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I dedicate this chapter to Mishka-adv who has always been my supporter and one of my first best friends on wattpad! She is the best❤
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Lucy smiled.

"Oh wow!" Vera exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight. "You are! No wonder you were that strong!"

"Yeah.." Mari agreed. "After all, what else is to be expected from the number one guild in Fiore?"

Despite the fact that she wasn't a part of the guild anymore, Lucy still felt a rush of pride course through her. She had never been more proud to carry that pink guild mark on her hand, and unconsciously, her fingers brushed atop the bandages, right where the mark lay.

"Now then!" Mari sighed. "Why don't you guys go have a seat? We'll get back to you in a bit! Business should go on as it is, huh?"

Taking the hint, Lucy left for the kitchen, Vera following soon afterwards.

"Here." She said, holding out the bag to her. Grabbing the apron and her notepad, she then headed out yet again, the firestone resting securely in her pockets.

"Hello again!" she greeted cheerfully. "I'll be your waitress for today! Is there anything you would like?"

"A strawberry cake would do, please!" Erza ordered, with stars in her eyes. "I've heard that the cakes here are delicious!"

"Of course!" Lucy giggled. Still the same old Erza. "Anything for you, sir?" she asked, directing her gaze to Gray.

"Gray." he corrected, a frown resting upon his face. "'Sir' just sounds...wrong..coming from you."

Lucy's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening. Was there any chance that he might...maybe even a little bit?..

But that wasn't possible, was it?

"Erm.. Sure.. Gray.."

"Lucy-san, if its not too much, could we get an item of everything on the menu? I doubt that for them anything less will do."

"And fish!" Happy chirped.

"-and fish." Wendy finished with a chuckle.

"Coming right up! Uhm..."

She squirmed uncomfortably, feeling his piercing gaze on her. Throughout the whole exchange, ever since she had introduced herself, Natsu had not once looked away from her, his eyes completely locked onto her.

"Nat-uh-Sir! Umm..anything wrong?"

He continued staring at her for a few more minutes, his eyes calculating. He was wearing a sharp look on, one she had only ever seen him give to his opponents in a particularly tough fight. She had a feeling he was trying to figure her out, and in that moment she wanted nothing more than for him to figure her out.

But sadly, that was not possible.

Finally, he looked away, a frown resting upon his confused face.

"Uh.. No.. No.. It's just.. Nevermind.."

Nobody seemed to be fazed at all by his behaviour, as if used to it. But Lucy, who had always known a Natsu who spoke his mind, was quite shocked to say the least.

'Just what in the world happened after I left?'

However, she decided against prying and hurried away, a million questions swirling in her head.

"We've got a huge order here!" she announced once she got in the kitchen.

"How huge?" Vera asked.

"Well..a whole menu kinda huge.."

"Jeez that's huge. Its going to be quite a work." Vera chuckled.

Lucy nodded, before spotting something at the back of the kitchen.

"Hey?.. Could you ask Merida to take my shift for a while? There is something I have to do.."

•••

"What is up with you today Natsu? You are crankier than usual!" Erza exclaimed.

"Yeah..tell me about it. He has gotten even more annoying ever since we came here!"

"Natsu-san?" Wendy asked timidly. "Is something bothering you?"

"Well the fact that you guys refuse to believe me is what is the matter!"

"There he goes again.." Carla sighed.

"What do they refuse to believe?" Lucy asked, setting the tray of food down, Mari close behind. "If you don't mind me asking, that is!" she quickly added.

"Natsu here is feeling as if something really important is today. Something really special. But he's not able to recall what." Happy explained.

"And he has been bugging us about it." Gray continued. "Happens every year, but this time he's unusually cranky."

"Shut it popsicle!" he yelled, looking away.

"Well.." Mari smiled. "I can't really say anything about his special day, but today is definitely special for us!"

Everyone perked up, even Natsu. He glanced sideways for just a moment, before locking gaze with Lucy, instantly looking away again.

"Really? Maybe that can be what Natsu-san here can't recall!"

"I doubt that. You see.."

Mari moved over to Lucy, grabbing her shoulders. "It's sweet Lucy's birthday!"

"Y-You remembered?"

"Of course! Don't be silly, how can we forget?"

"You are family after all!" Vera explained, coming out of the kitchen with a cake in her hands. "We were going to wait until the evening but Ma here was too excited I suppose!"

Amongst all the surrounding heads of customers and staff alike, Lucy's gaze was only locked on that one retreating head of pink hair. He glanced back one final time before moving out of the shop, leaving her alone, amongst the mass of birthday wishes.

•••

"It's so unlike him.." Erza sighed. "Leaving a party and eating nothing. Looks like he is really upset."

"Yeah.. He would never miss an opportunity to eat." Gray mumbled, taking a sip of his drink. "Man, this is amazing!" He exclaimed.

"Yeah. Hey Lucy? How did you know our preferences so well?"

"Uhm.. lucky guess?"

The sun was slowly setting now and Natsu was nowhere to be found. The party went on in a full swing, but his disappearance pulled at her heartstrings. She knew that it was a miracle that she got to spend it with the others but his presence..it meant the most to her.

"Well.." Erza sighed, looking outside. "We should get going now. It's late and we've got to find an inn to stay in too. Gray? Could you wake them up?" She asked, looking over to a dozing Wendy and the exceeds.

"You mean you guys haven't found a place to stay in yet?" Mari asked. "I doubt you'll be able to find a decent place now."

"Why's that?"

"Well..It's the Mid Summer's festival here. The town has been bustling with tourists for the past few days. And from what I've heard..finding a place to stay now will be quite troublesome."

Lucy looked over to find a totally blank Erza and Gray, looking shellshocked. She sweat dropped, while Mari chuckled nervously.

"Say.. it's not the biggest..but we do have a spare guest room here. Do you want it for the night?"

Erza was the first to recover and she quickly took Mari's hand, shaking them vigorously.

"You mean it? Really? We can't thank you enough ma'am!"

"It's no biggie!"

"We've still gotta find that pyro though."

"Yeah.."

"If you don't mind.." Lucy began. "Could I help out too? I know this place pretty well and uhm.."

Erza smiled, facing Lucy. "That will be a big help, of course!"

And so, Lucy, Erza and Gray set out to find Natsu, each heading out in different directions just how Lucy instructed.

•••
Well I'm here with another chapter hehe! ^.^

So yeah..more interactions between Lucy and Fairy Tail! Aah❤

PS Makarov killed me(yeah yeah ik what truly happens but still it was heartbreaking to watch)

Please vote, comment and share! Also to all those ghost readers and silent readers out there, please, please, please vote and comment. it helps me feel good as an author!

So until next time!
Belle!🌸
🔥❤🔑