ei! Sorry for the late update! I was busy packing up. We're transferring, you see. Here's the 3rd chapter! Enjoy and review plz!

Chapter 3: Thank You

It was early in the morning. The clocks just struck 8:00 sharp. And that was the cue for Mikan's alarm clock to go off.

BRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!

The brunette then woke up, slowly opening her eyes because of the quite blinding sunlight. She then snoozed the alarm ringing on her bedside table, and went back to sleep. After a few minutes, her alarm clock went off again. Which woke her up, again. She then slowly reached for her alarm clock again, and turned it off. And went back to sleep.

After a few moments, her alarm clock started ringing again. She reaches for a glass of water on her bedside table, and pours it onto the alarm clock, making the alarm stop. And again she returned to sleep. But moments later, the alarm went off again! She got irritated for being woken up, again, so got the alarm clock, and smashed it on the floor! Then she went back to sleeping once more.

You might think that was the end of it, right? Well, no. Heck no, not yet.

The alarm went off again! Making the poor, sleepy brunette really annoyed.

'You persistent little..' she thought, having a veinpop on her head while getting up and preparing to do some massive damage on that insolent thing. But a reminder suddenly popped up in her head. 'Hotaru..'

FLASHBACK

Knock. Knock.

The door then opened, revealing a raven-haired girl inside.

"What do you want, Mikan?" it was Hotaru.

"Uhm, Hotaru, I almost got late this morning. Do you have a spare alarm clock I can borrow?" Mikan said.

"But we don't have classes tomorrow, dummy. What do you need and alarm clock for?"

"It's just that I really need to wake up early tomorrow, that's all," she replied.

"Wait here," Hotaru commanded Mikan, while she went to her bedside table, opened a drawer, and got something out from it.

'What do you think of me? Your pet?' Mikan thought, a bit irritated.

"Here. You can have this. I'm giving it to you so keep it. If you break it, it's your problem." Hotaru said while giving her so-called 'best friend' her alarm clock.

"Really?"

"It's my new invention. Whatever you do to it, it'll keep on ringing until you get up. It's perfect for waking up idiots like you."

"Hey!"

"Goodnight," Hotaru said before slamming the door on Mikan's face.

"Meanie.." was all Mikan could say before heading back. But she was very thankful, so she skipped happily to her room.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Ugh," Mikan muttered while she slammed the new alarm clock back on her bedside table.

It was already 9 am. Then she remembered what she was supposed to do today.

'Better get ready. Hope he's awake by now.' She thought. After that she did her daily morning routines. She wore a red sleeveless tank top and a short jean skirt. Then she started looking for him.

She thought maybe he was still in his room, having breakfast. So she went there first. But he wasn't there. Then she tried their classroom, but nope, he wasn't there either. Then she went to the place he most likely will go to read or rest.

She jogged going there, too his most favorite sakura tree in the whole academy. But unfortunately, he wasn't there.

She reached there, panting, "Oh man, where could he be?" asking herself.

"Who are you looking for, polka dots?"

"Huh? Who's there? Are you a ghost? Show yourself!" Mikan said, looking to her left, to her right, feeling a bit scared.

"Up here."

Mikan followed the voice and looked up. She saw a figure of a person sitting on a branch on the tree, but she can't it clearly because of the shadows of the leaves.

"Whatsup?" the guy asked.

"What's up? Well, it's you, sir. You're the one up the tree," answered an innocent Mikan.

"Idiot. Who were you looking for?" the guy replied back.

"How dare you call me an idiot!" Mikan shot back.

"I can call you whatever I want, strawberry print," he said, revealing his face to the wondering brunette.

"Ah! Natsume! There you are!" said a really happy Mikan.

"What? You mean you were looking for me?" Natsume asked.

"Of course, silly! I don't know anyone else who would come to this tree but you," answered the cheerful Mikan, with a very sweet smile plastered on her face.

'She's so cute,' Natsume thought, slightly blushing, and having this urge to look at her smiling face much closer. And that was his biggest mistake. He lost balance on the branch. He tried his best to regain his balance, but his mind was preoccupied at the moment. And that's why he didn't notice he was acting all dorky while trying to regain his balance. He was really trying his best not to fall and embarrassing himself in front Mikan, although he's embarrassing himself already.

Finally, he regained his balance and felt so relieved. Then he sighed to himself. Phew. The he heard Mikan giggle. When he turned to look at her, she saw his most precious person on the ground, laughing her heart out! Good thing she couldn't see him up there, or she would've wondered why he was all red just then.

"Ahahahahaha!!! Natsume, you looked all silly there, trying your best not to fall! Ahahahahahaha!!!" Mikan said in between her laughs. It's rare seeing Natsume being like that.

"Shut up, stupid little girl," Natsume asked, changing the subject. He then got off the branch and got to the ground gently. He sure was skilled. "Why were you looking for me anyway?" he added, turning back, so as Mikan can't see him still blushing. 'Good thing Imai ain't here. She would've took some pictures and embarrass me again,' he thought, thankful.

"Oh, right," Mikan stopped laughing and stood up, dusting her skirt. She then looked up and saw Natsume in front of her, his back facing her. He was wearing a white T-shirt under his navy blue polo shirt and white, loose fit pants. He looked so hot!

'So handsome.. wait! Huh? Did I just think he's-? No way!' Mikan shook her head.

"Hey!" Natsume shouted, interrupting her thoughts. Mikan faced him. "Are you okay?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, wondering why she went silent.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. Anyways, I wanted to ask you something," Mikan said. She then approached Natsume. "Will you come with me, to Central Town?" Mikan begged him, her hands behind her back, hoping he'll agree.

"No way," he replied flatly, "What makes you think I'll go with you?"

"But you're supposed to be my partner."

"You're a 2 star now, so you can go anywhere without your partner."

"But I don't want to go alone. That's no fun," she was very disappointed.

Natsume was just silent. He didn't even care about her, but deep inside, he really wants to be with her.

Then he heard Mikan heave a sigh. So he faced her.

"Fine then," she started, "I knew this was just a waste of time. I should've asked Ruka instead." Then she started walking away.

'Ruka? Wait! Darn.. better think fast, Natsume!' he thought, panicking. Obviously, he was feeling a bit jealous.

"Uhm.. Ruka won't be available either," he suddenly said, having an idea in mind.

"Huh?" Mikan said, facing Natsume.

"He's doing an experiment with Hotaru. They're quite busy at the moment," he lied.

"Oh, really? That's unfortunate of me.." she said, thinking this was not her day. She approached Natsume again and begged him once more, "Oh please, Natsume! Please come with me! I need to buy a gift for Mr. Narumi!"

"Ugh," he muttered. Then Mikan put on a puppy dog pout. It was amazingly irresistible for him.

"Just don't annoy me," was all he could say. 'Good excuse there, Hyuuga. Nice save,' he congratulated himself. He really wanted to be with her.

"Great!" the happy-go-lucky girl said, really relieved she didn't have to go by herself. "Let's go! The bus is leaving soon! Come on!" she added, pulling her companion by his wrist and racing towards the bus stop. When they arrived there, they rose the bus immediately, for it was about to leave. Then they took a seat. Mikan was near the window, while Natsume was beside her. Then the bus took off.

"Hey, Natsume," Mikan said.

"Hn?" he replied, closing his eyes and crossing his arms.

"Thanks for coming with me."

"Hn."

Mikan then smiled and looked out the window. Then Natsume looked at her and, being glad he was able to with her, smiled in a split second. He didn't want the other passengers to see it and ruin his reputation. 'Yeah. Thanks for being here with me, too'.

End of Chapter

Lovelyirene: is this long enough for ya'll? Or you want it to be longer? 'Cause I can grant your request, at least, I'll try to.. heHe..

Yuu: I can help you with that, if you want me to.

Lovelyirene: Oh! Thank you!

Nonoko: I think these two get along quite well.

Yuu: Huh? (blushing)

Lovelyirene: Shut up! He's with Anna.

Nonoko: Oh really? Is that true, Yuu? (poking Yuu)

Yuu: Uhm.. (blushing madly) (facing downwards)

Lovelyirene: review please! Don't forget the flames if you wanna add them! I won't mind! I would like a lil' sense a humor.

Sneak Preview on the Next Chapter:

This time, it's Ruka and Hotaru's story! Since Natsume and Mikan's favorite place to meet is under the sakura tree, find out where Ruka and Hotaru's is!