Hey! It's been quite a while hasn't it? Really sorry about these late updates, I can't really say I have any excuses other than the fact I'm just really lazy, haha. But don't worry! I'm still going to do my best to try and update more often :)

Hope you enjoy this chapter, I had to restart it many times since I just didn't feel I could get it "right".

I do not own Gakuen Alice.

Set Me Free.

Chapter 3: Strong as Steel.

It took about a week. I was growing impatient but when I was called to go to the principal's office, I had high hopes. It was refreshing, after all, it's been awhile since I looked forward towards anything.

When I got up, people started whispering, as if I was deaf. "No surprise she's in trouble, again."

"Haha, what a loser, she doesn't even stand up for herself."

"I bet it sucks to have the nullification alice."

I had to force myself to put those comments in the back of my head.

'They'll be happy... Soon.'

Once she's transferred to class 4D it'll all be over. She'll be a new Mikan, and no one will hurt her again. Twice was already more than enough.

She slammed the classroom door shut which seemed to make them shut up. Sighing, she hurried towards the high school principal's office. It wasn't hard the find, after all, his very own name, "Kazumi Yukihira" was written in gold on the wooden door.

She was about to knock before she heard a voice, "Come in." When entering, she noticed that not only was the director there, but also, the one who brought Natsume into the darkness he was in, Persona. It was actually ironic, after all, the crimson eyed lad was always the one who told her to stay out of the dark, not knowing how deep she was already in. All he did was drag her deeper in what she once thought was a nightmare.

"So, you want to join class 4D?" Mr. Yukihira's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He was her uncle, but he didn't know that, at least, not yet.

"I do, if it's possible, I'd like to join tomorrow."

Persona smirked, "Are you sure? This isn't all fun and games. We'll be training your alices."

"I'm not as stupid as you think, Persona. Of course I'm sure."

The room was silent, but Mikan was determined. Her life was more than the nightmare she had previously thought. She wanted out of this dream, she wanted to start again.

A sigh could be heard. "Fine. Starting tomorrow you'll be joining class 4D, but don't forget, you chose this. You don't need to attend the rest of your classes today, get some rest." Was all Mr. Yukihira had said.

Her eyes widened, and for the first time in a long time, she smiled. "Thank you! I promise to do my best."

When she left, the principal reminded Persona, "Even though the training she'll be going through is surely intense, don't forget she's human too."

"Of course."

The class was actually quite curious when Mikan hadn't come back for the rest of the day, not to mention envious.

However, they decided that since she was probably in some trouble as usual that it was better of to not wish to be in her place.

Most people resented her. She lived her life in such a carefree manner, it was as if there was this bubble. It was so fragile, you wanted to pop it. You chased after it, but it was spontaneous, you couldn't predict it's next move, and so, it forever remained out of your grasp. That's what people hated about her.

No matter what the problem was, she had that smile. And what they wanted most was for her to just break down. It was almost as if she was mocking them. After all, most people in the academy had difficult past, some had sleepless nights because of some traumatic events, others needed therapy. Some would hide their pain behind smiles, but even they would break down, get mad, jealous, whatever emotion you name.

Mikan was what they wanted to be. At least, she what they thought they wanted to be. They didn't know her troubles. It's like she was constantly shielded by that annoying bubble. Hell, even her alice shielded her. It was frustrating. They just couldn't understand it.

So they did what most people would when they couldn't understand something; they sunned her out. They criticized it. They knew she did nothing wrong. But none of that had really mattered to them, did it?

Everyone knew that life was a bitch, so if it's easy it means you're not doing it right. And yet, all it took was one look, one single look at the brunette. She shined from every aspect, just like the sun.

Then again... Even she had her flaws. She was clumsy, stupid, and dense. But that just seemed to make her all the more loveable. It was cruel of them to want to see her cry. To want to see the sun covered by dark clouds raining, falling down so fast only to crash down, being forgotten. Perhaps, they weren't even thought about.

They felt guilty, no doubt. They were supposed to be her friends. And yet, every horrible word they would speak about her, no matter how much of a horrible aftertaste it left in their mouths, they wouldn't stop. Because if they kept going at it, they would get used to how bitter it was.

It was selfish. But that didn't matter. In the end, everyone was the same; thinking about only their own needs. That's how it was supposed to be, right? So why was she still smiling? They made it so obvious. In fact, they practically took her for granted. It hurt, but, she kept her feet on the ground. She was strong.

She was always known to have a rare alice, even when she was bullied when she first came, she wouldn't be defeated so easily. She was stubborn, optimistic, perseverant. Although she didn't ever apply that work to school and education, she did for many other things.

They felt disgusted with how they treated her. It pained their hearts. So why? Why did they continue? Why didn't she say anything? She was bruised, bleeding. Even if she was made of steel, she'd have to break at one point, wouldn't she? After all, everyone had a limit. Even Mikan.

The problem was they didn't notice the first cracks that appeared. They kept hitting, harder and harder. Without mercy, as if it was some endless war. The light she shined with was starting to fade. But they didn't notice.

But when she slammed the door shut before going to the principal's office... They could tell something was wrong. It seemed that, even after how long they've been together, since elementary, they all forgot that no matter how tough she was, even if she was steel, she would break at one point.

The next days, they were worried for the first time. She didn't attend class. No one told them she changed classes. The teachers knew how they treated her. They decided it wasn't worth mentioning in that case.

After all, no one would notice. Would they? No one would notice until she was gone.

But what is it really their fault? They were envious, yes. They hated her, yes. And despite that, they used to call her a "friend". They did what most, if not everyone would do. But that doesn't mean it's the right thing. Their reason for doing what they did just wasn't justified.

That's why she decided to leave. After all, what good was it to hurt herself any longer? Well, whatever the circumstance, what mattered was that she's gone.

So maybe, maybe this way they could realize something. Maybe this way they'll finally open their eyes and see the shattered pieces of something they once wanted so bad.

Maybe they'll notice what they broke.

One day, Koko, our favorite mind reader, could hear, from everyone's mind that they wondered where Mikan was. It's been a week, so why wasn't she back to class?

"Naru-sensei, why isn't Mikan coming to class?" Everyone was staring at the blond teacher, waiting for a response, however, some were still doing their own thing.

"Ah, well, you see, due to certain... Circumstances, Mikan has been put into a different class."

Now this had gotten everyone's attention.

"What!? Why?"

"Why didn't she tell us!?"

"What circumstances?"

But out of everyone, there was one raven haired boy in the corner of the class, and although he didn't voice it, he was more concerned than all the others combined. His crimson red eyes were furious; however, if you looked close enough, you could see the sadness that lingers in them. His mind was filled with no more than single word, but a million thoughts.

'Why?'

And even Koko couldn't answer that. It didn't matter that he was the mind-reader-who-was-supposed-to-know-everything, this was something he didn't.

After the class had settled down a bit, the blond teacher tried to come up with some sort of reasonable response. "Try asking her yourselves." However, what they didn't know was that Mikan was in class 4D. And class 4D, unlike them, finished their classes—well, more like training—in the early hours of the morning.

That meant little sleep, and little sleep meant that their brain wouldn't be able to function very well. But, when you work for Alice Academy, it's only to be expected.

"Natsume…" He was so lost in his own thoughts he barely registered his best friends worried voice.

He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, "I'm fine." a classic lie.

The amount of times he's used it were uncountable, it's always been the first thing he'd say to convince others.

Not to mention, it was quite effective.

That night, the beautiful brunette couldn't sleep, she trashed around her bed, and even tried counting sheeps! But really, it was useless. Her one-star room was rather dull, and although they mentioned the possibility of upgrading her rank sometime soon, she wasn't as happy as she thought she'd be.

She always worked hard for what she wanted. Her late, adoptive grandfather had taught her that she had to work hard and be kind to others because it would, one way or another, bring good karma to her, somehow. The former worked miracles for her most of the times. Like that time she saved Natsume from Reo, she could have sworn it strengthened their bond.

However, the later, being kind. The more she was kind the more people had used her. In fact, it came to the point she never even cared enough. She just did it because, as much as people thought she was special, kind, goofy, and social, she really wasn't.

Honestly, if anything she was only like that because she didn't know how to act with them anymore. So she acted, she acted like someone who wasn't her for the sake of trying to get friends and find some sort of enjoyment in life. To find another purpose to live.

Well, whatever, it was too late now. Wasn't it?

She didn't, and couldn't go on like this. She knew that. So this was her chance to restart and be the real her. Whether people liked it or not.

And this time, she won't let it slip between her fingers.

Not sure of when I'll update next. This chapter was rather rushed :( But I will do my best to keep updating :)

ღAlice.