Chapter 4 || Conquest Or Victim?

Chapter 4 || Conquest Or Victim?▲

"Bye Mikan!" Anna waves, "See you at Social Justice Meeting tomorrow, alright?"

"Okay!" I chirp, and as soon as she's out of sight I drop my head against my locker and groan.

It has been the hundredth time today that someone has asked me why my hair is tucked into my beanie - and first period hasn't even started yet. I was utterly exasperated - and I had Natsume to thank for that.

After finding out yesterday that my hair has turned black, I charged over to Natsume; assuming that he knew what was going on.

And, of course, he did.

After spraying Window Cleaner onto his face yesterday morning, Natsume decided it was only fair that he got me back. So, while I was too busy 'cowering away in a room' (Natsume's words, not mine), he drove to the shops and bought temporary black hair dye. He then emptied my hair conditioner and filled it with said hair dye.

I am grateful to know that it is only temporary (Meaning I wouldn't have to pay a lot of money to change it back just because of his silly revenge), but also very ungrateful because when I tried to wash it out yesterday it only faded a little, which meant that I'd just have to stick it out until the hair dye eventually washes away.

I glance up and spot Sumire and Hotaru walking down the hallway, looking at me with a weird expression. Once arriving, she furrows her eyebrows,

"Why is your hair tucked into your beanie?" Sumire asked

I laugh bitterly and, to answer her question, pull my beanie off my head. Black locks tumble out of the beanie and down my back and both Hotaru and Sumire eyes widen. Her expression then morphs into an amused one and she fights back a laugh. Hotaru takes a picture

"Hotaru!" I cry, smacking her arm and Sumire continues to laugh playfully, "You're not supposed to laugh! This is serious! And delete the picture Hotaru!"

"No" Hotaru says

"Yeah," Sumire adds snorts, "A serious fashion crime!" she laughs at her own joke and I shoot her a glare which only gains more laughs from her, "Okay, no. Don't try to glare. You look like a constipated kitten."

"Gee, thanks," I sigh, falling against my locker. I twist my hair back up into a bun on top of my head and pop the beanie back on.

"If it makes you feel any better, that hat is kind of cute," she offers weakly.

"Thanks," I mutter. It was a cute hat, indeed; A purple beanie with small diamantés scattered on the top.

"So what happened?" she questions, "Why does your hair look like you just tried to colour it in with black charcoal but failed dismally?"

"Natsume happened," I scowl. Both of their mouth forms an 'o' as she nods her head understandingly.

"Well..." she drawls, "You should get him back."

"Sumire," I deadpan, "Are you trying to get me killed? You know what happens whenever anyone tries to defy Natsume," I make a slitting-throat motion with my thumb and Sumrie laughs. "And besides, he's not a happy person and I still want to help him. I don't want to give up on him just yet."

"Still..." Sumire hums with a mischievous grin, "If you need help hiding a body or something, the offer's always on the table, alright?"

"Nope," I chuckle, "Not gonna happen," I reply firmly.

Though as much as I hated it, there was a part of me that yearned to get some sort of revenge on Natsume. Sumire leaves, leaving Hotaru and I alone since we have the same class.

"So, have you told your parents?" Hotaru asked

"Nope, and I don't plan on them knowing anything yet"

"Mikan, you have to tell them what is going on. You can't it from them." She said, but my mind was made up.

"Hotaru no matter how much you or Sumire persuade me, my answer will remain the same."

"Does anyone else? Like Kaoru, Shiku, Natsume? Anyone?" she asks

"No one another than you and Sumire."

"Fine. Let's go before we are late."

"Ah, Ms. Sakura." Mr. Jinno, my History teacher, greets as I enter the class and take a seat at one of the desks by the window, "I expected better from you. You know the rules. Take off the hat," he arches an eyebrow and I restrict a sigh.

"I'm sorry sir, but I can't," I reply in the politest and sweetest tone I can muster.

A snicker erupts from the back of the class and I glance back to see Natsume watching me amusedly. He whispers something to a friend of his and then his friend laughs too. I groan inwardly, well aware of what they're laughing about.

I turn back to Mr. Jinno, who's now glaring at me, "Is the hat glued to your head?"

"No..." I answer dubiously.

"Then take it off."

"I... I..."

Mr. Jinno sighs in frustration, "Detention, Ms. Sakura, since you refuse to abide by the school's no-hat policy."

My jaw drops and eyes widen. A detention! I shake my head, "I'm sorry, but-"

"I'll make it 2 detentions if you don't keep quiet and take your hat off," he warns.

"But sir-"

"3."

Closing my eyes, I sigh. I then reluctantly reach up and pull off my beanie; my brown-back hair tumbling down my shoulders. The class collectively gasp before erupting into snickers and whispers. I lower my head and tuck a lock behind my ears. I knew that I looked silly, but I didn't expect this big of a reaction.

My eyes scan around the classroom and reach Natsume. There he was, snickering with his friend and exchanging the occasional snarky comment that I knew was about me. When our gazes meet, Natsume winks cheekily.

I turn away immediately, blinking away the tears from my cloudy eyes. I refuse to cry. This will all blow over and everything will go back to the way it was. It's not that big of a deal. I bet I'll have a good laugh at this situation in a few years to come.

With that thought in mind, I take a deep breath and open my exercise book; ready to start the lesson.

I walk over to the table where Sumire and Hotaru were sitting. There was also a boy with bold hair and sapphire eyes. Wasn't sure who he was.

"I'm in," I state firmly as I arrive at my lunch table. Sumire and Hotaru look at me confusedly and I elaborate, "I want to get revenge on Natsume."

At my words, Sumire's eyes lighten up and she grins, "I always knew there was a dark side to you," she cackles evilly. Hotaru just continues to eat her lunch.

"Who is this?"

"That is Ruka Nogi, one of Natsume's close friends" Sumire says and I glare at her.

"Don't give me that look. He is different from them. He is ten times more nicer than Natsume or anyone of his other friends." She says. I glance at him, and he does look nice. Then I realized something. If I am gonna have to get my Natsume to be my friend, I should start being friends with his friends.

"Hi I'm Mikan Sakura. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hi, I am Ruka Nogi." He says, and we sat there talking. Ruka was way nicer than Natsume or any one of his other friends.

All day I'd received sideway glances from the students of Gakuen Alice; none of them bothering to hide the fact that they were gossiping about me. Even right now I'm sure at least 50 pairs of eyes are trained on me.

"Yeah, well if anyone were in my position, they'd understand."

"That bad?" Ruka sighs, and I nod my head.

"Literally everyone at the school is laughing at me and gossiping about my hair," I sigh, "I mean, people dye their hair unnatural colours all the time! I know it doesn't suit me, but still... It's mean."

"Well, we can all come over to my house this afternoon and we'll create a master-plan." Sumire says with

"Can't. I have a detention after school and I don't have a car. Sorry."

"Don't say sorry, it isn't your fault," she scolds. Sumire hates when I say 'sorry' at unnecessary times, "Hang on, if you don't have a car, how are you gonna get home? And how'd you get to school?" Ruka asks

"Oh!" I reply, "There's this thing that people use - they call it public transport!" I answer sarcastically, shooting him a flat look at the end.

Sumire eyes me for a second as she munches on her salad, before swallowing and commenting, "I like grumpy you. You're entertaining."

"Fortunately for you, grumpy me will be sticking around for a while. Another 5 weeks to be exact."

"Oh brighten up," she cries, "You're living with an extremely hot bad boy-"

"Who hates me," I interject.

"Yeah, and who also happens to be sneaking glances your way every two minutes," she thrusts her thumb in the direction of Natsume's table and there he was; watching at me with those captivating eyes of his. I pull my gaze away from him and back to Sumire.

"Oh I wonder why..." I hum, tapping my chin thoughtfully. It was obvious - he was curious as to how his whole prank had worked out.

"Mikan, he does hate you. And was not always like this" Ruka says. "Anyway I should get going. I'll see you all later"

"I need to go to. I have to go and finish my latest invention." Hotaru says and leaves as well. Now it is just me and Sumire.

"I feel more like a victim."

"You know what they say - There's a fine line between

love and hate," she wiggles her eyebrows suggestively and I frown. I've had a terrible enough day as it is, the last thing I need is my best friend suggesting the unspeakable.

"Hey Mikan," a voice breaks me away from the stare down I'm having with Sumire and I turn to see Reo. Freaking. Mouri.

Reo-Freaking-Mouri is the school's quarterback. He was hot, funny, cool, amazing in singing and a jock, so it's no surprise that he's popular - But what is surprising is finding him standing before me, smiling a dimply and sheepish smile.

"Hey Reo," I smile once snapping out of the daze I'm in.

"Hey. I just wanted to see how you were doing. I heard about the hair dilemma," he waves his hand around, gesturing towards my head and I chuckle.

"Yeah. Not having the greatest day, but I'll be okay," I reply, "Thank you, Reo."

"No problem," he nods. After a moment of silence passes, he speaks up, "Hey, look, I'm throwing a party this weekend. Would you like to come?"

I look over at Sumire, who nods her head at me; encouraging me to say yes. I turn back to reo,

"May Sumire, Hotaru and Ruka come as well?"

His nervous expression morphs into a surprised one and he nods his head vigorously, "Of course!"

"Great."

"Saturday, starting at 9," he winks, having a lot more confidence now, "Oh, and make sure you get Natsume back. The asshole deserves to be knocked down a peg or two."

I laugh, "Haha, okay." and Reo smile back at me, and walks away as I turn back to my lunch, realization slowly seeping in. I've been invited to one of the most popular guys at our school's party!

Oh boy.

I've been invited to one of the most popular guys at our school's party.

Mikan: My Hair! That was so mean Natsume!

Natsume: I don't care. You deserve it

Sumire: yeah, and deserve a smack in the face

Natsume: Hn

Hotaru: So Immature

Me: I agree

Mikan: oh well, at least I have Reo. He is so sweet!

Ruka: *smiles*

Natsume: eye roll* whatever

Sumire: Ooo, I sense jealousy

Natsume: I am not jealous over some stupid little girl

Mikan: I am not little! I am the same age as you.

Natsume: *pokes her forehead*

Mikan: Hey!

Hotaru: BAKA BAKA BAKA

Mikan: Mou~ Hotaru that hurt

Hortaru: well you guys are hurting my head.

Sumire: anyway guys read and review!

Mikan: yeah, tell us what you think!

Me: there will also be a Thanksgiving special!