It had been a week since he found Lucy at Gray's house. He'd been trying to do everything he could think of to make her feel safe again. She seemed more comfortable now, but she still wasn't giving him the time of day that he really wanted.  What can I do to get her to give me a chance? He thought to himself. He still didn't know what was really going on with her, and it was frustrating the hell out of him.

He walked out of his last class for the day and headed towards the gym. Today was the last day of practice before the big game against Sabertooth tomorrow.
He was ready. The rumors about the new guy on the Sabertooth team were growing like wildfire, but he wasn't all that concerned.  Though if this guy was as good as what everyone keeps saying he might have a little bit of a challenge. That's fine with me though, Natsu thought to himself, I love a good challenge.  He kept walking until he ran into Gray on the way to the gym.

"Hey matchstick!" Gray yelled at him from down the hallway. "Hold up!" Natsu stopped and waited for Gray to catch up to him. The two had worked things out since last Saturday, but Natsu was still a little pissed on the inside. He didn't know why, but he felt somehow betrayed by what Gray had done. Even though he hadn't actually done anything wrong-it just didn't feel that way. What the hell is wrong with me? Natsu asked himself as that wave of anger rushed over him again as the vision of Lucy in Gray's bed passed through his mind. He shook it out of his mind as best he could.

"What's up, fudgesicle?" Natsu said putting his hands behind his head.

"Same crap as always, how are things with you?" Gray said finally catching up to Natsu.

Natsu put his hands down with an audible sigh. "Man, it's going but I just don't know what to do.."

Gray looked over at his friend confused by his statement. "What do you mean you don't know what to do?"

" Anything I've ever wanted I've never had a problem making it happen for me," Natsu blushed a little, "but with Luce it's different. It's like it doesn't  matter what I do I can't seem to make any headway. And its really bothering me."

Gray looked at him with a smirk and snickered a little. " Well..  she has always been different, and stubborn.. We've all grown and changed since we were twelve. Maybe try really talking to her.."

Natsu looked at Gray irritated.  "I have tried. She just keeps saying she can't hurt anyone,  but I don't have a clue what the hell that means."

Gray thought about it for a little bit. "You're such an idiot.." he said. "You're gonna have to Show her you dumbass. It doesn't matter what you say to her."

They finally made it to the gym and got ready for practice. It was an intense work out but it felt good to burn off some of the tension and frustration that had built up from this whole situation. Of course it didn't help much that he couldn't stay focused. When did my life get so complicated? He questioned himself. He knew the answer though. It was the moment she came back. She was everything to him as kids, but why does she effect him so much now?

After practice Natsu showered and he and Gray were walking out of the gym talking about practice and the big game coming up when they were interrupted but a cute little red head. "H-hey Natsu." She said with a blush.

He looked her over for a moment. She was very cute with pretty blue eyes and a nice looking body.  The playboy in him was enjoying what he was looking at. She could be a great distraction for me, he thought to himself.  "What's up babe?" He said smiling at her.

Gray just looked at him and rolled his eyes. "Man, I'll see you later you dumb bastard." He said in an irritated voice.

What the hell is wrong with him? Natsu questioned himself. Oh well, I'll ask him later. He turned back to the little red head. "So what can I do for you?" He asked.

"Well.. I was just wondering what you were doing later..." she asked looking at the floor.

"Well.." He was fixing to answer her when he caught a glimpse of long blonde hair walking through the quad. His heart fluttered in his chest.  Dammit.

"Why don't you give me your number and I'll call you if I'm free." He asked winking at the girl.  She smiled and quickly wrote her number down for him. "Thanks beautiful." He wasnt gonna give up his life yet. Especially when Lucy wouldn't give him the time of day.  He gave her a wink and headed off in Lucy's direction.

He caught up to her in the quad. "Hey Luce." He smiled at her with his big toothy grin.

"Oh hey Natsu." She said smiling at him.  Damn her smile kills me. He thought to himself. "What can I do for you?" She asked.

"I was wondering if I could take you home today." Natsu said. He still wanted to talk to her. He wanted a chance with her, but she shot him down every single time ever since that Saturday at Gray's house. He wanted that feeling again. The one he had with her that day just laying there with her in his arms.

She looked over to her friend Levy who had a look of pure shock written all over her face. "Actually Natsu, I already have plans with Levy this afternoon." He looked at her as if his whole world had just crumbled.

"Luce please,  I need to know what is going on. Why are you avoiding me? What have I done to you?" He asked trying to keep his cool. He was losing his mind. He could feel it. "What will it take for you to be honest with me? I told you I'd do anything... I meant it when I said it."

"I tell you," she looked at Levy with a grin and winked. "Your big game against Sabertooth is tomorrow right?"

"Yeah... it is.." he looked at her curiously.

"Let's make a bet then.." she chirped.

"Huh?" Natsu looked more confused then ever.  A bet? Seriously? She has no idea what shes getting herself into, he smiled to himself. "A bet... what's the bet then?"

She looked over at him and grinned, "If you win your game tomorrow then I'll let you take me out..."

He grinned. No way in hell was he losing this bet. "And if I lose..." he asked just vaguely curious.

"I'll let you know..." she said reaching out and running her hand down his arm causing a shiver to run down his spine. "So do we have a deal?"

"You're on..." he smirked. With that Lucy and Levy walked off.