{Gajeel’s POV}

“Put the flowers there, the tables are scattered, the gifts on the long, rectangular table—good, good. The food will be over there. The appetizer, main course and dessert are separated. Get the powerpoint, video and white screen ready. Is Jason prepared? He better get this whole event recorded. Oh, not to mention the emcee...” Lucy, in a haste, ordered everyone about what to do, her hand in her waist and the other one pointing to every direction. “Stressing.”

Natsu turned to her, his mouth stuffed with different kinds of food and his suit stained with ketchup and mustard. “Enjoy life, Luce! Eat like you mean it!”

“Yeah, and get fat? No thanks.” Natsu pouted and went back to eating. “Natsu, you’re eating the food for the debut. Have some mercy for our guests.”

“Sorry, the food is just delicious.” He replied, having a sly grin in his face, a chunk of food between his teeth.

Lucy rolled her eyes and sighed. “I miss mom. She flew over to Canada with Dad because she wanted to celebrate her birthday there. I can’t leave Levy’s debut so I stayed here.”

“Speaking of Levy, will she ever wake up?” Gray questioned, restricting himself from laughing. We all knew that Levy tends to wake up in the afternoon although she sleeps early.

Juvia groans beside me, “She’s hard to wake up.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Jellal scoffs.

I looked up and thought. “Hey, does she even know that her birthday is today?” They all glanced at each other, giving some thought about what I just said. The other day, we were almost caught planning her surprise debut. “It’s funny if she did.”

Lucy laughed but a moment later turned serious. “She seriously cannot forget her own birthday, Gajeel. What are you talking about? You know, you should just yell in her ears so that she’d wake up. Of course she might punch you, but you can dodge that.”

I rolled my eyes. “And why would I be the one to wake her up? Am I her maid? She has her alarm clock.”

“Because, you are her best friend.” They answered in unison.

Feeling overpowered and defeated, I drove to our house and proceeded to her room. Actually, I have never entered her room, let alone peeked at it. The walls were colored plain white, books were scattered on her desk and her room wouldn’t be complete without the mini library. It stood there, a bunch of books in it. Her bed was a medium sized one and speaking of bed, she’s still sleeping. Now I wonder why she’s so small even though she sleeps a lot.

A smirk crept up on my face when a wireless microphone caught my attention. She practices singing that’s for sure. I get it, walk over to her and lean on her ears. “Wake up, sleepy head!” She flinched with hazy eyes and closed them again. Well, that didn’t seem to work. With that, I jumped on her.

“Oh fu–dge. Gajeel, you’re crushing me. Get off! Ugh.” Laughing, I did as I was told and grinned at her. Levy sat, rubbing her eyes groggily. Her eyes widened for some reason. “Why are you here!? Lucy and Erza will get mad at you. You’re not allowed in here, you monster!”

“Nope, they’re not going to get furious. In fact, they were the ones who told me to wake you up.”

“Then why are you here?”

“To wake you up.”

She whacked my head. “The girls can wake me up. Why you?”

I gaped at her disbelievingly. “Did you seriously forget about today? Goodness, Levy. You have your notepad, don’t you? Do you have amnesia?”

Levy stretched her arms and shook her head, glaring at me at the same time. “I don’t. Today is Layla’s birthday, no need to remind me. That’s the reason you’re wearing that suit, isn’t it?”

She totally forgot about it. “Layla is away with Jude to Canada because she wanted to celebrate it there.”

Levy nodded then looked a little disappointed. “So Lucy is away, huh.” Suddenly, she became baffled. “Uhm, would you explain to me why you’re wearing a suit?”

I ran a hand over my face. “First of all, Lucy didn’t come with her parents and just wished her parents a safe trip and a happy birthday to her mom because she wanted to stay. Second, you’re turning eighteen today. Your birthday is today. Debut, shall I call it? That is the reason why I’m wearing a suit. Now, would you get dressed up? Your dress is hung up on your closet. The hairdresser and make up artist downstairs. Quick.” She stared at me blankly and blinked after awhile, trying to sink in the information in her head. That was the proof that her birthday slipped off her mind.

I left her there, dumbfounded.

Maybe someone will bring her to the venue. With that thought in mind, I drove back to the venue of her birthday only to be greeted by the girls who seemed to be very angry with their raging eyes. “Where’s Levy?” Lucy drawled, voice filled with venom that I actually shrunk back a bit. The other girls didn’t speak but just shot me daggers. They were mad, all right. Why, though? They just told me to wake her up, not bring her here. Gray, Jellal and Natsu didn’t help me in my worst situation; they were only standing by, witnessing their wrath. But the reason is within my understanding because they’re definitely going to get beaten up if they interrupt.

“At the house, getting ready.”

Erza huffed, “You had the nerve to answer us calmly. Dude, she doesn’t know the way here.”

“Uh, you can text her the address.”

Juvia gasped. “Unbelievable. Gajeel Redfox, yeah, we can text her the address. But what? She’ll arrive in a taxi? Wow, what a great debut.” I don’t understand the problem with that. It’s not like she needs to arrive with a limousine. “You don’t understand, Gajeel.” Juvia mumbled as if she read my mind. “Levy’s wish is—”

We were all cut off by Gray’s phone vibrating. He excused himself sheepishly and ran away to a corner. Lucy tried to eavesdrop while the two girls continued shooting me menacing glares.

The guests are going to arrive maybe an hour later and the party’s gonna start—

The door flew open, revealing a blue haired girl, her wavy hair matted to her forehead because of sweat indicating that she had a marathon. Her blue and black dress flowed down the floor after letting go of it. She breathed heavily.

I gulped as I took in more of her appearance. She still wore a headband, but today it was colored black and it’s all glittery. I also caught sight of the necklace I gave her eight years ago. The necklace had a sapphire gemstone that was shaped like a book—yes, customized—and it sparkled like a star.

All in all, she looked great.

But looking up at her face, I guess her mood wasn’t great. Like the three girls, she had an angry and exhausted look on her face. She let out a breath and gave each one of us a pointed look. “You all say I have a debut then what? I pinpoint the venue, ride a taxi, pay for it, then run all the way here?” Her voice got higher with each word. “Well thank you.” She wasn’t going to cry, I could tell. But she’s furious.

The three girls turned to me, silently saying that it’s all my fault. Levy looked at me as well, eyes burning with rage.

She furrowed her eyebrows then sat on an empty table, Lucy and the others stumbling over to her. I stay frozen as the room was filled with guests a moment later.

Boys and girls—all who came for Levy’s birthday greeted her. She smiled at them gratefully, especially when the band Light and Darkness greeted her. I wasn’t the first to wish her a happy birthday, too bad. It slipped off my mind. I felt sad because of the thought.

I realized that she was already in front of me when she talked to Yukino enthusiastically. “... Lucy did? Oh wow.”

“Yep. Oh sorry, but I want to get something to eat. Talk to you later?” Yukino offered.

“Yeah. Talk to you later.” She smiled and when she turned around, she bumped to my body. I looked down to her small size, my eyes twinkling with amusement. When she looked up, she huffed. “What?”

“Nothing.” After that, she walked away. Just then, I felt pain. Levy is still mad.

The program went by smoothly. Soon, it’s time for the 18 roses. First in line was Levy’s dad. She chortled at what her dad was saying, slapping his shoulder playfully. 16 boys danced with her, and at her 14th one, she looked around, searching for someone in the big crowd.

The 18th one was me. She took the white rose from my grasp and I felt her tense up as I wrapped my arms around her waist. “Hi, shrimp.” Levy stared at the floor, not minding me. Man, the girl is still angry. I am actually nervous because of her arms wrapped around my neck. The tension between us was sickening. “Can you talk to me?”

Levy pursed her lips into a thin line, her face looking blank. “I want to punch you, like seriously bro.” Bro? #brotherzoned. “You’re the one to blame.”

“Why is it always me?” I grunted, annoyed. “I did my job, do you even know that?”

She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it when the emcee spoke. Way to ruin it, Mr. Emcee. “On to the next program!” Levy went back to the table where her family sat.

I waited for this whole program to end and when it did, I went to Levy’s table. She wasn’t there.

I get the gift I got for her and kicked the wooden door of the venue finding Levy who’s walking quickly to who knows where. The picture taking? “Levy!” I yelled. Levy didn’t turn around although I was sure she heard me. Who wouldn’t, with my booming voice?

I quickly caught up with her and, forcefully, I grabbed her hand. “Would you just—”

“What’s wrong with you? Leave me alone. I don’t want to see you ever again.”

“Shut up and tell me what I did.”

“You... you! Argh! I don’t know!” She jerked when I embraced her, almost too tightly that she’s probably out of breath now. I let go after a few seconds and she panted, glaring at me. “I could’ve died because of oxygen shortage.”

“Whatever it is that I did, I’m sorry. I mean it.” Her features softened. “Here’s the gift.” I handed her a container that consisted of a sapphire bracelet. She beamed, meaning she forgave me already.

“Thank you,” I heard her whisper, cheeks flushed.

On instinct, I leaned in and kissed her forehead. “You’re always welcome, Levy.”

______________________________________________________________

Author: Fangirling as of this moment.

Update Schedule:

Chapter 46- February 14
Chapter 47- February 15
Chapter 48- February 17
Chapter 49 & Epilogue- Surprise Update