The NaLu Chronicles

Jackets and Playlists

Lucy hated her Critical Reasoning class. It was the spring semester of her second year at college and this class was by far her least favorite. Analyzing characters, writing essays, journal entries, they weren't her thing. Lucy liked numbers, code, anything that had to deal with computers instead of people. But this class was a requirement so she had to pass it.

Not only did she hate the subject but the classroom was all the way across campus. It was a T/Th class beginning at 11:00am and she had to run from her Computer Science class that ended at 10:50 to make it on time. Then once class was done, she had to walk across campus again to reach her dorm.

It was a Tuesday morning in mid-February and Lucy was once again running through the quad on her way to Critical Reasoning. It was 10:57am and she still had about a half mile to go. She couldn't be late. Just last week Professor Laxus had started complaining about all the tardies and he told the class that as soon as the clock struck 11 he would be locking the door. Lucy couldn't afford to miss a single class so she ran as fast as she could, her book bag bouncing erratically on her back with each stride she took.

She managed to make it to class at 10:59. She was breathing heavily as she entered the room, walking through the aisle to get to her seat on the other side.

"Cutting it a little close there, Heartfilia," a guy two rows back said as she took her seat. He was smiling brightly at her, a pencil tucked behind his ear.

She grinned at him. "If only I had your parkour skills, Dragneel," she told him.

Lucy had known Natsu Dragneel for about a year now. She had him in a couple classes before. This is what their friendship consisted of; sarcastic banter that often got confused for flirting. At least confusing for Lucy. There were certain times where she was sure Natsu was flirting with her, but she wasn't exactly his type so she thought better of it. But he was nice, always saying hi to her, sometimes asking about her day or telling her about his family or the latest party he went to. He had actually invited her to a few, but she always made up some excuse for why she couldn't make it.

Natsu was also attractive. Very attractive. Everyone liked him; Lucy included, which was a problem, especially when he would smile at her the way he was now, all teeth and sparkling eyes. After taking her seat Lucy quickly looked away, turning to face the front of the room.

An hour and a half later class was over. Lucy collected her things and exited the classroom. She quickly walked through the halls; ready to relax in her warm bed, but when she opened the buildings front door she froze.

The sky was a dark gray, clouds rolling in. She watched as a young boy chased his papers across the quad, the heavy wind having blown them away.

Lucy looked down at her outfit. She was wearing a thin long sleeve and leggings. The weatherman said the rain wouldn't be coming in till the end of the week, but of course he was wrong.

"Oh frack," Lucy muttered as she pulled her backpack tighter over her shoulders and began walking down the steps. She stood still when she reached the bottom, her teeth were already chattering and she still had a long way to go.

Someone bumped into her from behind, causing her to yelp as she lost balance, but strong hands on her upper arms steadied her.

"I'm so sorry about that," the guy said when she turned around; the expression on his face showing that he actually meant it.

He smiled down at her. It was Natsu.

"It's okay," Lucy replied as she reached up to adjust her glasses, her voice coming out shaky due to the cold.

"Heading back to your room?" he asked, trying to make conversation.

Lucy nodded. "Yeah. It's lovely weather for a stroll," she said, the sarcasm dripping from her voice. She had also began rubbing her forearms, shifting on her feet slightly to keep blood flowing.