Underneath A Canopy Of Cherry Blossoms (Nalu AU)

{11} Can We Talk?

It was another ordinary day, and nothing was different except for the fact that I was kind of avoiding Natsu. He also seemed to be avoiding me, as he kept his distance in both of our morning classes. I was upset that we were ignoring each other because I missed talking to him, and even when lunch rolled around he sat on the opposite side of the table from me, which was unusual.

"Hey Lu! How are you, it feels like we haven't talked in days." Levy perked up and enthusiastically spoke to me the moment that I joined them at the table. Everybody else was already there, and I made eye contact with Natsu for a brief second before I looked away.

"Levy we saw each other yesterday!" I responded, laughing at her. She can be so dramatic sometimes.

"Well we need to spend some more time together, are you free this weekend?" she said, pulling me into a side hug.

"Yes I am, we can do something if you want?" I returned her hug.

"Okay!" and as quick as she picked up the conversation, she dropped it and immersed herself back into the gossip with the group. I glanced across the table to find Natsu talking with Gray, well, more like bickering as per usual. Everything seemed completely normal at lunch today, the only thing that has changed is the tension between Natsu and I.

I didn't say no to his confession, but I technically didn't say yes either. I wasn't sure if he was angry with me, but he doesn't seem like the type of guy to ignore me completely. Maybe he's never been rejected before and doesn't know how to react? I'm far too shy to do anything in this situation, so I plan to stay quiet until I either find a moment to talk to him, or he confronts me.

I was pulled back into the group when I heard Erza say my name. "What is up with you two, Natsu? Lucy?" she questioned, her head bobbing from right to left between us. I froze, not knowing how to answer.

"Yeah! What is up? Yesterday you two were all lovey dovey like Gray and I" Juvia piped in as she snuggled Grey's arm. He gave a look of disgust and shook his head, his bicep tensing underneath her.

I was hoping that maybe Natsu would say something but it didn't seem like he was going to, so I took it into my own hands, "nothing is wrong" I stated blankly as I continued eating my food while simultaneously trying not to freak out, even though I was ready to implode internally from the pressure.

"That is definitely not nothing" Gajeel casually threw his opinion into the conversation and everyone began poking and prodding at Natsu and I until I eventually stood up, having heard enough.

"I have a science test next period, I need to go in early and start writing" I stood up from my seat and began walking out of the lunchroom, clearly annoyed. I love them all, but why did they have to keep pushing when it was plain as day that we didn't want to talk about it? I was heading towards my locker because I didn't actually have a test, I just needed to get out of that room, and away from my friends. I unlocked my locker and grabbed my backpack, fully preparing to leave the school and take the afternoon off. When I shut my locker door, I jumped back in shock because the person who I found behind was the last person that I expected to see approach me.

"Hey", Natsu started, "I'm really sorry about what happened in there" he gestured towards the cafeteria as he paused for a second time, "I am also sorry that I have been ignoring you, I just felt like you needed some space and I didn't want to overwhelm you" he was being so kind, I couldn't help but smile.

"Don't worry about it Natsu, I was kind of avoiding you anyway." I laughed and felt my cheeks heat up from embarrassment. Everything felt more real now that I actually knew how he felt for me, and in this moment I realized what I felt for him.

"But," I hesitated, "can we talk about it?"