NaLu Oneshots

The Blonde Actress

Summary: Lucy Heartfilia became an overnight success when her first film, "Blondes and Diamonds," became the number one film in America. Job offers roll in and the camera flashes almost take away her eyesight. As the stress of fame takes over she runs to an old childhood friend and his small apartment on the California coast.

Notes:
   - inspired by actresses of Hollywood's golden age
   - (and my love for the 40's and the 50's)

Rating: T

• • •

You'd think after not being seen for hours, paparazzi would eventually leave. But sure enough, they chased Lucy Heartfilia's red Cadillac down through Beverly Hills. She was in too much of a rush to but the roof up so the wind blew at her harshly, just enough for her to loose her silk neck scarf. She was able to get away at around midnight, once she hid herself in a small beach town.

Once she was sure she was alone, she stepped out of her car to check for damage. There were scratches along the the front with countless destroyed, insects carcasses on the windshield but nothing major. She'd get it cleaned on Monday; as that was the least of her problems.

What she was worried about was the number of pill bottles sitting on her vanity at home. Her agent told her she needed to start losing weight, smile more, have silky hair, whiter teeth, and take care of the stretch marks on her thighs and apparently pills were the only way to take care of it. Lucy was afraid of the pills. She heard of countless actresses getting addicted and overdosing on drugs and didn't want to be another statistic. She was already becoming one. She was becoming addicted to prescription drugs and it was getting harder to avoid them. She needed to be with someone who'd help her. Anyone in Hollywood would think she was crazy.

She was only a few miles from Long Beach, where a childhood friend lived. She was going to visit; unless he kicked her out, which was likely. She stepped back into the car and left the woods, heading to the popular beach town. She drove through small towns and empty areas of land. Each town had a movie theater where a large poster of her recent film, "Blondes and Diamonds," was plastered over the front of the building, next to posters for a horror film and another movie starring Gregory Peck.

Long Beach was oddly quiet for a Friday night, bars and clubs were open but it didn't look like people were there. Lucy stopped at a gas station where a young man filled up the tank. She recognized him and she was sure he recognized her. Gray Fullbuster, the friend slash enemy of Natsu Dragneel. Gray was oddly close with Lucy until she went to Hollywood. They hadn't spoken since. He wouldn't look at her. He only spoke to her when he asked for the money for the gas. She handed him a ten dollar bill and told him to keep the change before she left.

She knew where Natsu lived. During filming, she was constantly getting letters from him. Each one invited her to visit. She always replied saying she couldn't. It was kind of sad that the only way she could was when she was afraid of a few bottles sitting patiently  in her room. She was surprised when she pulled up in front of the building, she checked the letter she brought with her to make sure it was the right address.

There was scratching coming from inside. Natsu's cat, Happy, was pawing at the window. He could clearly see that it was her. She got out of the car as Natsu looked out the window. She was half way across the sidewalk when he opened the door and didn't expect the tears that threatened to escape. He looked different than the last time she saw him, over a year ago at a college party. He seemed worn down, but also stronger. His skin was darker and his eyes weren't as bright or wide as they used to be.