NEXT MORNING 

JUVIA'S POV

I got up around 8 am, a bit later than usual. I feel guilty for what I had done yesterday at the function.

It not only showed me as a weak spirited woman who was not able to let go of her past. 

But I also earned myself a tag, 'bad, selfish friend' for ruining my best friends' special occasion for my unreasonable outbursts.

I know that an apology won't suffice the feeling of hurt which I had inflicted on them.

This could lead to broken relationships between once and for all.

After my morning routine, I got ready for my work which happens to be in a cafe.

It was already running late so I decided to skip breakfast. 

Once I reached the 'Momo's Cafe', I was greeted by the owner, Sheryln Oliver, a pretty middle aged blonde woman who is a very nice caring and selfless person.

I have been working in this cafe since I finished my undergraduate degree. 

Luckily, I had good cooking and baking skills which earned me this job here.

Even though I have completed a degree in marine biology, the job opportunities related to my subjects were very limited, especially in Hargeon.

So when I was deciding my profession, I chose to work as a cook or baker as this was a hobby which made me relax whenever I was stressed out.

So why not we do a job of our hearts content instead of focusing on jobs just to fill our pockets?

"Juvia's sorry, Sheryln-San. She woke up a bit late. Sorry,  Juvia won't repeat it again."

I apologised to her for which she smiled and shrugged it off.

"Aren't you supposed to be on leave for the next two days, Juvia? How was your friends' wedding?"

She asked casually as she prepared the batter for the next batch of breads.

That's when I realized that I had asked for two days leave after Meredy-chan's wedding to relax a bit.

I facepalmed and told her, " Juvia forgot about it completely. It's okay, now she's here let her continue with the work."

I smiled and went to change into my uniform. I assured Sheryln-san that I was alright and happy to work.

Throughout the day, the flow of customers were favourable for us. 

My shift ends around 7 pm in the evening which was kinda okay, as I live alone and it's not that someone's waiting for me at home.

Even if my shift ends at 12 at night, it's okay with me. But my boss lady doesn't allow it as she's concerned about my safety.

After making sure, everything on my menu was prepared for serving afterwards, I called it a day.

Throughout the day, I was feeling nice and forgot about yesterday's event. 

Suddenly my mobile vibrated. It was a call from Meredy-chan.

I hesitated to attend the call as I still held the feeling of guilt but chose to push that thought away for a moment.

"Hello Meredy-chan, Juvia's extremely sorry......"

"Juvia-chan, Are you coming back from work?" Meredy-chan asked me.

"Yes, Juvia's on the way. She will be in half an hour." I was informed. 

Is something wrong with Meredy-chan? Did she fight with Lyon-san over my issues?

"Okay, I'm waiting for you in front of your apartment. Bye..." She told me before I could inquire.

Now I had bad feelings about this, if what I thought was the case, it will increase my guilt even more.

I took a cab back home and within ten minutes, I reached my place.

When I entered the 2nd floor, I saw both Meredy-chan and Lyon-san standing but in opposite directions and from the looks on their face.

Meredy-chan was angry while Lyon-san looked defeated.

"Meredy-chan" I called her out.

As soon as she saw me without any hesitation, she closed the gap between us and hugged me.

"I'm really sorry, Juvia-chan. Please don't think I have betrayed you. Please hear out my reasons before you start hating me. I'm sorry, Juvia-chan." She began to cry.

Hearing her words, even I began to tear up,

"Meredy-chan, Juvia is the one who should apologise for ruining your special occasion yesterday.
     Juvia was not strong enough to face him and she broke down. 
      Juvia didn't expect to see them and him especially. Sorry Meredy-chan...and Sorry Lyon-san."

I looked up at Lyon-san who smiled and said it was his fault anyways.

Then, after we went inside, my intuition was right. Meredy-chan had fought with Lyon-san over this issue as soon as they reached their house and has not been talking since then.

"Meredy-chan, look here. Yes, Juvia did feel betrayed and hurt when she came to know about your relationships with my friends and how both of you had hid this from me for years.
        But soon, Juvia forgot about this when she met her friends and how they forgave for the stupid things Juvia had done. 
        This made Juvia realise that they never stopped thinking about her. While all Juvia did was just break their heart and hurt them by staying from them for years."

I told my reasons which made both of them feel hurt.

"But how can Juvia ever hold on to her anger on you both who helped her recover from those depression and made her life colorful once again.
      Juvia can never think bad of Meredy-chan and Lyon-san because she loves you both dearly. It's because of you both she is happy and smiling again.
      Juvia is the one who should be apologising. Please Meredy-chan, Lyon-san, please forgive Juvia. Hope we can continue being friends."

I bowed down and began to cry as guilt took over my system. Meredy-chan again hugged and consoled me.

"Silly, here I was thinking, we have hurt your feelings. But you thought we were hurt. Yes, we were hurt as our dear friend was hurt. 
     Silly, don't ever think of breaking this friendship. We are bound for our whole life together."

Meredy-chan said as she patted my back. Her words brought a smile and relief over me.

Suddenly we felt a pair of arms wrapping us and it was none other than Lyon-san.

"Yes, we are friends forever. Now everything is back to normal. I guess, isn't it wifey?" He asked Meredy-chan.

She blushed and nodded in agreement. Finally, both of them reconciled which made me joyous.

Once the pizza was delivered, we began to eat and talked about random things.

Then Lyon-san shared a few things which happened this morning.

"Juvia-chan, Gajeel and Erza had asked for your current number. I resisted sharing it with them but they urged me. 
     I didn't know how to resist them further so shared it with them. I'm sorry for that, Juvia-chan."

Lyon-san apologised for this but I assured him it was okay as I didn't mind it. 

"Even Juvia was thinking of exchanging numbers but things happened..hahaha" I chuckled casually.

"Juvia-chan, can I ask you a question? And be honest about it please?" Lyon-san asked me in a serious tone.

I nodded in agreement.

"Why did you cry and leave yesterday? Was it because of Gray? Are you still not over him?" I tensed up as soon as the last question left out of his mouth.

"Stop it!! Lyon. Whatever be the reason, she assured us, she's alright. And don't talk about your stupid cousin." Meredy-chan hissed at her husband and looked towards me.

"Juvia-chan, you don't need to answer that question. We know you have moved on. Forget about him, you have your life ahead." She tried to encourage me.

I couldn't hold onto my tears and broke down to tears again just like yesterday.

"Meredy-chan, Seeing Gray-sama again, memories flashed before Juvia's eyes. How much ever Juvia tries to forget about him, she's not able to do it.
       Because Juvia really loved him with her whole heart and soul. She never expected Gray-sama would do something like that.
       Juvia's not able to move on because she still loves him. How can Juvia move from the person who gave her such wonderful memories and experiences which Juvia felt for the first time in her gloomy life?
        The reason Juvia cried was because Gray-sama never even once thought of reconsidering our relationship again but went on to get married to another."

Meredy-chan gave her shoulders for me to cry on. Over these ten years, there was not even a single day I never thought of him.

Gray-sama has constantly been in my memories unlike him. I decided never to date anyone again but to lead my life with mine and Gray-sama's happy memories which we cherished back then.

"Juvia-chan, who told you..." Before Lyon-san could finish his question.

Meredy-chan stopped him and gestured that was enough.

"Look here Juvia-chan, I know how much that guy means to you but now that he's married. Why don't you move and settle down?
    Listen, I have a wonderful idea. As soon as we come from our honeymoon trip, we will arrange you a blind date.
   Now it's my duty to get you settle down into this love business."

Meredy-chan was determined to help me out.

"But Meredy-chan, Juvia can't do this. She doesn't want to hurt another person's feelings just for her selfish reasons. Juvia has decided to go on with the flow of life."

I told her my final decision but Meredy-chan wasn't taking no for an answer.

Lyon-san intervened and convinced his wife to give some space and time for me to think on it and left after sometime, clearly with an unsettling heart.

Once I got ready for my sleep which I doubted would ever come anytime soon.

My eyes began to tear up, "Why Gray-sama? Why did you decide to break up with Juvia? Why did you show Juvia what it means to be loved? Why? Only to break the cruel reality later on, is it?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE

SO READERS, WHAT'S YOUR OPINION ON JUVIA BEING LAID BACK IN MOVING ON WITH HER LIFE?

IS SHE DOING THE RIGHT THING THINKING ABOUT HER PAST?

IS REJOICING PAST REALLY WORTH IT?

GIVE YOUR OPINION DOWN IN COMMENTS SECTION...🤗🤗🤗🤗