The Chase | Gruvia Fanfiction

Sixteen

Chapter 16

You Know It

I stared at Gray, my confusion evident. He's hard to forget?

"Oh! So that's what you think?" I retorted with a sheepish grin. "I can forget you, Gray."

"So all I have to do is to make you mine again..." he smirked.

"Can you do that?" I accepted his challenge, trying to hide the flicker of doubt in my eyes.

"Watch me." Gray Fullbuster flashed his arrogant smirk and sauntered away, leaving me to ponder his words nervously.

Could he really pull that off?

I shook my head slightly to clear my thoughts and forced a smile as our car pulled up in front of me.

"Good afternoon, miss," greeted the driver. I returned the greeting with a smile, but my mind was still swirling with Gray's unexpected declaration.

Back home, I changed into my pajamas and aimlessly scrolled through social media, trying to distract myself from Gray. But frustration gnawed at me.

"I'm so pissed at him right now!" I muttered under my breath, heading to the kitchen for some much-needed food.

"If only he'd disappear. I wish he'd fly back to Mars!" I murmured, venting my frustration.

"What the fuck? Are you insane?" Natsu's voice startled me, almost causing me to drop my fork.

"Can you... never mind!" I rolled my eyes, irritated by the uncanny resemblance between my brother and that psycho, Gray.

"Oh, by the way, there are rumors that Gray is dating someone now," Natsu mentioned casually, helping himself to the lasagna left on my plate. "Or maybe she's just a side fling." He shrugged nonchalantly while chewing.

I rolled my eyes again. Seriously?

"And now he's actually dating someone," I muttered to myself, feeling a pang of something I didn't want to admit.

"What?" Natsu's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"What?" Did I just let that slip out?

"Rumors, Juvia. Rumors. Maybe they're true, maybe not," Natsu smirked knowingly. "But it sounds like you're jealous."

Wait. How did he know? Did I mention something before? Damn it, I must be more forgetful than I realized.

A month had passed, and my part-time job had become ignoring that psychotic asshole, Gray, who seemed intent on making my life difficult with his letters and persistent attempts at conversation.

Today, I found myself sitting across from Lucy Heartfilia in the cafeteria, my newfound best friend over the past month. I wondered if she knew about Gray and me. Well, I'd tell her anyway.

"So, do you know Gray Fullbuster?" I asked, taking a sip of my favorite strawberry juice.

"Who's that?" Lucy replied, not bothering to look at me.

Seriously? She didn't know him?

"Nevermind. He's an ass," I said, rolling my eyes and taking another sip of juice.

"An ass, or does he not have an ass?" Lucy teased, making me chuckle.

I glanced out the window, deliberately avoiding my old, usual spot four tables away. I couldn't bring myself to eat or even sit there anymore.

"So, you mentioned this Gray... What's with him?" Lucy asked, looking genuinely curious.

I stared at her incredulously. Did my best friend really not get it?

I sighed. "He's a bastard who chases after girls who don't give a damn about him. Just a classic bastard," I replied flatly.

Lucy rolled her eyes playfully and smiled. "Whatever. I'm going to get another drink. See you later!" she said, walking off.

Alone again.

"Look who's alone," Natsu's voice broke my thoughts.

"What?" I looked up lazily to see my brother flashing his signature grin. "Getting a drink?"

"Yup," he winked and headed to the cashier.

"Can you please not hover around me? People might start thinking you're an asshole," I muttered.

"Alone again?" Natsu teased as he returned to our table.

"Not you too, Natsu," I groaned, causing a few girls nearby to glance over.

And then I saw Gray approaching.

I was ready to leave when he unexpectedly grabbed my hand tightly.

"Ow! Let go! Can you please leave me alone?" I demanded, trying to free myself from his grip.

He just smiled that infuriating smile of his.

"You know how I chase, Juvia. You know it all too well," he winked, releasing my hand as I rolled my eyes and walked away.