Hello everyone! I'm sorry if the past chapters have been very short… I just didn't have the time to update and I guess I have had a bit of writers block. Forgive me. :))

Carry on!

Disclaimer:

I do not own Gakuen Alice. I'm just borrowing the characters for my imagination… I wish I owned it though… But too bad. So don't sue me. =))

Chapter 3: The Penthouse

Mikan heaved a sigh. She was sitting beneath the Sakura tree, simply watching the students shuffle from one place to another.

She closed her eyes and sighed again. "I am such an idiot. Why am I thinking of that—that—"

'If I smell like Strawberries, he smells like mint and—' She mentally slapped herself. It had been a week but Mikan kept on remembering that day. She didn't know why she was so bothered, and she didn't want to know.

"Mikan-chan!" She shot her head up. She saw Anna running towards her. "Where were you? You had me so worried! I thought you were injured since you missed P.E." She said panting.

"I was just here, though." She said smiling. "I've just been thinking about a lot of things." She paused for a while, giving Anna some time to rest. "Hey Anna, Ruka gave me an extra ving card for their pent house in Tokyo Castle, want to come later? I'll be dropping them three student manuals for them to use."

"You're going to give them only three? Someone in the group would definitely be left out, Mikan-chan." Anna replied.

"Who could possibly be left out? There's one for Ruka, Koko, and Yuu. Tsubasa already graduated so…" She said.

"Mikan, what about Natsume?" She pretended to think for a while. "He's a bit on the quiet side, so he'd feel more out of place if you leave him out!"

'Out of Place?' she thought, 'I'm sure he'll be having lots of company in his room tomorrow...' She blushed at the thought, "Ah MIKAN! Stop thinking about that jerk.'

"Oh right! Natsume! Yeah well, I forgot about him, I'm used to music without the voice." She laughed as if it's the most normal thing to say.

"Of course!" Anna innocently smiled at her. "I'll come by at 4 in the afternoon. Kay?" She dusted her skirt.

"Okay, see you in class, Anna."

Penthouse

Mikan stood by the lift with Anna. She was wearing short pants with a blue halter-top. Anna was wearing jeans and a casual red striped polo.

Mikan checked her watch. "5:00 pm." She murmured. She hoped that someone would be in the room since it would be embarrassing if she just dropped by without saying anything to them. She was thinking about who could be the best person to run into when Anna spoke.

"Oh no! I forgot my phone and my wallet in my car! Ugh! I'm so stupid." Anna said exasperatedly.

"Are you sure?" Mikan asked.

"Yeah! I'll get it, go on up ahead, okay?" She quickly ran to the lobby as she called up her driver.

"Wait! ANNA! I'll go with—" Mikan watched Anna's form fade away as she disappeared from her sight.

The elevator bell rang and Mikan hesitated entering. "ANNA!" She called one last time before finally alighting the lift. She watched the digits on the screen go from "L" to "26" and she sighed. Soon, she found herself in front of the penthouse, gaping at its well chiseled frame.

"Should I just go in then?" She said as she clutched the ving card she was holding. She shook her head. "That'll be rude." She rang the bell but to no avail. After a minute more of ringing, she decided the use of the ving card was for her to casually stroll in the room. "Right!" She said and went ahead.

The door creaked a bit and she slowly entered the room. "Why is it so dark?" She looked around quickly for the switch. The small traces of light coming through the tightly shut blinds allowed her to see only little of the entry way. "Why do these guys live like—Eeek!"

She let out a small squeal and held her breath. The person had a tight grip on her waist. The light only permitted her to see the outline of his face but couldn't make it out.

"What took you so long?" He whispered seductively in her ear, it made her stand still. She felt his hot breath on her cheek and travel to her neck. His right hand snaked behind her back and pushed her against him while the other sought the skin beneath her shirt. Her eyes widened and her common sense came back to her. She brought her hand up and struck his face as hard as she could.

"What the hell!?" The person cursed as he turned the lights on.

"NATSUME!" She shrieked. He seemed surprised for a second but immediately went back to his usual smug self. It irritated her. "Why'd you do that?!"

"That?"

"You know! Do that!" She asked him, now gathering her wits.

"Do what?" he asked innocently.

'WHAT THE HELL? What's he being so damn coy about? And why the heck is he topless!? And what's with the towel?! And why does he smell like mint again? STOP! MIKAN! CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS!'

"Do that thing that you just did!"

"Oh… THAT thing." He said emphasizing the word 'That' "I thought you were another one of my-" he was cut off.

"Your?" She raised a brow, knowing full well what he would've said had he continued. Her eyes were trained on his eyes. 'MIKAN!' She shouted mentally. 'DO NOT stare, do not stare!' Her eyes travelled to his chest and then a bit lower to… 'Whoa, he works out-' His voice interrupted her conscious staring.

"What are you staring at?" He smiled arrogantly.

"I'm not." She stated coolly. "Where's Ruka?" She asked, quickly changing the topic.

"He's off to La La Land." She gave him a confused look. He just grunted.

"To where?" she asked, an amused look on her face.

" He's sleeping." He answered as if she was dumb.

"Oh…" She answered wryly. "Is that so?"

"Why are you here?" He asked as he leaned against the wall.

"Oh, I was—." He came closer to her.

"You… What? Strawberry?" He asked seductively.

She frowned and stuck her nose up. "I came here to drop by and give you guys the student handbooks and necessary forms you'll need for school on Monday." She handed him the books and forms.

He simply started at them. "Why are you giving these to us?"

"I'm the student council president, Natsume. Ruka's my best friend and our school's pretty strict when it comes to rules, requirements and student behavior, so—just review them." She paused. "...OR DON'T!" She looked like she was convinced she just said something brilliant. "That way, you won't have to come to school anymore. Natsume, I'll just give you three then!" She beamed and he rolled his eyes.

He took the books and forms from her. "I'll make sure to review them, then." He smirked. She tsked.

"Oh, do you have your uniforms already?" She asked. 'Stop asking questions and just leave, Mikan!'

"We'll get them tomorrow. Speaking of school uniforms, did I tell you how cute and attractive you looked in your uniform?" He asked towering over her petite form, he was intimidating her but she was just standing there—actually, she was leaning against the wall. She wasn't going to fall for this again.

"No, but what you said is a bit true. And did I tell you how very distracting and unwanted you look in a towel?" She stated and he smirked.

"No, but if you don't like me with a towel, then maybe you'd like…" he motioned to unwrap the towel around his waist. She put her hands in front of her.

"NO! STOP!" She screamed in panic.

"...This?" He chuckled. He was wearing plain dark shorts inside.

"Sheesh! You didn't have to do that. And why'd you have to wear a stupid towel if you had your shorts on anyway?" She asked irritated.

He simply shrugged. "Busy body."

"Right, right." She said out of pure mockery. She poked his chest as she nagged, "Anyway, tell them to review these and fill them out, okay?" He nodded reverently, also mocking her. "YOU BETTER TELL THEM."

"I will… But first…" He held her wrist and leaned just a little bit closer.

"You-what are you doing? You think I'm falling for that again?!" she tried not to stutter but for some reason, her face was getting hot. 'St-stop thinking about this Mikan!'

He raised his hand and caressed her cheeks. Her only thought was that he smelled like mint. His eyes fell on her lips and he was going to lean in when-

"DAMN!" A thud came from the living room. Natsume reluctantly pulled away from her. He turned around and threw his towel over his shoulder.

"Ruka." he murmured. The loud thud was followed by a knock.

"Oh! That's Anna!" She opened the door and Anna came in.

"Got my stuff! I mean, seriously, who brings the wrong bag?!" She was laughing. Mikan joined in and laughed with her.

'Thanks Anna!' She heaved a sigh of relief as she silently thanked Anna.

Ruka got out of the living room.

"Mikan! And Anna right?" Anna nodded shyly. "Why are you here?"

"We just dropped by and gave the handbooks as promised! Also, if you guys want, the school will be happy to give you guys an orientation seminar." Mikan replied. "But, review these okay? And fill the forms up!" She smiled nervously.

"Oh wow," Ruka smiled. "Thanks, Mikan."

Natsume gave one last look at her before he left to change his clothes. After all it was already 6:30 pm and he had somewhere he had to go to.

"Oh, Ruka, did I... say something at the party after we talked?" She smiled sheepishly.

"No, why?"

"Nothing... Nevermind."

"Although, I have something to ask you." He said a bit seriously. "But," He smiled at Anna who was peering at Natsume. "Maybe now's not the right time."

She looked at him with a confused look. "Okay. Just tell me when you want to talk, okay?" She smiled. "We better get going. We have student council duties." Mikan cheerfully said as she tiptoed to reach up and kiss Ruka's cheek before leaving, leaving the older boy a bit flustered.

"So... you and Ruka?" Anna cut to the chase.

There was a pause before Mikan replied an astounding: "WHAT?"

"I mean, I saw the way Ruka looks at you. He's obviously in love with you. Right?"

"Not right! Ruka treats me like a sibling, Anna." She chuckled self-consciously.

"Mhmm, and you just kiss your siblings on the cheek so casually?"

"YES! And I don't know, Anna! I don't have a sibling."

"Mhmm."

"Don't mhmm me, please." Mikan said exasperatedly. "It's been a habit ever since we were kids..."

"Okay, if you say so..." Anna smiled knowingly. The walked silently to the car for a few minutes before Anna freaked out again.

"Oh my gosh! Mikan! Did you see? DID YOU SEE! Natsume was only wearing his shorts! Wonder what he'd look like if he's actually wearing a towel... he'd look really hot! Or in nothing at all?!" Anna screamed and then blushed and then screamed some more.

"Oh he was? I didn't get to see. My eyeballs shot out as soon as I entered the room, but they're perfectly fine now, I got them fully intact with my retinal chord." She said with much sarcasm as she entered the car door held by the chauffeur. Anna just gave her a weird look but shrugged the thought off and entered the car as well.

Thank you for reading. Please review! Please inform me about the wrong grammar and spellings, if there are any. I had a hard time writing this, I tried to make this as long as possible, but then I didn't know what to write next! I hope you all liked my new chapter! Ciao for Now!

Love,

Skie2314