The Program

Chapter 16

''Oh, you're right.'' I grabbed my bag and pulled the one strap onto my shoulder as I rose up from the seat. ''Well, Juvia will see you two at lunch if we have the same shift.''

''Have fun, mermaid. Tell your friend that I said hi.'' Lyon waved at me.

Instantly, Gray popped up in my mind once he had said that. Speaking of him, I haven't talked to him nor thought about him since yesterday.

''Juvia will. Bye Lyon.'' I bowed my head at him politely then looked over at my green haired crush. ''Bye Freed.''

Freed smiled lightly, waving at me as I walked out of the classroom. I closed the door behind me then started power walking to my own class.

Erza Fernandes

Jellal informed me that our parents visiting me will have to be postponed for a day or two because of their schedules and honestly, I'm glad.

I don't want them to see me like this. Even though I eventually know that they will, the thought of it is still scary.

What will they say to me? What are they thinking?

Are they still going to have the baby?

What's going to happen to me after this?

I already know that I'm going to be sent to a behavioral institute of some sort, but I'm sure that when I get out that our parents won't allow me to attend the boarding school anymore or be apart of the program.

It's crazy. It's only been one month, and I never wanted to be here in the first place, but in a way, I had adapted to the environment.

I changed. Not drastically, or for the better or worse, but I changed.

And in these two years where I struggled to get through another day, that's something I wanted desperately.

I want to change.

Even though I feel weak right now, as if someone were to give me a single push then I would break, I still want to change.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps audibly getting closer and closer until I saw a figure enter the room. Initially, I thought it may have been Jellal, but as soon as I saw the dash of maroon hair; I instantly knew.

''Dad,'' I breathed in utter confusion and disbelief as he fully revealed himself. He looked moderately well. Popped black collar shirt, professional appearing pants along with dress shoes, and styled maroon hair. He seemed to have lost some weight and was now more muscular. To be honest, he didn't even give off the impression of an old man. ''W-What..''

''What are you doing here,'' He finished up the sentence for me. ''To see you, obviously.''

After trying to process the fact that he was actually there, the real deal, a mixture of emotions boiled up to the surface. ''Why would you want to see me after you left?''

''You already know the reason why I left, Erza.'' He sighed as he awkwardly sat down on the edge of the bed. ''How are you feeling?''

''Why the fuck are you here,'' I grumbled, completely ignoring his question.

''We already went over that, haven't we?'' He pointed out obviously, looking up at me.

The moment my eyes met his, I could feel my anger melt away and instead was replaced with sympathy. At the end of the day, I couldn't really blame him for leaving. After all, in a way, I'm in a similar situation he was in years ago. We're in the same shoes. We're connected by blood. I can't be mad at him.

And knowing that made tears well up in my eyes.

''It's just been so hard,'' I mumbled as I tried to prevent my tears from falling; which burned my throat.