Lucy P.O.V

That night, after my date with Natsu, I rewrote my entire chapter. The inspiration flowed from my pen to the paper, and before I knew it, the sun had risen.

I placed the rough draft into a manila folder with a smile. This is my best chapter yet...If Jellal doesn't approve it, I'll literally curse him out--Or that's what I would like to do if I wasn't so scared of him.

I sighed loudly as I placed the package down on my desk. I then stretched, laying my back on the seat to straighten my hunch. I need to find a new desk. One of these days I'm gonna turn into the hunchback of Edolas...

I stood up from my desk with a yawn as I walked to finally sleep after a night's hard work. As soon as I hit the bed, my alarm went off, signaling it was time for me to go to work. I yelled my stress away into my pillow. I want to sleep! 

After growing annoyed by the sound of my alarm, I stood up to get ready for work.

***

I watched Jellal read my new storyboard. The room was silent, creating unbearable tension. I swallowed loudly, hoping for the best. Suddenly, he placed my manuscript down and handed it back to me. 

"Lucy," he began.

"Ye-yes?"

"Your writing... it's gotten better. I really enjoyed the raw emotions in this dating scene! It's almost like a pure RomCom and I love it!"

"Really?!" 

He nodded his head while giving me a thumbs up. "Keep up the good work, Lucy. I'll see you next week when the chapter's completed."

I took the manuscript in my hand and hugged it. I then gave a bow, leaving the office with a smile.

*** 

I was approaching my home when I saw Natsu leaving a package in front of my door. Ouu my new pencils arrived!

I skipped to my doorway to grab the package, completely ignoring Natsu. 

 "Oh hi, Lucy!" he shouted, excited to see me. 

"Oh yeah, hi," I replied nonchalantly while opening my package. I quickly took out my pencils and squealed happily. "They're gorgeous!"

Natsu chuckled at my reaction. "You're really passionate about drawing, huh?"

I nodded my head, still staring at my pencils. 

"Oh Lucy, before I go, I was wondering if...if I can have your numb--"

My phone vibrated showing a text message from the group chat I had with my assistants. I gasped while I read it; they wouldn't be able to make it tonight. That means I can sleep! But...it'll be an all-nighter tomorrow...Ehh, oh well.

"Is everything okay?" he asked. 

I nodded my head while putting my phone away. "Yeah, I got my new pencils and now I can sleep the rest of the day. It's a pretty good day," I replied. 

He smiled at me, glad that I was okay. "Oh, about what I was saying earlier," he said, "I was wondering if I could get your number...?"

My heart skipped as I saw his flushed face and genuine request. "M-my number?" I asked in disbelief, "Wh-why would you want my nu-number?" 

He scratched the back of his head nervously. "Well, I would love to stay in contact with you! Remember, I said I would help you with your writing!"

I thought about his request before giving him my number. I mean, he did help me make one of my best chapters after that date...I guess he really can help me. 

After I gave him my number, he smiled happily, running away to continue on his delivery route. "I'll call you!" he yelled excitedly. 

I couldn't help but smile as I watched him run around like a child. He's really something else.

***

The next day, I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I groaned and slowly grabbed the phone to answer it.

"Hello?"

"It's me! Natsu!"

I looked at the clock on my phone, unable to believe that I was on a phone call at eight in the morning. 

"Natsu, why are you calling me so early?"

"I wanted to know if you wanted to hang out. I'm free until later today."

"Uh...I can't today." Lier...

"Oh...okay..." 

"Bye," I then ended the call in shame.

I rolled around the bed and screamed into my pillow. "UGH! Why did I lie?!" Today I only had to work on my panels, but that wasn't until later tonight. Now I feel bad for lying, but I don't want to go out right now.

I then stopped rolling and sighed. Why does he even want to hang out with me? I know it's to help my writing, but I'm not much fun to be around...

***

The next day, I received a call at the same time the day before.

"Hello?" I asked in a sleepy daze.

"It's Natsu again, wanna-"

"I can't today either, sorry."

"But-"

I then hung up. "Tch. Why is he calling me every day?" I then grabbed the blanket and went back to sleep.

The next day, the phone rang again at the same time. All I ask for in life is seven hours of sleep. Not 10, just the bare minimum of seven...

"This better not be Natsu," I warned.

"Uh...it is..."

I adjusted myself and sat up. "Look, I think it's sweet that you want to help me, but you must know that Lucy is out of commission until noon."

"We can meet at one then--"

"Natsu, I don't want to hang out!" I shouted into the phone. 

I did appreciate his help, and I loved the content I was able to produce from our outing that one time, but going out with him made me insecure. I would become flustered and the butterflies I felt in my stomach didn't help. I gave him my number while I was tranced by his smile, but I was a fool to even do that. I shouldn't have given him my number...

 "Is everything okay?"

My eyes widened in awe. Instead of being upset with my sudden outburst, he asked about my well-being. I never had a guy genuinely ask about me. It sent butterflies throughout my body. This isn't good... 

"Nevermind. Just...Just don't call anymore." I hung up the phone and went back to sleep to avoid the strange growing feeling in my heart.

An hour later, my phone rang again. I grabbed the phone in a haste, annoyed that Natsu was calling me again.

"Natsu, If you don't-!"

"Woah chill. It's Levy!"

I then grew pink in embarrassment. "Oh...sorry."

"I was wondering if you're free. I know you haven't left your apartment in days"

I sighed knowing she was right.

"What time?" I asked while laying back on my pillow.

"The cafe, at six."

"Sounds good."

I hung up the phone and placed it back on my nightstand. I then looked at my closest in thought. I began to think about Natsu and his strange obsession with me. He says we went to school together, but I don't remember him.

I then rolled out of bed and walked over to the closet. I kneeled down to see my old dusty boxes. I grabbed them and pulled them out.

"We meet again," I whispered to the box.

I opened it and searched for my yearbooks. "I remember he said middle and High, but I only have my second and third-year books...I guess it doesn't matter whether I have the freshman year one or not."

I then found them and texted Levy, letting her know my plans for our get-together. I then packed the yearbooks in my bag to search through them with Levy. "I need to see if he's telling the truth."

***

I was on my way to the cafe when I saw Levy walking towards the cafe in the opposite direction. "Levy!" I shouted while waving. 

She waved back and we both walked into the cafe. We sat at the table by the window and we both reached into our bags. "You brought them?" She asked.

I nodded my head, taking out my two yearbooks and placing them on the table too. "His name is Natsu Dragneel," I said while opening my yearbook.

"On it," she answered as she reached over and began to look through my yearbook. As we looked through the yearbooks, I told her my reasonings for searching up my mailman.

"Wow, looks like someone has a not-so-secret admirer~"

"It's not like that...He just wants to help me."

"Why would a guy just willingly offer his time if he didn't want something in return?" asked Levy with a smirk. 

I shook my head in denial that someone like him would even find me attractive. "The point is, he says we've been in the same school for years, but I don't remember him."

"Is that--Found him!" Levy then passed the book to me. "Natsu Dragneel, school's biggest trouble maker."

I looked at the picture. "Huh? That can't be right."

Levy then looked back at the book. "It says Natsu Dragneel."

"Yeah, but he looks like...goggles!"

She looked back at the picture. "Wow! He does..."

"Maybe it's a mistake. Let's look through the rest." I said a little panicked.

I then found his picture again in my second-year yearbook. "It's him again. That's so weird, how did I not notice he looked like Goggles..."

"Repressed memory maybe? Goggles never came back to school after you tried to confess to him the last day of our freshman year." Levy giggled to herself, remembering that embarrassing moment. 

I covered my face in embarrassment. "I was a cringy fifteen-year-old..."

"Weren't we all?" laughed Levy. "I knew he looked familiar when we meet him."

"Hmm, I did too, but his name threw me off...What was goggles' real name anyway?" I asked.

"Hmm, I don't remember. We called him by that silly code name for so long that I forgot his real name, hahaha!"

I sighed, looking at his picture in my yearbook. At least I know he wasn't lying about knowing me...but why is he so obsessed with me...?

***

When I arrived back home, I saw a shadow at the step of my doorway. I quickly hid behind a lamp post in fear. Who is that?! I started to panic, biting my lip. Should I call the police?! No...if only I could get a closer look...

I slowly glanced over but, it was too dark to see. I can't see!

I looked down at the floor and saw a branch. I grabbed it and slowly made my way to the shadow. Once I approached my door, I held the branch above my head and prepared to strike. I then opened my mouth to speak: "Who-who are you?"

The shadow stood up and I panicked, causing me to swing the branch aimlessly.

"Ouch! Ouch! It's me, Natsu!"

"Huh?!" I then stopped hitting him. "Natsu? What the hell are you doing here?!"

"I came to see you."

"Why?"

"Well--man, I'm bleeding!" 

I looked at his scratched-up arm, feeling guilty that I had hurt him. "I'm so sorry! Um..." What should I do? Should I let him in...?

I sighed, grabbing his hand and leading him into my home. "Um...make yourself at home," I said awkwardly while locking the door behind us. 

"Thanks..." he said as he sat down on my couch.

I quickly ran over to get the first aid box. When I came back to treat him, I saw his arm had a few splinters from the branch and a few cuts and scratches. "I'm sorry..." I repeated feeling guilty. 

"It-it's okay. It was out of self-defense!"

I grabbed the tweezers from the first aid kit and began to take out each splinter. I then disinfected the wounds and bandaged them up.

He smiled at my care: "Thank you."

I smiled weakly, still feeling bad for the trouble I had caused him. "Um...is there something I can do...as an apology?"

He thought and shook his head, but then he froze and smiled mischievously. "Actually-" 

"I'll forgive you if..." He leaned in close to my face, so close that I could feel his breath against my lips. My face started to heat up by the second, and my heart would not stop beating. He gave a sly smile and continued, "...if you let me kiss you."

I looked at him nervously. "Is...is that the only way?"

"Yep."

I looked away, nervous at the fact that I would have to kiss him. Don't worry Lucy. It'll be a quick thing. But...It'll be my first kiss...

"Um...if it's the only way..." My heart was beating loudly, and the palms of my hands were beginning to sweat. 

Suddenly, he began to chuckle. He smiled and patted my head. "Don't worry, it was a joke."

"Huh?"

"Maybe..." He then stood up, heading towards the door. "Lucy, let's go out next Saturday. That'll be your way of apologizing to me." He smiled and walked out the door.

After he closed the door, I ran to my window, watching him walk off with a skip to his step. My heart skipped in my chest, and the warmth in my cheeks had not gone down yet. Why...why does my heart keep doing this for you? Why can't I ever say no to you?