If Only You Knew

Chapter Twenty Eight - Jellal

"J-Jellal," Erza stammered as she took the gifts from Jellal.

She had absolutely no idea what to do. She knew now that she had strong feelings for Gray, and she had just promised to go out with him, but Jellal had always been her crush. He was the one she had always wanted, but never thought she actually had a chance with, and now here he was, on Valentine's Day, giving her flowers and a box of chocolates. Erza Scarlet was torn.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, finally finding her voice.

"Well, it was Valentine's Day, and I missed you, so I thought I would come by and visit, since Meredy and Ultear are off with their respective dates doing who knows what right now," he replied.

"Oh, well, thank you very much Jellal. I'm glad you came by," she said, trying to brush off what had just happened.

She figured that the less she thought about it, the less she would worry and be stressed. She was wrong. Gray chose this moment to intervene.

"Well, Jellal, since you're here, you may as well join in the festivities. Feel free to stick around as long as you want," he said, hoping to stop the awkwardness that was growing more and more intense with every passing moment.

Erza and the others realized what he was trying to do, and were all very grateful. The music began again, and everyone started to dance, the couples no longer embarrassed to do so. Gray immediately whisked Erza away, leaving Jellal to halfheartedly dance with a heartbroken Juvia. Mira woke up, was told what had happened, and had no idea who to ship anymore--a phenomenon that had never before occurred.

Gray remembered the way Erza had looked at Jellal when they had returned to the guild after rescuing her soul from the demon realm, and he needed to know if anything had changed.

"Erza," he asked, "do you still have feelings for Jellal? It's OK if you do, but we're going on a date, and I'd like to know."

Erza didn't lie.

"I do still have some feelings for Jellal, but my feelings for you are just as strong, and I'm still trying to sort them out. I still want to go on that date. Maybe it'll even help me decide, but for now I choose you. After all, we are the star couple of this dance," she said.

Gray smiled as the last song came on. Jellal was going to ask Erza for it, but he saw her with Gray and realized what was going on. It was Valentine's Day, and she was happy, and he was not about to change that.

He walked up to the couple and said, "Erza, I must be going now. I need to make it back to Crime Sorciére by tomorrow. I'll see you around."

And with that, he left the guild. Erza's first instinct was to run after him, but she remembered Gray, and when she looked into his eyes, she forgot all about Jellal and lost herself in them once again. All was well and good...for now.