Just Add Water

Chapter 24

The marine park had recently rescued a dolphin with an injured fin and the employees were tending to him. Within a week his fin had been fixed but they decided to keep him for a little while longer just to make sure nothing else was wrong with him. They called him Dudley.

Juvia was on her way to feed him when the latch on the chain of her locket suddenly became loose. It fell from her neck and landed in the large pool where Dudley was. She checked to see if anyone was looking, once she was sure it was safe she jumped into the pool which allowed her to turn into a mermaid. She swam to the bottom of the pool and retrieved her locket but she had unintentionally caught the attention of Dudley.

The dolphin seemed to look very sad and lonely so Juvia decided to cheer him up by swimming with him for awhile. He perked up almost right away, acting so very sweet and playful but then again that was how most dolphins were. After playing with him for thirty minutes she slipped out of the water, dried off, and once she had her legs back she went to feed him. Dudley squeaked excitedly when he saw her and swallowed the fish she threw to him.

"You fed him." Her boss Mr. Neekis said in a surprised voice.

"Was I not supposed to?" She asked.

"No. No that's good." He said. "The thing is he hasn't been eating much lately and he's been awfully shy ever since he arrived here. He hasn't been comfortable around anyone... Anyone except you. What's your secret?"

"Well I..." Juvia said trying to think of a good excuse. "I guess he just likes my personality."

After work she went to the juice bar with Erza. There they sat down at a table and drank smoothies while watching all the boys fawn over Minerva. It made Erza sick to her stomach.

"Those guys are morons." Erza said. "They hang on her every word. I just don't understand what they see in that shallow witch."

"Still I wish someone would be interested in me. Moron or not." Juvia sighed.

"Someday you'll find a nice guy who will take a shine to you."

"You really think so?"

"I know so."

"Thanks but I've pretty much given up all hope on that subject."

"Well you know they say, it happens when you least expect it."

Just then Jellal walked over to their table.

"Well speaking of morons." Erza said.

"Nice to see you too Erza." Jellal said with a glare but then turned to Juvia with a smile. "Juvia can I have a word?"

"As if she would waste her breath talking to you." Erza said.

"Well she wastes it on you daily."

"It's okay Jellal we can talk." Juvia got up from her table and went outside to talk with Jellal.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He asked her.

"No thank you."

"Are you sure? My treat."

 "Jellal what do you want?" She asked.

"Can't I be nice?"

"Maybe but you've never been nice to me. Not unless you want something from me. So what is it?"

"You're nobody's fool Juvia, I respect that. Alright the thing is, the marine park has a library with information on every sea creature right?"

"Yes."

"So can you get me access?"

"Probably but why would I do that?"

"Because...Because...Because a lot of sea creatures are going extinct and I want to do research on new ways to help preserve them."