Levy's POV

I strolled along the streets of the winter market, smiling as people all around me were buying presents for others or just eating warm Christmassy food. My breath was visible and that was one of my favourite things in December.

All the excitement of the holiday cheer. Glancing at my watch I sighed as I saw the time, 9pm. I had to get back to my apartment before 10 but I hadn't seen the fireworks yet.

"I stay just a little while longer," I said quietly to myself.

The streets seemed to become much busier as time went on, some people must've come just to see the fireworks. Even families with young children were still roaming the streets.

Again I checked my watch and decided to get a hot chocolate before settling down to watch the fireworks. I was wearing light brown boots, azure jeans, my favourite orange sweater, my faded orange coat and my white scarf I received as a present last year from my best friend Lucy. To be honest, that outfit wasn't suitable for weather where you could get stains easily... If only I knew that before what happened next.
There was a sweet looking hot chocolate stall, it was in a wooden cabin-like structure with a ledge for where the customers would buy their drinks.

The hot chocolate stall was empty which was surprising.

"There's another one closer to the fireworks display, everyone's going there so this place is empty." The guy on the stall said to me, his voice sounding tired.

"Well, I'll buy something. How much is a medium hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and marshmallows?" He checked the sign above him to see how much it would cost.

"500 jewels."

I giggled. "Check again."

He chuckled himself. "Check the other sign."

I looked and saw the other sign. I blushed deeply when I read it,

'Cute customers get a discount'....
"O-oh, thank you."
He chuckled again, "I bet you don't have a boyfriend."
"W-what makes you think that?!"
I asked annoyed.
He just smiled and started to make my hot chocolate.
"Here, that'll be-," as he handed me my hot chocolate he must've slipped or something because the next thing I knew the drink was all over my coat.
"Oh my..."
"I'm so sorry, let me help..." He ran to the side of the wooden stall and opened the door. "Come in, quickly."
I entered the stall and took off my coat. Luckily my top wasn't stained nor my jeans, only my coat was the victim of the hot chocolate.
"That must've costed you a fortune." He muttered as he hung it beside a heater.
"It's alright honestly," I beamed, happy with his generosity.
"Stay here okay, I'll be back." He put on his own coat and handed me an apron with a picture of a hot chocolate on it, "if any customers come there is the hot chocolate machine, there is the whipped cream and there are the marshmallows." He pointed everything out to me and let me confirm what he said.
"But why? Are you meeting someone?"
"Eh, don't worry, I'll be back as soon as possible," he grinned and left.
So, I was left at the hot chocolate stall, waiting for his return.
It was about half an hour before I saw anybody.
"Levy?"
I jumped up and looked over the counter, it was Lucy, Natsu, Wendy, Gray and Erza! My high school friends were walking around the market!
"Lucy! Hi, how are you all?"
"What're you doing working tonight?" Gray asked.
"Oh, I don't work here."
"Then why are you wearing an apron? With a name tag?" Erza pointed out.
I looked at the apron and realised there was a name tag on it. It didn't say anything else aside from 'Hi! I am...'
"Oh, there was an accident and the guy who works here had to go out quickly so he asked me to look after this place... Well I think he did... He kinda left me."
"He didn't leave you here to do his job did he?" Natsu growled, looking angrily around.
"No no no! He hardly gets any customers so it's no trouble, hey, if you guys buy something then you would really be helping him out!"
Wendy smiled, she loved helping people, and walked up to the counter and asked for a small hot chocolate.
"But with lots of marshmallows please Levy!"
I smiled and made her hot chocolate, trying to remember the guys instructions. It turned out that I was pretty good at making them. Wendy's eyes lit up when she drank some.
"This is amazing! Lucy! Erza! Try some!"
They ordered their own hot chocolates and had the same reaction.
"Oh wow! How much is this Levy?" Lucy asked.
"Look at the signs."
They read them and Lucy winked. "You know how cute we are Levy," I laughed at her comment.
"Yeah, don't forget about us." Gray and Natsu said, trying to be cute.
"Boys you shall pay the full price." Erza said, towering above them.
"Y-yes ma'am."
They all paid for their drinks and decided to keep me company for a bit.
"Hey, let's get you more customers." Wendy said, "Erza and Lucy can go that way and Natsu and Gray can go that way, I'll stay here with Levy and help!" The others nodded and ran off before I could say anything.
"This will help the guy for sure!"

•••

Soon, after a stampede of customers, I was alone with my friends leaving to go see the fireworks.
"Sorry Levy but we promised to meet up with Cana and the others."
"It's alright, don't worry guys. Thanks for that," I smiled and waved goodbye to them as they left.
"Woah, this place looks like there's been a stampede." I turned and saw the guy from earlier holding a bag in one hand, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
"We helped you make 100,000 jewels!" At that, he probably died. 100,000 jewels for a hot chocolate stall is like winning the lottery.
"Thanks shrimp!" He grinned and came into the cabin. "Here. Swap this for the apron."
I took off the apron and handed it him in exchange for the bag. Looking inside I was amazed to see,
"A light orange coat..."
"This one is waterproof though, so no hot chocolate stains." He smiled.
"Thanks so much!" I out out my hand for him to shake, "I'm Levy McGarden, student at Fairy Tail High School."
He shook my hand and said, "Gajeel Redfox, failing student of Fairy Tail High,"
"Well then Gajeel, I guess that I'll have to help you with your hot chocolate stall as well as your studies. Consider me your new tutor and business partner."

~~~~~~~~

I'm sorry I haven't been online for weeks!!!
GAHHHH! GOMEN!!
I've started year 9 (England for 8th grade I think) and I'm starting GCSE ICT stuff and picking options.
Sooo big year,
And the same thing happened to me again.

Basically, last year a good friend of mine didn't invite me to her party but she invited everyone else in our little friendship group, I know there's not a lot off space for her party (camping trip) but it still hurt. Especially when yesterday she had the same party and invited the same people...
I guess I react too much huh?
Anyway, thanks for reading and listening to my complaining. Sorry about that :)
I hope you have a nice day wherever you are and please remember to cherish your friends.