Hey guys :) thanks for all the reviews, favs, and follows~ I hope you all enjoy this chapter just as much as the last ^-^ Just wanted to say I'll try to keep updating every week or two, mostly on weekends. Anyways, let's get on with the story.

Enjoy~

I do not own Gakuen Alice.

Set Me Free.

Chapter 1: Newfound Hope.

Mikan's PoV.

They were at the sakura tree. The one I was no longer invited to.

They were all laughing at something Koko said, they were happy, it was obvious how they were enjoying their time together.

Even Natsume smiled, and It made me slightly jealous, but that was fine, because these days, I would never see them that way. At least, not when they were with me, not when they knew I was there.

After all, in their eyes, I was practically invisible. A ghost that simply lingered, never to be spoken to.

It didn't matter that I was right there, in front of them, watching as they had what looked like the time of their lives. And I wanted to be like them, be with them. Having what seemed like an easy life, with family, and friends there to look after me. Who could be there for me, by my side. Somebody. Anybody.

There were always those who were really close. They'd almost make me feel like I had a home, almost. Yet it's always when you trust others most that it all comes crashing down. It didn't catch me by surprise anymore. But it still hurt, it always did. It did at the moment when I was pushed aside by those closest to me.

I couldn't really make out what they were saying, but I could catch a few snippets or words here and there. I wanted to laugh with them. I really did. But that happiness wasn't meant for me. My smile would just ruin it all anyway.

I blinked away the tears that started forming in my eyes. I didn't need them to see any of this. The tears. The pain. The struggle. It wasn't their business. Just like how their lives are no longer apart of mine. Because for the past week a thought has been bothering me after an incident last week.

In class 4D there was this guy who, well, he did something. No one knows's what happened, but it caused the student to change academies. It was a shocker amongst the students, everyone was talking about it, about what horrible crime he could have done to transfer.

On the other hand, I was conflicted, for a split second I wanted to do something, something horrible, so I could transfer too. But I couldn't bring myself to do anything of the sort. But, that's when a thought occurred to me.

Now, the answer would have obviously been a "No." if I asked to go to a different branch. So, I settled for something less extreme. I'd still be in this academy but I wouldn't be seeing Hotaru and the others anymore.

I could change classes.

A part of me wavered at first, in fear that I could regret it all. But then again, what did I have to lose? I was alone and no one cared. It wasn't hard to make a decision when those thoughts came. I didn't even need to think about it.

I could ask Narumi to put me in class 3A or 3C. It wasn't unheard of. In fact, rumor has it that Luna herself changed classes. Not sure which one but if it's not the one I'm going to end up in then that's more than alright with me.

I got up from the park bench I was sitting on. It was near the sakura tree, where Natsume and the gang were. The place where we would all hang out together. The difference now is that I simply was no longer included in their all.

I sighed. I knew it wasn't going to be as easy I first thought it was, it never is. But I walked to the teacher's room anyway, because, in the end, I still had some hope. With that in mind, I put on the big, fake smile I always had on, ready to face the crowd of students in the hallways.

A few years ago, I never really minded how everyone around me seemed so perfect and happy. After all, I had my own group of people I could socialize with. But now, I was always alone. Alone with a smile.

It's sort of what made me hate those halls. They were crowded with people, it was like chaos. And that chaos was so perfect, and yet, it was a complete disorder of different people that just ended up being with one another, in this same school, because they had a special ability. An ability the government called "Alice".

I sighed. It's not like no one knew this, but no one really cared. And they didn't need to. What was the point? They had lives they could enjoy. That's what made the halls so full of life yet so common. In the end, they were all just themselves, yet, they all shined, you couldn't help but notice every single one of them.

At one side of the hall, you could see a few couples making out, at the other, there was the girls that would always talk about fashion, the latest news, or the current trend. There were sporty guys, the ones that girls fawned over, only to end up with a heart shattered in pieces. There were those geeks, the nerds, the plane ones. All of them having a unique alice that would suit them perfectly. An alice they embraced and filled them with pride. After all, it was apart of them.

But then there was me, in the middle of the hall, hurrying to the teacher's lounge that was at the complete other side of the school.

Now, unlike others, I never shone. At least, not anymore. I was like a shadow. I just lingered there, with no purpose.

I couldn't interact with the people I knew. At least, not as easily as I used to. Because there was always this feeling in my stomach. Like something was ready to come out. It was formed by all the negative things I would remember them saying. It felt like breathing with no air. Eventually, it always ended up being me who would end the conversation. If it even was one in the first place.

All those thoughts would run through my head, confusing me more than I already was. It made it all feel like some weight put on my shoulders. And it was as if it took my breath away, I felt like I was choking. But I wasn't. I was fine. Perfectly fine.

But knowing that didn't change my mind. I wanted to know what it would feel like to be with others as my true self. I couldn't trust people like I did before, that was for sure. Then again, no one's going to want to get close to me. It was always the fake me—the me that I allowed others to see—that would make the first move.

And now it was my "friends" who did it. They made the first move and I would be doing the last by getting out of there lives.

And I never really understood just how many new paths I would be creating.

It was priceless to see Narumi in such a state, a state of complete shock. Flabbergasted. "Wait! Let me get this want to change classes? Why!?"

"Well, I mean, it's not that I don't like you Narumi-sensei! It's just that, I feel like I need to restart." I gave him the usual smile. The one I gave the everyone every morning. The one the fake me has identified as a real smile. The one that wasn't a real smile, only used for my facade.

"But, class 3C is Jinno's class! Besides, Misaki's class, 3A is full." He complained, pouting like a three-year-old would when their mother didn't get them the one toy they wanted on Christmas.

"Isn't there another class then? Like, maybe a class 3D?"

He frowned. "There is, but it's for students who need a bit more... help."

"What do you mean by 'help'?"

"It's sort of like a preparation for those planning to go to the dangerous ability class. Scratch that. It's for those who are forced to go to the dangerous ability class but aren't prepared, yet."

"Then I can—" Before I could finish my phrase, Narumi cut me off. "No! It's dangerous!"

I sighed. "I'll be fine. You do know I have the S.C.E and nullification Alice's, right? Anyways, didn't the principal recommend me to transfer from the special ability class to the dangerous ability one? I could always do that. And I'd definitely need some training."

"But maybe I won't get to see you anymore!" He said, rather childishly.

I giggled. "I can always send letters or video call you. Besides, I'll still be at the school." Every class in the academy was quite separated, no matter what grade they were in. There were multiple reasons for that too. One of the main reasons being that an annual event is held where every class competes with one another.

"B-but—" That time, I was the one who cut him off. "I'll be fine. I promise. I'll send a letter to you every week!" He looked hesitant as if there was something else he needed to say. But he kept his mouth shut. There was a pregnant silence, until, finally, he took a deep breath, as if to calm himself from saying anything unnecessary.

"O-okay." He said, and my eyes lit up.

"Really?"

He nodded. "Really." Then, he smiled—a sad one—before patting me on the head. "Just remember to send me a letter every at least once a week, alright?"

I hugged him, feeling unusually cheery inside. "Definitely!"His smile turned brighter as he hugged me back, and after a few seconds, we both let go.

"So, when do you plan on transferring anyways?"

I didn't really need to give this question a second thought. "As soon as possible." Naru didn't look too happy about my choice, but he didn't say anything either.

"I'll have to discuss that with the higher-ups," This sort of got me curious about class 3D. I mean, usually changing classes could be done without too much problem, but taking with the higher-ups? That's new. "I'll inform you about anything else, alright?"

I gave him the smile. "Alright! So everything should stay the same until further notice?"

"Mhm, it may or may not take awhile, really depends on your alices. But are you sure you want to go to class 3D? It's not going to be all fun and game you know."

I didn't really mind what he said, because honestly, anywhere and any class would have been better—except maybe Jinno's—than the one I currently had. Don't get me wrong, Naru's great, but being in the same class with who you thought were your friends was hard, especially if it's been that way for four years.

"I'm sure. I mean, what's the worse that could happen?"

And yet, I didn't know just how much everything really would change. Because even now, I don't think I've snapped, I could have still taken a bit more of it all. But it wouldn't be worth it. Because if they really did feel sorry, I would be the one apologizing, in the end, either way. And I guess I thought running away from it all would be the best solution.

I just needed a break. One away from all my troubles. One where I wouldn't need to pretend to be someone I'm not. One where I could show my full potential. And it's what I got. But I couldn't ever be as happy as I was before.

Because a part of me has been taken away and it couldn't have been replaced. So I was left there, alone and empty.

All that was left in me was hope. The hope that I could have a new start that could end with a happy ending.

I'm sorry this is late :( School work keeps coming to me, however, I'm almost done with the next chapter, hopefully, I can get it released this weekend or the next! :D

Tell me what you think of the reviews! ^^

ღAlice.