A Cinderella Story

Chapter 4

Lucy hummed happily to herself as she poured boiling water into the china teapot and popped the lid back on. She was still in high spirits from the market yesterday. Natsu was such a sweet guy, buying her that book and all. She had to leave it outside her window and go down to the cellar and take it through that way. If her stepmother saw it, it would be in the fire before she could blink. It was currently buried underneath her dresses.

She managed to read a few chapters last night, and it was pretty damn good so far. She really really really really really really really really really really REALLY wanted to go to the dance tonight. More than she ever had before in her life – yeah it was because Natsu was going... - but she knew her stepmother would never let her go. It would be suicide to ask her.

She sighed, reminding herself for the hundredth time not to get her hopes up to high. But she still felt like jumping up and down screaming her head off. She prepared breakfast, trudged up the stairs and entered when called as always, waited at the side of the room until they had finished, and then moved to clear up the dishes. What shocked her was that her stepmother actually spoke to her.

"Lucy...I have some news" she said wiping her mouth with a napkin. "The girls and I are going to a party tonight and we will be spending the night" she looked up and glared fiercely at Lucy. "So we won't be here tonight. And I am certainly not leaving you by yourself in the house to wreck everything. So, we will be leaving at 7 sharp. I'm locking the house behind me, so you shall see us off, and sleep in the streets tonight. Just be back at the house a 5 O'clock. Once we get back you'll do double your normal work to make up for your laziness tonight" she flicked her eyes up to Lucy. "Are we clear?" Lucy carefully masked her excitement behind the blank face she had mastered years ago. "Crystal ma'am" she said curtsying.

"Good, now go. I have better things to do than talk to you" she snapped. Lucy bowed and slipped out the door. Once the plates were safely set down in the sink she started jumping up and down, her hands clamped firmly over her mouth to stop the screams from being heard. A huge grin stretched from ear to ear on her face. The dance started at 8 O'clock! SHE COULD GO TO THE DANCE!!!! She would see Natsu again!! She took several deep breaths to calm herself, before carrying on with her chores, still grinning like an idiot.

•••

Natsu laid with his back in the soft green grass, watching the firelight from the bonfire cast dancing shadows across the ground, the flickering flames throwing embers high up in the air. He filled his cheeks and puffed out a breath of air. A faint white cloud drifted lazily in front of him. It was pretty chilly tonight. He sat up and ran his hand through his messy pink hair. He got to the dance early. He had been so excited he was practically bouncing of the walls of his room. He must have burnt at least 10 punching bags to dust in attempt to let his exhilaration out. Not even a fight could get him this worked up.

The attendants were currently flocking in, chattering loudly to each other. The wooden stalls selling all sorts of food and drink were already set up and waiting for customers. The musicians were getting in position beside the bonfire that was already roaring, tuning their instruments. Natsu was currently waiting to see if Lucy was coming. He knew she said she probably wouldn't make it, but he wanted to hold on to the possibility that she would.

He rested his back against one of the logs that had been smoothed for the occasion and closed his eyes, letting the warmth was over him. A sweet smell tickled his nostrils. A smell he knew all too well, as it had been the one he was now infatuated with. Lucy! His eyes snapped and he whipped his head up. And there she was. The soft firelight flickered over her face, her golden hair glittering, her brown eyes shining with a soft light and her creamy skin glowing. She was breath-taking.