher as he enters the room. He then greets her, "Good morning, Ms. Mary…" the blonde teen stood for a moment as he shoved his hands into his pants pocket, "Sorry, I'm late." He then gave a poor bow of his head before he continued his way to an empty chair.

Ms. Mary was left dumbfounded for a moment but soon shook her head and responded, "Alright take your seat Mr. Eucliffe, let's check the-,"

"Wait!" A loud shout was then heard outside the room. Another slam in the door happened and as it opened, it revealed a pink-haired student who was trying to catch his breath. The teacher was surprised for the second time and just stared at the student. But the longer she stared at the newly arrived student, the teacher slowly gave a queering look, "Mr. Dragneel, just come in and take your seat. You didn't have to shout at the corridor,"

"Gomen-"

"And you're late… AGAIN" the teacher bellowed.

Natsu just gave his signature smile before bowing his head as he walks off to his usual chair. But to his surprise, the seat was now already taken. His usual chair would be beside Lucy but a certain blonde boy has taken his seat and he's not liking it. Natsu then stood in front of the teen and gave a stern look, "Sting… I believe that's my chair," Natsu said with a stern voice as he stood straighter to emphasize his height while crossing his arms over his chest.

As Lucy followed Natsu's movement ever since he walked in, she ended up staring at the two, who seemed to make everyone stiff in their seats. But soon enough, all students were startled when their teacher slammed the table with her hand, "Again, Mr. Dragneel, take your seat"

"Hai..." Natsu replied quietly with gritted teeth while keeping his gaze on the sleepy blonde teen. He then walks away and grabs the chair behind Lucy instead.

As he took his seat, Natsu couldn't help but glare at Sting while he felt annoyed toward him as he took his usual spot. Everyone in class usually leaves the chair next to Lucy empty as it was almost like a tradition that he takes that seat. No one ever mentions it, but Natsu always seems to like that spot as he would mindlessly stare at his best friend while they listened to their teacher. He would even watch the blonde lazily stare at the blackboard, finding it amusing.

Left with no choice, Natsu tries to find a silver lining instead. He tries to convince himself that his place was still a good spot.

"Lucy is still in front of me…I can still chit-chat with her…" Natsu thought to himself as he stared at Lucy's hair.

When Ms. Mary began to write on the board, Lucy made a quick turn and looked at her best friend. She then gave a gentle smile as she reminded him, "It's alright Natsu, just let it go… At least we are still seatmates," Lucy then widens her beautiful smile before turning back around again to face their teacher and start listening.

Natsu's POV

I have been staring at Lucy's back for almost two periods already and it's starting to annoy me that I can't even see her face. Lucy's face has always been a sight for sore eyes. Her expressions and usual quirks when she's so invested in lectures have always been the interesting view for me. No wonder I always end up staring at her all the time. Lucy has been my best friend ever since we were young and I get pissed off when guys try to make a move on her. I'm pretty sure, Sting is just doing this to get Lucy's attention. As if Lucy will ever give a damn time for him.

She's mine!

I mean...

Well...

Technically speaking, she's my best friend, so basically, we just spend most of our time together…

I then shook my head, trying to focus on the lecture. But I couldn't help but think that it's annoying when creeps try to woo her. No guy is better for Lucy except...well, I don't know. She deserves a guy who would make her laugh all the time, make her feel special, someone who'd protect and walk her home all the time.

Just like what I do for her. So unless there is any guy who can do that, I'll scare these creeps away and Sting is one of them. Until I find that perfect guy for Lucy, I will never feel like I can let other guys court her...

"Mr. Dragneel! Answer number three!" Mr. Fasuyama suddenly called out making me startled with the call of my name.

"Huh? Wha-what?" I stuttered as everyone started to look at me while I slowly stood up.

KRING! KRING! KRING!

Our teacher then sighs out loud while I couldn't help myself but grin at my luck, "Alright class, read pages 17 to 35 for our next meeting discussion!" our teacher then fixes his things.

"WOOH! Saved by the bell!" I then dropped to my chair. Knowing it would be break time next, I placed my legs on my table and began to rock my chair backward looking at the ceiling for a second. When I heard someone call out to Lucy, I suddenly stopped whatever I was doing.

"Hey, Lucy," Sting called, making my best friend glance at him, "Can I join you for recess? uh, you know just grab snacks with you and your friends," Sting asked as he stood from his chair and shoved his hands into his pockets.

I then raised a brow at the blonde boy before looking up at Lucy, who was surprised by the sudden request. I then smiled to myself, knowing that she'll say no. But the smile on my face quickly fades when Lucy replied.

"Uh, yeah, sure…" Lucy then smiled at Sting before calling out to Levy, who immediately looked back at her, "Sting is joining us..." Lucy stated then earned a gleeful nod from our friend.

When Lucy stood up and prepared to walk out of the room with Sting following behind, I suddenly realized Lucy did not invite me. My face then puffed in annoyance, "Hey aren't you gonna invite me to eat with you too, Luce!?"

Lucy turns to look at me with a stunned look, "Oh!" she then turns a little red as I grinned at her bashfulness and forgetfulness tendency.

I then stood up and was about to sprint towards her, when suddenly she said, "I thought you were going to surprise somebody?" Lucy brought up an eyebrow at me causing me to sweat dropped.

"W-well…" I then scratched my head in confusion, wondering why that mattered, "I am...but, I'd be doing that later at lunch…" I then tilt my head in wonder. Am I not invited to join her at recess or something?

Lucy stared at me for a short time before she shrugged the thought away and begin to walk. Before I could even follow, I heard a slight chuckle coming from my chair robber.

"Right…" Sting commented sarcastically indirectly to me before he turns his back.

"Hey, what did you say?" I shouted as I got pissed off by his remark, "Why are you making some bull-"

"Natsu! No foul words!" Lucy cuts me off as she turns and points her finger at me, "No curse words exchanged with anyone, alright?" she then stood straight before giving me a crooked smile.

When the hard tension went on for a few minutes, it all suddenly stopped when someone called out to Lucy coming from the outside of the room, "Lucy-chan! Levy-chan! Come on let's eat!"

"Coming Juvia!..." Lucy replies then turn back at me, "Natsu? Are you coming?" she and Levy then turned around to walk out of the room and the blonde boy follows behind.

Rolling my eyes at the blonde boy, I couldn't help but feel this growing annoyance inside my chest for him. Then suddenly I noticed, Sting was trying to place his hand on Lucy's small back like he was chasing to support her.

What the hell?!

In that instant, I started walking and quicken my pace to reach them as soon as possible. As I stumped my feet out of the room until I reach the cafeteria, I only had one thought in mind.

No one does that to Lucy except me!

"Hey, Sting!" I shouted as I pushed the doors to the cafeteria open, "Hands off!"

To be continued...