Kiss of Fate
By: Esa MaRie
Chapter 3
"O-ha-yo!", Mikan greeted everyone as she entered the classroom. Not even Natsume's furious glare is enough to dampen the start of her beautiful day.
"Morning Natsume-kun!", Mikan smiled at her seatmate. "Such a grouchy face on a nice morning. Wonder what caused that? I did not bump into you this morning. Did you eat something bad? Did you…"
'Shut up, polkadots. You're too talkative this morning.", Natsume grumbled.
Mikan just continued smiling. "I'm just happy. And not even your snide remarks can dissolve my happiness. It's such a wonderful day." Then she felt her cellphone vibrate. She burst into giggles as she read into the message, then she began typing her response.
Natsume was seething with irritation and curiosity as he observed Mikan's actions. Why is she acting like that? Did the message come from that idiot Souma? Damn him!
Just then, Narumi-sensei arrived and Mikan had to keep her cellphone.
"Okay class. You're going to have a science project and it will be performed and submitted in pairs. Now, I'm giving you a few minutes to find your partner.", Narumi-sensei said.
As soon as that was said, the class was in chaos with students trying to find their partners. Mikan immediately stood up, knowing that there is only one person in the whole class whom she wants to be her partner.
"Hotaru!", Mikan called to her so-called bestfriend. She crossed Natsume's seat, as she hurried to Hotaru who is 3 seats to the left away from her. But…
BAKA! BAKA! BAKA!
Mikan found herself thrown backwards and landed right into… Natsume's lap. Natsume's right hand was holding her shoulder, probably because he caught her during the fall. Mikan found herself staring at a pair of crimson eyes.
Natsume? I'm on Natsume's lap!
Mikan blinked, hoping that the vision will disappear. No way! This is not happening to me! (slow girl!)
Natsume just stared.
Mikan blinked again. He's still right there! Oh no, this means I'm really sitting…
"Well, it seems Mikan and Natsume have agreed to be partners.", Narumi beamed at them. "And they seem couldn't wait to get started."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", Mikan screamed as she jumped from Natsume's lap.
"NO! NO! NO! I don't want to be paired with him!", Mikan yelled. "Hotaru is my patner!"
"Idiot. Ruka is my partner.", Hotaru said with her usual emotionless voice.
Mikan felt tears coming to her eyes. "Why? Why Hotaru? Why would you choose Ruka over me?"
"Because I can blackmail him to do the entire project. Besides, his animal friends can be good test subjects." She turned her sharp eyes to a sweating Ruka. "Right, Ruka?"
Ruka gulped but nodded. He knew that Hotaru's words actually meant 'If you refuse, you're gonna regret it!'
Mikan sniffed. This was supposed to be a wonderful day but everything had gone wrong!
"Stop your whining, little girl.", Natsume said. "Badluck for me, I get an idiot for a partner.", he muttered loud enough for Mikan to hear.
"Why you….!"
"Okay class, you're going to have an Investigatory Project for your Chemistry Class. Which means that you have to experiment something related to the topic that you and your partner have chosen. So, you will need this time to discuss with your partners the details of your projects. I will hand out copies of previous years' projects to give you an idea what to do. By tomorrow, I want you to submit a draft which includes your topic, the objectives of your experiment, and the possible materials and procedures that you will be using.", Narumi-sensei said.
Groans were heard all over the class.
"Tomorrow? Why too soon?"
"Can't you give us a week for that?"
"That's too hard!"
Narumi chuckled. He just loved to tease his students. "Hehe. Okay, I'll give you 3 days to finish. The whole project will be submitted at the end of the quarter." (School year for High School is divided into 4 'quarters', this was the school system in my HS; 'term' if in college)
Mikan sighed. If Hotaru was her partner, it would have been much easier for her. She glanced at Natsume and noticed that he wasn't even listening to Narumi. He was too absorbed with his manga!
"Hey Natsume!", Mikan called. "We need to discuss our project."
Natsume glanced at her with his usual bored expression. "Not interested."
Mikan felt the nerves on her head beginning to pop out. "You bastard! Do you expect me to finish the project by myself?", she gritted out.
"You're the one who needs the grade the most. Even if I fail the project, my current grades is enough for me to pass.", Natsume replied without looking at her.
You annoying, insensitive, selfish, unfeeling bastard! Mikan wanted to shout at him.
The class ended with Mikan nowhere the start of their project.
Frustrated, she glanced around and saw that everyone seemed to have plans to leave with their partners to discuss the project more. She looked at Natsume.
"Natsume... please...", she begged.
"No.", Natsume replied.
"AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!", Mikan screamed. "You're the worst person I've ever encountered!"
RINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
Mikan took her cellphone from her bag. "Hello?"
"Hi Mikan. This is Akira. I was wondering if you want to go to Central Town today. I'll treat you to Howalon."
Mikan sighed. "Hi Akira-kun. Sorry but I have to work on an investigatory project for Chemistry. My STUPID PARTNER here won't cooperate.", Mikan complained to him emphasizing on the words 'stupid partner' while directing a murderous glare at Natsume.
"Oh? Chemistry, eh? If you want, I can help you. Chemistry is one of my favorite subjects."
"Really? You're going to help me? Yipee! You're the best Akira-kun! Okay, I'll..." Mikan was cut-off when Natsume grabbed the phone and ended the call.
"What the hell was that!", Mikan cried.
"In case you have forgotten, this project is only for you and me. Outside help is not needed.", Natsume said. Especially if it's that Souma! Damn!
"But you won't cooperate!", Mikan answered back.
"Fine!", Natsume grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.
"Hey, where are we going?", Mikan was confused now.
"You want to discuss the project, right? Then let's go to my room."
"Y-your r-room? EKKKK!", Mikan pulled her hand from his. "W-why in your room?", she stammered. "Why not in the library? I'm sure we can find..."
"I prefer my room. Most of our classmates will be in the library and they're going to make a lot of noise. Besides, I don't want to be seen with a baka tagging with me.", he smirked. I want privacy!
"Why you..!"
"Shut up, polkadots. Don't flatter yourself that I'm going to molest you or something.", Natsume said. I just want some time with you, idiot! "I'll cooperate with the project but on my own terms."
"I could ask Akira-kun..."
"That's not an option!", Natsume snapped.
It can be an option! Mikan thought. But I guess he has a point. We should do this on our own. And it's going to be quite noisy in the library and we need to brainstorm on this.
"Okay, you win!", Mikan snapped back. She took her cellphone from him and sent a message to Akira that she's not going to be available.
Natsume opened the door to his room and let Mikan in first (such a gentleman!). Mikan had been here once but she still marvels at the size of Natsume's bedroom, well of course, it's way much bigger compared to her 2-star room.
"Oh, I remember! You have a mini library here right? Wow! Your room is really big, Natsume.", Mikan gushed.
Natsume said nothing. He just stood leaning against the door and stared at Mikan. Mikan just kept babbling on and on, gushing at each of the expensive items displayed in Natsume's room.
"So you like my room that much, polkadots?", Natsume finally asked.
"Of course, I do. Who wouldn't?", Mikan replied.
"You can transfer here if you want.", Natsume said.
"T-transfer?" Mikan was shocked, then she blushed. Transfer with HIM? Sleep in the same room with Natsume? What was he suggesting? That arrogant...
"You can be my maid. And you can sleep there on the floor.", Natsume continued then looked at her, and said in a knowing and amused tone. "You were thinking of something else?"
Mikan turned bright crimson. "Natsume! You...!"
"By the way, what's with you and that Souma guy?", Natsume asked.
"Akira-kun? He's a friend.", Mikan answered, thankful for the change in topic.
"Or boyfriend?", Natsume wanted to spat at that word.
Mikan blushed (again!) . "No, he's not. He's just a close friend." For now. "He's not my boyfriend... yet." Mikan whispered the last word with a smile.
But Natsume heard that. His crimson eyes narrowed as he observed Mikan's reaction. Not yet eh? We'll see about that.
Well, what do you think? I'm not sure if you'll find this chapter nice. I was quite in a hurry when I wrote this…too busy:-( I'm still thinking how to develop the plot of this story.
Anyway, thanks to all those who reviewed Chapter 2!
natsumexmikan
lilaznbunny
FanFicAddictions
emrevolemina
nikkiru
Julia Loves You
GhiMiNaRuHo
Jaycee eternally
winglessfairy25
Blackspirals
sakura4594
o.TwiLightDreams.o
DreamingIris
jwinkee
miyuki-kawaii25
karupin-san