Ch. 37 - A healthy fieldtrip!

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     the next day . . .

As soon as we arrived to school, everyone was gathered by the gymnasium as Erza was there on stage, holding the mic with the other teachers by her side.

"What's going on? Why's everybody gathered so early in the morning...?" I asked myself, completely clueless as to what was going on.

Once Levy found me, she immediately looked around to see if Natsu was around then she pointed her finger at me. "What wicked things have you done to Natsu?? I know you hate him and all but don't kill the guy!" Levy kept looking worried sick all the time.

I laughed sarcastically. "Ha-ha-ha. Very funny, Levy." I roll my eyes and was about to speak but she cut me off with a comeback.

"That's why I'm laughing." She chuckles at her own comeback, proudly crossing her arms across her chest.

"Natsu's--well, I don't see him." I shrugged along with my answer. Levy grabbed me by my necktie, pulling me down to my level.

"How could you lose him when you two clearly live together??" Levy shook her head in disbelief then lets go of my neck tie. 

I shrugged, “Don't worry, Lev. Were both grown-ups. There's no need for me to--”

“And so, the principal has decided that this year, our fieldtrip theme is... a healthy fieldtrip!”

Nobody applauded. Nobody said a word. Not one made a single noise when they heard the word 'healthy'. Just when Erza lifted an eyebrow, everyone seemed nervous but cheered, anyway.

“Any further information will be given to you later in our circular. Thank you very much. You may now go to your classrooms quietly.” everyone gulped after hearing Erza grunt.

A healthy fieldtrip? I mean, what kind of fieldtrip is that?

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“Hello, Le-Levy... L-Lucy...” Erza was still nervous about the idea of calling us by our first names after sitting down with us.

Levy and I looked at each other then back to Erza. We smiled at her greeting. “Morning, Erza!” Levy came in to hug her as tight as she could. She was taken a step back when her eyes widened.

“Wah! She smells like strawberries!” Levy remarked, smelling Erza's hair. Erza chuckles softly, playing with a lock of her hair, “Thank you. Some of the cakes must have been smudged a bit on my hair earlier...” she starts combing it as Levy lets it go.

“Well, how much cake have eaten, anyway?” I chuckled with my arms crossed above my chest.

“I... ate a dozen this morning...”

Silence was wrapped around the air right after she stated her answer. Levy and I were gaping at her. “I-Is it a joke?” I laughed nervously.

She shook her head, flipping her her to let it flowing behind her back. “Yes, I know. Impossible for a girl to have this body who ate dozens of cake earlier.” she sighs. “I need a diet plan.”

“That is what you'd call fat?” Levy's eyes widened, shaking her head as if saying her thoughts were impossible.

Erza rubbed both her hands together “I apologize for stating that. I-I'll try to slow down on eating, then.”

I nodded, “No, it's actually cool to find out that a girl is not afraid to gain weight.”

Levy laughed nervously. “Yeah, definitely. But, watch on the carbs, though. They're dangerous as shit.” she nods along with her advice.

“I'll take note of that.” Erza gave out an 'okay' thumb then smiled, pulling her hair up in the air to put it in a pony tail.

I snapped my fingers, remembering my question. “Oh, Erza, I-I wanted to ask about the fieldtrip--”

Before I could continue, Levy cut me off by sneaking her own idea. “Couldn't you have thought of having an educational fieldtrip instead of a physical one?”

Erza chuckles at Levy's remark, patting her head softly. “I guess you are more of an academic geek than an active one.”

Levy pouted, “I suck at p.e.”

“Oh, what was it you were asking, Lucy?” she asks, looking in my direction.

“What are we gonna do during this... 'healthy' fieldtrip?”

She taps her chin then smiles, “Oh, that's the point. I cannot reveal the plan, sorry. Principal orders.” she shrugs, lifting her hands up to her shoulders. Then, pats me on the shoulder. “But, do not worry, its exercises will be fun and healthy at the same time.”

“Why do I have a feeling we have different meaning of 'fun'?” I sulked along with Levy.

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Our homeroom teacher came in while there was no other teacher in. He immediately handed out forms towards us, circulars about the fieldtrip.

It said we were going to have individual and by-partner exercises. The partnership will be decided by Mira-san, the librarian. My eyebrows automatically furrowed when I saw that. Why does the librarian get to decide instead of the principal?

“Hey, Luce!” Natsu placed a hand on my right shoulder, making my heart beat faster. “Let's be partners!”

Clearing my throat, I wanted to calm down before reacting. Slowly turning my head around, I saw his face, wearing a puppy-dog-eyed face, pleading. How could I ever turn down his request?

“Uh, didn't you read? It said the librarian will decide the partnerings.” after stating that, I shook my head and stared at the other requirements; extra clothes, jacket, umbrella, bathing materials, etc... etc... “It'll be a 3-day, 2-nights outing. Huh.”

He raised his arms up in the air. “YES! Haha, you lose!” he pointed a finger at me after saying his statement.

I lifted an eyebrow. “Uhm... sorry? What did I lose about?”

“You told me you won't be cookin' for me for a month, right? Well, I can get through with it for the first week, at least.” he chuckles then smirked after patting my head. “Better luck next time, Luce.”

I nodded awkwardly. Wow. I'm surprised he managed to actually remember something.

“Lu-chan... I DON'T WANNA GO ON AN EXERCISING FIELDTRIP!” She bawled right on top of her table. Meanwhile, I was comforting her by caressing her back gently.

“Well, maybe it's a good change of plans. After all, this is the first time we won't have to sit and listen to boring facts we already know stated by the tour guide.”

She ran a hand through her hair then sniffles a bit, “Y-You think they're boring...?”

I nodded, “Everyone does.”

She sulked. “No way! How could I be the only one excited during tour guide games?!” she bawls once more and I had to give comfort through caressing her back gently.

“You're crying because of an exercising trip?” Gray's voice suddenly appeared. He sat in front of me with his legs spread apart so he could rest his arms and head on top of the back of the chair.

“Nah. Just crocodile tears. She's just a passionate girl.” I wink at Gray as some kind of signal. He mouthed, 'I get it.'

“How come pinky's sulking?” Gray pursed his lips to point at he sulking Natsu behind our back. I shrugged, “I don't know about him. Something about... partnerings?”

He snaps his fingers. “You have to quickly tell the librarian you and Natsu must be partners.”

“And... why should I do that?”

“Lisanna. And you're his wife.” he whispered under his breath.

“That won't be a problem. Lisanna came up to me earlier... stating something about her giving up, I guess?” I shrugged. Gray gaped at the statement.

“Then... there's no problem at all.” he laid his back on the table as if he could finally relax.

I shook my head, unable to understand him. “I do not understand boys.”

“And you never will.” he smirks, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

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at the Heartfilia konzern . . .

Mom sipped her tea then placed it down on the coffee table. She dries her lips with a napkin then looks up, “What brings the couple here?” she giggles at the word.

I simply ignored her statement by rolling my eyes then gave her a pen along with the circular. “I need a parent to sign this.” I laid my back on the sofa, just like old times when I was just a kid.

Natsu was sitting beside the sofa where I sat.  He seemed to be feeling a bit awkward. He looked in my direction as if saying, 'I wanna go home.'

I mouthed, 'I told you, you should've stayed at home.' Then stuck my tongue out. He stuck his tongue out, too, as payback.

“Oh, my! Then, you and Natsu must be partners!” Mom reacted, clapping her hands joyfully.

Natsu quickly grabbed my hand and interteined his fingers around mine, making me blush at our position; he made me sit on his lap with our fingers intertwined in front of my parents.

“Luce doesn't want to but, I'll make sure we'll be!” Natsu gave out his signature grin, wiggling his eyebrows up and down at me.

I roll my eyes, pinching his arm to make him let go of me, which he did, then, I got off of his lap and sat beside Mom and Dad.

"Uh, Mom, I think Natsu forgot about--"

"Goodness, Lucy!" Mom gasped, running a hand through her shoulder as if she were feeling a chill run down her spine. "H-How come you two still don't have endearments?? You've been married for a couple of months now. Maybe it's time. Want me to give you an idea?" Mom smiled at the thought.

I shook my head, "No thanks. We're good."

"But, that can't be." Mom still kept contradicting. Gosh. How much longer till she just signs the fricking circular?

"Actually, Mrs. Heartfilia--uh, Mom," Natsu laughed nervously, wrapping an arm around me. "We do have an endearment."

I glared at him, giving him a warning sign. Don't. You. Dare. I quoted inside my mind. But, instead of running away with a tail between his legs, he still insisted on telling. "It's either hubby/wifey or Mr. And Mrs. Dragneel."

Mom seemed satisfied, giving Natsu a thumbs up. "Good job! That is really cute!" Mom kept giggling to herself, sounding like a teenager in her early twenties. "Keep it up, Natsu!"

Natsu gave out a thumbs up as his reply, leaving me sulking to myself. Dad seemed a bit quiet today. "Dad, can you please say something? Mom's crazy..."

"Are you sassing your Mother, Lucy Ashley H. Dragneel, hmmm?" Mom asked in an annoyed tone.

"Mom!" I blushed at her mentioning my whole name, looking at Natsu, who seemed to be in awe.

"Ashley? That's... some kind of a big change to your name." Natsu commented.

"Ugh!" I placed both my hands on top of the table to stop all of them. I handed Dad the pen and he obediently signed. When I turned to Mom, she rolls her eyes then gives her signature.

"Oh, Lucy, such a party pooper..." she pouted at me. I simply ignored her when I snatched the paper then held Natsu by his scarf, dragging him towards the door.

"It was nice visiting you guys but, please, Mom... try to behave... please, I'm begging you." I pleaded, putting my hands together then looked desperately at her.

She nods, signalling an 'ok' sign. "Got it. Oh, I better see you two here during your sembreak, Lucy, Natsu."

"S-Sure... mom..." I honeslty feel embarrassed, just thinking of what could possibly happen on that day. But, I simply nodded to assure her even though we aren't really going to.

So, in a swift moment, Natsu and I got out of the house. I managed to easily breathe now for some reason.

"L-Luce... can I ask ya something?"

I was blushing, looking away from him but of course, to not be recognized, I had to look at him with a poker face. "W-What...?"

"Uhm, just... wondering... how long are you gonna hold my hand?"

I looked down below and realized our hands were intertwined to each other. So, quickly, I let go and stepped back a couple of times. "S-Sorry!"

"N-No! It's not like I-I mind or anything..." Natsu scratched the back of his neck, looking away. So, with our faces turned away from each other, I decided to take the lead of the situation.

"L-Let's just go home..."

He agreed, following me by the back. Smooth move, Lucy. Very smooth. I wanted to slap myself in the face to stop myself from freaking out.

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So, okay. I just updated since I'm a bit procastinating right now since I just finished studying. Hahahaha!! Say lavi, but, I must be off. I'll be able to update... on the 23rd... I think? I'll try. Kay then.

Sayonara.

Xoxo,
Clare-chan