“Who loves you? Hint: Someone close to you. Literally.”

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Lucy was sitting up in her bed, her face still flushed. It was 7 in the evening, and she just finished eating dinner. It looked like she was gonna stay up all night.. which was bad. She didn’t want to stay up all night because she wanted to rest. But she’s restless because of a certain someone. Also because of what he did.

Her heart started to race again as she remembered the scene where Natsu almost kissed her. Why didn’t he do it? Wait, why am I disappointed now? I didn’t want it to happen!! She sighed. Who am I kidding? I wanted it to happen. Gah!! Why do I think like a pervert?! This is embarrassing!!

She opened her laptop to check her email, but then her mind was filled with regret once her eyes had landed on the mail.

Subject: hi

hey, meet me tomorrow?

It wasn’t like she didn’t know the sender. It was there on her screen. @natsu_dragneel. It was sent to her sixteen minutes ago.

No. Just.. no. Why does he keep on haunting me every single time? Why?

Natsu. Everything about him bothered her. A lot.

She didn’t know why, but maybe just because of her curiosity, she replied: huh? for what?

@natsu_dragneel – I just need to tell you something important.

@iamlucyheartfilia – oh-kay.. what time, and where?

@natsu_dragneel – 6 PM. Fairy Café.

Lucy sighed, closing her eyes as she did with her laptop. ‘What was he going to tell me? What am I going to do if he’s already in front of me? How would I act? Am I supposed to act like nothing happened?’ These were the things that stayed in her mind. She rolled around her bed, and soon, she fell into a deep slumber.

The next morning was a bright morning. She woke up to the blinding sunlight that came from her window. Not knowing what to do early in the morning, she decided that she’d go for a jog.

While jogging, she saw something—or someone—from afar. He was very familiar. His appearance, the way he stood. It was all too familiar.

The figure that she saw came nearer towards her. She let out a small and inaudible gasp when she realized who it was. Suddenly, her breathing hitched, and it was now hard to breathe. “Morning. Why are you out early in the morning?”

“N–Natsu.” It felt weird to mention his name. Maybe it was all because of what happened. “Hi?” It was more like a question than a greeting. She felt awkward and suddenly, she doesn’t know what to say.

Natsu shoved his hands into his pocket. “Do you wanna have coffee with me?” he asked casually. Lucy froze. Did he just ask me out on a date? “Are you all right?”

Lucy composed herself. This isn’t a date. I mean, look. It’s too early to have a date. And he asked me if I could join him for a cup of coffee. Obviously not a date. “I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“If that’s the case, then come on.” Natsu held her hand, which made her more panicked than ever.

“C–Can you not hold my hand?” she stammered.

“Why? It’s a normal thing for couples, right?” he asked. Ugh, he was so dumb at times. “Are we not a couple?”

Lucy scratched the back of her head. “It’s not like that. It’s because of the... the...”

“The what? You know what, make it fast. We don’t wanna waste time.” Natsu replied impatiently.

Lucy rolled her eyes, forgetting about the kiss for a moment. “You could go on ahead without me.”

“Huh? But why?”

“I have things to do. Things that are more important than this one.”

Natsu frowned. “What is it, anyway? Why are we not allowed to hold hands.” Yet again, Lucy’s red cheeks have resurrected.

“Don’t meddle into one’s business.”

“Pretty please?”

“Never—”

“Don’t you dare say never mind.” Natsu deadpanned, glaring at her.

Lucy tried her best to contain her smile. “Forget it.” She retorted. She felt herself victorious and glorious over a now scowling Natsu. She thought she was a genius for that witty comeback, and wanted to pat her own shoulders for that little achievement.

But then a moment later, Natsu’s upside down smile vanished. “You mean the kiss?” Natsu queried with a light smirk on his face. Lucy’s face flushed, she looked away. He kissed Lucy’s cheeks. “There. Are you satisfied? Or you want another one in the lips?”

Lucy’s eyes widened. “Hey! I didn’t tell you to do that!” She protested, embarrassed. “And no thanks! I’d rather die than kiss you!” It’d be my first kiss, after all! A girl’s first kiss is very important. Natsu must know that!

“Who said you were going to kiss me? I’m the one who’ll kiss you.” Natsu cocked his head to the right, his face alight with amusement. He pecked Lucy’s lips very quickly—so quick that she didn’t have the chance to stop him. Her eyes widened. She sulked at a corner with Natsu laughing in front of her.

“My first kiss is gone....” She repeated over and over again with a disappointed look on her face. Natsu shook his head, smiling. He grabbed Lucy’s arms and hauled her to a café by means of Natsu’s car. The ride was for fifteen minutes, and the ride was noisy with Natsu yammering about random things.

Entering the café, the bells rang. Waiters greeted them warmly. Lucy always loved the smell of coffee, but today, she really didn’t care about the sweet aroma of the coffee. She cared about her first kiss being stolen by Natsu.

“Do you want a cup of Cappuccino?” Lucy heard Natsu say, but all she did was repeat the statement: “My first kiss is gone.” Natsu rolled his eyes. “Hey, is that really your first kiss? I mean, I think your father or mother have kissed you already.”

“No!! Err, of course my mother and father have kissed me, but not on the lips. And they’re allowed to kiss me because they’re my parents. But my kiss in the lips... my first kiss... a boy stole it! Worse, it’s stolen by someone named Natsu Dragneel!” She sputtered furiously.

Natsu, even though his ego was a bit hurt, smiled. “I’m your boyfriend, so that’ll be considered as normal.”

“But that was my first kiss!” Lucy whined, shooting Natsu daggers.

“But I’m allowed to kiss you because I’m your boyfriend.” Natsu reasoned. He was frowning now. His feelings were... hurt as well.

Lucy looked away. “Curse you.” Was all she could say. She was tired of arguments and so she gave up. Packing up her things, she stood up, her shoulders slouched. “I’m going home. I’m tired from all the running that I did, and I’m tired of fighting with you.”

Natsu stopped her. “The orders!! Wait. I have something to ask you, too.” Lucy stared at him, waiting. “Who loves you?”

Lucy quirked a bewildered eyebrow. “What? Are you the Natsu I know? Had somebody made you mad? Are you an alien? What the hell is with that question?”

“Who loves you?” Natsu asked this question again, but this time very seriously that it was creeping her out.

“Uhh...” She thought about it. “Well of course my parents.” She stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world, and it was like she was implying that Natsu was an idiot for not knowing that.

“And . . .?”

“My friends?” Lucy replied, weirded out.

Natsu huffed, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Your parents, family, and friends love you. But do you know somebody that loves you like them? Or somebody that loves you more than they do?”

Lucy, with a creased forehead, squinted her eyes at him. “I don’t know. Do you know somebody that loves me besides my parents and friends? If yes, then say hi to him or her for me.”

Natsu wanted to face-palm. “First of all, it’s a he. Second, are you an alien or something? Why don’t you feel it?” Lucy glared at Natsu.

“Get straight to the point. Make your question specific!”

“Who loves you? Hint: Somebody close to you. Literally.”

Lucy went agape, perplexed. She wanted to ask: What the hell are you babbling about? A moment later, she realized what Natsu wanted to imply. She stared at Natsu, blushing and speechless. A small gasp escaped her lips.

Natsu smiled. “I think you got it. Congratulations. It’s me. I love you.” He then stood up and left Lucy, stunned again.

°°••

“When are you going to finish that homework of yours?” Levy asked, staring at Lucy with boredom. Erza, Juvia, and Wendy were sitting at their table too, eating their meals.

Lucy didn’t answer. Instead, she let go of her pen, moved the Calculus book away from her, and stared off into the space again.

“You know, I’ve noticed three things about you lately. One, you have a darker shade of black circles around your eyes. You already look like a panda. Two, you’re not eating too much like you already did. Three, you’re so quiet.”

“You don’t know the situation I’m in, that’s why.”

Erza rolled her eyes. “You won’t tell it to us, that’s why.”

“You didn’t ask.”

Wendy sighed. “Here we go again. When will this end?”

Lately, Lucy had been restless. All night. She was always thinking about Natsu, her first kiss, and his confession. She didn’t think he was the type of guy who’d confess. Look, he’s a player, so it’s very hard to believe that he’d confess to me! Every night, the kiss and the confession scene always flashed in her mind. Every single detail—she remembered all of it. It had been two weeks since the confession, and Natsu haven’t showed up to her. He didn’t speak to her even in email, text, or call. He was nowhere to be seen.

But that’s not all. There was a certain someone that never left her mind for three consecutive days now.

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Sorry for the late update!

Who do you think is that certain someone? ;)

~sheimaenalu