Sweetheart

108

The school was buzzing with anticipation, as the students realized that Natsu was coming back. Everyone was talking about it, and Aina's health class was no different.

"Do you think he's gonna have a scar?" One girl whispered to her friend.

"I hope so," the other girl whispered back. "Because that would be so hot."

Aina paid no mind to the conversation, opting to hand in her work with the teacher and starting a conversation before the bell rang. Their conversation was short, but Aina didn't really care.

"Hey salutatorian," Bickslow called, "when's he coming back?"

All eyes were on her at that point, and it was only when she felt the stares that she looked up from her phone. Paired with that was a two-word answer: "not sure." Then her phone became the focal point of her attention. Everyone watched her carefully, but once they all came to the conclusion that she was done talking, they shrugged it off and turned towards the front of the room for the teacher.

-------

"Is it just me or is every girl practically drooling over the fact that the loser is coming back?" Lucy complained. "All I'm hearing today is 'so hot' this and 'won't be able to handle it' that."

"Don't worry, Luce," Aina sighed. "Not just you."

Levy joined the rest of the trio at their lunch table, setting down her tray of food and jumping into conversation.

She wondered, "What's the big deal about it anyway?"

"Levy, he survived being shot. Everyone already saw him as the badass of the school. Which, by the way, I still don't agree with because he's just an annoying little shi--"

"Lu," Levy warned.

"Fine. Either way, surviving a shooting-stabbing combo makes him the ultimate badass in everyone's eyes. I wouldn't be surprised if all the girls try to get with him once again."

"Wonderful," Aina mumbled.

"Don't worry, A," Levy comforted. "It'll be alright."

"I mean, it's just gonna go back to normal," Lucy elaborated. "But y'know...not with him sleeping with any of them."

"Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't worry about--"

"Well, hopefully."

"Lucy!" Levy shouted.

"I'm kidding," Lucy laughed, holding her hands up in surrender and giving Aina a side hug. "I would kick his ass if he did that. Oh! Actually, I can aim for his shoulder this time around."

Levy pinched her nose before smacking her blonde friend on the arm. Aina sighed, scanned the lunch area, and wandered off towards the lunch lines. The two remaining friends looked towards each other before going back to their departing friend.

"Where's she going?"

"Probably away from you," Levy continued scolding her.

As Aina walked across the area, she could feel eyes on her yet again, but, just as before, she walked right past the staring students and continued on her way. After grabbing something off the cart, she turned around and returned to her friends.

"You went all the way to get a spoon?" Lucy deadpanned. "We have spoons here."

"Those are for eating."

"Okay, A. And what else would a spoon be used f--"

Lucy was cut off when Aina bent the spoon back, causing it to snap back and hit the cheerleader in the nose with a soft smack. When she looked up, she was faced with Aina's smug smile.