Countdown [Natsu x Reader x Gray]

🎓 Chapter 9 🎓

"They asked you to be a student teacher?" Erza repeated what you had told her. You nodded your head in response. "Well, why not do it? You would receive great experience and recommendations for college."

"I don't know if it's my thing." You said, "I mean, I'm honored and everything, but I don't know if I want to be a teacher."

"You won't know until you try it. Besides, no one said it was permanent."

"I guess you're right."

"Of course I am." She stated confidently, "Now, do something about Natsu and Gray. Their constant fighting is disrupting the peace at this school!"

"I don't know what you expect me to do." You grumbled to yourself before saying your goodbyes to Erza.

As you walk down the school hallway, you pass the library and see, through the clear glass, you spot the new student. He was reading, what looked like, a textbook and by the looks of it, he was having trouble.

And now that you think about it, you don't even know his name.

You entered the library and decided to talk to him. You didn't want to assume, but it seemed as though this new student didn't have any friends.

He was always alone when you saw him. Although, it could also be a coincidence.

You felt for the boy. It was sad to see him all by himself. Also, considering how you first met him, he seemed like he was an outcast.

If anything, he could at least have you as a friend.

"Hi." You greeted once you got to the boy's table.

He looked up and froze for a second. He couldn't believe that you of all people were standing before him. Unfortunately, he opened his mouth yet no words came out.

"H-. . .Hi." He mumbled after what felt like an hour (though, it was only a minute or so). In shyness and embarrassment, he immediately looked down at his textbook instead of at you.

You gave a small smile, finding this behavior cute. "I don't know if you remember me, but I helped you a while ago in the hall. I was just checking on you to make sure you're adjusting to life here well. You're new, right? I told you my name, it's (Y/N) by the way, but I didn't get your name." You asked, curious.

"Huh?" The boy's head shot up and his eyes were wide. "I-I mean, yo-you want to know my name?" You nodded your head in response. "I-It's Zero.."

"Zero." You repeated, "That's a cool name!"

"Th-Thanks.."

"What were you studying? It looked like you were having trouble." You asked, "I don't mean to seem nosy or anything, I promise!"

"Math. I was studying math." Zero muttered, looking down at his book again. "I have a test next week."

"I see." You nod in confirmation. "Math can be quite tricky, especially when you mix multiple letters, numbers, and signs." You paused. "Would you like me to help you?"

"Eh?" Zero grew flustered, but immediately toned it down. "N-No, that's fine. You don't need to waste your time with me. I'll manage."

"It's not a waste of my time. I'll try to help you in any way I can."

"R-Really?" Zero paused, thinking. After a small smile appeared on his face, he agreed to you helping him.

You nodded with a small smile and sat down across from him. "Ok, so what are you studying?" You asked.

"This." Zero mumbled shyly, pointing to the open pages in the textbook. "This sine, cosine, and tangent stuff."

You nodded and then began explaining the mathematical concept as well as helping him with a few of the questions from his homework assignment.

Meanwhile, in the hallway, Natsu and Gray were looking for you.

"I checked the cafeteria, the courtyard, and the girls' bathroom, but she's not there." Natsu stated.

"Wait, you went into the girls' bathroom?" Gray asked, mentally calling his childhood frienemy an idiot.

"Well, I knocked first." Natsu scoffed, folding his arms over his chest. "Geez, I'm not stupid!"

Gray only rolled his eyes in response. Natsu has officially surpassed the basic standards of idiocy. He commented in his head. He scanned the hallway; his eyes searching for (Y/N). He couldn't wait to tell her that he was going to be in a play.

The two boys were passing by the library when Gray casually glanced inside.

Wait a minute . .

"Natsu!" Gray called, elbowing the pink haired teen.

"Ow!" Natsu groaned, "What gives, Gray? You lookin' for a fight?"

"No, you idiot! Look!" Gray pointed to the library. Through the clear class windows, the boys saw you (or rather, the back of you) sitting with an unknown boy. "Isn't that (Y/N)?"

"Sure looks like her." Natsu agreed, "But why is she with that guy? And who is that guy?"

"Isn't that the boy she told us about that one time? The boy who kept staring at her?"

"What's his name?"

"How the heck should I know?"

"You don't think he likes her, do you?" Natsu suddenly asked, "'Cause I don't need any other rivals. You're plenty."

"Even if he did, (Y/N) would never fall for a guy like that." Gray stated confidently. "He's not her type."

"(Y/N) has a type?"

"Obviously, you moron." Gray smirked at his frienemy and confidently stuck his chest out. "I'm her type."

"Liar!" Natsu shouted.

And thus, yet another fight between Natsu and Gray broke out.