Heeeeeeeey Minna! This came out later than I wanted it but it's here now! I'm planning the next chapters out with my sister, who I am grateful for for helping me when I fell into that awful thing of writers block. I am also attempting to plan out my chapters for LF for those of you who follow that. With that in mind, let's get on with the story! I hope you brought your permission slips because we're going on a feels trip!

Anyway, DISCLAIMER! I do NOT own Fairy Tail! All those rights go to Master Hiro Mashima! I only own the plot! Enjoy!


Chapter 11

"Why didn't you show up?"

"I wasn't feeling well," I replied.

"And Alistair actually approved of this?"

"I wouldn't have missed if he didn't."

Hibiki sighed. "Well, are you at least doing the performance tomorrow?"

I laughed. "Do I have a choice?" Hibiki laughed on the other end.

"Well, do you want me to come over? I can bring some food. Everyone was worried about you." I blanched.

"Uh, sure, whatever works? I'm not really doing much right now," I replied smoothly.

"Awesome. I need to help wrap up things around here, then I'll head over. See you soon."

"Ok." I hung up. I blew a deep breath trying to collect myself. After I threw my coffee table to the side, I broke down crying. I smashed a few other things until the neighbors came by to check on me. When I finally calmed down, I reasoned that I am under too much stress with Alistair and my friends. I didn't want to see them right now, but I couldn't tell Hibiki that without seeming selfish.

I went about my apartment straightening everything back into their respective position, save for the fragilities. I tossed those out and vacuumed whatever was left on the floor then proceeded to one of the closets that I kept my stash of plaster in to patch up the parts of the walls I punched. It wasn't unusual for me to have to do this every now and then. Natsu and I wrestle often enough that I always keep some on hand.

I finished with that soon afterward. I would have to get paint later once this finished drying. I sighed and looked around. Other than the patches on the walls, everything looked fine. The complete opposite of what I was feeling. To say that I was appalled by what just happened is an understatement. Only Natsu has ever managed to get that kind of reaction out of me. I sighed, utterly disgusted. It was one thing that Natsu and I got mad at each other. It was another that I completely lose control because of Erza or Mia.

I looked at the clock nearby, noticing that my friends will be here very soon. I walked into the kitchen and into my fridge, going through my stash, noticing that I was low on the booze. I grabbed my phone from the living area and sent Cana a quick text.

A draft wafted through my apartment. I looked down at myself, noticing that I had somehow lost my clothes in the process of patching up my walls. I rolled my eyes at my stupid habit. Then a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in!" I shouted while going into my room to change.

"Gray?"

"In here." I pulled on some jeans and a white button down. I looked at myself in the mirror and noticed how tight my pants were on me. I frowned and felt a headache coming on. I sighed, resolving to deal with it later. I picked up my phone, sent a quick text then walked out to greet everyone. "Who came?" I asked.

Two hours later, everyone had become extremely intoxicated or close to it. Cana had made sure to bring lots of beer and liquor for everyone. I offered to pay her back, and so did others, but she just shoved cans in our faces and insisted we do shots.

Hibiki came through the door after the large crowd arrived with Eve on his arm in support. Except for the brace on his wrist, it looked like Eve was fine. Ren trailed behind them with a pretty girl I didn't recognize clinging onto his arm. He sent me a look and I just shrugged my shoulders, not really caring who came so long as my apartment didn't was destroyed into tiny pieces.

Hibiki came over to me and planted a kiss on my lips, leaving a lingering feeling warmth. He squeezed my hand in his. Several girls echoed some coos of adoration, to which I rolled my eyes and Hibiki chuckled at. He then made a show of fawning over me. I glared at him and a blush began to heat up my face. Only when I started to walk away did he stop.

Natsu, being the glutton he is, ordered several pizzas, all meat lovers. No surprise there. The stench made my stomach turn, but after a while I relaxed enough to have a slice of what was left. I attempted to not drink as much either. My pants were beginning to feel even tighter. My heart pounded at the thought of what Alistair would say. When everyone was occupied with Natsu's terrible impression of Gajeel, I hurried to the bathroom.

I breathed in and out a few times, trying to gain some control back. I looked up in the mirror, noticing the bags under my eyes and the pastiness of my skin. Disgusted, I looked down at myself. Yep, my pants and shirt had tightened on me. I raked my hands through my hair, feeling my heart practically jump out of my chest. I heard a bang out in the hall but I barely heard it. I looked to the toilet. As much as it disgusted me, I had a feeling this would help.

Once I finished washing out my mouth with rinse, I looked at myself in the mirror again. My heart beat started to go back to normal. At that time a knock came and someone jiggled the knob.

"Ey! 'Ooever's in 'ere, get out!" Natsu slurred. He banged on the door some more hard enough for me to hear it nearly crack in half. I growled in frustration and threw the door open. The pink haired idiot tumbled over his own feet.

He looked up to me. "Gray, where are your clothes?"

I looked down and noticed that my habit had once again claimed my clothes and sent them to a bundle on the tiled floor. I picked them up and started to pull them back on.

"Wait," Natsu suddenly grabbed my ankle, hindering me from pulling on my pants.

"Natsu, knock it off." I shook him off easily and pulled the first leg on. I attempted the second but the idiot took a hold of the denim before my foot could make it. I attempted to pull away but after a few insults were thrown, I lost my balance and landed on top of him.

"Gray, you're pretty light." I was propped up on Natsu's back while he got on all fours and started to back out of the bathroom.

"Damnit Natsu, what the hell are you doing?!" I exclaimed. I tried to slip off, but even in a drunken state, that flame-head still had inhuman strength. "Natsu!"

"Al'board the Natsu train!"

We entered the living area. I desperately tried to pull the rest of my pants on, but it had gotten caught in something instead. When I glanced back, I saw Natsu holding it in his mouth. Gross.

Some light-hearted giggles ensued but I ignored them, focusing on the idiot beneath me.

"Gray?"

I look up and saw Hibiki staring with a soft, amused smile adorning his sculpted face. I was momentarily mesmerized by how someone could look that amazing but then I felt a particular strong tug. Annoyed, I looked back and aimed to knock the pink haired idiot in the chin.

That continued on for some time until I managed to punch Natsu on the head, leaving a large bump. He slumped onto the floor and I finally got my pants on, although the hem on the leg was soaked in saliva. I wrinkled my nose but didn't have the motivation to go back to my room and grab a new pair.

"You alright, Gray?" Hibiki asked. He grabbed my arm and helped me up.

"Well, Natsu is being Natsu, so, you tell me." Hibiki frowned.

"Is everything ok?"

Was it? "Yea, everything is fine, why wouldn't it be?"

"I don't know…never mind, let's go enjoy the party." He buttoned up the rest of my shirt then tugged me to where Cana and Ren were going at a drinking contest. I could tell that the brunette was easily over powering him.

We all continued to laugh, I even ate a few bites of the food that was ordered. That was when it happened.

My pants had flown off at some point during the night and I found myself by them again. I felt a buzz coming from the pocket. When I saw who was on the caller ID, I panicked. After a few rings I answered.

"Gray? What's that noise?"

"Nothing Alistair. Why the hell are you calling so late?"

"Why are you answering so late?"

"Because if I didn't, you would've come anyway."

He chuckled. "I suppose so. Well, I am here now."

I froze. "What?!"

"Come get me."

"Why did you come?"

"Just come get me."

"I'm busy." I walked into another room away from the noise.

"Busy with what? What are you doing? Why is your light on?"

"Go away Alistair. I have to prepare for tomorrow."

"Preparing doesn't include indulging. You know this Gray. Are your friends being a bad influence?"

"No! Alistair, go home!"

"If you gained anything tomorrow-"

I silenced the phone before he could finish the threat. My phone buzzed some more but I ignored it. I felt tears stinging my eyes and my breath choked me. I gripped my chair and tried to get my breathing under control.

"Gray?" I didn't look up. I could feel Hibiki coming over to me.

"What's wrong? Who was on the phone?" I didn't answer.

"Was it Alistair?" I couldn't answer.

"What did he say? Gray talk to me."

The lump in my throat felt too massive to swallow and I was too involved with my fight with my tears to fully comprehend what he was saying. All I could feel was his arms wrapping around me and a hand on my back rubbing in soothing circles.

I don't know how long it was until I could breathe properly again. From the clock on the night stand, it looked to be past one in the morning. I should be sleeping. I still heard the party going on, everyone getting drunker by the minute.

"I'm ok," I stated. I wiped my eyes and blew my nose. I took a few more moments to collect myself. "I'm ok."

"You sure? Do you wanna-?"

"No," I answered sternly. "Let's just go." I stooped out from under him and gave him a small smile. He returned it reluctantly and followed me out to the living area.

The party continued on without any more interruptions. I stayed away from the food and alcohol, knowing it was best. I kept moving so as to burn off whatever I gained. I knew I was full of crap for thinking that, which is what found me in the bathroom with the window open and a cigarette in my hand.

It still burned when I inhaled it but I was slowly becoming used to it. I had made sure to lock the door and hooked a chair underneath the door knob in case someone wanted to barge through the door again. Thankfully everyone had finally become too drunk to even notice my absence. I briefly wondered if the draft would alert the crowd, but from the sounds of them, my worries lessened.

I looked down below. I was only a couple stories above the street, but I could still see some of the individual features of the people down below. There weren't that many down there, only a few stragglers who seemed to be returning home from a night out. I gazed down at them blankly. I took a few more drags, feeling the buzz enter my system.

Something strange settled within me. I suddenly felt a feeling of dread fill me as I thought back to the night I went on a binge. From then on my thoughts spiraled out of control, all instances of regret flooded my mind. I felt all alone in this world, knowing that after all that has happened, I was positive that there was something wrong with me. All the times Alistair was angry with me, all the times I dropped Mia during rehearsals, all the times I was rude to the new dancers. It all piled into my head.

My chest felt heavy. I didn't understand why this kept happening. I was tired of it all. I took a hit, hoping it would help. When it didn't, I sighed and looked back down below. The streets were deserted now, save for the occasional pedestrian walking along the sidewalk. I gripped the edge of my window when a new thought crossed my mind.

What if, I just…ended it all?

SOooooooooo, what did you think? It's dark and angsty, which I should probably change in the description. I'll be sure to do that, although I definitely was not expecting it to turn out like this.

Anyway, as I always say, please leave a review of any kind! Constructive criticism is valued as is anything else, since, you know, your reviews on this website is more or less my happiness. Don't be shy! Suggestions, fangirling, you name it! Also, if you left an anonymous review, my responses to you are down below!

So, until next time! Scarlet out! Loves y'all!

Reviews:

Anon: That makes me so happy that you enjoy this story! I'll keep updating as much as I can until I have finished! Thank you so much for the review!

Ghost24: A new chapter indeed! I'll try to keep them up for ya deary! Thank you for the review!

Guest: Not to worry my lovely! Alls well that ends well and our Gray will receive the love and help he deserves. I like HibiGray too, I wish there was more of them, but Natray will always remain my OTP!