Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice. It belongs to its rightful author, Higuchi Tachibana. This is just a piece of fanfiction written for fun.

This story is based on "The Lottery" by Beth Goobie.


Chapter 1

Mikan walked down the endless hallways of Alice Academy. It was a fancy school, no doubt. She had the brains, but she probably wouldn't have been able to attend it without Principal Yukihara 's scholarships. The tuition was too high for a young girl living alone, only supported by her part-time jobs. She had no choice either. Her parents died when she was five, in a tragic car accident, that made headlines in a local newspaper. Since Mikan had no living relatives left, she wound up in an orphanage and ended up getting adopted by the famous divorced author, Suzhou Shabo, at the age of eight.

At first, Mikan was happy that such a nice, and the slightly lonely man had adopted her. She felt bad for him and wondered why his wife would leave such a nice man. But then, he started showing his true colours. Outside, he was the polite gentleman that everyone knew. But inside the house, he was a drunkard and an abusive guardian. Mikan chuckled grimly. No wonder his wife left him, she thought. He would force her to cook, clean and live like a servant. When she did something that displeased him, she would get whipped on the arms and her legs. Sometimes, he would yank her long auburn hair, until her head would do what he wished. She never let her hair down again in that house, resorting to tight up-dos. Just, two years ago, Mikan managed to escape him and decided to settle in the concrete jungle that was Tokyo.

Closing her eyes, she remembered the fun times she had with her parents. In the park, her father pushed on the swing, she would yell, "Higher! Higher!" while her mom tried to get some pictures. But her dream shattered, and she would wake up to that scum's drunk face. Now she had escaped, but her scars stayed. Physical and emotional. Mikan managed to fool everyone. Her friends, classmates, and teachers. She was called the 'cute, cheerful, slightly stupid first year'. And she worked hard to keep up this façade. She never wore the summer uniform, choosing to fake feeling cold even in Tokyo's excruciatingly hot summers, and always wore tights under her miniskirts. She didn't want to feel exposed. Only now, she started to let her long hair cascade down her shoulders.

Mikan sighed, but quickly replaced it a huge, extravagant smile, as she saw her friends, Anna, Nonoka and Sumire fast-walk down the hallway.

"Hey what's the hurry?" Mikan asked with a smile.

"Gotta rush. The lottery's starting soon," Nonoka huffed.

"Oh right," Mikan said, sticking her tongue out, "Gosh, I totally forgot! Hehe!"

"Idiot," Sumire mumbled while looking at her nails. How could you forget? Natsume-sama will pick his first time as the President. Ah… He will look so cool."

"There goes the fangirl," Mikan teased. Anna and Nonoka giggle. "Okay, you guys go. I'll head to the classroom. Don't really want to attend that hot, crowded event."

"Okay. Suit yourself," Anna smiled.

"Hurry up now," Sumire scolded. Mikan waited until they went further down and gave up her smile. They weren't particularly close, but Mikan knew that even if they 'won' the lottery, she wouldn't ignore them as the rules said. Her façade was there, but maybe she could heal. Maybe.

The lottery of Alice Academy was the one thing that plagued every students' mind. It wasn't a typical lottery, where you win free meal tickets to Central Town. If you won this lottery, you get to be the plaything of The Community Council, which is made up of the school's bored, popular rich kids. The teachers, of course, have no idea. The Community Council started out as a club of overachieving, socially-aware children. But over time, it changed. The popular kids took over. Lottery winners have broken down. They are shunned. By the entire school. This is so that the Council can begin breaking down the winners. Asserting that 'You are all alone.' And they call it a lottery, but everyone knows, the box is rigged so that the President's personal choice gets chosen. And these three years were going to be particularly bad with Natsume Hyuga. Everyone found him interesting. No first year in recorded history managed to become president of the Community Club. He was a man of influence. He was the son of the Ioran Hyuga, the industrialist who practically ran the school. That doesn't mean Natsume was dumb. He was intelligent, good looking, rich, and even had his own fan club. But, he was cruel to the bone. He could even quell the winner into committing suicide if he wanted. Mikan just hoped she would make it out of the high school safely. She didn't have room have for more damage in her already damaged mind.

She walked to the music rooms, which much to her satisfaction, were completely deserted. The rooms were one place she didn't have to pretend to be okay or happy. In here, she was truly who she was, a broken, scarred and damaged human being. She grabbed her guitar from the corner, took a deep breath and started singing, Paper Crown by Alec Benjamin.

I'm no longer the happy Mikan Yukihara I once was…

A paper crown
And a heart made of glass
A tattered gown
And her kingdom of ash
She walks alone
She can never look back
The story of a queen whose castle has fallen to the sea

I'm all alone….

She'll make it out
But she's never the same
She's lookin' down
At the scars that remain
But you hold your ground
Though your kingdoms in flames
'Cause it's the story of a queen whose castle has fallen to the sea
Knowing there's no one who will be
A king that will come and save his queen

Save me….

'Cause there's no one to love her when
You built your walls
Too high
And there's no one to love you when you build
Your Walls
Too high

By the time she finished, silent tears rolled down her cheeks. Wiping them, she noticed an envelope sticking out of her guitar bag. She gulped, hoping her worst dreams wouldn't come true. But Mikan's life wasn't so nice. The envelope had a black seal, which confirmed Mikan's suspicion. The letter was out before the always given out before the so-called "lottery"

The letter said, "Dear Mikan Sakura, we are pleased to inform that you are this year's lottery winner. Congratulations! Please meet us after school in the clubroom at 4 o'clock sharp. Be late and there will be consequences."

Mikan was paralyzed. Why was she subjected to so much pain? What had she done to face this? Did her friends already know? They attended the lottery picking. I need to go find them, she thought. I don't want to be shunned.

She ran towards the lunch hall to see her friends. Anna, Nonoka, and Sumire were sitting around, laughing although it looked forced. She went up to them and looked at them expectantly. They all ignored her and continued their forced giggles

Mikan looked down, then up, and then at her friends. She smiled and said, "It's okay. It's not like it's your fault." Anna, Nonoka, and Sumire looked at each with guilt, but not at Mikan, as she turned her back on them and walked away.

The rest of the day just went off in a daze. Mikan kept repeating to herself, "So I am the winner, huh. Fate is sure cruel, huh" She knew her year especially with Hyuga being the President, was not going to be fine. He was a tyrant, and with that, he was extraordinarily cruel. He was a bully. No more, no less. But with those deep red eyes, strong build, and messed up raven hair, he was a heartthrob. Literally, every girl in the school was openly or secretly his fan. Sumire had given him her heart long ago, because unlike Mikan, who only joined in high school, Sumire and everyone else had been in AA since the beginning. But to Hyuga, she was just another annoying fangirl and toy.

It was three-fifty. "Guess my doom starts now," Mikan sighed and slung her guitar bag over her shoulder. Mikan's plan was perfect. Reach the room five minutes before, and wait out until exactly thirty seconds were left. She knew that the C.C would pick on her even if she reached early. Mikan ran till the east wing and quickly climbed the stairs to the second floor. This was the Community Council, so obviously, they would choose a room with the best view of the campus, and the farthest one from most student activity.

She reached the room at three fifty-fifty-nine, four minutes then when she would've liked to reach. But whatever. She left her guitar bag out. On purpose. While trying to ignore her racing heart and throbbing head, Mikan cautiously knocked at the door.

"Come in," a deceptively sweet voice said. Mikan entered slowly, looking at all the famous and infamous members of the council.

Sumire, being the gossip queen, had told Mikan all about the Community Council members. "The one everyone admires and secretly hates is third-year student Koizumi Luna-the Vampire Queen. She sucks your life out of you- if you are unfortunate enough to become her target. But Koizumi-senpai is the only person to ever make the council in middle school. Basically, the Regina George of Alice Academy" she specifically said. Indeed, as Sumire said, Koizumi-san looked scary, just like blood-sucking vampire.

Next, Mikan saw Kokoro Yome, the cruel prankster and secretary of the Council. He decided who should be picked on at school. He was Hyuga's right-hand-man and most trusted henchman. While Yome had that position, the others, Mochu and Kitsuneme were just ordinary henchmen and spies to Natsume.

There were two oddities in the group too. Again, the source of information- Shouda Sumire. Tobita Yuu, popularly known as Iinchou, and Nogi Ruka. Tobita was a good student and class rep, while Nogi was Hyuga's best friend, and the only one Hyuga had opened to. They both were not interested in bullying people, but joined for the sole purpose of protecting themselves from the lottery, not that they would ever be selected.

And then, at last, she saw the crimson eyes of the most fearsome person in school, Hyuga Natsume.

"Sit down on this stool," he spoke in his silky voice, as he motioned to a stool kept in the center of the room. Mikan did as he said. "Greetings, Sakura Mikan. I'm sure we won't be needing a round of introductions, as we are what you would call "well-known" around this school. Let's start with rules. You will not speak until you are spoken to, address all members with a -sama at the end, and don't defy me. There will be consequences." That last bit came out so smooth from his mouth, that it made Mikan shudder at the thought of those "consequences". He finally said, "Any questions?"

Mikan wasn't sure, but there was one thing she had to get off her mind. "Why me?"

Natsume smirked, sending a shiver down Mikan's spine, "When such cheerful and bright people grace the halls of Alice Academy, it's all the more fun to break them."


Hey guys! Sorry for not posting for so long. This a new story I thought of, so, please tell me how its. Lost Time will probably update during the weekend. Probably. Thanks for reading! Please like and comment.

Sincerely,

Nyanya-chan.