"Lucy Heartfilia."

The said blonde walked to the front and stood in front of her teacher. She didn't waver as he glared at her. The silence continued as the class stared at the two in worry for her. He threw her a piece of chalk and jerked his head towards the blackboard, "You didn't show your solution at the exams, but you got the answers right. Show me how you did it."

Lucy stared at the chalk in her hand before looking at him through her bangs, her head still aimed at the chalk. She smirked, "I don't want to."

He glared at her and gritted his teeth. "Why not?" he asked and Lucy shrugged, throwing the piece of chalk high up in the air before catching it again.

"It's a secret. If I show you, I'll have to go through the trouble of STILL explaining how I did it and plus, others might copy how I did it," Lucy said and smirked, sending chills down the teacher's spine. He glared at her and the students gasped as they noticed the light shade of pink on the man's cheeks.

Lucy raised a brow in amusement, "What is this? Rufus-sensei is blushing." She grinned as the said man glared at her harder.

"Solve the problem on the board Heartfilia, it's an order."Lucy tsked and walked past him as she went to the blackboard. She read the problem and reread it again before solving it. She wrote quickly with the board and heaved a sigh, "How troublesome."

"It's you who's troublesome," Rufus said and there were a few chuckles and giggles heard from the class. Even though she knew they wouldn't see her expression with her back facing them, she smirked and continued writing on the board. When she was done, she threw the chalk and it landed on the box on the other side of the board, earning cheers from the class.

"Done."

Rufus hissed, "Bi—"

"Better watch that tongue of yours, sensei. There are students watching," Lucy said and smirked, looking over her shoulder as she stared at the substitute. The class stared at her in awe – except for Jellal – and Lucy walked back to her seat. She sat down and crossed her legs and arms with a sly smile on her face.
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LUNCH

"You're absurd, you know?"

Lucy shrugged and just took a bite out of her sandwich. Levy, who was sitting beside her, grinned. "Did Lucy-san do something cool again?" she asked and Jellal groaned.

Lucy smirked and just nodded, not saying anything else.

"She made the teacher pissed," Jellal said and sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. Lucy rolled her eyes and Jellal glared at her. "You're amazing though, you made him blush. That man's supposed to be dense," he mumbled the last part and Gray snapped his eyes towards them. He really didn't like their relationship.

Lucy hummed and grinned, licking her lips. "Well, what do you expect?" she said and finished the last bit of her sandwich. She used a tissue to wipe away the mayo on her fingers, "I suddenly remembered… there's a race at PE."

Laxus raised a brow, "You mean the running race? I heard everyone's invited to watch."

"Are you in the race?" Levy asked and Lucy just tsked.

She sighed, "I didn't really want to join but due to the votes, I was in. Everyone wanted me to join in. I don't know why though," She mumbled something under her breath and stood up, swinging her bag over her shoulder. "Well I'm off to warm up. I was supposed to eat more than a sandwich," she said in irritation and sighed before waving her hand – for the first time – to say 'see you later.'

"See ya."

Jellal and Gray blinked, suddenly feeling warm.

Lucy looked over her shoulder and winked, "Cheer for me, 'kay?"

Levy and Lisanna grinned, "You bet!"
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"And now, the runners!" the host of the race yelled and the crowd cheered.

"Freed Justine!"

A man with green hair walked out of the boys' locker room and he walked with a blunt look on his face. The people cheered while the girls squealed.

"Orga Nanagear!"

A man with green hair like Freed walked out as well and he waved to the crowd with a big smirk on his face. Like before, everyone cheered and yelled.

"Flare Corona!"

A woman with long red hair that was braided to the front walked out of the girls' locker room. She wore a sadistic smile on her face as they all cheered for her.

"Jet!"

The man who was known the fastest runner in the school walked out with a confident grin on his face. Levy and the gang, together with Droy, cheered for him as much as the crowd did for they knew that he would win – sort of, with Heartfilia there, they weren't sure.

"Beth Vanderwood!"

A little girl – who looked like an elementary student – walked with confidence. "She may look weak," the host started, "but do not underestimate her! So far, she is the fastest runner of all the girls!"

The crowd oohed and there were a few tsks from Lucy's gang.

"Racer!"A man with a pointy nose and blonde hair walked out. There was silence in the crowd before they suddenly went crazy. Racer was fast, they had to admit. But they had never seen Jet and Racer fight before, so they were curious. Such an opportunity rarely came after all.

"Cosmos!"

A young girl with long pointy hair – which resembled the thorns of a rose's stem – walked out with a smile on her face. She waved to the crowd and tilted her hat a little before walking to the field.

"Kamika!"

A girl with long black hair walked out. She grinned deviously at the crowd before blowing them a kiss. She was known for her deadly pranks but she suddenly stopped when Lucy Heartfilia arrived.

"Dobengal!"

A man with spiky brown hair walked out. No one could see if he was smiling nor frowning for there was a mask around his mouth. He just waved at the crowd and proceeded to the place where the other runners were.

"They all look so scary. I'll pray for Lucy-san," Levy said and comically cried as she swiftly moved her hand across her torso to show the sign of the cross.

Jellal rolled his eyes but deep inside, he was worried. Almost all of the runners were known for their crimes in the school.

"Ren Akatsuki!"

A man with black hair walked out and there was a loud squeal heard from the crowd. After that, many girls were fawning over the man. Ren was known for his handsomeness. He was already featured in a magazine a lot of times as the most wanted boyfriend.

The crowd once again went silent as the host stopped announcing the runners. However, everyone was murmuring as he held a grin on his face – a quite sly one too. He inhaled sharply before yelling.

"And finally, the most awaited runner, Lucy Heartfilia!"

The crowd went crazy as Lucy walked out with an emotionless face. She had her hair tied up in a high pony tail with her bangs cascading over her left eye. A sigh escaped her lips and she held her head down before everyone went silent. She looked through her bangs and smirked, "Yo."

"KYAAAA!"

Lucy shrugged and walked towards the field with her hands stuffed inside the pocket of her gym shorts. She wore a tank top that showed her cleavage – well, slightly, you can't blame her anyway. She didn't know she was this popular – even with the girls. A keen smile stretched across her lips, she didn't know she was this wanted.

"Well Lucy, good luck," the blonde said to herself and tightened her pony tail before going into a running stance. Everyone did the same and the host quickly counted.

"START!"

Lucy quickly ran and so did everyone else. She glanced at Jet and Racer to find them both in the lead. A cheer from Jellal – how surprising – broke her out of her lazy attitude and she tsked before speeding up. She hissed and struggled to reach Jet and Racer. "I have to win this race!" she growled under her breath and she ran faster.

"Can I do this…?"

"You have to win the race Lucia-sama, everyone wants you to."

"Why?"

"A member of the Tiger Gang is there. If you lose, he will surely make it a laughing stock."

"…Very well. I'll try my best."

"Good luck."

Lucy panted as she ran. She knew she wasn't as fast as them but she ran and ran. Her eyes widened as she passed Cosmos and Kamika. Her eyes narrowed with determination.

She had to win!

"RUN LUCY! RUN!"

Her eyes widened as she heard Jellal's voice in the crowd. She looked behind her to find Cosmos, Kamika, Ren and Dobengal struggling to keep up with her. She looked upward to find Jellal standing in the seats, waving his hands so that she would see him. He looked so frustrated.

Lucy looked forward once again and inhaled

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"I can do this," Lucy said and smirked before stopping. The crowd went silent as they started throwing questions as to why she stopped.

She stood still as everyone ran past her. They all looked back at her with a confused expression. But no one could come to a conclusion as to why she had such a smirk on her face.

Why?

"I'm going to win this race," Lucy said and grinned devilishly before suddenly rushing forward, her body now filled with energy from the quick stop.

Loke's eyes widened, "Holy shit! She's fast!"

Levy's eyes widened as well and she continued cheering on Lucy. A gasp escaped their lips as the blonde caught up with Jet and Racer. For the first time, someone actually surpassed Beth Vanderwood. Beth was known for her speed, and so far, no one has beaten her yet… until now.

"Throw this."

"What?" a woman yelled,

"Why?"

"It's her orders."

"O-Okay."

Thud!

Lucy's ears perk as she heard something fall, but she didn't let it bother her. When she nearly surpassed Racer, she suddenly tripped over a brick.

Her eyes widened as her face came in contact of the ground.

"LUCY!"

Thud!

"Oh no!"

"She tripped—why is there a brick on the field?"

"Is this someone's doing?"

"Look! Everyone stopped running!"

"Lucy, stand up! This is an advantage!"

"Stop it! She tripped! How can she contin—"

Lucy grinned as she pushed herself off the ground before running past Racer and Jet, "May the best runner, win!"

Their eyes widened and they cursed under their breath. And they all ran.

"Who the hell threw that brick, that fucking hurt," Lucy hissed as she ran. Sweat slid down her forehead as she felt the wounds on her neck and cheek sting. Her knees and elbows weren't injured but they definitely grazed against the ground. One more fall and they will start bleeding.

Lucy's lips tightened into a line, "So she was right after all, they are here."

"THROW ANOTHER ONE!"

"Why?"

"We can't afford to let her win!"

"…FINE! You should do it for once!"

"No way!"

Thud! Crash!

Lucy shrieked as she tripped over two bricks and landed on the ground where there were pieces of shattered glass. A scream emitted from her throat at the searing pain all over her body.

Jellal's eyes widened in horror at the scene, "LUCY!"

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"Oh no! She tripped again!"

"Why are there shards of broken glass? Who could have done this?"

"Is she okay? Everyone suddenly stopped!"

"Jet's helping her!"

Lucy weakly opened her eyes and she found Jet's face hovering in front of her. He was saying something to her but somehow, she couldn't hear the words coming from his mouth. She hissed as she felt the shards pricking into her skin. Was she going deaf? She couldn't hear anything, well she could but it was faint.

"You have to win!"

Lucy's eyes widened.

"For your mother's sake and for HER, you have to win that race!"

A long exhale was heard from Lucy as she exhaled. When she went silent, she opened her eyes and suddenly kicked Jet out of the way. She stood up, holding her arm while panting. She faced the runners and gave a weak grin, "I will win this race." And with that, she ran.

Cosmos' eyes widened and so did Kamika's, "Wait, Lucy, no, your wounds!"

"I don't care!"

Beth's eyes widened as she stared at Lucy's running back. She could see the wounds all over her arms and legs. She could see the shards still poking her skin. She could hear her heavy breathing. She could see her suffering. But… why?

Beth gritted her teeth and yelled, "Why are you still running when you're suffering?"

"…It's because a very important person is watching me, from above. I can't let her see me losing. And plus, a man is watching me as well. I can't let him see me in such a vulnerable state when he knows me as the blonde delinquent – tough, strong and brave."

Lucy panted as she saw her vision doubling. Her jaw tightened and she sighed, "But even if I win, I'll never be worthy enough to face him." And with that, Lucy fell to the ground as she passed the finish line.
____________

"Damn it! Don't just talk! Carry her!"

"A-Are you sure?"

"Yes, damn, I'm sure! What else would you do with an injured person?"

"…Sorry."

"Lucy? Lucy? Can you hear me?"

Lucy groggily stared up at the man. She narrowed her eyes and looked everywhere to find everything tainted in violet. Lucy blinked and suddenly felt nauseous. She quickly sat up and made a vomiting sound, but nothing came out from her mouth. She panted and coughed a few times, trying to feel the hand that was soothing her back. She looked at the sky and found it to be bright and colored violet.

Lucy pressed her lips together and whispered, "Why is everything violet?"

She heard someone gasp faintly – for her – and she looked to the side. She felt her eyes drop and she mumbled, "I'm sleepy… I'm going to take a quick nap, okay?"

"NO!"

Her eyes snapped open at the sudden outburst and she coughed once again. "Why?" she mumbled and she heard a teacher yelling at a student to get her water and betadine.

Lucy felt her eyes close and she heard Jellal yell. "Don't close your eyes! It's dangerous," she heard him hiss and she repeatedly blinked her eyes, trying to keep awake.

"…Can I at least lie down then?" Lucy asked and watched the freshman girl in front of her who was taking off the shards in her skin. She heard Jellal say no and she sighed before leaning her head on a girl's shoulder beside her. She sighed, "I'm tired…"

Cosmos, the girl she was leaning on, smiled worriedly. "You won, Heartfilia-san, congratulations," she said and tucked a few strands of the blonde's hair behind her ear. Lucy blinked and smiled weakly. Someone gave her water to drink and she gulped, dehydrated. She watched the teacher pat some betadine on her wounds and she faced the girl from before.

"…Thanks."

Cosmos smiled weakly and once she looked over her shoulder, "Hurry up and carry her to the infirmary! Her wounds are serious!"

"HAI!"Kamika nibbled on her bottom lip as he watched a blue-haired man carry the blonde. She knew that he was the president, she was curious as to why he was helping the delinquent though. Sure, it was common sense to help an injured person but he had this look in his eyes as he stared at her weak body in his arms.

She just couldn't explain it."Lucy, Lucy, keep your eyes open," Jellal encouraged the blonde in his arms. Lucy took quick gasps as she gazed at the violet scenery. She looked at Jellal's face and smirked.

"I've never seen you this concerned before"

Jellal gritted his teeth as he quickened his pace, "Of course, I would be concerned! Me and the gan—I mean, the student council had to watch you trip over a brick, trip over another brick and land on fragments of shattered glass! Who wouldn't be concerned?"

Lucy gave a weak devious grin, "Well, I guess you do have a point."

Lucy went silent as she allowed Jellal to carry her. To say that she wasn't embarrassed was an understatement. She was mortified for the fact that she had actually tripped over a BRICK. That was humiliating. And now she was allowing herself to be carried by the Student Council President or the SCP. It was beyond annoying but she had to bear with it.

Lucy pressed her lips together as Jellal gently placed her on one of the beds in the infirmary. He sat on a chair beside her and watched as the nurse treated her wound. Jellal gazed at the blonde in worry. She had such a pale face; her lips were also as white as snow. He frowned and brushed away Lucy's bangs.

Lucy looked at the bluenette from the corner of her eye, "You're different. I expected you would scold me."

   "…Is that really what you think of me?" Jellal said and a vein appeared on his forehead. Lucy smirked and shrugged.

Lucy winced as she felt her knees sting with pain. She closed her eyes and bit her lip, never have she felt such pain before.

Fighting was different, she always won. She won the race, yes, but she had to get wounded. Lucy whimpered as the nurse continued on tending her wounds. Jellal eyed her in worry; he hadn't seen Lucy this pained before.

The blonde looked like who she was the first day he met her though. She had no expression or emotion on her face and she was also too dull. The fact that she changed though was an improvement, she was a little brighter than before but he didn't understand how she went back to who she was.

"Hey Lucy…" Jellal said.

"Hmm?"

Lucy closed her eyes and sighed in relief as the nurse bandaged her legs and arms. Though, she advised Lucy to get rid of the bandage once she reaches home for her wounds will heal faster if they were exposed.

The bluenette opened his mouth and closed it again. He glanced at her and looked at his lap, "Do you… Do you perhaps have any free time after school?"

Lucy blinked, "If I wasn't wounded, ye—"

"Ah, never mind, I forgot that you were wounded. Forget that I said anything," Jellal stammered and fixed his bangs, his cheeks flaming red.

Lucy raised a brow, "Odd."

"R-Right…"
_______________

"Lucia-sama! What happened to you?"

"I just tripped, that's all."

"TRIP? YOU NEVER TRIP," the blonde man exclaimed in disbelief. The woman rolled her eyes and shrugged.

"It's the damn tiger's fault."

"B-But… what about your mission?"

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"I can't kill him," she mumbled under her breath, her heart thumping against her chest rapidly.

"What? Why?"

The woman inhaled sharply and looked at the man in the eyes, "…I think I've fallen in love."
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Next Chapter:Distance