The promise made but never kept

Chapter Eighteen

"Mom! I'm home!" I yelled as I enter our front door and dropped my bag to the side.

"SWEETIE! I MISSED YOU!" she screamed as she dashed to the door and gave me one her biggest bear hug ever.

Virgo and I chuckled at her childish action.

"You know, if dad was here, he will definitely scold you for your unladylike behavior." I scolded.

"Well, too bad. He's not here." She pouted and crossed her arms grumpily.

Then our front door opened and Natsu came in.

"OOOH! Group hug! I wanna join! I wanna join!" he jumped up and down then crushed mom and I.

We all laugh and headed towards our dining room to eat lunch.

"How was the trip, kids?" Mom asked as she cut her steak.

"It was good!" both Natsu and I chirped.

"That reminds me, I talked to your dad, and he lets me know that Rogue will be coming here." She said cautiously.

Silence.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" mom asked nervously.

"Of course. It's just Rogue. There's nothing to it." I smiled at her.

"Who's Rogue?" Natsu asked looking really lost at our conversation.

I forgot that he was here.

"He's my childhood friend in Chicago, Natsu." I answered as I chomp on my carbonara.

Mom looked at me with a horrified face.

"What?" I asked innocently.

"You didn't tell him?" she asked in disbelief.

"I was getting there. I just needed more time." I answered sheepishly.

She shook her head in disapproval and let it go.

We ate lunch in silence.

Right after eating, Natsu held my hand and we headed to my room.

He helped himself on my bed and acted like he was making snow angels.

What a kid.

"So comfy!" he says as he rolled on the bed and I chuckled.

He stood up and threw me at his shoulder then dropped me on the bed.

We wrestled.

I won.

Smirk.

I pulled my laptop from my bag and sat on the bed.

Natsu hugged me from behind and placed his chin on my shoulder while sniffing my hair.

Since when did he turn into a dog?

I took my phone and synchronized some photos to my computer's folder.

"Is that Gajeel and Levy?" Natsu gasped on shoulder and I nodded.

"They look like a couple!" Natsu added and I felt him smile on my shoulder.

"They really do. They look cute together!" I smiled widely.

"Did you know that I once saw Levy kissed him on the cheeks when we were in the library?" he says as he anticipated my reaction.

"Seriously? How could she not tell me?" I gasped.

"Well, Gajeel asked us not to tell anyone that he likes her." He whispered in my ear.

I turned to look at him in disbelief.

"Then, why are you telling me?" I asked suspiciously.

"Tell you what?" he asked innocently.

We both burst out laughing.

"Levy-chan likes him, too." I said simply as our laughter died down.

"I KNEW IT!" he exclaimed happily.

"I see how it is! You were just waiting for confirmation that she likes him too!" I roared playfully.

"You tricked me! What are you planning, Dragneel?" I asked with a playful smirk.

"Nah. I just wanted to confirm." He smiled then kissed my cheek.

"You know, you're being super touchy this past few days." I teased, ruffling his hair.

I've gotten used to it myself, so I didn't really mind.

"I don't know. It was more of a spur of the moment thing." He shrugged and I let it go.

I tossed my laptop on my desk and removed my fake glasses then let my hair loose.

Natsu became completely silent and I felt him fidget nervously from my side.

"Natsu, spit it out." I stated as I grabbed a book from my side table.

"You might get angry for invading your personal space..." he choked.

I sighed.

"Natsu, you've already invaded my space in every possible way.' I started off then chuckled.

"So, what's the point of you asking something that will invade my space even more?" I added then burst out laughing while he joined in too.

"You got a point there." He grinned widely.

"I always do!" I smirked at him then he launched forward and tickled me.

"Nat...su! St...op! ple... ase!" I pleaded between giggles.

He only stopped when he realized I've probably lost 75 percent air off my system.

"Jerk!" I called him as I stuck my tongue at him.

He laughed real loud.

"Very mature, Lucy." He says as he wiped off tears from his eyes.

I pouted and we both laughed.

After a few moments of silence.

"So, tell me..." he started off.

"Who's Rouge?"