Summary: My name is Mikan Sakura. Hotaru, and my parents died in a car crash a little while ago, so to get away from the memories that haunt me, I'm moving town to go to Alice Academy boarding school. Unfortunately, my life there didn't turn out exactly as I wished it too. RukaxMikan Non Alice

Well second chapter is here! :D

Natsume is definitely going to be in this story.

Also Natsume might be slightly different in this story because he never had to go on missions and has no Alice.

Chapter 2

Being Annoyed

Yuu reluctantly opened the door and instantly both Yuu and I froze. Everybody in the class was staring our way with gapping mouths, which I guessed were aimed at Yuu. Even Narumi Sensei seemed to stare.

We both walked in slowly. I gulped before we both got ready to tell Narumi Sensei our excuse. My mind went blank for a second before my eyes widened in realization that we didn't even make up an excuse and I didn't particularly want the whole class to know what had happened. Yuu seemed to have thought the same thing because he looked at me uncertain and worried. I gave him an 'You'd better not tell, or you're dead' look before glancing back at Narumi Sensei.

"Uhh..." Yuu started and scratched his head awkwardly. I inwardly hoped his excuse would be able to convince Narumi. "Sorry we're late, we had to sort out our arrangements," Narumi smiled, which I hoped it meant he believed us.

"I thought something like this might happen," Narumi Sensei said happily. My eyebrows shot up and so did Yuu's. He...knew? That was such a lie.

"What?"Both Yuu and I said in unison. Narumi smiled sheepishly.

"Nothing, nothing," Narumi sensei said waving the question off. "Yuu, go to you're seat now,"

Yuu said nothing but looked at Narumi sensei confused before walking to his seat and sat down, his eyes resting on Narumi and I.

"Everyone, this is Mikan Sakura,"Narumi sensei said happily. "Now where should you sit?" Narumi gazed around the classroom for spare seats before clapping his hands together.

"I know! How bout next to Ruka," It wasn't a question but I just hoped that this Ruka that Narumi was talking about would be nice. It was sort of ironic since I wasn't that nice now as well.

There were a couple of gasps and looks of horror from the girls but I tried to ignore it. Ruka must be pretty hot and charming then. 'Lucky me' I thought sarcastically.

"Ruka, put you're hand up," Narumi instructed. I looked around the classroom and saw a hesitant hand come up in the air. I focused on the teenager... and I was right, he was pretty hot.

Ruka was resting his face on his hand. His hair was blonde and his eyes blue. I felt like I could get lost in his eyes, but I ignored that feeling and made my way towards him.

I quickly sat down and gazed outside. In someways it felt as if I was betraying Hotaru. I winced at that thought. If she were alive what would she say in this position? 'Get over it' or would she say 'Everybody dies sometime', I literally had no idea, and just not knowing what she would say was like a stab in the back.

"Uhh..." A voice said beside me. I quickly tore my gaze away and turned to Ruka who was staring at me curiously.

"Aren't you going to listen to the teacher?" He asked quietly. I looked over at the teacher before shaking my head back and forth. I could tell Ruka was trying to make small conversation but I just didn't feel like it.

"Do you know Yuu?" Ruka asked once again trying to get me to talk but I just nodded my head.

"How?" Now he looked triumphant. Damn him! I twitched.

"I sleep with him,"I snapped. His expression froze on his face as did mine as soon as those words tumbled out of my mouth. Oh god, why did I have to say that?

"That's not what I meant," I said rushed. Ruka stared at me before slowly nodding his head.

"I'm his dorm partner," I added. He froze again.

"...What?" He got out. I rolled my eyes. Why did he have to look at me like that? It wasn't as if I had asked to be with Yuu anyway.

The rest of the lesson past fairly slowly especially with Ruka glancing at me. But then the bell went, I was saved.

I was just heading to the door when Yuu called me back. I sighed before turning around to see Yuu nearly running towards me.

"Hi," I said exasperated. Why would he want to be around me? I was so boring and plain.

"Hi, uhm, did you want to sit with me and my friends?" Yuu asked. I frowned thoughtfully. Did I?

"Who are you're friends?" I asked with no amount of enthusiasm. We both turned around and looked at the class which was still packing up.

"Well, there is Anna," He said pointing over to a girl with pink wavy hair. Said girl looked up and gave a wave before resuming putting things in her bag.

"Nonoko," He then pointed to a straight blue haired girl next to the girl called Anna.

"Kokoro, but everyone calls him koko," Yuu then pointed across the class to a cheerful brown haired guy.

"Natsume, but he's probably skipping class. There is also Hiriji (is that his first name or last name? And he is also 10 years old) , Tsubasa and Misaki, but they aren't in this class," Hmm maybe it wouldn't be that bad spending lunch time with them.

"Oh, and there is also Ruka who you've already met,"Yuu added. Ok, scrap that thought. I didn't think I could stand any more of those odd glances at me.

"I think I'll pass," I said. Yuu's face dropped but I held my answer and nothing would change it.

I spun around and went out of the classroom heading for where I think the cafeteria is. Somehow, I went in the right direction which made me thankful.

I lined up for food which only took a couple of minutes then went to a seat at the corner of the room. It was dark and shaded but I liked it and people were less likely to come over here. I sat down and started to eat a couple of gulps from the food.

I looked around me to see people laughing among themselves and talking happily. I suddenly felt envious of them. Why couldn't that be me and Hotaru? Why did Hotaru even have to die? I quickly shook my head from side to side. I wouldn't fall into self pity. If I did I would truly hate myself.

I discreetly saw Yuu and his group walk into the cafeteria near where she was seated. Yuu appeared to be talking to a black haired boy, and as curious as I was, I tried to listen hard for the conversation.

"...all alone Natsume," Yuu said appearing to be arguing with him. I suddenly felt they were talking about me, but I tried to convince myself that it was just my mind.

"No, we are not going to come over to that idiot," The guy named Natsume sneered. I winced and definitely hoped they weren't talking about me.

"But..." Yuu started.

"I agree with Yuu, look how lonely she is," Ruka commented. I suddenly felt 8 pairs of eyes on me which made me shiver. Dang, they were talking about me, this sucked. They were talking about me like I was some circus! And what was worse was how they felt sorry for me! I felt anger bubble within me.

"Oh for heaven's sake, I'll go over there and solve you're decision for for you then!" a girl with red hair down to her shoulders said irritated. She then started towards me determinedly. The others gapped like fishes as they stared at her and tried to whisper for her to come back but unfortunately for both me and them she didn't.

"Hey you," She called out. Knowing she was calling to me, I reluctantly turned to her and stared a little irritated.

"What?" I grouched. The girl paused in her steps for a millisecond or two before restarting again. The other's reluctantly followed behind except for Yuu who looked relieved.

"I'm Misaki, did you want to join us?" Misaki said with a smile lighting up her face.

"Not really," I mumbled. Misaki's smile faulted but managed to force it to stay.

"Well we are going to stay, right guys," She said determined but then looked behind her at her friends.

"Right guys?" She stressed on the words. There was a lot of incoherent mumbles but Misaki seemed satisfied with their response.

"Uh huh, I can see when I'm not wanted," I said rolling my eyes. But even as I said that, I felt a pang of hurt in my chest. I didn't want to care about their opinions, but I did.

I stood up and started to walk away, despite Misaki's look. A couple of metres away, I turned back to them.

"Next time you're going to gossip about me, make sure I can't hear you," I said a little harshly. They all looked embarrassed at being caught, and I noticed Ruka looking especially pink in the face.

I rolled my eyes and started to walk away.

"Wait!" Yuu called me back. I stopped but didn't turn around. A part of me wanted to be friends with them all, but the other part of me didn't want to be hurt anymore. Because if I was hurt again, I was afraid that I would be truly broken.

"Yes?" I questioned. Surprisingly enough it wasn't Yuu who answered.

"When Yuu puts his mind on something he always gets his way, and right now I think Yuu has put his mind on being you're friend," a girl I knew as Anna said with a bit of pride mixed in with her voice. I nearly groaned so I tried one last tactic.

"You won't like me," I said trying to convince them.

"I bet we will!" Misaki said. I sighed defeated. Damn how did it turn out like this?

"Fine," I mumbled before walking over to them. But even as I walked over to them I felt a twinge of happiness that people would actually want to be around me. I took pride in Yuu's happy face. At least someone was happy about me being with them.

We all sat down at a nearby table quietly. I looked around awkwardly, feeling out of place.

"So, tell us about yourself Mikan," Koko said in an attempt to get rid of the tension. But it had the absolute opposite affect. I immediately tensed and looked warily at Koko.

"What did you want to know?" I suspiciously asked.

"Uh, well do you have any friends?" Koko asked gaining incredulous glances from others. I felt a stab of emotional pain. Did he think I was such a bitch that no one would like me?

"Yeah, I had one," I snapped hurt by his question. Koko seemed a little taken aback by my sudden rage and I tried to tell myself that he didn't know that that question was really personal, but it didn't really help.

"Had?" Nonoko asked softly. The others who hadn't managed to make that connection between the words had and have seemed startled, but then looked at her with sorrow looks.

I slowly breathed in and out trying to rid the anger that was releasing itself off me. Why did they all have to be so nosy when I didn't even know them? I stared hard in my lap, so as to not look at the wondrous and pity glances that they would have sent me.

"It doesn't matter," I said quietly, but immediately regretted those words. Did I just say Hotaru didn't matter? My hands flew to my mouth in horror, while tears were brimming at the edge of my eyes.

The others looked at me confused and curious about what made me look in horror. I closed my eyes as tears were threatening to fall down my pale cheeks.

"I-I'm sorry, I just remembered something I didn't want to," My lips shook with the words that came out of my mouth. My heart clenched painfully, making me lean over and grasp the table in a strangled hold. I heard myself making strangled sobs as I tried to keep it all in. 'Please no' I thought, hoping not to end up crying with everyone near me. Why couldn't I go off and cry all alone? Why?

I quickly struggled to pull my tears back and to put an emotionless face on. Doing that was one of the hardest things I have had to do for a while.

"Are you alright Mikan?" Ruka asked, a glimmer of worry entering his eyes. I frowned. Why would he care about me? We had only just met!

"yeah, yeah," I said vaguely.

Anna then smiled but I noticed it was only half-hearted "Gosh this has been one awkward conversation," Everyone laughed except for me, which made me feel a little left out. But then, I assumed the one called Tsubasa looked at me, his face was serious.

"Give us a chance, let us be you're friends," He pleaded with me. I looked uncertainly at him then looked around and saw similar faces on everyone except for Natsume and Hiriji who just merely glanced at me curious as to what I would say.

And for the first time since Hotaru's death, a small smile graced itself upon my face.

&

Well that's the second chapter. Tell me what you think. Ok? This chapter isn't that long, so I will try to make the next chapter longer.

The next chapter, I'll try and have a bit more of Ruka in it