The One

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice and its characters, just borrowing them.

Author's Note: My first fan fic inspired by the songs; Not Like the Movies by Kc Conception and Future Love by Kristinia DeBarge.

Warning: May contain OOC personalities which may or may not benefit the character. teheee… =3

Phase 1

And She Was Mikan Sakura

Chapter 1

Facing Reality

I stood staring at her.

It never fails to amaze me what miracles soap, shampoo and water do with the likes of the girl who stood ashen in front of me. Accompanied by clean, speck-free clothes, hair brush and with the option of make-up today, she is but a model of beauty and elegance, despite her usual unruly self.

She was not her usual self today.

She was not the cheerful paint stained brunette that had rainbow colors stricken all over her features; she wasn't wearing the bright sunlit smile that was commonly seen plastered on her face; the deep innocent whirl-pools of her hazel eyes did not shine bright with excitement that mirrored her normally energetic, childish, sweet heart. She was but a stone figurine, sculpted like that of an ancient Greek goddess with its beauty to behold, yet lifeless and immobile as its lack of color.

She should be happy. Really. She could at least smile and pretend to be merry. For it was a day of celebration and not a funeral of someone's dearly beloved.

She grieved, it was evident. She tried to act her part, which she must. All the while wanting, urging to bring her usual self about and not the stranger that was presently her. She wanted so badly to smile a truthful smile, reflecting true joy and happiness, for she wasn't fond of sadness. Oh how badly she wanted to will the lonely tear to halt it descent on her left cheek as it made its silent escape from her eye-socket, as she gave her best in bracing herself for the long practiced but yet to be perfected smile. It was not long before the time was up for her little preparation, for it was in any moment due, so she needed to hurry.

I glanced at her eyes which I dreaded to see, for it held that which I knew, the reflection of what her heart felt. I quivered, my soul at retreat, for it broke my heart into tiny –I believe- irreparable pieces, the sight of what those windows have shown.

I was drowned in sorrow as that of the girl whom I faced and was about to sink more into its sandy pits if not for the soft tap on the door accompanied by a silent creak of the opening door across the room which broke our reverie.

"Excuse me," came a gentle female voice and I urged myself to turn to her "Ms. Sakura, we're about to start in a 5 minutes. Are you ready?" she smiled such a sweet, tender smile and I couldn't help but feel the ashen brunette gain her color back at the comforting sight and smile back at her; forgetting her previous dilemma. I gave the wonderful lady a nod and an audible 'okay' and she left after. I turned back to the mirror and see the proof of my previous thought.

There stood the ashen girl, not so ashen as before; for her rosy cheeks shone; her eyes not grave but soft and gentle; and there, plastered on her lips was a smile, fit to grace her beautiful, angelic face.

to be continued...