The Harvest Festival Preparations

I was sleeping peacefully when suddenly, the door to my room slammed open. I groggily opened my eyes to see Juvia standing there with a wide grin on her face. "Come on, Jade, wake up! The Harvest Festival is almost here, and Fairy Tail is organizing the Miss Fairy Tail contest. You have to help me get ready for the event. That way, Gray won't be able to take his eyes off me," Juvia exclaimed, bouncing onto my bed and landing directly on top of me.

"Alright, Juvia, you can get off now. I'll help you," I said with a smile.

"You're the best!" she replied, giving me a hug before hopping off the bed and leaving my room.

I quickly went through my morning routine, feeling the excitement of the upcoming festival slowly dispelling my sleepiness. After getting dressed, I stepped out of my room to find Juvia sitting patiently on the living room chair.

"You took your time, Jade," she said teasingly, standing up and grabbing my hand, pulling me out of my apartment.

Our day of shopping began, and the bustling streets of Magnolia were alive with energy. We visited various boutiques, looking for the perfect outfit for Juvia. The shops were decorated with festive banners and lights, each window display more extravagant than the last. We laughed and chatted as we browsed through racks of dresses, trying on countless outfits.

"How about this one?" Juvia asked, holding up a sparkling blue gown.

"It's beautiful, but maybe something that shows off your figure a bit more?" I suggested, eyeing a sleek, form-fitting dress nearby.

Juvia nodded, taking my advice to heart. "You're right. I need something that will really catch Gray's attention."

We spent hours going from store to store, examining different styles and colors. I admired Juvia's determination to find the perfect outfit, her enthusiasm never waning. She tried on dresses in shades of blue, green, and even a bold red, each one accentuating her graceful form.

Eventually, we found ourselves in a small boutique that specialized in swimwear. Juvia's eyes lit up as she spotted a section filled with bikinis. "Let's check these out, Jade!" she exclaimed, practically dragging me over to the racks.

As we sifted through the various styles, Juvia's excitement grew. She held up a blue bikini with white polka dots, her eyes sparkling. "What do you think of this one?" she asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"It's perfect, Juvia. It matches your eyes, and the polka dots add a playful touch," I said, smiling reassuringly.

Juvia beamed, taking the bikini to the dressing room to try it on. A few moments later, she stepped out, looking stunning. The bikini fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves and highlighting her beauty.

"You look amazing, Juvia. Gray won't be able to take his eyes off you," I said, genuinely impressed.

Juvia blushed slightly, clearly pleased with my compliment. "Thank you, Jade. You're always so supportive."

We made our purchase and decided to take a break at a nearby café. As we sipped on our drinks, we reflected on our day of shopping.

"This has been so much fun, Jade. I couldn't have done it without you," Juvia said, her expression filled with gratitude.

"I'm glad I could help. It's been a great day," I replied, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction.

As the sun began to set, we made our way back to my apartment. The streets were still lively, the festive atmosphere permeating every corner of Magnolia. Juvia and I walked side by side, our bags filled with the day's finds.

"Tomorrow's going to be amazing," Juvia said, her voice brimming with anticipation.

"It sure will be," I agreed, thinking about the upcoming festival and the contest.

We arrived at my apartment, and Juvia gave me a hug before heading back to her own place. "Thank you again, Jade. I'll see you tomorrow!" she called out as she walked away.

"See you tomorrow, Juvia," I replied, watching her disappear down the street.

I stepped inside and set my bags down, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and excitement. The day had been long, but it was worth it. As I stood there, a thought suddenly struck me—the Battle of Fairy Tail was set to begin tomorrow. I couldn't help but grin at the idea of putting Laxus in his place. I was looking forward to participating and showing him what I was capable of.

I dropped my bags near the couch and started preparing dinner, my mind buzzing with anticipation. As I was chopping vegetables, a sudden knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I paused, knife in hand, and wondered who it could be. Wiping my hands on a towel, I headed to the door and opened it.

To my surprise, Erza, Lucy, Gray, Happy, and a very sick-looking Natsu stood there. Before I could even greet them, they all barged in like they owned the place.

"Hey, Jade! We decided to have dinner at your place tonight!" Lucy announced cheerfully as she made her way to the living room.

"Yeah, it smells really good in here!" Gray added, already making himself comfortable on my couch.

Erza nodded in approval. "It's important to have a good meal before a big event. Strength and sustenance go hand in hand."

Natsu, looking pale and nauseous, stumbled in behind them. "I... I don't feel so good," he mumbled, collapsing onto the nearest chair. Happy fluttered around him, concerned.

I stood there, stunned, my door still wide open. "Uh, guys? I wasn't exactly expecting company..."

"Don't worry, Jade! We brought some extra ingredients to help out!" Lucy said, waving a bag of groceries in front of me.

I sighed, closing the door behind them. "Alright, fine. But next time, a little warning would be nice."

Gray smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"

Happy flew over to me, his little blue wings fluttering. "Jade, do you have any fish? Natsu's not feeling well, and fish always makes him feel better!"

I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. "Sure, Happy. I'll make sure to cook some fish for Natsu."

As I returned to the kitchen, the chaos only seemed to increase. Lucy and Erza started setting the table, Gray was rummaging through my fridge, and Natsu was trying not to be sick while Happy hovered around him.

"Gray, stop eating the ingredients! We need those for dinner!" I scolded, swatting his hand away from the cheese he was about to devour.

Gray chuckled, but reluctantly put the cheese back. "Alright, alright. I'll help with the cooking instead."

Lucy giggled as she watched the scene unfold. "This reminds me of the time we all ended up at my place for dinner. It was just as chaotic!"

Erza, ever the disciplinarian, clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone. Let's make this a proper meal. Jade, tell us what you need, and we'll assist you."

I gave her a grateful nod and started delegating tasks. "Alright, Lucy, can you handle the salad? Gray, you can help me with the main dishes. Erza, you're on drink duty. Happy, make sure Natsu doesn't pass out."

With everyone in place, the kitchen buzzed with activity. Despite the initial chaos, it was surprisingly enjoyable to cook with my guildmates. Lucy and I shared a laugh as she tried to cut tomatoes without them squirting everywhere, while Gray proved to be quite the competent chef, much to my surprise.

Natsu, looking a bit better after Happy fed him some fish, even managed to crack a smile. "Thanks, Jade. This is way better than lying in bed feeling like crap."

"No problem, Natsu. Just try not to puke on my floor," I replied with a wink.

As we all worked together, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of belonging. These were my friends, my comrades, and moments like these made me appreciate being part of Fairy Tail even more.

Dinner was finally ready, and we all gathered around the table. The spread looked impressive—grilled fish for Natsu, a hearty stew, fresh salad, and an assortment of side dishes. Erza poured drinks for everyone, and we all raised our glasses in a toast.

"To Fairy Tail!" Gray declared, and everyone cheered in agreement.

As we dug into the meal, the room filled with laughter and conversation. It was moments like these that made all the challenges worth it. After dinner, we cleaned up together.

Eventually, the evening came to an end. Lucy stretched and yawned. "Thanks for the meal, Jade. This was great."

"Yeah, thanks. We should do this more often," Gray agreed.

Erza nodded, her stern expression softening. "It was a good meal. Thank you for having us, Jade."

Natsu, looking much healthier, grinned at me. "Thanks, Jade. I owe you one."

Happy added with a big smile, "And thanks for the fish!"

I smiled, feeling a warmth in my heart. "Anytime, guys. You're always welcome here."

As they left, I closed the door behind them, the apartment suddenly feeling much quieter. I tidied up the remaining dishes, still smiling from the evening's events. Tomorrow would be a big day, but I felt ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. 

This was Fairy Tail—chaotic, unpredictable, but filled with heart and camaraderie. And now, it was my home too.