After All This Time || A Fairy Tail Fanfiction

Chapter 16

  Gray stood on the roof of the school, staring out at the sky. The storm warning had been issued again—this time for preparation for a controlled evacuation. They said that the storm shouldn't pass through Magnolia—but Gray was skeptical. He could see the clouds right in front of him, so how could the M. A. G. I. C. say that it wouldn't pass through? It most certainly would, and Gray would bet this life on it.

  "My darling?" A voice said from behind him, making him jump. He turned around and raised an eyebrow at the blushing Juvia Lockser. "I–I heard what had happened and wanted to see... i–if you were okay..."

  News traveled around fast... soon the details of Gray's past had spread throughout the school like a wild fire. People he did and didn't know began giving him and Lyon looks of pity and apology when he'd walk through the hallways. His teachers wouldn't yell at him for stripping in class while all of his friends would walk on shards of glass around him. Always thinking twice about what they said and never acting suddenly.

  Especially Natsu. It was weird to see the Flambebrain use his head for once.

  "Yeah I'm fine," Gray said nonchalantly. He, along with the entire school, knew about Locker's HUGE crush on him—the bluenette never really tried to hide it.

  "I–I see..." She stuttered before gasping as Gray walked past her and sat down by the door under the awning.

  A few moments later, thunder struck and rain began to pour down; at least he had taken cover beforehand. Locker stood there, her reaction a bit delayed as she stared in curiosity at the sky, the drops of water rolling down her face.

  It was strangely pretty, the way the rain drop exploded into a bunch of tiny crystals when it kissed Lockser's face and the manner in which the girl wasn't complaining about how her makeup was getting ruined.

  He appreciated that about her, how she wasn't overly sugar coated. She was genuinely dedicated and sincere in whatever she did.

  "You can sit down, you know," Gray patted the dry spot next to him. "You'll get a cold just standing there."

  "R–Right!" Lockser nodded, hurrying over and tentatively sliding to the floor, unsure of how close to sit next to him.

  A few moments of silence passed by before Gray spoke up, "Remember how we used to do this back in Grade School?"

  Her eyes shot up, "O–Of course! You, me, and Lyon would sit on the roof after swim class on occasion..."

  "That's right," Gray snorted in amusement. "And then we'd play Pocky."

  Lockser's face lit up, a bright tomato red, as she stuttered out a stream of unintelligent words.

  "You and Lyon'd always chicken out," Gray smirked. "Until we started putting penalties. After which Lyon finally manned up."

  She hid her face, "that is not my most fondest memory."

  Gray chuckled despite himself, "It was either kissing me, or confessing to Sherry—I think he picked the right one."

  She gapped before blinking, "you always were super messed up."

  "Don't pretend like you forgot, Lockser," he wiggled an eyebrow. "Right after that, you were so jealous that Lyon'd beat you at something that you challenged me too."

  At this, Lockser cried out in embarrassment, "AH! Ten year old me was so stupid!"

  "And you didn't chicken out either!" He reminded, "Now that was an interesting day."

  "Ew ew ew!" Lockser pretended to gag before smiling at him. "Ten year old me was stupid, but at least she got to kiss you, my darling!"

  "Don't remind me," Gray rolled his eyes.

  "What I wouldn't give to travel back and relive that day!" Lockser fangirled.

  "And you call me the weird one?" He teased, poking her nose. "Silly little masochist."

  Lockser gave him a dreamy look, "I can be anything for you, my darling."

  He laughed, lightly punching her arm as she feigned fainting before they both started laughing.

  "Still though," she said after getting her giggles out. "I genuinely wanted to know whether you and Lyon were fine. I heard about..." she paused, examine his expression warily before whispering, "Ur."

  Gray took a shaky breath, "It... It was..." he struggled to find the right word. "Nostalgic."

  "I heard you had a mental breakdown shortly after," Lockser sighed. "I was scared... worried too."

  Gray gave her an apologetic look, "I knew it was coming... even before I fully agreed to identify the b–body," he shrugged. "But I'm still sorry."

  Lockser nodded, "you is forgiven," she specifically used bad grammar.

  "And I says thanks," He mimicked before standing up.

  "Class starting?" She asked.

  "Yeah. Don't stay up here too long or you'll fall ill," he warned before opening the door. "See ya later," he smirked. "Juvia."

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  "Mest Gryder..." Lucy mumbled to her self as she wandered through the Middle School campus during her free period, "Mest Gryder." About a hundred of curious teen eyes followed her as she weaved through them in the crowded hallways. There was only one reason for being her and that was to complete her mission: the search for the infamous Mest Gryder.

  The legal prosecutor, the one named Asuki had faxed her later on, requesting that Lucy and Mest be introduced. After she'd been spammed for a while, Lucy gave in and found herself in the Middle School Campus—sprouting with moody teenagers that had just begun puberty. It was distasteful to say the least. Especially when the hallways reeked of sweat and the lack of deodorant.

  She turned the corner, scanning the colorfully decorated hallway until she spotted a tall man with dark and talking to another staff member. When she was within ear shot of them, she cleared her throat in the politest way possible.

  The two men glanced at her before the tall, dark haired one's eye lit up in recollection.

  "Lahar, we shall continue some other time," the man told his fellow co-worker.

  The one named Lahar nodded, dipping his head in Lucy's direction before parting.

  "So sorry to disturb you," Lucy began. "My name is Lucy Heartfilia. I recently became acquainted with a relative of yours, Asuki?"

  "Yes yes," the man smiled, holding his hand out. "My name is Mest Gryder. I am an eight grade math teacher here in the Middle School Sector." He then laughed. "Though not for long. I recently got a promotion and will be transferring to the high school wing."

  Lucy raised an eyebrow, "not to be rude, but you seem extremely... young to be a teacher."

  "I get that a lot," Mest shrugged, "Actually I'm only nineteen. I graduated extremely early."

  "Clearly," Lucy shook her head.

  Mest nodded, "What you get for skipping several grades."

  The two continued to talk, not noticing the curious little, blue-haired, eight grade girl that was watching their exchange from behind the lockers.

A/N: HAPPY SUMMER MINNA-SAN! So I am pleased to say that Wendy Marvell has finally made an appearance—er... or should I say the mysterious "blue-haired girl". I hope you like the new cover, and the Gruvia moment! Stay tuned for the upcoming drama as my interpretation of the Galuna Island Arc comes to an end!