The jog to the stadium has my entire body quivering with excitement. This is both exhilarating and nerve-wrecking. 

Now that I was able to leave my apartment willingly, I took a nice long run last night to burn off Lisanna's words. I'm not mad at what she said. Especially when it comes to Natsu, I always know she means well. She puts him before everything and I respect her for that.

Unlike someone like me.

I really am selfish, aren't I?

I was one of the first ones at the gate. The security guard let me in without a single question and locked the door behind me. 

Wow.

It's been forever since I stepped foot into this place and I will love to say the memories are truly hitting me now. I quickly made my way down to the locker rooms.

"Oh, Lucy you're early." Erza was in a towel, standing by a metal bench that used to be wood drying her hair.

"I could say the same thing to you."

"Captain always has to be here early am I right?" She responded walking up to her locker with her number and name on it. I searched the rest of red metal lockers and finally found my own.

The same one as last time.

I opened it and gasped.

"New jerseys?" I pulled on out, my last name embedded in the amazing shirt. 

Erza nodded. "Coach said might as well considering we are technically being reborn. Why not come out in style."

She wasn't wrong.

New year, new look.

I like that.

Other girls started piling in as I was changing. I greeted each of them with a huge smile and soon enough, we were all laughing together. I missed this. 

Don't get me wrong: the girls at Barcelona are also long time friends I made while I was out there but that doesn't compare to the relationship I have with everybody coming through the locker room at this very moment. 

This is my family.

Nothing will ever change that.

Even if it's by my ex-fiancee's wife.

I'll win her back to my side. It's going to be one hell of a journey but I'm determined and when I am, I get stuff done. I just don't know how exactly.

"Hey guys!" Mirajane came skipping in suddenly. "You ready?"

"Hell yeah!" Cana exclaimed, sliding her own jersey over her head. 

"Wait, why are you in here?" Juvia asked, blinking.

Good question.

With a sickening smile, she explained. "Because Coach Makarov is making all of you run an extra mile for warm-up because y'all are late."

It was pin drop silence for a little bit.

Then suddenly Erza exclaimed. "OH SHIT!"

~

I could feel it.

The satisfied feeling that old geezer was feeling as he watched us begin our extra mile. All the guys were already starting their stretches while we ladies have to finish this extra mile around the field. Erza was leading the charge with me right behind and Wendy by my side. 

The little girl was practically skipping with joy.

Kid.

Give me your damn lungs!

Once we finished, we jogged over to begin our stretches when I noticed Lisanna already grabbing a ball and the sub jersey.

"Wait, why does she get to skip out on it?" Call me petty but Coach said ALL girls must do the extra mile.

"She came a little later with...him." Wendy inclined her head towards a direction.

I looked over.

"Who?"

"You know." Wendy continued inclining her head in the same direction. "Him."

I almost laughed at how adorable she was being. At least she's being extra considerate to me unlike someone.

"You can say his name." I sat down, stretching my legs out. "I really don't mind."

My teammate gave me a sad smile. "I know but I just don't want to see you hurt, too."

This girl is going to grow up to do great things for this world. 

"Alright! Team huddle!" Coach Makarov clapped twice. 

Me and my fellow lady teammates jogged over to where the guys were snickering at our punishment. However, one glare from Erza got everybody to shut their mouths immediately.

I know I shouldn't be doing this but I couldn't help it. My eyes quickly scanned the crowd for that unique hair color and found it almost immediately in the middle of the pack. And of course the person standing in front of him was our gigantic goalie so I couldn't see his face at all.

I should count that as luck being on my side.

"For some of you, this is the first time you've been on the pitch in a year so we're just going to scrimmage, see how everybody is panning out. Subs vs starters. Subs get ball first, 30 minute halves. Any questions?"

"No sir!" We said.

"Good. Then let's go get ready."

The adrenaline rush that pulsed through my veins almost sent me sprinting to get in my place by the circle but I kept my cool. Wendy, however, took her spot as quickly as she could (which is yeah, pretty fast) eyes blazing with determination.

As the crowd started clearing, I was finally able to see his face completely. He was hunched over, still stretching out his body. That or he's doing it on purpose to avoid any contact with me whatsoever.

This isn't going to work.

Deep breaths now, Lucy. Just try -

"Lucy! Natsu! Get your asses in position now! We're getting ready to start!" Erza's voice echoed through the stadium. 

Next time, Lucy. 

Next time.

Natsu sprinted to get in his position, not a single look let alone a word in my direction. 

Frowning, I finally took my place by the circle and tried to clear my thoughts. I glanced over at my opponents and made out their lineup.

Mest (this new recruit) is standing by the goal, adjusting his gloves. The four defenders ran: Wakabe as left back, Bisca and Alzack center then Max at right back. The midfielders are: Romeo attacking mid (aww he's so grown up too), with Freed and Jet on his sides. Then the forwards go: Bickslow running the left wing, Evergreen running the right and of course, Lisanna as striker. 

She was already at the center with her back to me but I'm positive she's looking at her husband who was facing her.

"Hey just 'cause we're married don't expect me to go easy on ya." Natsu said, loud enough for everybody to hear.

"Good. I don't expect you to." Lisanna responded.

Can we please just get this started, like right now would be great.

I stole a look at Mira, who's this match referee, looking at her watch. Her arm is up.

The moment it comes down that means go time.

Okay, I need to get out of my head right now. No romance, no more romance. This is business. 

Give it my all.

"Ready!" Mira said once more.

Not a peep from anybody. All eyes trained on the ball at the base of Lisanna's feet.

Another heartbeat.

"Match Start!"