Chapter Two
Natsume Hyuuga defending my honor? Now that's one thing I didn't see coming.
After Natsume punched Akiyama and before the latter could even fight back, one of the students in the room ran outside and called Mr. Jinno. Natsume, Akiyama, and I were immediately sent to the office of the prefect of discipline. I got away scot-free while Natsume and Akiyama were sentenced to clean the gym for five hours each.
It was actually pretty awkward. I was contemplating if I should thank Natsume for what he did, or just pretend nothing happened. Usually, Natsume didn't give a rat's ass when people were rude to me, so what happened in the detention room was really unexpected. And even though I was kinda-sorta grateful for what he did, it still didn't change the fact that we haven't talked to each other in almost nine months. Time really does change a lot of things.
But Natsume didn't seem to care if I express my gratitude or not, because as soon as we were out of the prefect's office, he left without bothering to say a word to me. I bet now he regrets getting involved.
The next day, when people heard of what happened in the detention room, the unwanted attention I get daily from the other students seemed to have doubled. I had to endure a whole day of people staring at me and whispering behind my back. They supposed that it was my fault that Natsume and Akiyama got into trouble even though I was completely innocent and was actually the victim of Akiyama's verbal sexual harassment.
Anyway, after my last period for that day, when I thought I was finally able to go home and be away from the shallow and horrible students of Alice Academy, Mr. Narumi, my homeroom teacher, asked me to stay after class for he has something to discuss with me.
"I've checked my students' activities for this school year," began Mr. Narumi while I tried to stop myself from frowning when I realized where this conversation was going. "And I noticed that you didn't join any organization, Mikan."
"Yes, I didn't." was my flat reply.
"And may I ask why?"
"Because I'll be too busy studying. You know, college scholarship and all." I said matter-of-factly.
But the good-looking teacher didn't look convinced by my answer.
"Last year, you participated in a lot of school activities but you were still at the top of the class. It wouldn't hurt now for you to join at least one. Why not join the pep squad again?"
I tried not to sneer. Yep, I used to be a cheerleader. I was in the pep squad with Luna when she was still alive. But now thinking of joining the squad again seemed so stupid, and ironic too. I'm not exactly Little Miss Sunshine anymore. And besides, I think those snotty cheerleaders will choose to kill themselves first before they let me join their squad.
"Uhm, no. I don't think so, Mr. Narumi."
"But, Mikan, this is your senior year; your last year in high school. Shouldn't you be more active this year?" said Mr. Narumi firmly.
I sighed in defeat. There's actually no point of arguing. I know in the end he'll just require me to join at least one club.
"Fine, then. I'll check the other clubs and see if I can still join."
The teacher smiled happily and finally let me go.
After considering a couple of school organizations to join, I decided to sign up for the newspaper club.
No, I'm not gonna write for the school paper; I'm gonna take photographs for it. Every girl's gotta have a hobby, and photography is mine.
It's lucky for me that the newspaper club lacks photographers, so when I handed my application form, I was immediately hired by the head.
Although what I wasn't expecting was that for my first assignment, I have to work with a senior writer.
A senior writer I know too well: Luca Koizumi.
Is it just me, or the people from my not-so-distant past are becoming significant once again?
A look of surprise crossed the handsome face of my ex-boyfriend when the editor-in-chief told him that we will be working together for this new assignment. It was evident on his face that he wasn't expecting me to join the newspaper club at all. To be fair, I've actually forgotten that he was a member here. He didn't cross my mind when I decided to join the club. Honest.
Frankly, I don't care if he has a problem working with me. If he can't be professional with me around then it's not my problem anymore.
But Luca didn't voice out any protest or complaint.
After the chief editor dismissed the both of us, Luca turned to me,
"Are you free after school? The basketball team has practice later. We can meet at the gym and do the interview… Well, me with the interviewing and you with the photos." said Luca in a casual tone.
"Yeah, okay. I'll see you later then." I said with equal casualness. He nodded then he left the room. I did the same.
It felt weird talking to him again.
If I were going to be honest, there was a point after the accident that I could not help but hate Luca. It was his twin sister who died and he has all the right to grieve, and I understood all that, but what I couldn't take was him behaving just like everybody else. He was my boyfriend and I expected more from him. He might've heard about Luna getting mad at me at the party but he should've given me a chance to defend myself. He, of all people, should know that I could never hurt Luna intentionally because she was more than a best friend to me. He knew I loved Luna like she was my own sister.
But, anyway, it's all in the past now. It's not exactly water under the bridge yet, but I don't care what he thinks of me now.
So after my last class ended, I grabbed my camera from my locker and went straight to the gym. When I got inside, Luca was already there and sitting on the bleachers, his eyes focused on the papers in his hands.
"Hey,"
Luca looked up from the papers he was reading.
"Hey."
And then for a very brief moment, an uncomfortable silence fell upon us. Thankfully, the basketball team showed up early and I could tell that both of us were relieved by their appearance. Without wasting any more time, Luca walked up to the coach and asked for twenty minutes of their time.
At first, I thought the coach was not going to permit us but Luca was able to persuade him. You really got to hand it to Luca's public relations skills. That guy knows how to talk into people and make them listen to him. I'm pretty sure he'd make a good politician someday.
While Luca interviewed some of the players, I took photos of the others in action. I could feel the malicious looks some of the players were giving me, most likely because of the nasty rumors they've heard about me, but I chose to stay stoic as I finish my job.
After Luca was done interviewing the players and the coach, and me with my pictures, we decided to stay for a bit in the bleachers and discuss some minor details before parting ways.
"So, after I develop the photos, who do I give them to?" I asked.
"You can just hand them to me. I'm in charge of the draft—"
"Hey," another voice interrupted.
We both turned around and saw Natsume standing behind us.
"Natsume," greeted Luca, slightly smirking at the sight of his friend holding a mop in his right hand. "Not done with your punishment yet?"
"Obviously." grunted Natsume.
I tried to look nonchalant at their exchange, even though deep down, I was feeling both guilty and awkward.
Guilty because I know I was the reason why he was sentenced to this punishment and awkward because… uhh… I don't exactly know why…? I think I just find it awkward to be alone with both Natsume and Luca after such a long time.
But as I watched Luca and Natsume, everything seemed normal to them, like I wasn't even there.
Feeling that my presence had already been forgotten while the two guys continued talking, I decided to excuse myself.
They simultaneously turned to look at me.
"I'll just give you the photos as soon as I'm done with them." I said to Luca before leaving.
"Okay. Thanks, Mikan." For a very, very brief second, I was stunned. This would be the first time after so many months that he called me by my first name again.
I simply gave him and Natsume, who was still staring at me, a slight nod before finally leaving.
When I got out of the gym, it was only then that I realized that my heart had been beating faster than normal.
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