This chapter isn't as long, but it's definitely fun!

Still in Lucy's POV, next chapter we'll be back to Natsu!

Fairy Tail and it's characters belong to Hiro Mashima
I also do not own the song 'Valentine' by Martina McBride

Act I: Zeref and Mavis

Lucy woke up to the shrill of an alarm. She reached out to turn it off, only to find it was actually her cell phone ringing.

"Who would call this early in the morning..?" She turned over and went back to sleep.

A few hours later Lucy smiles as she woke up, she actually slept peacefully. Looking at the clock, it was 10 AM.

"I slept all morning?" she was always up before the sun, never being aloud to sleep in late, even as a child, "Oh yeah, who called me?" she could only think of one person.

"Lucy. I received a call from Glenda last night. She said you did not show up for practice yesterday. I am severely disappointed in you. How dare you skip? And just what were you doing? If I find out you were with a boy or at a sleazy college party you will be in serious trouble."

Her father hung up without another word. What a message to wake up to. He was the one who told her not to show up, and honestly, why did he care?

Lucy got up, stretched as normal, but instead of grabbing her violin, she picked up a book that she bought along side her text books. At the time she bought it so the lady at the checkout wouldn't think she was boring. She had heard her making fun of students who only got their books for class. It was a romance, but it was supposed to be filled with action too.

Smiling, Lucy got back in her covers and opened it up, "It's been a long time since I spent the day to just relax. The last time was when mom was alive.."

The book was so interesting! The action started with page one, and the romance trickled threw with every page. The main protagonist was crazy, almost evil. But he had a love that shone through his smile. His love interest, the main female protagonist, was a beauty. But it seemed that not everyone thought that. Lucy got sucked into this world that she wasn't brought out until a cup of coffee was in her face.

"Good morning!" Levy laughed at Lucy's surprised face sitting down on the bed, "I didn't know you liked to read."

"Yeah," she pulled out a bookmark from her night stand, "I don't get to read much, though."

"I read all the time!" Levy went on about the three books she had finished just this week.

"I might have to read that one!" Lucy laughed.

"You should! It ends so well!" Levy drained the rest of her coffee, "Anyway, I'm actually going shopping in a little bit, would you like to come with me?"

"Shopping?" Lucy couldn't remember the last time she went, or rather, without a list of appropriate things to buy from her father.

"Yeah, my friend Juvia wants to take me out for lunch today for my birthday. We'll probably be shopping almost all day. Please come!" Levy pleaded, and her puppy eyes were good.

On instinct, Lucy went to say 'no'. Shaking her head, she knew she had to get out of that.

"I'd love too," Lucy laughed as Levy cheered.

"Great! Let's get ready now. Juvia doesn't like to be late," as Levy skipped to the door, she turned around, "seriously. You should hear her complain about her boyfriend when he's late for a date."

Lucy remembered Natsu pointing the couple out to her, she didn't get to meet her, but she didn't want to make her mad.

Glancing at her closet, Lucy groaned. She only had dress clothes. It was pretty cool outside today too, "Guess it's good I'm going shopping," she took a peak at her phone, "and it may be the last day my credit card works, so I better use it well."

She pulled out a pair of skinny jeans and a large sweater. She wore big sweaters to distract people from her chest. It never helped much.

Looking in the mirror, Lucy liked what she saw. The sweater was similar to the one from last night, a large neck where her shoulders were visible, it was just pink this time. And the only reason she had skinny jeans was for the times her father took her horse back riding. Pulling on a pair of boots, Lucy put her hair in low pigtails. Satisfied, she grabbed her purse and went to the kitchen.

"I had a feeling you'd wear something like that," Levy was already in the kitchen; jeans, adorable Minnetonka flats, fashionable blue button up, and a black jacket.

"Why do you say that?" she got out a water bottle, noticing that the fridge was pretty bare she reminded herself to ask Levy for a grocery stop one day.

"You always were such fancy clothes," Levy was on her phone, probably texting Juvia, "I had a feeling that all you owned was dress clothes. And that looks very fancy, casual, but fancy."

"Oh," she lowered her water, she never really thought anything of it, "my father.. doesn't like.. casual wear."

Slipping an arm through Lucy's, Levy pulled her to the door, "And that's why you're going shopping! This is college! A place where you can wear pajamas to class!"

Lucy giggled, she had defiantly seen some odd choices in the last few weeks.

"Levy is late," a pretty bluenette was standing right outside the building door.

"I'm sorry, Juvia!" Levy whined, "but I'm here now! And I brought my roommate!"

"Oh," Juvia turned her gaze to Lucy," hello."

"Hi," well that was awkward.

"Lucy is pretty shy. But she needs some new clothes so I wanted to bring her along!"

"Juvia doesn't mind," her sharp gaze petrified Lucy, "do you have a preference about Hockey players?"

Lucy heard Levy groan, "Um. Hockey players? I've never been much of a sports person.. so I wouldn't know.."

Juvia immediately smiled, "Then we will be good friends!"

As she skipped to the car, Levy explained, "Her boyfriend is on the hockey team. She doesn't like his fan girls."

"Oh," Lucy had no interest in finding a boy to fawn over, thank you very much. Especially if it meant having that glare directed at her.

About 10 minutes later, they arrived at the mall. It was close enough where you could walk from campus, but with the amount of shopping they planned to do, a car was needed.

"You like rock music?!" Juvia's eyes lit up.

"Yeah, my mom was a big fan when she was younger. I guess she passed it on to me."

The girls were at the Pizza Palace right outside the mall. As they were waiting for their food, Levy started asking Lucy all kinds of questions. The discussion of music came up, Levy tried to skip it because she had a feeling the answer would be 'classical', because of her major. But the blonde surprised her. The next thing you know, Juvia and Lucy are talking about all kinds of bands that Levy had heard of maybe once.

"Don't feel bad, Levy. Maybe one day you'll find someone with the same love for Heavy Metal as you," Juvia snickered.

"Heavy Metal?" Lucy would have never guessed that, then Juvia whispered in her ear, "she only likes it because of Gajeel."

"I do not! I enjoy the music just fine!" she tore into her plate, grumbling something about 'stupid Gajeel'.

Lunch went spectacular for Lucy. She never expected to fit in like she was. Levy took to her thanks to books, Mira was in class with her and enjoyed her company, Cana seemed like she would get along with everybody. Natsu, well, there was just something about him. And now, she was bonding over music with Juvia, which was something she thought she would ever do.

"Lucy needs a whole new wardrobe?" they entered the first store that was filled with the newest trends, Lucy didn't even know what was in style.

"She does! The only thing she has in her closet is dress clothes!" Levy looked around the store to find the petite section.

"Is something wrong with dress clothes?" Juvia was wearing a dark blue skirt that went to the floor with a slit up the side, pretty white flats, a lacy white top, and a blue headband.

"Nothing!" Lucy shook her head, "It's just, I don't have anything casual. And most of my clothes are something you would see at a gala, not a college class at eight in the morning."

"Juvia understands!" she grabbed Lucy by the arm and drug her to the back of the store, "Juvia knows we can find Lucy something back here!

"Wait for me!" Levy ran after them, carrying a few items already.

Several hours and 5 shops later, Lucy now had a 'rocker yet girly' wardrobe, thanks to Levy picking out some cute casual dresses.

"Now on to to Lingerie!" Juvia's feet didn't seem to hurt like Lucy and Levy's.

"Lingerie?" Lucy was scared to think what was on Juvia's mind. All day she had heard about the amazing Gray, and what he was like in bed..

"Don't worry, I doubt she's picking for you. She likes to keep things fresh in her own life," Levy wandered off to another section of the store, leaving Lucy to fend for herself.

"A new wardrobe deserves new panties, doesn't it?" she giggled as she scanned the tables of colorful undergarments. And after picking out a couple, thanks to the sale, she chose a few matching bras before Juvia drug her to the back.

"Juvia found something perfect for Lucy!"

"Uh, I'm all set actually!" She cried to no avail.

It was a black teddy. It was lacy and had very little fabric.

"It will go nicely with the black dress you got!"

Lucy swallowed, not knowing how to feel.

"This is something that Erza would wear," Levy came up behind Lucy, "just add some leather."

"Leather?!" what kind of sex lives did these people have?!

"Oh, well Juvia thought it would be nice for Lucy," the taller bluenette then asked, "what kind do you like? Do you prefer cotton?"

"I don't need any!" Lucy blushed furiously, "I don't plan on wearing something like this in.. ever!"

"Ever?! Lucy does not want to have sex?"

"She is very open about these things," Levy laughed, Lucy's face turned bright red.

"I do- I mean no I- yes but- I don't know!" Lucy covered her face and walked away from her new friends, they were laughing.

She opened her eyes, about to go pay for her stuff when she saw something she did like. It was a pink baby doll type. Lacey bra, with the fabric a sheer pink, and matching panties to go with. It was something you would wear on your honeymoon. Or on your wedding night.

"Buy it," Levy scared the mess out of her.

"What?"

"You obviously like it, why not get it? You may not need it now, but you might one day," Lucy chose to ignore the wink she got.

"My father would kill me if he knew I bought that and planned on using it."

"Juvia thinks that Lucy's father does not want what is best for Lucy," Juvia picked up the lingerie, in Lucy's size, and handed it to her, "it's on sale! And like Levy said, you may need it one day."

"Come on, Lucy. Be a rebel!"

The lingerie was adorable, and she knew she wanted it. She had a feeling it would sit in her underwear drawer until the end of time, but why not? Her father was already made at her, might as well make it worth it.

"OK," she took the pink cloth from Juvia and ran to the checkout counter.

"Alright," they left the store, all with full pink bags, "last stop, shoes!"

Shoes was the one thing Lucy didn't need, but what girl passed them up?

Levy and Juvia were looking through the boots when Lucy squealed.

"Did you find some you like?" Levy kicked off her shoes to put on the try on socks.

"Yes, and I have to have them!"

"What are they?" Juvia picked up a pair of thigh high boots she liked before looking at Lucy, "Vans?"

"Really?" Levy thought she might want some slip on shoes or more boots.

"I've always wanted a pair! Father hates these, but I think they're so cute!" she quickly found her size and sat down.

Juvia giggled at her enthusiasm. The song 'Valentine' started to play from her purse, she smiled as she dug for it, "Darling."

"That's Gray," Levy told Lucy, but Lucy was too absorbed looking at the shoes on her feet.

"Oh, did he get hurt?" Juvia put her phone on her shoulder so she could try on the shoes.

"She said Gray was a hockey player?" Lucy asked, putting the shoes back in the box.

"Yeah, he's just a freshman but they already have him as a starting player. The first game is the first week of October, you should come," Levy examined her short boots in the mirror, not really liking them.

"Juvia is glad he isn't hurt. Juvia is out with Levy and Lucy shop- oh, Lucy is Levy's roommate. We're out shopping."

"I haven't met him. Wouldn't that be weird?" Lucy hugged the shoe box to her chest, watching Levy walk in the boots.

"You'll probably meet him before then. If you hang out with us anyway," Levy sat down next to her, decided they weren't the ones.

"Yes, Juvia did," Juvia's face turned pink, "oh, Gray's back hurts?"

Levy smirked, "we'll be going home in a minute. We better check out."

Levy went to the register, Lucy frowned, not understanding what she meant, but followed her anyway.

Juvia stood quickly, forgetting all about shoes, "Juvia would love to come massage Gray's back. Give Juvia 20 minutes!" she came to the front with Lucy and Levy, "Juvia loves you!"

She giggled and hung up the phone, "Juvia needs to go home! Her darling needs her!"

Levy shook her head, "Ruining girls day for a 'massage'."

"Gray needs Juvia!"

Lucy blushed, fully understanding now.

Less than 10 minutes later, they were back at Lucy and Levy's dorm building, "Today was fun, let's do it again!"

"Juvia enjoyed getting to know you Lucy!"

"I had fun too," she really did. She didn't have many friends in high school, and they never invited her to do stuff like this.

"Well, Juvia is off!"

"If you do it in public, don't get caught!" Levy waved.

"Juvia and Gray have only been caught 3 times!" she yelled as she drove off.

"They've been caught.. in public..!" Lucy asked, almost missing the first step when Levy nodded.

"Before we graduate, you'll probably catch them doing it."

Lucy had never even seen a man without a shirt on, she didn't want to ever see that.

"I need to do some studying," Levy opened the door the apartment, "What are you going to do?"

"Actually, there are some places on campus I want to check out. Especially that arcade-restaurant Juvia mentioned," Lucy placed her bags just inside her room, "I've never been to one before."

"You are such a denied child! Go! Go have fun!" Levy pointed back to the door, both girls laughing.

"I'm going to change first," Lucy mumbled to herself as they parted.

For Lucy, Saturdays were normally practice and study, practice and study, practice and study. So this was the first time in years that she had time to herself. When she looked in the mirror, she didn't recognize herself.

Ripped skinny jeans, the color much lighter than her other ones. A black tank top that showed off her chest, a red plaid button up with all the buttons undone. And even though she wanted to wear her vans, she chose her new flip flops instead. Putting her hair in a side ponytail, she ran out the door, "bye Levy!"

Her first stop was Happy Morning. She wanted some good coffee before she walked around campus. Getting an IcedCoffee, Lucy realized she forgot all about her 'diet'. She had eaten 3 slices of pizza, a cinnamon pretzel, and now coffee at 6 in the afternoon. Hell, she had a piece of cake last night! She would have to weigh herself in the morning, maybe she gained a few pounds. Thinking this, she almost ran into someone as she left the shop.

"Yosh! Lucy!" it was Natsu.

"Oh, hi-" before she finished, he drug her into the alley beside the coffee shop, "Hey! What are you-"

He put his hand over mouth, his back was against the wall and he was holding her pretty close.

"OW!" he took his hand away from her now scowling mouth, "if you wanted me to move my hand ya coulda just licked it!"

"That's disgusting," Lucy pouted, she had spilled her coffee when he dragged her.

"I do it to people all the time," he grinned, "but shushh!"

"Why?" he puts a finger to her lips this time and points to across the street.

"I'm following my brother!" he ran to the edge of the building.

"Should I ask?"

"I wanna get him with Mavis!" he glanced back at her, "Ya said you would help me!"

She did say that, didn't she? "And how is following him going to help?"

"Gotta find out how he feels first!" he wrapped his scarf around his head, "like ninja."

She giggled, his eyes were the only thing visible, "OK Mr. Ninja, where is he going?"

"The grocery store."

She narrowed her eyes, "And just how is grocery shopping going to help us?"

"He always shops with her!" he waved his arms randomly, "find out what they're like alone, and maybe his body language will tell us something!"

Lucy had a feeling this would end in failure. He gripped her wrist tightly and pulled her along to the store a few blocks down, "Ninja's are quiet!"

"I know that, weirdo."

They found Zeref in the canned food isle, Mavis was next to him with a shopping cart.

"Now what?" Lucy peered through the boxes and cans.

"We watch carefully, like ninjas," he raised his hands in the classic jutsu stance, "nin nin."

"Oh geez," Lucy couldn't hear what they were saying from her spot, but it wouldn't be wise to get closer.

"I bet Natsu wouldn't eat this so I'm going to get it," Natsu whispered mockingly.

"What?" Lucy whipped her head to him, and suddenly realized they were in a bad position. She was leaning over and he was right behind her. She stood quickly and moved to his side.

"I bet that's what he's thinking, oh and that! Theses are his favorites so I'll get a few of them and hide it from him!" he glared at Lucy when she laughed, "it's true! He hides stuff from me!"

"Oh, i'm sure he does," Lucy laughed again when he growled, "they're moving!"

Natsu and Lucy followed the pair around the whole store, getting odd looks from other shoppers. And in the end..

"Nothing. Not one helpful bit," Natsu leaned against the wall, Zeref and Mavis were putting their bags into Mavis' trunk.

"No look there! He's putting most of the bags in," she watched as he put in the case of water and then jumped to get another bag, "he's a gentleman."

"He's always doing that kinda stuff though," Natsu titled his head, not getting it.

"Does he do that for you?" Lucy inquired.

"No, he makes me do it all," Natsu looked down at her, her blonde head reaching his collarbone.

"Then that counts, he wants to show her he cares. That's so sweet!"

"How is putting bags in the trunk of a car show he care?"

"I guess you could say it's similar to pulling out a chair, or holding a door open for her. It's chivalry."

"I think he just wants to prove how strong he is. That's what I'd do!"

Lucy sighed.

Zeref and Mavis drove off, for a moment Lucy felt jealous. Mavis had a nice car, her father barely ever let her drive.

"MANN!" Natsu flopped down on the ground, "What now!"

"Get off the ground!" Lucy scolded, he sat up and pouted, "We'll think of something."

Something in Natsu's gaze changed, she didn't know what, "I'll hold you to that, Lucy."

She held out a hand to help him up, the instant he was on his feet Lucy realized that since the moment she ran into him, thoughts of what he father would think hadn't been in her head. It was like she forgot who she was when he was around. She became someone else, and she liked that person.

"HEY!" she crossed her arms to cover her chest, "Stop staring!"

His face burned, "Sorry! I didn't mean too! They were just there!"

"Yeah, right," she grumbled.

"Serious, you're always wearing fancy-schmacny clothes," he looked her up and down, "you look better this way."

She blushed, "That doesn't mean that gives you a free pass to stare."

"Sorry," that grin didn't look sorry.

"Anyway, I'm gonna head home. Probably get another coffee since you made me spill my other one."

"Let me get it!"

"Huh?" her cheeks burned more, "No it's fine-"

"It was my fault. And I've kinda been dragging you around for a while. Let me, please!"

"No really, I don't mind.." she trailed off when he got down on his knees.

"Please, Lucy!"

Lucy laughed, she couldn't remember the last time she had so much excitement in one day. She made a new friend, went shopping, played ninja with a guy who was on his knees begging to buy her coffee.

"I guess, if you have to anyway."

"Yosh!" he jumped up and then smirked at her, "Last one there is a rotten dragon egg!"

"Dragon egg? Wait! No fair! I'm wearing flip flops!"

"So what?! I am too!"

hehe i hope you liked it!

fancy-schmancy - that's the word I use for rich people clothes hehe
Juvia and Gray, in my opinion, have a very sexual relationship. And it so much fun to write.

So, when Lucy is around Natsu, she becomes the Lucy we all know and love. I wonder what this means for the future? ;)

I plan on making this pretty long, this is Freshman year for Natsu and Lucy, I want this to go until they graduate ^^

Please Review and tell me what you think!

[8-15-2016: editing all the chapters before I get to update more!]