Chapter 4 - recap

"Lucy! What the hell!" Natsu leaned down.

"The guys! Natsu we have to-!" I can't finish the sentence because he whirls around as the guys come bounding at us. He takes a fighting stance as the first guy came flying. Natsu raises a fist and the drunk runs right into it. The other guy tries to slow down and comes to a stop right in front of Natsu.

"You wanna fight me?" Natsu growled.

"N-n-no! No way in hell man! You took Ripper out without flinching! Screw that, man!" He raced away, into the shadows.

• * •

Chapter 5 - The Basketball Star and the Cheer Captain?!

Natsu turned around to face me where I was sitting on the ground, my legs pulled up to my chest and my arms behind me propping my body up. He silently came over to me and picked me up, carrying me in his arms. I leaned my head against his shoulder, my eyes wide from the sudden gesture.

I winced as my scrapes began to sting, my adrenaline rush coming to an end. My hair was a mess from rolling on the grass, and I had cuts everywhere - especially my face where I hit the concrete. Natsu was silent the entire walk back, and it was unusual; it scared me. I didn't speak either, not finding the courage to. We got the the apartment complex and eventually the apartment. Natsu set me down and I stood on shaky knees. He opened the door and all the lights where off signaling that Wendy was asleep. He closed and locked the door after we stepped in.

"Why the hell where you out there by yourself?" Natsu asked out of the blue, making me jump in surprise.

"..." I gave no response as I stood in the living room my arms folded over my chest, pressing my knees together so they would stop shaking so violently.

"Lucy, why where you out there?" He demanded.

"I just went on a walk," I mumbled.

"You didn't even have a jacket on and I know you get cold easily in the night air. So what where you really doing out there? Where you meeting someone?" He questioned.

"No! I just needed to, cool off!" I was desperately searching for the right words.

"Then why where those guys after you?" He folds his arms.

Tears spill over my eyes. "I don't know Natsu they just found me and started telling me to come with them so I ran!"

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He shook his head and looked away from me. I gripped myself tighter with my own arms. He looked back over at me and just stared at me. That's when he came over to me and wrapped me in a hug.

"N-Natsu?" I ask.

"Lucy you looked so terrified," he finally said.

I didn't respond because I knew he was right. I felt terrified. We stood there hugging for the longest time before we eventually went to bed, no longer able to stay awake.

• * •

The next day at school people kept asking about my numerous bandages. I made up a story saying I fell down the stairs at my apartment complex, hoping they would buy it and not ask for further details.

Levy looked like she didn't believe me, but just sighed and said, "I hope you get better soon Lu."

In Ms. V's class we discussed economics and began discussing what businesses to open with our partners. I tried my best to seem engaged for Natsu's sake. Lord knows how much we wouldn't accomplish if I didn't keep him on track. So I was on autopilot through the entire class period. As soon as the bell rung Natsu leapt from his seat and nearly ran out the door. I stared after him before reaching down and grabbing my bag.

Levy walked up to me. "Want me to walk you to math since Natsu isn't today?" She asked quietly.

I nod my head, reluctant to speak. I shove my folder inside my bag and sling it over my shoulder. I walk with Levy into the crowded hall.

"See you tomorrow, Shrimp," I hear Gajeel say to Levy who waved to him with a slight blush covering her cheeks.

"I think you like him," I nudge her with a small smile.

"What? No! That idiot?" She scoffs.

I giggle, "You like him Levy McGarden." I tease her.

"Do not," she folded her arms over her chest with a huff. We round a corner and see a mass of people gasping, crying and cheering. Levy and I look at each other and shrug confused. We walk up into the crowd. That's when I saw it. Natsu wasn't just hugging Lisanna, but she had her hand on his collar and they where kissing. I felt somehow hurt by this, and I wanted to cry right there on the spot. They pulled away, smiling.

Levy pulled me past them on the way to my math class, and I couldn't look Natsu in the eye. I thought I had pushed my emotions away, righted myself somehow. I knew I could be okay with them being together. It was Natsu's life and feelings and I shouldn't interfere. Even if the dork will probably break her heart, I still can't step in.

I made my way to class hugging my notebooks to my chest, weaving through people on autopilot. I was silent, though Levy was chattering away about a new book she was reading. I reached the class and sat in the back, writing notes but not about the class.

"I am okay with this," was written all across the paper in my delicate handwriting. Because I could be okay...or so I hoped.

I went through the rest of the day talking to no one, and on the way home I didn't see Natsu even though he didn't have practice. I got back to the apartment and Wendy saw me in my bandages for the first time.

"Lucy! What happened?" She cried.

"I-" I start to answer but I'm cut off as a strong arm wraps around me and a hand overs my mouth. I freeze, terrified. But Wendy seems calm. I look at her and then the arms and realize, "Natsu..." I groan internally.

I struggle against the arms and I try and insult him but it comes out muffled. Wendy giggles and races to her room.

"Hey fu fahfor!" I yell at her. (Hey you traitor)

"It's pointless really. You can't fight me," Natsu says near my ear making me shiver.

"Ay cam fy," I say defiantly. (I can try)

"Then try," he grinned.

I kicked my legs backward but he moved his legs out of the way. I tried to elbow him but he blocked me. I struggled for about ten to fifteen minutes hopelessly. I finally fell limp after gaining no ground.

"Finally done?" He questions.

I nod my head and he slowly released me. Then I turned around and swung my arm at him. He caught it easily enough, and he didn't even seem phased by it, he even raised an eyebrow at me amused. He had a firm hold on my wrist and yanked me forward.

"Wha-!" I yelped in surprise.

I was dangerously close to Natsu. His eyes seemed to search mine for something but I quickly closed them. I yank my fist lose and shove myself away, turning my head at the same time. My cuts where now searing as I hit the wall from moving backwards. I bit my lip as not to cry, but my face was twisted with pain. Natsu came over to me and despite my attempts to push him away, pulled me forward and into an embrace.

"Natsu..?!" I whisper, as silence falls over us.

"You aren't feeling well or something, are you?" He finally says breaking the silence. I don't answer the question, because I don't want to hear the answer myself.

• * •

Chapter 6 - The First Game - Preview

I watched from a far corner as Natsu and Gray worked in tandem. Then they broke the pattern by passing back to Jellal who tossed it over to Gajeel. Gajeel took it up the side of the court and bounced it to Loki, who got it to Natsu. Natsu went in and avoided the last few opponents before slamming it in the net. I cheered with the rest of the student body there watching.

The other team called a time out so the team circled the coach. I could see Natsu's pink hair in between the others. He was right in front, as usual. My eyes land on Lisanna after that. I had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind. Something was off. There was just something different about her. And it couldn't just be that Natsu is officially her boyfriend. Could it?