1 - he was a boy

"Lucy, Lisanna, Yukino, Kagura, focus! This style of dance requires uttermost concentration, chatter about the latest trends can wait!" Madame Minerva's voice rang out, snapping a group of girls out of their conversation.

"Yes, Madame Minerva." The dancers said in unison.

Lucy Heartfilia was the center of attention no matter where she went, and her ballet class was no exception.

"Lucy, what's it like being a Heartfilia? Never able to do anything wrong, getting everything you could ever wish for, being perfect in the eyes of society?" Lisanna sighed as she pirouetted and stared into the ceiling.

"I think you just answered your own question, Lis." The girls giggled.

Lucy Heartfilia was the definition of 'dream girl'. She was blonde, fit, drop-dead gorgeous. A smile that could melt the heart of any criminal. And as if that wasn't enough, she had a heart of gold. Always putting other's needs before her own, never treating anyone below her despite her family name.

Lucy's great-great-grandfather had founded a railway organization which had expanded to run railways across the country. Her wealth extended back generations, and she was the future of her name.

"So, Lucy," Kagura started. "Have you and your parents had the dreaded marriage talk yet?"

"I was wondering that too! My parents set up a meeting for me and this boy from Crocus who's second in line to his uncle's department store chain. Your parents must be arranging for you to meet a foreign prince or something!" Yukino gushed.

"Spill the details, Lucy! Will the next generation of Heartfilias be royalty?" Lisanna chimed in, holding up an imaginary microphone to the blonde's mouth. The girls looked at Lucy expectantly. She laughed softly.

"Um..." Two claps from Madame Minerva and the words 'class dismissed' ended the conversation. Saved by the bell. The girls flooded into the locker room to get dressed. Lucy slipped a pair of denim shorts over her grey leotard and pulled on a pink windbreaker.

"So Lucy-"

"Sorry guys, we'll have to finish this talk on Monday. I have somewhere to be right now, my father will kill me if I'm late. I'll text you guys tonight!" Lucy threw up a peace sign and all but sprinted out of the building, ignoring the obvious stares from the girls in her class.

Lucy knew her friends meant no harm joking about an arranged marriage. It was a tough subject for Lucy, as she knew her name came with responsibilities and that one day she may be forced to marry someone she doesn't love. She was only seventeen and had so much she wanted to do before dating anyone with such high standards, let alone marrying. She didn't need her friends manifesting that negative energy.

Lucy's personal chauffeur Capricorn stood outside the dance studio. It was always easy to spot him. He towered over crowds and dressed head to toe in black and white, a huge contrast to the vibrant colors many of the Magnolia residents loved to wear.

"Hello Capricorn. How was your day?" Lucy approached her driver with a smile.

"It was delightful, Lady Lucy. I apologize for not having the car. It looked like a lovely day and your father agreed it would be nice to walk home so you could get some fresh air." He held up Lucy's pink HK tote. "I brought a pair of walking shoes along with the change of clothes you requested. Would you like to change back in-"

"No!" Lucy interrupted. She cleared her throat. "No, it's okay. Can we stop at one of the boutiques? I can change in a fitting room and find an outfit for Michelle's birthday brunch the weekend after next."

"Of course, Lady Lucy." Capricorn allowed Lucy to step in front of him and they began the walk home.

"Hurry it up, pyro." Someone called out. The shouter slowed down his skateboard and waved his friend over, who had kicked up his board and stopped to admire a window display.

"I'm coming, Gajeel. Just give me a minute. Ya' ever heard of the phrase 'stop and smell the roses?'"

This was a nice part of town. Fancy cafés, expensive shops. It was much different from the scene Natsu Dragneel was used to. The pink-haired skater grew up poor. He lived in a house of twenty, all adopted and cared for by one old man with a soft spot for those who've experienced the most pain.

Natsu didn't like that his friends wanted to rush him. He was excited to be in the nice part of the city, despite all the dirty looks. He hopped back on his skateboard and caught up with the group.

"I wonder what it's like to live in a place like this?" Natsu asked.

"Maybe one day you'll find out, keep up that music thing you've got going." The blue-haired boy at the front of the group answered.

"Don't get his hopes up, Jellal. Natsu would win a Hiro Award and pawn it for a couple pizzas." A scarlet-haired girl skating with the group laughed.

"Natsu? Famous? I just can't see it."

"Careful, Gray. If you're not supportive, Natsu won't give you any backstage passes to his future world tour!"

"Please. This kid doesn't know the difference between a credit card and a debit card."

"Seriously, what's the difference?" Natsu tilted his head prompting laughs from the whole group.

Meanwhile, Capricorn and Lucy continued their journey home, now with two shopping bags and empty coffee cups. Lucy stopped to feel the warmth of the sun. She looked up at the open sky. It really was a beautiful day. Lucy stood comfortably on the sidewalk before the noisy rattling of wheels snapped her out of her trance.

A few people rolled by. The first was a girl. Long, scarlet hair flies behind her. Dressed in a two piece set that resembled battle armor, she was so intimidating. On her upper left arm, a blue tattoo was drawn. It's mesmerizing to watch her skate by, no problem, ahead of a group of boys.

Close behind the skilled redhead, a boy with neon blue hair, yes, neon blue hair, tried to keep up. The two were facing each other a smiling, laughing. Lucy figured they were a couple. He had a red face tattoo above and under his right eye. She grimaced at the thought of how painful that must've been.

The next skater was shirtless, causing Lucy to redden in secondhand embarrassment. He had spiky raven hair. He was extremely good-looking for a delinquent. A weird tattoo, the same as the first girl's, was on his chest. Lucy wondered why someone would ever draw something permanently on their body. The boy was paying no attention to his surroundings, eyes glued to his phone. Chains fell from his sagging jeans and the right ear of his headphones dangled dangerously by the metal links. He seemed to be arguing someone on video call, but she couldn't tell.

Slightly behind the raven-haired skater was a scary looking guy. His hair was long and stood out in greasy spikes. His face was covered in many, many piercings. Even his eyebrows had been replaced by small metal studs. His leather pants sagged like the shirtless boy's but this one wore a black shirt with the word "metallic" spray painted on. A black tattoo, same design as the others was on his left shoulder. What parents would let their children do something like this?

Lucy watched as they all passed. She turned around to find Capricorn but was met with the body of another skater. They crashed to the ground in a heap of hormonal teen, Lucy landing on top of the person who collided with her. She took the time on the ground to study the features of the blushing boy. The first thing she noticed was his hair. It was weird, spiky, and pink. A tattoo –exactly like the rest had- was red, and on his right shoulder. The chain around his neck looked rusty, but he didn't seem to mind. His dark onyx eyes looked Lucy up and down curiously, then he smiled.

"Hi." He said. Lucy felt her face heat up.

"Hello..." She replied. There were a few moments of silence between the pair before the pinkette cleared his throat. Lucy blinked in confusion.

"Um, are you gonna get off me or…?" Lucy face reddened as she realized where she was.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" She stood up and held out a hand to help the boy up. He hesitantly stared at her hand for a few moments before grabbing it. She pulled him up. "I'm Lucy." She said, holding out her hand again for a handshake. The skater boy smiled and shook her hand.

"I'm-"

"Natsu! Stop flirting with spoiled bitches, we're late!" The boy, whom Lucy now can identify as 'Natsu' shot a glare at the pierced boy who had called his name.

"Hey, I'm really sorry but I have to go. Maybe I'll see you around!" He smiled the cutest, goofiest, most amazing smile Lucy had ever seen as he mounted his board and rolled off to join his group of friends. Lucy sighed.

I didn't even ask for his phone number.

This chapter was published 17/6/2016.

This chapter was edited 20/5/2017.

This chapter was rewritten 21/4/2020.