Hating a star

Chapter 23: You Never Wanted Me Before

Gray's PoV

The night I helped repair Lucy's boiler, it was so late by the time I finished that they let me sleep on their couch. As Lucy always wake up early, she woke me up at the same time. "Thanks for helping us out last night Gray. I don't know what mom might have done with her boredom if I left her alone at home." She chuckled lightly as we walked down the road, after I waited for her to get dressed. "Haha yeah, she would probably end up trying to fix it herself and hurt herself. But... what are you going to do with the money?" I asked hesitantly as we turned the corner to where we'd have to split up, Lucy froze. "Um, I don't know. It would be rude to ask Aunt Lainey for help and we're still paying off the medical bills to her. And it will take mom a while to get another job. But we'll make it work, we always do." She forced a smile, subconsciously clutching her books tighter. I ignored it, knowing she wouldn't want me to be aware of the fact that she was worried, and grinned back. "Well, just ask if you need any help. No matter how stubborn you are." We both chuckled then said goodbye as I ran down the street to catch the bus.

Lucy's PoV

 As I watched Gray run down the road, I pulled out the job I had decided I would apply for. It was a half time receptionist job at a law firm. With just my luck, they only needed me for the weekends and Mondays. I mailed the letter and headed for the convenience store, only to buy a packet of chips and water. If I want to save money, this'll have to be it. I'll just say to the girls that I had a big breakfast. I thought while putting my food in my bag, when in fact I hadn't had breakfast at all. This is gonna be a difficult couple of weeks. I think, looking into the broad sky that always makes me feel so much smaller than everyone else.

Gray's PoV

Sneaking into the apartment, slowly closer the front door and making a B-line for my and Natsu's room, I here a clip from Jellal's and Gajeel's room. "Gray? What are you doing up so early?" Jellal questions, in just a towel and wet hair. I knew that loser gets up early. I tutted myself and stopped my ninja act. "I was just getting something to eat. Yawn, what time is it? I thought it was midnight." I pretended to be half asleep the second I saw him. "Its 8 am, what time did you even get in last night? You weren't at dinner. And why are you all sweaty?" Jellal started walking closer to me. My hand shot to my forehead where I felt the sweat i must have worked up running here. "And those are the clothes you wore yesterday? Don't tell me you..." He sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. "What?! No I did not do that! I was helping out an old friend last night and feel asleep after. It was just fixing their boiler! I swear." I gasp, slightly cringing inside that Jellal thought of that. "Right, just get ready for school. And wake Natsu up while you're at it." He rolled his eyes and left for his room. I sighed in relief, even if he didn't believe me, and ran to my room.

Lucy's PoV

The day went by more smoothly than yesterday, Natsu didn't bother me and people congratulated me and Juvia on the video. We were just finishing up last class when a student who was looking out the window screamed for everyone's attention. "OMG, that's a limo!" One of the gathers gasped as they all ran to see the interesting car that wouldn't normally be in our area. "And there's a guy standing just next to it! He's so hot!" Another cooed. We were in probably the closest classroom to the front gates, so we could recognise anyone walking through them. "Kelly! He's, like, 30!" Her friend laughed at the hoe-ish behaviour as the age spiked my interest. I moved to a free space at the class of the class and peered down and gasped when I saw who it was. "Lu, what's wrong? Do you know them..?" Levy led off, as she too knew who the man was. "Oh." Juvia gasped, bring her hand to her face. "My." Erza added. "God." Levy finished. "What is my father doing here?" I thought aloud. For whatever reason he had returned for, I did not know. And, to be honest, I didn't want to know.