Chapter 3 || I'm Blushingâ–˛

It's been days since I've left that room. My stomach is growling, I'm on the brink of insanity, and I'm contemplating whether or not I should eat my hand to quench my hunger.

Okay, so it isn't that bad.

I've been in here for about 5 minutes, my stomach is growling, I've spent most of my time here with my ear pressed against the door and I'm beginning to doubt he even chased after me. I haven't heard a peep since I made my dramatic arrival.

Deciding that this was all so silly, I stand up and swing the door open confidently, my eyes scanning the room. When I decide that it's safe enough to leave the confines of the room, I step out and gingerly walk over to the kitchen.

I guess Natsume wasn't bothered to kill me, after all.

What a pity.

Sighing in both relief and exasperation, I decide that I need a distraction and turn the sink on. I then begin to clean the empty plates, bowls and cups from last night's dinner. I needed to keep my mind active and distracted from this morning's events. Besides, it was the least I could do for Kaoru and Shiku.

Once finished, I cautiously head over to my room, being sure to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Fortunately, the coast is clear and not a Natsume was in sight. I enter the room and pick up my phone from my bed to find a text notification on my screen.

Sumire

Sumire-Oh-Sumire: Hey Mikan, wanna come over?

I smile and type up a response. Sumire has been my best friend (and only real friend) since I arrived at Gakuen Alice. Hotaru is as well but she is more of a bossy type friend, but I respect her since she takes care of me since my parents and family are always gone. She handles my food and sure I eat healthy due to an incident that happened last year. While Sumire gets me to be more social with people. They both are my true family. She's a petite girl with light green hair and big brown eyes, and Hotaru is with big purple eyes and short hair. The three of us have been like peas in a pod since the moment she sat next to me in year 9 Math class. I usually sit at the back alone, until she approached me. I have stayed at her house many times, more than I have spent my nights with Hotaru. Both of their parents are nice to me, however my mom and Sumire's mother do not get along. Hotaru's mum and my mother are steady with each other. The reason being is that Hotaru and her family are all well qualified and she likes what Hotaru does with her life compared to me.

Unfortunately I can't. Parents gone for the next 5 weeks and I have no car to drop me off.

My mother phoned a couple nights ago saying they would be for five weeks. Not that it really matters. Sumire instantly begins to type up a message and within a matter of seconds she sends her reply.

Sumire-Oh-Sumire: What!? Dude. How do I not know of this? They left yesterday on a business trip ! they just had come back from Spain two nights ago! And now they leave AGAIN! I feel so sorry for you! L

Me: It's alright. I am use to this

Sumire-Oh-Sumire: have you told them anything yet?

Me: No.

Sumire-Oh-Sumire: Mikan… when are going to tell them?

Me: Never.

Sumire-Oh-Sumire: Mikan you have to tell someone.

Me: you and Hotaru know, which are good enough.

Sumire-Oh-Sumire: Mikan I know you and your relationship with your parents and brother have not been good, but they need to know what's going on with you and your life.

Me: Sumire, they don't deserve to know anything about me, and we are done talking about this.

Sumire-Oh-Sumire: Fine, but at least tell me where you are staying.

Me: Natsume Hyuuga's house

After sending the message, my phone begins to vibrate and a photo of Sumire pulling a funny face pops up on the screen. I roll my eyes amusedly and press answer. I had a feeling she'd call me - She glorifies Natsume Hyuuga just like the rest of the student body.

"What the actual fuck, Mikan," is the sweet words I am greeted with.

"Ah Sumire, I missed your kind, loving nature, I really did-

"Shhhh," she interrupts my speech, "Since when were you all friendly with Natsume? What's he like?"

She yells a bunch of other questions, but I don't hear them as I've pulled the phone away from my ears since I would prefer to keep my hearing. When I'm certain that the coast is clear, I bring the phone back to my ear, "I'm here because my mom and dad are going around Africa for 5 weeks and they don't know many other, if not any, adults besides Kaoru and Shiku. So they called them up and bam! Here I am."

There's a long pause, before Sumire finally talks, "You know, you could have stayed over at my place or Hotaru's."

"I know but she has issues that we are aware of."

I'm going to be coming over a lot more than I normally do. I need to make sure that you are okay with a bad boy around."

"ok"

"Does Hotaru know?"

"I'll tell her at school tomorrow"

I laugh at my friend and shake my head. Sumire praises Natsume and his heavenly looks; claiming that he's God's gift to women, but makes sure that no harm comes to me when he is around, "Yeah? Well too bad Natsume doesn't like me," I sigh, falling back on my bed.

"Who cares?" she queries, "You deserve someone better than him anyway."

"Aren't you sweet?" I reply sarcastically, "Sumire, I mean that he doesn't like me at all. Hate is a strong word, but I think it's very accurate for the way Natsume feels about me."

"Ohh," she drawls, realization dawning upon her before she adds, "Oh God. You poor poor soul."

I sigh and nod my head in agreement despite knowing she can't see me, "But have no fear. I'm going to find a way to be his friend."

"Aw, cute," she coos in a sweet tone, "What type of flowers do you want at your funeral?"

"White Tulips," I tell her - just to take precautions, "The lack of concern in your voice kinda terrifies me."

"Yeah, well I'm coming over in ten minutes, alright?"

"How do you even know where he lives? Are you some kind of stal-?"

But she had already hung up.

10 minutes later, I hear the doorbell and jump up from my bed.

"I'll get it!" I call to Natsume, wherever he is. I still hadn't seen him around just yet, but who knows where he could be in this labyrinth of a home. I race down stairs and over to the front room where I find Natsume unlocking and opening the door. I halt in my footsteps when I see that it was his friend, Kokoro Yome, at the door - not Sumire. Koko is Natsume right hand man. He's a tall, muscular boy with short black hair and brown eyes.

At the sight of me, Natsume sneers and glares at me with pure hatred. It is then that I realize he's still angry at me from what I did this morning - Or maybe just angry at my existence, I add as an after thought.

He doesn't say anything and just stares at me intently with his hazel eyes. His friend, Koko, just watches on awkwardly, his eyes darting between the two of us. Finally, Natsume breaks the silence with quite a charming response, if I do say so myself.

"I told you to stay the fuck away from me."

Ah man, I'm blushing.

"I know and I'm really sorry. It's just that I'm expecting a friend here any minute, so I came out to answer the door. I didn't expect you to be there, I swear."

He steps towards me and I instinctively take a step back. "I really don't like you. The sooner you leave this house, the better it is - for me and for you. Now stay away from me and stop being so bloody happy. It's beginning to creep me out."

That's the nicest thing he's ever said to me! This is progress.

"Okay!" I chirp giddily. Realizing that I was sounding far too chirpy for Natsume's liking, I clear my throat and speak in a much more appropriate, monotone voice, "Okay."

He rolls his eyes in annoyance at my response, whilst I just stand there with a goofy smile stretched on my face. I know that being this happy annoys him, and I'm sure it annoys a lot of other people, but I can't help it. There's just so much to be happy about.

"Uh, Natsume? Are you going to introduce me to your hot friend or what?" Koko's question drains away the intensity in the room and I exhale a breath of relief when Natsume breaks his gaze to look at Koko.

"She's not my friend."

Koko steps forwards and turns back to me with a big grin on his face. "Helloo therreee freakishly hot girl who I have no chance with," he sings, "I'm Kokoro, but you can call me koko for short."

"Nobody calls you Koko, Kokoro," Natsume responds with an annoyed sigh.

Alec frowns down at the floor skeptically, "Yeah, you're right," he then averts his gaze to me, "but there is a first time for everything."

I nod my head, "Well, Koko, I'm Mikan. Nice to meet you."

"You too, gorgeous."

Natsume whacks his friend across the head and shoots me a look, "Don't take any of his compliments seriously. Koko compliments anything with a vagina."

"Hey!" Koko protests, "Don't believe a word that young man says, I swear that isn't true!" He cries dramatically. I laugh as Natsume drags him away, muttering a series of profanities under his breath. "Ignore him, darling. One day we'll be together!" Koko's voice grows quieter and quieter as he's pulled away by Natsume, until his voice is muffled by Natsume's closed bedroom door.

"Miakn!" A voice calls. I turn to the doorway, where Sumire is now standing; a gigantic grin on her face.

"Hey Sumi!" I greet, "Come on in." I usher her into the house and close the door behind her.

"Oh! And remember what I said about using push-ups! Although, I doubt you need them. You have the full damn package, don't you?" Sumire sighs wistfully as we walk over to the front door.

For the past few hours, Sumire has been teaching me how to be careful around Natsume, since she realized how much of a bad boy he can be. She kept insisting on how I should go over to her house, and spend the five weeks there, plus she already told her parents. Of course, I declined all her attempts and offers, but she wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Oh hush, you," I reply with a smile tugging onto my face, "I am going to be fine Sumire, I promise"

"Are you hearing yourself?"

I send her a flat look, "You don't realize how amazing of a person you are," I tell her as we reach the home's porch. Sumire being the modest person she is, rolls her eyes in disbelief. "Girl, you have the best personality and you're so gorgeous."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't get so mushy on me now," she mutters; her cheeks flushed red, "Just remember what I said, okay?"

"Yep, got it."

I have no intentionon having a relationship with Natsume because it won't even last long, but I agree with her nevertheless since I am not keen on having another conversation about how I should be making the most of the incredible opportunity I've been granted. Sumire's words, not mine.

I just want to be Natsume's friend.

"Good. Good. Okay, farewell!" She declares in a posh voices, waving her hand and jogging down the steps with a triumphant grin on her face.

"Alright bye. Love you!" I call, stepping back into the house and closing the door.

Slow clapping breaks the silence in the home and I jump frightfully at the noise. I turn around and find Natsume leaning against a wall with a smug smirk on his face.

"Oh. Hi Natsume. How are you? I like your shoes - Very groovy."

Sumire always told me that a simple compliment can be enough to make someone's day.

Natsume either doesn't hear me or chooses to ignore my remark, because instead of responding to my statement, he coos, "Well ain't that cute," in response to the scene he just witnessed. He wipes a metaphorical tear from his cheek.

My cheeks flush red in embarrassment and I wander over to him sheepishly, "How long were you there?" I query, folding my arms over my chest.

"Long enough to know you're a sappy lovey-dove lesbian," he responds.

"Sumire's my best friend, not lesbian lover."

"Could've fooled me."

"Where's Koko?" I wonder; hoping to start up a more civil conversation with him.

"He left a few hours ago," Natsume tells me, turning away and retreating to his room. Oh crap, he's leaving. Think fast!

"Hey, look, I'm sorry about what I did this morning. I know I was stupid, I just wasn't thinking." I step forward and watch him hopefully.

"Yeah, well we'll be even soon enough," he mutters over his shoulder before entering his room and shutting the door. Oh God. What on earth did he mean by that? Should I be worried?

Of course I should be. What type of question is that?

His sly comment leaves me distressed and nervous. I purse my lips together and gingerly retreat to my own room, deciding to treat myself with a bath. I fill up the tub in the ensuite with steamy water, squirting some bubble bath gel against the running water. Once the tub is filled, I lock the door, undress, and hop in.

I spend my time in the bath relaxing; lathering my hair with shampoo and conditioner. The bath water turns a light shade of green, though I assume it's just the bath gel tinting the color. When my hands start to wrinkle, I decide that enough is enough, and I hop out of the tub. I wrap my body with a towel and dry my hair with another towel.

But when I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I freeze; my stomach dropping and eyes widening.

Holy moly!

My brown hair was now tinted black - and there could be only one person responsible for this.

"Natsume" I call, marching out of the bathroom.

MIKAN: WHAT DID U DO NATSUME!?

Natsume: hn

Mikan:why would u do this?

Natsume: revenge

Me: huh... so immature

Mikan: I hate you!

Natsume: feeling is mutual

Sumire: Hope u guys make up soon

Me: HOPE u GUYS ENJOY THIS! READ AND REVIEW PLZ!