Natsu

Erza called me early this morning, telling me not to come by to pick Lucy up like usual and to just meet them at school. I frowned but agreed. No need to disobey the she-devil so early in the morning anyway.

I didn't wear my warmer today, didn't feel like it. Plus I need to wash it so I can take it with me tomorrow for our long trip.

I wore a black and red plaid shirt under a black hoodie instead with my father's scarf and dark skinny jeans. Some red Adidas high tops to finish my outfit.

I petted Happy, my cat who was chewing on a yarn ball and left my house for school with forty-five minutes to spare. I'll admit, it's pretty chilly even for me. The November snow was already falling after a night of resting.

I ran into Gray leaving his apartment on the way. He wasn't bundled up because the cold and him are literally best friends unlike me. I prefer the hot summers Fiore had to offer. It's way better running around without a shirt on than being bundle to the bone so you don't lost a finger.

"Why you out so early, Flame-brain?" He greeted, falling in step next to me. "Where's Lucy?"

"Erza's with her," I replied, a breath of smoke leaving my mouth. "Told me to head straight to school. How about you Popsicle? Ain't you cold in just that?!"

He's literally wearing a short sleeve black v-neck and khakis! If he's not freezing than he's an alien.

"I love this weather," Gray took a deep breath. "It's nice and chilly."

"Below zero freezing!"

We spent the rest of the way to school arguing about almost nothing, something we do best believe me. Usually if Erza isn't around at least.

I grabbed the freezing metal handle of the school front door. The only people I saw around were a few freshmen who were still trying to figure out the ups and downs of the school.

Gray suddenly stopped me, "Wait."

"What is it?"

"I saw the news report," he started.

"And? I think every single person in Fiore or uses the Internet has. What about it?"

Gray just shook his head, "Just be careful. Don't do anything stupid that could hurt both of you mentally and emotionally."

"Noted," I wiggled my hand out of his before pushing the door to enter the school.

I sulked until my locker came into view a little ways down the hallway, in perfect view of the front door. It was already 7:00, students were starting to come. Gray got caught up with some of the players from the basketball team and wandered off somewhere else, leaving me alone just how I liked it. For now anyway.

I kept an eye on the front doors, my fast eyes picking up and recognized random faces of high school students filing into school, yet not a sign of the familiar blonde hair.

You're engaged Natsu my subconcious rang Remember that you're engaged. You and Lucy can't be together, not now not ever.

Wow thanks for the boost of confidence...

So there's no use in being her friend because you don't want her continuing to get hurt.

I stopped halfway from grabbing my English binder.

Let me just make this easier for your little mind to comprehend. It's better if you don't associate yourself with her at all.

What the hell are you saying?! I'm still her best -

Yeah idiot, I know! But is it worth all the hurt you're feeling right now because you can't call her yours? What's the point in all of this then?

As much as I hated it, what my mind is saying makes sense. I've been thinking about it all night since Jellal dropped all of us off at Lucy's apartment into the early hours of morning. I kept going in circles trying to figure out a solution to keep this friendship going but I came to the conclusion I just didn't want to let her out of my sight.

I know we haven't stopped loving each other and I know that I'm just using this friendship to be close to her.

So she doesn't move on...

I love Lucy, I want her to be happy, smile more get along well with anybody and move on.

If I love her like I claim I do, then I have to stop what we have. I need to tell her it's time to move on. That even if she later on does find happiness she should live it without any regrets.

Even if I'm not in that new happy life.

The moment I shut my locker I knew what I had to do.

~~~~~~~~~

Hey... you remember when I shut my locker I was determined to call things off with Lucy? How I was gonna end our friendship so she can live on as a happy person.

I knew it was going to be hard to to call what was so special to me off just like that...

I was gawking, that much I knew. Like if a giant chocolate cookie just popped out of the ground kinda reaction.

Lucy and Erza were just on time for Biology. My lab partner was of course the certain someone that I was gonna end ties with. I didn't expect, no no no, didn't ever expect in hundreds of years that...

I was looking at my phone when the bell rang. My earphones were in so I didn't hear the wolf whistles until I took them out in order to listen to what we had to do for the dissection.

Lucy came in wearing a dark gray sleeveless vest that extended down a majority of her body. She was wearing a zebra long sleeve shirt underneath and a short skirt. But since it was freezing she had those long, long socks that came up until it was almost halfway up her thigh. On her feet, black heeled boots.

Erza looked nice too but nothing compared to Lucy. The captain had a simple maroon top half and white dress with a belt and tan heel boots.

One thing I did learn about Lucy... she hates dresses, she hates dresses or dressing up of any kind despite the fact she had to everyday when she was little. That's probably why whenever she wears a dress, it's some kind of special occasion. I.e: Jellal's victory parties.

Then why the hell is she wearing one today?!

I watched the striker walked down the isle (we work at the third table from the front), adjusting her backpack. A hand from one of the guys sitting at one of the stations in front of us shot out, grabbing Lucy's wrist gently. She stopped and glanced at the source.

"Oh," the bright smile on her face blinding. Except it wasn't at me... it was at -

"Morning Liam."