Celestial Queen {A NaLu Story}

8: Ready!

The jog to the stadium has my entire body quivering with excitement. This is both exhilarating and nerve-wrecking. 

Now that I was able to leave my apartment willingly, I took a nice long run last night to burn off Lisanna's words. I'm not mad at what she said. Especially when it comes to Natsu, I always know she means well. She puts him before everything and I respect her for that.

Unlike someone like me.

I really am selfish, aren't I?

I was one of the first ones at the gate. The security guard let me in without a single question and locked the door behind me. 

Wow.

It's been forever since I stepped foot into this place and I will love to say the memories are truly hitting me now. I quickly made my way down to the locker rooms.

"Oh, Lucy you're early." Erza was in a towel, standing by a metal bench that used to be wood drying her hair.

"I could say the same thing to you."

"Captain always has to be here early am I right?" She responded walking up to her locker with her number and name on it. I searched the rest of red metal lockers and finally found my own.

The same one as last time.

I opened it and gasped.

"New jerseys?" I pulled on out, my last name embedded in the amazing shirt. 

Erza nodded. "Coach said might as well considering we are technically being reborn. Why not come out in style."

She wasn't wrong.

New year, new look.

I like that.

Other girls started piling in as I was changing. I greeted each of them with a huge smile and soon enough, we were all laughing together. I missed this. 

Don't get me wrong: the girls at Barcelona are also long time friends I made while I was out there but that doesn't compare to the relationship I have with everybody coming through the locker room at this very moment. 

This is my family.

Nothing will ever change that.

Even if it's by my ex-fiancee's wife.

I'll win her back to my side. It's going to be one hell of a journey but I'm determined and when I am, I get stuff done. I just don't know how exactly.

"Hey guys!" Mirajane came skipping in suddenly. "You ready?"

"Hell yeah!" Cana exclaimed, sliding her own jersey over her head. 

"Wait, why are you in here?" Juvia asked, blinking.

Good question.

With a sickening smile, she explained. "Because Coach Makarov is making all of you run an extra mile for warm-up because y'all are late."

It was pin drop silence for a little bit.

Then suddenly Erza exclaimed. "OH SHIT!"

~

I could feel it.

The satisfied feeling that old geezer was feeling as he watched us begin our extra mile. All the guys were already starting their stretches while we ladies have to finish this extra mile around the field. Erza was leading the charge with me right behind and Wendy by my side. 

The little girl was practically skipping with joy.

Kid.

Give me your damn lungs!