Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN GAKUEN ALICE, mmkay?

Thank you for reading my second story and for some who added it as their favorite story :))

The following chapters are on Natsume's point of view.

CAUTION: There are twists and details to remember.

One

Mikan is just another girl to many, but in my ruby red eyes… all I ever saw is the girl whom I am certain to be with for the rest of my life. It was like nothing could drag me down ever since Mikan walked through the glassy front doors of Alice High. She's magnificent and it's not a lie. Who wouldn't want to caress their fingers on her pinkish cheeks and curly brown hair? Who wouldn't want to hold her hand and feel her smooth skin linger beneath their fingers? Who wouldn't fall for her?

So what if I'm insanely in love with a girl? Everyone goes through this stage! However, I wasn't insane enough to go straight up to the girl and say, "Hi, my name's Natsume Hyuuga, you know, the guy who helped you cut a filthy frog's body during biology class".

My courage is empty. My tongue always knots itself whenever I have an opportunity to have a friendly conversation with her. It's extremely humiliating, almost all of the precious memories I have of her is me, turning red as beet.

I wasn't the only one who has mushy feelings for her, of course. There are many boys who agreed that she is absolutely dazzling but the only admirer I knew since kindergarten is Brandon Flurts. Funny how his last name described him a bit. He's flirty and it struck me like lightning whenever Mikan smiles warmly at him. Does she like him? Yes… Unfortunately, she does. It set my heart in self-destruct whenever I see both of them holding hands.

I'm not the kind of guy who would try to humiliate someone whenever they have something or in my case someone I want. If she's happy, then I'm happy but I'm forever open when she needs me. I just wished that I could rewind my time with her. Say something– but an idiot I am, I never tried to.

I walked along the sidewalk, on my way home. The rain is still fresh in the pavement and the smell of it was dancing along to one particular memory I've been trying hard to forget. It was cloudy as always and the sun was hiding away from this small, old town. I let my hands dig deeper in my pockets as I looked up to see the line of thorny bushes. I'm still far away from home.

I'm pretty sure Mom is still baking her delectable chocolate chip cookies for the Hikaru family. Mom is close to them and she felt really awful that some members of the family have passed away– it's like Dad left her all over again.

Her pain was instantly transferred to me. One of the members of the Hikaru family I'm very familiar with is Mr. Hikaru– my biology teacher who shown great hatred of me… He… is one of the members who passed away.

I'm not a fan of trouble, really. I always keep my head down and avoid situations.

I will never understand the concept of Mr. Hikaru's revulsion of me. I just sucked it up and disregarded his countless cold glares and humiliating remarks. But when I stepped in biology class today, it was different. It's like a one piece has been taken from me– two pieces to be exact. Why two? I'm not telling.

I walked by a breathtaking mansion that sheltered all the things you could ever want or need.

A memory was starting to smolder behind my mind… a memory that haunts me still.

"Natsume!"

I turned and was feeling rather sour once I saw Ruka.

"What do you want?" I mumbled while raking my raven black tousled hair.

My house was just a few blocks away, what makes the difference if I try to run away from him? He'll still find a way by sneaking in the back door or even climbing up into my room. Thanks for the crap, Ruka.

"Hotaru Imai has actually invited us to her super party!" said Ruka, utterly hectic of it.

Pause there. Who is Hotaru Imai? From the way Ruka has said it, you'll think she's a spoiled brat and has a very high social status. Well, true, she's popular. No, she's not a spoiled brat. Hotaru rarely throws a party and most of her parties as far as I've heard are extremely tremendous.

I'm not fond of partying– it scares the living daylight out of me. What do you do when you party? Go wild? Be shy? Drink a couple of beers? Dance with someone? In my knowledge, parties are created for you to act stupid or make an embarrassing mistake. Take Kitsunume for example. He almost got arrested when the town's police found him drunk in a stolen car. All because Kitsunume entered some crazed party.

That is a mistake I wouldn't dare to try.

"So?" I asked bluntly.

Ruka grimaced at me. "So, we're going!"

"I don't want to," I groaned, letting my hand greet the leaves of ivy.

Ruka, this time, glared at me.

Stop. It's hard to believe that Ruka Nogi is my best friend. We only became friends when I offered to tie his shoes for him when we were in first grade. Just from that small, good deed that only lasted for three minutes… I earned the most obnoxious friend for a lifetime.

"You're a dick Natsume," he snarled, "and a coward!"

"I don't care," I snapped. "I rather stay in the house and do my homework."

Ruka made a face. He will never let this go. He'll always find a way to get me by his side.

"You could get back with the homework thing at Sunday, the party's tomorrow you know!"

"Saturday night?" I let out my most distressing moan just yet.

Okay. May I add the fact that my laziness breaks the meter during Saturday nights? It's becoming a bad habit of sleeping all day– that's why I always plan to do all of my homeworks and projects at Fridays.

"Yeah," grunted Ruka, slamming his rough hand on my shoulder and I glanced to see his blonde hair glimmering under the sun. "Perfect day to party, got nothing to do."

"I have something to do!" I protested.

"By something to do," he smirked. "You mean sleeping the whole day!"

"It's something, isn't it?" I grumbled.

Ruka shook his head disapprovingly and heaved a sigh. "Oh, well, Natsume… I thought you might want to come"– I snorted in disbelief– "because after all, Mikan will be coming…"

I admit… Ruka has captured me there. He has found a way to lure me into his devious trap. He knew the only bait I would take is her.

I dressed my face with a very stern look– a look that says, "It won't work for me" and I shook my head pessimistically.

"Mikan will probably go with Brandon."

Ruka smiled maliciously. "You never know if Brandon met an accident…"

"Ruka!" I said hoarsely.

"Natsume!" he replied back teasingly.

I wasn't able to keep a straight face but a smile finally appeared in my face. How wonderful it would really be if Brandon did met an accident…

My decent house was standing clear in our view.

"Well?" Ruka looked at me expectantly. "You're coming?"

I inhaled all the clean air I need though I exhaled a very poisonous air with the words saying, "I'll go."

Okay, I promise you, this is a story you'll never forget! Just please… PLEASE review the good side. I need about 5 and above if you want to know the whole story.

(Sneak peek of the next chapter…)

"Are you really okay?" asked Bronx, shoving a frosty soda into my hand.

I nodded solemnly. Bronx scowled at me as soon as he sniffed my lies out.

"It's better to let it out than let it in."

"I don't care," I muttered stubbornly. I ripped my soda can open and felt the icy, sweet liquid run down to my throat.

"Maybe music could lighten up your mood," said Bronx thoughtfully and he reached for the musty stereo behind him. He began to rummage around for a CD.

"No, it won't," I said, licking the last drops of soda dangling on my lips.

"Music could. It always does. Do you want to listen to James Blunt's songs?"

I never get to answer him for I was already remembering a painful memory…

"It's okay." I could hardly find any air. Mikan. I'm actually talking to her.

As if on cue… a love song was singing at the atmosphere.

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~DAPRiMLi