Really sorry for not updating! School’s back and I have to do all of my assignments!

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I cannot believe this thing is really happening. I have to be friends with him, as Erza told me. I still can accept that, but the truth (that hurts) that we are neighbors? Nope. Definitely a no-no for me. I’d be punished if I don’t do Erza’s dare, matter-of-factly. I can lie, yes, but she’s been unbelievably my best friend since pre-school and knows when I lie! The unacceptable fact: she’s like father.

“Juvia....” I flinched when mom suddenly cleared her throat, pinched my arm, and glared at me secretly. Those eyes that I call ‘The Eyes’. What did I do wrong now? Or rather, what must I do? Oh. Right. How stupid of me.

“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Fullbuster. A very pleasant day, isn’t it? To meet such handsome and beautiful people at this time around.” I got a good point there, because they laughed and told me that I was kidding. They didn’t know that I meant it. I mean, it’s true. They’re too beautiful and handsome! No wonder their son is, too. Okay. Never mind what I said.

“Ohoho! You lovely and beautiful girl! Come on, Locksers and Gray, let’s have dinner at our house.” ‘What!? No way!’ was what I wanted to answer, but I was disciplined enough not to decline their offer. “But first things first. Let Gray and Juvia change from their uniforms! You want them to change together, Mizu?!” she clasped her hands in excitement, facing mom like a child waiting for a gift. Wow. They’re like best buddies already, and they just arrived yesterday. And no. She’s not serious, is she? There’s no way that’s gonna happen! Me, changing with him? Worst idea ever!

I looked at dad and flashed him ‘the puppy eyes’. Guess he got the signal because he cleared his throat, “Not. They’re still teenagers. And I do not trust this boy very much.” he gave Gray a sharp look. I can tell he’s not really trusting this guy at all. Which made me happy, by the way. They cannot be buddies. The joy!

Mom pouted but then sighed, “You’re right, honey. But I know that Gray is not that kind of person. Don’t you agree, Gray-san?” As a reply, Gray smiled and nodded. Hey, to be honest, that’s the most bright and beautiful smile I have ever seen in my whole life. Oh no no no no. Don’t be carried away by his smile, Juvia.

Gray’s father laughed. I think his name was Silver. “I was just kidding, okay? No need to be mad, Mr. Lockser. Let them change first before you have dinner at our house.”

Dad just nodded, and our moms helped us change. I really like my outfit: a blue shirt, sweat pants, and sneakers. It was a boyish outfit, yes, but mom doesn’t like it. Be lady-like? Hah. Not in my vocabulary.

“Juvia, at least wear a dress or something. You never wear my birthday gift for you last year. It’s expensive, you know? Try wearing it, just this once!” she pouted, giving me a sad face. I shook my head.

“Okay. If you’ll wear it tonight, then I’ll buy you a Crab Soup, plus extra allowance.”

And so you know what happened. I really love Crab Soup, actually. And extra allowance? Who would not want that? Of course I’m gonna agree with her condition. Even if I really don’t wanna wear a dress, I still wore one. I tied my hair up in a messy ponytail and instead of wearing sneakers, I was now wearing sandals.

"Juvia! We'll be waiting for you at the Fullbuster's house!!" Mom shouted as I put my cellphone in my bag.

"Okay!" I answered.

"Lock the door before you leave, okay? Make sure all the appliances are turned off."

I walked downstairs, and did what my mom told me to. I locked the gate and as I turned around, I almost lose my balance. "Gray? What are you doing here?"

"Never mind that. Come on, I'm hungry already." he left me there, dazed and confused. Okay, I'm not gonna lie about his looks. He's handsome, all right. No one would disagree to that. In a tux, slacks, and a midnight blue necktie? His hair so messy? Good grief I never fawned in front of him.

Remind me not to look at him anymore when I'm eating dinner later.

"Great! You two have arrived!" Mom exclaimed as she clasped her hands and smiled at me in delight. I guess she liked me and my outfit. But this is embarassing. I never wear these kind of clothes whenever I'm at school.

"Juvia, dear," father started. "you're beautiful." I thanked him and took a seat. Gray's parents also complimented me and I just chuckled shyly. I'm not used to being complimented, actually.

So the only one who's not complimenting me is Gray. His parents looked at him expectantly, and in return, he just shrugged nonchalantly. The jerk. At least try saying a nice word! How rude!

"He-he. Sorry about my son. He's just shy around Juvia, is all...." his mother excused.

Gray stood up, "Why would I be shy around her? I almost showed her my famous karate moves. Exclusively for her."

Mr. Fullbuster stood up. "Hey! Watch it! Don't be cruel to a girl!"

"But she almost hit me with her Martial Arts too! I'm just being fair! It's for my defense!"

"Juvia...." mother glared at me. My goodness. Her eyes are scarier than Annabelle's. I'm starting to freak out now. What should I do? She'll kill me! She's never gonna give me the Crab Soup! The extra allowance! The joy! Note the sarcasm.

Dad had this undecipherable, blank face. I can't see what his emotion is. I already told him about it. His reaction was shocking, right? Now, I don't know what he's thinking. Gray's mom was just sitting there, looking clueless as to what might have happened. Or why we fought. Most likely, on how we met. Maybe?

Oh. Now I get why father's face was like that. He may be concluding that Gray Fullbuster, the one in front of him, is the one I have told him all about yesterday.

Mother didn't hear my story about Gray because she was in the kitchen preparing the juice. Well, that explains why she's so mad and shocked at me right now.

"Dad, Juvia was the first one—"

"I don't care, Gray Fullbuster. She's still a girl! And fighting with a girl is like saying you're a gay! You're not a man!"

"That's not—"

"No. Listen, Gray Fullbuster. You're grounded for a month. Your punishment will be cleaning the house for two weeks. No playing of basketball. Study all day when you get home." I heard Gray's father declare firmly. Gray groaned.

"I hate this." he grumbled.

"Juvia, you're despicable." I turned to mom who has her hands now on her face because of frustration.

"What did I do now?"

"Fighting with a boy?"

"I was just defending myself!"

"No! By fighting with a boy?!"

"Yes! He was overreacting about everything! He thinks I'm clingy and all, and acts high and mighty. What's not to like?! I almost became his slave!!" Okay. Maybe I made a hyperbole about my last statement. I can feel Gray's intense glare as I hunched my shoulders with knitted eyebrows.

"Slave? You're the one who's overreacting, Juvia." Gray retorted.

"What!? Okay. Scratch the last statement. You almost gave me, a girl, a nice kick in the butt. Now I'm not overreacting, right? I'm speaking the truth."

"Juvia! Language and tone!" Mother scolded me.

"Gray Fullbuster! What's that? Kicking a girl!?"

This fight will never end.

I facepalmed, feeling absolutely hopeless and tired. Yeah, yeah, I'll never get my Crab Soup and extra allowance anymore. I haven't eaten dinner yet. But I was now too tired to argue with anyone nor eat. I'll also get grounded for I don't know how long.

But right now, sleep will be better more than anything.

"Enough of this!" Dad shouted, making us all stop.

"Yeah." Gray's mother agreed. "You two," I flinched when Gray's mother held Gray and mine's hand. "Make up there." she pushed us at the backyard. Gray and I did not resist because she looks frightening. "We'll talk about this mess. Now be friends. One more thing. I said make up, not make out." What the heck. Yuck.

I stood there, agape of there garden. It was really beautiful. So many kinds of flowers.

I took a step back when I remembered what we were supposed to do now. Make up. Be friends. If I'll do this, I'm gonna finish Erza's dares.

I faced him, taking a deep breath and uttering a word I rarely say sincerely to anyone: "Sorry, Gray."

"Sorry, Juvia." I almost choked on my own saliva. Gray Fullbuster freaking said sorry.

I tried my best not to laugh and so I cleared my throat. "I'm just gonna explain this once, so listen up. Erza and I are doing dares. She made me do dares all about you. You know what happened next. Right now, she's making me do a dare again. I must be friends again with you."

"Oh. Okay. Then let's be friends. That way, the dares will be over."

"Is that really okay with you? I mean, we're enemies...."

"Yeah." He said, smiling.