Voiced Thoughts [NaLu AU]

Chapter 17

~Lucy's POV~

I knew I'd been acting a little suspicious today, but I couldn't help it. Since my realization, all I could think about was him and how happy he made me.

How head over heels I was for him.

Of course I avoided him. I ran whenever I saw him. When this crush died down or at least when I stopped thinking about it so much, I would talk to him, but until then, no chance.

Everyone around me heard any word I said, but I didn't care. I knew that anyone who knew Natsu would respect my privacy and not tell him. Anyone who wouldn't, had no idea who he was. He had friends, but that pink-haired idiot was nowhere near popular.

That guy had been desperately seeking me out all day. I think he thought he did something wrong, but I wasn't about to go near enough to tell him he didn't.

In a way, it was frustrating. He knew all of my favorite hiding places at this point, and it was hard to hide from him.

Desperate, I headed outside for lunch. It was November and less than thirty degrees out, but that didn't matter.

I shivered while I ate my school food. It wasn't great, but it was food. Fifteen minutes of peace passed before Gray found me.

"Lucy, I'm dead serious when I say I wanna kill you."

"Woah there!" I shouted with my mouth full, scooting back against a wall. "Let's think about this."

"Look, I don't have time to explain, but Natsu's lookin' for ya and he wouldn't let us eat 'til we found you," Gray said quickly. "Now get your lazy butt up and go to that idiot so I won't starve to death."

"No way! Are you kidding?"

"Why would I be joking about something this serious, Lucy?" Gray looked dead serious. "This is life or death right now and if you don't do what I say, it's gonna be death," he warned. "Not just for me either," I caught at the end.

I gasped. "Is that a threat, Gray Fullbuster?"

"Yes," he said bluntly. "Now if you don't give me a reason as to why you are causing my death by starvation I will bring Natsu over here myself."

I blushed, knowing there was nothing I could do to prevent the words. "I have a crush on Natsu." It took all of my willpower to remain quiet, but Gray still heard me. "WHAT IS WITH GUYS AND SUPER HEARING?"

"Do I wanna know?"

"No."

"How in the world could anyone even remotely like that pink, hot-headed food stealer?" Gray's jaw dropped. "He stole my food, Lucy. MY FOOD."

"I agree he must be punished," I laughed evilly. "But only if you don't tell him."

"Anything to make him suffer."

"Glad we're on the same page, my young grasshopper."

I heard something fall around the corner. Scrambling soon followed.

I didn't hesitate to jump around the corner in a ninja-like stance.

I saw Natsu fumbling for his phone on the frost covered ground.