A/N: I'm raising the heat. A lot. Hope you like it. Feel free to critic and review! I'm really thankful for all the reviews up until now.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice.
In her hotel room, Mikan answered the phone for the 3rd time in 5 minutes. The tour group was travelling to a special dinner tonight and the preparations had sent most of the girls in the group into a spin.
"Mikan, can you please help me? I can't seem to find my handbag," Anna squealed but Mikan knew full well where it would've been without having to come in person at all. "Have you checked your suitcase?"
And truly enough, there it was. "Thanks Mikan. Why don't you come to our room? It'll be easier for you too..." Mikan pondered over it a second. "Hmm... Why not? I'll be right down."
Moving towards the mirror, she smoothed down her dress and checked her makeup. She looked perfect. And felt giddy like a little kid. Running a hand through her hair, Mikan made her way down the stairs and into Anna's room.
She knocked on the door and it opened instantaneously. The room was almost full, occupied by Anna, Nonoko, Sumire and Hotaru. Anna gasped at the sight of her. The others gave her an enthusiastic welcome.
"Oh Mikan you look beautiful!" Anna squealed in delight. Mikan felt her cheeks go warm. "Like Hotaru!" Mikan grinned at her best friend who was unusually dolled up. "You look like sea creatures."
"Really? Not a jellyfish I hope?" Nonoko laughed. "No, like a... Nymph, something glorious like that." She corrected in a hurry. Mikan laughed at the sight of her panicking.
Hotaru had changed out of her normal jeans and plaid shirt into a special dress she had brought with her. It was made of dark green silk, and it caught the light in an unusual way, glistening almost. The design left her arms bare, while the scooped neckline showed off her skin and skimmed the top of her chest.
It fitted her magnificently, ending just above her knees. She wore black pumps, the toes were pointed, the heels high. The dress also had a silk wrap around the waist, a darker green than the dress itself.
The ornate earrings, smoky eyeshadow, carefully applied eyeliner and darker shade of red lipstick suited the dress wonderfully. She indeed looked like a mysterious nymph prying out of the water.
Mystery didn't suit Mikan however. "You do look beautiful." Hotaru smiled at her. "Perms forced me. She said I had to look... Appropriate for the dinner." I laughed. "Well, appropriate suits you." She replied enthusiastically.
Today, Mikan didn't worry about her yellow tour guide uniform. Today was an exception. The stunning scarlet number was something Mikan's mom persisted she buy.
The scarlet ensemble seemed to hug every inch of her body. The spaghetti strap dress featured a plunging V criss cross neckline, and a side slit starting at her thigh. She wore custom dyed rose gold Brian Atwood Wagner pumps.
The creamy sheets of the soft and sensual silk dress slipped on her shoulders, looking almost ready to fall off. But that was the kind of air the dress produced: Hot, sensual and innocently playful. That was Mikan.
Her bright red lipstick and smoky eyeshadow complimented the dress and the gold upper arm cuff bracelet suited her well. Her brown tresses were curled and fell on her shoulders perfectly ending at her lower back.
Divine was more like it. "Mikan, you gotta thank your mom. I know I will." Mikan grinned sheepishly at Anna, she knew Anna was right. "You really think this will work?" Everybody stared surprised.
"Totally! Girl, you look gorgeous!" Sumire exclaimed. "Thanks. So do you." With a shy smile, Mikan mumbled. "But not as good as you or Hotaru, you both look like you're actresses ready to walk down the red carpet." True enough.
Sumire looked hotter than pretty in a black mini leather flare skirt and sleeveless burgundy lace crop top with a sweetheart neckline. The dress featured gold hoops, black heels and a punk rock studded bracelet and a simple gold chain.
"You'd look more fitting in a club downtown with that edgy vibe." Nonoko said out loud what we were all thinking. "I'll take that as a compliment, thanks." She said grinning. "So, are we all ready?" Anna asked finally looking excited.
"I think so. Why?" Mikan asked. "No, it's just I had this crazy thought just now... You know, I really want us all in a camera. With the actors. How cool would that be, right?" Anna squealed. Everyone agreed sighing dreamily.
Everyone except Hotaru and Mikan. And before Mikan could stop, Anna dialed to the reception, requesting to be put through the actor's room. In seconds, she was speaking into the receiver.
"Hello? Ruka-Kun? It's Anna, we were just wondering if you would take a photo with us? Everyone's here and Mikan's finally out of her dreadful yellow dress, yes, she is. Will you come?" Anna's expression said it all.
"Oh really? Thanks! Of course, you can bring Hyuuga-Kun too!" Mikan froze at the mention of his name. As if on cue, Hotaru looked up at Mikan, see her go rigid. She smirked thinking: 'Things just got interesting. Maybe this tour isn't that bad at all...'
"He'll be here in a minute!" Anna squealed with a satisfied grin. "So... when did you two get on first name basis?" Sumire charged coyly. Anna simply smiled shyly and looked away. "We're friends. We talk from time to time." She replied.
"Oh? You talk?" Anna buried her face into her hands, "It's not like that!" She said shaking her head. "Ok, ok, we get it. You're just friends." Sumire said nudging her playfully on the side. "Stop it!"
Mikan in the mean time had no idea what to do. Better not to take a chance after what happened yesterday. It might just have been harmless teasing, but that wasn't it. Mikan could feel herself get more and more attracted towards the complicated actor.
"Guys, Um, I'll be right back, I'm just gonna go check in on... things." And before anyone could muster up a counter attack, Mikan was out the door and into the first lift she saw. She was the type of girl who preferred to take the stairs but this was an emergency situation. No matter.
Most of the students were already down. They all turned to look at Mikan in shock. Did she really look that funny? Red might not be her colour after all. Or maybe it's them. Something's wrong with them or their eyes that were about to fall off their sockets.
Mikan sighed; she didn't have time to deal with this. Akira was on leave today, and they were all being escorted to dinner in fancy limos. Perks of studying in a high ranking and profit making school.
Everything was perfect. For once, there was nothing Mikan needed to check and yet here she was, looking for opportunities. Koko marched up to her, looking amused. "So..., where are your girls?" He asked. It was obvious, whom he meant by 'girls'.
"Upstairs, Sumire should be down in about 15?" She replied. "I don't recall asking for her?" Koko said, sheepishly. "Save it for someone who believes you. And just so you don't freeze over when you see her, she's looking damn hot."
He opened his mouth and closed it again. "Thanks. For the heads up. And you look, you look-" He stammered running his eyes over her. "Great. *Ahem* You look great." He said finally. "Thanks. So do you."
He grinned and walked away from her to join kit and the other guys. Mikan joined a few other girls and caught up with them. Chatting about the dress, the tour. And the actors of course. Like a normal student. Not a responcible tour guide on duty.
All of a sudden, her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and groaned. Anna. Of course. Reluctantly, she picked up. "Yeah?" Anna asked what Mikan had already known she'd ask. Where she was? What she was doing? If she could make it to the room to take photos. "Sorry, I'm just calling Narumi sensei."
That went well. At the mention of Narumi, everything resolved by itself. "Thanks Anna. I'll see if I can." Obviously she won't. "Who's Narumi?" Mikan jumped at the sudden voice in her ear. Her phone flew up in the air.
She heard a soft chuckling sound from behind her. Her phone was safe at least, in his hands. Whoever it was that whispered into her ear had successfully caught her phone. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." He said, giving her phone back as Mikan turned ashen faced.
"N-No, I'm fine. Thanks." She said in a hurry. I felt her run her eyes up and down inspecting me. I cleared my throat. She looked up in a hurry. "Uh... Um, I-I need to, I was-" I wonder why, I enjoy her stammering. "Too casual?" I asked.
She shook her head vigorously. "No, no, of course not, it's perfectly fine." She said in an exaggerated tone. We both look down at the dark navy blue, single button masculino blazer, denim jeans and the Tommy Hilfiger designer black watch I was wearing.
"Um, I'm sorry, I just- You look fine. It'll work wonderfully for the dinner." She said regaining her confidence. I enjoy that as well. "So when are we supposed to leave?" She checked her phone. "In 30 minutes or so." She said. I nod and she goes quiet, the air getting awkward. Sensing that she was on the verge of leaving, I start a conversation.
"Weren't you upstairs?"
"I'm sorry?"
"I thought you were taking photos? With Ruka." Her eyes shone in realization.
"No, I, I had work. Aren't you?"
"No." She sat down near me at the hotel bar. I offered her a glass of champagne. I explained when she looked at me questioningly. "You're gonna need it."
"For what?" She asked taking the glass. "I don't understand Klingon speech sorry." Her eyes widened and she blushed furiously. "You just can't seem to be able to talk to me without slurring your words. It's fascinating sure, but hard to understand." She stared at me blushing before looking away mumbling.
Without another word, she just sipped the drink silently. Picking a rose out of the vase of flowers, Natsume turned to face Mikan. "By the way," She turned to give him her attention.
He moved up close to whisper in her ear again, she didn't seem to mind after all, so why not? It's not like someone's watching them either. "Red's my favourite colour." He said and took her hand, brought it up to his lips and lightly kissed the top of it, before leaving Mikan to join Ruka who was searching for him in the lobby of the hotel.
Mikan could feel her heart flutter at the touch of his lips on her hand. She knew she felt something for the actor, she was almost certain of it now. She felt the heat in her cheeks and the rose in her hand left by Natsume.
He had slipped it into her hand while kissing it. Then left giving her a slight wink. Even though confused beyond imagination, she was giddy with excitement. She felt anticipation, exhilaration due to the champagne, but most of all, longing. For more.
She beamed looking at the flower in hand. It was a single red rose. Similar to his eyes. Cheesy, isn't he? The rose is beautiful though...
"Guys, 10 minutes! We're leaving in 10, is everybody here?" Mikan asked the student body gathered in the hotel lobby. "Everybody's here. We're ready to go whenever you want boss." Koko replied enthusiastically.
Mikan rolled her eyes. "The limo's gonna be here in 10 minutes max. I don't want any trouble at the last minute." Everybody nodded as Mikan did a quick head count. She flushed when her eyes met Natsume's. He gave her a curt smile.
She ignored him, resuming her head count. The rose was still in her hand. Ok, so everyone was here. In sharp 10 minutes, the limos arrived. All eyes turned to Mikan expecting instructions. She frowned, saying:
"You're not grade schoolers for heaven's sake! You don't need me to tell you, go seat yourself." Everyone raced to the limos like typical kids, happy and excited. It took about 10 minutes for everyone to decide their seats and board the limos.
Mikan was with Koko, Kit, Hotaru, Tobita and a few others. And also with Ruka. Poor, poor Natsume was stuck with most of the girls including Sumire, Anna and Nonoko. He was in the other limo barely tolerating the squealing and squeaking.
Kit might've been the only lucky one. He had had a crush on Hotaru for ages. Of course, he never told her and she was too blind to notice. Koko and Mikan had been friends for ages and Ruka enjoyed their company.
Dinner was as usual, in a high class hotel celebrity chef's restaurant, with loads of chatter and moving around the table to the other end. It was perfectly normal for Mikan to go to Natsume's side of the table and check if everything was fine with him. And it was fine for him to go back with her to her side.
It was fine that his hand was somewhat touching the back of her dress, as he leaned against her chair to talk to Ruka. It was also fine that their fingers briefly brushed against each other when they both reached for the wine glass. The chair beside her became free.
Natsume sat down and it also felt right that his knee was lightly grazing hers. And his arm was along the back of her chair and he leaned forward, unusually engaged in the conversation. Mikan tried her best to act normal as well.
Natsume might be a professional but Mikan wasn't half bad either. Nobody in the room could guess that Natsume was getting to her. Nobody except Hotaru Imai. Nothing gets past her. Absolutely Nothing.
After dessert was over, Mikan had expected that they would be back in their fancy limos going back to Sea Breeze hotel. But she was wrong. The hotel manager came up to her boasting that the 5 star hotel featured a modern, upbeat disco every month and that they would love it if the students would join them in the party.
"Why not? It could be fun plus it's still early." Koko and Kit asked hopefully. It was still off schedule. But Mikan made an exception this time. "Knock yourselves out!" She exclaimed as everyone turned around in surprise.
"Who are you and what have you done to uptight Mikan?" Kit teased loudly. "Have I entered an alternate universe where Mikan is actually fun?" Koko continued the banter. "For the night, maybe." Mikan winked.
"Well, what're we waiting for? It's time to Disco!" Koko announced. Even the limo drivers joined the party. Mikan danced with Koko, Kit, and even Ruka. She also danced with Hotaru and her other girls. She danced with everyone except Natsume Hyuuga. She didn't even dare to look in his direction.
Because she knew if she risked a glance at him, he would be looking at her too. She could feel it without having to see it and it made her overly self conscious. Not only about her but about him as well. The rose was still in her Jimmy Choo studded kase clutch. Mikan wasn't exactly poor; she could afford Jimmy Choo easily.
But as fate would have it, he didn't dance with her but did join to have a drink with her. Both, exhausted from dancing reached for the same champagne glass. Mikan looked up at his gorgeous features quite amused to find her next to him reaching for the exact same glass twice that night. Fate indeed.
He reached for another and handed her the glass. Another brief brush of their hands. "Thanks." She said taking the glass. "I didn't know you danced." Mikan said.
"I never said I couldn't. You're quite the dancer yourself."
"I've had training before. Waltz isn't all I can do." Natsume gave her a suspicious look. "Really?" He asked. She shrugged. "Prove it. Let's see you keep it real."
"Not everybody here can dance tango. Sorry." She replied with a sorry look.
"Not everybody. But I can." Mikan turned in surprise. "You dance? Tango?" She asked in a funny tone. "Only one way to find out. Come on, one dance. I won't bite." He asks with an extended hand. "Ok. Fine." She took his hand as he escorted her to the middle of the dance floor.
Everyone turned to look at the gorgeous couple in each others arms in jealousy and some in awe. They looked so perfect together.
"You're sure you can do this?" He asked smiling when Mikan hesitated noticing the attention she was getting.
"What's the point of dancing with an actor if I can't show off? Are you sure you can dance?" She replied grinning confidently.
Natsume pulled her closer to him, to the point that there was no space in between their respective bodies.
"Let's find out."
What's growing between Natsume and Mikan? Did Mikan prove herself to Natsume or did she make a fool out of herself for trying to? The next episode of GA: StarStruck shall reveal it all. Keep reading and send me your reviews.