8 – she'd never tell
Sting Eucliffe was a bit of an asshole.
Not an average one, because he did a great job of masking it.
He was cute, popular, and kind to strangers. Anyone in his inner circle knew the real Sting.
He would volunteer at toy drives and complain afterwards about how cheap and sticky orphan children were. He helped at a soup kitchen and spit in the food, claiming the people were lucky to get a taste of his DNA.
His friends would laugh along with him. Lucy thought he was disgusting.
Lucy and Sting dated from the beginning of eighth grade to the end of sophomore year. She didn't really like him. Their parents had set up a bunch of outings until they agreed to get to know each other. If you asked Lucy, it didn't count as a relationship. Not once did he ask her out himself, nor ask her to be his girlfriend. And he barely spoke to her unless in the presence of others. Anyone from school would say otherwise.
"Sting and Lucy are so cute together."
"She is so lucky…"
"What a power couple!"
Sting was mean. He would tell Lucy to eat less and would never let her be the centre of attention. But he had money. And her dad liked him. Well, her dad liked his family. The Eucliffe Group owned the land Heartfilia Railways wanted to expand into. The easiest way for Jude to guarantee a long partnership was to marry off his only daughter to the family.
Of course, her father had to set her up with the meaner twin. Rogue Eucliffe was soft spoken and kindhearted, and if she had to pick one of the two it would be him without debate. Though she would never try. The boy had a thing for Yukino, and Yukino had a thing for him back. But her family just wasn't well off enough for the Eucliffes to approve, despite the Soranos being a massive name in the fashion industry.
Sting had spent the last year studying abroad in Caelum. He told Lucy over text a week after he'd landed that they'd have to put their relationship on hold until he was back.
What relationship? Lucy had thought. He wasn't really her boyfriend, more so a handpicked suitor. They hadn't spoken since.
"Hey." A voice came into earshot as Lucy slammed her locker shut. She glanced at the boy who leaned beside her.
"Hi." Lucy returned, offering a strained smile and a polite nod before turning around and continuing down the hall. The boy didn't let up, following her towards her class.
"So… did you miss me?"
Lucy rolled her eyes. "How was Caelum?" She asked. If she was disrespectful and he snitched, she would never hear the end of it.
"It was nice. You should take a semester this year, you'll like it. Really tropical down there." Lucy hummed in acknowledgement. They walked in silence all the way to Lucy's third period.
"Is this your class too?" Lucy asked when they arrived. She wasn't sure why he had followed her all the way here.
"Nah, can't a gentleman walk a pretty lady to class?" Sting reached down for Lucy's hand, confusion spreading across his face when she quickly pulled away. She turned towards him with a look of frustration.
"Listen, Sting. I'm sorry but I'm actually seeing someone."
"What? You mean that dude from the picture?"
"You saw— never mind. My relationship status really isn't your business, but I want to make it clear right now- I'm not interested. You're a… good guy. I hope we can still be friends." Lucy avoided his gaze as she disappeared through the door. Sting stood outside in bewilderment until the bell rang and he was ordered to his own class.
"Hey, what gives?" Sting yelled out as he entered his home that afternoon.
"Don't yell." His brother—Rogue- murmured, slipping in his earphones and disappearing down the hall.
"Welcome home. Is everything alright?" his mother entered the foyer, looking her son up and down with worry.
"Where's dad? I need to speak to him. Now."
Sting shoved past his mother after she supplied a location, making a direct beeline towards his father's office. He swung open the large double doors, not bothering to knock. His father shot him an irked look, quietly apologising for the disruption to whoever he was speaking to on the phone.
"I thought you told me I was engaged to Lucy Heartfilia?"
"It hasn't been made official yet, but that's the plan."
"Then why doesn't she know? She avoided me all day. It was fucking embarrassing."
"Watch your language." Weisslogia glanced at his notes. "I spoke to Jude recently. He mentioned Lucy was having some behavioural issues. I didn't press for details. Give the girl time to adjust."
"So, what, that phase includes dating some broke loser from the East?"
Weisslogia dropped his pen. "What?"
"Oh, so Jude neglected to tell you some details, I suppose." Sting let out a scornful laugh. His father sent him an angry look. "Everyone at schools been talking about Lucy and this nobody delinquent kid. Can't you do something?"
"I'll call Jude. Leave for now." Sting obeyed, leaving the office as his father dialled the railway official.
"I think I'll have them preserved in resin." Lucy suggested, looking at the jumble of wilting weeds on her dresser.
Virgo let out a snort. "Like a wedding bouquet, princess?"
"Well… yeah!"
It had been a week since Lucy's ballet. Her parents had been super busy, and she was able to sneak Natsu into her home twice. She was lucky to have such a loyal staff. No one told her parents about her secret relationship. Lucy thought it was so fun to hide. She felt like they were star-crossed lovers. She was living the fantasy of her dreams.
Lucy's phone had been going off all evening. Virgo had to pull away the curling iron every time Lucy looked down when a text came through.
Natsu: favourite colour
Lucy: Yellow. Favourite animal?
Natsu: ez. dragon. best movie u seen
Lucy: Wait, go back… dragon? That's not an animal.
Natsu: yea it is :(
Lucy: How is it an animal if it doesn't exist?
Natsu: is that 1 of the 20 questions
Lucy: No!
Lucy giggled at the texts. Virgo peeked over her shoulder. Her charge had been getting much closer to this boy. To be honest, Virgo didn't think they'd last this long. They didn't have much in common. Her lady was proper and poised, well-mannered and refined. Virgo had only met the pink haired boy once, but he was loud and brash, a bit crude, and had the mouth of a sailor.
Despite differences, the two got along well. Too well. It made her nervous for the trouble this budding romance was sure to bring. Lucy was the happiest Virgo had ever seen her, and Virgo had been the girl's primary caretaker since she was eleven. All she could do was hope fate was on their side.
Lucy: I don't really have a favourite movie. I prefer books.
Natsu: im gonna show u the greatest series of all time
Lucy: Come over tmrw?
Natsu: im coming early
Lucy: I'll be up at 8.
Natsu: not that early WTF
"He's coming over here again?"
"Mhm. To watch movies. Oh, do tell Capricorn to dismiss the guards tomorrow, please!"
"Of course, princess."
"You didn't mention your daughter was in a relationship. We may as well call off the merger."
"No need to make such rash decisions, Weisslogia. We need not rush. I told you before, my daughter is in a bit of a rebellious phase, nothing that can't be straightened out down the line. Besides, there are still some good years before a wedding would ever happen. We should give the future generation time to get to know each other, no?"
"This is serious, Jude. My son came to me heartbroken this afternoon. You need to control your issue."
"We'll talk soon, Weisslogia. It's quite late here. I'm in Joya for the conference until Tuesday."
"What conference?"
"The annual Investor's Expo. It's a major event for any business. Many Fortune 500s will be announcing their plans for the upcoming year, and it's the earliest opportunity to get your feet in some doors. Hop on some ships before they sail, you know? Your name is on a table card, did you forget?" Weisslogia shuffled around papers on his desk, finding the written invite buried under a stack of papers. He gritted his teeth. How had he forgotten to add it to his calendar?
Jude's voice picked up again. "I'd suggest focusing on your business for now, friend. It seems all this… petty teenage drama has distracted you. I know it can be fun to relive the days of youth, but affairs like this are vital for a prosperous trade and shouldn't be overlooked." Jude hung up.
Weisslogia threw his phone across the room.
"My god, Natsu. Mute the phone, for fuck's sake." Gray groaned from the top bunk.
"Sorry, sorry."
"When we meeting this bitch, Salamander?" Gajeel asked from his bed across the room.
"Don't call her that, asshole. And never."
"Lame." Gray vocalised. Natsu scoffed and flipped his ringer to mute. "Me and Gajeel are going with Juvi and Levy to Quatro tomorrow. Why don't you bring your girl?"
"I told her I'd go to her place tomorrow. Maybe next time, though."
The door creaked open to reveal the shadow of an angry redhead, interrupting the conversation. She gripped a broom threateningly, daring any of the boys to challenge her authority.
"Shut up or go to bed. We have thin walls."
"Yes ma'am." They said in unison.
Erza stepped away to reveal the small form of Wendy, who offered a small apologetic wave and a whisper of good night before closing the door.
a/n: filler