MEANT TO BE | GRUVIA

37

~Wednesday~

"Your test is next week, Juvia," Jennifer said. Her daughter stood before her. David was the only other in the dojo, but he was cleaning the windows.

"I've been doing this for two weeks, though," Juvia said, surprised that she was testing.

"That's why we are going to practice," Jennifer said with a smirk. David smiled and shook his head. That was just like Jennifer.

"Whatever," Juvia mumbled, crossing her arms.

"I knew Gray wouldn't take fighting you seriously, so I'll fight you instead," Jennifer said.

"Fighting?" Juvia repeated.

"Yep! There is a competition for lower belts, and you will be going as a yellow bet when you pass your test," Jennifer explained.

"What makes you so sure I'll pass?" Juvia asked.

"Stop arguing and put your hands up!"

X

"Juvia! Where were you?!" Ciel yelled. "It's seven! You were supposed to be here two hours ago!"

"Sorry," she apologized. She groaned when she sat down. Jennifer made her fight for three hours, and she was sore. She was told she was at a green belt's fighting level, so she was at least happy about that.

"Whatever. We have to practiced," Ciel said. He went over to the piano in the small apartment living room. He started playing. Juvia took a deep breath and started singing. Halfway through, Ciel stopped.

"You aren't breathing properly," he said. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her stomach. She blushed and looked at him, wondering what he was doing. "Take a deep breath." She did so. "Is it difficult?"

"No?" she asked. "Why would it be difficult?"

"That's the point," he said. "You are breathing with your shoulders." He moved his hands to her shoulders. "Take another deep breath. Do you feel the difference?"

"That's weird," she said. "It feels like I'm a balloon being filled with air."

He moved his hands back to her stomach. "Don't use your shoulders." She took another deep breath.

"That's really hard," she admitted.

"That's because I am putting pressure on your diaphragm. You were taking shallow breaths, but if you breathe with your diaphragm, you get more air. So breathe that way." He let her go. "I only put pressure on your stomach so you would know if you are doing it right."

"I never knew I breathed wrong," she laughed.

"A lot of people do," he said, sitting back down at the piano. He started playing. Juvia took correct deep breath and started singing.

~Thursday~

"Tomorrow is the dance!" a cheerleader announced over the intercom. "Don't forget to buy your tickets and get a date!

"Hey guys minus one," Juvia said, joining the table. David and Gray knew what she meant by 'minus one,' but everyone else was confused.

"Do you all have a date to the dance?" Mira asked the members of Black Widow, who sat down the same time as Juvia. They were off doing you-know-what.

"Yup," Ciel said with a smirk. "Seven o'clock."

"Seriously, though," Mira giggled.

"No, we don't," Yuki said.

"Kyo is going with Lisanna, though," Juvia said. Said parties blushed and denied it. "Come on, you two look good together. You are not allowed to refuse. Besides, you're dress and shirt colors match."

"You made us match?!" Kyo gasped. Juvia had insisted on picking his shirt out, and now he knew why.

"I'm sorry, but we better get back," Ceil said, putting a hand on Juvia's head. She sighed and followed him back to the music room.

Lucy was glaring daggers into Juvia's back. How can she run off with Ciel when she has Gray? Lucy couldn't forgive her for playing with Gray's heart like that.

X

"As you all know, next week is testing," Jennifer told her martial arts class. Juvia felt her stomach turn. She was told she would pass, which would mean she has to go fight a bunch of people. Even Gray left the NYMAC with an injured ankle and bruises.

"Everyone will have to practice on their own," Gray said. "Get into groups of your belt rank and practice. And when you want a break, go to the lower belts and help them out."

"And don't work yourselves too hard," Lucy added.

Everyone quickly split up. Juvia watched everyone. They worked on blocks, kicks, punches, and their forms. Lucy and Gray were even helping each other. They were both going to test for their second black belt. She was only testing for her yellow belt. She was so far behind Gray.

"Juvia, what's wrong?" Jennifer asked, walking over to her daughter. She looked over to Gray and Lucy. "That reminds me. Lucy will be giving you your test."

"Why?" Juvia asked, trying not to sound rude about it. She was actually hoping Gray could do her test.

"We wouldn't want people thinking your results are biased, do we?" Jennifer asked. She laughed for a moment. "Gray would pass you even if you didn't take the test."

"That's not true," Juvia said skeptically. She sighed. "Okay, he would"

"So do you want me to help you practice?" Jennifer asked.

Juvia but her lip and looked over to Lucy. "Yeah, let's practice."