Lucy's POV

"Come on, Lu. I think this will be a great chance for you to meet some friends! Besides, this could be a great leap forwards for you." The chipper, small girl next to me stated, attempting to coax me into going to the pool with her.

"I don't know Levy... I'm just not confident yet..." I trailed off. My saddened expression seemed to make Levy even more sympathetic.

"I understand that you're nervous. Coming out can be a scary thing, especially in a very open environment," the blue haired girl spoke softly. She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, allowing me to relax a little bit.

Changing the solemn mood, Levy flashed an energetic smile. "Don't worry, I'll be with you the whole time!" I looked up at her and nodded a thanks. However, that still couldn't change how I felt; hopeless.

"First things first," Levy started off happily. "We've got to find you a bathing suit!" I nodded in agreement. Luckily, the store seemed to carry a large enough size for me. However....

"Yea, but there's just one problem with that, Levy. How am I supposed to hide, uh...." Being a bit too embarrassed to say it, I simply pointed down to my lower region.

The small, blue haired girl before me simply laughed. "I'm already one step ahead of you!" She quickly handed me a light blue one piece with a frilly skirt as part of the bottom. My caramel eyes lit up.

"Levy, this is perfect! Now no one can see, uh, it!" Levy smiled, glad that she could help. Eager to try the new bathing suit on, I started running to the nearest changing room.

"Hey, wait for me! I wanna see it too!" Levy called out after me.

Laughing, I gave her some reassurance. "Don't worry, I'll give you a twirl." With a wink and a smile, I continued running, ready to try it on.

Natsu's POV

"This is useless, Gray!" I hollered in frustration, throwing down another pair of swim trunks.

"None of these fit me! And when I finally find a pair small enough for me, I look like some ten year old girl!" I huffed angrily before sitting down and placing my head in my hands.

"Calm down, Natsu! I can't help you if you're going to act like one," the black haired teen behind me spoke. As much as I hated to admit it, Gray was right. This was getting me nowhere.

"Don't worry about it. We can always go to another store. I'm sure we'll find something there," he reassured me. I took a deep breath, attempting to do as he said and calm down. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work.

"Ah screw this! Maybe I shouldn't go! Maybe I'll-" I was suddenly cut off by a pair of strong hands being placed on my shoulders.

"Natsu, listen to me." Gray's icy eyes stared into my own. "If you ever want people to treat you like the man you are, then you've got to man up." I looked down in shame. Damn, he was right again.

Shrugging his hands off my shoulders, I looked up at him and nodded with understanding. "Yea, thanks Gray." The bastard simply flashed me a smirk before tossing me my shirt. "Now come on. Throw your shirt over your binder and let's head to another store."

Lucy's POV

As I looked out the car window, nerves began to build up inside me. What if going to the pool like this was the wrong decision? What if no one would accept me? Even worse, what if I become hated? It's a likely scenario after all.... More and more negative thoughts came into my mind.

Levy seemed to have sensed my worrying. "Hey Lu?" She asked, attempting to get my attention. "I'm really proud of you for doing this, you know. And you look great in that bathing suit!" She added.

I smiled shyly. "Thanks Levy. I just hope it all goes well, haha," I laughed nervously. Levy joined in with genuine laughter.

"Don't worry, this'll be fun! Remember last time when some guy made Erza drop her ice cream and how mad she got?" The significantly smaller girl, who has driving the car, giggled.

I nodded my head. "Yea, and then she dropkicked him into the pool!" Tears of laughter started streaming down my face.

The last time I was at the pool, I was Luke. But now, I'll go there as myself.

As Lucy Heartfilia.

Natsu's POV

In 17 years, I think this might be the first time I've ever truly felt like myself. I mean, I've always felt myself when I'm bickering with Gray or crushing metal-head Gajeel in math class, but even those moments couldn't compare to this one.

"So flamebrain, how does it fit?" My black haired friend asked as he knocked on the door.

Since I was still frozen from looking in the mirror, Gray knocked again. My silence must've worried Gray, since he soon asked if I was alright. I didn't blame him; even I knew that I was never quiet.

"Yeah yeah I'm fine. Come in, actually," I spoke in a softer tone.

Letting himself in, the large teen looked at me through the mirror. "So?" He asked, implying his earlier question.

My fiery, energetic personality came back. "Yeah! It fits great!" I stated happily. My light gray swim trunks were adorned with small, darker grey sharks. I named the one on the left Smiles.

The tall teen behind me crossed his arms over his chest with a satisfied smirk. "Looks great Natsu," he stated simply. "Now there's just one more thing." Gray subtly pointed towards the black binder I was wearing.

I lowered my head in disappointment. "Yeah, that thing...." I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do. I couldn't get it wet (unless I wanted it to deteriorate),and I certainly wasn't going to wear a bikini top.

"Hey, cheer up," Gray said, almost commanding me to do so. "All hope is not lost yet. I have an idea," he smirked lightheartedly. I looked up curiously.

"They've got some sort of swimming compression tops at another store, most of them being a neutral color," he started off. Immediately, I regained all hope.

"Gray!" I exclaimed happily, interrupting his little speech. "Most of the time you're a no-good bastard, but today, you're a genius!" Before he could reply to my insulting compliment, or whatever else it could be called, I blasted out of the changing room.

"Now let's get going!!" I shouted, making my way towards the store exit.

Although I couldn't see it, Gray began to hyperventilate, and he roughly ran his hands through his raven hair.

We didn't buy those yet! Natsu's running through the store half naked! And he left his clothes!!!

"NATSU!" Gray shouted at the top of this lungs, loud enough for the entire store to hear.

"YOUR PANTS!"

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Hello everyone! Thank you for reading the first chapter! If you haven't noticed already, there are going to be point of view changes possibly within chapters. I understand that many of you might find this obnoxious, but please please please bare with me. The purpose of all these POV changes is to make the story more interesting and hopefully not too boring. Anyways, please vote and comment your thoughts!
- Fyre
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