The Rules and Regulations of Love (Nalu Fanfic)

Chapter Ten

Natsu

Rule Number Ten: Sometimes, A Friend Could Use A Pick-Me-Up

Taking Lucy's arm gently into my hand, I lead her out of the gym, where Gray was saying every swear word known to man, and some he probably made up. Juvia was just laying beneath him looking guilty, with Gajeel and Levy looking on trying to figure out what happened. Stepping out into the warm summer night, I sighed and ran my hands through my spike, staring down at Lucy. She was staring at the ground, silent tears running tracks down her cheeks before falling to the ground and then drying up.

"Okay, this isn't gonna work," I said, my voice stern. Lucy looked up at me, questions in her teary brown eyes. "We're gonna go get some ice cream, and you're gonna like it," I said, reaching down and taking her hand in my own, leading her to my car despite her protests.

"Is your car here?" I asked as I unlocked my truck.

"Well, no, I came with Gajeel and Levy, but-"

"Then it won't be a problem. You need me to help you up since you got that skirt on?"

She shot me a pointed look and I put my hands in the air, telling her to back off. Giving me a devilish grin, she grabbed the waist of her skirt and began pulling it down, humming to herself. I just stared, unable to believe that she was stripping down right here. When she stood back up though, skirt in hands, I saw that she was wearing a pair of black basketball shorts that reached her knees. Whew. I thought she was honestly going to just ride around in her underwear.

"I don't like my legs sticking together," she gave as an explanation, smiling widely as she hauled herself into my huge truck. Shaking my head, I gave her a grin before closing her door and climbing into the driver's seat, throwing my car into gear before going down the road to the ice cream place.

Hart's is an ice cream place on the far side of town, near the exit to go to the next town over. It's been in business since 1908, and although the wooden logs it was made with make it look beaten down, inside it's a treasure trove. Parking my car in the only open spot left in the small lot, I hopped down and went around to help Lucy, who was already opening her door when I got around. Then she stared at the ground and bit her bottom lip. Shit, I really wish she hadn't done that. Some guys like it when girls show their legs. Other guys like it when they tuck their hair behind their ear. Me? I'm a sucker for a girl that bites her lip.

"Need help?" I gulped out, forcing myself to take my eyes away from her mouth and focus on her feet, still clad in the yellow Converse. I made a mental note to ask her what the beaded leather strap meant, curious as to what it meant.

"I don't need any help from you," she said, voice stubborn as it always was if I asked her if she needed help. My truck was pretty high up, and for girls, getting up was always easier than getting down.

"C'mere, Luce. Just lemme help you." Placing my hands on her hips, I gently brought her to the ground, placing her in front of me. I didn't remove my hands from her hips, and she didn't make a move to tell me to remove them.

We stared at each other for a few minutes, just looking into each other's eyes. Bending my head downward, I brought my lips closer to hers, and she brought her lips slightly closer to mine. Not by much, but closer. Just as I was finally going to press my lips against hers, I heard the last thing I ever wanted to hear.

"Natsu! Honey, what are you doing here?" My mom asked, coming up behind Lucy. I dropped my hands from her waist and I saw her tense, then flush red as she slowly turned to greet my mom.

"Hi Miss Dragneel," she said weakly, giving a small smile.

"Oh Lucy dear! I didn't recognize you with your hair down and your sweatshirt off," my mom said pleasantly, pulling Lucy into a hug. Lucy awkwardly hugged my mom, though I could tell she was uncomfortable. It was in the way she was standing, the way she was talking politely. Lucy was anything but polite when adults weren't around. She was rude, opinionated, hilarious, and completely wonderful.