3. Apologize

Gray’s POV

“I…Juvia can’t stop her tears, Gray-sama” She said. I felt guilty from the moment I left her alone AGAIN. I’m so stupid. I shouldn’t have leave her here. ‘Why did I leave her in the first place? What was my reason for leaving such a beautiful woman who adores me and…loves me…

Shit, just like Loke said. I’m an idiot!

I remember now…

1 year ago…

“Gray-sama,” Juvia smiled. “Do you have plans tonight? Are you staying up all night again for the lectures?” Her sweet voice echoed through my ears.

“I am going to classes today. After that…well, nothing much. Why ask?” I looked at her as she looked down on the floor.

‘What is she up to?’ I asked myself.

“I…Ju-..I…Juvia wants to ask Gray-sama if he would like to…” I am getting impatient now so I continued and guessed what she wanted to ask.

“Go have dinner with you? Is that what you are going to ask, Juvia?”

Juvia nodded. She frowned and looked down at the floor. ‘Shit! I am really bad at this. I shouldn’t interrupt her inviting me to dinner.’

“Okay Juvia,” I sighed. She was nearly in tears now. I don’t want her to cry. “Can you ask me again?”

Juvia paused for a moment. She hesitated then looked up and asked. “Will you go out with me tonight, Gray-sama?” I was shocked.

‘Will YOU go out with ME tonight?’ Did I really hear that? She used first person for the first time. I smiled at her and her cheeks went red.

“Okay, Juvia. Gray will go out with Juvia tonight.” I said and she laughed at me.

“It was really weird when Gray-sama tries using the third person” Her nerves went down, finally. She might faint if I didn’t do anything to make her calm and then I smiled to her.

“I tried but I guess third person will only suits you. My classes will end at 3 o’clock. Do you have classes toady?”

“Juvia doesn’t have classes today, Gray-sama. Juvia will just wait you here.” She was willing to wait that long? She really wants to go out with me.

“Okay fine then. I’ll go to class now. Don’t get too tired or else-”

“Juvia knows that…take care, Gray-sama.” Smiling again at me.

‘How many times she had done that to me?’ that smile on her face that makes me warm inside and her innocent looking face and just how happy she was calling me, ‘Gray-sama’. Only Juvia could do that to me.

As I walked through my classroom, I noticed Loke looks horrible. It’s like he was chased by the fastest mammal in the animal kingdom.

“Oi Loke, what’s wrong with you?” I asked. I was nearly laughing when I looked at his horrible face.

Loke was my block mate and I was in the same class with him every subject, coincidently. Loke is a friend but I usually get irritated with him. He talks a lot. He annoys me. He always brags me about how the girls would fall in love with him. He even tells me how he likes Lucy, the blonde girl from the tourism department. She is pretty but I think Juvia is prettier. Of course, I know Juvia well. And there was this one day, when Loke suddenly talks about his gross sex life. Thinking about it makes me want to puke.

“I was chased…” He was serious this time. Then suddenly I heard voices. Screaming girls. Loke look pale when he heard that sound.

“Oi Gray, come on now.” What is wrong with him? The other day she would not refuse to any girls in the campus now what? He is running away? So stupid!

As Loke dragged me to the classroom, I saw a lot of girls with chocolates in their hands, different sizes, shapes and I know differs in taste, too. The girls were screaming for Loke’s name. It was really creepy. I now realized why Loke look like that. We ran as fast as we could. Now, I have felt what it’s like to be chase by the fastest mammal in the animal kingdom. We entered the homeroom at last.

“Hey, Loke…next time when the girls chase you, don’t drag me into this. You fool. What was going on anyways? They looked so creepy.” I looked outside seeing so many girls that wants to see Loke.

“It’s February 14.”

“So?” I was clueless. What the hell is there to celebrate in February 14?

“Girls give chocolates to the person that is special in her heart when Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh…now I get it. But can’t you just accept it? So that this whole thing will stop now.” I asked him with a grin

“It is so plenty…I hate my curse…why am I so handsome…”

“Yeah, whatever you say…” I told him that so the conversation would stop. He will start boasting  again. Horrible Mr. Valentine

“Oh...I guess that’s why she invited me.” I said it loudly and Loke hears it. ‘Oh man,’

“What did I just hear?” Loke stares at me with smirking face.

“Juvia asked me out.”

“What a date? Juvia? The blue hair sexy woman who was in your room and the marketing student hottie? Whoa, Gray… that is one hot girl you got there.” Loke described Juvia like a prey. I hate it.

“DON’T TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT.” I yelled at him. I hate it when girls are disrespected like Loke did. Such a pervert.

“Calm down, Gray. You reacted as if you’re the boyfriend.”  It’s annoying.

“NO, just don’t disrespect her,” I defended myself. I don’t like it when women are disrespected especially my Juvia. ‘What my? Is she mine?’

Then Loke become serious. “So where are you going?”Oh… I didn’t even think about that. Juvia asked me and I said yes so should she would be the one leading the date because Juvia asked me first, right?

“Hm…where do you think we should go?” I asked him anyways. I thought Juvia wouldn’t think that as well.

“Some romantic place, of course. Restaurant maybe, amusement park or just asks her where she wants to go” he answered. “And maybe afterwards, you’ll get your first time.” he said with his gross look.

“Shut up! I’m not like you Loke. Pervert.” There he goes again starting a gross conversation. He just laughed at me and I got irritated. The class starts.

After class…

“I am going Loke. I don’t want to get involved again with your chasing problems.” I said. I am in a rush because I am late 30 minutes late. The professor extended his lessons. Damn that professor. He didn’t even know how important this day was. Shit, I am late.

“Oh…yeah. Good luck with the blue hair.” Loke smiled and ran away. I think he doesn’t want to be chase again with those creepy girls.

I ran towards our room. Juvia has been waiting too long. Its 3:40. I am now 40 minutes late. I screw up. I didn’t even have her a present. ‘What? That sound…’

I entered the room and I heard a sound. A melody. A sweet rhythm. I saw her as she played her piano. She was as graceful as her hands touch through the keys of the piano. The sound…that piece she was playing. It makes me warm again. I felt more relax. All the worries I had from class simply go away listening her play. I smiled at her. She didn’t even notice me but I didn’t mind. I just wanted to see her smile while playing. She was comfortable with the piano. I just stand there at the living room and listen to her music.

“Oh…Gray-sama. How long have you been there?” She said as she notice me finishing the final key.

“I’m sorry, I’m late.” I smiled at her.

“It’s alright Gray-sama.”

“You played so well Juvia.”

Then there’s an awkward air between us. She looked down on the floor with a smile.

“Well, I must go change and let’s go out. What ya think?”

“Yes, Gray-sama. Juvia will go change, too.” She smiled with those red cheeks.

After 30 minutes

“Hey, Juvia. You okay?” She’s in the room for almost 30 minutes now. “A-a-ah… yes, Gray-sama. Juvia is fine. She will go out in a bit. Juvia’s sorry.”

“Okay.” What is taking her so long? Does every girl do that? Letting their man kept waiting for so long?I want to go out with her right now. Wait, why am I getting excited about this? Does that mean I am…

“Gray-sama,” I looked up and I saw her from head to toe. She was wearing a blue lacy sleeveless dress. The hem of her dress overflows through her knees. She wears blue close flat shoes. She wears a blue Cossack hat with a butterfly pin on the side. She was stunning. Blue is indeed her favorite and it suits her very well.

“Gray-sama,” she looked at me. Her face was so natural. No makeup. Just a bit pink lip gloss on her soft lips. It is tempting. She is tempting.

“Shall we go now?” I had to keep my cool. Inhale…exhale…

I offered her my hand and she accepts it. We walked through the dorm hall. “Where do you want to go, Juvia?” I asked her. This might be a good start of our date.

“J—Juvia knows a restaurant. It just opened this week. A Japanese restaurant, I guess?” she answers in a shy and sweet tone.

“Okay, then let’s go there.” I noticed as we went to the restaurant, she was holding something in her bag and her hand was bit shaking. ‘What’s wrong again this time?’

We came to the restaurant and man it was full. Oh well, it is Valentine’s Day. But gladly there were still a seat for us. I take her to her seat. I had to be a gentleman. She thanked me and smiled again. She always smiles at me. I could not count how many times she smiles at me. She was like…just you know. It is hard to explain. Dammit.

We ordered and we eat at the Japanese restaurant she suggested. She was quietly eating her food. I suddenly felt awkward. There was no conversation going on. We use to eat together at our dorm and even in some restaurant but today was awkward. I felt uneasy. Why?

We just finished our food. I pay the bill and get out of the restaurant. No talk.

“Gray-sama…did you like the food?”

“Of course. Thank you, Juvia.”

“No, Gray-sama. Juvia had to thank you.” I looked at her in surprise. I didn’t argue with that cute face of her. I just smiled at her. “So, where are we going next? Would you want to go to the movies?” I asked her.

“Juvia would love to Gray-sama.” she had a small laugh. “Hey, what’s funny Juvia?”

“Nothing Gray-sama. Juvia is just honored to be invited by Gray-sama.” Is that really funny? She is weird as always.

And as planned we watched a movie. It is a valentine movie. Oh yes, I manage to watch a freakin’ love story with her. I watch her cried, laughed and do both at the same time. It was weird. She can laugh can cry at the same time. Are girls were really like this?

Finally the movie is over.

“Thank you, Gray-sama,” she said as she wipes her tears with her blue handkerchief.

“You enjoyed it? You were crying and laughing.”

“Yes, Juvia enjoyed it. That was a great movie. Sweet and romantic. Did you enjoy it too, Gray-sama?”

Sweet and romantic, huh? “Yes, I liked it.” It was a great movie after all. Like she said sweet and romantic.

“What do we do next?” I asked her but she looked at her watch. Is she in a hurry to do something?

“Do you have other plans? You’re looking at your watch.”

“N-n-no Gray-sama. I am just checking the time. It is 8:04 pm.” Yeah, right.

“And?” I continued.

“Juvia wants to go to the bookstore. Is it alright if you accompany me?” She changed the topic. What?

“Of course Juvia. Is that all?” I ask more. What is it now Juvia?

“You look nervous Juvia. Is there something you want to say?” she looked down the floor of the mall. “What is it, Juvia?” Tell me now…

Then she took off something in her bag and hand it over to me. Her hands were shaking.

“Gray-sama...I—J—Juv.” She can’t even say her name. What’s this for? A box? She was holding a rectangle box covered with pink wrapper with hearts printed in it. I was surprised. I could not even move. I know some people are staring at us now… what do I do? Then she speaks loud.

“I love you, Gray-sama.”

Now people had their eyes completely on our direction now. I saw a lot of reaction at the crowd. Some of them were shock and the others were just smiling in awe. I even saw Loke in the crowd. He was laughing. Dammit. Dorm leader Mira was there too. Natsu and Lucy as well. I think all of them were there. Dammit. Our entire friend saw us in a very awkward situation. I was losing my cool now. I could not even move. I should be the one who is confessing. That is not fair. Juvia couldn’t move as well. She was still holding the box in her hand. Juvia would cry anytime now. I just felt it. What do I have to do? I look at Loke who was still looking at me but now in his serious face. Then he said something. I couldn’t hear it because of the crowd. Gladly, I can read his lips. It said “accept it!” and the second line was “kiss her”. WHAT? Kiss in the public? There is no way I’m going to do that. I looked at her. Tears. Her tears. It would drop off sooner if I didn’t do something.

Suddenly, I moved. I don’t want to see her cry. I took her gift and grab her wrist and wrap her arms around my body. I hugged her. I didn’t know what I was doing. I suddenly heard people screaming. It is like they have watched a scene in a movie. What the—

“I don’t want to see you cry, okay? Thank you for the gift.” Is that all I can say to her? I am so stupid. I hugged her tight. I couldn’t say a word. I just want to feel her. She loves me. “Gray-sama” she whispered. She was in tears now. “Shh—I said don’t cry. Stop it now, okay” I wiped her tears with my thumb and stayed there hugging her.

“Get a room!” I know that voice. Then the crowd laughs and started walking again. Minding their own business. Then he looked. It was Loke putting a big smile with thumbs up.

She loves me. Juvia loves me.

She was crying and breathing real hard. Wait, I could not let this happen. I don’t want her to cry.

“Gray-sama…Gray-sama.” She said, still sobbing. She called me Gray-sama. I felt warm again.

“Juvia. Stop crying.” I went over to her. I was hesitant to her. What can I do to make her feel better?

I hugged her “Stop it Juvia. I’m sorry. ” I said with guilt. Then she wrapped her arms around me. She was still crying. She was in pain and then she suddenly fainted. Fortunately, I have her in my arms. And I felt her face was so hot. It is not normal.

“She’s sick.”