Chapter 7 || Shake It Off

The second time walking around the school hallway with black hair isn't half as bad as the first, believe it or not.

People seem to move on pretty quickly with gossip and so I was no longer a hot topic. Hotaru came by earlier to remind me that she re-scheduled the appointment for after school today, and I had to fill out her in yesterday.

"You know, Reo has been sending you longing gazes all through class," Sumire whispers from the seat beside me, interrupting me from my thoughts.

We are currently in period 4 Math class, listening to Jinno lecture us on exponential and logarithmic functions.

"I've noticed," I comment with a small smile, "Now shhhh. We need to know this stuff for the test in two weeks."

As much as I am flattered that Reo has been glancing my way during class, I don't want to discuss the topic with Sumire. I'm confused (and a little dubious) about the whole 'Reo-inviting-me-to-a-party' thing. Why the sudden interest?

Maybe he really likes green.

"But Jinno is so boring," Sumire groans, "I feel like sleeping."

"Don't be rude," I chide, "If everyone got their way, I'm sure we'd all be taking a nap right now, but that's not fair for Jinno or the students that do want to listen."

Sumire waves a dismissive hand at me, "At the end of the day, she still gets paid. Who cares?"

"I hope that isn't talking I hear," Jinno calls, glancing over at Sumire and I with a warning look. I slightly frown.

Hey, I had your back.

Reo glances my way, and for the first time in class our gazes cross paths. I send him a small smile and he returns the gesture before turning back to the front of the class to face Jinno.

"Meo, Remi, Mikeo, Rikan..." Sumire hums quietly, and I shoot her a weird glance. "I'm trying to come up with a good couple name for you and Reo," she explains nonchalantly, "Mikaneo, Reikan, Mieo..." she continues.

This was going to be a long day.

"Thanks for the help, Bronte," Ruka states, "Real helpful. I'm starting to understand math better now, which is great because then I won't need to be tutored anymore," Ruka stands up with a lazy smile on his face.

"That's great, Ruka," I reply as I gather my books. Ruka is a guy that I tutor for History. He's not as wild as others, mostly referring to Natsume and his gaing. Even though he is part of it. "It's great to know that my History lessons have helped you with your Math."

My comment doesn't faze Ruka and he sends me a smile, "Yeah. Okay, hey can I ask you a question," he asks and I nodded.

"You think Hotaru likes me?" he asks. I look at him curiously and have a slight gri on my face

Ooo… someone has a mini crush " I tease and he turns red. For a while Ruka has been sitting with us and lately he and Hotaru have talking. Normally Hotaru would anyone with her baka gun, but Ruka was different. He has gotten hit a few times, but not as much as me, Sumire or any other kid in this school.

"She probably does. No, I know she does."

"You think that if I ask her out she would go out with me?"

"You never know, unless you try" I say.

"Yeah, your right. Okay well see you soon, I have to sit with the guys today. Oh, and good luck on the appointment you have today." He says and then he leaves.

I make my way to the cafeteria and when I arrive at my table. Hotaru is working on her stuff, and Sumire being herself speaks immediately, "I think I might vomit," she mumbles, gazing over at Natsume - correction - Natsume and a leggy blonde who sits on his lap with her clothes and hair disheveled. The two were playing an intense game of tongue hockey, if you know what I mean.

"Just look away," I laugh as I pull my sandwich out of my bag and take a bite out of it. Jealousy flares within me. So he isn't mean to her - A girl he just met.

"I've just lost my appetite," Sumire declares, pushing her lunch tray away from her.

"Suit yourself," Hotaru smile, fetching her small bucket of crabs and sitting it in front of me.

Sumire shoots her a look of annoyance, "Tell me this isn't annoying you," she waves her hand in Natsume and Blondie's direction.

"This isn't annoying me," I state with a sly smile, "He can do what he likes. It's not the first time he's done that, anyway. Remember? He used to make out with girls all the time. plus he made it clear yesterday of his hatred towards me so I could careless."

"That doesn't make it any less disgusting," she mutters, "He's gotta be carrying some form of STI's. I'd be worried if I were her."

"Yeah - worried when he'll dump my butt. The guy's never kept a girl for any longer than a week."

"There's the snarky girl I love," she chuckles, "Hey, what did Natsume do when he found out you're at my place for a while?" she queries curiously.

"He doesn't know. But now he probably does since I wasn't there in the house all morning, his parents know" I reply with a sheepish smile. " I even paid Hotaru 500 yen to make my house key so I could move back in there."

Sumire laughs, "Oh my goodness, Miki," she snorts, shaking her head, "God. How are his parents unaware of what he's like?"

"I think they are, I just don't think they're aware of how bad he is because they work a lot."

"You know what I can't wait for?" Hotaru asks suddenly.

"What?"

"The day you stand up to him. I am even getting my BAKA gun upgraded."

I groan, "I'm not that angry. I was the one who kept on trying to be friends with him when he made it clear that wasn't what he wanted. I don't intend on talking to him anytime soon, anyway. He doesn't like me, so I'll leave him be." I tell her.

Last night while I was in bed with Sumire, I decided that my mission was impossible and I wasn't doing any help by trying to hang out with Natsume. It pained me to make that decision and I feel a little guilty for giving up on him so easily, but I think it's the right thing to do for his sake and mine.

"He did make unnecessary comments, though Mikan. And that is uncalled for" she tells me, "Just because you're abnormally friendly and talk to him more than he would like, doesn't mean he can dye your hair black, let you walk home in the rain, insult you, threaten you and treat you like crap."

I think over her words for a second, "Well, when you put it that way..." I drawl.

Sumire chuckles, "One day you're going to explode and say everything you've been bottling up and he won't know what hit him," she rubs her hands together in excitement, "Oh, I can't wait. I love it when you're angry."

"You're still here?" Sumire snarls, disgust lacing his words as he stares at me. I had just arrived to Natsume's house from the doctor's clinic. My tension was not to come here, I was actually on my way to Sumire's but I left something here.

"No," I answer, "I left something here. I just came to get it."

He stares at me blankly, his eyes scanning me from head to toe before a smirk morphs back onto his face, "When is your hair gonna go back to brown? black is getting annoying," he lifts his hand up and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear while I stare at him wide-eyed, "It isn't your color either."

Okay, fashion guru.

"I'm not sure, it's beginning to fade away now which is great. I say in 2 or 3 days it'll be gone," I reply honestly, "Now if you'll excuse me.." I drive past him and head upstairs to my room.

I knew he was asking a rhetorical question to upset me, but I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction. He wanted me gone, therefore I was going to stay away from him. Hopefully he'll see what I'm doing and leave me alone too.

I open my door and head towards the side table and unlock the drawer. I take out the meds, and the folders that the doctor has been giving me.

"what are those?" Natsume questions, leaning against the door frame.

"something that doesn't concern you"

"I didn't ask you if it concerned me, I asked you what are those folders?"

"English class assignments, and essays."

"I don't believe you"

"I just gave an answer to your question, I didn't ask you to believe me." I snap at him and drive past him to walk downstairs. I can hear him calling me from behind but I wasn't going to respond.

I was about to walk out the door, when Kaoru entered.

"Hello sweetie, how was your day?" she asks with a smile. Sometimes I can't believe how Natsume is such a freak, and yet has amazing parents.

"Good, I was just on my way out."

"Why? Did Natsume say anything to you honey? Please be honest" she says.

I look behind me to see Natsume standing with his face expressionless.

"No. he didn't to anything. I was just going to my friends for another night. She needs some help with her math." I say. Not lying because Sumire did need my help with math, but not going to say my whole reason.

"Honey, you can go after dinner. Take some rest and I will call you down when it is ready." She says and leaves into the kitchen. I head back up into my room and place the folders back into the drawer and lock it up.

I sound of a door clicking and swinging open echoes throughout the house and I glance down the hall in time to see Natsume walk out the house as the front door closes.

Dinner was finished, and Kaoru and Shiku and to bed. I called Sumire telling her to pick me up since everyone was gone to sleep. I left a note on the fridge for them saying where I would be. It was only seven at night.

I had taken a nap earlier and dreamt of things I wanted to forget; Things that brought tears to my eyes and caused sobs to rise in my throat. I looked at my phone and saw a message from Sumire saying she is on her way.

Of all emotions, I think guilt is the worst. Because when you feel guilt, you feel regret. And when you feel regret, you begin think of all the 'what ifs'. You think of all the simple little things you could've changed that would've made a big difference. But you can't change any of it, and so you're stuck with the reality that you could've changed but didn't.

I trot out of the living room as I rub my eyes furiously. It was so dark and I could barely see. I head over to the kitchen and pour myself a glass of water. Just as I'm about to retreat back into the living room, I hear the click of a door shutting and I freeze in my steps.

It could be Natsume, I try to convince myself, but a haunting groan follows soon after and I immediately think otherwise. Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap. Footsteps near closer to the kitchen and I immediately take action, my heart pounding and breaths staggering. I grab a sharp knife and duck behind the kitchen counter, closing my eyes tightly.

The footsteps stop and the sound of a chair scraping follows before the thing sits down in it, letting out an oomph.

"Bloody chairs," it mutters. My eyebrows shoot skywards at the familiar voice and relief floods into me. Is that Natsume?

"Natsume?" I call, cautiously peaking my head out of my hiding spot.

His head snaps upwards and he looks around, "God, Is that you?" he slurs. I fight back a laugh at his dazed expression and stand up.

"It's Mikan, but same thing," I reply, discreetly tucking the knife into the drawers. "You should get to sleep," I state, turning on my heels and walking away.

"Wait.." He slurs, grabbing my hand softly and pulling me back. I'm not sure why, but that action caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach. Why was he being nice to me?

My eyes scan his disheveled appearance and realization seeps in, "Are you drunk, Natsume?" I ask, sliding my hand out of his grip.

"Yes," he states, before correcting himself, "I mean maybe. I mean..." he hiccups, "I'm not drunk."

I laugh and shake my head, "Right," I drawl, walking over to the kitchen cupboard and grabbing a glass. I fill the cup with water, "This should help... I think," I slide the

glass over to him, "I don't really know what to do when someone's drunk, to be honest. I've never been in this situation."

Natsume takes the cup gratefully and downs it within only a few gulps before setting it on the counter and looking over at me. "Lemme tell you a secret," he slurs, waving his hand at me to come closer. I oblige and take a step towards him, intrigued by what he might say.

A moment of silence passes before he breaks it, "I stay up too late," I pull away from him and furrow my eyebrows confusedly, "Got nothing in my train."

"Natsume wha-"

"That's what people say. Mm mm," he hums; lifting his shoulders. It is then that I catch on to what he's doing: Singing shake it off - In a really bad voice, I might add. "That's what people say. Mm mm. I go on a lot of dates, but I can't make them play! Baby I will shake, shake it up!"

I throw my head back and laugh, amused by his off-key singing and the fact that his lyrics were completely wrong. I wipe a metaphorical tear from my cheek, "Bravo!" I cheer; chuckling when I catch Natsume looking smug with himself. "Didn't realise you were a closet Taylor Swift fan."

"Yeah but don't tell anyone. It'll blow my cover. I also know that you were lying to me earlier." He says and I stop laughing.

"You need to get some rest, Natsume," I inform him, looping my arm in his and picking him up out of the chair.

"Not until you tell me what you are hiding." He frowns. I grunt as he half-heartedly protests, attempting to sit back down on the chair, "Natsume, you need to sleep, buddy." I coo.

"Fine" He groans, staggering about as I pull him towards his room. He glances over at me, "Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?" He hiccups, wiping his hand across my face. Yep, he was so wasted.

"You say quite the opposite actually," I answer, my cheeks heating up at his compliment.

Natsume opens his mouth to say something but lets out a shriek of pain when he stubs his toe on the door on the way into his room. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" He seethes, clutching onto his feet with one hand as he hops around.

"Are you okay?" I ask, only earning a grunt from him. I gently usher a hopping Natsume over to his bed and he falls into it, slowly un-clutching his foot, "I'll get you an ice pack." I tell him, rushing out of the room and returning minutes later with an ice pack. I had to restrict myself from awing at him lying in his bed. He just looked so cute!

"Here you go," I say, handing him the ice pack. Natsume ducks under the bedcovers to place the ice pack on his toe before diving back out.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" he asks, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Because it's the right thing to do," I answer simply.

I know Natsume is always mean to me, but I'm not one to hold a grudge against someone. He probably shouldn't be receiving this treatment from me (of all people), either, but I like helping people and I want to help people, regardless of what they're like. It's what I do - or at least what I want to do.

"And because you're drunk and you won't remember a thing." I add truthfully, laughing lightly.

Natsume smiles at me; a smile that I'd never seen him use on me before. It wasn't smug or mean or cocky. It was a genuine smile that made my heart flutter and a strange feeling spark within me. "Goodnight, Mikan," he yawns, fluttering his eyes closed.

"Night, Natsume."

I headed back down and see my phone ringing. It Sumire and said to meet outside since she was here. I grab my folders and head out of the house.

"So do you get it now?"

"Yeah, thanks. I asked Hotaru earlier, but knowing she wanted money I asked you. Your easy and free." Sumire says.

After we rapped up, Sumire asks how my appointment with the doctors. I told her not well.

"What happened?" she asks, worried.

"They say that nothing spread to further parts of my body, and that it is remained in my stomach. They say that I have to give the money soon or sign papers saying that 'I did disagree with the case terms, and if something gets worse I am responsible for it.' I have week and half to do it" I gave her the reports that the doctor gave me, as well as the papers from today.

"How much money are they asking?" Sumire questions.

"I am noting telling you that. Knowing you, you will spill it and tell your parents or Hotaru and somehow get the money. I don't want it, I am just going to sign the papers"

"Mikan, I will not have you sign those papers. How much are they asking? You are getting the money from me, Hotaru, parents, her parents, someone." She says sternly

"I don't want the money Sumire, and I don't care if my health gets worse. I just want it to end. Besides no one will be able to pay it. Not me, or you, or Hotaru. Plus, I don't want you guys wasting your money on me."

"Mikan Sakura. How. Much. Are. They. Asking?" Sumire know looks at me with rage. Knowing this look it's either I tell or face one of her threats that don't well with me.

I take a bid gulp and answer.

"250,000 yen"