Author's P.O.V.

Erza walked out of the guild that day, more upset than usual. She didn't completely understand it herself, but she knew that the way that she behaved that day was intolerable. But for some reason, she didn't care. She was still mad at him. She knew this reaction was overboard, she didn't even know why she had done that. It was something she was trying to figure out.

Earlier that day

Erza had walked into the guild in a relatively good mood. She wasn't overly joyful or upset. It was just another normal day at the guild. At least it was supposed to be. She said her good mornings to her friends and joined them in conversation. Everything was still normal. People started to fill up more and more in the guild and they were all chatting away. Erza finally decided that she would have a little strawberry cake treat. So she went to the bar and ordered exactly that.

"Of course, Erza! Let me just get it from the kitchen," answered the lovely Mirajane, and she was off. The door closed, and almost on cue, a huge 'riot' started in the guild.

"What the hell?! No Juvia! I don't want that sweater!" Screamed our famous ice-make wizard.

"But I made it especially for our 450th anniversary!" she exclaimed holding the shirt up, "Don't you want a shirt with Juvia's face on it to mark that event?"

"No! I don't!"

She pouted and placed the sweater on the table and then fumbled through the bag she held the bag. "But Gray-sama," she whipped out another sweater, "I made a matching one for me with your face on it! If we both where them, we'll be a couple!" She yelled cheerfully, breathing in the shirt longfully and swooning everywhere. Poor Gray was left staring at both sweaters in disgust and at Juvia in fear.

Erza was watching from the bar, extremely annoyed. I told him he could just tell her, so why is she still so obsessed? She thought. And then her eyes widened in shock, What am I thinking? I should be supporting Juvia! She cares so much about him, why am I thinking that? She wasn't sure what to think. On the one hand, she wanted to support Juvia, but she felt very upset that Gray was letting her taunt him.

Juvia started to hug Gray's muscular arm. She was smiling lovingly but Gray was trying to get her off. Erza watched them, one hand against her back and holding the border of the bar. The longer she watched, the angrier she got, and she tightened her grip of the border. The wood finally broke under the pressure. She clenched her fist and glared at Juvia. What was it about Gray she liked so much that she couldn't leave him alone?

"Erza, here's your cake," Mirajane chimed and placed the plate in front of her. And then she saw the fracture on the bar, "Hey Erza, are you okay?"

Erza looked back at her and then down at the cake. Maybe that'll keep my mind off of them, she thought, "No, I'm all right. Thank you, Mira."

Mira walked off, worried, but she had to bring drinks to a table yelling out for more beer. Erza picked up her fork and took a small chunk of the cake.

"Oh, but my darling Gray would look perfect in this sweater!" Erza froze. No- no she couldn't. She just had to ignore her. She raised the fork to her mouth and- "You don't have to be embarrassed, wearing these just proves our love to each other!" She shut her mouth and clenched her teeth. She squeezed the fork tight and it cracked. It fell to the ground along with the small cut piece on it. Yes. She actually let the piece on the fork fall to the ground. She got up roughly, the chair falling to the ground. Everyone watched as she shook in fury. She didn't know why she was so upset. She shouldn't have been. All she knew was that she had enough of it.

She picked up the plate with her cheesecake. She examined it. It did look good, but she didn't care. She didn't care. Without another moments thought, she threw the plate with the strawberry cake. Yes, she did. She threw her strawberry cake. Erza-- threw her strawberry cake. Her strawberry cake. And it splattered all over Juvia's face. She shrieked and tried to wipe it off.

The guild went quiet. No one had seen Erza throw away her strawberry cake for anyone. And especially at Juvia? No one saw that one coming. And then she stormed out of the guild. Rage still running through her veins.

Now

She walked along the riverside and looked up. The sky was gray with clouds. It was humid, but she wasn't sure if it was going to rain or not. She sighed. She looked down at her feet. Why did she through that cake at Juvia? She normally supported her, so why this? She stopped and looked out at the river.

She felt bad about what she did, but when she saw her with Gray, she just couldn't handle it. A sweater with her face on it and one for her with his? Even after all the rejections, she still tried so hard. Erza didn't understand. She tried supporting both sides before, but neither made any progress. What was she supposed to do?

"ERZA!" She looked back. Gray was running up to her. She looked at him sadly and then away.

He caught up to her, panting, "I'm sorry," she muttered. He looked at her quizzically.

"About what?" He asked.

"Today. I shouldn't have made such a scene."

"Don't be ridiculous. You actually did me a favor. Juvia ran home to clean herself," he answered.

She looked up at him and then away again, "But I shouldn't have done that."

He stepped a bit closer to her and smiled, "There's no actual need to worry, she was more worried than upset at you. She said she would look for you after she cleaned up."

Erza was still upset. She felt terrible for doing such a thing. She started to walk away from him, but he caught up quickly and walked next to her. He was worried about her too. He tried to keep up with her speed. She was trying to get away from him. He decided not to stop her just yet. Well, not until she almost started running. He grabbed her hand and she looked at him. He sighed.

"Why do you keep rejecting her?" She suddenly asked. This caught him off guard. He knew why he kept rejecting her, but why did Erza care?

"I-" he couldn't really get anything out. Should he tell her why?

"'I' what?" She said sternly.

The young wizard started to get embarrassed. He didn't know what to answer.

"Gray-sama likes Erza-san?" They were both shocked and they looked back. "J-Juvia didn't know."

"Juvia!" Gray exclaimed, but Erza couldn't help notice the slight pink tint in his cheeks. "That's not-!"

Juvia looked away, "It shows in the way you look at her. You don't look at me like that," she was holding it in as much as she could, but she left a single tear escape. "And I know Erza likes Gray-sama too."

Erza suddenly flushed a dark pink, "Th-that's.. not true. Juvia, you like him, you-"

"Juvia should make Erza her love rival. But I won't do that. Because I care about Gray-sama, and Erza is my friend." another tear escaped her ocean blue eyes. And then she smiled, "I want both of you to be happy."

She started to walk off, "Juvia!" Gray called reaching out a hand, but Erza beat him by actually running after her. She caught her shoulder and turned her around.

"Juvia, we can't do that, you-"

"Want Erza to be happy," she placed a hand on hers, "I promise I will be okay," she smiled, "But can I at least bring him gifts for our anniversary?"

Erza smiled sadly but she giggled, "Of course," she smiled for real now, "thank you, Juvia," and then Juvia walked off back to the guildhall. Erza looked back at Gray and put out a hand. Can I walk you home?" she asked with a smile.

Gray took her hand and smiled, "Sure."

They walked hand in hand to the street that led back to his home. They didn't say anything. They just smiled. They stopped in front of his house. They looked at each other and they kissed. It was gentle and lasted a few seconds before they broke apart. Gray waved as he walked into his house. Erza walked back to Fairy Hills and smiled. She went to bed thinking about Gray. But mostly, she thought of Juvia. She never would have thought she would say anything of that sort. It almost shocked her. But it just proved how good friends they had become.

"But can I at least bring him gifts for our anniversary?" Erza laughed thinking about that one thing she said. Juvia really was cute. And she was sweet. Somehow she figured out her feelings for Gray. She was happy to have such a good friend -- and boyfriend thanks to her.