11

Friday came rolling along on fancy rollerblades. The auditorium filled up with faces of every shape and color. A hodgepodge of people. Young and old. Big and small. Two to three little ones sharing a seat, while bigger men took two spots all together. It drew silent when the announcer made her way towards the stage. "The names Mirajane, and I'll be this evening's announcer. There'll be a total of twenty two acts this year. Kicking it all off, we've got the famous Gray Fullbuster and his new partner. Let's give a warm applause to Gray and Juvia." The curtains slide open. Dressed to shine. Juvia begins with the first verse of a Blackbyrd single. Her angelical voice echoes through out the place. Gray took hold of the second verse as he joined her on stage. Together they sang the chorus of 'From the bottom of my heart'. The audience grew more friendlier the further they went. A roof jagged applause erupted as they finished.

After a few more acts have passed in success, Mirajane acknowledged the crowd again. She informed the audience that the next act goes by the name of Redfox. Behind the now opened curtains, sits a guy on a barstool, guitar on the leg. He preformed an astonishing performance of a 'Billy Joel' classic, 'You may be right'. Nobody could have foretold it. He was shockingly good. Better than good. He was absolutely brilliant!

As Natsu walked on to the stage, the crowd grew silent. He practiced his song until his fingers bleed and decided against the guitar at the very last second. "I dedicate this song to a very special person," he informed the people. He wouldn't want to scare Lucy off any more than needed. So he withheld any personal details which could give her away. He counted off the seconds in his head. The practice played off, at least now he wouldn't miss his entrance. Mentally he gave himself a pat on the shoulder, knowing that the Ed Sheeran number wasn't all that easy to muster. Natsu was super pleased with himself when the audience seemed to enjoy it too. Again the auditorium filled up with an appealing applause, when Natsu's cover of 'Thinking out loud' came to an end. As he made his way backstage, Mirajane was already announcing the evening's last act. Gracefully Lucy made her way towards the stage. Natsu stared at her in awe as she delivered a spectacular performance of 'Katy Perry's, Ghost'.

"The judges will deliberate under one another and add the audience's votes. Take a half hour breather. Stretch your legs, take a leak and enjoy something from the stalls," the announcer announced.

A 30 minute time skip

"Ladies and gentlemen, the votes are in. Without further ado. In fifth place we have 'The Sky Sisters', with their version of 'My boy lollipop'. In fourth place, we've got the fantastic singing couple, 'Gray and Juvia'. Our third spot goes to none other than the magnificent 'Redfox'." Mirajane gave each their prizes. After they left, she unfolded another envelope and read: "The second place goes to the fabulous newcomer, 'Natsu Dragneel'." He made his way towards her, received his prize and leave. "What you've all been waiting for, the winner of this year's talent competition goes to FTHs blonde beauty- Lucy Heartfilia." The crowd roared in acceptance.

After about ten minutes, the curtains opened for winner to preform her victory song. She seemed sad. As the intro of 'Demi Lovato's, Skyscraper' filled the auditorium, images of her and Gray played on a cinema size screen behind her. Dressed in a studding blue oscar's gown. As Lucy sang, tears made their way downwards. Leaving black mascara lines all over her face. Before her performance had completely ended, she had a full house standing ovation. Behind stage shocked, sad and sympathetic painted faces stared at her. Even Gray's complexion was shadowed with pain. He had broken her and he feels ashamed of himself. She rushed through the crowd of bystanders. A note slipped from her purse. Natsu picked it up and put it in his pocket. He will return it, as soon as possible, the thought crept up.