•Third Person P.O.V•

The crowd faded slowly; only Erza, Levy, and Natsu left on the sidewalk beside the bleachers. Lucy's sad face replaying through Natsus mind as He stared at the two of them with such irritation.

"Please explain." Natsu barked. Levy looked uncertain just as he did, so Natsu gave all his attention to Erza. She was anxious to find Lucy, he could tell by the way she shook, the panic flushing her face. She looked guilty, and uneasy. She sighed with terrible grief.

"Okay... Here it goes..."

She explained a lot about Lucy, her story mostly. She was born July 1st by Jude, and Layla Heartfilia. Years later Layla died, and that's when Lucy drifted away from everyone, and avoided all kinds of social activity with friends, and family. She always wanted to leave, and see the world, but her father always kept her captive at home, and when she became introverted her dreams faded. When Jude finally allowed her to take a trip by herself she gained back some energy and went on the trip, but then she was in a plane crash, was the only survivor, and lost her sight, and ability to walk. As Erza spoke it felt like Natsus heart was cracking and finally evolved into sand.

"She's a mess, but doesn't show it. She always has a smile, a fake damn smile..." Erza commented, "She never ever cried before, at least not since her mother's funeral. Today she... I guess... Snapped back to reality... A little bit." We stood in thought. All we could hear was the soft chatter of the jocks, and cheerleaders that were getting back into the game. Natsu adjusted his football jersey, and looked at the two worrisome girls.

"I promise to help Lucy out. If she needs anything," Natsu spoke seriously, staring at their surprised faces, "Not because I pity her or because I have to, but because I want to." With that he hurried to the bench were he sat, watched everyone else play, and wait to see if he'll be out there this time.

"Bench warmer actually sounded serious..." Erza told Levy. They watched him as he headed away from the football field, leaving the excitement.

"Have you ever really talked to Natsu before?" Levy asked Erza curiously, "Do you think we can trust him with that information... I mean we don't-"

"Lucy's very important to me." Erza told her strictly, and she quieted noticing her volume/tone, "I think I can trust him... Don't you think?"

"Honestly I would have to agree. The way Natsu ran over to her in a heartbeat with those worried eyes made me have this weird feeling tug at my emotions." She said with a little squeal, and Erza nodded. She let out a soft sigh. Erza began to be filled with many thoughts. She was getting really worried about Lucy... Wherever she is...

•Lucy's P.O.V•

I didn't know where I was... I could still hear voices echo behind me so I must be a little distant from the school, but I really don't know... Using my arm, I moved it around to find something to grasp. I felt a cold metal hit against my palm. A flag pole. I could hear the flag flap around with the wind, the breeze gently blowing at my heated cheeks. I sniffled as I rubbed the smooth pole.

"You... Okay?" I heard a voice ask me with a hint of concern.

"Absolutely perfect." I told wiping my eyes, and turning my head to the voice, my lips curling into a smile that wasn't real.

"Were you crying?" The voice asked still concerned, and low. My smile dropped, and I relaxed my tensed shoulders letting my head drop forward. A tear dangled from my jawline then dropped.

"Why are you crying...?" The guy asked, His voice sounded so calm, but so sad at the same time.

"Who are you...?" I finally came to the question, and My face heated up.

"I'm Gray Fullbuster," he told with his causal, but sorrowful voice. Why do people just trust strangers with personal information? Why can't people just... Leave me alone. These thoughts cramped up my mind. I don't trust anyone anymore. My mother, my father, ex-friends, not even strangers. Why should I anyway... All people do is hurt you, not just people... Everything hurts you.

If a rose fell into your hands you would feel it.
A rose would stab your palm with its thrones.
The pain of the thrones would hurt you.

What's the difference with everybody, and everything else.

•Third Person P.O.V•

Gray recognized the faces. Gajeel, and Jellal walked with footballs under their arms, and snickered. Juvia, and Mira giggled in their cheerleading uniforms as Cana, in regular clothes, ranted on with anger. Erza, and Levy walked side by side with their serious expressions. Everyone in there places, doing whatever they choose. Walking around a corner Gray spotted a girl in a wheelchair. She was stopped on the side of the school in the shade, all alone. He could hear sad noises quietly escape her lips as she clenched the flag pole strongly.

"You... Okay?" He blurted out with concern.

"Absolutely perfect." She told. She turned her head to face him, smiling as if she was pretending she wasn't crying. She was really good at faking it too. It seemed as if she hadn't shed a tear.

"Were you crying?" Gray asked coming closer to see her from a better view.

"...Well..." Her smile faded, and she dropped her hand from the flagpole, along with her head that drooped forward. Her blonde hair covered her face, "Yeah..."

"Why are you crying...?"

"Who are you...? Why do you care...?" She squinted her eyes as if he had stabbed her.

"I'm Gray Fullbuster," He told, "I care because I don't like to see people cry. Usually I just walk away from the people who do... Not that I like to, but... Urm-You-I mean-" Gray rambled.

"I'm not worth it, the pity; nothing, anything."

"Why wouldn't you be worth it?" He smiled slightly. From an instant he knew she had problems. Especially since she was crying, obviously cause she was in a wheelchair, and lastly because she was blind. She sat in front of him like a puzzle; was Gray willing to solve it?

•Lucy's P.O.V•

I wanted to push him away, so I made up an excuse about having to meet up with Erza. Which wasn't exactly a lie... I needed to clear things up, because I knew she was really worried. I found her. She was talking to Levy. She was breathing unsteadily, and she seemed just as worried as I predicted.

"I don't know what to do Levy... I have no clue where she-" Their voices cut off, and we're dead silent. I suspect I'm caught. I felt scared, I had just came back from my quietness. I just realized that everything that happened to me... Really... Truly... Hurt me.

"L-Lucy...?" Levys voice soft, and worrisome.

"Lucy?!" Erza shrieked with relief, knowing I was safe satisfied her worry slightly, "I am so sorry... I seriously mean it. I didn't mean for all of that to go wrong... I just... I was so stupid, Lucy..." Erza spoke honestly.

"I should've stood up as well... I'm very sorry Lucy." Levy also apologized.

"It's alright you two. I needed a little cry." I reassured them without a smile. They felt uneasy like they needed to be carful, but I was committing that i was completely alright.

-

"You talked to Gray Fullbuster?!" Erza whispered loudly.

"You know, he's bad news." Levy whispered into my other ear.

"Uh-well-We only talked for like a minute or two. He seemed pretty nice to me." I told with a shrug, but they both gasped with shock.

"Nice?! If anything, he's as cold as ice." Erza told with irritation, "just talking about him makes me feel like a rebel..."

"That's enough. I get it." I told with a eye roll, "honestly he's not bad." I stated. With that they hesitated.

"Sorry, I just really... I'm just trying to protect you from guys like him." Erza defended. I waved my hand around blowing her off.

"Really, Grays harmless, I assure you." I told, still no smile returning to my lips, "plus I probably won't associate with him again."

I hadn't smiled since earlier today, you know the story. I've always faked things, I've smiled at my father, the butlers, the maids, and Erza forever. The last time I had a real smile was when I was young. Me, and my mother had never been separated, I slept with her, played with her, ate dinner with her, and even bathed with her. I always smiled, I never frowned a bit. Until she passed. I hadn't even known she was sick. She'd lay in bed, and I'd be curled up next to her, smiling, and laughing. I remembered her weak smile, and pale skin. When she died it was such a surprise. How couldn't I see she was so sick; dying? My smile had faded that day at the funeral, and tears wouldn't stop falling. After that my signature smile became unable to read, it was so fake it felt as if I was Barbie doll. I acted as if I was absolutely perfect. I didn't even cry in the accident. But today I broke. My fake smile cracking, my heart breaking, and my body shaking. Why was this all so... Horrible...