She's In Your Court

Chapter 6: It's Definitely a Date

And the night is gonna be just fine
Gotta fly, gotta see, got to be 
I can't take it
So, baby, yes, love never felt so good

...

"It's not a date."

Juvia fixed her hair, pulling her blue locks away from her face and into a tight bun – a force of habit. Yet, the style showed off her slender neck – one of her many assets. And Juvia Lockser was well aware of her asset inventory and put them on display once in a while.

Mrs. Lockser stood and leaned against the door frame; watched her daughter put on her own make-up. She had one brow raised; not buying her daughter's words.

The ringing of the door bell peeled her off from the door frame. It was Mary – Juvia's part-time assistant. Her voice traveled to Juvia's room, announcing that she brought the financial reports from the family's accountant. Mrs. Lockser reappeared and returned to her original position.

Juvia was now putting on final touches to her evening make-up; not too much, not too little. She stood from her dresser and checked her look for tonight at the full body mirror. She was more than satisfied.

Juvia wore a bluish-silver sequined long gown with a V-plunge neckline that was low enough to show some decent skin. The twin spaghetti straps were thin but strong enough to hold the gown on her body at the shoulders. She looked elegant but still sexy.

"You're saying that but that is definitely a date dress." Olivia teased.

"I-it's not. I wear this all the time."

The surprise of the gown, however, came when Juvia turned around to reveal an open back from the shoulders to reaching nearly the buttocks.

Mary poked her head out of the door frame and agreed.

"No, Ms. Juvia. That is definitely a date dress."

"It-it-it's not a date!"

...

The Magnolia Great Hall. To hold an event in the Magnolia Great Hall was making a statement.

Mrs. Lockser drove her daughter to the Magnolia Great Hall. The latter refused Gray's offer of picking her up and going to the Fiore Knights annual gala party together. Juvia avoided anything that would resemble her attendance to the event as a date.

"Enjoy your date, honey–"

"–It's not a date, Mother."

Juvia narrowed her eyes at the older Lockser which earned an earnest giggle from the driver. She was growing tired of reminding everyone (mostly, her mother) that this wasn't a date.

"Anyway, just don't catch a cold. Alright?"

Then, Olivia drove away, leaving Juvia confused whether the reminder was a motherly gesture or the older Lockser was taking a swing at her. She was, after all, wearing a backless mermaid gown in a cold September night. Juvia was now having regrets as the harsh cold slapped her exposed skin. It wasn't like she came to impress Hoopster. So why did she have to wear this gown again?

"You clean up pretty well, Ms. Lockser."

Juvia raised her gaze at the man rushing down the steps of the Magnolia Great Hall. His sleek black hair was slicked back; the ends brushed the collar of his crisp dark suit. If she was being honest, Gray Fullbuster looked professional, sexy and dangerous. Not necessarily in that order.