Hating a star

Chapter 30: She's Disappeared

Lucy's PoV

After that stressful voicemail I had to leave for my father, I snuck out of work, clocking out through the back door. "The question is, will I tell mom?" I thought aloud, walking through the back alleys. "Tell your mom what?" I heard Erza behind me, spinning around to see the girls standing there. "G-Guys! What're you doing here?" I instantly got awkward, tears building up from keeping all these feelings built up inside me. "Why did you take the back door? We would've walked you home if you were feeling ill." Levy skipped up beside me, touching my forehead to keep for temperature. "You do look very pale. Have you been eating well?" Juvia ran up, holing my hands as she peered into my face. "I'm just tired. You know, with Natsu and everything, I think about it a lot." I lied, smiling to reassure them. They looked at each other with worried looks. "Do you want us to walk you home?" Levy asked, looking at me with sincere eyes. "I'm fine, really. I just need to rest." I shook my hands, guilt filling my heart. "We're not taking no for an answer, Lu. Come on, give me your bag." Erza took my bag from me, making me feel naked. "Fine." I sighed, turning as we walked back. 

They all walked me to my doorstep, trying to keep conversation going as I stayed silent. I went into my room after saying my goodbyes. My mom wasn't here, probably job hunting for the weekends and after Lainey gets tired of her. Her not being here meant I could pack my bags without making too much hassle. I grabbed my gym bag, hand bag, and sleepover bag and packed all of my possessions in them. Taking clothing, pictures, scrap books, any memory I could get my hands on. I took the money from my purse and  put it in the safe mom kept most of our expensive stuff in. I took my phone and laptop and put it in my handbag.

By the time I was done, it was dark outside. Dad would be seeing me in the airport tomorrow, so I had to make sure anyone didn't come in my room til then. The rattle of the door keys in the entrance told me my mom was home as I sat in the living room, trying to concentrate on a book as I worried how she will react when I'm gone. I turned my head and froze when I saw my whole family there. Well, Guildarts and Cana with my mom that is. "Wh-What are you guys doing here?" I stuttered, closing my book as I put it on the table, standing up and giving the two a hug each. "We heard from Lainey you weren't feeling too good, so we came with the medicine!" Cana cheered, showing the bottle of booze in her hand. "Cana! I thought I told you to leave it tonight." Guildarts sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Shut it old man. Young girls have to party now and again. The only times I see Lucy nowadays is when she's studying or in a bad mood." Cana chuckled, throwing her arm around my neck. "You do look better than she described though. Are you feeling hot?" Mom asked, putting the back of her hands on my cheeks then hugged me. "I'm fine mom. I heard from Lainey that you'll be doing the week shift. That's great." I smiled as she let go. "Yes, thank god she let me. I begged so much, she probably just got annoyed." Mom laughed, blushing in embarrassment. "Anyway, how about you and I make dinner?" Guildarts put his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek, Cana and I 'ew'ing jokingly as they left to the kitchen. 

That night, we ate a hearty meal, laughed, and Cana drank, passing out on our couch. Mom and Guildarts went to bed early, so I didn't have to worry about anyone finding out what was going on in my room. I went to bed soon after Cana stopped mumbling in her sleep and put my alarm on for five in the morning, as I would have to wake up early if I didn't want anyone seeing me leave. I won't need it though. That night, I wouldn't sleep, thinking about the people I'm leaving behind.

I didn't even hear the ringing of my phone from a contact name 'Babe Natsu' as I was so deep in thought.