Natsu wasn't sure what he was going to do anymore. His heart was beating erratically and his breaths were getting shorter but deeper. His eyes were wandering from one person to the other one in the lobby and he could feel his palms getting all sweaty.

He felt his phone vibrating in his pocket and pulled it out, and relaxed when found out it was a text from Arcadios.

"Don't worry, Natsu. We are right behind you." He read a text which he received and breathed deeply. He wasn't alone. He couldn't give up since he had someone to return to after all.

* Two weeks earlier*

All Lucy could do was stare at the boy who was in a deep conversation with Gray at other side of the cafeteria. She had no idea she was staring hard at him until Juvia pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Lucy!" Juvia shook the blonde,"Stop staring at Gray sama!"

The blonde, now embarrassed, shook her head,"You know I wasn't staring at your boyfriend."

"Kyaah!" The girl giggled as she sat down, placing her bag on the empty chair beside her,"I can't believe we are going out!"

"That's good but start believing it," Lucy said, stirring her cold drink with the straw and Juvia blushed. "That's sweet."

"So why was Lucy-Chan looking at Natsu?" Juvia enquired,"Did anything happen?"

"Not really," Lucy tried to calm herself down,"Except I was ignored by him yesterday."

"Did Lucy tried talking to Natsu yesterday?"

"Not really, we were in same class yesterday and he didn't even look at me. I didn't want him to look at me but at the same time I wanted him to look at me. Shit. What am I saying?" Lucy groaned as she placed her head on the table.

"Lucy-chan!" Juvia patted her friend's head,"I am sure he is planning something." After all whatever he said at the Christmas party couldn't be false.

"Hopefully.."

.

"So you mean Natsu isn't even trying to talk to you?" Levy growled as Lucy covered her face, embarrassed.

"Yeah.." She said,"We were assigned to take maths notebook to staff room but the whole way, he was silent."

"Did you say something?"

"No. I don't want to impose when he doesn't even want me back in his life."

Levy rolled her eyes as she said,"Come on. Natsu must be thinking the same way."

Lucy thought about it for a while as she lied down on her bed, hugging her pillow close,"Maybe. Maybe not."

"Stop being so pessimistic! Anyways Gajeel asked me out on the day of Valentine's party. We are going as a couple!"

"That's so sweet!" This news instantly brightened Lucy's mood,"I am going to do your makeup! Please!"

"Sure!" Levy giggled back,"All the girls were thinking about crashing at your apartment to get ready anyways."

Lucy giggled,"I kind of knew."

"So lets go dress shopping tomorrow! School is closed since its a sunday and its been a long time since I've spend any money on myself," Levy proposed.

"Umm... I don't think I wanna go to that party..." Lucy said and closed her eyes, bracing herself. A loud 'what' was heard from Levy and she sighed.

"But you told Mira you were coming!"

"I know but don't you think I'll be alone among all the couples?"

Levy sighed as she sat beside Lucy, looking worried,"Doesn't matter. I am cancelling my date with Gajeel so I can be with you."

"No!" Lucy sprang up and pulled the phone from Levy's hand, yelling,"Are you stupid? Don't do that Levy-chan!''

"Its fine," Levy said as she tried getting her phone back from Lucy,"Gajeel will understand. You're my best friend Lu-Lu. I can't be on a date when you're alone."

"Levy.."

"So, give me back my phone. If you are not going, then I am not going either."

"Fine. I will go," Lucy surrendered,"But promise me you won't cancel your date?"

"Lucy-"

"Nops," Lucy sternly said, handing back her phone,"If you cancel your date, I am not going."

"You're a bitch, you know that?" Levy joked as she took her phone and put it back in her pocket. Lucy winked at her friend,"I know."

"The party is on Thursday and we have classes on Friday," Levy chuckled,"Makarov is clever, isn't he?"

"He sure is," Lucy giggled,"No one can drink too much if they have to attend school next day."

"That kind of makes it exciting too. I wonder what Cana will do?"

That really intrigued Lucy as she thought about that,"Yeah. I wonder what she will do!"

.

Lucy stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a pink tank top with a sleeveless denim jacket and a denik skirt which reached her mid thighs. Then she put on a pair of pinkish sneakers and tied her hair up in a pony tail.

After Levy left yesterday, Lucy could feel an unsettling feeling in her stomach. Every one of her girl friends were going to go to the party with their boyfriends, except Cana. She had no idea if Natsu had a date and whether he was actually planning to ask Lucy out.

"I told myself that I am giving up yet," She mumbled to herself,"I just can't."

She heard the doorbell ringing and picked up her bag and phone and ran out of her room. Opening the door, she found Levy and Erza standing with a smile on her face.

"Where is Juvia?" Lucy asked.

"She already has a dress prepared and thus will meet us at Fairy Tail. Mira is going to meet us at the shop with Lisanna and Cana. Lets go!"

.

The group ended up trying and rejecting loads of dresses. But Evergreen soon came to their rescue and dragged them to a nearby store. Lucy was glad she came to this place and ended up using up all the allowance she had collected since she moved out. The dresses were just that good!

Once everyone was done with the dresses, they decided to hit fairy tail! They noticed Juvia sitting alone on a seat and waved, walking over there. Before they could even sit, Juvia got up and went to where Lucy was.

"Juvia is so happy!" The blue haired girl tightly hugged Lucy, making the blond confused. Juvia let her go and bowed,"Sorry Juvia couldn't go as she already had a dress but is here to hangout with everyone!"

''That's fine," Erza said with a smile,"We are glad you came."

"Wait," Lucy stopped everyone,"What are you so happy about, Juvia?"

"Juvia is happy! Really happy!" Juvia giggled again making everyone smile at her too.

"Say it!"

"Don't keep it a suspense Juvia!"

"I know," Levy sprang up as she said,"Gray asked you to be his partner to the party, huh?"

"Huh?" Juvia looked confused,"That happened the day it was decided that we will have a masquerade party. Juvia is happy for Lucy-chan!"

The blond pointed at herself, looking confused,"For me? Did I win a lottery or something?"

"You were asked by Natsu-san right?" Juvia grabbed Lucy's hand, confusing the girl.

"Asked for what?" Erza asked, stealing the words out of Lucy's mouth.

"To be the partner for this party!" Juvia said with a wide smile. However, before anyone could assume or say anything, Lucy asked,"What made you think that?"

"Because Natsu told Gray-sama that he finally asked you out."

Juvia was silenced when Lucy shook her head, denying everything,"Sorry, Natsu didn't ask me out."

"You checked your messages?"

"Yes."

"Phonecalls?"

"Yes."

"Emails?"

"He doesn't know my e-mail ID."

"Letter box?"

"Who sends letters in this century? But knowing Natsu its possible. But sorry, I had no letters there this morning," Lucy breathed out,"He asked someone else out. Not me."

"That's not possible," Erza hissed,"Stupid Natsu. What is he saying?"

"Yes!" Levy spoke up too,"You must have heard wrong Juvia! Maybe Natsu told Gray that he was planning to do so!"

Understanding the situation, Juvia nodded at Levy, going with the flow,"Yeah! Juvia must have heard wrong! Silly her!"

"Its fine guys," Lucy said, getting up as she forced a smile on her face,"I have to prepare lunch at home. See you all at school tomorrow."

"Lucy!" Levy called after the leaving blonde,"Wait."

"Its fine Levy, guys," Lucy forced a smile,"I will be there at school tomorrow. I just want to be alone."

.

When Lucy walked into school the next day, she felt déjà vu, just like when Natsu was ignoring her after returning from meeting Zeref. Natsu saw her entering the classroom but didn't say anything.

She wasn't expecting him to come and talk to her though. Erza rose up from her seat and announced,"I hope you all will behave on the mask party. Bringing a mask is entirely your responsibility. Hopefully we can enjoy this party without any problems!"

The class cheered and despite everything, Lucy was looking forward to attend the party. She saw Gray passing her looks and she wasn't sure why. Everyone else, including Levy was acting strange.

"What's going on?" Lucy whispered to Levy who just grinned.

"Say it!" Lucy asked again.

"I am just looking forward to the party," Levy replied,"Don't you have chemistry next? Hurry up!"

"You don't have to push me you know?" Lucy giggled as she got up,"I am not excited to see Macao!"

"Get excited then! Tell me if anything happens!" Levy said and Lucy raised her eyebrows. Levy seemed excited, too excited.

Before leaving the class, her eyes met with Natsu's and she couldn't help but feel her heart doing a flip.

.

Was Levy aware of the fact that Lucy had a friend with whom she shared secrets through scribbling on benches? Lucy was aware that she hadn't shared the piece of information with anyone, not even Natsu. Then why was she getting the feeling that Levy knew Lucy was asked out by someone?

Lucy could only stare at the desk in surprise. What was she supposed to say?

With Natsu ignoring her again, she knew it would be a risk if she waits for him. Moreover hadn't he already asked some other girl?

Moreover every friend of hers had a date. Even Romeo mustered up the courage and asked Wendy out. Who was she supposed to hang out with on the day?

She traced her fingers over the words and unknowingly, a smile formed on her face as she felt her heart beating faster. Pulling out a pen, she scribbled a big 'yes' and smiled.

She would give herself a second chance.

.

Natsu felt the phone vibrate in his pocket and pulled it out, not expecting to see a text from unknown number.

He ignored Gray and Gajeel, who were fighting over whether to wear a tuxedo to the dance or show up in just plain shirt and pants. He clicked open the text and saw something which made the colour drop from his face.

"If you want to see that blonde girl safe, be sure to meet me at Hotel Raven this Sunday. Don't even try to inform anyone."

He was sitting still, not making any noise. What was he supposed to say to that? How did Larcade know it was Lucy? How did he even get his number?

"Natsu, what colour tie are you wearing?" Gray asked,"Hey? Fire Brain?"

"Oi Salamander?" Gajeel slightly punched him,"What gotten into you?"

Natsu silently passed the phone to them and held his head, muttering how he was screwed. "This!" Gray took a deep breath,"Wait."

He quickly took a screenshot and shared the document to Arcadios. Passing the phone back to Natsu, Gray asked,"What now?"

"I am so screwed!" Natsu muttered again, his hands trembling,"He would catch Lucy! She will be hurt all because of me!"

"Natsu!" Gajeel and Gray called him.

"I am so scared! What do I do? What do I do?"

Gajeel took a deep breath and punched the pinkette on his head, making the boy wallow in pain,"What was that for? You looking for a fight?"

"The hell I am!" Gajeel head-butted him,"You're being a pain in my ass."

"Oh yeah?" Natsu hit him back,"You're the same, Metal Face!"

"Stop fighting!" Gray slapped both the boys head,"Shut up for once and think!"

"What?" Natsu sighed,"I am going."

"We are going too," Gray said.

"No!" Natsu quickly answered,"I am not taking you or Gajeel there! Not at all!"

"Relax. Arcadios is coming over to discuss it."

"When did you contact that man?" Natsu was bewildered.

"When you were having a mental breakdown."

Natsu passed Gray a look before saying,"I am going to show up in a shirt and trousers. I am not wearing those stupid tuxedos to that dance."

"What if Lucy doesn't show up?" Gary asked,"Wouldn't it have been better if you asked her face to face?"

"I know but she might not even want to see my face," Natsu groaned,"Thanks to Juvia, Lucy is under the impression that I asked another girl."

"Sorry," Gray apologized on behalf of his girlfriend.

"Yeah man, I was surprised on seeing the girl gang up on you. I thought you were done for," Gajeel laughed and high-fived Gray.

"I had to explain everything to save my life," Natsu shuddered on remembering how scary Erza and Mira looked.

.

Natsu wasn't sure what he was going to do anymore. His heart was beating erratically and his breaths were getting shorter but deeper. His eyes were wandering from one person to the other one in the lobby and he could feel his palms getting all sweaty.

He felt his phone vibrating in his pocket and pulled it out, and relaxed when found out it was a text from Arcadios.

"Don't worry, Natsu. We are right behind you." He read a text which he received and breathed deeply. He wasn't alone. He couldn't give up since he had someone to return to after all.

He could see Gray sitting near the reception, talking to Gajeel. The hotel was almost empty, except a few employees and a few person sitting a little away from him.

He knew most of them were police officers disguised as regular costumers but he was still feeling nervous. Would everything go well? Will Larcade even show up?

Not paying attention to anyone, he was lost in his own world.

Feeling a hand in his shoulder, he looked up, his breath almost died in his throat.

The man smiled at the pinkette as he took his hat off and sat down beside him on the sofa.

"Aren't you going to wish me morning?'' The man smiled again but Natsu couldn't find the correct words to describe his emotions. He could feel himself choking.

"L-L-Larcade?"

.