~Lucy's POV~

"For the last time, I'm going to be okay daddy." I placed my salmon dress into one of my suitcases, remembering my first day of my senior year. "Besides, I'm only ten minutes from home, and Natsu will be there too, so he'll protect me."

I met his worried gaze with a smile. The turmoil between us had settled, but our relationship changed. My father and I acted a lot more mature towards each other. I couldn't tell if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

"I heard my name?" Natsu questioned as he entered my room, picking up one of my full suitcases. He had offered to carry them down to my dad's car. What a gentlemen.

"I'm trusting you to protect my daughter you hear?" My dad sternly proclaimed with a deadly glint in his eyes. Even after the catastrophic incident that occurred last year, Natsu didn't cower away from my dad. Actually, more like the complete opposite.

"I promise," Natsu said as he clicked his tongue, fire burning behind his pupils. Natsu and my dad were almost the same height; Natsu possibly winning by half an inch.

The turmoil might have settled between my dad and I, but not between him and Natsu.

"Okay," I awkwardly stepped in between them. "Natsu," I turned to look at him, his eyes shifting to mine. "Can you please go put my bag in the car?" I laced my fingers with his, his hands hot from the late summer weather.

His expression changed to a more positive attitude. It felt nice that I had that affect on him. He nodded with a grin and left my room. My dad stared at him the whole time.

"You both are acting childish." I said as continued stuffing whatever I deemed necessary into a small duffel bag. "Well," I paused, "that's expected from Natsu, but you on the other hand should not be acting like that. You're going to have to get used to him."

My dad scoffed and sat down on my bed. "You know I'm just messing with him."

I started to laugh as I packed up my last items. I zipped the final duffel bag and slung it over my shoulder. I stumbled from its sudden change of weight, but I quickly regained my balance.

"Oh Lucy, you're mother would be so proud of you." I felt awkwardly uncomfortable as he wrapped his arms around me, embracing me in a hug. I just endured it for my dad's sake.

"Thanks," I timidly replied. "Uh, shall we go?" I questioned, my eyes shifting to a thousand different places. He nodded, a sign that it was finally time to leave.

We walked downstairs, meeting Natsu half way.

"Thank you so much," I exclaimed placing my hand on his back. He turned his head, our eyes meeting. He smirked, causing me to blush. Oh that signature smirk.

"Lucy!" I heard a tiny voice squeak from across the room.

"Anna!" I yelled back, detaching myself from Natsu. "Hi, it's been a little while." I said embracing Natsu's mother in a hug. I was at least five inches taller than Anna, Natsu easily having a foot over her.

"Oh darling, you look beautiful. Kissed by the sun." It was true, my pale skin finally received a little coloring. "I saw your pictures at the beach!" She exclaimed, pulling away from our hug.

"Oh it was so much fun. We had a great time!" I grabbed her hands, looking down into her fragile face. Wrinkles surround her eyes, showing her age.

We had gone to the beach over the summer, kind of like a get away. Levy and Gajeel joined us, so we made a trip of it!

"I'm glad to hear that," she shined. Her smile was radiant.

"Alright ladies, we gotta go." My father interrupted our little reunion, making us both frown.

I ripped away from Anna, walking towards the door. I let everyone exit through the archway, leaving me alone in front of the door.

I took a final glance at the house. So many memories filled this tiny space, good and bad. I saw my past self running through these halls as if it were a ghost.

I heard a distant laugh in the wind, seeing myself in a diaper. My chubby legs were stomping around, a younger version of my father playfully chasing after me.

We both looked so happy, so care free.

"Lucy?" I jumped at Natsu's sudden presence, his hand landing on my shoulder.

"Huh?" I questioned, turning towards him.

"Are you okay?" He questioned, giving me a worried look. He leaned against the door frame, his arm above my head

"Yea. I'm just gonna miss this place." I said leaning back against the smooth wood. I took a quick glance back into my living room, my past images, gone.

"Hey, we'll be back for the holiday's." Natsu exclaimed, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"Yea I guess." I said, a sorrow feeling forming in my chest. I'll admit my hesitation towards leaving.

I felt Natsu's hand gently stroke my cheek, his hand cupping the side of my face. I instantly looked back up into those oh so familiar eyes.

Natsu leaned into me, our lips inches apart.

"HEY!" I heard my father scream as our lips were about to touch. He laid his hand on the horn, making us both jump. He honked the horn for a solid ten seconds, causing both of us to roll our eyes.

"I'll make it up to you later." I swiftly planted a kiss on his cheek.

"I'll take you up on that offer." Natsu said through a smirk, the leather from his jacket squeaking as he shut the door.

----------------------------------

"That should be the last of it." My dad grunted as he placed the final suitcase on the floor. Sweat was covering his forehead, shimmering against the lights.

"Well, I guess this is it." I replied awkwardly, noticing the solemn look in my father's eyes. To be quite frank, I wasn't going to miss him. I'll most likely still meet up with him for lunch, but nothing will really change. Except, instead of living with Natsu, I'll be rooming with Levy.

Levy and I were ecstatic when we found out we were rooming together. We literally came up with a whole floor plan on how our room would look. We couldn't get a four person dorm, but, Juvia and Erza are next door. It all worked out perfectly.

"Yep, I guess so. Just don't forget about me." He solemnly chucked, a cloud of depression over his head. His little bird is leaving the nest.

"I won't," I said through a small smile. We awkwardly faced each other, unsure whether to hug or not. "Levy should be here soon, so I won't be alone for long." I grabbed my wrist and stared down at the floor. The floor and walls were completely clear, needing an extreme makeover.

"Alright. Call if you need anything." He said as he embraced me in a side hug. Another awkward encounter...How many hugs am I going to have to endure until I feel comfortable? I waved to him as he exited the tiny room.

As soon as the door closed I let out a sigh of relief, sitting on the edge of one of the beds. I placed my hands on my face, thinking. I've been out of the house for so long, no wonder I wouldn't be sad to be leaving. I honestly feel bad for my dad.

He lost his final chance to soak up some memories with me. I think it's been a year since I last slept in my room. He will never get that second chance. I'm growing up, my childhood days are basically over.

"Lucy!" Levy squealed as she busted into our room. She was carrying two duffel bags swung over both of her skinny arms.

"Hey roomie!" I screamed as well, running to hug her.

"Gajeel is helping me bring up the rest of my stuff, but then we can decorate." She grabbed my hands and looked around the room with excitement. "So much empty space. We could do some marvelous things!"

I began to laugh at her comment. This room was tiny, containing a little empty space, but not much.

"I've got the plan right here." I pulled the plans that we had made out of my back pocket. The blue ink standing out against the white paper. I set it down on one of our provided desks. I flattened it out since it had been in my pocket since this morning.

"Great!" She said as Gajeel brought the last of her stuff in. They were so cute. I'm really glad things worked out for Levy in the end. Hopefully they stay together for a long time.

After Gajeel left, we got to work.

We organized everything. Fairy lights were strung across the room, we set up and attached pictures to a cork board, we set down a bit of white fluffy carpet. We put down our bed spreads, organized all of our bath products in hanging metal containers, and set up our stereo of course.

It may have taken us two hours, but we finally finished. Our dorm was perfect. We both plopped down on our beds, breathing heavily from the amount of work we just finished.

"You know, we shouldn't be this tired." I exclaimed, laughing.

"Maybe that just means we're getting old." Levy giggled, diving under her covers. Today was a hectic day with so much moving and organizing. Eventually the room got silent, both of us falling asleep. We needed some rest before the party tonight. A sophomore told me it was a party to celebrate the new incoming freshmen. It was at one of the boy's frat houses.

We were really excited, but terrified at the same time.