âme sœur

29

Celeste was one of the biggest crowd pleasers on Igneel Street. The owner, as well as a lot of the employees, actually were staff at our mansion. After dad fired them, they stuck together and went into the restaurant business. Aquarius, the owner, was really close to our family, she was my mom's right hand woman. But she always thought I was a bother, that I didn't have the class or grace my mother had, which is very true.

"Good evening, princess," our waitress, Virgo, approached us with a round tray clutched in her hands. She was one of our maids, one of my favorite of our staff. She would play dress up with me, I always was the princess and she was my maid, but secretly she was also a spy in disguise. Her job was to infiltrate our rival's castle, evil prince Leo, who had stolen all the cupcakes in the land and kept them for himself. Leo was our head chef, and is the head chef of the restaurant as well. "It's been awhile since you've last dined with us."

"Hey, yeah, I've had a lot going on. This place is as busy as ever I see," I smiled. Sometimes I really miss these guys, I mean, yes, they pampered the heck out of me, but they also were family. I guess dad didn't feel that way.

"Mhmm, but it will slow down soon, with all the holidays coming up, everyone will either be out of town, or at home enjoying a home cooked meal. Summer is when we have the most customers. Anyways, what can I get you guys to drink?"

Once we ordered, Levy couldn't stop smiling. It was kind of creepy, with her sitting directly across from me and staring me down.

"What..?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing. You just look so happy when you're here. Its like nothing could upset you now that you're with these people," she unfolded her napkin and put it on her lap.

"Is everyone I know a stalker? First Natsu, now you? What is this?"

"I'm not stalking! But seriously, you've been scaring me a lot recently. Every time something happens and you don't reach out to anyone, my mind instantly goes to elementary school that day. I never want to see you so lost that you think the only thing you can do is.."

"Levy, nothing like that is going to happen. That was right after my mom's death, dad's break, and I was too young to understand how mean this world is. I'm stronger now than I was then."

Her eyes had tears popping out in the corners, but they didn't dare fall. She put her hand over mine, "I just want you to know you have an outlet if thoughts start trickling into your head." I sheepishly smiled, nodding my head.

I'm so thankful for Levy, she picked me up when Lisanna abandoned me, when Yukino went to her private school, and she's still stuck with me even now. If mom hadn't died, I don't think I would have ever gotten this close to her, so there was some light in this darkness.

After we ate our dinner, Levy paid and we strolled down Igneel Street.

"Has the school council begun talking about what was are doing for Halloween this year? It's only three weeks away," Levy asked as we passed the holiday themed store front.

"Nope, we haven't had a meeting since we went to Betty's Coffee shop," I looked up at the night sky.

"What's it like, with Natsu on the committee?"

I felt my stomach start tingling just at his name. What is it like? Well, at first, he was annoying as all get out, I was appalled at the thought of him. He got on my nerves so easily, I almost snapped him in half like a twig. But now, that I've seen a different side of him, things aren't bad. He's a great guy, and Lisanna is really lucky to have him.

"He's ok, he's definitely a lot different than when I first met him, now that I've seen him in a different light," I chewed my lip.

"Do you like him?"

My face felt like it was on fire. How could she be so forward, what kind of interrogation is this?

"Where'd you get an idea like that? Of course not! He's a good friend, but nothing else. And even if I did, the feelings clearly aren't mutual, he has a girlfriend. There would be no point in liking him."

Levy didn't say anything about my ramble, she just stared forward and continued to walk.

"Hey, Lucy, you can cut yourself some slack sometimes, it's ok to like someone who you're good friends with. Yes, he may have a girlfriend, but what happens when or if they break up? Are you gonna let him wallow by himself, or are you going to be there for him? There's nothing wrong with liking Natsu."

I blinked up at the night sky.

"I don't know."

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