Alex doesn't own Gakuen Alice or its characters. Really. She only owns this story.

'Anyone can make you happy by doing something special. But, only someone special can make you happy without doing anything.'

You're on the phone with you mom.

She's upset.

She's going off about something that you did, something that you said.

But you don't care. You can't care.

"Natsume, why didn't you show up last week?"

Silence. You don't answer.

But your mom knows you. She knows you are listening.

She sighs. "Let's try again, shall we?"

Silence again.

"Give Luna a chance. That's all she needs. Just one, perhaps two."

You sigh. Slowly, you say, "When will you stop pestering me?"

"Oh come on Natsume, I'm your mom. Treat with some respect."

You snort. Respect, huh?

"Don't give me that look." As if your mom can see you at this moment. You roll your eyes.

"I already told you last week. No."

"Please, Natsume?" She's pleading now.

You don't answer her.

Instead, you stalk outside. Slamming the door behind you, the house shakes.

"Natsume? Please. Just one chance."

"Answer this. When will you stop?"

As if she knew you were giving in, she gives a delighted giggle, "When you go out with her! I promise you'll l–"

You cut her off. "I will not love her."

How can your mom be so blind? How can she not see that you don't want to spend even an ounce of your time with a mere thickheaded slut?

You stand barefooted on the grass, head tilted towards the clouds above. A breeze ruffles your hair, urging you to calm down.

"Now now dear Natsume! Let's not jump to conclusions all too quickly!"

"Mom." You grit your teeth. She's going off about conclusions when she's the one making assumptions.

"My little boy is all grown up now! Aren't you, little Natsume?"

You inhale slowly, forcing your nerves to calm down. "Time and place."

"Huh?"

"I said give me the address and time." You repeat impatiently. Hell, you don't care about your mom's model. You don't care about your mom's reputation. You want Mikan.

"Oh! You will spend the whole day with her! She was so griefstricken when she heard you wouldn't make it last week…" Your mom trails off.

Your patience snaps.

"Hell, just give me the time and place already," You snarl.

Your mom continues, unfazed. "She will be at your house in fifteen minutes."

Fifteen minutes. What the hell?

"Fifteen minutes." You repeat.

"Yes, Natsume! Fifteen minutes! Spend the evening with her! Entertain her. Make her happy!"

You snort. So it was this. No way.

Your mom is still chattering, "As much as you might despite the girl, give her a chance! As I already said. Well, pretend you like her. I want you to put on a show. Forget your little childish antics for the rest of the day. Then you and Luna will make headlines! Trust me!"

"Make headlines." You echo.

"Why yes! Knowing my dear Luna, she may give the press the complete story."

You groan.

You shouldn't even part of your mother's game of who knows what.

"Why am I doing this?" You mutter.

"What is it, dear?"

"Why I am I doing this?" This time, you repeat yourself louder, more forcefully.

"I have a reputation to keep!"

A fucking goddamned reputation you have there.

"Oh and Natsume?

"Leave her wanting for more. And forget about that little girl Mi–"

You hang up.

Damn it.

Damn it all.

Mikan. Mikan.

She doesn't have to know. She won't know.

Your phone vibrates against your hand.

It must be your mom.

Without even glancing down, you shove your phone deep into your pocket.

"Damn you." You mutter.

Fuming, you make your way inside.

Your phone vibrates again.

Eyes narrowed, you pull it out of your pocket.

A missed call. A new message.

Mikan.

Cramming the receiver to your ear, you lean against the glass door.

"Hey Natsume! It's me! Yes, me me. Remember, you still owe me my box of howalons! I can't wait! May we go to the blueberry patch tomorrow, pleeeeease? Then we can have fun at the pond! Oh oh oh! And then more howalons!" There is a pause, "Sorry, I was drooling. Hehe… And I have a surprise for you! See you soon! Love you!"

With just that, you're already smiling.

The two of you aren't a couple.

Neither are you just friends.

But you're happy.

You're happy with how she treats you. How she doesn't drool over you just for her looks.

You push off the door and hover above the counter.

Sitting there innocently was a piece of dark mint chocolate and a white note.

Cheer up Natsume! If you don't, I'm eating this chocolate, you old grouch!

As if. You smirk.

It is just one square. One square. And yet it is everything.

Carefully inscribed on the chocolate is your name. With a small alteration.

Natsume the Grouch.

In the corner sits a small engraving of a heart.

As you pop the chocolate into your mouth, an unexpected tremor snakes it's way down your body. Your stomach flutters pleasantly.

The chocolate melts against your tongue, the mint exploding into a dozen flavors. All the while, only one name runs around your head, corrupting you.

You surprise yourself.

You surprise yourself by enjoying the chocolate.

And then suddenly… you smile.

You smile.

Your mother is forgotten. Luna intruding into your life within five minutes is forgotten. Your anger is forgotten.

All you can think of, all your heart can think of, is Mikan.

Your Mikan.

.X.

Once upon a time, there lived many cute little bunnies over the ocean on a cute little island. One bunny was an ivory white with tan markings; another bunny was black with maroon markings. The cute White Bunny was known as Tan; Black Bunny was known as Cat. Now, these aren't just cute ordinary bunnies. They were talking bunnies. And cute talking bunnies meant serious business. Tan and Cat were the best of friends. Not only were there looks completely different, but also the two bunnies' attitudes contrasted greatly as well. Tan was cute, happy-go-lucky and fun loving; Cat was dark, brooding and mysterious whose smile was seldom.

Importantly, both of these cute little bunnies were adorable as well.

One day, King Bunny (who was huge and grumpy and macho… and NOT cute), crowned cute Tan the Princess of Bunnies and Cat as the Prince of Bunny Island. The two best friends became siblings!

Princess Tan and the amazing Prince Cat lived happily ever after, ruling Bunny Island with fair hands.

The girl beside you yawns loudly and stretches annoyingly. "All done!" She exclaims, chirping happily to herself.

You interrupt her joy, "Done with what, stupid?" It is more of a statement than a question.

She grins at you. That grin you find so disgustingly annoying, the grin that for some unknown reason, makes you want to smile. "The story, of course!" Waving a piece of lined-paper under your nose, the smiling girl beams even more, "I think it's great!"

A grunt meets her high-pitched squealing, "Let's see it then."

The girl pouts, "Hey, yoou meanie! You can't just demand things from me! Ask nicely!"

You just shrug, snatching her piece of paper away. Smirking, you scan the crinkled paper lazily. Snorting disbelievingly, you can't help but scorn her. "You use the word "cute" way too much. Your writing is childish… And I suppose you're Tan and I'm Cat?"

She beamed, "You're so smart!"

You shrug. You don't know what she's up to. "Your story makes no sense. Besides rabbits are supposed to have paws. Not hands, stupid."

The girl just pouts, swatting your arm, "You big meanie!"

The two of you are sitting lazily under a certain favorite cherry blossom tree, their childish banter taking up most of the afternoon.

Suddenly, the brunette scrambles to her feet, too quick for your liking, exclaiming, "I was supposed to have make-up lessons with Jin-Jin! Natsume this is all your fault!" She pointed an accusing finger at her friend. "You were supposed to remind me!"

You scowl. "You idiot, it's your class. Not mine."

Stomping her foot, Mikan mirrors your scowl, "It's your class. Not mine." She mimicked. "I hate you Natsume!"

Again, you just shrug. "Not my problem, little girl."

"I'm not a little girl, stupid!"

"You're going to be late, little girl." You drawl annoyingly, on purpose.

Pouting, Mikan spins on her heel and is about to storm off, bag in hand, when she balls up her story and chucks it at your head. "That's what you get for being a meanie pie!"

"Fair enough. But too bad pie is just disgusting." You feel the need to annoy her.

Steam pouring from the brunette's ears, she gives a huff and without another word, stomped towards Jin-Jin's classroom, muttering to herself.

.X.

A memory you remember fondly.

A memory how the two of you first met, many years ago.

A memory... A memory that shows, that showed, to everyone, to yourself, that your feelings have not gone extinct.

Tucking the small, white note gently into your jean pocket, you smile fondly. You don't have to do anything to make me happy.

Polka dots. You smirk.

Only she, only she can make you happy.

Even when you hear the screech of tires outside; even when hear a car pulling to a stop; even when you hear the doorbell ringing, that foolish smile is still on your lips.

Luna would only be for today. After today, she would be nothing but a forgotten memory, nothing but gone.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, you will go to the blueberry patch with your little polka-dots.

You make me happy.

Thank you so much for reading.

Review please?

Alex