Day 70 (Part 2) - Inconsolable

I woke again at around mid-afternoon. My hands and legs were sore from the excess and untimely sleep. The sun drifted through the curtains and played around the floor in blotches of bright squares. The curtains swayed soundlessly as the soft, cold air blew from the open window. For minutes I just stared at the lively ocean sky smiling down at me. The clouds had protected the suns beauty by overlapping themselves over it, decreasing it's shine by minor seconds frequently.

I let out a tiny yawn with a faint groan and finally got out of the bed.

Heading downstairs, I heard a couple of voices emitting from the kitchen again. Judging from the cuteness of a voice from the other, I figured it would be Mavis.

And I was right. As I stepped in the kitchen, two cheerful faces greeted me with a broad grin; Mavis and Zeref. I quickly swept the room with my eyes and noticed that Jellal and Gray were not here.

"Did you sleep well, Erza-chan?" Mavis asked as I approached her.

"I did." I replied with a vague smile and looked at Zeref. He smiled at me but soon after averted his eyes to a square-sized paper he was holding between his fingers.

"So, this is all you need for dinner?" He asked Mavis before she could continue asking me the methodical questions.

"Yes," She looked at him and nodded, "And bring some soda's if you can."

"All right." He let out a gentle exhale and gleamed back at me. "I'm gonna go to the store then, see you guys later!" He nodded once at the both of us and walked past me. I followed his movements as he picked up his coat from the couch and headed towards the door, lastly hearing only the click of the shutting door echoing weakly in the kitchen.

"Erza-chan, do you want something to eat? I made sandwiches." She looked wide-eyed at me, almost expecting me to say a yes.

I didn't want to worry her and my stomach did feel light and empty so I quickly nodded and shimmered a smile at her. Mavis' nature is too fragile and sensitive and the way I see it by my stay here these past days, I have noticed that she gets worried by even the smallest of the things. She also has a weak heart, that I have perceived as well.

Promptly, she turned around towards the platform behind her, pulled out the lid that was covering the tasty looking sandwiches and placed it in front of me.

"Go on, eat it Erza-chan!" Her cute voice rang in my ears and it was hard to control my chuckle.

"Thank you for the meal!" I said cheerfully and grabbed the first sandwich my hand fell on. It was delicious. Even though making a sandwich is easy and not a very difficult delicacy to share with others, the amount of everything that was slapped between the soft bread was perfect. The right amount of salt, pepper and mayonnaise just made me crave more for such simple rectangle bites. Mavis delightfully laughed at me and I was embarrassed that I might have looked like a hungry gorilla to her but I didn't care. If she finds it funny and not-so-ugly, I will chomp down at these tasty bites until none of it are left.

At long last, the last of the sandwiches was in my stomach and I was dreamily licking the tip of my fingers. I had realized it now that the whole time I hadn't talked anything to Mavis and neither did she bother me by asking anything.

"Are you filled now?" She asked with a laugh.

"I am in love with your sandwiches." I stated slowly.

"I'm glad to hear that you like it, Erza-chan."

"If there was more I would have eaten it and if there was an infinite of it, I would have kept eating it." I breathed heavily and chuckled.

She laughed back but slowly her laughter died down and a slight seriousness took over her petite face. "Erza-chan..." She whispered my name.

"Hm?" I lightly arched my brows and stared at her nervous expression.

"I wanted to talk to you about something, if you don't mind..."

"No, no...go ahead, Mavis." I tried to sound as decisive as I could.

"It's about Zeref..."

"What about him?"

She bit her lower lip and doubtfully looked down at her fingers that were now tangled with each other tightly; so tight I could see the whiteness in her knuckles and her sharp bones that palely stood out.

"Mavis, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?" I assured her calmly, keeping my voice as gentle as possible.

She gave a hesitant nod before speaking again, "I know he loves you and he keeps talking about you to me but Erza-chan, I love Zeref and I know this might hurt you but please, I request you to leave Zeref alone if in the end, you're just going to break his heart." Seeing Mavis speak to me so boldly with such pride in her tone made me happy. Regarding this matter, it's clear to me that Mavis saw me and Zeref leave the house this morning but it's also evident that Zeref hasn't said anything to her yet. Truthfully, I'm a least bit hurt with what she said. I'm glad she could stand up for what she wants. She seems like the kind of woman to fight for her love rather than give up in a blink of an eye.

I smiled at her with assurance and held her cold hands in mine. "Mavis, I'm pretty sure you don't need to worry about Zeref anymore."

"Huh?" She raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

"Zeref is my good friend and he always will be but I assure you there's nothing between us. We are just good friends and I don't want to hid this from you but yes, he has confessed to me but I don't feel the same for him. I also declare that he hasn't done anything out of his line, so you don't need to worry about all that." I lightly squeezed her hand and grinned as I saw Mavis' face soften a little. A curve had formed on her lips and the tension around us that lingered only for a few passing moments had vanished like cinders in a lake.

"If what you're saying is true...then..."

"Then?"

"Erza-chan, please help me confess to Zeref, I mean, I confessed him a million times and each time I confessed he wouldn't take it seriously but please tell me what do I really do to show him that I truly am in love with him and that I want to spend the rest of my life in this house. With him." Her words were like a cat's purr but I could clearly understand what she meant. It does breaks a girls heart when the guy she loves doesn't take something seriously.

"Love is tough." I commented with a bob.

"It is, right?" She sighed loudly and dropped her head down.

"But don't worry, Mavis. I will help you." I smiled.

"You will?" She looked back at me with eyes that sparkled like clear water and silver glitter.

"I surely will. After all that you done for me, this is the least I could do for the both of you." I winked and she swiftly jogged to my side and kissed my cheek. A flutter of pink spilled onto my white cheeks.

"Thank you so much, Erza-chan!"

And thus, our mid-afternoon passed into a pit of laughter and giggles and plans.

--

It was dusk and the front door buzzed. Mavis placed the bowl of popcorn on the tea table and ran for it, hoping to see Zeref's face. I decreased the T.V volume a little and waited for the screechy, cheerful noise to fill the living room.

"I bought all the things and I'm super hungry so I'm hoping you make dinner before I faint, Mavis." Zeref's loud voice echoed like a buzzing bee. I heard Mavis chuckle and promptly, the two of them were walking in the kitchen. Zeref smiled at me, asked me how I was feeling and then went to his room.

Mavis quickly began preparing for dinner, forgetting that the next episode of Yuri on ice was starting. She unconsciously ordered me to inform Gray and Jellal that dinner will be ready in half-an-hour or so and all I did was nod at her.

Jellal and Gray had been in their rooms for so long that the house began to feel empty and abandoned without them roaming or shouting around. Jellal did come a few times to grab a packet of chips and soda cans for his Naruto marathon but Gray didn't even step out of his room. I am worried about him but after our talk...he made it awkward for the both of us. I'm hesitant to even knock on his door and I have a feeling, slowly, he will start to hate me. Maybe not hate, but would try to stay away from me and I really don't want that because Gray is a good friend.

I stood in front of Jellal's room and knocked. There was no response.

I knocked again, yet, nothing.

Then I tried turning the knob and to my surprise, it was unlocked. I pushed the door slightly ajar and peeked my head through the small, dark gap. The curtains were closed shut and the only light that transmitted in the room was Jellal's laptop. The bright screen shone his face like an angel with a halo and I immediately noticed that he was wearing earphones, so of course, he wouldn't have heard me knock.

"Jellal-Kun." I called out loudly and he looked at me, not because I called him but because he felt my presence or the block of light shining through the gap and onto his appealing face.

He pulled out an earphone from his left ear and raised his brows.

"Dinner will be ready soon." I informed.

"Ah...okay." He nodded.

I kept staring at him, almost eyeing his messy bed. The packet of chips was half open, a few cans of soda neatly placed under his bed and his sheets untidily scrunched at the sides.

"Anything else?" He asked and I falteringly shook my head.

"Then, see you at dinner." I said and pulled back my head before closing the door shut.

I felt a sudden rush of disappointment as the door behind me clicked shut, my hand still on the knob. Maybe I was a little expectant that he would call me to his room, maybe talk a bit to me but nothing of the sort happened. Perhaps he was too busy enjoying his day all alone that he forgot about me...

Anyway, clearing the strange thoughts and feelings I began to feel, I shuffled to Gray's room. My heart began beating rapidly, heat formed on my cheeks and my hair prickled on my neck as though I had just seen a ghost. I wavered to knock on his door. I decided to just leave the informing part to Zeref but then I reasoned...how long would I be able to run away from Gray and why the hell am I even running away when I can just talk it all out with him. I want to settle everything between us so that we will be friends again. With no feelings attached. But regarding Gray, it would be quite difficult to argue with him...

Eventually, my heart and mind weren't in good terms and my mind decided to just knock on the door and let things flow by itself.

--

A few minutes later, the door opened slowly, though, no figure had been seen through the dim-lighted gap.

"Gray, it's me," I spoke but somehow my tone was low and cracky. "Can I come in?"

"Sure." He said and I pushed the door open to walk inside. A sweet scent lingered under my palate as I realized that the only light in the room was Gray's bed lamp. He was sitting on edge of his bed, sky blue sheets neatly tucked inside the mattress. "Switch on the light." He said. I looked to my side and saw a small switch, reflexively flicking it on. Instantly, brightness greeted the dull and depressing room. A peculiar aura was shrouded around Gray, as though he had been having thoughts that I was instinctively sure of.

"Uh...hey?" I smiled hesitantly and walked towards him, "Haven't seen you all day."

"Wasn't in the mood." His tone was stiff.

"Ah, well, I just came to inform you that dinner will be ready soon."

He looked at me, expressionless but the sadness surrounding his chocolate irises gave it all away, "Is that all?"

No. It was not all. I wanted to apologize to him. I wanted to yell at him that I love Jellal more than I will ever love him but also, he can't be mad at me because he had already given up on me! I wanted to slap him so hard that I could feel my fingers vibrating but I quickly clenched my fists tightly and exhaled secretly from my mouth.

I nodded and swiftly got up. I could feel my eyes burning as I marched towards the door, but suddenly, I felt a hand grab my wrist with intense force and pull me back with a twist. I pivoted around, surprised and shocked at the same time. My mind going blank like an unpainted canvas as he began moving forward, staring down at me with intense gaze until my stiff back clashed hard to the wall beside the door. He had pinned my wrist near my hips and pinned my other arm near my ear. I could smell his hair gel, mild yet dreamy. His crumpled shirt had stains of dark sodas on it, meaning he surely wasn't thinking straight when he tried to pull open the can. His breath on my face tasted something between apple and honey and cinnamon. Where on the other hand, my breath had stopped.

I was feeling dizzy, a kind of adrenaline rush passed through my purple, tight veins and I could hear my own hear beat so loud that I was certain Gray could hear it as well.

Silence was eating the both of us until one of us tried to stop it.

"Erza Scarlet, you're making me miserable." He said. His voice steady but wheezy.

I couldn't reply to him. It felt as if someone had stitched my mouth shut with needles and thread. No words had fallen on my dry tongue that was crying for some water. Before I apprehended my current situation, I found out that I was hyperventilating.

"You shouldn't have told me to stay," He whispered but I heard it so loudly. "You're bringing out the wolf in me."

"Gray, stop it..." I heard my voice turn so tiny and airless. The words snapped at each syllable.

"Stop what?" He asked back, so comfortably.

"Stop all this. You know how much I love Jellal! Why are you doing this? Didn't you give up on me?!" I didn't intend to scream but anxiousness made me.

"I did! But Erza, didn't I tell you that I can't hold myself back anymore! Not for a person who doesn't confess to you yet! Jellal is a coward who is too afraid to know his true feelings! Can't you see that?" He didn't shout but rather, he spoke behind gritted teeth, almost trying his best not to scare me off but it was too late. I was frightened of him. His eyes, they were so different now. They were filled with anger and uneasiness and impatience. He changed into a Gray I didn't recognize.

"Jellal is not a coward." I softly spoke. Screaming at each other would only make things worse and attract attention from the rest of them.

"Keep saying that to yourself." He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Let me go, Gray. If you wanna leave, then leave but don't cross your line. You're my friend and you always will be but please...don't ruin our relationship like this..."

Gray scoffed. "Relationship? I doubt there would be any once I leave you with your cowardly crush."

Anger was brewing inside of me but he should have known better to have chosen the right words because the next moment I blinked, a sharp sound like the cracking of a dry twig reverberated throughout the room and a deep red mark was colored on Gray's right cheek. I was gasping for air but there seemed to have no time for me to do that because the world around me darkened.

I fell into someone hands, guessed it was Gray but as I tried to wink open my eyes to see the glimpse of light before I fade into an anesthetic state, I saw Jellal staring down at me worriedly. His mouth calling out my soundless name was the last thing I saw.