14 isn't just a lucky number of mine.

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"Sometimes, I just want to knock you out. You're so annoying. It's so disappointing. Why? He's being good! He didn't do anything bad to you!" Levy kept ranting things. She always did this whenever she felt like it or if she felt bad.

Lucy kept walking too. "Quit being so loquacious."

"I'm leaving you here. I won't be talking to you. Not until you say sorry to the guy. Not until you go back and be with him at the library." Lucy's eyes widened at Levy's retreating figure.

"Levy! Ugh. He's not worth it!"

"He is, you... you girl!" Levy stopped herself from swearing because she hated it. She was so close to saying one, good thing she had the control.

"Looks like she's serious." Lucy mumbled. "Well then, I have to go back and be with him 'til seven PM. Good luck to me." Sighing, she ran back to the school and went to the library. There, she saw Natsu who was arranging the books and writing something on a piece of paper.

The door shut close and that's when Natsu looked up.

Silence. It all felt like deja vu. Lucy hated awkwardness. The fact that Natsu was gazing at her intensely made her shudder.

"Do you need anything?" He emphasized every word. His voice was monotonous like a robot. She felt like she had done something wrong. Well, I did something wrong. Stupid. Her tongue got tied up, and she just stared at Natsu.

"S-Sorry?" It came out more like a question. Natsu didn't know if he'd be surprised. He somehow expected it, but not right now. He thought it was impossible though, considering Lucy's pride was as high as Mount Everest. It even came out as a question, so he thought she wasn't sincere. Right, Levy. How could I forget?

Natsu turned away from her without saying anything. Lucy stood still, staring at Natsu. Natsu, for once, didn't seem to mind her staring. Didn't he accept my apology?

"I said I was sorry." It was supposed to be louder this time, but she wondered why it came out as a whisper in the wind. Stacks of books fell in an aisle as she said that, making it impossible for Natsu to hear what she mumbled. He cussed at the big mess, rolling his eyes. Well, this is awkward, Lucy thought to herself. What am I supposed to do now? Stand here and stare at him until he accepts my apology?

A memory popped in Lucy's head, making her blush. It was Natsu who kissed her all of a sudden. She felt stuffy now. The idea of him and her alone in a room makes her think of the "what ifs".

"Whatever. I still have to help him." She murmured through the quiet room. She slowly took long strides towards him.

She crouched beside him and picked up the books that fell on the dusty floor. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the books. They were apparently unused and it also had some torn pages. It really pained her to see those books like that. After all, she loves books. She caressed them with her slim fingers, with Natsu staring at her in his peripheral vision. He was scribbling something—an information about the book perhaps—but he wasn't that focused anymore to what he was writing.

“What are you writing?” Lucy peeked at what he was writing and felt flabbergasted at what he wrote. “Dusty, torn pages, missing pages... beautiful, amazing, truly a goddess?” Natsu furrowed his eyebrows at what he wrote.

“Uh, well, I... I read some books earlier and found a book about a goddess and all...” He stuttered nervously. Lucy stared at him and nodded.

“So, you’re not mad at me anymore?” She grinned. Natsu forgot about that and he blushed a little. “Natsu Dragneel is blushing oh my gosh! Why?” Lucy asked in amazement.

Natsu glared at her. “Leave me alone.” He said, going back to his mad façade.

Lucy backed away. “What’s with him?” She murmured and went to the library desk to check on things.

Time passed by and the janitor came in. “You two must’ve been working hard. You need a break.” He gave them two hot cups of coffee. Lucy smelled it and grinned. She always loved the scent of coffee. She’d be so relaxed. With books with her, she’s contented. She thanked him along with Natsu.

Then again, they were left alone. They’ve got nothing to do anymore, so Lucy decided to sit somewhere along with a book. Natsu, unfortunately for him, accidentally sat where Lucy sat. Very awkward, you could say. Lucy, flushed and shocked, spilled the coffee around the table and her uniform, making it a see through for Natsu. Her bra was very visible.

Natsu’s eyes widened and told her he was sorry for so many times. “It’s okay.” She told him but Natsu insisted that it wasn’t.

“Do you have a tissue?”

“In my bag.”

Natsu rummaged through her bag and got the tissue. With shaky hands, he slowly leaned onto Lucy and... and tried to dry her uniform. He flinched when he touched Lucy’s chest. Lucy’s heart raced in her chest as she felt Natsu’s touch.

"I think I should be the one doing it." Lucy suggested calmly, but deep inside she was so anxious. She reached for the tissue and got up. "I'm going to the bathroom." She ran away.

"What was that all about?" She asked herself. "I mean, I don't feel that kind of thing whenever I'm around him... okay. Why am I having a monologue?" She splashed her face with water. She then stared at her reflection in the mirror. "I don't know why I've been doing all these bad things to him. Oh. I think I know why. I already know that he likes me which made everything awkward. Maybe I'm the only one feeling awkward. And I was avoiding him. He shouldn't be forgiving me, after all the things that I have done to him. He's been a good guy, after all." Sighing, she went out of the bathroom after cleaning herself up.

"I see that you have changed." Natsu told her. She felt like it had deeper meaning behind it. She gave him a slight nod. I don't want things to be always like this. He smiled at her. "I guess we're done?" Natsu asked and all Lucy could do was nod, again. "I'm gonna bring you home."

She felt like bringing down his offer, but this was the only way she could repay him for all the kindness. It will also serve as her apology. Wait, I don't know about kind, but he didn't do anything bad so... yeah, he's kind. She considered his offer and smiled wearily at him as her yes.

"I'll take that as a yes. Come on." He led the way, with Lucy trailing behind him.

"Uhm." Her voice was audible, but Natsu didn't hear it. "I'd like to ask you a question."

Natsu didn't answer. He shoved his hands on his pocket, feeling a little cold.

"Are you listening?" Lucy inquired, lifting an eyebrow. Natsu shuddered at her brown orbs. They were warm.

"Uh, no, I wasn't. What is it anyway?"

"It's nothi—" a snowflake fell on her nose, cutting her off. "It's winter, huh." Natsu looked up and nodded.

"Indeed." He saw a nearby coffee shop. "You wanna have coffee?" By the looks of it, he thought she needed one, so he dragged her all the way to the coffee shop. "Two cups of hot coffee, please." Natsu ordered as Lucy stared at his back. She was wondering about the event a few days ago. She wondered if all of those were true. It was hard to believe.

"What?"

"Huh?"

"You were staring at me." Natsu smirked. "Or were you checking me out?" Lucy furrowed her eyebrows.

"No."

Natsu smiled at her as she drank her coffee.

"What were you going to ask me?" Natsu asked, bored.

Lucy blushed and shook her head. "Forget it."

"Lucy Heartfilia is blushing. Something tells me this is interesting. Come on, say it." Lucy's blush reddened a bit. Natsu flashed her a naughty smirk. "Ohh, perhaps you're gonna ask me if I have abs? If you can be my wife? If you can kiss me? If you can—"

“Of course not. I wanted to ask you just a simple question. And, by the way, something tells me you’re implying something dirty. It’s your smirk. Creepy. Naughty boy.”

“What is it anyway? I’m getting the wrong idea because you won’t tell me.”

“It’s nothing important.” Lucy pressed her lips into a thin line.

“Will I press it out of you?” Natsu leaned onto her. Lucy blushed again.

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. I was just wondering if what you had told me about your... feelings was true?”

Natsu leaned back. “Why? Don’t you think I’m serious?” Lucy nodded, wanting to be honest. “I shouldn’t be surprised. This was the first time I have felt this way. I myself couldn’t believe it at first.” Lucy felt warm, and her hard gaze softened. “I’m serious. I like you.”

What was I supposed to say to this? “Stop acting like this is a serious thing.” Natsu grinned. “Forget it. Forget about what I said.”

She remained silent.

“I was wondering, too.” Natsu croaked.

“Hmm?”

“Nothing.”

Lucy felt like it was important, but she shrugged it off.

“Let’s go? Your mother will kill me.” Lucy guffawed and nodded. Natsu loved seeing her like this. He loved making her laugh.

They stood up and walked all the way to Lucy’s house. “I should’ve brought my car.”

“No. It’s more peaceful like this.”

“So you like peaceful now?” Lucy punched him while shooting him icy daggers. Natsu laughed. “I just never thought that you’ll like one, seeing how you behave—ow!” He rubbed his shoulders that was punched again by Lucy—harder this time.

They reached Lucy’s house and Natsu’s question popped in her head. Her curiosity got over her so she asked. “Natsu!” Lucy called out as he walked away.

“Yes?”

“Come here.”

“Do I get a kiss?” He pouted like a little kid.

“Uhm. I have a question.”

“Guess I’ll save my question for later. Thanks for answering my question with a question, by the way.”

“I wanted to ask. If you were going to be my real boyfriend, what would you do?”

“I’m going to treat you like a princess.” He said with all honesty. Okay, I think I’m not going to ask next time. Lisanna came into Lucy’s head. Oh. Lisanna. I promised her that I’ll avenge her. This is my big chance. That is not the main question I was going to ask anyway.

“I wonder if being your real girlfriend is still open.”

“It will always be open for you, princess.” He smiled. “Why, would you like to be one? Too shy to say I like you too?” Lucy shook her head. Chuckling, he continued. “Will you be my girlfriend?” Lucy feigned shock, to which Natsu didn’t notice. Lucy slowly nodded, putting on a fake smile.