Hey guys! As promised here is chapter 2. I'm so happy you guys like the first chapter. Now, I think I'm really going to turn this into a story.
So this is a pretty short chapter, but it kind of hints what will happen further in the story. And also, I had to put some more things here about Mikan. Hope you like it!
My mom was dating someone.
In the past, my mom always had a series of bad relationships, and that's why she didn't date for a while. For a couple of years, actually. But now, she looked happy and glowing, and it was the first I've seen her like this. Which, kind of creeped me out at first, because she just barged in my apartment with a bag of groceries one weekend while I was enjoying my afternoon nap (yes, sleeping is my most favorite thing in the world), and started dancing around in my kitchen.
"Mom, what are you doing?" I'd asked, still groggy from my nap. I loved my mom to death, but like I said, sleeping is my favorite thing to do, and I really get cranky when I'm woken up from it. My mom always did these unexpected visits, because she secretly hopes that she would find a guy in my apartment and thinks she caught me of guard. Well joke's on her, because ever since I've moved here a year ago, I haven't had any guy in apartment.
"Making dinner, what does it look like?" she answered, happily.
"Yeah, but you could have called."
She didn't answer me, but instead started taking out vegetables and meat from the grocery bag. I knew something was up, because she didn't do her usual inspections like she always did whenever she was around.
I waited for her to finish cooking (she preferred to do these things by herself) before I confronted her.
"So, who's the guy?"
My mom just widened her eyes at me. "What are you talking about, Mikan?"
I rolled my eyes. My mom and I were very much alike. We had the same dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Although my hair was shorter than hers, and dyed my hair recently to a lighter color, we still look like we could pass as sisters. And we also had the same attitude. I think I knew where I got my lying skills from, because I could easily detect it on her. Fortunately, I was better at lying than her, so she couldn't exactly tell when I was.
"You don't have to hide it, Mom," I told her. "You always act like this whenever you have a new boyfriend. So who is it?"
She sighed in defeat. "Okay, fine. Well, he's not exactly my boyfriend yet. We do see each other occasionally, and we've went on a few dates."
"I think that counts as a boyfriend."
"I just don't know, okay? I don't want to jinx it. Things have been going so well, that I'm afraid that if I do or say something, things would start falling apart. So, I'm sorry honey, but for now I think I'd like to keep this one a secret. But I promise you I'd introduce you to him when the time comes."
I get where she was coming from. My mom doesn't exactly have the best record when it comes to guys. It was always the same story: some younger douchebag trying to get in her pants so he could get to her money. And I totally understood why she stopped dating for a while. But still, I wanted her to be happy and it hurt me every time she got her heart broken by some guy. So now it was difficult for me to know that she thinks her failed relationships are her fault, and that she always has to keep her guard up.
I smiled at her. "It's okay, Mom. I get it. But you do know that those failed relationships aren't your fault, right?"
She shrugged. "In a relationship, it's always the two parties' fault. I got in those relationships because I was too eager, I guess. And I kept on believing that the next one wouldn't be so bad as the previous. But this one, just feels different. It's scary. That's why I don't want to overthink it too much."
I nodded. It was great to see her this happy again, and I really hoped this wouldn't end badly.
"So enough about me," she said, as we continued eating. "Anyone I should know about?"
She actually looked around the apartment, thinking she missed anyone.
I laughed at her. "Mom, do you think I didn't know by now that you secretly scour this place every time you come over hoping to catch someone?"
She laughed sheepishly. "Well, a mom can dream, can't she?"
"Well, sorry to say you're going to end up disappointed because there's no one here but me."
"So no guy at all?" she asked.
"Nope."
It's actually been a week since that incident with Natsume, and I've done a good job trying to put it behind me (I think). But mostly because I've been busy with work, throughout the week. But now that my mom has brought up the subject somewhat close it, it was all creeping back to me again.
"Mikan, don't take this the wrong way, but I think you should date again."
Great. Just what I needed. My mom lecturing me about my love life. I really didn't want to get into this now, because I was pretty much enjoying my single life, to be honest. And I definitely preferred it that way. No drama, whatsoever.
I sighed. "Mom, just because you have a man in your life, doesn't mean I need one too. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much."
"Oh honey, I know that," she said, softly. "But are you happy?"
"Of course I am. Don't worry about me."
"You're my only daughter, of course I worry about you."
"Yeah well, you don't have to do that all the time, okay? You deserve to be happy too."
She smiled at me before we went back to eating. This was why I enjoyed it just being the two of us. We had this understanding to look out for each other, and not worry about anything else. It was simple, at the same time comforting. I sometimes imagined what it would be like if she got married, and had another family. I know she was as happy as I was that we only had each other, but I also knew that wasn't what she wanted in the first place.
My mom had me when she was eighteen, and she was still starting out college. She wanted to be a professional artist, and establish an art school someday. I guess that's where I got inspiration to take on art. My mom was so talented at doing paintings, sculptures, etc., that we barely had any space at our old house for her artworks. But then I came along, so she put that aside, and now she worked as a curator at a local museum that was quite famous in our city. So I was glad she didn't stray too far away from what she loves.
Looking at her now, I wondered what if this relationship worked out and she ended up getting married. Of course, she'd start a new family, and I know I'd still be a part of it. But I was sort of afraid, that if she does end up having a new family, there was still a chance that I'd be left out. I wasn't the only person she was going to worry about anymore. And being an only child for twenty years, I'd still want her attention, even if I was a fully grown woman. And as selfish and childish that sounded, it was true. Not that I'd admit it to anyone, because I wanted what was best for her. She spent all those years taking care of me. It was time she deserved her happiness.
"Damn, when's the last time you went grocery shopping?"
I was over at Hotaru's place the next day, because she asked me for help to unpack her things. She recently moved into my building a few weeks ago, because it was nearer to the hospital she was working in. She was taking up medicine now, having finished her pre-med program. And since her uncle owns that hospital, he thought it would be great for her to work while studying. Usually, Hotaru hates being told what to do, but she was pretty enthusiastic about the idea. But since she was busy with working and studying, she barely had time to take care of her move. So now, here I was being the awesome best friend that I am.
"I just moved in, what did you expect?" she said, as she tore through another box that was labeled, "fragile."
"I expected for you to eat something for the last two weeks. What have you been eating?"
"There's this magical thing called 'take-out', Mikan."
I rolled my eyes at her an shut her fridge. "Well then, let's make our food appear right now, because I'm starving."
We've been unloading and placing her things all over her apartment for the past four hours. Hotaru was really meticulous when it comes to her things, so I've been placing and re-placing items in various places. When our food came, which was of course, pizza, I forced Hotaru to take a break because we hadn't seen each other ever since Aoi's birthday dinner, and we haven't really talked since then.
"So how's med school?" I asked, when we sat on the couch.
"Complicated," she said. "Not to mention the people there think they're such know-it-all's. It's disgusting."
I've been friends with Hotaru for over ten years now, and ever since she's been very vocal about her opinions. She never sugar-coated anything, which I loved and hated at the same times. I mean, I appreciate her honest opinions, but when there were times that I was vulnerable she was just straightforward on telling me what I did wrong. But still it's that honesty that's kept our friendship intact for so long, so now I kind of felt bad about lying to her about what happened at Aoi's party.
"Any hot doctors at the hospital?" I joked.
She rolled her eyes. "You know I don't have time for that shit, Mikan. But speaking of guys, you haven't told me everything that happened at Aoi's party."
I froze for a moment. Damn, I knew she'd bring this up. I was sure she didn't buy my story either. But I decided to push my luck on this one.
"What do you mean?" I said, innocently. "I told you guys what happened when we had dinner."
"Cut the crap, Mikan," Hotaru said, exasperated. "I know you're hiding something. Don't you think you'd already know by now that it's no use lying to me?"
I sighed in defeat. Oh well, here goes. "I slept with Natsume."
Hotaru actually looked surprised. She froze, her pizza in her hand. "Holy shit. For real?"
"You tell me," I said.
"Okay, I know you're telling the truth. But seriously, holy shit."
I sighed. "I know."
"Well, aren't you going to tell me what happened?"
"I already told you. I was so wasted, that part is true. I mean, I didn't even remember coming onto him or him coming onto me. In fact, I don't even think we interacted that night. So, just imagine my ultimate surprise when I woke up the next morning."
"Did you talk to him yet?" she asked.
My mind suddenly went back to that somewhat heated conversation we had in the bathroom, which was still fresh in my mind.
"Yes, last week at their house, because I left my wallet there," I answered.
"What did he say?"
"He seemed pretty happy with himself," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Figures," she muttered.
Hotaru knew that Natsume sort of had a—I'm not sure what to call it—a crush? Or some weird fascination with me. While I thought Natsume was an okay guy despite um, this fascination he has, Hotaru couldn't stand him. And the feeling is mutual. She hated guys with a cocky side, and he hated how uptight she was.
"But answer me honestly, Mikan," she said, narrowing her eyes at me. "Do you like him?"
My mouth fell open. "What?"
"Did you, I don't know, enjoy yourself? Do you have feelings for him?"
I stared at her, trying to think how I would answer this question. I mean, did I enjoy myself? I guess. No scratch that, I really did. Did I like him that way? Romantically, hell no. But physically? Oh my God, yes.
"Um, I really don't remember that much but I know that he was so good in bed," I answered. "I mean, literally I have never felt that much pleasure. But I don't think I like him that way. He's Aoi's little brother, God! She would kill me."
Hotaru nodded, slowly and clicked her tongue. "Do you like it when he flirts with you?"
"Yes," I groaned, burying my face in my hand.
"Hmm, well it seems like you're so fucking screwed. Aoi is going to murder you."
I looked at her incredulously. "Seriously? You're not helping."
"Well it's true. You obviously lust for him, and there's no denying that he wants you too. It's either you stay away from him, or you fulfill that need."
"I think I'll go with the first one, thanks," I muttered, dryly. "It's actually been working great. I haven't seen him or spoken with him for over a week now, and as long as I don't step foot in Aoi's house ever again, I'll be fine."
"Well, I don't think the kid just stays there. You're going to see him around, eventually."
"Then I'll lock myself in my apartment, problem solved."
She just shook her head in reply.
"Please, please, please don't tell anyone," I begged. "Not even the other girls. I just really want to forget the whole thing even happened."
"Mikan," Hotaru said, seriously. "when did I ever fail you?"
I grinned. "Never."
Hotaru just stared at me, and sighed. "What have you gotten yourself into, Mikan?"
I just love girl talks lol. Sorry if this chapter is a bit short. I guess I just wanted to show how Mikan has this deep side because I really love her character here. I tried to make her somewhat different here compared to my other stories.
Anyway, I'm glad you guys like it so far it makes me really happy. Please don't forget to let me know what you think because ily.
