Zeref Pov.

I knew something was up, by the fact that 1. Mavis was ignoring me, and 2. She had this really focused crude facial expression. One she wouldn't normally get. It really shouldn't affect me, no, I'm use to being alone. But, somehow I was irritated. I guess I got use to just having her around. Well, now I feel like an idiot.

I should of known. Anything that tries to join me... Will leave. Like always. I don't have what it takes, to make people stay. It just sucks, because I was starting to think Mavis was different. No... Mavis is different. It all suddenly popped into my head. That's it,

Someone... I don't know who, but with out a doubt, they told her. They let it all slip out. They told Mavis what I did... Back then. My hands just naturally formed into fists. It's my past that will constantly haunt me, and define me. I can't change what I did. But do I regret it? I have no idea. I really don't know.

Mavis Pov

I had a plan today. And it was going to work. It had to. Otherwise I really will have to make my choice without knowing.

Zeref, or Lucy, Erza, Juvia, and Levy? Sure, on one hand I could end up with four friends who are funny and do care about me. At least they say so... Or there's Zeref. Someone who was nothing but cold towards me until recently. But... There's something about him, that intrigues me. That keeps me in my curiosity, always wanting to know more. It's a hard choice. And it's only been depressing me thinking about it.

Ok. Just let it slip your mind. It's better if you have a clear head when dealing with this. So I will. Try at least.

For phase one of my master plan I had to get a hold of a possession important to him. So I could get him alone. And I knew the perfect object. So in art class I took the easel next to his, flashing my signature smile. Here we go. Phase one commence!

"Hey Zeref!" I said waving at him. He gave a cold glance in my direction.

"Oh, your talking to me again?" He asked, sketching a soft outline of a street lamp. His shading is impeccable. I could probably stare at his drawings and artwork for hours.

"Oh, that. Sorry! I was having a bad day. I found out I was failing a subject and it really bummed me out. But I'm better now. I have plan." I came up with a quick yet convincing lie. I hate lying... It always feels so dirty. But I can live with it.

"A plan?" He didn't sound to impressed.

"Yeah. To boost my grades up. I'm going to study like crazy." That part was true. I was going to study and get good grades. So I didn't close any options for when I graduate and need to move on to collage or university.

"So, any suggestions on what I should draw?" I asked him, eyeing his book of notes on the table. Bingo. That's what I was going to take from him. But I need to distract him. How? I'll just wing it!

"Mavis, you have to get inspired on your own. No ones suggestions will help you get any creative rush." Zeref tells me, adding more and more careful details on his pictures. He's right. But... I'm not going to let him think that, it will only end our conversation. And therefore, end a distraction.

"I think people's opinions are very inspirational. So, I do not believe you." I said with my head held high. An argument might be just what I need.

"That's not exactly what I meant. I just think you should draw from your own mind. Not someone else's." Zeref states his own opinion. I let a smile come loose.

"Well, maybe. But it's hard drawing from my own mind. Other peoples are more interesting." I continue.

"It won't mean anything though unless it comes from your very own heart." Zeref continues on his side. Good, I think I'm getting somewhere.

"But what if you don't have a heart huh? What do you do then?" I'm just asking questions now, like I'm stupid. Zeref is starting to see through it. Great...

"Mavis what are you doing?" Yep he saw. Well, got no other option then to..

"Ahh!" I throw a small bucket of paint on the floor. Everyone is looking at me strangely. Ok I admit, that was a bit weird.

"What was that for?" Zeref asks me completely unamused. What? I think watching a lunatic throw paint on the floor would be at least somewhat amusing. But not for Zeref.

"I got scared. You know. False illusion of a cold hand grasping my shoulder. But it was nothing." I shrug it off. My excuse is lame. I know. But it's enough to handle the scenario right now.

"So, want to help me clean it?" I ask him with a sheepish smile. I know his answer before I ask. Zeref is a nice guy, if you drop everyone else's little thoughts.

"Fine. You're a klutz Mavis." He gives a slight sort of in between smile. Well, art class is where he's happiest. As he grabs some paper towels, I quickly take his notebook. Dropping it into my open bag behind my back. Done! Phase one complete!

I join Zeref and help him clean up my mess. It's only fair.

"Your acting really weird you know." He informs me.

"I know." And soon, you will know why.

Zeref Pov

It was the end of the school day, and I was searching everywhere. Under the lockers, on top of the lockers. Desks, corners, lost and found. But no luck. I could not find my notebook. I can't leave school with out it.

That note book... Has so many things written in it. Things I don't want people to see. It has words that would be used against me. So I can't let that get into the wrong hands. Hell, anyone's hands that aren't mine are the wrong hands.

Mavis Pov.

I so knew it. Zeref would never leave school with out his precious book of notes. I wonders what's written in there, but I know he'd get mad at me if I peeked. So I won't invade his privacy. I have some respect for him.

As he was cluelessly searching the halls, I hid wherever I could. Spying. I needed to wait until it was after the busses left.

You see, I figured Zeref would never tell me his secret if there were people around. So that crosses off the bus and school. The only two places I see him. And I would call and invite him over to my place, but I don't have his number. And I can just forget about him ever calling me. He doesn't quite seem to enjoy where he lives, so he won't invite me over anytime soon. But I did remember that time we walked home together, we were alone. So if I can get him to walk home, I'll follow, then confront him.

My plan did have a few flaws... Like 1. There was a chance that he could find a drive home and just leave me helpless at the school. 2. He might of not stayed extra hours looking for a valuable object. 3. I might of not been able to steal an object... blah blah blah. But I needed to make an effort to do something. So now, I am.

As time passes by I finally leave the note book in clear sight and hide in a corner. Zeref spots it, and sighs in relief.

"There it is." He whispers to himself. Perfect. Now he just needs to get walking and I'll pop out of nowhere taking him by surprise.

"Mavis why did you do this?" Zeref comes up and asks me. Wait what? Oh crap, he saw me.

"What do you mean?"

"I saw you hiding in the corner. Why did you take my notes?" Well, there's a long explanation for that. I change my expression, letting him know I'm serious.

"I did it because I need to know." I said, openly. He stares at me, puzzled.

"Know what?" His voice shakes slightly. He knows exactly what I mean. He just doesn't want to admit that.

"Your secret. The one that only I don't know. The one that makes people avoid you, makes you stand alone, hard for you to reach out to people. That secret. I need to know it." I stare up at him, his dark eyes turned scary. They had no light in them, just dull emotion.

"No." He says, a cold tone strikes deeply in his voice. This is where things are going to get contemplated. People seemed to fear him, now I know why. When he gets like this, it's sort of terrifying. He's so serious.

"Zeref, I need to know." The only difference is that most people run away from him. I won't. I'm going to stand up and fight, instead of fleeing.

"No. Just leave it alone." His glare stiffens. I hold my ground confidently despite this. Then his voice for a mere second turned to ice as he whispered, "leave me alone."

"I won't." I feel tears wanting to well up in my eyes, but I don't allow it. This isn't the time to cry like a young child.

"You will. So just leave me."

"I said I won't. Don't play deaf." I clenched my jaw to stop sobbing, "you keep telling me you just want me gone, but stop. Because one day, I really will be. And I know somewhere, even if it's really deep, you don't want that." I can tell I struck a chord in him as his eyes glint full of sorrow.

"That's a lie. They say no one can truly stand solitude, but I can. I'm it's only survivor." His mouth crooks upward into a distorted smile, "and you think I need you. How pathetic." Now that hurt me. My heart aches in my chest. Maybe it's true. He could hate me, with every inch of his being. But even if that's true. I don't hate him. So I will still battle, and find out what's with him.

"You're right." I say, my voice weary. "I am pathetic. I chase after people, who hate me. And loose people I love because of it. I hurt myself constantly, just to figure out what's truly harming you. But that's because I care. And I don't mind if that makes me faultier to weakness."

"Mavis."

"I care. So what? I know you despise me, and I won't nag you anymore. But I care about you Zeref. So can you please, at least tell me." I know my speech isn't strong anymore, I'm almost on my knees. Wanting to collapse and cry, huddled in a corner.

"Mav-"

"I don't mind being alone either! I'm strong willed! So everyone can leave me! Just go ahead! But that's still not going to stop me from caring." I actually do fall on to my knees. I can't stand anymore. I'm done.

"So please, could you just tell me." As I fall silent I feel two arms wrap around me, and a chin resting on the top of my head. Zeref... He's hugging me.

"You said if I hugged you, you'd leave. Right?" He asks me. I feel the tears fall from my eyes, with out resistance. I can't hold it in anymore.

"But don't think I don't care about you. Because I do too Mavis. That's the thing that will end up hurting both of us the most. Because we care to much. So maybe, it'd be better if we both quit that." He speaks sadly, but soothingly as well. I quickly take hold of his hand. He brakes apart from the hug to stare at me.

"No. It won't be better. What we need to do, is just care for each other with out worry," I get up from the ground, "so I'll leave for now. But, I'll never leave forever. You shouldn't either. Let's just stay together from now on, ok?" I give him a smile, faintly. He smiles back.

"Ok. I'm fine with that." He says, as I begin to walk away. I'll let everything slide for now. As I reach the door a hand grasps mine.

"Hey, you said to stay together. So let's walk home together." His voice is kind and soft. I feel my cheeks blush. I give him a smile. I'm glad we had this talk.