Lucy

Natsu was so much more energetic an hour later after his nap. I was watching some local news in the too fancy living room, changed into something a little warmer because of the freezing weather outside. A long sleeve light pink shirt with a pink scarf and some skinny jeans. When Natsu entered, he was still wearing his warmer but he changed out of his soccer pants into some dark jeans as well.

Our eyes met and I could feel my cheek heating up. I did what I had to do, alright? To get him to sleep on the very soft bed, I had to do it! In the dimmed lights, I could actually see the little hint of pink on his cheeks as well.

At least he remembered I made some kind of approach to him, right?

We just stared at each other until a knock followed by Erza's demonic voice saved our asses, "Let's go! It's seven!"

The Allied Forces FC got the whole floor to ourselves but I overheard Hibiki and Ren talking to their creepy little captain that they were going to hit the bar after settling in before dinner as well. Eve, since he was our age, decided he'd just take a nap like what Jellal hoped we all did.

Erza's sharing a room with Wendy and it's the room right next to ours (we're the last room at the end of the hall.) Jellal got his own room and it was the room to the left of ours, facing Erza's and Wendy's.

Natsu broke eye contact with me to so he could open the door, "We're here."

"Good," I could see her nod just as I was standing up.

"Oui, Natsu-san," Wendy's sweet voice came to. "Are you okay?"

"Whatcha mean, kiddo?"

As I was walking up to them, I could see her pointing at his cheeks, "Your cheeks are all red. I think you have a fever or something."

Dammit, she's sharp.

"A fever?" Natsu felt his own forehead. "No, no. I'm fine. I was only blushing."

Right when he said that, Jellal enters the hall and Gray enters from his room a little down the hallway.

"Blushing?" Erza crossed her arms, her eyes darting to me making me blush as well. "Why are you blushing?"

Realizing what he just said, he waved his hands frantically, "D-don't get the wrong idea! I wasn't blushing!"

"Then why are your cheeks red, Natsu?" Jellal asked.

"Ugh!" Natsu growled in frustration. "Can't a guy's cheek not be red just for the heck of it?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jellal returned to the lobby where we all sat around, still in our respected FCs. Not all buddy buddy yet with everybody else but Wendy has started hanging with us. Which is absolutely okay considering everybody else was either a man ten times taller than her or a legend. Since she's Jellal's little cousin, she's our family and friend as well.

Dinner was kinda awkward. Nobody talked to anybody mainly because Jura was sitting straight, his eyes closed as he enjoyed the lobster. Erza and Gray, on either side of me, were his main targets of conversation. Erza was a little more classy when talking but Gray not so much. He had to restrain himself so much from the slangs that he just resulted in using one word answers.

Natsu was just a little louder, arguing with the boys of Blue Pegasus over something on the other side of Titania. She had to constantly punch and kick his leg to get him to shut up if he got too excited.

Now here we are, all hanging out in the lobby, while Jellal read through his clip board of things to say to us.

"Alright," he sighed. "I know you all are tired from the flight and would rather tour the result then hear me talk so, let's begin."

I elbowed Gray who was dozing off on the arm rest, causing him to nearly fall off. Erza crossed her leg over, arms crossed and leaned back against the coach. Wendy sitting on the other side of the captain sat on the edge due to her short posture. Natsu occupied the other armrest, his eyes distant until he heard the coach's voice.

He flipped to the first page, "First order of business. Your positions, we'll start from the goalie forward. Jura, captain and goalie. Lyon center back with Hibiki. Ren and Sherry right back and left back."

The defenders nodded at one another before Jellal continued, "Wendy right wing mid-fielder, Erza center, and Ichiya left wing mid."

"Yes, I'll do my best Cou- or Coach Jellal," she pumped her tiny fist. A small ripple of amused laughter filled the players. Erza patted her head softly.

"Alright our attacking line," he looked at me then read the list off without glancing his clipboard, "Gray left wing, Lucy forward and Natsu right."

"Awesome," Natsu smirked loudly. "I'm all fired up now."

Jellal nodded, "The subs are staying at a different hotel because the FFA could only afford too much. Next."

He flipped the page, "Rules," glanced at Natsu who looked almost offended.

"I'm listening," Natsu rolled his eyes.

"Those under twenty-one are not allowed anywhere near the bar area or casino or club," he read off. "Curfew for these players are ten local. Jura and I will be checking to make sure you all are in your rooms at ten sharp. If you are not in your rooms, there will be consequences, understood?"

"Yes, sir," we said simontanously.

"The bus leaves at exactly seven AM sharp for practice at Dick's Sporting Goods field in Commerce City. When there, no one is to leave the field until two when practice ends. Then we all will come back by bus which is about an hour and have dinner together at five o'clock. A meeting like this afterwards which shouldn't take longer than half an hour then you are free to do whatever you want until ten."

So many numbers and time. Damn, this is more strict than I thought.

"This feels like school," I whispered to Erza. "With two dads watching us."

"Very true," she sighed. "But it's going to keep us focused."

"First match of this competition will be on Sunday at Sports Authority field. Practice starts early tomorrow morning which is a Friday so go and rest your minds and your bodies. Allied Forces, dismissed. Erza, Jura, Ichiya please stay so we can discuss important matters.

My new teammates started getting up, stretching. Eve, Hibiki, and Ren already running after a girl who could be a model. Lyon and Sherry wandered off in a different direction back towards the restaurant.

Gray walked around me to Wendy, "Hey let's go get some ice cream. What do you say?"

Her eyes lit up, "Sounds great."

He looked at me over his shoulder, "You coming with?"

"No, she's coming with me," Natsu said bluntly. "We're gonna be exploring. You guys can join us after you're done."

Oh so now he wants to spend time with me.