Good Meets Bad

Chapter Twenty:Battle Royale

Lucy sniffed, wiping away the tears on her cheeks angrily as she fixed her gown. Zen and Haru stood beside her with Gajeel in front of her, acting as her bodyguard, while the rest of her gang were scattered everywhere. She heard the soft music play and from this distance, she saw Kurohebi smirk in the crowd, not at her but to himself. She gritted her teeth furiously, torn between hating him or herself.

"Stupid! You had to break up with Jellal, didn't you? Idiot!"Lucy yelled in her mind, clenching her fists as she forced herself to remain calm. There was no point in getting angry over her breakup with Jellal; it was herfault that she couldn't bring herself to pick him rather than the gang. It was her fault that she decided to just pick the two. It was her fault that he felt like she didn't love him. They broke up because of her indecisive self. She wanted to pound her head on a wall and crawl under a rock.

"Lucy, relax," Zen told her, smiling sadly, "Everything will be fine."

"It's my entire fault," She whispered in agony, lips quivering, "I... I was too uncertain! If I chose him... then-then maybe he would be here right now, telling me how much he loved me, telling me that he was right here beside me," A hiss escaped her lips when a pang went straight through her heart, "I... I miss him."

Haru sighed, "I knew it was wrong for you to fall in love. But who am I to stop you from loving him?"

"His friends are here," Virgo appeared behind Lucy, her voice in a low whisper, "I don't see your lover anywhere, Princess. However, I don't see Gray Fullbuster as well. You may punish me if you want to."

"No need, Virgo," Lucy sighed, closing her eyes shut as she remembered her fight with Jellal. Her jaw tensed and she licked her lips dryly, "Just inform me if anyone's causing a ruckus or if you see someone act suspicious. On the other hand, if you do see Jellal..." She swallowed thickly, "Tell me."

Virgo bowed and crossed her arm over her chest, "As you wish, Princess."

Gajeel crossed his arms over his chest, looking over his shoulder to stare at Lucy, "Looks like Jellal's not going to appear. Sorry about that, Lucy-sama."

"It's not your fault," Lucy muttered and she groaned, "This is frustrating. When will the ball start?"

"Soon, I think," Haru said, smiling apologetically, "There are a few technical difficulties so they're still fixing it. Don't worry, I don't see any of the gangs acting rash. In fact, they're all behaving quite peacefully."

Lucy tucked her hair behind her ears, "Don't be so sure, we can't just relax because they're behaving well. That must be their plan; they want us to lower our guard."

"Maybe," Zen said, shrugging, "But then again, we're not sure so we'll do it half-half."

"Alright then, so be it," Haru said, smiling slyly, "Half-half."

Lucy sighed, "Idiots."

"Welcome to my daughter's eighteenth birthday!"

The blonde leader's ears perked and everyone turned their attention towards a woman in her late thirties who stood on the altar. She had long brown curls and dark green eyes. She wore a midnight blue strapless dress that covered her ankles. The dress had a sweetheart neckline and a white ribbon around the torso, puffing out the top part of the dress. Her arms were accommodated by blue gloves that strode past her elbows, acting as sleeves. Around her neck was a diamond necklace that caught every gangster's eye.

Lucy hummed in approval, watching the woman with amused eyes, "It's like she wants her necklace to be stolen."

"Don't be like that," Zen reprimanded, "She doesn't even know that there are gangs at her daughter's birthday party."