Chapter 1: Hesitations

"She's nothing but an annoying kid" Mochu mumbled to Anna, deliberately giving cautious look to the character involved.

"She's always relying on us! Seriously, I have gotten enough!" Anna chided, spitting disgustingly on the ground. Soon enough, their classmates crowded over them and gradually started to talk badly about Mikan without even acknowledging her presence at all. It was as if she wasn't there, being completely oblivious to all of their treacherous speeches which surprises her to the very core. It wasn't that she was completely unaware to all those humorless pranks they had given her ever since 'that' happened, it rather hurt her tremendously knowing that it was her former best friend who initiated it. The only person left she was hoping to trust.

Natsume wasn't there anymore. The principal deemed to lock him up for he proved to be extremely dangerous, considering his age. The past continued to haunt Mikan and she felt her heart sinking. Thinking about 'that' made her tremble, continuously wishing for her best friend to comfort her - but, she knows that she isn't there anymore.

Hotaru went to America for good when she was thirteen, aiming to make more profit and to achieve her dreams. However, if she was still at Alice Academy, she would do whatever it takes to get all those backstabbers dig up their own grave. After all, she is Mikan's bestfriend despite that apathetic appearance she would always give off to everyone. She loved and trusted her but was unable to support her when 'that' happened.

Ruka wasn't even her best friend anymore, let alone friends. He changed ever since 'that' happened and the beast awakened within him. He wasn't the same old gentle Ruka she'd known. He changed in a way Mikan would find often find scary.

Mikan looked at the group and clenched her fist as she saw them laughing at her own stupidity. She felt her tears starting to form but she rubbed her eyes harshly, trying to distract herself in hurting herself more physically rather than emotionally thinking, 'Don't cry, Mikan. Be strong'

The bell rang and immediately everyone stood up and packed up their bags before they go home. Mikan did the same after slapping her face very hard, making it swell and plastered a smile.

"Life will not always feed you things you like" She muttered another lesson she had learned before going to the door. Someone suddenly placed a foot in front of her, causing her to trip on the ground, crushing her cheek. All of a sudden, the class erupted into a loud laughter. They started to throw garbage to her, yelling at her for being so stupid. They made it harder for Mikan to stand up as they kept on pushing her down on the ground, screaming that she belongs down there.

It hurts.

People started to go back in their dorms because they soon grew tired of watching her. They just joined in for fun to see Mikan's screwed expression and now they're already satisfied.

She stood up groggily and faced Ruka.

"So, it was you" Mikan mumbled, looking straight at him, her face unreadable.

Why are you doing this?

"What, are you going to throw me in there too? You deserve it, traitor" Ruka mused, eyes dancing with all kinds of mockery as Mikan's eyes widened in shock.

"You're still on with that!?"

Why can't you understand me?

"You bet I am and don't ever hope that I'm going to forgive you"

"I told you that I tried and . . . "Mikan faced the ground, feeling ashamed while Ruka clicked his tongue and tapped his foot angrily on the ground.

Why can't you believe me?

"And what? It's just going to be one of you lame excuses, Mikan!" Ruka yelled, causing Mikan to flinch. Nevertheless, Mikan was able to say something, out of desperation to make him go back to the way it was before.

"It's not my fault…" But it made him more frustrated than ever.

"It's not my fault" Ruka repeated in the same innocent-like manner.

"It's not your fault!? Then, whose fault is 'that' Mikan! I saw it with my own two eyes! You and Natsume were—"

The door suddenly opened, revealing the High School Principal.

"Enough of this useless charade, you two!" The High School Principal yelled while the two of them grew stiff. The High School Principal walked slowly to them and Ruka interpreted it as a threat to his grades. He feared that the High School Principal overheard their conversation. If that was really the case, it would lessen his chances to save 'that' person now that they will not trust him completely. Ruka immediately planned a strategy to make him more or less not guilty.

Ruka forced a bright smile on his face, just like what he did in the past, and went over to Mikan, obviously creeping the hell out of her.

"What are you saying?" Ruka asked, staring at him while holding Mikan's hands despite her struggles to remove it.

"You can't fool me, Nogi"

Ruka blinked as he was saying, "It was nothing but a lovers' quarrel, right?" Ruka tightened the grip on her hands, forcing her to say anything to agree with it. Mikan felt the pressure, constantly preventing her from breathing normally. Mikan could no longer hear what they were talking about. She could only hear a long stretch of ringing as she soon passed out.

Mikan opened her eyes, feeling a bit restless. She looked around the surroundings and knew that she was at an unknown person's room. But, judging from its style, she decided it to be a boy's room. She suddenly noticed a person with a golden hair lying beside her and poked it.

"Umnn… Uncle?" Mikan asked, but is actually afraid to confirm it. The boy looked at her, worried. Turns out to be Ruka but what shocked Mikan was that, she saw the gentle eyes she had been longing for in years.

"Ruka-pyon?" Ruka's eyes went on guard, as if he had seen Persona and immediately went away from Mikan's side. He realized the situation to be completely awkward so he shot her a cold look and stood up, dusting his clothes.

"Don't call me that. It's disgusting" Mikan bit her lip and faced away. She didn't know what to do in this situation so she felt really thankful when the High School Principal came into view.

"Nogi, I demand to talk alone with her" Ruka plastered another innocent smile of his and nodded as he went out. The High School Principal looked sternly at Mikan, causing her to shudder at the cold sight but, he soon gave her a gentle smile as he approaches her.

"Mikan" The High School Principal called, trying to get Mikan's full attention. He breathes heavily before delivering a question that might change Mikan's life forever.

"Do you want to go out of this academy?"

A.N: So, there you have it! What do you think? :)