Thank You Always

Chapter Five: Last Friday Night

On a Saturday morning, Erza found herself waking up next to her ex-best friend, Gray. Startled, she tried to get out of her bed. Then, she found that she couldn't.

There were a bunch of people passed out everywhere, a bunch of paper cups and plates, markers scattered across the floor, and a boom box. She also saw that Lucy's bed was just as messed up as hers.

What happened last night? Erza thought, trying to remember at least something.

******

"Erza, today I'm hosting a party at our dorm! Feel free to drop by!" Lucy said as she stuffed a flyer into Erza's hand. She giggled and ran away before Erza could protest.

******

"Lucy," Erza muttered under her breath, murderous rage in her eyes. "This is your fault."

"Who you talkin' to, Erza?" a sleepy asked softly. Said person turned around to see that Gray was half-awake.

"What are you doing in my bed," Erza said, making the question sound like a statement.

"I..." Gray looked around, seemingly waking up and realizing he wasn't in his dorm room. "I don't know."

"Get out," Erza said calmly, which made it sound even scarier than if she had yelled it.

"I'm sorry," Gray said softly. "I destroyed your relationship with Jellal, didn't I?"

That was what Erza had been thinking, but hearing Gray say it out loud broke her heart.

"It's...okay. It was just a misunderstanding," Erza smiled, though inside, her heart was breaking.

"I still feel bad about it. I want to do something, to make you feel better," Gray said persistently. Erza was about to say no, but she recognized the persistence in his eyes, and she knew he wouldn't give up.

"Highland Park," she finally said.

"Huh?"

"Take me to Highland Park. I hear the rollercoasters there are to die for."

Gray looked skeptically at Erza. "You sure?"

Erza smiled. "Very sure."

"Great. When?"

"Tomorrow."

"Great. I'll pick you up at nine."

"Great."

"Great."

They stared into each other's eyes for a while, then looked away, faces red.

"I-I'll get going now," Gray mumbled bashfully. He shifted to get up, but Erza pulled him down. She then hugged him, mumbled "I'm sorry" in his ear, then promptly passed out. Gray stifled a laugh, then carefully got up and out the door.

When he got to his dorm, he passed out too.