Natsu's POV:

The next day at school, Lucy had stayed home 'sick with a cold'. But what that actually meant was she was at home on her computer playing Runescape, or something. I was going to text her, just to make sure I was right, but last time I did that she said I distracted her, and she missed her chance to hunt a unicorn. And although I didn't care whether or not she attended school all the time, it did suck that my best friend wasn't going to be here all day. Especially in science. In which we have a group assignment today.

With a heavy sigh, I made my way to my science class. As always, Mr. Dreyar was perched on top of his desk like a madman, sipping from his flask. Now, no one is totally sure what he's drinking all the time, but we've been assured it's not alcohol. Mr. Dreyar's douchey grandson Laxus was also in this class. He's always followed around by these dweeby lackeys who all worship him as a God. Only one of them was in this class, though, and was he ever proud of that fact. He never leaves Laxus's side and basically does whatever he says.

"Good morning class," Mr. Dreyar's raspy morning voice brought my attention back to the front of the class, where he had the directions for the class scribbled on the blackboard. "Today we'll be starting a group assignment. So together with your lab partners decide what you'll be doing." He took a long sip from his flask before continuing. "Natsu, where's your partner?"

"Luce is out sick today," I answered absentmindedly while doodling something in my textbook.

"Right. Well, since Gray's partner is also away today, you can work with him."

"We can what?!" Both Gray and I rose from our seats in unison, both with an equally annoyed look on our face.

Gray scowled at me, then at Mr. Dreyar. "I'm not working with him."

"And I'm not working with him," I echoed.

Mr. Dreyar motioned for us to sit down, and we did. He went to take another sip of his drink, and was extremely disappointed to find that it was empty. "You two will work together. Natsu, I thought you'd be happy about this. Gray is a straight-A student."

I frowned and looked back at Gray. The idea of getting an A was a tempting one, but I didn't really want to work with someone who hated my guts. With haste, I gathered my things and moved over to the seat next to Gray. He didn't even acknowledge me sitting there. Gray just kept writing something in a notebook.

"I think this is a good opportunity to start over," I whispered while the teacher kept on talking. "I think we could be friends. What do you think?"

"I think you're talking during class," he said without even looking at me. "And I would like you to shut up."

Upon Gray's request, I remained silent for the rest of the class. And actually, for the rest of the day. Without Luce, I had nobody to talk to.

After what felt like forever, the school bell rang, and it was finally over. I grabbed my belongings out of my locker, and started my walk home. It only took about twenty minutes, so the daily journey didn't bother me at all. When I got home, however, there was a car I didn't recognize in my driveway. My first thought was that Igneel brought a girl home. But after a second look, I realized that Igneel's car wasn't here. I cautiously walked up to the front door, unsure of what to expect...

Inside, seated on the couch as though he lived here, was Gray. My level of shock was so intense that I couldn't even form a reaction. He was just... sitting there!

"Hey," he said, looking up from his textbook once to greet me.

"Why are you in my house?" I decided that returning his greeting wasn't really necessary. "Did Igneel let you in?"

"Yeah. I assumed he was your dad. He left a few minutes ago."

"And that's your car outside?"

"Uh huh."

"You drive a Prius?"

"We only have one planet."

"Whatever.. what are you doing here again?" I asked, and then thought for a second. There was only one reasonable reason for Gray to suddenly show up. "Are we working on our science project?"

"We could do that," Gray said, shutting his text book. "But more importantly, I need to teach you how to play Dungeons and Dragons properly."

I was at a loss for words. Not only did Gray just show up at my house, I'm now being told that I'm going to be taught how to play a dumb game that I don't even like.

"Or, here's another idea, we do some of our project, and then you get out of my house," I crossed my arms assertively. "Besides, I never invited you here. Igneel may have let you in, but I didn't."

"It would make Lucy happy if we got along."

"Speaking of which, is she the only person in the world you're a decent person to?" I asked. "Because from what I've heard from her, you sounded like a great person."

"I mean--"

"Oh I got it," I smiled, and stifled and laugh. "You like her, right?"