PART TWO

CHAPTER TWELVE

Festival starts at 10 o'clock sharp with a theme, 'The King and Queen of Hearts'

Flyers filled the hallways and classrooms of Alice Academy during afternoon, each with the same announcement. "Whoa! Their placards were fast. How did they post it this quick?" a random student exclaimed. The others just look in excitement especially after reading the words 'King and Queen of hearts'

"I wonder what their plan this festival is?" another asked her friends. They just shook their heads, obviously confused but thrilled. Meanwhile, after the bell rang, Mikan immediately went straight home to dress herself and prepare.

After she got dressed and is almost ready, she took a quick look at her laptop and found a single message. It was dated today and comes from White Rabbit. "S/he must've recently sent it," she said while clicking the read button. Reading again and again, she was shocked at his / her note.

-White rabbit ('w')-

Not all times the world agrees with you

Though with that painful truth, we should give our best and never give up without a fight

But, still, there are certain things that you have to give up, things that we thought are best for us and for the others

You already found your happiness

Good-bye

"What the-" she couldn't finish the bad word, not that she want to finish it anyway, when her alarm clock rang –signalling her that she only have thirty minutes left before all students need to be at the school for the grand opening. She slowly ran downstairs and asked her mom if she could drive her to the Academy. Surprisingly, her mother agreed. She stayed low, in the dark and isolated corner, where no one could see her. Maybe she's embarrassed, scared or flattered?

The venue was in their big lobby –astonishingly, their school has a lobby where a wide staircase is located at the middle. Your partner's supposed to wait downstairs while the girl's family name is called by alphabet then their companions. Of course, Mikan's turn is more like almost at the last. She waited patiently at that dim corner though and as she ascends outside when it was almost her turn, she noticed the other girls glaring at her. She shrugged the realization though. And as the name Sakura was called…

All boys' and even girls' attention were on hers. Even Natsume, instead of bowing, looked at her blushing. She wore a pink ordinary gown with short sleeves, low necklines and high waistlines. Everyone jaw dropped even the teachers, most especially boys. And as Natsume took her hand, she bowed low and he cleared his throat as he took her to the centre to dance with the others. Most of the girls were wearing frilly dresses while the others used cage crinolines to support their skirts. All of them say it's elegant, cute and all but some of the students also think of it as disgusting that makes your butt look very big. If you ask me, Mikan wore the simplest yet eye-popping ball gown.

After they danced, Natsume and Mikan went to the balcony to breathe the fresh air. The night breeze was calm, making it refreshing. Few minutes later, he excused himself to go inside and get some punch. She nods. While he was out though, a silhouette approached her and it turned out to be just Koko. She smiled a small smile.

"What happened to you?" he asked

She just raised her brow. "Why do you say that? Nothing's wrong with me. I'm perfectly fine," she responded.

He sighs. "I know something's wrong. You might be fine by your whole look but your eyes seem to betray you"

"Yeah, right," she replied sarcastically but again, her voice betray her

Koko looked at her in the eyes. "Come on. Tell me what's wrong"

And Mikan told her the whole story. Koko just kept quiet while listening to her and then, after, he took a deep breath and takes it out.

"You know, Mikan, not all goodbyes are bad and not all you want, you can get them. Maybe this friend of yours knew, even though you'll be hurt, that it's best for you. Maybe s/he is just out there watching over you. There are things that we need to give up, sacrifices, if we think that it's best for the others"

'Wait, White Rabbit. They said the same thing though not with the exact words but the same thought, right?' she mentally said

"Surely, if you'll force her / him what to do, to do it in your way, it would be an act of selfishness, right?" he finished. Mikan just stared at him.

"What?" he playfully asked

"N-nothing," she looked away, "It's just that you said the same thing as White Rabbit"

'Did she just say white rabbit?' Koko gave a stammering laugh. "R-really, ha-ha, w what a coincidence" She just raised her brow, doubting and meantime hoping for something. Silence ruled between them not until he bid to go back to where the dancing is at. She nods. A minute later, her boyfriend returns. She chuckled.

"What took you so long?" she asked, laughing and not raging with anger.

"N nothing" he sighs

She cocked again another eyebrow. "What is wrong with you? Why are you stuttering?"

"I told you it's nothing"

"Fine, whatever"

"What about let's go back," he invited. She nods and the two of them went inside.

**To Be Continued**

Sneak peek:

Latest gossips: "The King and Queen of hearts are…"

"Who's this white rabbit?"

-White rabbit ('w')-

I'm sorry if I caused you a lot of trouble

But I don't have the courage to tell you yet

…