I've told you already that I didn't go to school that day. I didn't wake up until close to noon, so I saw no point in even bothering. I just lay still for a little while, trying to slowly wake myself without erasing my dream.

I'd dreamt that I'd gone out at night—how daring was I—and saved some ungrateful weirdo from getting killed and then let him stay at my house and—

Oh, wait. That was real.

Remembering he was there, I forced myself to roll out of bed and dress. I brushed my hair and put it up into my two usual pigtails, and then, satisfied with my appearance, I went down the hall to check on my new houseguest.

I knocked twice on the door and there was no reply. "Natsume?" I said softly, though loud enough for him to hear me. "Are you awake?" He didn't say anything. "I'm coming in…" I waited another second before I turned the handle and peeked in slowly.

The room was empty.

"Dammit," I swore under my breath. I turned and ran down the stairs and into the kitchen looking for my house keys. I was going to go and find that…that…

"Oi, Polka dots. What are you running around for?"

At the sound of his voice, I stopped dead in my tracks. I whirled to face him, surprised that he hadn't gone anywhere. But my eyes weren't deceiving me. There he was, seated at the kotetsu watching cartoons.

But polka dots? Why would he call me that? I told him my name is Mikan.

It hit me like a semi on the freeway.

"Pervert!" I shouted at him, throwing the newspaper at his head—it was the only thing within my reach—which he dodged easily.

"It's not my fault you're wearing childish underwear," he said evenly, as if unfazed by the whole matter.

"And like you're any better! You're watching cartoons!" I pointed an accusatory finger at him and he shrugged.

"There's nothing better on tv." He turned his attention back to the screen and I retreated to the kitchen, face still slightly red. I fixed myself something to eat, having no reason to go out anymore, since the boy in question was still in the house.

"You didn't answer my question." He said softly, suddenly behind me. I whirled and nearly dropped the knife in my hands—I was spreading peanut butter on bread—but his fingers nimbly caught it by the handle, preventing harm from coming to either of us. "Clumsy."

"I'm not clumsy, you startled me!" I placed a hand on my chest, breathing hard. My heartbeat was erratic and fast from the scare. I waited until I was calm again before taking the knife back and continuing the work on my sandwich.

"So?" His tone was expectant, conveying a message in the single syllable.

"S-so what?"

"Why were you running around? Were you in a hurry to get somewhere? Have a date maybe?" I felt his red gaze burning into the back of my head and turned to look. He wanted answers, and I could see that he was used to getting what he wanted.

"I was not in a hurry to get anywhere. And for your information, I don't even have a boyfriend. Not that it's your business. So you can rule out a date from your list of possibilities. Besides, does it matter? I don't have a reason to go anywhere anymore."

He raised an eyebrow as if to say 'anymore?'

"Fine. For your information…I was going to look for you. You weren't in your room, so I thought…I thought you'd tried to run off again."

He smirked in that condescending way he had. "Aw. Worried? How sweet, Polka dots, I didn't know you cared." He backed away, still grinning in that perverted way.

"Of course I care." I kept my gaze level as I looked at him, meeting his eyes, making him see I was serious. "I mean, yes, I just met you the other day, and the circumstances of our meeting weren't exactly very favorable," I blushed at the memory, making him smirk again, "but you're probably the closest thing I have to a friend right now. My family is gone, my best friend won't be coming back for a month, so who else do I have?" His smile fell and he looked somber for a moment before turning back toward the television and pretending to watch the cartoons.

"Idiot," he said under his breath.

"Is it stupid to dislike being alone? I think I've been alone for long enough." I smiled brightly when he looked at me, and he rolled his eyes and looked away again, leaning on his elbow, which he'd propped on the table.

When I finished making my food, I grabbed a bag of chips and sat next to him at the table. I popped the bag open and offered Natsume some. He accepted and we ate in silence, our eyes transfixed to the childrens' program in front of us.

-----

A few hours of silence passed before either of us spoke again. Of course, I was the one to start the conversation.

"So, Natsume, where do you go to school?" The kids' shows were over and the soap operas were starting to play. I left them on for background noise, but neither of us was paying attention to the overdone, clichéd plotline.

His eyes looked to me again, his expression telling me that he didn't want to get into his personal life. "Are you going to interrogate me?"

"No," I assured him. "I'm just curious. I'd like to know more about you. So far all I know is that you were once in a gang. But…can you tell me more about your life?"

"I'd rather not." He was cold. I was getting goose bumps from his voice alone. But I decided not to press him. He'd tell me when he was ready.

"Alright then." I got up and took care of the empty bag of chips and my plate, then rejoined Natsume at the table. "It's only two o'clock," I said. "I'm not going to school, since it ends in an hour. What do you want to do?" I cocked my head to one side as I waited for his answer. I didn't expect him to want to do anything. I was prepared to just sit around the house and do nothing until dinnertime.

He simply shrugged. "Don't care."

"Okay." I leaned back and stretched my legs out under the table. My neck rolled and I stared up at the ceiling as I thought. "Want to…go grocery shopping with me?" I said the first thing that came to mind, but it was plausible—we were nearly out of food as I hadn't been in a few days and there were now two people living under that roof.

He didn't say no, but got up and went to get changed—I'd lent him a few more of my father's things, which fit him surprisingly well—and then rejoined me in the front hall as I pulled on my shoes. He did the same and within minutes, we were off.

It was getting chilly with autumn weather, and I was glad for my jacket, but regretting the decision to wear a skirt. For multiple reasons, I realized while casting a wary glance at the boy next to me. He wasn't paying any attention whatsoever, thank goodness.

I took in his appearance and noticed how out-of-place he looked in my father's things. I'd have to get him some of his own. "We can go shopping for some clothes, too, if you'd like." Out of the corner of my eye I saw him nod. I smiled.

"Y'know, Natsume, this might sound corny, but I see this as the beginning of a wonderful friendship."

He snorted. "What?"

I giggled. "Nothing. I was just being sentimental." And committing this moment to memory. Because as of now, you and I are friends.