Chapter 1: The Beginning

A/N: This is my first NatsuMikan fan fiction, so please bear with me! I might or might not continue Gakuen Alice America... At least until I've come over my writer's block... :) Yeah! So enjoy and again please bear with me! GAKUEN ALICE DOES NOT BELONG TO ME! But I can dream, right?

Every story has to have a beginning. Even if it's not the very first. The first impression, the first hello, the introduction. All of these things happen for a reason, if not for a purpose. The beginning is where everything starts. Where someone can start fresh with a clean slate. It doesn't matter what happened in the past, but what is now. Every single minute, hour, day, month, year, or century can be a beginning. It just depends on when you want to start, and everything may flow from there.

"Everything we love becomes a part of us"

~Helen Keller

I looked up at the tall gates of the academy. There was no way I could back down now. No where I could go. I sighed to myself. "New day, new school, Mikan. You can do it." Great. Now I was talking to myself... I don't know why I was so nervous. Maybe it was because the school was so big? I mean, I've been through the country trying to escape caring adults who want to me to go to an orphanage, and I stand here in front of the gates of a school practically trembling.

"Who's out there?" A voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

"A new student," I reply. I clutch my belongings. The gates open and a man with blonde hair appears.

"Hello there, you must be Mikan Sakura," he calls in a sing-songy way. I just stare for a moment, and then remember, "You're not a Yukihara now, you're a Sakura."

"Y-yes. Yes I am," I barely stammer.

"I am Narumi, your teacher. I'll show you to your dorm room, and then we'll go to the classroom, alright?" And he skipped/walked away. Mikan followed with her suitcase gripped tightly in her hand. As I passed the gates, they slowly shut close.

"No turning back now Mikan Yu-Sakura, no turning back," I muttered to myself. I followed Narumi to my dorm room.

"This is your room, Mikan. The teachers have decided, and we thought that it would be the best if your ranking was a special star." He slowly opened the door, and the sight of my room made my heart leap. There was a king sized bed with black and white sheets, a large TV, a kitchen with modern appliances including a refrigerator, and two large bathrooms. I dropped my bags near the desk. Ever since I could remember, I didn't have a room as nice as this since... I was still known as a Yukihara...

"Breakfast is at 7, school starts at 8, lunch is at 12:30, dismissal is at 3:30, and dinner is at 6:30. If you forget, there's a schedule on your desk and your uniform is in the closet. Our classroom is 2-B, and a map is also on your desk," Narumi continued, "I hope you have fun in Alice Academy!" And with that he left the room. I looked at the schedule, it was 7:30.

"I'll take a shower and then get ready," I decided. After my shower, I got the uniform from my closet. I put on the white blouse and pulled on the red checkered skirt. I pulled the socks over my feet, and put on the shoes. I tied the tie, and lastly put on the blazer. I checked myself in the mirror. I hummed to myself as I thought of what to do with my hair. I stopped when I heard a knock on the door. I slowly opened the door to see two people: a boy with dirty blond hair and glasses and a girl with sh-. No way...

"Hotaru?" I asked, staring at the girl with amethyst eyes. "Finally you recognize me you idiot," she replied. Ouch...

"Hmph. You're as cold as always," I puffed, but I couldn't help but smile. I hugged her really tight. I was surprised she let me.

"Get off of me you great lump." I released my hold and smiled. Same old Hotaru.

"I'm Yuu Tobita, but you can call me Pres. Everyone does. I'm the class representative," the boy spoke.

"Okay, Pres. I'm Mikan Sakura. So... Why are you guys here?"

"We're here to take you to class. There's only 5 minutes left until it starts," Hotaru explained.

"5 MINUTES! HOLY COW! Okay, hold up." I rushed to grab a hair band and put my hair up into a ponytail, and grabbed my bag.

"Okay let's go now," I said. They explained the school had four buildings, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and College. We were all starting freshmen in High School. We were still on the way to the classroom when all of a sudden I bumped into something.

"Ow..." I muttered. I looked up to see who I bumped into. A boy with messy raven hair and crimson eyes was standing in front of me. His eyes were so... Whoa! Hold up Mikan! You barely even know him!

"Are you going to stare at me all day?" A voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"As if!" I retorted.

"Hn. Whatever. Just stay out of my way," he said and with a smirk he added, "Polka dots." And he walked away

What? Polka dots? And then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

"YOU PERVERT!" I yelled.

"Sorry. My friend can be a little... well yeah..." Another boy with blonde hair blue eyes spoke, "You must be new here. I'm Ruka Nogi." He smiled and held out his hand.

"Hi. I'm Mikan Sakura." I reached my hand out and shook his.

"Come on idiot. We've got to go," Hotaru spoke up.

"Kay, then. Bye Ruka, nice to meet you," I said.

"Bye. Hope to see you around," he replied.

"Well, this is our classroom Sakura," Yuu stated, "Just stay out here until Narumi tell you to come into the classroom."

"Okay." And both of them went into the room.

"Please come in!" I heard Narumi say in that sing-songy voice of his. I walked into the classroom.

"Please introduce yourself."

"I'm Mikan Y-Sakura. Pleased to meet you," and I bowed.

"Great. Any questions for Mikan?" Narumi asked the class. A hand went up.

"Yes, Sumire?"

"What's your star ranking?" the girl named Sumire asked. She had curly seaweed colored hair and matching eyes.

"Um... My star ranking...?" I asked quietly. Uh oh... Expect total humiliation Mikan...

"Ha! She doesn't even know what a star ranking is!" Sumire laughed.

"Her star ranking is special star, Sumire," Narumi answered for me, and he winked. I gave him a grateful smile.

"WHAT? HOW DID SHE! WHAAAAT?" Sumire exclaimed.

"Now no more questions my lovely students. Mikan's partner will be... Natsume!" He pointed to her seat next to a boy with a manga on his face.

"I'll be giving you a free period!" And he danced out of the room.

I walked down the aisle to my seat, and I felt all the eyes of the students burning holes through me. I was about to reach my seat when a foot shot out and tripped me. I braced myself to hit the hard floor, but I never did.

"Phew, gotcha Sakura." A familiar voice said. He helped me up and to my seat.

"Thanks Ruka," I said quietly.

"Hehe. No problem."

"Will you please shut up?" Another familiar voice spoke. I looked at the boy next to me. The pervert in the hallway was... This boy! Natsume, my partner!

"HOLY CRAP! IT'S YOU!" I yelled. I didn't mean to swear. Honest, I don't know what came over me.

"Didn't I tell you to shut up?" he asked. Irritation was in voice.

"And... Why should I shut up and listen to a pervert like you?" I retorted.

"Because I-"

"Oh just die in a hole under a rock," I cut him off.

"WHAT? HOW DARE YOU TELL MY NATSUME TO GO DIE IN HOLE!" Sumire shouted.

"You too. You can die in a hole too Permy," I said calmly.

"WHAT? HOW DARE YOU! YOU! YOU LITTLE TWERP! I'LL-"

BANG! BANG!

Ouch... I felt pain flowing through my head.

"Ow... What was that for Hotaru?" I asked.

"Stop being so loud, both of you," she replied, "Oh and Mikan, nice nickname. Permy... I like it..."

"HOTARU IMAI!" Sumire shouted.

BANG!

Another hit for Hotaru.

"What was that Imai?" Yuu asked.

"This is my Baka Gun 2.0. Used to make idiots shut up." Hotaru got up and started to walk out the door.

"Mikan, follow me," she said, and left the classroom. I slowly got up wondering why she suddenly wanted to talk to me alone.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Remember to review! The little passage at the way top is written by me by the way. (In case you were wondering.) Sorry for typos are little grammar errors. (Or maybe big grammar errors.) And also, I'm sorry for the short chapter. Please review! Remember helpful criticism is appreciated, but please please please nothing overly mean or it might hurt someone's feelings. Thanks!