Operation: Too Many Boyfriends

A Date

The next day, at the Guild Hall:

"Oh, Lucy! There you are! Another delivery came!" sang out Mira as Lucy entered the Guild Hall.

Mira pulled the package from underneath the bar. She handed the box to Lucy. "I think it's chocolates!" she exclaimed with a giggle. "There's another note attached!" she said, pointing to the box.

Lucy tore open the small envelope and read the note aloud. "I hope you enjoyed the flowers. Would you mind if I..." she gulped, reading the rest in her head.

"Mind what?" Mira asked sweetly.

Lucy looked up at her, blushing. "He wants to call on me, here at the Guild, tomorrow. He has a meeting in Magnolia and would like to have dinner."

"Oooh! A date!" Mira exclaimed. "What's in the box?"

Lucy opened up the foil wrapped package and found out Mira was right - it was chocolates. In fact, some of her favorite kind! She popped one in her mouth and moaned. "Oh, I haven't had these in forever! They are so good!"

She passed the chocolates around to Wendy, Erza, Grey, Juvia, Mira, and Carla (who declined) that were sitting with her in the hall. She walked over and offered the last two to Gajeel and Levy, who were sitting there reading. Well, Levy was reading. Gajeel had his arm wrapped around the back of the bench and looked like he was taking a nap.

"So bunny girl has herself an admirer," he said, opening one eye and taking a chocolate. He popped it in his mouth, then grinned. "What does flame brain say about that?"

"Gajeel!" Levy hissed, poking him in the side. "Sorry, Lu," she apologized, blushing.

"It's okay," Lucy said with a smile. She turned to Gajeel. "Knowing Natsu, he'll just be upset that he missed out on free food!"

She couldn't help but feel disappointed that Natsu wasn't more concerned about someone showing her attention. I mean, they were best friends and all, but somewhere along the way, she had developed the biggest crush on him. Unfortunately, even though the rest of the Guild seemed to see it, Natsu was completely clueless. Or uninterested. She wasn't really sure which.

She threw the box away and went back to the bar where Mira was reading her card.

"Do you want me to send a response?" asked Mira. "I can contact him using the communication lacrima."

"Um, sure, if you don't mind," Lucy said awkwardly. "You think it's a good idea for me to go?"

"Did he seem nice?"

"Oh yes. Very polite. Kept bowing to me," she giggled, remembering.

"Go for it!" Mira cheered.

"What are you going to wear?" asked Erza. "Do you need help picking out an outfit?"

Lucy bit her lip. "I'm not even sure how I should dress! I mean, he didn't mention if it's fancy or casual."

Erza smiled and stood up. "This is my division of expertise!"

"I'll help!" volunteered Juvia. "Anything to keep love rival away from Grey-sama! If love rival has a boyfriend, she has no need for Juvia's lover!"

Grey banged his hand on the bar. "I am not your lover!" he exclaimed, pink tinting his cheeks.

"I'll go, too!" Levy volunteered.

"I can't leave, but will you come by so I can see, before your date?" asked Mira. Lucy nodded and Mira cheered.

Erza took Lucy by the arm and started leading her out. "No time like the present!" she declared.

They passed Natsu and Happy on the way out.