Compliments

Chapter 8-Combined Forces

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail and its characters belong to Hiro Mashima

Natsu, Gajeel, Jellal, and Gray walked me to lunch, the three immature ones teasing each other and bickering about the strangest things. For instance, who’s hair looked the stupidest, or why some books were paperback and why others were hardcovers.

When the five of us got to the cafeteria, I was surprised when they followed me to the girls’ table. I turned around to face the four boys. “Aren’t you guys gonna eat at your own table?” I questioned, despite the feeling in my stomach that didn’t want them to leave. Especially Natsu. “Salamander said we should all sit at one table,” Gajeel’s gravelly voice, and I didn’t miss the almost grateful look in his eyes as he spared a glance at my small blue-haired friend.

“Yeah! I thought it would be a good time to get closer to each other, Luce,” Natsu said, and made sure to emphasis himself by inching closer to me noticeably. “I laughed and pat his head, then turned to take a seat in my regular spot. Natsu sat next to me, Gray sat next to him (while Juvia fawned over said black-haired male), and Jellal quietly sat next to an unsuspecting Erza. Gajeel took the seat on the other side of me, leaning over to get a look at what Levy was reading.

The lunch with our combined forces was awkwardto saty the least. Every so often Natsu would beg me for another chip, or Gray would try to pry Juvia off of him, or Gajeel would tease Levy about her book. As I looked up to see the progression of Erza and Jellal, I noticed the two quietly talking among each other, while barely making eye contact.

As I pulled another chip from its bag, Natsu watched my every move. I teased him by licking a small portion of the vinegary chip every so often, not daring to eat it. “What are you trying to do? Can I just have one?” he asked impatiently, as if he had asked a thousand times already. I popped the chip into my mouth, and let my eyes wander towards the ceiling, putting on an act to make him think I had to really think about this. I listened in quiet amusement as he squirmed in his seat, huffing every now and then. So, out of nowhere, I quickly pulled another salty snack bit from the bag and tossed it into his open mouth. Natsu closed his mouth at the sudden action, resulting in finding out I had thrown a chip into his mouth. The poor fool didn’t even know I’d done it! I doubled over in laughter at his reaction and laughed even harder when he gave me a mock glower.

“You’re welcome for he chip!” I cried, wiping away a spare tear that had peeked its way out from my laughter. “You weirdo,” was all Natsu said right before the bell rang, and we were dismissed to out next period.