The night was cold and Levy wondered how the hell was Cana perfectly fine in her outfit. It was covering almost nothing. Levy stuffed her hands in her pockets, her fingers freezing. The girls were on their way to celebrate the 3 year anniversary of their friend's restaurant. They made their way into the restaurant, where their friends, and some other people Levy didn't recognize, were waiting for them, but didn't notice them enter.

Cana called out upon entering, "Guess who finally came out of the apartment?"

Levy felt her blood rush to her cheeks as everyone's heads turned to them and all her friends cheered at her arrival. After, the embarrassing greeting, she made her way to the owner of the restaurant, Mirajane, "Hey, Mira."

"Levy, I'm so glad to finally see you again!" Mira giggled with a tight hug, "We missed you like crazy."

Mirajane has been Levy's classmate since they were in high school along with Cana and several other friends. They have parted ways ever since they graduated, but they always kept in touch.

"How's the restaurant going?" Levy asked.

Mira and her siblings, Elfman and Lisanna, run a restaurant named The Strauss House. After high school, Mira didn't have enough money to pay for college and the tuition of her two younger siblings, so she started a small catering service to be able to send Elfman and Lisanna to high school and college even if she couldn't. As time passed, her business grew and grew which allowed her to set up a restaurant of her own.

Mira's smile grew, "Really great! You should come here sometime! We hired this new chef two months ago who, I'll admit, I was quite skeptical about at first, but he did better than expected and he cooks really well. He and some of my staff aren't here yet, but I gotta introduce you to them later, okay?"

"Sure." Levy replied with a nod. She then went around and chatted with some of the people in the restaurant. There were some people she knew in high school like Kinana, Erik, Laki…

"LEVY-CHAN!"

Levy turned around and immediately her face lit up. It was her two childhood best friends, Jet and Droy.

"Oh my gosh! It's been so long since I've seen you two!" she squealed as they sandwiched her in a hug. They have been best friends since they were practically babies and grew up together. They, like their other friends, parted ways after they graduated, but Jet and Droy never failed to be there for her, even if it was through a screen.

"Oh my gosh, Jet! Look at you! I thought you were kidding when you said you grew your hair out." she laughed, gently punching Jet on the arm. She turned to Droy and laughed even harder, "And Droy! What happened to you?"

Droy had always been so fit ever since they were kids, but now, he had truly let himself go and put on a lot of weight. He sighed, "College happened." making Levy laugh even more.

Jet chuckled, "Well, you haven't changed one bit!"

"Don't you dare say it."

"What? I was just going to say your hair is still the same." he smirked, to which Droy snickered. Levy punched them both in the arm, making them laugh. Just then Mira called out to her.

"Levy!"

Gajeel got off his bike and took his helmet off. He wasn't one for festivities but his friends and co-workers, convinced him to attend the party. From the outside, he could already hear music playing and people cheering. It was nothing too wild, which was good, but he knew these people. It would never end well.

Juvia, getting out of her car, approached Gajeel, "Gajeel-kun? Is everything alright?"

The pierced man huffed, "Yeah, I'm okay." He patted Juvia on the head in appreciation, "Let's just get this over with."

"Now, now, Gajeel-kun." she tutted, linking her arm with Gajeel's, "Mira-san has been so kind to you. At least try to enjoy."

"Yeah, Gajeel."

They turned around and saw Natsu approach them. He had an arm wrapped around his girlfriend, Lucy Heartfilia. The two looked a little rustled up, which could only mean they had a fight before leaving the house and made up in the car. Gajeel and Juvia would know. They've caught them multiple times.

"Lucy-san! Your hair!" Juvia giggled, letting go of Gajeel, "Come, let Juvia fix it."

While Juvia fixed Lucy's hair, Natsu decide to ask Gajeel about the girl who had messaged him.

"No reply." Gajeel shrugged.

The pink-haired boy sighed patting him on his back, "You'll find another soon."

"Nah. I ain't lookin' anyway."

"Okay then." Natsu sighed in defeat, "But thanks, though. For agreeing to set up that profile. I know you didn't wanna, but we just want you to get out more. Do more with your life." He glanced at Lucy, who was giggling up a storm with Juvia about something, and he couldn't help but smile. "Ever since I met Luce… I don't know, man. Life's been better. Even the shitty times seem great with her around."

Gajeel snorted, "Yeah, don't get all weepy on me."

"I'm serious!" Natsu chuckled, "This shit can actually be good for ya. I've been sleeping well since I met her, ya know?"

Gajeel raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Damn. That's great, man." Natsu had been suffering from extreme insomnia due to some childhood trauma he had when he was younger, so for Natsu to say that he has been sleeping well was a big thing.

"Exactly! That's why I want you to get out more. It could actually be really good for ya."

Just then Lucy called out to the two of them. Juvia had finished working her hairdresser magic on the blonde, putting her hair in an elegant french braid, and Gray had just arrived and was giving Juvia a hug.

Gray asked, his arms still wrapped around his girlfriend, "You guys good or are you gunna start making out?" Natsu flipped Gray off and took Lucy's hand, pulling her to his side. Gajeel could only stare at the door. He didn't mind being a fifth wheel, but all of the public displays of affection was making him quite uncomfortable and extremely aware of how he was still single. Natsu's words rang in his head and he considered the fact that maybe putting himself out there might actually be good for him.

When they finally entered the venue, Gajeel was quite overwhelmed by the amount of people. There were some staff members, some regulars of the restaurant, and others he didn't recognize, which he assumed to be close friends of the Strauss siblings.

"Hey, guys!"

Mirajane, the owner of the restaurant, approached them, giving all of them a hug, "I'm so glad you guys are here!"

Lucy smiled, "Wouldn't miss the celebration for the world, Mira."

"Come on! There's someone I want you guys to meet." She took Lucy and Gajeel's hands, pulling them along while Gray, Juvia, and Natsu followed. They made their way through the huge crowd to the table nearest to the counter.

"Don't you dare say it."

"What? I was just going to say your hair is still the same."

Mira called out, "Levy!"

A girl with blue hair whirled around to face them. Gajeel could feel his breath hitch in his throat. 'It's her.' he thought to himself.

"Dude." Gray whispered to Gajeel, "Isn't that—"

"Holy shit! You're the girl who messaged Gajeel on the dating site!"

'Shit.'

Gajeel instantly regretted being at the party. The girl from the dating site, Levy, looked just as embarrassed as he did. Gray punched Natsu in the arm, but that didn't help anyone's case.

"Oh?" Mira's eyes widened in delight, "You guys know each other?"

Gajeel exchanged looks with Levy, both apologetic and uncomfortable in every way.

Mira giggled, squeezing Levy's arm, "It's no wonder both of you have been so secretive! You guys should have told me sooner!"

"Oh, uhm.." Levy laughed nervously, "We haven't gone out or anything. We haven't even really talked."

Mira patted Levy's arm, "Well, now's the perfect opportunity for you two to finally get to know each other." She pulled Jet and Droy with her, both extremely shocked and confused, "Come on, guys! Let's give them some space." Lucy and Gray awkwardly walked after Mira. Juvia sighed, giving Levy and Gajeel and apologetic smile and followed them. Natsu, upon realizing the others had gone, slowly backed away from them, especially from Gajeel who was glaring daggers at the pink haired boy. And with that, the two were alone. They were in a crowded restaurant, sure, but it was just the two of them at the table.

"So.. Levy, right?"

She looked up at him and nodded, "And if memory serves me right, you're Gajeel."

"Yeah." he replied. She was clearly uncomfortable with the situation, then again, even he was uncomfortable. Who wouldn't be?

She cleared her throat, "So, you know Mira?"

"Uh, yeah. I work here."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I'm a, uh.. a chef here."

Levy nodded, and looked around the room, he did the same. She saw people drinking away. A couple who were "discreetly" leaving the restaurant. He then saw Mira, Lisanna, and the others sitting at a table on the other side of the room, sneaking glances at him and Levy. When they realized that Gajeel was looking at them, they immediately diverted their attention to the wall.

"What's up with your friends?" Levy asked.

Gajeel looked at her then back at his friends, " Ah, they, uh… They really want me to go on a date."

She chuckled, "With me or just in general?"

"Just in general, I guess." he shrugged, "But since you're here, they know you… I can tell they're rooting for you."

"Do you wanna go on a date?"

He smirked at her, "With you or in general?"

Levy rolled her eyes, "In general."

"Nah. It's a big waste of time." he replied.

They returned to looking over at Mira and the others, and caught them staring once again. Instead of looking away, Mira and the rest awkwardly waved at Gajeel and Levy. Gajeel just sighed, burying his face in his hands while Levy waved back. Suddenly, Levy whispered, mischief evident in his voice.

"Wanna fuck with them?"

He gave her a confused look, "What?"

She faced him, trying her best to hide her grin and keeping her voice low, "Look. They want us to go on dates when clearly, neither of us are interested? Why not make them think we're dating just to get them off our backs, and mess around with them? Two heads are better than one."

"Wha- Why would you even wanna do that? You're crazy."

"Correction." She shrugged, "I'm bored."

He stole a glance over at his friends who were looking at them, and just then he was highly aware of several other people who were glancing at the two of them. He has always felt so disconnected from everyone else. It didn't bother him at all, but there were times he did want to put himself out there and just have fun. He turned back at Levy and smirked.

"Aight. I'm in."

Author's Note:

Hey guys! I'm sorry for a really lazy chapter. Anyway, what did you think about the chapter? What do you think will happen? If you have anything you think would be fun to see happen in this story, feel free to PM me. I would like to hear your feedback and ideas. Please don't be too harsh though, hahaha. I accept constructive criticism, but not insults, please. Anyway, I'll do my best to update as soon as I can. Love ya, guys! Take care!