CHAPTER XI

"Fairy Tail"

Lucy's POV:

My eyes widen and a horrified gasp escaped my lips when I saw the number of people gathered at the door.

His bandmates, their manager Erza, and of course, Levy were now standing there, applauding, smirking and looking so smug like they had just witness something really amusing. Well, except for Levy who only had a slight surprised look on her face, but still, she was happily applauding which caused my cheeks to burn from embarrassment.

Why—of all time—did they choose to appear now? I thought exasperatedly as I try to hide my flushed face behind my hands in vain, hoping that no one had actually seen it.

Not that I'm not pleased to see the rest of the band. It's just that, they'd caught us in a really, really awkward way. And I can't help but to be embarrassed. I could only pray for the ground to open up and just swallow me whole this instant.

I bet Levy wouldn't even let this go. I thought to myself while suppressing a frustrated groan.

A few seconds of self loathing had passed before I finally—finally—had the courage to lift my head above my hands to peek at the guy sitting beside me. But my eyes instantly went wide, and another gasped escaped my lips, seeing that he's now angled towards me with his head bent low behind his right hand, also trying his best to hide his reddened face.

And he's so close…

So devastatingly close…

I could almost feel the heat radiating off his body.

I tried my best not to be affected by the proximity of the pink-haired guy in front of me, struggling fruitlessly to distract my thoughts away from him. But it's impossible. Not with him facing me like this. Not with heart hammering inside my chest like there's no tomorrow. Not when I'm sitting casually beside the vocalist of one of the most sought out band of Fiore like we're actually friends or something.

And we sang together, for crying out loud. I thought hysterically as I cupped both of my cheeks.

I really just sang with Natsu Dragneel. THE Natsu Dragneel.

I was currently having a moment with my thoughts when I noticed his hand began to lower, revealing a pair of intense, dark orbs which stared directly back at me.

I started to panic, like oh-my-god-he-just-saw-me-staring-at-him-I-don't-know-what-to-do-now kind of panic. Pathetic? Yes. But can you blame me?

He must be thinking how much of a creep I am. I thought frantically to myself as I looked away from his piercing eyes, all the possible negative thoughts slowly consuming me.

I cringed deep inside, mentally scolding myself of how stupid I was. But when I glanced at him again, the look in his eyes told me otherwise.

It made my heart stop and beat faster all at the same time.

And soon, I felt my hands start to slide down my cheeks. Down and down until they only went limp on my lap.

I blinked once. Twice.

He was still staring at me. Those dark orbs of his piercing into mine like they were searching for something.

Girl, you should really look away now. I can almost hear myself scold, well, myself.

But I still maintained my gaze on him in spite of that and the alarming bells that were sounding in my head.

And as usual, I ignored it as I found myself hypnotized by the way his eyes bore into mine; holding me captive, almost like pleading for me not to look away from him…

Away from his eyes…

Away from his beautiful, expressive eyes…

I only notice now how truly gorgeous they were, with little hints of green in them. And the longer I look at them, the more amaze I get. I've never seen such intense and expressive eyes before. It felt like they were dragging me, pulling me towards him like some kind of magnet, leaving me no choice but to submit.

There's just something about those mischievous eyes of his that screamed with so much confidence, appreciation, trust, hope and…

Something else…

Something stronger…

Something deeper…

Something… Beautiful…

"Erm…" Someone cleared their throat, making us both simultaneously blinked at one another, clearly recovering our composures from our "little moment".

He awkwardly peeled his eyes away from me before hastily getting up to his feet and stomping towards his bandmates with a pissed expression, leaving me a little dumbfounded in my seat.

Uhhh…?

What just happened?

"Ya'll just have to ruin the moment." Natsu said sarcastically while flailing his arms exasperatedly at them. "We were just—Hey! Stop smirking, you icefreak!" He pointed a finger at the raven haired guy, who I assumed was Gray Fullbuster, while the others only smiled knowingly at him as they shook their heads.

Gone was the friendly Natsu, only to be replaced by an irritated one.

"You're not the boss of me flamebrain." The raven haired guy snorted as he threw at him, from what I could see, a sling bag, which Natsu caught perfectly in his hands. And despite what Natsu had said to the dark-haired guy, the smirk never left his face, making Natsu more agitated.

He stomped his right foot in front of him and glared at the other guy as he balled his fists in his sides in a fighting stance.

"What did ya say stripper!? Wanna go!?" He bellowed while butting heads with his bandmate, and I noticed how he threw his sling bag with perfect ease towards the couches, landing on the nearest end, just missing it barely.

I glanced at the two again and saw that they were still at it.

I frowned.

I wonder what's the deal with the weird nicknames. Flamebrain? Icefreak? Stripper? It doesn't make any sense to me. Well, honestly, everything they're currently saying doesn't make any sense to me at all.

I took a mental note to ask Levy about it later.

"Yeah I wanna go! What cha' gonna do about it!?" I heard Gray shouted back, riling Natsu up even more.

And I gasped seeing how Natsu's face turned from a somewhat pissed expression to a challenged one after hearing Gray's provoking words. His whole demeanor somehow went menacing for a second there.

I was starting to have second thoughts if this Natsu I am seeing right now—who was quick to provoke and easily riled up—was really the same Natsu I sang with a moment ago. He was so gentle and kind to me that it's hard for me to believe this was also a side of him.

Are they even always like this?

I was really worried if they're really going to start fighting here. But my worrying was for all naught when a seething Erza banged a fist over their heads, saying what an embarrassment the two of them are, making the said two stop and rub the swell on their heads as they start to lower themselves on the floor. I flinched, knowing that it surely hurt a lot, but I'm relieved that those two had sobered up upon Erza's demand. They even muttered an apology after that. Well, more like grumbled. But either way, they were still stopped, thanks to Erza. She really is a force to be reckoned with. No wonder she's their manager.

There had been a few reports here and there about some of the band members being easily provoked, but those had never been proved. I was really beginning to think now that those rumors were actually true.

"Luuuu…" I heard somebody say in a sing song voice which broke me out of my trance. I didn't even need to look to know whose voice was it. I would recognize Levy's voice anywhere.

I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn't notice her approach me. She was now sporting a wide smile over her face which only meant no good in my opinion. I only looked at her coyly while I got off the stool, carefully setting the cover of the piano back in its place.

I eventually sauntered towards her as I guiltily rubbed my right hand over my left arm.

"Lev I—" I started but she cut me off.

"I didn't know you could sing like that." She whispered in disbelief as she cupped her hand on the side of her mouth.

I only looked at her remorsefully and apologize.

"Sorry Lev… I just…"I trailed off before sighing.

"Truth is, I made myself forget about singing a long time ago." I told her almost inaudibly, sadness deeply etched in my voice. "You know… After my mother…"

I saw the remorse reflect in her eyes after hearing my words. And I could see the understanding and unspoken apology that goes along with it.

She doesn't have to say anything for me to understand what she's thinking now. I know she already knew what my words really meant.

She sighed then looked around us, only stopping at something a second later.

"Well, I bet you found another reason to sing now." She said thoughtfully and smiled, her eyes still fixated on something.

I followed her gaze and saw that she was rather looking at someone, not something.

And that someone is Natsu. Natsu who I noticed was still seated on the floor with Gray, still rubbing the top of their heads simultaneously.

I looked away.

"Wha—? What are you saying Lev?" I asked flabbergasted. I can feel a little heat creeping up my face.

"I'm talking about Natsu, Lu." She giggled, saying his name like it was the obvious thing ever.

I only gaped at her.

"We were somehow surprised when we saw both of you here and just hitting it off." She added and giggled again. "I'm glad you didn't freak out on him. Not to mention you didn't faint in the presence of the famous Salamander of Fairy Tail." She teased, a playful smile grazing her lips.

My expression slowly turned from being dumbstruck to being mortified in a matter of seconds, my cheeks burning up again.

"Levyyyyy! Shhhhhhh!" I scolded her in a hushed voice, holding a finger over my lips while my eyes scanned the room. "Someone might hear you. I already embarrassed myself so much today. So please."

"What?" She asked me innocently. "You're embarrassed? At them?" She deliberately said in a loud voice for them to hear, leaving me in a bewildered state.

And soon enough, five pairs of eyes started staring at us, especially on me and I mentally resisted the urge to face-palm myself.

Ughhh… This is so humiliating.

"I hate you." I said through clenched teeth when I looked at her again, but she only smiled at me that innocent smile of hers which only made me glower at her even more.

"Lucy." I heard Erza called and I flinched.

I unintentionally bit my lower lip then slowly turned to look at her.

"U-uhm, Y-yes?" I stammered, seeing that she was now walking towards me.

She clasped my left shoulder with her right hand before smiling at me apologetically.

"We're sorry if we made you uncomfortable, especially those two." She apologized as she jerked her head in the direction of Natsu and Gray who were still seated on the floor, now slightly arguing.

"No. No." I quickly disagreed while shaking my head vigorously along with my hands in front of me. "Please don't mind me. I'm just a little…" I trailed off then sighed. "I'm just a little overwhelmed. That's all." I added almost inaudibly.

"Don't be." Erza said before smiling kindly at me. She tilted her head in my direction then playfully whispered, "Cause, honestly, those guys are just a bunch of dorks." which made me giggle a bit, remembering my conversation with Levy last night.

"Uhhh. We can hear ya, ya know." Natsu said with a timid expression just as he stood up the same time as Gray who was still rubbing the top of his head. But Erza only chuckled at him before removing her hand on my shoulder. She jerked her thumb over her shoulder to point the guys who're now standing awkwardly near the now closed door before motioning us to follow her.

"Come now. I'll introduce you to them."

I glanced nervously back at Levy who offered a reassuring smile back at me. I managed to breath out a rather long sigh to ease some of my nerves then went to follow Erza.

Well, I guess this is it. I'm going to meet the rest of the band now. I thought as I mentally pat myself at the back. I just hope this goes well for me.

"First of all…" Erza started. "I would like you to meet Fairy Tail's lead guitarist." She moved beside the blue-haired man then placed her right hand over his left shoulder before smiling affectionately at him. I noticed the way their eyes glow with so much affection towards one another. And I can't help but wonder if there's something going on between them. There had to be something, right? I mean, there had been a few rumors here and there about these guys' status. But then again, they never did deny or confirm anything regarding that matter.

Maybe, just maybe, some of them were just hiding it for the sake of their privacy. Hmm. I wonder.

"Lucy." I heard Erza say. "This is Jellal." She proudly stated then smiled at me briefly before glancing at the blue-haired man again.

It's a good thing I managed to restrain myself from saying any unnecessary things, like how the introductions of the band members were not really necessary at all because I already knew each and every one of them. But I knew very well that this was just common courtesy between the two parties, so might as well go with it.

I timidly looked at the man, who was Jellal Fernandez. And the first thing my eyes focused at was the reddish, almost maroon colored, tribal-like tattoo on his right eye or rather the right side of his face. It starts from the right side of his forehead then goes straight down his right eye and stops just below his right cheek. I didn't even notice I was staring until Jellal took a step and extended his hand towards me.

"It's nice to finally meet you Ms. Lucy." He said in a gentle voice before smiling at me knowingly.

I smiled back at him then took his hand in mine, lightly shaking it. I'm already liking his cool and calm demeanor.

"Likewise." I said to him while looking straight into his eyes. "And please, just call me Lucy." I added. And I was really proud of myself for not buckling in his gaze, surprised by the new found confidence that suddenly coursed through me.

"Alright, Lucy." He said, testing my name, that smile of his never leaving his face. "You know, we've been wanting to meet you ever since we saw those lyrics on Natsu's Notebook."

I instantly froze, the color on my face completely drained upon the mention of Natsu's notebook, all the confidence inside me suddenly vanished.

Natsu's Notebook.

It dawned on me that I never got the chance to apologize to him for writing in his notebook, even though we already talked to each other awhile ago.

God… How could I forget such a thing? Maybe he's thinking now what kind of person am I for forgetting what I did. I negatively thought to myself.

Can this day be any more embarrassing? I didn't get the memo that today was actually "Embarrass-Lucy-in-any-way Day".

And I wasn't just talking about any other Lucy out there. I was literally talking about myself.

Maybe if I—.

I was pulled out of my trance by a booming laugh, making me gasp and jump out of Jellal's grasp which I didn't know I was still holding.

"Ya' broke her Jellal." The rough voice said before another of his booming laugh echoed across the room.

I looked beside me and saw Gajeel Redfox towering over me. His tall and muscular frame seemed to be more intimidating now that he was actually in front of me.

And whoa, he has red eyes.

He was now sporting a smirk over his studded face. His long black hair, which was usually sprawled across his back, was now tied to a low pony tail by his bandana which was also usually tied to his forehead. It made all the piercings on his face much more visible now. And it somehow shocked me after seeing it now in person just how many piercings this guy has. He even has a few in both of his arms and some unusual jagged scars too.

He really has a lot of them. I told myself inwardly, trying not to cringe when I tried to imagine how those piercings were done. More importantly, how he got those painful looking scars.

And I was staring again.

"I'm sorry Lucy. Did I say something wrong?" I heard Jellal ask in a careful tone, which made me turn to look at him, only seeing a rueful expression on his face. He was now looking at me and someone behind me in turns.

I immediately regretted the way I froze on him awhile ago. I didn't exactly respond on what he had said and maybe that made him feel a little bit troubled.

"No. Don't worry." I assured him as I waved my hands in front of me and shook my head. "Uhm, I just got a little dazed."

I wasn't even aware that I was already retreating away from them. I only noticed my actions when I bumped someone in the process. I looked back and saw Levy smiling that assuring smile of hers again which helped me lighten up a little.

Oh, so it was Levy he was looking at.

"Are you sure I didn't offe—" Jellal said but Gajeel had cut him off.

"Gi-hee. Poor girl looked like a bunny that's been caught by the headlights." He stated in a teasing manner after laughing his "gi-hee" laugh.

I saw Levy's smile being instantly replaced by a scowl upon hearing Gajeel's words. She turned her attention to him before bravely speaking in an even tone.

"Shut up, Gajeel." She reprimanded while glaring at him. "And don't you mean a deer?" She added while placing both of her hands on her hips, which had made the large man a stuttering mess.

I could only stare at her in awe.

Wow. She could do that to him? I thought to myself, having a new level of respect now for Levy. It seems like not everything is all about height.

"Yeah, shut up lug nuts." I heard someone say teasingly and I whipped my head just in time to see Natsu flash a smirk, his playful side making its appearance once again.

"Y'er the one who needs to shut up Salamander!" Gajeel retorted as he pointed a finger at him.

"Why don't cha' make me bolts-for-brains?" Natsu challenged him. And I could see the other man's eye twitch up in annoyance.

Oh my god. Not this again.

"Both of you cease that bickering this instant!" Erza suddenly yelled. And the two guys who were about to fight seemed to be intimidated that they decided to stop it for their own sake, which only left those two grumbling to themselves. I think that they know full well that they would really get some if they didn't stop that instant.

I also noticed Jellal stiffened beside her, but he preferred to console her by rubbing a hand over her shoulder instead of giving in to her threatening ways. Even I could feel myself hold my breath that moment, afraid that I might do something stupid and be the center of Erza's wrath.

Erza is very pleasant but could also be really frightening when she needed to be. Good thing this band has her. Someone should really put a foot down when it comes to these guys.

I heard her sigh momentarily before stepping beside the towering man.

"And this here is Gajeel Redfox." Gesturing at the man before nudging him as if telling him that that was his cue for introducing himself before turning around and joining Jellal who I didn't realize was now standing a few feet away from us. And I found myself resisting again the urge to tell them that the introductions were not really necessary.

He was still grumbling when he turned to face me, but someone's cough made him stop and cleared his throat once before stretching his hand towards me.

"Name's Gajeel." He smirked. "Nice meetin' yah bunny girl."

Oh, so I'm bunny girl now. Do these guys really have a thing over weird nicknames? I thought as I awkwardly shook his large hand.

"Uhm, it's nice to meet you too. My name's Lucy." I told him, clearly emphasizing my name while I had the chance.

He withdrew his hand away from me before running it on top of his pony-tailed hair.

"So…" He started as he took a step back. "Y'er the one who messed up Salamander's notebook. Yah sure did a good job bunny girl." He teased, laughing his 'gi-hee' laugh once again, but Levy came to my rescue immediately, slapping his chest with the back of her small hand while she glared at him. And me? I just stood there stupefied.

"Gajeel!" She nearly shouted, that scowl never leaving her face.

"What, Shrimp? Ya know I was just messin' with her." He smirked at her, but Levy only glared at him even more.

Wow this is getting a little awkward. I thought to myself as I stepped a few feet away from those two. And what is up with his animal references? Natsu's salamander, I'm bunny girl, and now Levy's shrimp.

Maybe, if they don't stop their bickering right now, the next thing would be Erza the raging bull, knowing how she dislikes it when people squabbled within her presence.

"Ya don't need to worry about those two love birds." A deep voice said casually beside me. And I suddenly sucked a breath and stiffened, knowing full well the person it belonged to.

I could still hear Levy and Gajeel arguing over unimportant things on the background, but their voices suddenly felt distant as I chose to place my attention to the person next to me.

I didn't even know why but before I could even turn to look at him, I was already breathing out his name through my lips.

"Natsu."

A soft chuckle suddenly escaped from the person beside me, and it sounded close. Really close.

"Yeah. That's me, Luce." He breathed out softly after, which only made my heart beat a lot more times faster than it should be.

Did he just…

I mentally slapped myself just to keep myself in check.

Keep it together Lucy… I told myself over and over again.

I saw him grinned and cocked his head to one side when I finally turned to fully face him. And it made me a little flush after noticing just how awfully close he is to me now.

"Ehem." Someone cleared their throat again for the second time.

We suddenly whipped both our heads and saw a smug looking Gray Fullbuster.

I saw Natsu's grinning face turned into a scowl and then grumbled to himself again when he saw his bandmate standing a few feet beside him.

"You're actually giving a girl some of your attention." The guy said to him in disbelief but still with a smug face. "Somebody please check his temperature."

And I noticed how Natsu's face suddenly turned the same shade as his hair.

"S-shut up Icefreak! Nobody asked for y'er opinion." He stuttered while stepping a few feet away from me, giving me a little more personal space. But Gray only snickered at him before giving me his attention.

"Gray Fullbuster." He introduced as he offered his hand to me. I gratefully took it then smiled at this raven haired guy.

"Lucy." I said to him, hoping he would let go of me without asking for my last name.

"Yeah we know." He smiled and I visibly breathed out a sigh of relief. "Don't know why we bothered with introductions though. We already know you and you obviously know us too already." He playfully scoffed before letting go of my hand.

I nodded.

Finally, someone pointed it out.

I saw him smirk then jerked his head at Natsu who was now uncomfortably shuffling his feet on the carpeted floor while mumbling something to himself.

"Flamebrain over there won't even shut up about you, even though he's never met you and only knew your name that time. Pshhh." He shook his head lightly before smiling again. "Thanks for helping that idiot out by the way, even if it was unintentional."

I heard Natsu grumbled. He's clearly not pleased over Gray's words.

"Uhm, you're welcome, I guess?" I said coyly while rubbing a hand on my arm. I backed off a little away from him before stealing a glance at Natsu, wondering what he's thinking now.

He was looking at Gray, a scowl present on his face. But that scowl instantly vanished when his eyes met mine. And I can't help but to marvel at the sight when a bright smile slowly lit up his face again.

Why does he always smile like that?

I don't like it…

Well…

Honestly…

I like it…

But I don't like what it is doing on my insides. It's like there's a war raging inside my belly.

I'm afraid that I might be getting constipated again.

But that's just absurd.

Maybe it's just the fan girl inside me, partying inside my belly whenever I see that smile of his.

"Natsu." Erza suddenly called out.

Natsu reluctantly peeled his eyes away from me then looked questioningly at Erza.

"I hope you already properly introduced yourself to Lucy." She said while looking at Natsu sternly, stressing the word "properly" at him. But the pink haired guy only rubbed a hand on his neck before looking down at his feet.

"Uhh…" He started as he slightly glanced at me again. "Yeah. I guess."

Erza sighed.

"Alright." She said. "Why don't we all sit down? Lucy? Levy?" She motioned us to follow her over the sofas.

"Uhm, okay." I said as I nervously glance at Levy who was now striding towards me.

She smiled at me broadly, almost like telling me that it's gonna be alright then gently hooked her left arm to my right one in a comforting way and I can't help but to smile at the gesture. She knows I'm still a little bit uneasy.

I looked back towards the sofas and took in the sight of the members of one of my favorite bands making themselves comfortable on their respective seats.

I don't know why but I just stood for a moment there, slowly taking in the sight before me.

I just noticed now that the sofas were mismatched, like they were placed in this room by different persons, and I could just imagine that being the case with these guys. Four different guys, four different personalities, four different sofas.

I giggled.

They're a great band and they make great music together but they can't even agree on something as simple as picking a sofa.

That's both amazing and ridiculous at the same time. I thought as I continue to watch them.

I never did expect them to be like this when I first agreed on meeting them. But now that I've met them, I can't help but think that they're so… normal. And I meant that in a really positive way. I mean, they're really grounded, almost like they're not the popular guys of Fairy Tail at all.

But Levy and Erza were right about them being a bunch of dorks. I thought and giggled slightly again.

And for the first time I felt my whole body relax as relief flooded through me. I'm really glad I got to meet these guys, even though it was a little awkward at first. But still, I am thankful.

Honestly, the way we all met really wasn't how I pictured it would be. It was rather an embarrassing one and it wasn't really the ideal way of meeting someone but it was also kinda perfect in its own little way.

I sighed and smiled.

"So this is Fairy Tail…" I whispered affectionately to no one in particular, unintentionally voicing my thoughts out loud.

"What's that Lu?" Levy suddenly asked me.

Turning my head in her direction, I saw my petite friend look at me questioningly.

"Uhm… No… It's nothing." I told her as a blush crept up on my face again.

She just half laughed, half sighed at me before she tugged at my arm, taking us both over where the others are.

A/N: Yes! I'm back from the dead, guys. I am so sorry for not updating this for a month or two. I really am. I don't have any excuses for not updating but please forgive me. I will really, really try to update soon, but I must say that sadly it won't be weekly anymore. But please bear with me for awhile.

***I still don't own Fairy Tail. It all belongs to the great Hiro Mashima.