Erza inhaled the moist, warm spring air. Dew, like sparkling shards of diamond, dotted the grass and speckled the canopies of trees. Erza's breathing was slightly accelerated as she ran through Magnolia's Crocus Park. The seventeen year old high school student was a decent runner, although, she was an ace thrower. She had however placed first in a 400 meter sprint for their invitational meet not long ago. She also placed first in shot put, discus, and javelin. She was spending her Saturday training hard to make an even better time and throw even farther. She might even consider a relay rather than the 400m but she hadn't decided.

After finishing out the run, she stopped to rest under an oak, leaning against its rough bark. She slid down to fully catch her breath, resting her forehead on her knees and back against the tree. Something landed on her head causing her to sit up and examine it. The debris that had landed in her hair was a sakura petal which must mean that the sakura was blooming. Usually the trees would have bloomed a few weeks ago but the harsh long winter and late spring had delayed the trees' typical perennial schedule The sound of heavy approaching footfalls reached the redheads ears and caused her to feel a hint of curiosity. Just as she looked up, her gaze was met by two underclassmen rushing by, tailed by a blue cat. Erza, try as she may, couldn't stifle the snort of laughter that rose up in her chest in reaction. She made a mental reminder to give Lucy hell for this let her thoughts of the past drift into her conscience. So far, school this year was in its final stretch. The days were lengthening and the time in school shortening. The next days would be of preparing for finals and graduation. The poor redhead had already begun to be hit with such projects that marked the end of the grading period. It was a lot to process. After all, the girl was a senior.

This was her final year of childhood, she would soon turn eighteen, a legal adult, and graduate from high school. As thinking of the future usually resulted in, this was no exception, Jellal was brought to the forethought of her pondering. They'd gone through everything together. Best friends from the start, they had been attached at the hip since preschool. They had grown up remarkably fast, in her eyes. She could hardly believe that they were graduating this year. She vividly remembered running amok playing knight and prince or, if she had been feeling girly, princess and prince. The pair had been in every recreational activity under the sun together: swimming, track and field, soccer, basketball, tackle football, rugby, lacrosse, you name it, they did it. Erza was afraid that they'd drift apart with university so close. She hadn't decided on a career to purse and as far as she could tell, neither had he. He was the best friend she'd ever have, maybe more than that. It was no question that they had at some point redrawn typical platonic boundaries for their "friendship".

Her thoughts were broken by the buzzing of her phone.

"Meet me under the largest sakura tree in the West wing of Crocus Park." A text from the blue haired boy himself. Erza may deny it, but her heart skipped even faster when she read it. A faint blush had come to her cheeks and she was smirking stupidly.

"That dork." she snickered to herself. After, she began running off towards the place he had designated for them to rendezvous. She was in the East wing, the oak and pine wing. It was just under two miles to the West wing and then a bit further to the tree.

Upon arriving she chuckles as her eyes receive the sight of her friend laying under the tree, arms crossed behind his head, smirk on his face on a blanket. Beside him sat a woven picnic basket.

"Oi, baka! What's the deal with the short notice?" she barked, rousing him from his solace.

"Hmm? Oh, I didn't know the blossoms were in bloom until this morning and I spent this morning making us this lovely lunch." he retorted snarkily sticking out his tongue immaturely at her. Her bright laugher ended the bantering as he shifted to the side, patting the ground next to him with a softer look in his eyes. He turned as she sat, reaching into and digging through the basket. He turned backed to Erza with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for each of them.

"Just like when we were small." he chuckled, age showing in his now deeper baritone voice, with a wink.

"Yeah." Erza smiled foolishly, recalling how many times they had had sandwiches on the go as young children.

"Brings back old memories." quipped Erza following washing down the last bite of sandwich with the juicebox she had been given.

"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?" Jellal replied with a gental smile. He pulled her into an affectionate hug and ruffled her hair.

"Jellal!?" wailed Erza, her previously tied up hair now a mess. Her sudden flailing resulted in them wrestling and eventually her landing on top of him, hair fanned out over her shoulders and brushing his face. Both of them were flushed and breathing heavily.

"Up for the cake I made for you?" Jellal broke the silence.

"Y-yeah!" exclaimed Erza flustered. The cake that he began to cut was beautiful. Iced with smooth white frosting, and decorated with glistening, plump fresh strawberries.

"Jellal." she murmured meeting his warm now carmel, hazel eyes, "Its amazing." she was truly stunned, she knew he could bake but this was amazing.

"I told you it took all morning." He grinned shyly. The sun was beginning to set in the sky, noon had passed an hour ago. Jellal cut the cake and passed her a piece.

He rose his juicebox in a toast, a full out grin from eye to eye.

"To a new beginning!" he cheered.
"A new beginning!" she replied vehemently. After a while of carefully watching her, he added to his toast.

"Together." he said, more of a statement than a question. Instead of a simple yes, Erza wrapped him in a warm embrase.

"Always." she murmured into his chest. He replied by tucking his nose into her hair.

He leaned down, nose grazing her ear, "This is only the beginning of our lives. We'll find our way together like we always have." She responded by tightening her arms around him.

"Erza, although I've never said it, beat around the bush," he murmured in her ear, "I love you." his voice cracked with the last few words. His heart was racing and Erza could feel hers galloping a few steps ahead of her too. Erza leaned back and pulled his face towards her so that their foreheads touched. Jellal looked nervous like she'd never seen before.

"Jellal, you're everything to me. I love you more than words can express. That's why I don't want to drift apart. It worries me..."

"I won't let it happen." he promised solemnly. Erza laid her hand on his face gingerly tilting his head to the side. Before he realized what was happening, her lips were on his. His lips warm and soft moved against hers for a second before she pulled back to collapse on him and burry her face in his chest.

"This isn't the end of childhood, but the beginning of our lives." she whispered and prepared herself for the challenges to come, knowing she wasn't alone.

My individual battle for Fairy Fest. Check my team and the others out. I'm Gunnerpuppy on deviantart to, the group is FairyTail-FC. I haven't been able to work on my other stories and won't be able to for a while. I might post our team fanfiction entry on here as well as deviant art for this week when we finish. Feedback, tips please?