Sweetheart

19

"I say we just skip this project and move on with the year."

"Natsu, we have to do this project. I'm not failing because you didn't wanna do it."

"I mean what's the point of having a creative project if we still have requirements?"

"It's to make sure we actually read the books and that we understand it."

Natsu let out a breath and fell backwards on Aina's bed. He tried to fight the sweat that was forming on his forehead, but it got too much and he went to take off his shirt to cool down. Aina noticed and scolded him.

"You have to stay fully clothed when you're in my house. I'm not dealing with my mom's lectures because you got hot."

He groaned and adjusted the fan so it was blowing right at him. Aina continued to work on the water portion of the diorama and let out an "ew" when the goo touched her hand.

"Hey Natsu?"

"Hm?"

"You don't do any work for school, right?"

"That's right, sweetheart."

"Then how have you not been held back?"

Natsu raised his head from the bed and smirked.

"Nobody wants to deal with me ever again, so no matter how bad I'm failing, I always end the year with a D- in all my classes for the final grade."

"Do the teachers really hate you that much?" Aina asked in disbelief.

"You bet!"

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"Aina, Natsu! Dinner's almost ready!"

Aina opened her bedroom door and shouted back down to her mom telling her that they'd be down in a few minutes. Natsu hopped off Aina's bed and stretched. They walked down to the kitchen and sat down at the table, thanking Kelia.

"How's the project going?"

"I've given up," Natsu responded.

"And I'm picking up what he's not doing," Aina sassed.

"Natsu, you only have a couple weeks left before you can forget about the project. Don't you want to finish as soon as possible?"

Natsu looked up to her and listened to her carefully. She laughed and passed him the potatoes and continued.

"I'm saying if you finish this project early then you won't have to do this for the rest of the term. You can finish before the end of the term and then you can have the rest of the term without working on it. Doesn't that sound better than dragging it out?"

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"My mom totally changed his whole attitude towards this project."

"Wait really?" Lucy asked bewildered. "How'd she do that?"

"She basically told him that he can get rid of the responsibility of the project sooner if we finish before the end of the term."

"Your mom always amazes me," Levy commented.

"No kidding. Does she always use psychology like that?"

"Believe me, there are times I wish she wouldn't."

The trio laughed and separated to get to their first period classes.

"So how long do you think it'll take to finish?" Lucy continued as they walked.

"If both of us work on it, it'll probably take two more meetings. We have to put the finishing touches on the diorama and then work on the presentation."