Dark Hood

Chapter 19

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice.

Like some type of awestruck fan, I just gapped at her for a while. Not openly - that could lead to my destruction.

Unlike what I had expected, the girl in front of me wasn't draped in a over-sized black jacket. In fact, she was quite the opposite. With her flowing brunette hair bouncing off her shoulders and the stunning crimson dress she wore, she appeared like an angel. Of course, I didn't appreciate the fact we were meeting next to some rubbish bins but it was the least of my concerns at the moment.

"Mikan."

It was supposed to sound assuring, not desperate or pleading, but it actually came out more like a soft whisper. Like I was had given up so much just for this moment. Just to see her again.

'Don't do anything stupid now.'

"What are you doing here? I thought you hated these social events," she muttered.

All the background music seemed to be drowned out by her hypnotizing voice. Just a few days without her and I feel this way... What would happen if I get rejected and she leaves me forever? I would be reduced to nothing.

"I do. But I just needed to speak to you."

I spoke slowly to reassure myself that I would just blurt out: I love you, stay with me forever.

I am not that cheesy.

"So here I am," she gazed up at me - even wearing heels she was smaller, "What is it?"

What is it? Why haven't you replied? Where were you all those times? Who was that in your apartment? Where to begin...

"How are you?"

Oh, I am so screwed.

"You were sick before."

"And, I'm feeling a lot better," she replied as she brushed her hair to the side, "Thanks."

"You look nice."

Why, Natsume Hyuuga, are you actually like a geek?

"I had some help from Luna. She wanted me to get out for a day or two - something about being holed up is bad for my health, I dunno."

God, Koizumi, I don't know whether to thank you or curse you. You made this around ten thousand times harder. Alright, be blunt. Like you always are. Don't hesitate. Stop being such a girl already!

"I actually came here to ask why you haven't replied to me. You've been missing from work as well," I paced myself evenly. And just this once, I understood why Mikan kept her hood up. It was easy to block out the unnecessary things around me and focus on the sole person I should concentrate on. "I love you and you can tell me if you don't but just don't keep me in the dark."

There was confusion in her eyes.

"I've been doing a lot this week, Natsume," she smiled at me weakly, "I went back to my hometown for a while actually that why I needed Narumi-sensei to take me and ended up here afterwards."

Narumi? It was Narumi in her apartment? Oh for - !

"I visited my Jii-chan's place - there were things I needed to clear up before I could tell you my feelings Natsume. From the start when I came to Tokyo, my goal was to help my Jii-chan but then I got caught up in a whirlwind of emotions that I never expected. I needed Ruka so I went out with him but when you showed up, I panicked."

"..."

What do I say? Honestly, I don't want to know why she went out with Ruka. Does she like me or not? Plus it's kind of awkward standing at the side of the pool, next to the bins and talking about this topic.

"Hotaru was here to help but you know, you flung me into a minefield. I almost lost track of where I was supposed to be. I wasn't meant to be with you."

"That's your conclusion?"

"Natsume, I do really really like you but it's not what I need right now."

No, don't make that pained face. Don't walk away from me.

"Mikan."

I grabbed onto her arm as if making sure she was really here; she won't escape me.

"I love you - maybe from back at the bus stop. From there I already realized that I didn't want to be hated - my life is full of mistakes and I don't want you to be dragged into that as well. Your Jii-chan... I heard from Harada."

"You know?" Her eyes widened.

I didn't know what to say so I could only nod stiffly at her. But like a threatened pup, she yanked back her arm with such a force that I stepped backwards. Of course, I had forgotten the fact that we were next to pool - and that life hates me. Therefore, I was submerged within seconds of meeting Mikan.

Bad things like this always happen.

As the music began to be muted from me and the blinding lights dimmed within the water, I had time to calm down. For some odd reason I wasn't panicking. I could be drowning. But I didn't care. I'm pretty sure I just got rejected, at Narumi's party, in a pool, drowning.

If this isn't a bad day, I don't know what is.

End of Chapter 19

Hey guys! I need to apologise - I thought I uploaded this and then whilst working on Chapter 20 I was like: hmm I wonder why I've gotten no emails. So I'm apologizing for this mega late chapter and also a late Merry Christmas! I hope you guys all enjoyed yourself.

Although this is a short chapter I would like to announce to you all that Dark Hood will be ending hopefully before the end of this year. So I would say two chapters max.

Indie Meadows - Thanks for reviewing! Let's hope Mikan doesn't get stupider.
Gabsterela - Nope, he's the lone wolf of the party. In a way. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to the ones coming. Thanks as always :)
Guest - Aw man, I'm so sorry! But thanks for your support and I hope you keep reading.