~Lucy's POV~

" My head~ "I groaned sitting up in what appeared to be my bed. I remember now...
I had gotten so scared of father I accidentally fell down the stairs... I can't remember anything after that. I was still in my school uniform, no wonder it was so hot.
As I stood I only was brought back down onto my bed, my ankle in immense pain. I clutched to my covers, biting my tongue.
" Lucy? "I heard my door open to a soft voice that I recognized quite well.
" A-Aries~"I groaned out her name.
" Lucy, are you alright? "she asked, a shook my head.
" M-My ankle... "
I felt her fingers lift up my leg making me hold my breath.
" Looks to be quite swollen, maybe sprained. "she spoke, I didn't care. I just wanted the pain to subside!
" Lucy! "I jumped at the voice of my father calling my name. I sat up immediately, as Aries continued to hold my foot which like hell!" Lucy, the Eucliffe's are going to be coming soon so get dressed. "
" Jude, I'm sorry to say but Lucy cannot be apart of this meeting. "Aries stood up." Her ankle is badly sprained, she can't stand. "
" She can't, ai? "father walked closer, and before I knew it his face turned darkly a glare seting in his eyes." If she doesn't then she'll may want to reconsider out agreement of coming back here to Magnolia. Otherwise we'll be moving back to America. "
" Y-Yes father. "I spoke, looking away. I remember the agreement I made with father when we came back, it was the reason we did. As long as I do as what I agreed until I graduate from Fairy Tail Academy Father would allow me to go and live on my own instead of being some toy for him.
From the money I inherited from my mother after her death, I should be able to live off of that in my own house until I get a good paying job of my own.

Father left and I forced myself to stand, but to be helped by Aries. " I'm sorry, but there is no speaking to that man when it comes to the health of himself and others." she sighed, frustrated. She disliked father very much, it was obvious.
I staid silent, taking my body away from her help and into my closest where I stripped and pulled on a black stinky strap dress that went down to my thighs shaping my hourglass figure along the way with a fluffy jacket that ended just at my waist and and the sleeves went down to my wrists, I matched it with white studded earrings and a pearl necklace.
Aries lifted my black flats and handed them to me." You are not to wear any of those shoes that kill your feet, you'll have to wear flats for the time being. "she stated. I nodded." Let me bandage your ankle before you go downstairs. "
I limped back to my bed, sitting down as she grabbed gauze from her purse and began wrapping my foot. After she slipped on the flats and I thanked her. I went into the bathroom and did my makeup and put my hair into a bun with some strands out.
I sighed and tried walking normally out of the restroom and out of my room." Lucy, please be careful. "Aries said as I held my door open for her." I'm sorry I am unable to stay, I have to get to the school. But please be careful. "
" I will. "I nodded.

~Nobody's POV~

The Eucliffe's stood in the grand entry just below the grand staircase, Sting stood next to his father as Lucy stood next to hers. Seemed as though Sting wasn't prepared for this visit since what he wore was a black shirt and black ripped jeans. He also looked a bit embarrassed by his choice of fashion in this situation as everyone else seemed to be dressed quite formally.
Lucy wished to laugh but in doing so would mean disgrace, so she refrained from doing such.
" Well Jude, why don't we have our children have time to chat while we speak business! "Mr. Eucliffe laughed, leading Mr. Heartfillia up the Grand staircase, most likely to Jude's study.
" Well... "Sting broke the silence, looking up." You got a nice ceiling. "
" I don't know if I should take that as a compliment to the house when there are much more exquisite decor on our walls then some shady celeing. "Lucy spoke formally, her hand folded elegantly in front of her. (see what I just did there? blocks the sun... Creating shade? Shady ceiling-OK, I'll stop)
" Well, we have to be admire more than just the walls and the structure. You have to be grateful for the whole thing, not just one part. Besides, aceiling is one of the most important things of a house. It protects us from the sun's hot UV rays and also from the cool autumn and winter air, also from nasty storms. "he grinned, looking over at her.
" I see, but it seems all it does is preventing the storm inside from the outside instead. "she frowned.
" Well, open the windows. It may not get rid of the storm completely, but it will help. "he put a hand on her shoulder.
" If I did they'd only turn and make the storm worse, then they will never close. "
" Open a window facing opposite of the wind. "
" And if that one is to add? "
" You'll just have to holler back at the winds until it becomes a rainbow. "
She crossed her arms. He seemed to be quite knowledgeable than he seemed years ago. She only thought of him as some kid that acted a lot like Natsu. She looked up at him but he was not looking at her.
" What happened to your ankle? "he asked seeing her right ankle bandaged.
" Oh, I was being clumsy and fell down the stairs. Oops... "she answered, she wasn't lying so she found herself not as nervous to speak about an injury.
" You're clumsy? "he asked." I believed you had perfect balance. "
" No, I'm quite clumsy. "she said, not a lie.
" Well, I guess I'll have to learn more about you. "he grinned.
" Why do you wish to know more of me? "
Sting stopped and looked up." To be honest, you remind me of a girl... I used to date her last year, but let's just say our families didn't approve since she's not rich and her parents and older sister think the wealthy are all horrible people while my dad-well they're not as rich or own companies. "he sighed, putting his fingers through his hair.
" Well, I could careless about being rich if you ask me. I would rather live in a small home by myself and have a job if my own, like maybe being a waitress. I don't care for all of my shoes or the clothes I wear, the accessories. "
" You wish to live away from your father? "
" Yes, but I'll be fine without him. Besides, learning to live on your own is a basic thing everyone should know, rely on yourself and not others, cooking and cleaning-we all need to learn it someday. If not we'll begin to expect things and become selfish, and when something different happens then you won't be prepared for it. "
" You're starting to make me to want to live on my own. "
" Go for it! "
" Maybe I will. "
Lucy stood silent, jumping from the doorbell ringing. She felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up to see Loki walking past her to the door.
The two couldn't hear anything as Loki opened the large door, slightly. Sting looked over and back at her." Who do you think it is? "he asked.
" I have no possible idea. "she shrugged. Loki turned with a sigh, his eyes averting to Lucy with a look of 'help'." I'll be right back. "
She took a step forward but let out a small yelp falling forward. Sting reached out quickly, catching her.
" Ow~"she groaned, having her leg lifted so no pressure was on her sprained appendage.
"Lucy are you-? "
" Luce! "
Lucy jumped, knowing whose voice that was, and it was obvious... Who else called her 'Luce'?" Natsu? What are you doing here? "she asked as he barged in.
" You hadn't come to school today, I was worried. "he admitted.
" I'm fine, thank you-"
" Natsu. "Sting tightened his jaw, the pinkette looked up at him.
" Sting... "he trailed out his name." How've you been? "
" I've been fine, been bored lately. "Sting admitted.
" I feel ya. "Natsu grinned.
" Wait... When did you two become friends!? "Lucy pushed off Sting to stand.
" Well, around freshman year. "Sting stated." I still remember that Natsu had picked a fight with Rogue and I heard and went right to the school to confront him. "
" And you didn't tell me? "Lucy crossed her arms.
" I didn't know it was of interest. "Natsu scratched the back of his head.
" You never asked for my interests or opinions before. I had assumes you wished not hear it. "she spoke, biting the walls of her mouth.
" Sorry. "Natsu hushed.
" Anyway, why did you come here Drag-Natsu! "Lucy straightened herself, trying to correct herself from using his last name. He had expressed that she had no need for unnecessary formalities when being accompanied by someone who was familiar, so she tried to refrain from using her formal speech." Sorry... "
" You weren't at school today, I wanted to know if you were doing ok. And... I haven't seen you in awhile. "he said bluntly.
" Natsu, do you believe you could come back during tomorrow after educational Academy day has ended? "she asked politely with a small forced smile." I am sorry, but father would dislike for his time with Sting's father or their meeting to be interrupted. I do not wish to get into more unnecessary trouble. "
" 'more'? "Sting questioned her wording making her jump at her mistake.
" Lucy came home late yesterday and Jude was unhappy about that and scolded her. "Loki stepped in, covering for her." She had decided to go for a walk but was out for so long she went out past her curfew. "Loki looked over at her with saddened eyes as he 'had' to lie for them to not know of the abuse. He hated to lie and so had she, but to keep the ones who were considered friends away from knowing much about her and also jumping into a situation that they are not needed more welcomed in.
" You always did like to go out for walks to clear your head, I still remember when you walked the whole night around the town! "Natsu laughed." Damn, you had us worried, we searched every where then you suddenly come back at what? Five in morning, then bluntly say you went out for a walk since midnight! "
" I remember that as well, even I was looking for you since the pinky here came barreling at my door at one screaming if I had seen you. "Sting chuckled." What? That was... Junior High? "
" I believe so, but that same day was when you told me you were leaving. "Natsu had a saddened look.
" Natsu, if you don't wish to wait until tomorrow to speak with Lucy, follow me. "Loki informed." Jude and Mr. Eucliffe are coming. "
Natsu nodded and followed Loki, Sting turned to Lucy with a small grin." We should set up a date soon, just so we don't have to wait to see each other once our fathers meet. "he spoke as the two men, Mr. Heartfillia and Mr. Eucliffe walking down the grand staircase to their children. Lucy nodded, smiling.
" It was nice having you here Mr. Eucliffe, I hope we can continue the next time we meet. "Jude waved with a big grin.
" Of course! For now my son and I must be going, we are having arrangements made for a party that of course you shall be invited too. "Mr. Eucliffe put his hand on Sting's." I'll contact you the information, for the time of now, good day to you Jude and to his daughter. "