{Jellal's POV}

"So, you mean, Gray has bought a magazine of Color of Girls secretly and was caught by Gajeel? Also, he ONLY read Juvia's information?" Natsu exclaimed, his eyes almost popping out of his skull.

"Not only that. I saw Natsu texting Lucy a few nights ago. Hah. Thought Gray's the only one?" Gajeel smirked at Natsu's gritted teeth. Gray was clenching his fist tightly, so annoyed by the fact that Gajeel caught him buying the Weekly Sorcerer's Magazine featuring the Color of Girls and reading Juvia's personal information.

I can't help but laugh so damn hard. Even if I'm sulking because they didn't tell me things like that, the story was just... so ridiculous! It was priceless! My day just got completed. I never knew Gray had a side like that. And Natsu... well, it didn't make me laugh (it's not even funny to begin with). It's making me giddy though—I could tease Natsu whenever I want.

"I'm going outside to freshen up." Natsu muttered. We laughed (except for Natsu, of course) when Zeref said that we still have to practice. He musn't escape our teasing. "But I know you're just gonna make fun of me." He grumbled, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, we know, dude. But as Zeref said, we still have practice." I insisted, trying to stifle my laughter. He grabbed the lyrics of Let Her Go from Gajeel and read it four times to memorize the lyrics.

I shook my head, chuckling as I checked the calendar on my cellphone. My eyes widened when I saw a certain event. The date was circled up.

October 3, Erza's Birthday

Ugh. I still haven't bought her a birthday gift. What am I gonna do? Today is October 2, which means TOMORROW is her birthday. This is bad. Really bad.

"Oi, what's wrong with you? We're gonna start the practice," Gray told me, making me more bothered. Aside from the fact that tomorrow is Erza's birthday, tomorrow will also be the release of our new album. I can't make it. I can't buy and give Erza a birthday gift with my busy schedule.

"Dude, tomorrow is Erza's birthday." I played with my drum sticks, forehead creased.

"Yeah, so what?" Gray inquired, eyebrows knitted. I controlled my urge to punch him.

"I gotta buy her a gift. I got to attend her birthday party. But how? Tomorrow is the launching of our new album." I frustratedly explained. He just gave me a stare then turned to Gajeel, Natsu, and Zeref.

"Hey, he needs a gift for Erza because it's her birthday tomorrow. He wants to attend too."

Natsu snickered at me knowingly, "It's like your anniversary. You two are like a couple."

"What?!" My eyes widened and I blushed profusely.

"Hm. You can go and attend Erza's birthday party. We can make an excuse for your absence tomorrow in the conference. We would also cancel this practice and continue the day after tomorrow if you'd like just so you could buy a gift for Erza and attend her birthday." Zeref smiled at me, as if fully understanding my situation.

"That's right." Natsu and Gray flashed me a creepy smile and a creepy look. I shivered, not really liking their faces right now.

Gajeel pushed me, "Now go." I hesitantly walked to the door, feeling their creepy stares and smiles behind me.

Hm... gift for Erza... I pondered as I walked around the town.

I like strawberry shortcakes and cheesecakes.

That's right. One time, she told me that she likes to eat strawberry shortcakes and cheesecakes. Feeling victorious, I went straight to my favorite café/cake shop.

"Welcome to Ultear's Café! Oh, Jellal. It's you. Been awhile. Do you want to eat something?" Ultear, the owner of the café, led me to a table near the window.

"I... want to order a strawberry shortcake and a cheesecake." I said as I sat down.

"Is that for your girlfriend, Erza?"

I felt my cheeks burn and quickly denied, "N-No! Correction, it's bestfriend. It's her birthday tomorrow. Just... please give me my order. Take out." she smirked at my denial and went to the kitchen to get my order.

"Hey, your order's here." Ultear returned a few minutes later carrying two plastic bags. I thanked her after getting my order and went out of the café.

What else should I get Erza? I couldn't just give her desserts. I mean, she's my bestfriend and all, so I must give her something special.

I like the color Red and Blue.

Red and Blue, huh? If it's something red, then maybe I should give her a red rose? Nah, Natsu and the others will just get the wrong idea even if I try to explain them why I gave Erza a rose. They would just tease me that I'm courting Erza.... which will never happen. Maybe I should give her a keychain? Uhm, yeah! That's it! A cellphone case would be good! Something red with blue designs on it or vice-versa.

I passed by a Hello Kitty shop. I saw a cellphone case there, with a red Hello Kitty and blue background. It'd be perfect for Erza but... like you can expect me to go in a shop like that.

I shrugged and went on to find some more shops with cellphone accessories. Not here. Not there. Not really. Ugh. I think I should go and get back to that Hello Kitty shop, since I have no more choice.

I entered the shop and some girls snickered after seeing me. All of the people here are all females, so what reaction must I expect from them? I'm the only man around here.

I groaned silently as I grabbed the cellphone case I have eyes on earlier then went to the cashier. This is embarassing. The lady on the cashier is trying her urge not to laugh. Wait. Why am I remembering Gray's epic "you're caught" scene?

Tired, I went back to our house, struggling on carrying a cheesecake, strawberry shortcake, and a small paper bag containing the phone case.

"Oi, you're back! What took you so long? We're about to have dinner. You're just in time." Natsu greeted once he opened the door to our house.

"You know I hate shopping." He chuckled and motioned me to come in and followed me to the dining room.

I sighed, putting the cheesecake and strawberry shortcake in the refrigerator and put the cellphone case above the table.

"A strawberry shortcake and a cheesecake as a present for Erza? Why am I not surprised?" I jumped upon hearing Natsu's voice. He was leaning on the wall of the dining room, smirking.

I winked at him and chuckled, "Cuz ya know me long enough." He grinned and walked towards me, giving me a hi-five.

"Oh, so the drummer and the vocalist is here." We turned to see Gray and Gajeel smiling. We did a group hug, letting out whoops of happiness.

Gajeel was the first one to break the hug, clearing his throat. "Let's get you dressed up for tomorrow's special event." The boys flashed me a reassuring smile, telling me that they'll help on my preparations.

"Okay! Time for the mega Jellal make-over!!" Gray cheered, Natsu and Gajeel joining him along.

*-*-*-*-

"So, how's this?" I turned to Natsu, Gray, Zeref and Gajeel, fixing my red tie. They gave me a thumbs-up, grinning from ear to ear. I grabbed the two plastic bags and a small paper bag, waving them goodbye as I went out the door with my shades on.

"Enjoy!!" Natsu, Gray, Zeref and Gajeel exclaimed. I can still hear their laughters from inside.

I got on my car and drove excitedly towards Erza's—no, the girls' house, almost dancing to the beat of Uptown Funk. I parked in front of their gate, a little bit puzzled that there's no car around here aside from mine. Shrugging, I opened their gate. Weird, their gate should be closed or else a thief would barge in this house without any thoughts. And, they should also have a party in here so... why is it so quiet?

I saw a note pasted on their front door. Forehead creased, I pulled the note out of the door. I groaned and mumbled bad words after reading the note.

On a world tour! Be back tomorrow! :) :D
-Mavis the manager and Color of Girls

Ugh. Why do I have to be such an idiot? How could I forget that it's their world tour today? Why did I even bother buying Erza a gift, shopped when it's the most embarassing thing I hated to do, went to a Hello Kitty shop even when it's too embarassing, bought her a cheesecake and a strawberry shortcake causing me to grab some money in my savings, and let the boys help me WHEN ERZA IS AWAY?! This is ridiculous. All of my preparations was for nothing. I did not even go to our conference just to attend Erza's birthday.

Sighing, I slumped down on their front door. I let go of the two plastic bags and a small paper bag I was carrying awhile ago. Why is life so cruel?

Maybe I should've just went with the boys on the conference. Oh, wait! Probably I could still go after them! Not. I could predict that the event's starting right now. Great. Just great.

Hm. These things would be just for nothing if I'd throw these away. I should just leave these things on their front door. After all, they'll all come back tomorrow morning. I hope that the cake won't melt, though.

I went back home and slept on my bed even if it's still afternoon after I left Erza's gifts on their front door.

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