-Lucy's P.O.V-

So...today I return.

I didn't tell the others that today I was coming back home. I wanted it to be a surprise.

"You have everything packed?" Felen asks.

"Yes mom." I say sarcastically. I looked down sadly.

"I'm sorry honey..." Felen said.

I look over at my dad and look away quickly.

Me and him had an argument that could've been avoided.

Now I have a stingy cheek.

I walk over to my dad, and wrap my arms around him.

"Bye dad..." I say.

He stiffened, then hugged me back.

I then grabbed my luggage and started walking to my flight. I waved them all goodbye and went on my flight.

I'm going to miss them a lot.

-with Natsu-

"So Natsu!" Gajeel said. "How's it been in your job?"

"It's been good. I've just got my own office" Natsu said.

"Cool... and I've heard it's a big office." Gray cheered.

"It is. Come by and you can see." Natsu smirked.

Natsu then looked out the cafe window and saw as it began snowing.

"Ya know..." Mira said."December thirteenth is Lucy's birthday..."

"Yeah...her birthday is coming up isn't it." Levy said.

"I can't believe it's only been a few months since we saw Lucy on the phone." Juvia said.

"Yeah... and she won't be coming for a few more months..." Cana sulked. "I miss my drinking buddy..." she whined.

"You know...Lucy never drank with you...just watched." Lisanna corrected.

"She can still be my drinking buddy! Even if she is soft and doesn't drink!" Cana cried.

Everyone sighs.

"It's not the same without her." Levy whines.

"We can wait." Lisanna said and got up. "We might miss her...but that's only making her worry... We can wait."

"But... I never got to see her...I feel bad." Wendy said. "You guys should've told me about that video call and I could've been there."

"But...You went with your family to China... We video called you remember." Juvia said.

"Yeah But...I really wanted to say hi to Lucy." Wendy sulked.

"She'll be here soon, don't worry." Levy said.

natsu got up.

"I gotta go... works tomorrow. Cya." Natsu said.

"Cya Natsu." they all said as he headed out.

Natsu walked down the street by himself.

He walked through the park.

But, behind him, was someone.

Natsu stopped walking and turned around to see...

Lisanna...

"Lis what are you doing?" Natsu asked.

"Following you." she said.

"I told you I can never fall for you." Natsu sighed.

"I'm not giving up." Lisanna said."Sure I want Lucy to be happy... but she can find another man... she's got the looks for it."

"Sounds like you just don't care." Natsu said.

"I do... she can get the right man. You are her type... but I gotta have you. No one else not even Lucy." Lisanna grinned.

"Lisanna... I love Lucy." Natsu growled. " Just accept the fact that I don't like you."

"I'll make you fall for me. No matter what... you are mine... no one else may touch or kiss you."

"Lucy can. and she's my woman and I'm her man. I'll never be yours and you can't make me have feelings for you."

"One day... you will be mine." Lisanna went up close to Natsu and smiled.

"I high;y doubt that day will come. maybe another lifetime I'll like you... but in this one... I'll never be yours." Natsu glared at Lisanna.

"We'll see." 

Lisanna then started running away back to the cafe.

Natsu sighed.

"I really need to ignore Lisanna and not make her get to me... it's bringing up my stress levels." Natsu said to himself.

He began walking home again.

But stopped once he saw a white dog running his way.

It started barking. the dog jumped at Natsu with a big bark.

"GAh!" Natsu screamed and fell on his back with a grunt.

Then the dog sniffed him.

"Nice...doggy..." Natsu said nervously. He pet the big dog.

The dog started licking his face a lot.

Then a sharp whistle was heard. and the dog got off.

Natsu got up and wiped his face off with a tissue from his pocket.

He saw the dog run away to someone.

It was a female... and golden hair...and beautiful...

The girl was only a few feet away.

She looked up at Natsu after hugging her dog.

she gasped and  jumped back.

"Natsu!" she said loudly.

Natsu's eyes widened.

"Lucy?"he questioned.

"Yeah...that's me." she scratched the back of her neck.

"What're you doing here?! I thought you had a few more months to come back." Natsu said.

"I...I finished early." Lucy stuttered nervously. 

"Oh..." Natsu said.

"Ok...No...I'm lying." Lucy said and looked down.

"Then what?"

"I had to quit. Something happened and I couldn't continue my studies there."

"What happened?"

"I...Natsu..."

Lucy looked up at Natsu with sad eyes.

Natsu squatted down beside Lucy and stared at her. He slid his hand on her cheek, and stroked it gently.

"Natsu ..." Lucy finally let her tears fall from her eyes. She clenched her fingers into a fist, hurting the fingers that were covered with bandaids."I can no longer play."