Don't Lie in Love

Authoress: iTomo
Chapter: Five - Indifference
Published: July 15, 2013


"I like her."

"Well, my dear Watson, I hope you weren't planning on courting her, because her answer was a no."

.

.

.

Mikan's POV

You know what's convenient about keeping your love for your object of affection a secret?

Well, when it doesn't work out, you can just kind of, you know, brush it over. Pretend you never felt that way. I think I'm pretty good at pretending when I'm not bawling or spreading joy to the very edges of the Earth. And the great thing is, you don't have to publicly deal with the loss of dignity or anything. Only you know that you liked him; only you know how hurt you are that he doesn't return your feelings. Imagine the horror, if Nonoko or Anna knew about your predicament; it's be so, so, so embarrassing. Indifference was a cottage I could hide in when things felt rough.

So I guess for now, I'll pretend that my heart doesn't flutter like crazy in anticipation of seeing him, of being near him, of talking to him. I'll have to learn to adapt sooner or later, you know. I can adapt.

'He just picked up my pencil. Holy pistachio cows. Okay, now take the pencil and express your gratitude for his consideration. Go, do it now!'

"Thanks, Natsume."

He doesn't reply, but that's okay too, because he never did. Except it bothers me even more now, because now I know he doesn't reply because he's too preoccupied with someone else. At least before I tricked myself into thinking that he doesn't reply because it's who he is, as a person.

It's been maybe a week since Hotaru and I hung out, since Natsume came and shattered my peaceful illusion of contentment. Things were fine back then. And they're still fine now, if you disregard my silly longings and tendencies to avoid Natsume altogether.

Mother of God. I shouldn't feel so pathetic and helpless. My midterms are over (well, with my sad love life on my mind I'm pretty sure I failed them all), and there was a possibly that I might be promoted to a 3-Star. You'd think that with Persona breathing down all our backs I could've gotten some leverage, you know. But that's fine with me too, because the masochistic freak was away on an investigation in a place called Cuba, which is literally halfway across the world.

Life's fine. Life's fine.


Natsume's POV

Is Mikan avoiding me? Or am I just being too paranoid? I think she's avoiding me; she can only go so far if I'm actually sitting next to her. But maybe I'm just being paranoid. I get paranoid easily. It's a side effect of sticking around Persona.

Koko, from a few seats in front of us, whipped his head around, and that blasted idiot actually opened his mouth and said: "It's just you."

I resisted the urge to burn more than just his homework. I mean, after all, he doesn't really have to do it. He can just listen in on other people's thoughts.

"Hey! I can make an effort too, you know!"

Holy shit, I thought as I set a patch of his hair on fire. Get. Out.


Mikan's POV

The distinct smell of burnt hair filled the classroom. I would know how burnt hair smells like; I barely passed culinary arts with a three-quarter chunk of my hair still intact. I even had my hair in a net and all. Then, I snapped my head up in realization.

Natsume was burning someone's hair off.

"Don't bully Koko, Natsume," I said, trying to not look at him as I nullified a patch of scorched light brown hair.

"Who's doing the bullying here?" he muttered under his breath.

"Everyone is," I frowned. "Everyone hurts everyone."

I felt his stare. "Are you okay?"

I took a deep breath and turned to look at him. "I am, Natsume. Are you?" I enjoyed the way his name rolled off my tongue.

"And if I told you that I'm not?"

Holy shit, I thought, he has to stop doing things like this to me.

"Go tell Hotaru that you like her. Before it's too late," I wasn't sure if I was completely serious, but he gave me one last look and turned away.


Presented by the Alice Academy Festivities Council
- the first (annual) cruise 'n beach outing -

Have you ever wanted to see the beach and play with sand not
created with the Illusion Alice?

Lucky you! That may now be possible with higher
Academy technology. Venture into the outside world
in the safety of the fortified cruise ship. The beach
will be protected with a barrier as well, so no need to
fear kidnappings or attacks!

Sign up with your homeroom teacher by XX date.
There will be a casual dance & barbecue at the beach.
Dress appropriately!

Bring a date! (recommended)
Bring a friend!
Bring a pet!

Fortification of ship: courtesy of Hotaru Imai
Barrier abilities courtesy of Shiki Matsuchika
Chaperoned by Narumi-sensei, Serina-sensei,
Nodacchi, and Natsume Hyuuga


USER: permy_shouda
COMMENT: Why is Natsume a chaperone?!

.

USER: nononoko
COMMENT: The dance!

.

USER: mikansakura12
COMMENT: THE BEACH!

.

USER: permy_shouda
COMMENT: Does this mean Natsume-sama is required to go?! I'M COMING!

.

USER: shut_up_koko
COMMENT: will u go 2 the dance w/ me anna?

.

USER: annacooks
COMMENT: OK! :) koko, i'll be wearing a lime green sundress!

.

USER: hota_ruimai
COMMENT: you're welcome, guys.

.

USER: ANONYMOUS
COMMENT: Bad luck comes to those who come single. Just saying.

.

POST COMMENT:
USER: _
COMMENT: (150 characters)


Mikan's POV

Woah. Cool. I remember writing down in my diary about how I wanted to go to the beach with everyone. Who knew it'd come true? It's been almost five years since I've step outside the Academy. And though I wouldn't be able to visit Grandpa, it's alright. My friends will all be there.

Trust me. I am beyond jubilant right now. Beyooooond jubilant. Just a bit mellow from seeing his name and reminding myself that I was utterly heartbroken. Usually we have to nag to get Natsume to come, but now that he's a designated chaperone . . . Wait, why is he a chaperone anyway? And who came up with the 'Bring a date' part? Who is it?! Who is out to make me sad?

Speaking of which, who would I even want to go with? Natsume has always been the guy to come to mind when it came to matters like this.

With another pained smile, I pushed him out of my mind. I was getting better and better at this denial thing, I remembered thinking, as I put my head down on the desk. I could always bring a friend, but I needed . . . not a distraction, but someone else to hold my attention. If just for a night. I couldn't imagine myself flitting around alone, always hyperaware of where Natsume was, what he was doing.

Usually, he was with us, so it was nice. For a long time now, it had been Hotaru, and Natsume, and Ru-

Ruka.

Hey. That could work.

It wasn't impossible.


From the Desk of iTomo

Dear lovely readers,

Sorry for the ridiculously long delay. After having my heart broken from reading the manga, I rekindled my love for Gakuen Alice, so here I am. Working on churning an old love story out. And of course, my other GA project. Check it out :)

I'll honestly try sticking with these. It'll be good practice for me. I've honestly always sucked at story-telling. But I want to create the same kind of escape for others that my books and mangas have created for me.

Love,
Me

Sing to the chorus of: CALL ME MAYBE

Hey, I just wrote this.

But please don't hate me!

I'll update real fast,

so review maybe. (;

V
V
V
V
V

(wow my songs keep getting worse fml)