It seemed like an average day at Magnolia High, but it soon wouldn't be. Levy, a petite bluenette was walking into her science class for an overnight trip to the forest. Since Macao, their teacher, was so worried about people being lost that he was going to have them in pairs. When she walked in the class, she was bombarded by Jet and Droy trying to win her over.

"Hey Levy, don't you wanna be my partner on the field trip", Jet said smoothly. "Why would she want you instead of me", Droy yelled. "Because I could catch her faster than you if she falls over", Jet felt superior to his frenemy. "Yeah, well she'd never go hungry with all the food I have", said the chubby male. "Uh, guys…you don't need to argue", Levy said. "You're absolutely right Ms. McGarden, because I'm picking partners for you", Macao said walking in.

The students took their seats. Macao started pairing people: Natsu with Lucy, Erza with Jella, Wendy with Romeo, Jet with Droy, and then Juvia with Gray. That left her to be paired with Gajeel. Gajeel was the school bully; he had three piercings on each ear, eight on both fore arms, two on both sides of his nose, three above each eye, and two on his chin. He didn't have any friends because he was scary and rumor had it that that he nearly killed a guy for looking at him wrong.

"Well then, let's get on the bus, you have your stuff right", Macao asked. "Everyone's good sir", Natsu blurted out. "Alright then, and by the way, you have to sit with your partner. Maybe even have a nice conversation", Macao laughed.

As everyone got on the bus and took their seats, Gajeel started talking to Levy. Everyone was uncertain on how it would end out, but they were on guard. She was nervous about it as well, but she hid it.

"So I guess you're my partner 'Shrimp'", he grinned. Shrimp…is her referring to my height, she thought; but answered, "Yeah, I guess so", she smiled.

Levy couldn't help but look at all his piercings. She wondered if they hurt or if they were sharp. She grabbed a book from her bag to take her mind off of her partner. Little did she know that she was being watched.

"So the shrimp is a bookworm", Gajeel smirked. Levy jumped at his voice, "Oh um yeah, I love to read. What about you?" "I'm not big on books, I'm actually into building", Gajeel scratched his head nervously.

As soon as they got to the forest, Levy thought Gajeel was a really nice guy. He didn't seem like the guy everyone was scared of. Everyone got off the bus with their things and started to look around.

"Everyone come to the inn in town by dusk okay", Macao said when he left.

They all nodded and used their maps to explore. Jet and Droy decided to follow Levy and Gajeel to make sure nothing happens to her.

"Do you lap dogs have to follow us around", Gajeel asked feeling annoyed. "As if we'd leave her alone with you", Jet yelled. "Ohhhh, I'm so afraid", Gajeel mocked him.
"We're serious man", Droy said in a fighting stance.

Gajeel didn't pay him any attention, but Droy quickly lunged at Gajeel. The boy with piercings dodged it and pinned the chubby boy down on the ground, twisting his arm to keep him down. Jet tried to help, but was also pinned down. Gajeel had to hold back so he wouldn't hurt them, so he let them go.

"I'm going back to town, since Levy's my partner she has to come too", Gajeel said in authority. "No way are we letting her be with you", Droy said defensively. "I'll be fine okay, you don't have to worry", Levy said leaving her lap dogs and going with Gajeel.

When they got to own, they went to a diner. Gajeel offered to pay for her meal but she declined. Levy said that she could pay for herself, but the pierced man did it anyway. She offered to pay him back with her money, but he refused and said that it was the right thing to do.

"I'm sorry about what happened in the woods", Gajeel apologized sadly. "It's not your fault. They were just trying to protect me and you were protecting yourself", Levy said with a smile. "Um, I saw a book store on the way here, would you like to go and buy a new book", he asked nervously. "Oh sure I would. You know, you're really nice to be considered a bully", she kept smiling at him. "Y-You really think so…", he blushed as they walked in the store.

All he could think about was what Levy said to him. You're too nice to be considered a bully, the words replayed in his head over and over. Every time he thought about it, he just got more and more frustrated. He never thought anyone could say things like that to him, especially a girl. Even though he had experience with girls, he's never dated a good one. All his previous ones were mean, evil, and took pleasure in hurting people; for a nice to say that, they'd have to be crazy or drunk.

"Hey Gajeel, I found a book on old languages", Levy seemed excited. "Alright, do you want me to buy it or no", he asked. "No, I'll buy it myself this time okay", she said.

She paid for the book and they left. They walked down the street not speaking or glancing at each other. They soon saw Natsu, he looked really angry and ready for a fight. As they got closer, Natsu rushed at the boy next to Levy without warning and punched him. Natsu kept punching, but Gajeel retaliated this time by throwing Natsu to the ground and punched him in the stomach. The brutal fight went on for about ten minutes until Macao came to break it up. The boys had to go to the hospital to get bandages for their bruised bodies. Levy didn't go with them in fear of what she'd see, she realized that he really was a bad guy. She felt that the way he treated her was an act. She wanted to be alone.

"Levy are you okay, I know you saw the fight", Gray asked. "I'm fine, why did Natsu fight Gajeel", Levy asked worriedly. "He heard about what happened to Jet and Droy", Gray said. "That doesn't give him the right to fight him", Levy cried. "Yeah well, he roughed them up pretty bad and he broke Natsu's arm in the fight. And yet he only has bruises that are surface deep", Gray explained. "Alright Gray, goodnight", she went to the girl's suite.

Levy took a shower and got in bed, too tired to think about the day. Since all the other girls were out at dinner, she had some peace and quiet so she decided to go to sleep. Meanwhile, Macao decided to put Natsu and Gajeel in different rooms so there wouldn't be any more conflict. Gajeel now shared a room with Macao since he knew the other guys would try to challenge him. All Gajeel could think about was how Levy felt. He thought of how scary he must have been during the fight and how scared she probably was. He pushed away the thoughts and tried to sleep, he was a bully after all…it was just in his nature. All his rage and anger slowly faded as he drifted to sleep for the night.