Countdown [Natsu x Reader x Gray]

🎓 Chapter 7 🎓

A/N: Ok, so, I know it's been a LONG time, but since I've ended a previous ongoing story (and summer break is nearly here), I'll have more time to update this story (hopefully).

Now back to the story . . .

The next day, Friday, you came home from school and was greeted by Zuko.

"Hi, Zuzu!" You knelt down as the small kitten ran into your arms. "You'll never believe what happened today." You stood up straight, walking to your room as you began telling your new pet about your day.

You enjoyed having an animal companion by your side that would quietly listen to your complaints and just talk in general. It was a good way for you to relieve some stress about being a teenager.

You could also vent about your complicated situation with Natsu and Gray. They were both your childhood best friends and you cared about them, but who did you like as more than a friend?

Do you even like either of them as more than a friend?

You certainly haven't thought about them in that way before.

But let's see. Natsu's cluelessness can be either cute or annoying, depending on your mood, and Gray is quite the smooth talker.

Both boys were very handsome though.

What if you couldn't decide who you liked romantically by the end of the school year? Would you lose your best friends?

You shake your head vigorously to get rid of those thoughts. There's no way I'm losing those two idiots as my friends! You made a promise to yourself in that moment.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Come in." You replied in response to the knocking on your bedroom door.

"(Y/N)?" Your mother poked her head through the opening she made by opening the door. Then she proceeded in opening the door fully and walking inside. "A letter from the school came for you." She informed you.

"Really?" You responded, surprised.

Your mother hands you the sealed envelop, which is indeed addressed to you from your high school. "Yeah, have you been misbehaving or something?" She asked, her arms folded over her chest.

"Highly unlikely." You scoffed, opening the envelope and pulling out the letter. After unfolding the paper, your eyes scanned the letter.

Dear Miss (Y/N) (L/N),

As a reward for your hard work and exceptional academic performance, I would like to invite you to be apart of the Student-Teacher Program.

The Student-Teacher Program is a program for excelling students. This program allows you to work with a teacher and be mentored under him/her. You will be teaching a class which will take the place of a class in which you are currently enrolled in.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to gain some leadership experience which will be essential for the job market, undergraduate studies, graduate studies, and any other future endeavors that you might pursue after graduation.

If you are interested, please stop by my office no later than Friday September 9, 2016.

Sincerely,

Mavis Vermilion

"They want we to be a student teacher." You informed your mother after silently reading the letter.

"A student teacher?" She repeated, "Well, that's great! I didn't know your school had such a thing."

"Now that I think about it." You remember two student teachers who are actually from other schools. "My Literature teacher, Tetsuya Kuroko, is a student teacher from Seirin High School and so is an Economics teacher, Seijuro Akashi. But he's from Rakuzan High School."

"Wow, they even bring in students from other schools." Your mother said, astonished.

"Seems that way." You mumbled.

"I think you should do it, (Y/N). It might be fun!" With that being said, your mother left the room and closed the door behind her.

"We'll see about that." You sighed.

You tried not to dwell on it too much, but you couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to teach a class. For one thing, you'd have more authority than your senior classmates.

That's always a nice feeling.

But so you actually want to be a teacher?

____________________

The following day was a rather relaxing day. You enjoyed curling up in bed with Zuko and watching some of your favorite shows.

It was nice to not have responsibilities.

Shortly after noon, however, you heard the doorbell ring. You knew that your mother was in the kitchen, so you knew that she'd answer the door. Therefore, you didn't bother getting out of bed.

"(Y/N), Natsu is here!" You heard her shout.

You still didn't bother to move. "Come to my room, Natsu!" You shouted so that he could hear you. You didn't feel like getting up, so you waited for your friend to come to you.

"I brought Happy!" Natsu grinned as he entered your room. He placed the blue cat on the floor and watched as the feline stretched in the middle of your room.

"Happy meet Zuko." You said as you placed Zuko on the floor. "Zuko. Happy."

The two cats seemed to have a staring contest before Happy pounced on Zuko. Zuko did not like the behavior which was evident by his hissing.

"Why is your cat being so mean to Happy?" Natsu asked, his eyebrows furrowed in concern for his animal companion.

"Don't you blame Zuko! Why can't Happy keep his paws to himself?"

"What!? For your information, Happy is a people person and he loves hugs!"

"You do realize that Happy isn't a person . ."

"Well whatever!"

The two cats were now fighting over one of Zuko's toys. "Literally, there's two." You huffed, shaking your head at the animals. There were two of the particular toy that the male cats were fighting over. Though, it seemed that neither one was going to back down.

"Hey, (Y/N)?"

You looked at Natsu and noticed that he seemed shy all of a sudden.

Not like Natsu at all.

"What is it Natsu? Did something happen?"

"No, not really." He mumbled as his cheeks turned pink. He began figiting and squirming around because he couldn't contain his built-up excitement. "I just wanted to know if you'd come see me when I start running track in the Spring? It'd mean a lot, you know."

Because I'll be running for you, (Y/N), so watch me! Of course, he wasn't going to say that out loud. That would be really embarrassing, even for Natsu who seems to have no shame.

However, he wasn't about to potentially lose you to Gray. He's going to give 110% into this deal that was made amongst the three of you. You were going to fall for Natsu, you were going to choose Natsu, and, eventually, you were going to marry Natsu.

That's his plan.

All he needs is your time and attention.

You raised your eyebrows at your friend (and mentally roll your eyes at how flustered he is over asking a simple question). You thought that the answer would be common sense.

"Of course, you pink-haired idiot."