The Problem Child (Fairy Tail Fanfic)

Careful

{NADIA'S POV}
Of course, it had to be them. I mean, I know that the harvest festival and Fantasia parade are a big deal all over Fiore, but really?

I'm getting butterflies in my stomach just thinking about coming face to face with my guild mates after all these years. I have to take care so my secret isn't discovered. I don't want to burden them more.

Mom. Dad. Luke. Layla. Nashi. Even Luna. I wonder how they'll react when I see them? Will they even recognize me? I look totally different with black hair and my scent has changed from living in Castillia Town for years.

But what about the others? Aunt Mira, Aunt Erza, Aunt Wendy. Reiki.

No!!! I can't see them. I've caused them enough trouble and heartbreak already. I'll fake illness and skip the field trip. Boom, easy.

I tell Cindy and Rio my decision in the school courtyard during lunch break. They adamantly refuse to let me. "You have to go!"

"No!" I shout.

"Yes!" They yell back with equal force.

Cindy gets a pensive look on her face. "Natalie, are you avoiding Fairy Tail? Perhaps your guild—"

In a moment of panic, I clamp my hand over Cindy's mouth, cutting her off. Our classmates stare at us. I smile awkwardly and wave. They roll their eyes, used to my weirdness.

"Shh!" I hiss. My panicked response is answer enough. Their eyebrows shoot up in disbelief.

Rio rests her chin on her hand. She narrows her eyes and examines me. Her head pops up when realization dawns in her eyes.

"No way. A fire mage around our age. Fairy Tail. Pink eyes and major crush on Reiki Fernandes. You can't be—you're supposed to be dead!" Rio sputters. Cindy finally catches on.

"Mmmph!" She cries, and I'm incredibly glad I kept my hand over her blabbermouth. She claws it away. "You're Nadia Dragneel!"

I whip my head around to see if anyone else heard, but our classmates aren't paying any attention to us. I discreetly nod, and they gasp simultaneously. Before they can interrogate me, the merciful bell rings. We need to head back to class.

"These are your group assignments for the field trip." Mrs. Ringle passes a stack of papers down each row of desks. "These will be your roommates, interview partners, and you can sightsee with them in your free time. Remember to stay with your group at all times while we're at Magnolia. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes ma'am!" We all shout.

I look down at the spreadsheet. Predictably, it'll be me, Cindy, Rio, and Anya in a hotel room together. I make eye contact with all three of them. Cindy grins. Rio gives me a thumbs up. Anya practically glows with enthusiasm.

This is going to be so much fun... I hope.

*3 days later*
Unable to sit still, I pace up and down the aisle of the train, bursting with nervous energy.

We're only a few minutes away from Magnolia. The harvest festival is about to begin, and we're going to be staying for the whole thing.

"What are those?" Anya points out the window. I walk back to our seats and lean over her to look at the landscape whizzing by.

Floating in the sky surrounding the city are bunch of multicolored lacrima.

"Oh, those. A long time ago, Uncl—ahem, Laxus Dreyar activated this really dangerous magic called Thunder Palace cause he was mad at Gramp—err, the guild master. A few years later, Fairy Tail started to explode similar lacrima as fireworks to signal the start of Fantasia." I explain.

Anya's always been a nerd about all things magic or wizard related. Her eyes sparkle as she stares up at them. "So cool!"

Mrs. Ringle approaches us. "That was very well-explained Natalie. You've done your research."

I scratch the back of my head sheepishly. Can't exactly say I used to help explode them. I'm saved from explaining when the train pulls into the station, and Mrs. Ringle enters teacher mode.

"Remember to stay with your group. You all have free time until we meet up at the hotel for dinner and check-in. Be there at six pm!" Mrs. Ringle calls after the retreating forms of my classmates as they run around looking at everything.

She glances sideways at me. "Go on then. Don't hold yourself back on my account."

I race ahead, joining my group.

Not much has changed. I show Cindy, Rio, and Anya my favorite places from when I was a kid. They're impressed by my knowledge. We're walking down the canal, chatting, when I see it.

"Careful missy, don't fall in!" A sailor on a boat calls out. I smile and wave, balancing on the edge, but my attention never really leaves Mom's old apartment. It looks like nobody else has moved in.

I remember all the fun times I had with my family in that apartment, like how Dad gave the moving company the wrong number when Mom was pregnant with Luna and we bought the house. Our stuff was lost for a week before we found it again.

"—alie! Oi, Natalie!" Anya's voice snaps me back to reality. I stare up at her. Wait, up? When I spaced out, I fell in the canal.

"Geez, your clumsiness strikes again, huh?" They all laugh at me, before helping pull me out of the thankfully shallow water.

I ring out my clothes and hair as much as I can, but I'm still sopping wet. They crack up looking at me. "You look like a long-haired cat that accidentally fell in the bathtub." Cindy explains.

"Thank you for your confidence inspiring, self-esteem boosting compliments." I roll my eyes.

"Always for you, my dear." Cindy mock curtsies. "Seriously though, are you okay?"

"What happened? Is she hurt?" A familiar voice freezes me in place. Slowly, I turn to face her.

"Nashi." I whisper, my voice strangled. Storm's with her too. Both of them stare at me.

"Do I know you?" Nashi frowns, narrowing her eyes and crossing her arms. I shake my head adamantly and wave my arms around frantically.

"N-No! But I know you! Who doesn't know the Little Spitfire?" I add for good measure. Nashi has a lot of fans, and that's what they call her. Anya is a prime example. She's currently hyperventilating.

Please Mavis, don't let them recognize me.

"I guess that's true." Nashi tilts her head in confusion. Storm still stares at me suspiciously.

"Nashi!" It's Dad this time, running toward us from the same direction Nashi and Storm came from. His whole body is on fire. It's been a while since I've seen overprotective dad mode.

"Storm!" Uncle Gray is close behind Dad, barreling closer. Nashi and Storm look at each other, then run like a demon's on their heels.

I purse my lips to avoid laughing. Dad and Uncle Gray still don't approve of their relationship. Dad sniffs the air. His eyes widen and he stops, whipping his head around to look as our group of four. Uncle Gray goes on ahead.

I fidget. This is bad. I'm due for another pearl of color magic, and it was weakened further by the water. At this rate, my hair will revert to it's natural pink soon. How would I explain that?

Dad sniffs the air again. Then he turns to me. Damn it Mavis!

"You—" He starts, but I cut him off.

"We have to go." I begin pushing Cindy, Rio and Anya away.

"But—" Anya protests.

"Now." I snap. Anya closes her mouth and allows me to push her away. I feel Dad's eyes on me, his stare burning twin holes in my back.

Once we're sufficiently far away, I turn around and use my 20/10 vision to watch Dad. He scratches his head, then takes off in the direction of Nashi, Storm, and Uncle Gray.

"Bye Dad." I whisper softly.

"Did you say something?" Anya cocks her head at me. I shake my head and grin.

"Not a thing."