Dark Hood
Chapter 16
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice nor its character but this story is entirely mine.
"I can't believe this," I growled as I punched the alarm again; no one was answering. "We'll be stuck for a while."
Silently, Mikan resided into the side of the elevator. She hadn't spoken since I started to push the button for help. I watched her slowly drop down to the floor. Well, I did tell her we'd be here for a while.
"I wonder if anyone will find us," she whispered, sounding almost depressed. She was clinging onto her bag and her jacket. She was frightened. Of what? I don't know. And what to say to her? I don't know that either. There was nothing to be afraid of? How cliche.
Joining her instead of hopelessly going for the bright yellow button, I slumped down onto the floor as well. The silence just tensed the situation even more.
"Natsume... Is no one going to come for us?" she asked shakily.
I shrugged carelessly, "Just a matter of time. It's not like we're stuck here forever."
"But... what if the cable suddenly breaks?! You don't know what's wrong with this elevator. If it does, we're done for! We're high up and I doubt we'd survive if we drop. And..." she stopped as if waiting for my response which I didn't have. What was I supposed to say?
"Hn. If you die, you die."
"Yeah... Because death is such an ordinary thing and happens so quickly we don't have time to understand it," she looked away from me. I wonder if she's crying. Her voice was shaking moments ago, it wouldn't be a surprise. A clenching in my heart encouraged me to say something. Anything. Just make her happy.
"That's why you appreciate life, I guess," I sighed, "Death can take you away easily which just makes you happy that you have a life."
"A life..." She giggled as if I just told her a joke and she turned back to face me. I was right. There were tears in her eyes. "I wonder if those coffee beans are worth it then!"
I smirked, "Well it cost about half your salary."
"What?!" she yelped, "But that just wastes time doesn't it? Why do you even bother going for the coffee if it's so expensive. I'd rather buy myself a new television."
"Hn"
She smiled again, "You really like coffee. That's why you spend so much time on it."
"Good coffee," I corrected her. And you.
"But you can't brew it," she teased, "That's why you leave it for us to make. And then you complain about it."
"Tsk. Like you can actually brew coffee."
"... I feel so much better now. Thanks Natsume." Her mouth widened to form an even brighter smile which I thought was impossible. It made me sure that she was comforted. Something fluttered inside me.
"I wasn't trying to make you feel better," I lied smoothly as I always did. But she only smiled and the silence embraced us again. Only this time it was kinder.
"Hey... Do you mind if I move closer? It's kinda cold," she mumbled and her face glowed completely red. Cold?
"You have a jacket," I pointed out. It made me regret it a little. Why would I reject her like that when I liked her? My mouth didn't match my heart.
She waited a little more before she spoke again, "I just want some company. It's kinda scary being trapped here in broad daylight but the sun is definitely shining outside."
The sun. Every time she puts on that stupid jacket it's gloomy and cold. No wonder.
"Whatever."
She grinned again and then huddled over to me on the other side of the elevator. Her delicate hand bumped onto mine and she grasped it. It was a good thing the lights were off. You have got to be kidding me. This is just like those stupid love stories where you confess in an elevator. But I see why they do it now. We're alone. I can do it. I can tell her...
"Oi, you - "
"Hello?! Is there anyone down there?!" a booming voice bellowed down from above. Probably a fireman.
Instantly, we both got up and Mikan started to yell back, "We're here! We're stuck in the elevator!"
"Alright! We're coming to get you! How many people are there?!"
"Just the two of us! Please hurry!"
Just when I wanted to confess... Damn it. Although we got out quickly so I understood there was a plus side. What I didn't understand was why there was such a sudden power outage to take down the entire company - my company. This wasn't something that could happen because it did. It had a cause and needed to figure out what it was.
"Natsume? Are you alright? You look a little pale," Mikan commented, her hand touched my forehead, "But you don't have a fever so that's good." Her concerned face relaxed a little but it was still there. "Do you want to go back? We could always buy coffee beans another day."
"It's fine," I growled with the anger intended, "Let's go." We got into the car and I drove towards the coffee shop I knew so easily.
"... Natsume? Thanks for your help in the elevator."
"Hn"
Help? I didn't help her at all. What the hell did I do? All I remember is wanting to tell her... We're alone right now too, aren't we? Could I try again?
"You - " The familiar ringing interrupted my speech. I had to pick up the phone and answer, "What is it?"
"Natsume? Are you back already?" the woman screeched.
"Mother, you're especially noisy today," I insulted, "Yes, I was back yesterday. What do you need?"
She faked a gasp, "How can you say that to your dear mother? I just wanted to check how you're doing - "
"I was doing fine before you called. Goodbye."
"Wait. You're with Mikan-chan right?" My silence answered her question and she seemed to be expecting it anyway. "I've got some... news about her. But just in case, I want you to drop by to hear about it."
News? What kind of news could it be? She's not so mysterious as I thought she was supposed to be anyway. "Not today; I'll go tomorrow during my lunch break. I have work you know."
"Alright then! Have fun on your date!"
"It's not a - " But the woman had already switched off her phone. What a unique mother... But I'm still curious about that news no matter what. I was definitely going tomorrow.
"Natsume? Was that your mum? Is she doing well?" Mikan asked, her own phone in hand as well.
"More than well," I replied boringly.
"You know you're not supposed to be on the phone while you drive right?"
"Who called?"
"Just Ruka."
Are they still together? I thought when Ruka said we were playing it fair, she'd be no one's girlfriend - unless she found a third guy she liked. He said it himself: they were on bad terms. "Are you and Ruka getting on okay?"
"Hm... Ruka wants to break up. He gave a good explaination but it's still confusing. He said something about it being fair but I don't really get it. What's fair? He says someone else likes me and... I'm just so confused! Natsume, you are one of my closest friends, what do you think?"
Did she know how much that hurt? I bet she didn't. That's why she said it. God...
"Well, if Ruka wants to break up... What about you?" I quickly changed the course of the question. I couldn't lure Mikan into a trap while I was on fair grounds. But... She doesn't even know that I like her, more importantly she doesn't know I'm fighting for her. Alright. I'll have to tell her.
"Hm... I've never had a boyfriend - in all my life. So when he suddenly says 'I want to break up', it gives me the impression that I did something wrong in the relationship... W-what did I do wrong N-natsume?" she asked shakily.
Since I was driving, I guessed she was crying first before taking a glance in the mirror. She definitely was. Swiftly, I pulled up to the side and we ended up in some type of park. It was the little childish ones where an adult could break the stupid obstacles in a flash.
"W-why are we stopping?" she questioned as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
"Mikan..." I stepped out of the car and leaned against the door.
"Yes? What is it?" She mimicked me and came out.
"I like you," I confessed.
"H-huh? W-what ar - ?" she stammered, her face displaying odd expressions at one time.
"Ruka's was indicating me... When he said there was someone who likes you. And that's why he wants to break up with you. Don't think it's because of you; it's because he's such an idiotic bastard."
She didn't respond. She only stared at the sky and sighed, "It's going to rain."
The first time we met, it was raining wasn't it. The rain poured down on us as I rushed to the bus stop. Why was it on that certain day, I decided to take the bus and not my usual route to work? Perhaps there really was a thing called fate.
Silently, she flung on her jacket and her face was hidden from my view. The first drop of rain seemed to land on her jacket before it continously drenched us. But I didn't care about my see-through shirt and my wet hair nor the soggy shoes I wore because she hadn't answered me. There was no reply to my confession.
I felt like a girl. What's with this depression? What's with this tension? Why do I feel...?
"Natsume..." she mumbled. And here goes the rejection...
"I'm leaving. Don't be late," I grumbled and jumped into the car. I hesitated since I knew Mikan would have to walk back in the rain but... I couldn't... I could... I...
My foul mood was relected with the sudden typhoon. Apparently it was predicted but I don't believe that. The fierce wind was splatting rain all over my window. I watched from the window as the people fled from the storm.
"Oi Natsume, are you listening to me?" Ruka yelled again.
"I don't care, Ruka. Do whatever you want." I swung around to face her and leave the dripping window behind. It was just like the first night... I still remember that so clearly: the rain was falling in rhythm, Ruka was complaining to me and I was -
" - okay? Natsume!"
"What?!"
"I've asked you about a billion times. I need you to go to the party with me. You'll need to go anyway won't you? Doesn't Hotaru fund you guys? Plus Narumi-sensei will be there," Ruka pointed out, "So just do me a favor and go with me."
"Why don't you ask your girlfriend?" I choked out, "You haven't been out with her lately."
Ruka looked away as if he found the wall suddenly extremely interesting. While he scratched the back of his head, he muttered, "About that... you... You know, I was planning to, um... You know..."
I begged him with all my heart that he would not say the words I expected. Did he know how much it might break Mikan's heart? How it might shatter? It was her first love afterall. Her first boyfriend. Her first kiss. Her first...
"Dump her," he concluded. It was expected but it still came as a shock to me. My heart clenched yet felt at ease. I didn't understand it. Could this even happen?
"Don't get the wrong idea Natsume. I do like Mikan-chan but... I don't want to be her boyfriend while you like her. And I feel like I'm a two-timer. I still like Hotaru. Don't forget that," Ruka shook his head as he headed for the door. "So tomorrow at six at Alice Hotel, alright? Make sure you're in formal wear. Bye."
Without any answer from me, he disappearedf out of the office and outside. I faced the window again. Slowly I placed my hand on the cool surface. It felt like the same temperture as me. How funny.
"Oi!" I chapped the door again. This reminded me of the button from yesterday. Does this have to happen to me? "Oi, open the door now!"
My neighbour ignored me again. Well, this is her fault as well. She didn't even inform us she was sick and just left after lunch break. I know I'm partly at fault but still!
"Open it or I'll knock it down!" I threatened. The people walking passed just stared at me, their eyes widening in fear. I heard their whispers which only ticked me off. "Oi - "
The door squeaked open and a bulging black thing appeared. It coughed out, "Come in."
Without any protest, I slipped through the tiny slit and shut the door behind me. The weird black thing could only be one thing: Mikan. The blanket covering her, almost acted as the jacket that crept me out - plus the fact she sounded like a man.
"Didn't I call off sick?" she seemed to throttle the words out of her mouth, as if I was choking her.
"Yes. But I needed confirmation," I lied again. Anxiously, I seated myself on her couch.
Her face peered out of the covers to glare at me, "You don't believe me?"
I shrugged, "For all I know, you could be wearing a party dress underneath that." That was a total lie. Her eyes were sunken in, her face was as pale as can be and her gruff voice told me more than I needed.
"I'm not - "
"Mikan-chan~ Who was that?" someone chuckled from the bathroom. A man.
It isn't hard for me to be jealous all over again. But this wasn't jealousy. It was absolute rage.
End of Chapter 16
Sorry to disappoint you all with the short chapter. I'm actually considering to delete this chapter to redo it. I've been fixing Clashing Melodies anyway, so I might. And sorry that my romance isn't going well... I'M SORRY!
ninastylee - Thank for your review! I'm so glad I didn't lose you... Whoo... I'm so sorry for confusing you. I was kinda lost as well, I had to read my own story over. Haha... I'm so unexperienced. Hey! You stole my ideas! Now I can't do it! Bleh. I visited your profile and I think your recommendations are awesome! I just started to read and read... Okay, back to the story.
Eat Pray and love - Um... You'd really want to be my...? Anyway, I'm unsure at the moment but I'll get back to you on that. Right now, I am a little stuck but I'm still uncertain. Thank you very much for your offer either way and for reviewing too!
gabsterela - You guys are too good at guessing! I'm enraged. I need motivation. So now I'm watching romance nonstop. Thank you for your support and sticking with me until this seventeenth chappie!
adrienna22 - I know. I've no idea about this mystery thing. Maybe i should delete it and restart... Kidding! I'd never do that. I'll figure it out one way or other! Just you wait! Funny that you mention things to do in an elevator on your profile. It's so funny! I want to do it one day! Thanks for your review.
Yurikah888 - Here it is! Thanks for your review! Yay! New reviewer! I welcome you to Dark Hood: a story I will complete on matter how hard it is... Hope you enjoy it!
Crimson Flares - HAPPY BIRTHDAY IMOTO-CHAN! EVERYONE SING! You are the reason for the sudden confession. ;) Hope you enjoy this birthday present! Whoops. You noticed. I won't do that again. Thank you for reviewing!