Monday.

The most dreadful day of the week.

Ask me why?

School.

And yesterday, I was thinking that maybe I should ask Virgo to silently dig my grave and Plue to somehow hide it so I could disappear forever.

"If, for example, I were to fall in love with a really beautiful girl and I was whipped for her and I wanted to confess my love for her, what would you advice me to do?"

This, this question right here had me almost flat-lined forever.

But I stayed calm and answered all of his questions like the best friend I am. I told him that if he thinks that she likes him too so he should directly tell her or if he knows her friends or something then he should probably ask them about how they think that girl feels about him, which he thought that the advice I gave him was really helpful.

I still wonder who the lucky girl is. I mean, I'm his best friend after all. I should be supporting him at times like these, even if it means that I have to put my feelings aside. The thought of him having a girl who won her heart and who is not me scares me. I won't tell him about my feelings yet. I'll be patiently watching him from the sidelines.

Sidelines...oh no.

The pizza!

Not wasting any second, I dashed to the kitchen and took the pizza out of the oven, silently scolding myself and thanking God that I didn't burn it and will make it to school on time. I packed the sidelines and wrapped the pizza with thin plastic wrap, packing it all into a big container for my friends and I to eat before the school starts. 

Why did I make pizza so early in the morning?

We were group chatting and after some time, we were discussing about how Gajeel thinks of selling his jeep and buying a fancy car and then I don't know how the conversation ended into people betting and I making a deal that if I make them pizza every morning for a week, I'll get all the money.

Stupid right?

That's just how we are. Mind it.

Natsu fortunately went back to his own nest in the evening but promised to pick me up first thing in the morning. I heard a honk and dashed downstairs, eager to get to school quickly so that the pizza stays hot and tasty. I hopped into his Mercedes-Benz E-class cabriolet and greeted him. I saw his eyes travelling to the back side where I put the pizza. His eyes sparkled, he drooled and slowly moved his arm to somehow grab a piece when I hardly slapped his arm and scolded him.

"Not now, you hungry slug! Drive to school first!" I glared at him.

"But Luce... it's the pizza you made... pwease? Pwetty pwease?" He gave me his teary puppy eyes.

Hold on Lucy. Don't let those get to you.

Ah, fuck it.

"I knew you'd do this, that's why I made you a mini one. Here you go." I opened my backpack and took out a container that had Natsu's mini pizza which I made extra spicy especially for him. His eyes widened and a smile grew on his face when I opened it and put it in his lap. He quickly took it out and took the first bite, closing his eyes and moaning.

"How is it?" I nervously asked him.

"The best I've ever tasted." He spoke after gulping it down.

"I thought it wouldn't taste so good because I almost burned it." I exhaled loudly.

"Let me guess, you got lost in your thoughts again?" Natsu asked me, a hand on the steering wheel and the other holding the pizza.

"Sadly, yes." I huffed.

"It's not my place to ask but I will anyway Luce. Is there something bothering you that you are not telling me?" He looked at me, pizza still in his hand and the car halting to a stop at the signal.

"What made you think about it?" I pried.

"I don't know. Lately you've been zoning out a lot and then most of the time you're clutching your head saying that it's just a little headache but feels like something more." The traffic light turned green and the car slowly moved forward.

"I would've told you if it was." I replied, masking my face with a stoic expression. I would definitely not tell him anything about those flashbacks or whatever stuff that is and about me still curious on who the girl is. I really hate lying and it hurts to nonchalantly lie but there are some things that are better left untold.

"I'm sorry that I doubted you." His face was expressionless when he said that. He was looking straight ahead. His lips were shut tight and I could see veins popping out of his arms, the pizza finished on the third humongous bite.

Oh how I'd love to trace his veins-

Goddamnit Lucy!

I felt more horrible than I ever did. Lying was my forte back when I lived at the mansion but I have always deeply hated it, and it hurts so much thinking that he knows that I'm hiding stuff and not telling him about it...that I'm lying to him on his face.

When he parked the car in his usual slot that is always left empty for him, he took the keys out of the ignition, hopped off and strode away to God knows where. I bowed my head in embarrassment and took the pizza container in my hands, gripping it tightly so it doesn't fall. When I turned around to walk to our usual lunch spot, I saw Gray and Gajeel running in my direction, drool dripping from the corner of their lips.

"Not so fast, you hungry lazy asses! Ladies first! It's the courtesy! And now help me take these and- GRAY DON'T YOU EVEN DARE THINK ABOUT IT!"  I handed over the containers to both of them, scolding Gray to not open the one in his hand.

He nodded furiously and both of them strolled along with me to our spot. There we met everyone- except Natsu- and ate the pizza greedily. All of them were really satisfied with my efforts and thanked me separately.

"Lucy, where's Natsu?" Erza asked me, gulping down her last bite.

"I honestly don't know. He just stormed off to God knows where." I replied her, sad all of a sudden.

"I'll find that flamebrain for you. His mind is a pile of ashes these days. He can't think." Gray said and stood up. Erza shook her head and motioned Gray to stop.

"Leave him be, Gray. He needs to get himself together." She said.

"Get himself together? Erza I've been noticing him and Lucy both and he's distancing himself from her. Look at her, she seems gloomy more often." Gray pointed his finger to me and side hugged me.

"I'm fine Gray-

"I'm going to find him anyway." Gray strolled away. I sighed and wrapped everything up. Levy helped me stuff everything in the trunk of her car. The warning bell rung and we all dashed to our first class.

The school day finally ended after the endless torture of studying. Mr. Conbolt gave me an errand to run that was to go to the reception office and submit a few of his paper work to Mira who worked here too. As I was walking down the corridor, I saw an all too familiar hat that belong to-

"Rufus? Rufus Lore is that you?" I shouted to get the attention of the person whose back faced me. He turned around and gave me his biggest grin.

"Am I looking at Lucy? One of my favorite girls?" He laughed and hugged me tightly.

"You've grown to be quite a fine man, Ruf." I winked and teased him with the nickname I used to call him when I was young.

"Oh shut up! I see that you've grown to be a very beautiful and independent lady. My, I never thought you'd be like that after... you know..."

"I know but look at me. I told you I'd be fine. By the way, what brings you here?" I asked him.

"Oh I'm just here with Orga and Laxus for some business-

"Wait, Laxus is here?!" I excitedly said it a bit too loud and jumped when I heard a 'boo'. I turned to see Laxus smiling at me and I jumped in his arms.

"Oh my God Laxus! You scared me you burly old man!" I slapped his muscular arm after I broke the hug.

"Oi I'm not that old!" He barked back.

"Yeah yeah whatever. Look at you! You've grown so much in size and ooh, that gym really worked out for you." I grinned while checking him out.

"It did, didn't it?" He raised his eyebrows and kissed his bicep.

Ugh, Laxus and his ego.

"What are you guys here for?" I asked him while shuddering from Rufus' glare because of how I not no nicely interrupted him. He hated someone interrupting him while talking.

"Oh just to meet my girl and Gramps and discuss a few issues with him." He said.

"Girl? Who?" After I finished my question, Mira popped out of nowhere, squealed and jumped into Laxus' arms, passionately kissing him.

"Ugh, PDA. Get a room." Rufus said in disgust. Mira blushed furiously and pulled back, still staying in Laxus' arms.

"So Mirajane is your girl huh?" I asked him, still shocked.

"You know my boyfriend, Lucy?" Mira asked me, eyes wide.

"Of course I'd know my bastard of a cousin. How do you- well of course I know now how you know him but wait- IS HE THE GUY YOU'RE ENGAGED TO?!" I yelled in shock and Rufus covered my mouth by his hand. 

"Not so loud!" He hissed in my ear.

"Sorry." I sheepishly smiled. 

"Mira, I'm Lucia's-

"Lucy!" I interrupted.

"-cousin from her father's side of the family." He smirked, knowing that I was annoyed when he changed my name. Laxus and I have been close since my diaper days, and I met him after seven years. Rufus was his ally and he visited me quite a lot of times along with him and Orga who was his classmate.

"Oh so that's why your hair are so similar to hers." She giggled and Rufus laughed while I stuck my tongue out to him, annoying him more. Laxus wanted us to look different so he could scare away any guy who teases me or dares to talk to me, making them think that he's my bodyguard or boyfriend or something along those lines.

"Lucy may I have a second with you alone?" Rufus asked me.

"Sure." I replied.

After we walked to a more secluded area, he held my arms tightly and got my full attention.

"Rufus wha-

"Lucy I didn't just tag along Laxus for some business only. I also came with him to warn you about him. Lucy, you have to be more careful. He's back from Bosco and he's after you." When Rufus told me those exact words, I felt like drowning in the ocean right there and then.

He's back.

"It- it's impossible! He-

"I know Lucy but he is here somehow." Rufus shook me again.

He's back.

"Lucy, are you-

"Yes I'm okay. I'll talk to you later." I blurted out those words somehow and ran. Ran as fast as I could.

He's back and after me.

But how?

I couldn't think of anything, not even where I was going. I knew I bumped into a few people but I still kept running. My bag long forgotten. Nothing conquered my mind but the thought of him coming to see me and...dragging me back to that hellhole I barely ever escaped.

He's back. He's back. He's back.

He's after me.

I suddenly felt like someone pushed me back and cornered me. Mustering up enough strength, I looked up and my eyes widened in complete horror.

"Hello Lucy. Long time no see."