The weekend came after the prom, I was thankful for that. In that case, I got to spend my time alone, binge eating my misery.
I sat on my bed with a large bowl of macaroni and cheese in between my legs as I stared off on to the window, taking a spoonful of pasta into my mouth. I was venting my emotions. I don't think it was time to think about my weight.
I haven't talked to Natsume, haven't even seen him. He didn't bother to talk to me either. I guess, this is the end of our silly pairing. I felt my chest cringe at the thought of what happened. Before breaking down in tears in my room after waiting for Natsume to come, I considered that he must've had his reasons for not showing up. Bnut that rational side of me left already and my emotions took over.
I didn't want to see Natsume. I know it'll kill me. I couldn't tell either if I was disappointed, angry or if it's all that. I was scared to admit that I actually fell for his silly game of making me feel stupid.
I took the bowl and placed it next to me. I've decided, I'm going to get him for that. But as I thought of my schemes to bring him down, my heat ached. I knew that these plans would hurt me or if not, both of us. But that's what I want right? To hurt him?
Monday came, I was dreading it, calling it My Dooms Day. I was dreading to see him, see how unaffected he was of what he did to me, how he'd act like he didn't do anything, how he'd seem so nonchalant. Typical Natsume.
I entered the room, trying my best to act like my heart wasn't in pain. I smiled at Anna and Nonoko before sitting down next to Hotaru.
"Hey Mikan," Anna began. "I thought you'd still come to prom even if you were dateless?"
"Yeah, we didn't see you," Nonoko broke in.
Flammit. I should've seen this coming. I could see Natsume from the corner of my eye and I couldn't tell if he was waiting for me to answer, too.
"Oh! I was down with a flu," I lied. "But I feel so much better now."
"Oh, so that's why we didn't see you last weekend," Nonoko said.
Whew, good excuse.
"But you could've told us, too, you know," Anna said.
I just smiled, resisting the urge to steal a glance towards Natsume. But I managed to resist throughout class.
I acted like nothing's wrong with me as I ate dinner with Sumire, Hotaru, Anna and Nonoko. I was grateful for that fact that Sumire and Mochu didn't spend that much time together or else Natsume would be around. I can't deal with that now. I have to ready at some point though. I didn't even have a plan on how to get him back for what he did. I wasn't born mischievous or evil.
I chose a different spot to contemplate on since my old spot was Natsume's spot as well. I sat on the bench near the drinking fountain alone.
I waited for him to ask me to prom for three years, I wasn't going to forgive him for this. But the problem was, I couldn't think of a plan.
"Mikan?" Sumire walked towards the bench. "What are you doing here?"
"Contemplating," I answered as she sat next to me. "What are you doing here?"
"Trying to reflect, Mochu and I just fought and I'm trying to calm myself down," Sumire replied.
I stared at the night sky. "That's what's admirable between you two, you always manage to patch things up."
Sumire gave out a small laugh before we both fell silent, relying on the crickets to fill the night.
"Can you keep a secret?" I asked her.
"Sure. I maybe talkative but I can keep a secret," she told me.
Sumire's no longer the bully I once knew. She's changed, for the better. She's not natsume and Ruka's fangirl anymore now that some has caught her unrequited love. I always thought she and Mochu were perfect for each other.
"Natsume asked me to the prom," I confessed without looking at her.
"Wow, he did? Well, that's good, Mikan," she expressed, shaking my shoulders with a big smile. "Why keep it a secret?"
"Because he ditched me."
"He didn't show up?"
"No."
Sumire let out a soft sigh. "I guess, you can't really rely on him with romance."
The thing was, I relied on him with romance, loving him until my heart would stop.
"I need your help though," I began, deciding that Sumire would be mischievous enough to help me.
"With what?" she asked me.
"I always thought you could make up evil schemes and stuff. Could you make me one?" I asked her with a smile.
"To get back at Natsume?" she asked me back. I nodded. "Natsume isn't that easy to fool and I don't think those kinds of things would make you feel better."
"But in the mean time.." I gave her a pleading smile.
Sumire sighed in surrender. "If it makes you feel any better. But don't blame me if you regret it."
I held up a hand. "I swear."
She sighed again. "The only way I cold think of is make him jealous."
"But that's so conventional," I complained.
"Do you want my help or not?"
"Sir! Yes, sir!" I joked with a laugh.
Sumire rolled her eyes and continued. "Find someone who you think Natsume would find it possible that you'd date. Then flirt."
"Flirt?" I asked. "Flirting isn't my thing."
"Just stay close to the boy."
I held that thought until I fell asleep.
I was determined to get back at Natsume the next morning.
"Yuu!" I called out, running towards our class president. Yuu turned to me and smiled in response. "Can I talk to you?" Yuu was the second person I could see myself dating other than Natsume and Ruka. Ruka was off limits since he's Natsume's best friend. Then Yuu, well, he looks different now. I even dreamt of him once, which I'd rather not talk about.
"Sure," he said waving off to Koko and Kitsuneme. "What is it?"
"Well, I have a very big favor to ask of you," I said, pulling him to a place we could talk alone.
Rather than saying it as it was, I preferred to whisper so I could be sure that no one would hear.
"I don't know, Mikan, that's quite risky," Yuu replied.
I held both his hand to plead. "Please Yuu? Just for a short while?"
It took me a while to get Yuu to participate in my scheme. Soon enough, he gave in. it was a good thing Yuu grew out of being Mr. Goody-two-shoes.
Yuu and I walked to class together. I knew people wouldn't think we're dating so I clutched onto him and changed the way I talk to him. I was thankful that Anna and Nonoko didn't ask too many questions yet. Sumire merely smiled. I made sure that Natsume sees this.
"Could you take care of Anna and Nonoko for me?" I whispered to her in class.
She gave me and Ok sign before turning to face Mr. Narumi.
It was a little awkward to hold hands with Yuu. But it's a good thing he went all the way.
"Yuu!" I whispered when I saw Natsume close to proximity as Yuu and I sat on the bench after class.
Yuu jumped in his seat and faced me. He started playing with my hair and stroking my face as Natsume passed us by.
"Is it working?' I asked him as soon as Natsume was out of sight.
"I couldn't tell. If I look, he might notice that this is all a façade," he replied.
I couldn't look at Natsume either. I couldn't tell if he was even looking. I was scared to glance.
My plan went on for a few more days. Other people were already complimenting Yuu and I on how perfect we look together, some said we look like siblings. But I focused on Natsume. Sumire was right, it was hard to get something from him with his blank face. Except this one time.
Yuu moved closer to me as I leaned on a tree while Natsume and Ruka walked close. He started to play with my fingers and I faked a giggle. From the corner of my eye, I saw natsume and Ruka stop next to us. My heart began to race and I could feel my hand shaking on Yuu's waste.
"You think you can fool me?" Natsume said.
Both Yuu and I faced him.
"What?" we asked in chorus.
"If you're really together, why don't you kiss?" Natsume continued.
Yuu and I looked at each other. I could read that he was surprised, so was I. I didn't know what to do.
"I knew it," Natsume said.
It all came in a flash before Natsume left in victory. Yuu pulled me from my shoulders and kissed me. It surprised me so much that I forgot that Ruka and Natsume were there. And when I was reminded of it, I closed my eyes and gave in. I felt Yuu's lips and I know he knew this wasn't what I wanted.
