{Levy’s POV}

What if I told Gajeel that I liked him for awhile now? What if I told him that I liked him ever since I had that silly gig? Of course the answer would be a rejection. It’s expected.

The picture in front of me was Gajeel and I, beaming at the forest. This was taken when we were still little kids. We weren’t looking at the camera because Gajeel had pointed to a group of birds flying in the sky.

“Levy! Time for our concert.” Juvia’s head popped in the dressing room. Quickly, I put my cellphone back in my pocket jeans and skipped to where my friends were.

“Let’s give it up for... the Eight Members!” We ran toward the center of the stage, waving at the big mass of crowd in front of us. I feel blessed with the amount of people in here.

“Hey there, people!” We exclaimed in unison cheerfully.

“Thanks for coming!” Lucy shouted through her microphone, voice echoing thereafter as people erupted into cheers. “Wow, their support is overwhelming.” She muttered to us, grinning proudly.

“You said it.” Natsu showed his teeth to Lucy and draped an arm around her shoulder. Uh-oh. This concert is on-cam, and Natsu doing that to Lucy is gonna be an issue. Oh, showbiz life.

“Hey, get your hands off me, mister.” She muttered calmly, pulling Natsu’s hands from her.

“We’re going to perform our latest album for tonight!” I heard Erza shout through the microphone. That made me almost cover my ears. Then I positioned myself on the piano, lightly pressing the keys.

As I played the keys at ease, I think I claimed someone’s attention involuntarily. The thought of that made me press A chord instead of G chord, and that’s when the intensity of the attention given to me increased. Oh that’s so embarrassing.

“♪Kimi ga kureta Towa No Kizuna...♪

It was my time to exit after that song. The door before me said: “Resting/Waiting Room.”

I really needed a rest.

*-*-*-*-

“What happened, Levy?” Lucy asked in a concerned tone. We’ve just finished the last song after the concert—and, well, the concert is not something to celebrate. I’ve spaced out the whole time, but the good thing is that I never pressed a wrong key again. “This is the first time you’ve been like this.”

“Sorry, Lucy. I just feel like I’m forgetting something. Something important and memorable.” I mumbled, disconcerted.

“I don’t know about that. But you should’ve focused on our concert.”

“I know. Sorry again.”

“It’s okay.” And she turned around. Gajeel came, glancing at me. The thing that I forgot must be something related to him. It’s not his birthday because it’s five months from now...

“Hey.” I waved awkwardly. “Anything you need?”

He stood there, staring at me blankly. Then he shook his head. “Nothing. You want to come with me to the café?”

“No thanks. I’m good.” For a second there, I thought he was disappointed, but good thing he smiled a moment later. “Ask the others, like Natsu.”

Before I could even add up my apologies for awhile ago, Gajeel left.

Taking a swift step to the side, I heard Erza talking to someone on the phone. “... Yeah. It’s all ready. Okay. I’ll give you the checks later.”

“Who’s that?”

“A party organizer.”

“Party? What for? Is there anything I’m missing here?”

She chuckled, looking down at me as if I was a preschooler. “Nope. You’re not missing anything. It’s the friendsary of you and Gajeel, so I’m just reserving the South Park for the both of you to have your moments. Don’t tell me you forgot that, Miss McGarden.” I showed her my jaw dropping to the floor. Is she for real? Because I totally forgot about that. “Oh my gosh, so you did forget about it. Gajeel was expecting for some greetings, you know.”

“You don’t have to rub it in, Erza. It slipped off my mind because I was busy mulling over something important. Don’t worry, I’ll try to make it up for him.” The question is: how? Gajeel is probably sulking, realizing that I’d forgotten the day we met. Of course he’d feel down. I’m such a horrible friend. Last time, his birthday got off my mind too. Wouldn’t blame him if he says that he hates me.

She shrugged. “Need a hand?”

“No thanks. This is my business. Besides, you still have a lot to take care. I’ll be fine, don’t ya worry.”

“Okay, but just call me if you need help with anything.”

Then I thought of the most amazing thing in the world.

*-*-*-*-

“That would be 300,000 jewels.” The lady said. “But for you it’d just be 90,000.”

“Thanks for the big discount,” I say gratefully, flashing her a big smile.

“Anything for you, Levy.” I turned around then walked to where the parking lot was.

From: Mr. Grumpy

going there already.

My plan is going to be a major success. Gajeel and I are going to meet at the South Park soon on this lovely afternoon today. The cherry blossoms had indicated that Spring had begun, and the park was the perfect place to celebrate the friendship we’ve had over the years.

I pushed my car open when I arrived at the place, searching for the boy that I’d celebrate with. I frowned when he was nowhere to be found. “Looking for me?” Smug voice—I already knew that it was Gajeel. He had his hands behind him, a curious look on his face. Today was nothing special since we both wore casual clothes. Even though it’s Spring, I decided to wear an orange sweatshirt, and as if we had linked minds, he wore a yellow sweatshirt.

“Yeah,” I mumbled. “So...”

“So what? You’re the one who made me come all the way here.”

“Happy friendsary.” The way I greeted him was an epic fail because I was supposed to greet him ecstatically but instead I greeted him with a grim voice.

“Happy friendsary too. You sound very happy.” He remarked sarcastically with an amused grin. “But I know you’re happy. I am as well. Thought you forgot about today.”

I did, I replied. But I only told him that in my mind so no one else heard it but me. “Yeah, well, help me get the stuff on my car.”

“You’re a shrimp, right.” He just had to put salt on the wound.

We quietly set up the picnic blanket and the foods we were gonna eat. The foods were our favorites. “Hey, what do you want to watch?” I inquired, bringing out the laptop from its case.

“Whatever you want.”

“So it’s okay if we watch The Notebook?”

“Just not that,” He grumbled and it got me rolling on the glass, clutching my stomach with a laugh. “Ugh, shut up.”

“Okay, okay,” I muttered, my laughter dying down. “What about Victorious marathon?”

“You really are a fan of Nickelodeon.” He shook his head. “Fine.”

Giggling, I proceeded to watch Victorious with him.

*-*-*-*-

“Oh my gosh! Yes!”

That was me, screaming like crazy. The 3rd episode of Victorious was still playing, and guess what? Gajeel and I just talked with each other about our favorite bands. He just mentioned The Vamps and I couldn’t hold in a squeal of delight.

“Your scream deafens me. I already need a hearing aid,” He mumbled, rather dramatically. “Kidding aside, how long are we gonna watch that?” That’s when I pretended to take notice of the laptop, quickly shutting it down. “We didn’t watch anything in the end,” He informed, laughing. I joined his laughter, the chilly breeze making me comfortable.

Not being able to help it, I put my head on his lap. My cheeks warmed up when he stroked my hair gently, his features looking as peaceful as ever. The peacefulness made me close my eyes, thinking about how this day had gone by in a blink of an eye. Best day ever.

I smiled as I reopened my eyes, but I dropped a jaw as soon as I saw Gajeel slowly leaning towards me, eyelids closed. I cleared my throat loudly, stopping him from whatever he was going to do. His face burned from the abashment and he looked away.

“S-Sorry. You just... closed your eyes suddenly so I assumed...” Surely, my ears were colored the first hue of the rainbow.

“Never mind, it’s okay. My apologies for doing that.” Silence enveloped us, the waning gibbon greeting my sight. “I owe you a thank you for tonight. I had a lot of fun.”

“I did have a great time, thanks to you, Shrimp.”

Getting cranky by what he just named me, I snapped. “Shrimp again? That’s so uncalled for.”

From my peripheral vision, he massaged his temples. “I’m not used to calling you by your real name. It suits you anyway, so no need for complaints.” I shot him a glare. How rude of him! Does he want us to fight again? Because I’m so ready for that right now.

“I’m so done with you,” I stood up and stomped to where the car was parked angrily.

“Shr—Levy!” I stopped dead in my tracks. Now I understand why he doesn’t call me by my real name. It gets awkward as I just stood there, feeling Gajeel’s presence behind me. “Do you now understand?”

I faced him. “It feels strange when you say my name. Okay, call me anything you want, just not Shrimp.”

He sighed audibly, looking back at the picnic blanket. “Babe?” Gajeel joked suggestively. “Levy, it doesn’t matter. Me calling you shrimp is unique, don’t you think? You should even be happy since we’re not like the others. Our friendship is unique; I call you Shrimp, you simply call me Gajeel.

“But you know?” He takes a step forward as I glanced up at him. Ugh, curse my lack of height. But imagine if I was taller than Gajeel. I’d definitely laugh hard at that. My mind went back to reality as Gajeel pulled something from behind him. It’s a green paperbag. “I need to ask you a favor.”

Well that ruined the moment. Trying hard not to frown up at him, I nodded. Gajeel looked anywhere but me and I saw... nervousness? “I want us to be something more than friends.”

“Ah, I know. Best friends? We already are, idiot.” He offered me a disbelieving look that says: “Are you kidding me?”

“No.” A lump started to form on my throat. “Levy, will you be my girlfriend?”

I found myself responding, “Yes.” as I gave him my present: a necklace. Carved on the biggest round Sapphire bead was: L ♡ G. I was actually planning on confessing to him today but of course I got scared at first. The girls helped me muster up the little courage I’ve got in me.

Now, I couldn’t believe it. The day we met, the day we became friends, the day I said yes... it was all today.