MEANT TO BE | GRUVIA

36

~Monday~

"I just want you all to take it easy and jog seven laps today," Jennifer instructed the gym class. "I know some of you guys have sports events tonight."

"Let's go, Juve!" Levy cheered, grabbing the blonde's hand.

"We aren't supposed to run the laps!" Juvia yelled. She was being dragged behind her running friend.

"Fine, but it isn't any fun," Levy sighed, slowing her pace. Juvia sighed, as well, but in relief. She wasn't sure if she could run seven laps around the track.

"So what did you think of the history test?" Juvia asked her friend.

"It was easy!" Levy boasted. "I'm sure I passed with flying colors!"

"I think I did pretty good, too," Juvia said, a little less confident.

"Juvia!"

The two girls turned around and saw Ciel turning towards them. He had a huge grin plastered on his face.

"Ciel," Juvia said when he put an arm around her shoulder. They all reduced their speed to walking.

"We need to talk," Ciel said. He looked over to Levy. "Alone."

"I'll talk to you later?" Levy asked. Juvia nodded. Levy smiled and jogged away from them.

"So what's up?" Juvia asked.

"We need to practice the song we are doing," he said.

"Do I really have to do it?" she groaned.

"You are great, so don't worry about it, okay? You've done this dozens of times before, and you are one of the best," he said.

"You're just saying that," she said, blushing.

"I'm serious! You really know what you're doing!" he assured her.

"Alright," she sighed. "Just promise you won't tell Gray."

X

"What the hell happened last period?" Cana asked worriedly.

"What are you talking about?" Levy asked.

"We were running behind Ciel and Juvia," Mira explained. "They were having a weird conversation."

"What were they saying?" Lisanna asked.

"He was saying how great she was, and she shouldn't doubt herself," Cana explained what she heard. "And she was bushing amd saying she wasn't that great. He said she was the best he's seen."

"She told him she agrees as long as Gray doesn't find out," Mira finished. Gray was talking with Lucy about the upcoming martial arts test in the gym, so he wasn't present.

"What do you think is going on?" Loke asked. He was always one for gossip when it involved his best friend.

"She couldn't be cheating on him," Levy said.

"I wish I could agree with you, but I can't," Lisanna said. "There has to be something going on, whether it be big or small."

"Hey guys," Gray said, sitting down. Everyone awkwardly coughed and went to dump their trays. He looked to Lucy. "Did I say something wrong?"

Lucy shrugged.

X

"You have to play that sharp," Ciel said, pointing to a note of Yuki's music.

"Right," the guitarist said. He played the rift again, but perfect this time.

"That sounds so cool," Juvia gawked. She's never seen a band learn a song before.

"Not as cool as this," Rin said. He played his part without looking at the music. Her eyes sparkled.

"We know you can play your part, Rin," Kyo said. "It isn't rocket science."

"Oh yeah?! I'd like to see you try!" Rin yelled. Kyo dramatically dropped his drumsticks. He walked over and grabbed Rin's bass guitar. He put the strap around his neck and grabbed the pick. He played the part ten times better than Rin did, mostly because he played with more style.

"Now let Yuki play," Kyo said, handing the instrument back to the shocked bass player.

"Guys, stop messing around," Ciel snapped. "We only have a week to learn this. Yuki needs to learn his part, Rin can improve, and Kyo needs to learn his screaming part. And don't forget about Juvia. She needs to know her part and gain confidence. And we have to put everything together."

"He's so stressed," Juvia noted.

"He just gets that way," Rin said.

X

"Gray~!" Ultear sang, bursting into her brother's room. "Guess who signed up to be a chaperon for your school dance!" Her smile fell when she saw Gray laying on his bed, blankly staring at the wall. He was playing with the corner of his blanket.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, sitting beside him. He just shrugged. "Did something happen?"

"Not really," he mumbled.

"Why are you so lifeless?" she asked, poking his cheek. He moved his head away. She laughed and poked him again. He cracked a small smile himself.

"I'm just thinking. It's no big deal," he said. He sat up and ran a hand through his hair.

"If you're sure," Ultear said "Yeah, so I'm going to be at the dance."

"Bringing Chase as a date?" Gray asked with a smirk.

"He said he had other plans," she said.

"Maybe he's ditching you." That commented, earning himself a smack in the head.

"You know, we have to go get you a suit," she said. He rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Gray. You have zero dress clothes."

"I have an outfit. Jennifer bought fit for the competition, remember?" he asked.

"But you need to match Juvia. What color is her dress?"

Gray paled.

"What?"

"I have no clue," he admitted.

"Then find out!" she exclaimed.

"I can't," he mumbled.

"Why the hell not?!" she yelled.

"..."