Disclaimer: I do not own G.A. or its characters.
9
Misaki was back at our house again. Since Tsubasa had a teacher's conference, and won't be back until next Sunday. So, my sister was staying with us for a week. And according to Misaki, it would be unhealthy leaving a pregnant woman alone for a weekend. When Misaki got here, I was nervous to death, since I remembered that I didn't get the chance to tell my mom about Misaki's pregnancy. Like it was my fault. After my mom talked to me that night, I avoided her at all times, but that wasn't so hard to do, because of her being out of the house all the time. But it was Sunday night (the day after the charity event), when my sister arrived. And because of that, she had to go telling my mother details about her pregnancy, assuming that Mom already knew about it.
"I just can't believe," Misaki was telling me, while I was getting ready for school, Monday morning. She was in my room, as usual, sitting on my bed, "that you didn't tell her."
I was already putting on my blazer as I turned around and looked at her. "I already told you. I was busy."
"With what?"
"You know," I said. "School work. Plus we had a charity event last Saturday."
"Right," Misaki said, obviously not believing me.
"It's true!" I knew Misaki wanted me to say something more, since that was really how she was. But she didn't say anything too. After a few moments, she said, "So, do you want me to drive you to school?"
"No thanks," I said, now picking up my bag. "I can drive myself. And besides, you need to rest."
She snorted. "Please. Not all pregnant women need bed rest every single day. Besides, my stomach isn't that huge."
I walked out of my room, Misaki following me. "It's not about how huge your stomach is. What did your doctor say?"
"That I shouldn't tire myself."
"Right," I said, looking at her knowingly.
She rolled her eyes. "God, how hard can driving be?"
I grabbed my car keys from the hook in the kitchen counter, before she could even think of getting it from me. "Rest," I told her.
"But Mikan. You really can't expect me to stay in this house all day by myself, do you?"
I just looked at her. She was right. But what did she think anyway? That this house was full of people? "Okay," I said, finally. "You can drive. But you're getting some rest. If not, I'll get into even more trouble with Mom than I am before."
"You wouldn't be if you just told her," she muttered.
I didn't say anything, since she was right after all. Yesterday, before my sister arrived everything was going well, like a normal Sunday morning: doing laundry, ironing my uniforms, checking my e-mails, and doing homework. It was almost time for me to sleep, when I heard my mother arrive. When I looked at my clock, it was only seven p.m., and she usually comes home at eight or nine. But when I went downstairs, it was Misaki by the doorway, holding her suitcase.
"Mikan!" she screamed, giving me a tight hug. Only, the hug was too tight, that when she let me go, I was practically gasping for air.
"Misaki," I breathed. "Wha—what are you doing here?"
She looked offended. "Oh what, pregnant women aren't allowed in this house anymore?"
"Of course not! I meant to say, what are you doing here without even calling?"
"Oh." She frowned. "Well, Tsubasa's gone for a teacher's conference for a week, and I'm left home alone."
"Okay, how are—" I was suddenly cut off by the sound of my mother's car on our driveway.
"Oh," Misaki said, cheerfully. "Mom's home."
Before I could say anything, my mom was already getting out of her car, and heading towards the house. Misaki waved happily at her, while I just stood there, pretending to be hugely fascinated by our kitchen counter.
"Misaki," my mom said, as she stepped inside, giving my sister a hug. "It's nice to see you. When did you get here?"
"Just now," she answered.
My mom gave me a tight smile. Ever since I dropped the hint that I was angry at her, she didn't try and reach out to me and talk it out like a normal mother. Instead, just getting out my way as possible, and pretending that nothing happened.
Usually, I gave her one in return, but this time, I couldn't even force myself to smile at back at her.
"Oh Mom," Misaki said, seeming oblivious to the tension. "I just got back from my check-up with my doctor. He said that the—"
"Check-up? Doctor?" my mother exclaimed. "What happened? Are you all right?"
Misaki just stared at her. "Um, Mom? I'm pregnant, remember?"
"You're what?"
Now I saw Misaki look at me questioningly, while my eyes were still fixated on our kitchen counter. "Pregnant," she said. "I'm pregnant."
"Since when?" my mother asked. I didn't know why she was so shocked about this. I mean, I was also surprised when I first found out, but I was happy for her. I really was. Even though my sister wasn't the most responsible person on the planet, I knew she was perfectly capable of loving something or someone precious to her.
"Um, for two months. But Tsubasa and I wanted to be sure."
"Two months? You were pregnant for two months, and you didn't tell me?"
"I only found out last week, Mom," Misaki said, the annoyance in her voice showing. Must be the hormones. "And besides, I told Mikan."
Oh God, why did she have to throw it all on me? But I guess I deserved it anyway, after not telling Mom about the pregnancy thing. Now I felt my mom staring right at me. I averted my gaze from our kitchen counter (which I totally forgot to clean, and made a mental note to clean it later) and looked at her. "Yeah. She told me last week. But I was I busy with our charity event that I forgot to tell you."
"Are you sure," my mom said her voice even, "that you being busy is the only reason why you didn't tell me?"
No, I thought. She's the one to talk. She doesn't even eat at her own house. "Yes," I said. "I'm sure."
"Well. I don't care whatever the circumstance is. Things that are this important should be told to me immediately. Understand?" I nodded numbly. "Good, oh and Misaki?"
"Yes?"
"Congratulations. I'm happy for you."
She smiled, but she was looking at me. "Thanks."
I now gave her my car keys, and then she drove me to school. When we got there, Misaki parked right in front and started removing her seatbelt.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Dropping you off. Remember?"
"Exactly. Why are you taking your seatbelt off?" As I said this, I saw Natsume and Ruka—okay, you would not believe this—walking to school. Walking! I was so stunned, that my mouth fell open. Unfortunately, Misaki noticed.
"Hey, isn't that your friend?" she asked. Wow, I can't believe she remembered. "You know, he is sort of hot. Why don't we go and say hi?"
"We?" I said. But she was already getting out of the car, dragging me along. Ruka already went ahead inside of the school, while Natsume stopped, already spotting me. I waved sheepishly, as my sister and I got closer. What was Misaki doing anyway? She was already married for God's sakes. And pregnant with her husband's baby, I might add.
"Hey," Natsume said to me, as I approached.
Before I could say anything Misaki said, "Hi, I believe we've met. I'm Misaki, Mikan's sister? I didn't get your name last time. What was it again?"
Natsume just stared at her. I don't blame him. But, what was he going to answer? I knew how much he hated his "name". So, I just answered for him. "Natsuo," I said. "Natsuo Hyuuga."
"Oh." My sister smiled. "Nice to meet you. Wait, do I know you from somewhere?"
I looked at Natsume panic-stricken, but his face was totally relaxed. "No," he answered. "I don't think so." I breathed out.
"Okay then," Misaki said. "Mikan, should I pick you up later?"
"No," I answered without thinking. "You should go home and rest. If you get bored, there are a thousand DVD's in the den."
"All righty," she replied. "I'll see you at home, Bubbles." Then she left. It took me a moment to realize what she just said, until Natsume said, "Bubbles?"
I felt my face getting red. This was not the perfect time. "Her nickname for me. Come on. We should get to class."
Every school year, the student council members get to go on a two-day field trip. Ironically, the juniors were busier than the seniors this year, so only the seniors on the student council would get to come. But since the school already paid for the expenses per student, we had to bring two more people with us to make it fair, because the expenses were non-refundable. I guess it doesn't take a genius to find out who those two persons are.
"I vote for Ruka Nogi to come," Anna declared at our student council meeting in the conference room that same day.
"I vote for Natsuo," Nonoko said.
"Nogi," Tobita said. "That Hyuuga kid is no fun."
"I think you're all idiots," Hotaru told them. "The principal said two people. I don't see what the point is in voting when we could just bring the two of them along."
"But don't you think it's a little unfair?" Tobita said. "I mean, a lot of people would want to come to this thing."
"Didn't you hear, Yuu?" Hotaru said. "The juniors are busier than us this year. Would you like to take a freshman or a sophomore?"
"I don't see why not."
"But don't you think that's a little awkward?" Anna inquired.
"True," Nonoko agreed. "What do you think, Mikan?"
I looked up from the book I was reading, A Midsummer's Night Dream. It was the book that our teacher, Mr. Narumi (yes, he was also our English teacher) assigned for us to read this semester. This was the only work of Shakespeare that I wasn't that interested in reading. Nastume told me it was one of Shakespeare's best plays, but I still wasn't convinced. But I thought maybe I should try giving it a chance, which I was doing right now, in the middle of our student council meeting. "Think about what?" I asked.
"The trip," Hotaru told me. "And who to take. I can't even believe you're reading that. Didn't you hate that book?"
"No. I just wasn't interested in reading it. That's all. How could I hate something I never even read?"
"Anyway," Anna cut in. "Who should we take to our field trip?"
"God, don't say field trip," Tobita told her. "You're making us sound like freaking third graders."
Anna ignored him, and asked me again. "Well?"
"I think we should take Natsuo and Ruka. Since that's what most of you want, anyway."
"How about what you want?" Hotaru asked me. "Who would you like to take?"
"Anybody would be fine," I said. I saw Hotaru give me doubtful look. What was that all about?
"Great! So it's all settled then," Anna said. "We're taking Natsuo and Ruka. And we're leaving on…" she trailed off looking at me.
"Saturday."
"Saturday," she repeated. "We're leaving on Saturday. Don't forget that, guys."
"Oh we won't," Nonoko said.
"Well then, I guess we're dismissed," I said, standing up. "I gotta go anyway." Then just like that, something occurred to me. "Oh crap. I totally forgot. My sister took my car. Do you guys—"
"Don't worry," Hotaru said. "You can ride with me."
I smiled thankfully at her. "Thank you."
"Oh and Mikan?" Anna said. "Could you be the one to tell them? Since…"
"Yeah," I replied. I knew what she was going to say anyway. "Sure."
She smiled. "Great. I'll see you tomorrow."
"So," I said to Hotaru right after they left. "Should we—"
"When were you going to tell me, Mikan?"
I just stared at her blankly. "What?"
"You know, I thought we were best friends," she went on. "Aren't we supposed to tell each other everything?"
"Hotaru," I said, because I really had no idea where she was going at. "What are you talking about?"
She glared at me. "You know what I'm talking about."
"No, I really don't."
"I know about you and Natsuo Hyuuga."
I swear I almost choked on the air that I took in when she said that. How could she know about Natsume? Unless the glasses really didn't work. I mean, Hotaru was a genius after all. "W-what about us?"
"Don't lie to me, Mikan," she said. "I know you two have something going on."
Or not. I had to admit, it was relieving, but embarrassing at the same time. My cheeks probably were a bright red right now. "There's nothing going on between us, Hotaru," I told her. "We're just friends."
"Friends," she snorted. "Then why do I always see you two together?"
"Because, I'm student-guiding him," I said matter-of-factly, "remember?"
"Yeah, what about that other guy?"
"Ruka? Oh he and Natsuo took different classes from mine. But Natsuo and I have the same class, English Lit. So we're mostly together."
Hotaru had that weird look on her face, like she didn't believe me at all, even though all of it was true—except for Natsume's name of course, before saying, "Fine, whatever you say. Are you still gonna get that ride?"
"Yeah," I replied, while I was still blushing for no apparent reason. "I am."
Another chapter done. :) yay. Sorry for the errors, by the way. I'm too busy to edit. Our exams are coming near, so don't expect for an early update.
To those who are waiting for the next update on my other story, please be more patient. I am almost half-way there. And don't worry, I'll make that next chapter extra special for you. *wink* anyway, don't forget to review this chapter.
