Ch. 10 - It's a Secret, Got it!?

"Where the hell have you been all weekend?" Levy asked with a worried voice and her arms on her hips.

"Uh, home?" I stated in an obvious tone. "Okay, look. I'm sorry, okay? Things just...ran strange at home."

Levy nodded then took a deep breath to sigh, "Okay. Okay, then. I forgive you but, why did you say I can't come to your place when I called?" she asked, slightly lifting an eyebrow.

"Be-cause, my...parents - were, uh, trying to renovate the house." I said as an excuse.

She nodded and seemed satisfied. "Oh, okay. Well, anyway, Loke told me he's got free tickets for the beach this friday. Overnight swimming, it seems."

I nodded, "Yeah. I know."

"How did you find out?" she asked, her eyes filled with curiousity.

"Uh, well, Loke collects girls' contacts and... someone must've given mine."

Levy shook her head, "No. We girls don't give him our numbers. Only some are addicted to him that's why they gave him theirs. I can't imagine someone giving yours. No offense."

"None taken. And who knows? Maybe he's just got that - stalking skill or something." I contradicted.

She nodded, "Yeah. Maybe you're right. Well, come on, then. Time for class."

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"So, if you turn to page - " the teacher continued to speak when Natsu handed me a paper from behind me.

I turned and gave him a questioned look. He gestures me to open it then slumped his head on the table. I slowly uncrumpled the paper and saw what he wrote;

"Gray and Loke wants to party at our place."

My jaw dropped - literally when I saw this. I turned and shook my head at him. He gestures me to write back to him. I went in front and started writing;

"Didn't I tell you to keep it low-profile? No. We can't let anyone into our house."

I handed him the sheet. Eventually, he wrote back as soon as he could. And I got this as an answer;

"Please...? Just one night? Just one boys' night."

Then, I wrote back again.

"What am I gonna do? Hide in our house while they're there?"

And he wrote back;

"Not a bad idea :P"

I rolled my eyes and wrote back;

"NO. NOT a good idea. I warn you, Natsu. You better not."

The teacher dropped his chalk on his table and placed his hand on his hips, "Dragneel, Heartfilia, hand me that paper. Now."

Natsu and I sighed, "This is all your fault." I whispered when he stood up, handing him the paper. When he heads back, he winks, "I got that covered."

The teacher read the paper and cleared his throat. A slight blush rose, makes one wonder what was written, "If you have questions to ask, just come up to me. Don't ask your classmate when they're not sure. Now then, back before I was rudely interrupted.."

My eyes widened. I turned to face Natsu, "What was written on that note?"

He shrugs, "Easy. I knew teachers. Especially how to trick 'em. I had extra notes underneath where you pretend to be asking me about his topic."

I grinned and nodded in agreement, "That's very clever." I stated.

He bowed and gave out his signature grin. I slouch on my chair as I paid attention in class. I suddenly felt Levy tug on me. "What was that about?"

I shrugged casually, "What are you talking about, Lev? Nothing's going on." I chuckle under my breath. She continued to look suspiciously at me.

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"Lucy, can you explain what was going on between you and Natsu earlier? You two seemed - pretty closer than last week. Last week, you seem to hate him so much and now... what happened?" levy asked in an innocent tone.

"Honestly, Lev," I spoke as I opened my locked to de-clutter it. "You seem to be imagining things because Natsu really just asked me about Math. That was all there is to it. Nothing more."

When we were about to leave, Levy went in front of my way, "NO." she closed my locker then pulled me into the girls' restroom.

"Lev, we really need to go. I wanna eat. What's for lunch?" levy pulled me before I could go out.

"No. We are NOT going out unless you tell me what's going on because it's really impossible for Loke to know your number since you don't have any girl who adore Loke as friends. Secondly, you and Natsu don't really get along since the first time he"s been here and last-" she cut herself off when she tapped her chin, "Well, that"s about it."

"Levy, I assure you nothing is-" I cut myself off when I saw Levy lifting her eyebrow suspiciously at me. She was definitely not gonna let me go out unless I talk.

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"OKAY, FINE!" I sighed in defeat and pulled Levy into one of the stalls.

"I'm gonna tell you everything but you have to promise that you won't tell anyone about this, okay?" I sighed, waiting for Levy to answer.

"Okay."

"Because I swear to God, this is gonna horrify you." I stated.

"Try me." She challenged.

So, in the end, I ended up explaining the whole situation to her. When she pulled out from me and out of the stall, her smile widened as she slowly back away from me.

"Are you...serious?" she asked in a faint voice and a muffle squeal.

I shrugged, "Unfortunately."

"Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry for pressuring you like that." she continued to giggle when she slipped her arm in mine as we walked to the cafeteria. "But, can't you just..." she paused to look around then continued, "...divorce him?"

"Oh, trust me," I exclaimed in disgust.
"You CAN'T say 'no' to my Mom."

She shook her head, "Wow. Then, Natsu must like you, then. For agreeing to marry you."

I exclaimed in disgust again. "No, it's not like that. It's just that once our parents decide on things, we can't disobey or else, we'll suffer our whole lives, being felt guilty by both of our parents. Or maybe even worse."

"Ow." Levy exclaimed.

Levy and I sat across each other on the table. "But, you know, maybe his whole marriage thing can be an advantage."

"Yeah? How so?"

She shrugged, "I don't know. You compromise." she clapped both of her hands in excitement. "This means...you two are living together?"

"Whom are living together?" The both of us looked up and saw Gray scootching next to me.

"Oh. Uh, nothing. Nothing, Gray. Just girl talk, is all." Levy said as an excuse then sipped on her juice box to silent herself.

"Natsu seemed to be acting strange. He agreed to let us hang out at his place then after his class, he spoke to us in fear - as if something bad is gonna happen if we went."

I almost choked on the meat I was chewing. Am I really that scary to him?

"You okay?" Gray asked, lifting an eyebrow at me as he pats my back to help me throw the meat out.

"Ah." I exclaimed in relief. "Thanks."

He gave his signature grin and nodded, "No problem at all."

Levy looks at Gray and I awkwardly.

"Uh, I gotta go. I have a game with pink head. See you later." Gray stands up and strips his blouse off.

"Yeah. See you."

Levy coughed up, making me look towards her. "What?"

"Lucy, I have a secret Gray told me not to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Gray has been liking you since last year."

I spilled the juice I was drinking on top of the table.