A Racer and A Thug

Something

Lucy's POV

As the next day started, I noticed something was very....off.

It wasn't the all the stares from students, which decrease day after day.

It wasn't my grades, which seemed to grow steadily.

It seemed to just be a sudden change in my day.

And every way I pondered over it, I would always come back to the same thought: Natsu has been acting different lately. So, since that seemed to always pop in my head, I decided to dive deeper into the subject. Thankfully it was still early in the day, so I had more than enough time to investigate.

English

Sitting in my desk, I waited until a certain head of pink hair appeared in the doorway. As I looked over at him, he didn't seem different. He was nervous, hunched over slightly, and stared at the floor. All familiar behaviors I've come to recognize this past month. But earlier today, at the start of school, something was off with him.

*Earlier that day*

Gray storm clouds passed over head as I made my way across the parking lot of cars and students. The stares and whispers, I used to receive, have almost become non-existent for me. Not that I'm complaining, but it was nice to be noticed in fear. The students probably still fear me, but they've also gotten used to my company at their school.

All my thoughts moved to the back of my head as I approached a certain group. Particularly a racing group. It consisted of Mira, Levy, Gray, Jet, Droy, and Elfman. Oddly enough, Natsu wasn't there.

"Hey guys, what's goin' on?" I greeted with a small wave.

Mira was quick to greet me. It seemed she's been taking a liking to me more and more, even before I warmed up to the group. "Hello Lucy!" Before I could protest, she went for a hug. Thankfully it wasn't a long one, she was off before I could process words.

"Ha! Levy pay up!" Jet called.

"That was barely a hug!" The bluenette started.

"We never agreed on how long the hug should be," Jet grinned at his victory. Levy grumbled insults, but gave the manly teenager five bucks.

"Wait what?" I asked.

Without hesitation, Levy explained bluntly, "Oh Jet bet me five bucks if Mira could get a hug out of you." Then she added distasteful, "And he won."

I glared at Jet and Levy, but they averted my gaze with innocent faces.

Before anymore could be said, I felt Gray drape an arm around me, as best he could, and smiled. "Ah, don't take it too personally! Us racers love betting on things."

I glared back at the duo but didn't say anything more. Looking to Mira, I decided to voice a question I had. "By the way, Mira, where's Natsu? I need to ask him a question."

Mira smiled, though I felt like the smile was a little mischievous for some reason, and answered, "Oh he's-" She never got to finish when we heard someone running and panting. We all turned to see the person in question running across the parking lot like his life depended on it. He skidded to a stop and heaved deep breaths his backpack hanging off one arm.

"Oh, hey Natsu!" Levy greeted.

"What's with you?" I asked.

The pink haired teen held up a hand as he tried to calm his breathing. A few seconds later he stood up straight and finally began talking, though he was still panting every so often. "I...I slept....through my alarm..."