Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.

Chapter II: Colorless Event

"He'll be at the pet room until afternoon today. Don't forget. This is the only chance that you have! He'll be alone so if you want to confess, this is the best time!" Koko said to me.

"What if I screw this time?" My heart was thumping hard in my chest. The thought of being alone together with him is a lot scarier than I thought.

"You won't! Have faith in yourself, Mikan!" Anna comforted me and gave me an affectionate look. "You have to do this, alright? We'll be here to guard so you two can have peace inside." She said.

"Here goes…" I said and went to the room.

Meanwhile, someone was listening. It was one of those rude girls who hate Mikan because of her beauty and attitude. They were insecure and they envy her for being close to Tsubasa, another heartthrob at the school. They spread rumors that Mikan was seducing him. On the other hand, Misaki, Tsubasa's girlfriend didn't believe any of those gossips because she believes Tsubasa and Mikan is a dear friend to her. She knows that Mikan would never do anything like that. They are a fan of all the heartthrobs at school. Going back to the girl, she went to their club room. The anti-Mikan room and reported everything that she heard to their club president, Luna Koizumi. A bright but evil looking smile flooded her face.

"Bring a camera with you" she grinned.

"Excuse me?" I said as I knock on the pet room but no one answered. I thought Ruka was here? I knocked again and saw that the room wasn't locked. I entered without any further ado. The room was bigger than what most people thinks. It's located outside but within the school premises. Its shiny marble floor made it look more elegantly-like. There were built habitat for each animal. One example is the chicken coop. Although the floor is shiny, they put a wood on it with bushels that made it look like there wasn't any marble floor at all. Then there are the other animals too with their newly formed habitat. The school really is extraordinary for having built this kind of wonderful room.

"Where is he?" I talked to myself. There was a sound through the door but I ignored it. It might be the students, running around or having training.

Rustle-rustle-rustle

I don't know whether that sound is coming from outside or inside the pet room.

"Oh! You poor horse! Were they feeding you right?" Ruka said as he embraced the horse. The horse seemed to moan and went nearer to Ruka.

Seeing this scene made me cover my mouth. So they were having a private time and here I am, interrupting them. I turned my back when I saw a bunch of people. They're the ones who love bullying me but thanks to Hotaru, they stay away from me.

CLICK!

"Well, well, well… What have we got here? Miss Mikan and—oh! What are you doing there, Prince Ruka?" said Aya, one of Luna's accomplice.

Ruka looked astounded and immediately backed away. "Why are you all here?" he asked blushing.

"Miss Mikan here told us that you will have a date in here… I never thought that you would date an animal…" Luna said as she comprehended with it. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to!" she added with a complete fake smile.

"WHAT? I never said anything like that! Where are Koko and Anna?" I said trying not to panic though my heart's skipping a beat. This isn't how I imagined it would be. Hotaru please… save me.

"Are those friends of yours? We did a little helping. We played a game called, tie-me-up" Aya's smile widened as soon as she saw Ruka looking furiously at Mikan.

"You've brought friends and these people? I hate you and I never want to see you again!" he said. He never felt more embarrassed than this.

"It wasn't me! I came here because I have something to tell you!" I insisted so he would listen to me.

"Forget it! I don't want to listen to any more lies of yours" he turned his back on me. This is the end for me. For both of us. I buried my face gravely in my hands. He hates me. Suddenly I can't help but cry. The Anti-Mikan Club went out of the room. Soon, I saw Hotaru's worried face along with Koko and Anna.

"Mikan we're sorry!" Koko and Anna said in unison.

"Mikan…" Hotaru said.

"It's getting late" I said trying not to sound too scared.

"You afraid of the dark, little girl?" the rude boy beside me said.

"What's it to you? And I'm not afraid! Mind you" I said bravely.

"Oh look at the time! I guess it's time for me to go home" he smirked at me.

"G-Go ahead! It's not that I'll be scared without you, you know!" I said.

He was almost on the door when I gave a little whimper.

"The truth is I'm scared and I'm not brave… Don't leave me please" A tear roll down my face. His smirked widened. What is wrong with this guy?

"Since you're begging, I guess I could tease you more" then he went back to sit. I daren't speak afterwards. I don't want to say anything that might force him to leave me.

"Thanks" I said. I've got three more hours left.

"No please! Don't! AAAHHHHHHHHHHH! Noooo!" I screamed and woke up. I keep on having the same dream almost every night. I looked around and saw that I'm still sitting at the detention room. The only thing was that…

I'm alone and it's only ten in the evening. Well, that's what the clock on the wall says. IT'S WHAT? TEN O'CLOCK! I should've been out of here an hour ago! School closes at his hour!

"Why did you leave me!" I cursed him. But then I thought that I'm not his obligation to tend to. Maybe he needed to go home. I shouldn't be selfish but—

I checked my celphone and there was a message from mum.

Detention, huh. Sumire here told me. I'll wait for you. Nine o'clock sharp!

Her text seems scary. This may look like normal but she hates it when we do something bad. Well, it's not my fault that I fell asleep! OH MY GOSH! IT SAYS TO BE HOME AT NINE SHARP! AND IT'S ALREADY TEN! WHAT DO I DO? Sigh. I took my bag and went out. At first I hesitated whether to close the lights because if I close it, it'll be very dark but then if I leave it open, what if there were fire? I might have to pay the school a lot of money but since I don't have enough money, I may have to spend the rest of my life being a servant to the school while the Anti-Mikan club will laugh at me as their children bully me. So that's it! I turned off the lights. Though I can't manage to make a step forward. I keep on closing my eyes because I might encounter elves or worse—ghosts. The thought gives me chills. I wish Hotaru would wait for me but I told her that I would be late and we've got quiz for tomorrow so I can't disturb her. She needs to study. I can't be selfish. This is it. I just have to close my eyes and run so that I wouldn't encounter anything. One—two—three—go!

BUMP!

"Ouch!" I said as I crash on the floor.

"Ouch!" said another voice. I closed my eyes hoping it wasn't any ghost or elves or anything about the rumors about the school…

"Watch where you're going little girl!" that sounds familiar… so I opened my eyes.

"YOU! Thank God it's you!" I felt grateful. He's here to save me. My eyes were glistening with the view of him.

"What are you staring at?" he said and stood up. I thought he would help me stand up but didn't. Oh great! Well, at least he's here.

"Why are you here?" I managed to ask while following him. We were now on the school grounds. At last, I smell home! Home was near our school, you see. But I'm afraid to come home. Mum will scold me.

"I thought you left me!" I went closer to him. I can feel cold chills in my spine like someone is watching us.

"I would have! They told me to watch over you just in case anything happens" he said angrily.

"I don't get it. Why are you mad? And what about 'just in case anything happens?' It's not like I would do something bad, right?" I defended myself.

"You don't know anything. Anyway I got detention because of you." He said without looking at me.

"I'm sorry" I said apologetically. I feel rather miserable today. When will this bad luck leave me?

"You live there? The blue house." As soon as we took a step forward away from the school, he pointed to the house few streets away. Truly, it was ours.

"Yes… how did you know?" I asked puzzled.

"We were neighbors. Bet you didn't know that because you're an ignorant careless little girl" he said.

"My name is not little girl! It's Mikan!" I insisted.

"Very well…" he said. I turned to look at the house. There was something weird about this guy…

"…Mikan"

I looked at his direction but he was gone. He said my name. It's a bit weird but comforting to hear. Like something I longed for and I don't know why. Where did he go and why is he gone? Was he good at running? Kind of weird but I don't have enough time for that. I have to face a great force turned individual first. Mum.