The promise made but never kept

Chapter Forty Eight

It's been a week since the graduation ball.

Natsu left.

Without saying goodbye to anyone of our group.

Zeref told me that he was somewhere safe.

That he was staying in Greece, with their other relatives.

I heard he broke up with Lisanna, before leaving.

As I pack my final stuff, to move back to Chicago.

I'm going to miss this place.

A lot has happened in a span of one year.

I learned how to trust people and smile again.

Sure, there were heartaches and pain.

But that thing, automatically, comes with the word love.

I sighed and placed my luggage inside the car with Capricorn's help.

Mom, dad and I turned to look at our house, one last time before boarding the car to the airport.

This was my home for the last 3 years.

The home I designed myself.

The house Natsu Dragneel admired.

The house that accepted him with open arms.

Where our friendship became something else.

Where a lot of about 'Natsu and I' were shared.

I know that it was nothing, compared to the 8 years Sting and I shared together.

But the entire year made me whole.

I was happy.

I laughed, smiled and cried.

Gaining new friends, exploring new environments and showing the real me.

He was probably that person Sting wanted me to find.

Whether it be falling leaves, scorching sun, showering rain and gentle snow pouring.

I get to experience all of it with Natsu.

I'm truly grateful, he was that childhood friend I used to have.

That he was the one who broke my walls down.

There is nothing to regret.

In fact, I'm thankful and blessed.

Arriving Narita Airport, what surprised me was that almost every close friends of mine were there.

Jellal has his shoulder on Erza.

Gray was holding Juvia's hand.

Gajeel was hugging Levy-chan from behind.

My tears automatically slipped.

"Moving away, without saying goodbye?" Levy-chan smirked.

"Geez... there's no escaping you guys."' I pouted while wiping off the tears.

"Don't worry. I just told all of them that you were leaving, today. I had to go to each of their houses and wake them up with the help of Erza. That certainly worked out pretty well." Levy-chan giggled.

"I can imagine." I laughed.

"Thank you so much, Levy-chan. This meant a lot to me. Thanks for seeing me off, guys!" I cried with burning passion and we grouped ourselves for a hug.

"Don't worry Little Lucy, Erza and I planned on having a vacation in Chicago this Christmas." Jellal smiled.

"It's okay, Lucy-san. Gray-sama and Juvia, will be awaiting your return." Juvia smiled.

"That's right, bunny-girl. We'll meet again someday, right?" Gajeel smirked.

"We'll wait patiently for your return, Lucy. I haven't thank you enough for bringing Juvia and I together again." Gray flashed a genuine smile and Juvia blushed.

"That's right, Lucy. Make sure that you stay healthy and that you'd keep in touch, okay?" Erza smiled.

"Lucy, we've got to leave." Mom tapped my head and I nod.

I looked back at them and they were looking so sad.

Levy-chan and Erza were on the verge of tears, and I couldn't help but felt like I was too.

It's going to be years until I see this guys, again.

I wrapped both of them to a tight hug.

"I'll be back, guys." I assured them and wiped our tears away.

"Oh and one final thing, I have a favor to ask you guys..." I remembered.

"I'd like you all to keep this from Natsu." I added.

They were hesitant at first but all nodded in the end, respecting my decision.

I gave them all a hug one by one, before entering the airport.

Right after the checkpoint, we boarded the plane.

I sat beside the window, deliberating whether not telling him was a good idea or not

Mom sat beside me.

"Sweetie, why was Natsu not there to see you off?" mom asked in concern.

"Well, he's in Greece, mom. He asked me to give him some time. That's what I'm doing. I didn't tell him about me leaving today, either." I confessed looking outside the window.

"Why didn't you tell him?" she asked warily.

"If we're meant to be. Then we're meant to be."

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