The cafeteria was about the safest place in the school. In there, i was surrounded by all of my friends. Gajeel wouldn't be able to get to me. I saw Gray sitting at a table in a corner, eating alone.

"What cha starin at?", asked Erza.

"Probably that new kid", said Lucy, pointing in Gray's direction.

"Does my little brother have a crush?", said Sting wiggling his eyebrows.

"It's good that he does. He needs a special someone in his life", said Erza.

Suddenly, a loud clattering sound filled the cafeteria. I looked all around, and my gaze fell on where Gray was. His tray was on the floor, the contents spilled out, and Gajeel was standing over him.

"Leave him alone Gajeel", I said.

He turned to face me and Sting. A scowl immediately formed on his face.

"What the fuck do you want?", he spat.

"I said leave him alone. It's bad enough that you mess with me, but do you have to mess with him too?", i asked.

Gajeel took a step towards me.

"Whatever your about to do, i suggest you think twice about it", threatened Sting.

Gajeel took a step back away from me.

"Good choice. Now get the hell outa here", said Sting.

Gajeel stalked off, muttering to himself. Once he was out of earshot, Sting's face saddened.

"That was terrible! I'm never being mean to anyone else!", he whined.

I flicked his forehead, and turned to face Gray.

"Sorry about that. Gajeel's what you would call 'the school jackass'", i said with a smile.

"...."

By then, Sting had left to go irritate Rogue. I sat down next to Gray.

"My names Natsu", i said extending my hand, trying to break the silence.

"*sigh* My names Gray. But I'm guessing you already knew that", he replied, shaking my hand with his real arm.

"So.. I saw your arm earlier today. It's pretty badass", i said.

"Oh, Um..Thanks", he replied quietly.

More silence followed afterwards.

"So..Do you really like my arm?", he asked breaking the silence.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?", i replied.

"Well, it's just that every where i go, people are always calling me a freak because of it", he explained.

"Well you don't have to worry about that with me and my friends", i said.

He smiled at me. For the next few minutes, he told me about the other schools he's been to, his family, how he got his arm, how he's single(thank god), and more.

"Can i touch it?", i asked.

His face turned a dark shade of red, and he looked down.

"I mean your arm, you pervert", i said with a laugh.

He nodded his head, and he held out his arm. I reached out, and touched it. The metal was smooth, and it felt like an actual arm, like he wasn't really missing one.

"Um...Are you done?", asked Gray.

"Oh! Uh...Sorry",i apologized, taking my hand away.

After that akward exchange, we talked about our interests. Tiens out, we have a lot in common.

"Hey Natsu?", said Gray.

"Yeah?", i replied.

"Are you gay?", he asked.

Well damn.

"Yeah, i am. Why do you ask?", I replied.

"Just wonderin is all", he said.

Sadly the bell rang, signaling that the lunch period was over. Me and Gray exchanged goodbyes, and set off for our next classes.

"Soooo. How was your date?", asked Lucy, hooking her arm around my neck.

"It wasn't a date. We just simply talked, that's all", i replied.

"Sure it was", muttered Lucy.