I have come to the realization that I wrote this story when I was 17 and back then having a boyfriend was all that I wanted. Now that I have grown up a little, I have more dreams than just kissing up to someone. So this story idea seems so dumb now. But my inner 17-year-old still wants to write about that perfect boyfriend, so here's another chapter. Enjoy!

Warning: Language and triggering scenes. If abuse is a trigger for you, then read with caution.

"I'm surprised to see you, Natsu. You rarely attend class, much less arrive early." Erza said as she put down her bag in her seat.

Natsu smiled widely from his place near the window seat. "Lucy's in this class. Figured it wouldn't be that boring if I'm with her."

"You're getting along with her well. I'm glad you're opening up again." Erza said fondly. It has been a while since she has seen Natsu be interested in something other than just casual flings. It was refreshing.

Natsu seem to be on the same wavelength as her, if his soft smile towards Lucy's empty seat was any sign. "She's so different and weird, Erza. And it's in the best way, too. With her, I feel like I don't have to be someone else. It's almost like..."

'Like before.' they thought together

"It won't be the same. Lucy's different. I can feel it." Erza said before Natsu could go down the memory lane. She had been there for both her friends, but even she hadn't known the full story. Until she left without a word. Not that big of a leap to figure out who was at fault then.

"Ara? Where's Lu-chan?" Levy asked, coming into the classroom.

"She hasn't arrived to school yet."

"That's strange. I could have sworn I saw her near the school gates."

Natsu got up from his seat, a nervous feeling spread through him. "Should we go look for her?" Natsu being early is a surprise itself, but Lucy being late, even after entering the school grounds, was something completely unrealistic.

"I'm sure she's fine. But as the student council president, it is necessary to make sure all students are on time. I'll go look for her."

------N------------A------------L------------U------

Lucy curled into a ball outside her parents' room as the voices inside started rising.

"I want my daughter to be free! Why do you want to lock her in this house?!"

"You're overreacting Layla, the girl would be fine. What use would she have with studying? As long as she learns to spread her legs, then she will be fine."

"What th- How could you say that, you drunkard! That's our daughter you're talking about!"

She heard something break and suddenly his voice was thunderous.

"You whore! You made me spill my bear!" Lucy covered her ears as her mother's cries and wails started filling their house.

"Bitch! The only thing you're good for is to lie and take it. No wonder he left you to rot!"

Lucy couldn't do anything. Her mother has warned her never to enter their room no matter what, and she didn't know anyone of their neighbours. She was told to never leave this house.

The screams finally stopped and Lucy took her hands away from her ears. A few minutes later her mother came out of the room with bruises all over her body and a limp in her step.

"Lucy? What are you doing here, sweety?" when Lucy just curled up even more without answering, Layla gently picked her up without giving notice to her own wounds. "It's alright my little star. As long as I'm here, I'll keep you safe."

Lucy tightens her grip as if to keep her in that moment. As long as she was with her mother, then she was safe.

------N------------A------------L------------U------

Pain brought her back from the long gone memory. Her body was sore and her mind was going blind. Her sight was too blurry for her to even realize who was hurting her.

"Back to the land of the living? Too bad. We thought we finally got rid of your pitiful self."

Giggles and hysteric laughter surrounded her, but she couldn't see what was so funny. Is beating someone up really that fun? She would much rather read a book or something.

"Oi, blondie. Don't go night-night on us. We're not done with you yet." A male voice said, pulling her up from the ground by her hair.

"That's right! We're all having so much fun."

"That's enough!" A familiar voice commanded, and Lucy felt both relief and dread fill her. 'Erza... What is she doing here...' Her thoughts were in a daze as her attackers ran away.

"Lamy Shaw, Flare Corona, Marin Hollow. I must make sure the principal knows about them. Are you alright, Lucy?" She asked as she tried to carefully carry the bruised girl. Lucy tried to say that she was fine, but as she opened her mouth her world went black.

------N------------A------------L------------U------

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!"

Lucy opened her eyes and looked to her side to a pink blob yelling at a red blob.

'Wait, blobs? That can't be right...'

"Natsu, you need to calm down."

"We already told the principal, and he suspended the three of them for 2 weeks." A black blob said from a corner. "What else do you want Flame brain, to beat them up?"

"YES!"

Lucy blinked her eyes twice to see that they were not blobs, but people.

'The pink and red must be Natsu and Erza. But who is the black one?'

"Looks like you're awake." A female voice said from her side and Lucy looked up to see a blurry view of an old woman with pink hair. She flashed a flash light right into her eyes and Lucy blinked at the sudden assault. "Do you have a headache? Nausea? How's your vision?"

"M-My glasses..."

"Here you go, Lucy." Natsu's blurry form come into her vision with something in his hand. She took it from him to realize it was her glasses and put it on.

"There's a possibility that she might have a concussion. She can go home and rest as long as someone accompanies her."

"I'll do it!" Natsu and Erza said together as soon as the old lady finished. They both glared at each other and Gray just sat there shaking his head.

"I'm her boyfriend. I have the responsibility of taking care of her."

"Big words there Dragneel, but I'm her friend and I know what the symptoms of a concussion are. Unlike you."

"I know the symptoms too!"

"Just because you had a concussion doesn't mean you'll be able to identify it!"

As the two bickered more, Lucy could feel a headache that was not the because of a concussion. Just as they were going from verbal to physical, the old lady stopped them both.

"You both can kill each other outside my infirmary. For now, I'll call this girl's parents to pick her up."

"NO!" Lucy yelled, much to the shock of others. "I-I mean I d-don't w-want to t-trouble them."

"... We have to make sure you reach home safe even if you want to keep it a secret from your parents. I don't recommend that, by the way. It's better to let someone know your being bullied before it gets out of hand."

"I-I'll tell them myself! And-And I'll let N-Natsu take me h-home!" She yelled out, much to Natsu's joy and Erza's depression. "P-Please don't c-call them..."

"Fine, hell if I care. Now get out of my infirmary, you stinking humans!"

------N------------A------------L------------U------

"Take a left here" Lucy instructed while holding tightly to Natsu. Erza had almost had another fight with Natsu because she didn't want Natsu to take Lucy home on his motorcycle. But it was a moot point. No one but Natsu had bothered to bring a vehicle since they will be picked up by their family cars.

'The woes of the rich' Lucy thought with a giggle.

"You alright there, Lucy? Giggling is not a bad sign, right?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine!"

They finally reach a Lucy's neighborhood, but there was something about it that made Natsu feel suspicious.

They ride up to a run-down house that was barely standing. Natsu was going to continue driving when Lucy pulled at his jacket.

"We're here."

Natsu watched as Lucy got off his bike and went up to the creaking gate. He knew she was poor, but this was beyond his imagination.

"This... is your house?"

"Yeah, it was my mom's."

They entered the house and Natsu was trying his best to not put too much weight on the floors. He was scared that it might not handle his weight.

"You don't need to be so careful. It's not going to break."

"Right..."

Lucy went into the kitchen while Natsu sat on the floor in the living room.

"There's not much, but please make yourself at home. Are you thirsty? Will water be enough? I don't really have much here."

"You're not shuttering anymore."

Lucy froze at the statement, not even realizing herself. "W-Well I'm home so I'm bound to feel s-safe."

She suddenly felt warmth emitting from behind her. She turned around to see Natsu has come behind her, looking at her with a fond look.

"I hope you will soon be able to feel safe with me too."

'Safe isn't what I'll be feeling if you're this near to me!' Lucy thought hysterically at their closeness and closed her eyes. She could still feel him near her, close enough to touch.

"So when are your parents coming? I need to let my mom know how long I'll be staying here." Natsu asked, moving away from her. She opened her eyes to see he has put a good distance between them. She felt embarrassed for her not-so-innocent thoughts before realizing that he planned to stay here with her till someone comes.

"Um, y-you don't h-have t-to wait for them. I'll b-be f-fine."

"Now way! I have to prove to Erza that I can take care of you. Besides, I want to talk to your parents about the bullying."

"W-What?"

"You're not going to tell, are you?" he asked, taking his phone out. "I know you don't want them to know, but it's better if they do Lucy. So, when will they be here?"

Natsu looked up from finding his mother's number when he didn't hear an answer from Lucy. He expected her to be angry at him for making her to this, but when he looked up, she was facing the floor, avoiding his eyes.

"They won't come. My parents, I mean."

"... Huh?"

"I live alone, Natsu. So you might as well just go back."

Silence fell and Lucy fidgeted. She didn't know what he would say after knowing that.

"Hey mom? I might stay at someone's place tonight." Lucy looked up in shock to see Natsu on his phone. "No, I'm not with Gray... No, I'm not with "some" girl, I'll be with my girlfriend... It's not my fault you don't believe me... Anyway, I'm staying with her tonight." Seeing Lucy's wide eyed and startled look, he quickly changed his mind. "Or we'll come there, I have to ask her about it... Yeah, I'll call you... Bye."

"N-Natsu, w-what do y-you mean you're s-staying h-here?"

"Well, I have to take care of you, so it's better if I stay close. You don't have to be worried if you want to stay here. I won't do anything."

'It's not that I'm worried about it, but...'

"I'll go with you."

So the picture up there is what Lucy's house look like except for it being a little sturdier. And I'm pretty sure you guys can guess which anime that picture is from. (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

I also looked up what causes shuttering since I did little research when I first started this, and the fact that Lucy shutters when she doesn't feel safe isn't a legit reason enough.

But I'm still keeping it. （＾_＾）

Anyway, till next time!