Me Too

There are unwritten rules in this world that we follow. Nineteen-year-old Aoi Hyuuga fears she's about to break one of them tonight. And that's falling for Ruka Nogi, her brother's best friend.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.

This fic is part of the July Prompt Challenge.

What's the time?
Well it's gotta be close to midnight
My body's talking to me
It says, "Time for danger."
-Rent

Chapter 1

11:57 PM; July 8

The story begins with me leaving.

To the others it might seem like I've merely decided to get up and announced it was getting late and I have a lot of homework. They'd probably try to make me stay for a couple more hours, have a few more drinks, but I'd decline and say I have an unfinished paper to work on or an exam to cram and I was good to go.

To them, it's spontaneous. But what they didn't know was I've rehearsed it all inside my head for the past hour and a half. Every nook and cranny. All the possibilities, I've gone through them all.

I was getting out of here.

There are unspoken rules in this world we live by. One of them is to never leave any social gathering too early.

Just a few more minutes.

Tonight was Game Night. Apparently my brother and his friends from the Academy have this tradition for the past two years that every month, one of them has to host this so called game nights. And no, if you're thinking of a bunch of college kids huddled up in front of the television watching sports, then you're wrong.

Their version of Game Night consisted of playing games like Jenga, Uno, Cards Against Humanity, Mafia and Taboo among others. Sumire, this month's host, filled me in earlier and said it all started when Koko won in a raffle during their first year in university and had gotten a bunch of board games as the winning prize.

I scanned the room, most of the faces were familiar from the last time when I left the Academy more or less a decade ago, others I've just met tonight. But there was one familiar face that wasn't my brother's or Mikan's. I've been trying to catch his eye the entire evening but other than the forced "Hi, Aoi." I've received when I arrived at Sumire's fancy looking apartment, Ruka Nogi has been blatantly ignoring me since.

Not that I could blame him. It was, after all, my fault we were in this situation.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I sighed.

The clock on the wall read that it was exactly twelve midnight.

Leaving shouldn't be hard, that I was well aware of. But I have always been a fan of having full proof plans so I devised them whenever I got the chance.

They were in the middle of playing another round of Mafia and I decided to sit this one out since I was getting ready to leave. They were all seated on the floor, while I had the sofa all to myself, gathered in a huge circle all trying to figure out who the killers were. Spoiler alert: It was Anna and Yuu.

I faked a yawn and even stretched for added effect. "It's getting late, I better go."

Their heads perked up at my sudden announcement. I've earned boos from Koko and Kitsuneme

"But it's only midnight," Mikan, my brother's girlfriend, commented. She had to do a double take at the same clock I've been staring at.

"I'm not really used to staying up late," I lied, giving out a nervous laugh. I stood and brushed my jeans. "Plus I have a paper due tomorrow."

"Oh." She bobbed her head to the side. "You should wait until Natsume returns. I'm sure he's on his way back."

Natsume left to buy more drinks with two of the other guys whose names I've already forgotten. They've left not long ago.

I was about to point this one out when somebody did it for me. "They just left a few minutes ago, Mikan. They're probably still on the way to the store."

My eyes wandered to the owner of the voice, startled. Ruka wasn't playing Mafia either. He was seated on a chair he'd taken from the dining room. He had a can of soda in his hand and his was ankle propped up on his other knee, the type of sitting position that guys usually do. I gave a small smile and Ruka responded by shifting his gaze back to the game, although the others momentarily stopped playing since I was about to go.

I bit the insides of my cheek. The nerve of this rude little son of a-

Calm down, Aoi. Calm the fuck down.

"I'll just shoot him a text," I lied, hoping not to sound annoyed. I was currently phoneless since I accidentally flushed it down the toilet earlier this week, but none of them knew that. I didn't feel the urgency to have it replaced right away since the only people in my contact list were my dad, my brother, and my two best friends.

Mikan looked unconvinced but said nothing of the sort. "Alright. I'll walk you out."

12:17 AM; June 9

I have been standing on the sidewalk outside of Sumire's apartment complex for a good five minutes trying to come up another plan which was finding a way back to my apartment. I caught a ride with Natsume on the way here and since he still hasn't returned, that option's down the drain.

I told the others I called my roommate who going to pick me up and was already on her way but of course that was impossible since my phone is currently missing in action. I debated earlier if I could just ask Mikan to drive me back, but I didn't want to intrude on their Game Night any longer than I already did. I knew I was only invited because I was related to Natsume and I knew my brother meant well. He'd been worried ever since I decided to take a gap year to backpack across Europe. He hid his worry well though.

My eyes flickered to the full moon in the clear night sky as I weighed down my options. It was stupid to take public transportation. There were no buses on this route. Our apartment wasn't far, probably thirty minutes max on foot. I knew self defense and I had a can of pepper spray in my purse.

I was ready to leave when at the corner of my eye I saw a flash of lights. I looked up and realized it was coming from the one of the tall buildings at the university that was only a couple of blocks away. They've always kept some of the lights one since it was open to the public and there were dormitories situated inside. The thought of going to the campus at night sent my ears buzzing. I've heard stories from the other students in my class about venturing around at night.

I had no plans on sleeping anyway, I could use a late night adventure to calm my nerves.

"Okay," I said to myself. The summer night breeze was inviting. "Late night adventure it is."

I was aware that this wasn't one of the best plans I've conjured but I didn't expect it to fail this early. I had just taken my fourth step away from Sumire's apartment complex when a voice called out, "I thought you said your friend was going to pick you up?"

I faltered, not expecting this at all, but ignored him and continued walking. I mentally scolded myself for being too engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't even hear him approach.

"Aoi."

I didn't look back.

"Hey!" I heard him shout, his voice getting nearer. The next thing I knew, he grabbed me by my elbow and stopped me on my tracks. Damn it. I should've made a run for it. "I was talking to you."

I shrugged his hand off and stopped myself from rolling my eyes when I turned to face him. "Oh, I'm sorry. I had no idea it didn't work the other way around."

His blue eyes, damn those eyes, narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"It's okay for you to ignore me for, I don't know, a year but when I do it for a few seconds, it's not? Patriarchy at its finest, am I right?" I didn't wait for a response and continued to distance myself from him. "Go back to your friends, Ruka. They're probably wondering where you ran off to."

He ignored my little speech and matched my pace. "Where's your ride, Aoi?"

I decided for the truth this time around. "I lied. I don't have one."

We both stopped at the corner of the street, right next to a children's playground. Ruka didn't even look surprised. "Don't move. I'll borrow Koko's car. I'm driving you home"

The last thing I needed was to owe him a favor but I've been taught to lower my pride when need be.

Without thinking, I said, "I'm not headed to my place. Just somewhere in the university is fine."

He gave me the most quizzical look, not understanding me at all. "What?"

"A late night adventure around the campus sounded nice," I said, making my way towards the swings while he followed.

"It doesn't sound nice if it's almost one in the morning. And the university is almost the size of the academy, it could fit an entire town in there."

I sat down on the swing, both hands on the chain. "What's wrong with that?"

Ruka stared down at me, wondering why the hell I was on the swings. "You could get lost. You've only started your summer classes a week ago. You don't know your way around yet."

He was right. I was only an incoming freshman in the upcoming fall semester because I took a year off. I decided to get a head start and enrolled in a few summer classes just to see how it would go. The only places I knew were the building where I take my classes and the library. I didn't even know the names of those old buildings yet.

"Since when do you care?" I retorted.

At the same moment, Ruka asked "Why do you even have to do this?"

Both of our eyes widened in recognition. This was too familiar. He remembered, it was written all over his face. I waited for him to answer first but it seemed like he was doing the same thing. I stood my ground as the seconds ticked on and neither of us said a word. This was a usual occurrence when we were younger, us talking over one another. I didn't have a clue why it happens. It was all about the timing, I suppose, and we had impeccable timing. This, as well as our pointless bickering, drove my brother nuts.

It was a challenge, the first person to talk again loses.

I held Ruka's gaze daring him to speak, reminding myself not to smile because he'd been a jerk for almost a year.

He shook his head and sighed. "Fine, but I'm going with you."

I never had the chance to celebrate my victory since that wasn't the answer I was expecting. I stood and crossed my arms. "No."

We were both getting on each other's nerves.

"Yes. It's late and if you're not going back to your apartment, then I'm going with you."

"I don't need a bodyguard."

"Good." Ruka shoved his hands in his pockets. "Because I'm not. I'm your friend."

I gave out a single laugh, staring up at the sky, shaking my head. "Friend?"

"Yes. We're friends."

"No, we," I pointed a finger back and forth between the two of us, "are not. Do you even know what that word means? Do you need a dictionary? In case you need a refresher, friends don't cut their friends off from their lives." I dared to take a step forward but he took a step back. "Friends most definitely don't kiss and act like assholes after leaving the other friend wondering what the hell she did wrong," I hissed with every bit of frustration that night has caused.

Ruka wasn't even fazed I brought it up. "We've talked about this. We both had a few drinks during your party-"

"Exactly my point!" I hated recalling that night. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. "We've already established the fact that we were both drunk so it meant nothing. What I don't understand is why'd you have to be such a jerk afterwards? You, Ruka, of all people."

That question needed an answer because I've honestly racked every corner of my brain for what I did wrong. Growing up with an Alice and having to lose it in a single night was rough. After I left the academy, I wrote Natsume and Ruka letters, telling them about my day and asking them about theirs. Ruka was always the first to write back. I have found friendship with Ruka through the years, through those letters. And even after they graduated, he and I would still hang out and catch up.

Who knew that a single night could destroy the friendship that took us years to build.

"I…" He ran a hand through his hair. "Fuck. I don't know."

I balled my fists and stared at the ground. Those weren't the words that I wanted to hear. "I have always valued friendship. And I thought you did too." I was gasping for air, there were too many emotions trying to surface that it was getting hard for me to breathe. "You were giving me the cold shoulder, do you even understand that? You didn't respond to any of my emails when I was out of the country and when I got back you wouldn't look me in the eye. It's like I carried the fucking plague. I don't know why you magically decided that I was finally worthy to talk to again but-" My voice cracked. Oh God now is not the right time to breakdown. I kept my head down, not wanting to see him. "Just leave. Go away. I'll be fine."

It must have been a weird situation to any passerby, two people arguing in a children's playground at midnight. I had no idea where this is going but I had to get it out of my system. It was already swallowing me whole. Maybe some friendships just dwindle away until they disappeared. Maybe this was one of those situations.

There was a lone lamppost in the middle of the playground and I could see both of our shadows stretched out on the ground. I shut my eyes tight, thinking that when I'd open them the next time, I'd be by myself again.

Instead I felt his hands on my shoulders. I wanted to push him away but I was so tired of this already. We've been dancing around this for far too long. "Listen," he started, his voice slightly shaking but was clear as day. "I'm sorry. That was a dick move and I'm sorry. I hurt you, I know," he said words slowly, calculating. "I shouldn't have done that but after we talked about I just… it just didn't sit well with me. Something was still off. I thought I've broken something. You're Natsume's sister and we've known each other since we were kids. I thought distancing myself was for the better. You left to travel and I thought it would be easier. The kiss was nothing, I know." He trailed his hands up and down my arms, giving me warmth. "But just for the sake of your little escapade, can we at least pretend to be friends for the next few hours? I don't know what I'd do if something happens to you." He let me go and extended his hand for me to shake. "You can go back to hating me when the sun rises."

I blinked back the tears because finally, an apology. I had no idea how much I needed to hear those words. I stared at his hand and brushed it aside. Instead I took another step forward and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Shut up. No pretending," I mumbled, burying my face in his shirt. "I missed you."

There was a pause but a heartbeat later I felt his arms around me as he rested his chin on the top of my head. "Me too."

Upon hearing his words, I pushed him away and punched his shoulder.

"What the hell was that for?"

"Don't you dare put me on that emotional roller coaster ride ever again."

A/N: Ruka and Aoi might be the an unlikely pairing for most of you since we've been shipping Ruka with Hotaru since God knows when but hear me out, is it really impossible for Aoi to harbor feelings for Ruka? They've known each other since they were kids. This pairing works or at least in my head it does.

I'm not sure if I portrayed Ruka and Aoi's characters the way I wanted to but maybe circumstances have lead them to be/act this way? I feel like my brain's been used to writing Natsume and Mikan fics, the moment I try other possible pairings, I end up being lost.

Nonetheless, I tried and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

All the love,
VCL

PS: This is only a twoshot. I'll be posting the last chapter in a couple of hours.