Red Ink

Chapter 5

After an enjoyable lunch, the day rolled along. Erza's last class was Home Economics with all the girls, including the four boys. She would have to ask the raven haired boy for his name soon, because he had the only name she didn't know. That was, if she could actually get close to him. People swarmed all around him as he sat red cheeked with his shirt undone, frantically doing the buttons up, then undoing them, then doing the again. That looked like a predicament he was having. Sure, the other boys could have helped, but they were too busy cackling on the other side of the classroom. 'Some friends,' Erza thought with a snort, and turned back to listen to what Lucy was shoving Levy about.

Soon enough the teacher walked in and people still standing scrambled for seats. The girls all sat together as partners in front of the guys. Juvia sat directly in front of that raven haired boy, probably ready to bug him the whole time. However, Gray though of an idea to spice things up quickly so he sat in the very back next to Gajeel.

"Teacher, I can't see to well from here, may I switch seats with Levy?" He pointed to Levy, who sat up in the front row and was currently discussing bookish topics with Erza. She nodded to the teacher, not wanting to trouble anyone and gathered up her things. With a quick 'See ya later,' Levy got up and turned to see Gajeel as her new partner. Her face flushed as she tried to hide herself with a couple novels. It wasn't going to be super awkward sitting next to him, but with her friends a few short feet away, Levy was sure they would try their hardest to make her uncomfortable. She couldn't do anything about it so she plopped down next to Gajeel and turned to glare at a chuckling Cana.

Meanwhile, Gray made his way up towards Erza in the front. She stared at him the whole way, something about him made her want to just look at him. Gray took pride in her mistified look and put on a smug grin. Erza had grown up nicely, and probably didn't remember him now. But just to make sure...

"Have I seen you somewhere before?" He whispered to Erza, who jumped a little at his voice.

"N-no," she squeaked, suuddenly feeling very shy. Why did Gray have this effect on her? First at lunch, and then now, why was she acting like a love struck high schooler?

She made it through the rest of Home Econ. with Gray in deep thought next to her. He didn't say anything to Erza after the initial question, and she was greatful, had she squeaked or stuttered anymore, she would have literally turned red. Finally, 6th period was over, she had made it through the day.

Students filed out of the classroom and through the hall ways, pouring out of nearby exits. Slowly, Erza made her through the front entrance, back to the tree where she had promised to meet Kagura. Slightly tired from a long first day, Erza slumped against the tree, then sat down on one of it's roots. Under the shade with a nice breeze and the chatter from the students, Erza closed her eyes, feeling calm. However, the feeling did last that long as she was poked in the shoulder by an upset blue haired girl.

"Hey, Levy." Erza greeted, and Levy slumped down beside her.

"I can't believe Jellal, him and his cunning ways!" She huffed, and crossed her arms. Erza had no idea who Jellal was but decided to let Levy keep ranting, and start searching the crowds for Kagura. Through the colorful heads of many many students, Erza couldn't see a any long purple hair with a yellow ribbon. 

"-and then Lucy, Lisanna and Cana kept making fun of me." She whined and leaned her head back, looking up. Erza joined her.

"This tree is really pretty," She commented, and Erza hummed in agreement. The serene moment was again interrupted.

"ERZAAA!" Kagura screamed from not so far away. Erza looked forward and saw Kagura weaving through students towards her. Erza stood, followed by Levy, and Kagura finally got there. She looked at Levy, who smiled too her.

"Oh, Levy, this is my little sister, Kagura, Kagura, this is Levy." Erza traded introductions. The younger beamed, glad that Erza had met someone on her first day.

"Nice to meet you, Levy! Hope Erza isn't too introverted around you." She said, and Erza ruffled Kagura's hair.

"Aww, you two look so cute together," Levy cooed.

"Well, I guess I'll get going," She said, and wandered away with a wave. Erza and Kagura started off in the direction of the bakery. They walked along the roads with the puddles where they had previously splashed the hell out of eachother, giggling and talking about school.

"So, did you meet anyone else?" Kagura asked.

"Hey, I asked about you first. Did you meet anyone cool today?" Erza chimed in.

"Uh, there were these people who invited me over for lunch because I put on the most miserable-looking face ever, sitting by myself at first. They were cool." Kagura explained.

"Names?" Erza questioned.

"Uhh, I don't really remember.. You know I'm not good with names." Erza hummed in agreement. "I'm pretty sure one girl was named Wendy." Kagura added on after thinking for a bit.

"Anyways, what about you? How was your day?" The younger asked.

"Well I met this love struck girl who refers to herself in third person. And this dude who has a psychological problem about taking his clothes off. Another girl who keeps making occasional references and I think she thinks she's a character in a story. Not really sure about her. Oh, and another one who's definitely not straight. And this dude who seems familiar but he has this giant face tattoo, and-"

"Wow, seems like you had a great time." Kagura giggled, cutting Erza off. "I'm happy for you." She went on, with a geniune smile.

The rest of the walk home was shrouded by a comfortble silence. Until the two girls got home of course.

"HONEY, THEY'RE HOME!" Zeref shouted from the bakery before the girls had even gotten to the door.

"OH, I'M COMING DOWN, DON'T LET THEM OPEN THE DOOR YET!" Mavis responded, from somewhere in the second floored house. The lock clicked from the other side. The two sisters just paused right in front of the bakery door, and played along with whatever their parents had planned out. After a minute of shuffling feet, the house finally went quiet. The lock clicked again. Erza took that as a signal. She pushed the door open with,

"Hey Ma-" Before the sisters could say their greetings, they were hit with clumped together confetti from a tiny confetti can.

"HAPPY FIRST DAY OF HIGHSCHOOL!" Zeref shouted, and Mavis joined in, chuckling while picking up the small cluster of confetti.

The proud mom and dad went in for hugs before the girls had time to even put their school bags down.

"Thank you Mom, Dad," Erza nodded and hugged back, followed by Kagura. Once pleasantries were exchanged, shoes were removed and the students went up to their rooms. Erza wandered in, shuffling across the carpet, and setting her bag down on her desk, then flopping on to her lower bunk. Kagura followed in suit, except just kinda melted onto the floor, not wanting to climb up to her bunk.

"We are so lucky we have such parents." Erza started.

"Hn," Kagura hummed in agreement and closed her eyes, though not all that tired. She eventually pushed herself up, squirmed onto Erza's bed and laid her head on Erza's stomach.

"I'm glad were still together." Kagura added. Erza's mind traveled back to what now seemed like an alternative timeline that was missing bits in her memory... her childhood.

"Yeah," Erza agreed, in the most English dubbed anime voice ever.