Chapter 11 || We're Dealing With A Ponytail Killer

It was November now and the weather was starting to get cold. Leaves had fallen off the tree branches, the sky would mostly likely be gray, and the cold wing would always blow. I started to wear hats and gloves and warmer clothes to keep warm.

After the incident yesterday and went straight to my home to meet Hotaru. She told me that things were not looking so good and if I didn't get help right away, I could get into deep trouble. I started to live back at my home and explained Natsume parents that I won't be stay with them anymore. I didn't exactly mention the complications between Natsume and I, however too many things were starting to pile up and I did not want anyone finding out anything.

I am in the schools cafeteria having lunch with Hotaru, Sumire, Anna, and Koko. Midterms are early over; this week is the last week. Can't for this stress to be over.

"Hey, are you okay? I saw what happened in the cafeteria. Be careful with Luna; she's an evil bitch."

Ever since the encounter yesterday in the cafeteria with Luna and her friends; these were the types of questions I was receiving from my friends all day. Once again, it was blown up out of proportion. Luna isn't that bad, is she?

I smile brightly at Anna and shake my head, "I'm fine. Thank you, though."

Anna is part of the social justice team with me. She's a petite girl with short pink hair. "Aren't you scared, though?" Nokoko queries, "Luna is not one to mess with."

I shrug in response, unsure on how to reply. "I dunno, I guess I'll just have to wait and see."

They all seem unsure with my response, but nod their head nonetheless. "Right," she smiles, "I should go now.. But good luck! Come on Nokoko"

Good luck?

"Yeah. Bye!" I reply, turning to Sumire who was watching our conversation amusedly. We also get up and head out of the cafeteria with Hotaru behind us.

"We're so gonna cop it for what happened today," Sumire declares with a grin.

I eye her warily, "Why are you smiling like that? I don't think you should be smiling in a situation like this."

She rolls her eyes at me, "So now you're complaining about me smiling too much? The audacity."

I laugh and walk with her down the half full school corridors. "But seriously, aren't you a little nervous?"

Sumire shrugs, "Everyone's talking it up. The most Luna's ever done is chop someone's ponytail off 'accidentally'."

"And you don't think that's bad enough?" I ask, brushing my hand over my ponytail protectively. "Now I can understand why everyone's acting worried. We're dealing with a ponytail-killer."

Hotaru rolls her eyes at my dramatic behavior, "Everyone's only making a fuss because you're supposed to be Gakuen Alice's sweet little princess and they don't think you can handle a little nudging from their queen-bee." Hotaru says

I frown at her, "I'm not a princess."

"Yeah, but they don't know that," she replies with a shrug, and I sigh.

"I don't like how some people assume I'm this weak person who cracks under any pressure."

"I know it's frustrating, but you shouldn't care about what strangers think of you. They clearly don't know you well enough to see what you're really like." Sumire says and I stare at her. "Wow, I can't believe I'm actually saying this. It's usually the other way around." She finishes and I look over at Hotaru and grin, nodding my head in agreement, "Yeah, you're right. I'm being silly."

Sumire nudges me playfully, "Want a ride home after school today?"

"No thanks, I have to go over to Natsume's house and pick up a few things. Thanks anyway."

"Sorry I keep coming like this, but l left a few things here when I thought I got everything." I apologise to Kaoru and Shiku.

"It's no problem sweetheart. We were just having tea, come join us." She says. I really didn't have a choice since she dragged me there. I sat down on the couch beside her.

"So Natsume, how's school going?" Kaoru asks when Shiku finishes his newspaper reading and settles it on the table. She watches Natsume closely, who just shrugs in response.

"It's going great, mom," he drawls sarcastically with his mouth full of food.

"Good marks?"

"Absolutely."

I frown at his rudeness. He was so mean to his parents even though they were so nice. I couldn't help but wonder what caused the wedge between them, and my mind drifted off to that family photo with that boy.

Kaoru purses her lips and averts her gaze down to her tea. You could slice the tension in the room with a knife. I fidget uncomfortably and scour my mind for a conversation starter that could ease the tension, "So Kaoru, mom told me you like gardening..."

"Yes!" Kaoru perks up and straightens in her chair, both excited about the topic and relieved to fill the awkward silence, "You should garden with me sometime, Mikan. It would be nice having someone keep me company for once."

"Yes, I'd like that," I nod with a smile, "Your front garden always looks so pretty."

"Thank you dear, at least someone appreciates my hobby," she fixates a playful but-not-actually-that-playful glare on Natsume, who ignores her, "Natsume doesn't really like spending his time with his parents anymore, don't you Natsume?" she chuckles.

Natsume grunts in response and when he finishes his tea, he scrapes his chair across the floor and heads over to the kitchen.

Kaoru smiles awkwardly, "I'll go talk to him," she runs out of the room, leaving Shiku and I to drink in silence.

"Awkward," Shiku laughs, but his laughter quickly dies off and he clears his throat, "So... The weather's nice today, isn't it?" he drawls. He wasn't the best at starting conversations.

"Mm, I know," I reply with a smile,

Jay nods, "How are your parents?"

"They're fine. I—"

I'm cut off by the slam of a door and I glance back just in time to see Natsume storming across the room towards the hallway. Moments later, Kaoru opens the closer door and enters the dining room with a sheepish smile, "So. Who wants dessert?"

I went after Natsume after he left the house with his little quarrel with Kaoru. I knew that because I heard his motorbike speed down the street. It had been an hour since he left now, and I wondered where he went off.

I was gathering my things and thinking some things.

I'm starting to dislike Natsume, I really am. I know that there's always a reason behind someone's actions. But that still doesn't give him the right to disrespect people - especially his parents, who are trying so hard to earn his love. My parents on the other hand hardly show any love to me. She doesn't even realize how lucky he is.

I really don't know how much longer I can stay being patient with him.

I hear the silent rumble of a motorbike and glance out the window to see Natsume steering into the driveway. The rumbling cuts off and Natsume climbs off his motorbike. He pulls off his helmet and I feel my heart drop at his expression.

He no longer held a tense, serious expression like usual. His expression was tired and sad. I could tell even from here that his eyes were puffy and red, and they glistened with tears.

I hear the front door click shut as Natsume enters the home and I find my feet taking me to him. I was still upset with him, but he just looked so sad.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly, and Natsume's gaze shifts to me.

"I'm fine," he mutters, brushing past me and heading over to his room. But I couldn't let him go. The way he was acting was all too familiar and I couldn't let the past repeat itself.

"I'm here for you..." I quickly speak up, and Natsume turns to me confusedly, "If you need someone to talk to.." I trail off, "You know.. You can talk to me - whenever."

Natsume's eyes narrow at me and he laughs at me, "Its rather pathetic that you think I'd want anything to do with you."

"I just-"

"No. Stay out of my business or, even better, stay out of my life. I can't stand being around you - It's fucking torture!"

I exhale a breath of frustration. I was just trying to help! That's all I've ever been trying to do and yet he continues to say and do mean things! I narrow my eyes at Natsume,

"I'm sick of this," I state, more to myself than Natsume.

"Absolutely sick of it."

Natsume's gaze lifts to meet mine and his lips part. He wanted to say something, I could tell, yet he said nothing. I shake my head and head downstairs outside his house.

That was it. That was the final straw. My patience with Natsume has run completely dry. I know that I may not be the greatest company, but I deserved a lot more respect than what he was giving me.

Screw you, Natsume Hyuuga.

"The steak is delicious Mikan!," Sumire comments as I slice another piece of the meat and plate it into her plate.

Hotaru, Sumire and I are currently seated around the dining table, feasting on steak that I made, and salad, which was prepared by Sumire for us three. We decided to have a little celebration our exams that we finished. Though it is still Exam wee, us three are currently done and we have less to no homework.

We were enjoying our meal, until my cellphone started ringing. I look at the caller ID, and it's my father. Why would he be calling me right now?

"Who is it?" Sumire asks.

"My father. He never calls me at this hour. He hardly ever calls me." I pressed answer and put her on speaker.

"Hello Dad."

"Hi Mikan"

"How are you? Is everything okay?"

"I'm good and everything's fine. I need to tell you something."

"Yes."

"Your mother and I won't be able to come back home for the winter holidays. Your brother is having his finals and he got a job offer in my company by my engineer. After our business trip, we are heading to California to visit him. We will be back after new years."

I wasn't shocked, but surprised that I would have to spend another year alone. They were never there for me for any of the holidays, celebrations or even my birthdays. I thought that maybe being in senior year, I could have my family here during the winter holiday; we could talk about my future or even just friendly chats. My brother was always the attention. I looked over at Hotaru and Sumire, they both gave me apologetic looks.

"So basically you are saying that you are going to California for the winter to visit Youchi and stay there till new years and talk about his future job and life, and none of you are planning to come home to meet me? " my voice was starting to crack, but I kept it stable.

"Mikan, this is an important for your brother. He is getting a life time opportunity that could help him succeed his life." He says over the phone. So they rather help him and hot me?

Can't they see that I am also needing help. I need some audience, some parental advice. Do I matter? Or more importantly do they love me?

"Mikan sweetie, are you still there?" dad says over the phone. I realized that I haven't answered back yet.

"Do what you have to do."

"Mikan I—" I hung up before he could utter anything else that could break me down. Tears were already drooling down my face.

I went over to the couch, and sat down with my head in my hands. I felt someone hug me, making smooth circles on my back with one hand, and stroking my hair with the other.

"Shh…it will be okay Mikan." Sumire says comfortingly. I cried harder and harder on her shoulder and she held me tight. I couldn't hold it in anymore.

After a while I calm down and let go of Sumire. "Better?" she asks and I just shrug in response.

"Do you want us to stay the night?" Hotaru asks gently.

"No. You guys should go home. It's getting late and dark and your parents may get worried. I'll meet you both at school tomorrow." They both were unsure but told them that I would be fine. Sumire mother came and picked them both up.

I cleaned the dishes, put the leftovers in the fridges, and tided something's up. When everything was cleaned up I went upstairs, changed into my pajamas and went to bed. I cried myself to sleep