{Juvia’s POV}

Zeref smiled, holding Mavis’s hand. “The wedding is on February 14.”

The room got quiet for an eternity, the eight of us blinking rapidly at the news.

“Bridal Shower? All planned up.” We all perked up at Mavis’s additional announcement but still kept quiet. “Why are you all so quiet? React! Say something!”

Lucy was the first to speak and clear her throat. “Oh, uh, well I... that’s great news! But couldn’t have you told us a little earlier? We’ve got only three weeks to kill before your wedding, plus there’s still the Bridal Shower. How could we possibly prepare in such a short period of time?” All the girls nodded.

Mavis smiled despite our worried looks. “Like I said, all’s planned out. That means everything is also prepared. You just have to pick dresses and suits for both of the occasion. I’m not dictating that you should wear anything you really don’t want; decide by yourself.”

Natsu shrugs nonchalantly. “I don’t really care about that. All that matters to me is the food. Make sure that it’s all edible.” We all rolled our eyes together.

“Whatever, as long as you two are happy, I’m fine with it.” Gray muttered in a low voice, almost making me shiver. Taking a glimpse at him wasn’t the best thing to do at this moment, but nobody could stop me. Erza nudges me in the rib, catching me doing the shameful act. I raised my eyebrows at her then switched my gaze to Jellal. She stopped nudging, my mind dancing in victory.

“Thanks,” Zeref and Mavis chorused.

“If that’s all, I’m going out.” Erza threw up a hand in the air.

“I am, too.” Jellal knew that we smirked at him in an instant.

I heard hissing as Wice jumped onto me. Yep, he was still alive. “Woah, woah. Chill there, boy!” There behind him was J.G. Mermaid, barking. “Hey Gray! My cat is scaring your dog.” We were awkward just two months ago but now things were back to normal.

He picked up J.G. Mermaid who relaxed. “Isn’t it supposed to be the dog scaring the cat?”

I believe that this was gonna be a debate. “Your dog’s face is scary, I’d say.”

“Hey! You insulting my dog is—”

In a dry tone, I mumble, “Okay then, I love your dog.”

“... like saying that you hate me.” He drawled as we both blushed. I said that I loved his dog so... awkward.

“I didn’t mean it, I swear. Your best friend, Cerulean Mermaid, despise dogs—everyone knows that—and she loves cats. And, she uh, doesn’t love you or anything...” Juvia really has a tendency of speaking in third person when she’s embarrassed like what she’s doing right now.

Gray looked hurt, and I immediately regretted and hated myself. I’m so insensitive. “Yeah, I know.”

“S-Sorry—”

“It’s nothing.” He turned to leave, sadness overflowing his character as he did.

I forgot to tell him that I liked him.

*-*-*-*-

Quietly pacing around my room became my hobby for the past few days whenever we had relaxation after rehearsals or just enjoying quality time with ourselves. Included in that hobby of mine was me thinking about Gray’s disappointed expression a few days back and our “no communication” for very long.

Not awkward, but Gray is totally avoiding me, I’m sure of that. Of course there were times when we would pass by each other holding our pets but no contact was happening. There were times when we were alone at the house just to take care of J.G. Mermaid and Wice, yet we never conversed. Simple physical contacts happened and the example of that is our music video which was posted a week ago.

Best thing about not speaking to each other was that no one really noticed.

“Can’t you tell that I love you?” A character said on a show that Levy had watched a month ago. The boy on tv stared at the girl who laid in bed, sick and shocked at the confession. Oh, why does it have to be so accurate? “You. Yes you.” Quickly, I grabbed the remote and turned off the tv.

I heard something outside my door, a rustle perhaps. At first I didn’t bother knowing what it was, but then I got disturbed by the noise. Opening the door, I saw no one. “Prank?” I grumbled but stopped when my eyes landed on J.G. Mermaid who scratched the floor. “Not a dog. I hate dogs.”

The little girl barked energetically and hey, it’s cute. Not being able to help it, I picked her up, closed the door and laid her down my bed. I spent an hour just staring at the dog getting comfortable in my bed. Then her collar caught my attention. J.L. What the heck is that?

“... aid?” Gray opened my door, panting heavily. He halted when he saw me laying just beside his dog and bit his lip to prevent a smile. What was he smiling about? The dog or me? Me? Dream on, Juvia. “You were here all along.” No idea whether he was talking to me or the dog. “Come here.” He picked up the dog who clung onto my bedsheet with its harmless teeth and I glared at Gray. This is one of the many reasons why I dislike dogs. I actually expected him to go out the room right after he picked up J.G., but then he sat next to me.

Wait, he sat next to me? “Gray, you’re—”

“I want to sit here, just let me be for an hour, if you don’t mind.” Not being able to reject him, I let out a breath and nodded, watching him lean in my pillow by my peripheral vision. Thirty minutes passed from what I have counted, and we were still utterly speechless. The silence sickened me.

“Your response.” My gaze landed on Gray whose eyes were on the floor. “I want to hear your response. Two months passed, and you still haven’t answered my... my confession.”

I shrug slightly, words coming out of my lips involuntarily and blandly. “You didn’t ask for it. It wasn’t even a question to begin with.” I remembered the day he told me that he liked me. It got me thinking for weeks. Very unexpected, you could say. Hey, my body laid on the bed that time and my eyes felt so heavy and weary, I thought I was hearing a fantasy.

But I wasn’t.

In the end, he didn’t receive any answers from me.

“Still, a guy like me expected a reaction of some sort.”

I didn’t know what to say to him after that. I wasn’t ready to tell him that I liked him.

“Just... get out. Just so you know, I never said anything about the matter. You’ll know it when the day of the Bridal Shower comes.”

*-*-*-*-

A plate of lasagna sat in front of me, untouched.

“Hey, Juvia! This gut of mine tells me that you’re not in the mood to eat. You know it.” Natsu winked at me, Lucy giving him an icy glare.

I sniggered at this and pushed the plate to him. “Go ahead.” He gobbled it all up instantly.

“Sorry about that,” Lucy mumbled exasperatedly, sighing.

“Nah, it’s fine. I don’t feel like eating anyway.” I reason, smiling lightly. “Anything for your boyfriend by the way.”

“He is not my boyfriend.” She uttered under her breath.

“Whatever you say.”

Levy came back, a drink in hand. “I like your dress.” She grinned as I looked down at my dress. It was actually a balloon dress that reached the middle of my knees, and it’s colored gray. It had thin straps and the dress was just my style. I arrived at the bridal shower in a simple me, no make up at all and my hair in a ponytail. This bridal shower is gonna be a big news.

Just as I realized the color of my dress, I blushed.

I squinted my eyes at Levy who innocently smiled at me. “Are you implying something, Ms. McGarden?” I questioned, brushing the heel of my flat sandal on the cold floor. She shook her head at me.

Eyes flickering over to Gray, I saw him wearing a Gray suit and a black necktie matching his hair color. He looked at me as well and gave me a blank look that was saying a lot of things. The answer.

I’ll tell him... when?

After a few seconds I tore my gaze away from him. “Later, I guess.”

The bridal shower—or more like a wild party—continued on for what felt like forever. I had a countdown on my head to tell you the truth because of the looks he’s been giving me the whole time. I couldn’t focus on partying or having a good time. Natsu’s jokes weren’t even that funny anymore.

“Can we talk?” The whisper made goosebumps creep on my skin. I felt myself look up at Gray who’s absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Hair in different directions, suit and slacks perfectly fit for him... he’s more than a god. “Hey.” With a flick of his fingers I was back to reality.

“Sure.” I almost stutter, standing up. I follow him all the way to where the balcony was where no people lingered around. How do I start this...

“So?”

“I uh...” Then I found a perfect way to answer. “I like the color Gray.” My eyes popped out of its socket when he hugged me.

“I presume that that’s a yes?” He breathed in my ear, a shiver coming up through me. I just nodded as he smiled and pecked my lips in a split second.