Rhythm of the Hearts

After School Part 2

Gray POV

After fighting with flame brain and metal head I gathered my stuff and turn to look for Juvia before heading to basketball practice.  I could not find her at all. She must have left. Either I was super slow in getting my stuff together, in which case she has a lot of patience everyday waiting for me, or she ran out so she didn't have to deal with me. I was fighting with flame brain for a long time, but not that long, maybe she is avoiding me? I should probably make sure she is ok. I have never seen her this out of it before. I rush to basketball practice so that I don't get scolded by guildarts.

<time skip after practice>

Natsu and I are resting on the bench after a pretty hectic scrimage.

"We are definatly going to win this year dude" says Natsu.

"I know, I can feel it. It's gonna be a huge tornument this year, hopefully we beat the reigning champions Sabertooth Academy" I reply.

"Hey, how come your cheerleader isn't here today?" asked Natsu.

"She wants some space away from me for a bit" I sighed turning away.

"Woahh, dude what the hell did you do? Juvia is like in love with you, why would she just ditch you?" he exclaimed.

I turn back abruptly "You knew that??? how come you never bothered to tell me??" I screamed.

"You didn't know? I thought you knew! It was so obvious, i mean how dense are you?" He smirked.

This got me mad, "Just as dense as you not knowing that Lucy likes you!" I retorted.

"you're joking...right?" he asks me mouth hanging open.

"I guess i am not the only dense one here, besides i wish you had given me a heads up before she confessed her love to me today...." I respond.

Natsu gives me an apologetic look " Sorry dude, I thought you knew, and you always hung out with her so I thought maybe you returned the feelings or something"

I looked at him shocked and firmly stated " I never thought of Juvia as more than a friend. We have practically every class together anyway, most of the time its just school work we talk about and you idiots. Nothing i don't talk to all of you about anyway. I treat her the same way I treat you guys!"

Natsu contemplates on what i had just said and replies " Actually,  you are right. You do treat her the same way. I just noticed you were more friendly with her than Lucy, I guess that's cause you have more classes with Juvia than  you do with Lucy".

" You idiot, I am not as close to Lucy, cause YOU like Lucy, I am not one to take away my best friend's girl: bro code dude" I reply rolling my eyes.

" WhaaattT??? i don't like lucy! we are just friends!!!" He Stammers.

"haha Natsu, you told me when we got drunk last month at my place that you looooovvvvveddddd herrrr, and that she lights up your world with her smiilllleeee" I teased him.

"Oh, crap. So that wasn't a dream then.... AH MANNNNN. DONT YOU DARE TELL ANYONE GRAY!!!!" He screams.

At this point I am laughing on the ground unable to keep a straight face at Natsu's sudden realization.

"Get your ass off the groud you ice prick, at least now thanks to you, I know Lucy likes me. I will ask her out soon then. No more worries ! I am all Fired Up!" Natsu says punching the air.

I get up slowly " Alright do what you gotta do bro. Just don't tell Lucy I told you, she will kick my ass. I have gotten enough "lucy kicks" to last me the rest of the school year".

"Haha don't worry, i won't tell her.  But dude, about Juvia, you think you guys are done being friends? What if she never wants to talk to  you again? Aren't you worried ?" He asks me all concerned

"She said she would be my friend, and that she just needed space" I respond matter of factly.

"Ice brain, that's girl talk for, i am gonna talk less to you and phase you out of my life. She will start speaking to you less and then finally she will never speak to you again. I am gonna say , your friendship with her is as good as done" He says.

"No Juvia wouldn't do that would she? and what do you know ash for brains, you didn't even realize lucy had a thing for you!" I said.

"Remember Lisanna during freshman year? Remember how we used to hang out allllllll the time. One day she told me she loved me. I was like we are just friends. I thought she was ok with it. Then slowly she just faded away from my life. I hardly see her or talk to her unless it's at those big parties where everyone is at, take it from me bro, unless you fix this, she is pretty much gone" Natsu said, actually concerned for once.

I look away, " Shit i need to fix this, I will catch up with you later at your place Flame brain". With that I took off running to Juvia's house.