Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice doesn't belong to me
Chapter 3
Mikan sat on the bench after Natsume left, observing the scabby one-legged pigeons wobbled around, pecking pieces of scrapped bread and crackers. The sun was setting, a real scenic sight, but litter whirled around her sneakers, spoiling the scenery ever so slightly.
She was still wet from the previous downpour as she stepped over puddles of water towards her home. The cold September wind blew on her rosy cheeks, biting into her skin.
I could have gotten his Alice.
Her teeth chattered as she quickened her pace, trying to warm herself but the wind only caressed her cheeks more generously.
Oh gosh… My cheeks are numb…
Her quivering fingers fumbled with the zips, and fished around for her house keys. She threw her books onto the doorstep, and flipped her bag over. A bottle of pills fell on the grass, silent, unnoticed.
"Where are the keys. Show up show up, I am freezing." She whispered to herself, shivering as the wind touched her arm and blew at her legs.
She peered upwards. All three levels were dark. There was no one at home, not that Mikan bothered. She had been at home alone till late at night everyday but she desperately needed a change of clothes now. She peered up at the sky, it was a brilliant pink and orange, the beauty of sunset. But not too far away, gloomy clouds were gathering and the wind encouraged them to move forward.
Oh no not again. I had enough just now…
She slammed out of her gate, absentmindedly forgetting to lock them. She had to find shelter before the next downpour. She flipped open her cell phone, 6.26pm; it was still long before her parents returned from work.
A roll of thunder rang through the city. People gazed up at the sky, and quickened their footsteps, hoping to reach home and not get caught in the rain. All except Mikan. She watched them all leave, she was all alone again.
"Hey little girl, you'd better get home now, you don't want to be caught in that rain, it's going to be heavy." A passer-by called out and hurried off.
She didn't stop looking in his way even after he disappeared down the road. The district was empty again; without a soul. Everyone was snuggling in their cozy couch, having their steaming hot dinner, everyone except Mikan.
She slouched down onto the ground, back against the ground as she rested her chin on her palms. She tapped her fingers on her cheeks, counting every second, every minute till her parents returned home.
A roll of thunder, and another, and another and finally the first raindrop landed on her arm.
This is going to be bad… Thunderstorms, I hate thunderstorms. God help me.
She cupped her ears and bent down, refusing to scream. She couldn't show her true self, she couldn't, if not that would soon overtake the façade she tried to maintain for so many years.
I don't want to… I don't want to be alone.
"Get out of my sight! Your presence is a nuisance to me! Get lost, go away! Go away now! I've no idea why I even decided to keep you! Get lost!
Mikan stood there, wavering but still refused to budge. She wanted to stay, but she had to listened to her mother. Get out, it meant out. She couldn't return home, she wasn't allowed to even though she was only 8. She had to bear with this life, survive it alone. Alone…
The rain poured down like a waterfall, strong and heavy. She huddled in a corner with her ears still cupped. She jumped slightly at every thunderclap. Her face was dripping with rainwater, but not one drop was tears. Staying in the rain, no one could tell if she was crying. No one could, but she didn't.
The raindrops fell down to earth, drenching Mikan. She brought her right hand to her mouth and coughed and coughed. She clutched her chest but couldn't stop. Mikan eyes fluttered close for a moment as the coughing fit left her. Her right arm fell onto her lap limply as red stains were washed off by the rain. She wiped her lips with her sleeve and shivered.
It's so cold. I need a shelter, but the nearest bus station is 15 minutes walk away. I'm already drenched. It doesn't make a difference anymore. But… but it's so cold…
Mikan stood and stabled herself, and wobbly, walked towards the bench she sat on previously in the afternoon. The rain didn't stop; neither did it become less intense.
Her eyes closed, feeling the heavy rain patter on her shoulders, arms and legs, quivering every so slightly when the wind blows.
Then it all stopped. She could hear the rain, she could feel splashes, but what was coming from above, as if barricaded, stopped.
She opened her eyes and glanced to her right, a little smile crept to her lips. Standing beside her, was Natsume. He was holding an umbrella, it did look weird, seeing him without his uniform on.
Natsume's look was still as serious, and a bit unhappy. He disliked the rain, disliked being out here. But he was there with her.
He actually came… Maybe, maybe he might become my friend. Become the few that I have. He might…
And tears rolled down her cheeks, for the first time ever since she was told to go. Told to leave by her own mother. Her tears mingled with the rainwater and rolled down her chin.