Disclaimer: I don't own GA. ;)
Chapter Two: Getting Over Him
Mikan stifled a nervous laugh, hiding her surprise. She's determined she's hearing wrong. Yes, it's probably a bit hazy for her hearing or she was zoning out. She looks deep in his penetrating crimson eyes, and once again got lost in them. The familiar tingly feeling was back creating a ruckus on her stomach. She searched his eyes for something that'll prove he's kidding, she found none.
"You got to be kidding right?"She said derisively for the loss of more creative words to say.
"Oh you know I'm not. I'm serious Mikan; he really needs someone to knock some sense on his silly head. Say you'll help me." It was Uncle Kota.
Mikan heaved a weary sigh and stared outside the window. She can't bridge him with Hotaru. This is a mistake, a huge mistake! She doesn't want to get involved once again with that bastard. Besides, Natsume and Hotaru could not be together, not with their kind of attitude. They wouldn't last longer. She is right on that fact, she's never been wrong on weighing things.
"Stop wasting my patience, uncle. You know I hate to look dumb." She spoke clearly in a frosty voice.
Uncle Kota knew the fact that something had happen between her and his bastard son, Natsume Hyuuga. That after she confessed her pure young love for him, he rejected her; she cried a river for her heart while he flew to America for good. And she's sure it was to actually avoid her, to forget, to inch away from this persistent girl who craved for him.
Flashback
Thirteen year old Mikan Sakura entered the Hyuuga mansion cheerfully. She was encouraged by this silly mind of hers that Natsume won't say "no" to her proposal. She would confess what she really felt for him. It took her a lot of courage to tell him what she felt and after weighing things she knew he wasn't going to reject her. Natsume Hyuuga is hers alone.
Natsume was the Academy's heartthrob. With his looks, wit, appeal, talent, fame and money - girls drool at him. Name it, he could be a model and conquer the fashion t.v in a blink. His eyes were the darkest and most beautiful thing she could ever find. His eyes were crimson, and deep and penetrating. It was sharp that his glare could almost see through you. His face was well sculpted by whoever great sculptor. His lustful, bored look turned on all the girls in school.
She doesn't think he's particularly that handsome though. But she began liking him with all the complements people are throwing him sharply. She thought he was cool. And she had sworn that she'll never fall for his charms. But what she didn't realize was the fact that she could fall for him. And when she did, she knows the right thing is to confess.
She's pretty, smart and rich—and the Hyuugas are a family friend. She has nothing to fear of. Boys compliment her beauty and girls envy her innocence, Natsume can't find anyone who would match her naivety and cheerfulness. She knows that Natsume will be worth it. Or it is what she hopes to. She took the long flight of large stairs and headed for his study room. It was usually where he hangs out. Mikan had been always welcome at the Hyuuga mansion, she was very dear to Kota Hyuuga who had been her godfather ever since. She knocked and waited for response.
"Hn."
"Mikan here." She beamed.
She heard him sigh aloud, "Come in."
She found him sitting on his chair placidly. His eyes were locked on a certain page of the manga he is reading. It is almost comical because he seemed so engrossed that she couldn't probably take his attention away from it. She cringed to herself almost idiotically. He didn't even look up when she entered. How could he never gotten tired of reading the same words over and over as much as she hated doing it? It is such a bore, and it reminded her that is was also something they don't have in common.
If she were being left and given the chance to read a book, she doesn't really know how it would work. She'll probably set up a very comfortable atmosphere, her room for example. Bring in drinks and chips to keep her on focus and sit on her bed cross-legged and open the book in her hands. But because she isn't a bookworm, she'd either doze off on her bed after reading two or three pages from the beginning or completely succumbed herself into the food she brought in. She couldn't keep reading straight like what Natsume are used to. She's not been a very patient reader, and she couldn't stand being in a quiet place.
Probably after being placed in a situation where the place is really quiet that even your quiet sigh can be heard, she'll be restless. She's start being fidgety then she will be impatient as she tapped the table with her fingers then she would synchronized her foot with it until she can't take the quietness anymore and she'll stomp the way out of the place because she can't seem to adapt with the deafening silence.
She was his opposite but that didn't stop her for pursuing him. There isn't enough thrill with too many compatibility. It isn't fun that way. Mikan Sakura knew that Natsume would love a spin of excitement in his life. His life is too quiet, too comfortable, too safe—and Mikan Sakura is the only one who could bring him out of his comfort zone, out of his dull living and into her colorful world. And she was determined to do it whether he liked it or not.
"Hey, what are you doing?" she smiled brightly.
Sixteen year old Natsume lifted his head and look at Mikan stoically, "So what are you up for now?"
"Is it bad to visit a friend, Senpai Natsume?" she teased.
"Shut up." He glared.
She knew he hated being called 'senpai'. According to him it makes him look old. But well, being stubborn as she is, she is unaltered of his cold attitude. In fact, it was more likely that she was used to that side of him. Natsume could tell her all he wants and she could tease him all she wants as well. So how to put up their relationship? Let's see, she had been Natsume's friend since she was a toddler. She knows who he is and she was like a sister to him. She knows that Ruka was his best friend. And she knew most of his humiliating moments more than anyone knew. To simply put it up, they were close.
"I want to tell you something." She said excitedly.
"What?" he said without enthusiasm and turned his attention back to his paper.
"Come on. Could you at least look at me?" she whined.
He didn't look up while she pouted. However; she didn't dare to move so he was forced to glance at her and that time she changed her expression and gave him her puppy eyes. He could resist her if he wanted to but she'd get annoying so he put his paper down and faced her impassively. His lips twitched as he saw her broke into a grin and straightened up.
"Okay." She said and continued, "I actually wanted to say this to you, before.." she fidgeted with her nails, "but I'm scared."
"Why?" his brows creased and her face reddened.
"I'm scared you might reject me?" She muttered unsure.
Natsume raised a confused eyebrow.
"I like you.. I love you..I'm not sure about it but I want you to be my boyfriend. "she said quickly, directly to her point.
He shot his bored crimson eyes at her as the words made its way through his mind. "Stop goofing around, Polka." He pretended to shudder and brought his eyes back to the paper.
"Stop calling me Polka. I don't wear stupid polka-dotted panties anymore!" she yelled and continued turning serious, "I don't look kidding, do I?"
He glanced at her and realized that she wasn't by looking at the determined face and the firm curls of her fists on her sides.
"Why me?" his voice was cold.
"Why not?" she asked and thought for a second, "I don't know..because you're too perfect? And you're handsome, you're witty, you have everything every guy would envy. And you can be perfect for me. We can be a perfect couple!" She exclaimed.
"You're just thirteen." His eyes flickered on hers.
"And you're just sixteen. What could a three-age difference be?" she asked him innocently.
"You're not matured enough, Polka." He said indifferently.
"But I'm matured enough to handle a relationship. I want you. You like me too right?" she said hopeful.
"Judging by what you're doing barging into my room, confessing to me your pathetic puppy love and expecting me to say the same..I don't call it maturity. You might mean immaturity though." He retorted coldly.
"Look who's judging here.." she countered back, forgetting the fact that she confessed to him. She was used to his harsh words not to mention cold shoulder but she knows he cares for her.
"I don't like you." The words made her world stop.
Big tears stilled on the corners of her eyes as she grasp on the side table to support herself. Her knees were weakening from the unfolded truth. Her body began to tremble as she realized what exactly he had said. Salty tears began cascading down her cheeks simultaneously as she trembled. She had weighed things wrong. He wasn't interested in her. The next thing she knew she was sobbing uncontrollably.
"Take that back!" she demanded suddenly, "It is not supposed to be your line. You're supposed to say, 'Yes, I like you too, Mikan!' okay?" she insisted.
Natsume tried to brush off his anger at this pathetic little girl. His patience was wearing thin. She's been absurd with all the lies coming out from her. She'd been stupid to let those entire deranged fan girls influenced her innocence. He didn't believe that she was actually in love with him. He knew her since she was a toddler for Pete's sake! But he knew that they wanted her hurt because of him. It was their entire scheme to make Mikan believe that she liked him. And because they knew that he has to reject her, she would hate him for the rest of his life.
She's in fact an idiot for letting those fan girls brainwashed her mind. He knew who was behind it. He also knew that it was going to happen sooner or later; only, he didn't expect it to be this soon. He gritted his teeth for not being able to protect her. He shouldn't really underestimate obsessive fan girls. She was getting in the way, so they plot a revenge to put her out of the way. They were not bad thinkers for scatterbrains. He closed his eyes tightly imagining a very sweet death for all the fan girls in the world.
"You heard me. I don't like you." He said in a controlled voice.
"I hate you!" she cried bitter tears; "You just toy me around and dump me like a garbage. How could you?" she screamed at his face.
He remained motionless as silence ate both of them. How could he tell her that everything was just a scheme? How could he tell her to stop crying because he will protect her? He clenched his teeth in between his frustration and anger. She was crying silently for her heart had been broken for the first time. And he was trying his best not to scoop her in his arms and tell her that it will be okay. He promised himself that those fan girls would pay, for making him miserable and for making her believe that she loved him.
"You have to stop your obsession to me." He said finally, "It would do you no good. Stop crying and leave." He turned away from her like she was a malady to avoid.
It pierced her young heart deeply. She stood up and dusted her clothes and with a single painful glare she threw at him, she said, "Sorry, but I don't think obsession is the right word for I what I feel. And for the sense, I'm so stupid to fall for an insensitive guy. Stupid me, ha, ha, ha." She faked a laugh and left the room.
However Natsume stayed still for a few hours staring into a blank space. This should not continue. He massaged his temples and thought of a way to give her space to think. It was all ruined. Everything now is a big puzzle for him to rearrange and a mystery to reveal. He shook his head and flipped his phone to make a call.
And after a week, news came to her that he flew to America to study and live for good. She was numb. It was her fault. And now everything was gone. He was gone.
End of Flashback
She shook her head to erase the memories that kept coming back. She hates to admit that he still affected her. But she has every reason to be affected. She's the reason why he flew to America anyway. It was her fault. She ruined his life. 'And he deserved it.' A little voice inside her mind said confidently.
"Why would I, dear one?" Uncle Kota shook his head and stared at her unbelievably, "I just thought this scheme would finally work since youhate my son and wouldn't want to marry him." he added sarcastically.
When Uncle Kota asked her what happened after she and Natsume talked, she confessed to him. He, on the other hand offers her to marry Natsume when they're on the right age but she opposed on him saying after breaking her heart, she hated Natsume and would never ever allow him in her life again. He believed her and now he was making amends. And she doesn't know why she does not like it.
She began whining saying it would ate much of her time and she's a graduating student and all. It seems endless that Uncle Kota glared at her. And she glared back. But at the end it was her who withdraw the glare because something in his eyes reminded her much of the bastard.
"Just answer yes or no. You're not like this before, Mikan. You always say directly if you want to do it or not. Now...You—you are very much hard to read. You seem very different. It seems to me that my son still affects you." his deep voice intimidated her now. And she realized; he's very much like his father.
"Why would I be not?" she said frostily, she was now composed.
"Mikan..look, it's been over four long years." He told her.
"I told you I don't want to be associated with him ever again!" she was angry suddenly startling Uncle Kota.
"Mikan.." his voice was almost begging, "It will only be you who can knock some sense on his silly head. Take your revenge on him, I don't care. I want him to marry Imai if not you.." the old man was a sober.
"Whose father would be on the right mind to do that to his son? Traitor.." she grinned viciously.
"Talk about your father.." he said in a straight face.
That hit the spot because her grin disappeared and her face darkened. He almost felt deeply sorry for her, "You and your son are real bastards.." she muttered darkly.
"Why don't you just accept my proposal?" He said dryly shrugging away her previous statement. He knew her too well to be affected by what she's saying.
She heaved another sigh. Come to think of it. She had moved on. What's with the fear of falling for him again? And why must she think that she'd fall for him again—hah! As if that would ever happen! She must hate him, because he broke her heart. She must face him bravely and show him she doesn't give a damn care to him now.
"I'm a very pricey person, Uncle Kota. No discounts, just interest." She smirked.
The old man sweat dropped, "Mark my word, for my goddaughter's wish. 10 percent interest. You must hate my son that much." He smiled but she could not determine if it was a mock or not.
"I don't hate him after all he's done.." she smiled sweetly and he knew she was being sarcastic.
"Oh?" the old man's mouth formed a small O.
"Actually, "she said slowly, staring at him straightly in his eyes, "I despise him." she said lowly and smiled again darkly at him sending shivers from his neck to his spine.
She smirked scornfully seeing the look on the old man's face. Then she laughed seeing the stricken face of Uncle Kota, so hard that her eyes almost dwell the tears of joy and bitterness she'd kept long ago. Uncle Kota didn't look pleased at all but seeing her, he manage to suppress a small smile, "Deal then?" he asked.
"Deal." She agreed in her business-like tone.
A blinding white light blurred his vision the moment his crimson eyes fluttered open. His eyes were bloody red like ruby and went the pair suddenly went sharp. He blinked a few more times clearing his eyesight before squinting to find the place he was in. He was feeling numb and heavy for a reason that he still doesn't know. He knew that he was in a lifeless white place because all he could see was plain white. White walls, white ceiling, white cabinets, white curtain—it seems like he was in heaven already.
"You're awake." He heard someone utter in relief.
He stayed on focus and searched for the voice. His eyes darted at the familiar face.
Ruka.
"R-Ruka." He managed to say.
"Natsume, I'm glad you're finally awake." He smiled lightening up.
He kept study to examine the face of his bes tfriend. Ruka's pale face is full of bruises and cuts. His left arm was in cast since it was squeezed in between the front seats before they were thrown outside the car. Shattered window glasses had hit his face making him earn all those cuts and bruises. But he was alive and well after two days. Apparently, Natsume knew it was his fault. And he wanted to blame himself for it.
"I-I'm sorry." He felt that his voice was hoarse and dry. Since when was he unconscious?
Ruka dismissed him, "Don't worry about it. What matters is that I'm alive and you're awake." He smiled.
Natsume felt his mouth was drained of saliva. He wanted to argue more, but his lips were dry and he couldn't make up the words to say. According to the doctor, he got the most injuries. A part of his brain is damaged, his right arm was fractured and his legs were too numb due to the pressure of being pulled off the car and hitting the ground with a painful thud. Luckily, he wasn't into any other injuries other than bruises and cut, few stitches and a minor fracture in the leg. The doctor even assured him that there's nothing to worry about his brain at all.
Ruka was most thankful that nothing severe happened to his best friend. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself for sure if something happened to Natsume. He locked his gaze at his best friend. There was dextrose on his hand and several hospital apparatuses attached to him. His face is pale but it glistens at the light of the sun coming from the open windows of the hospital. He was still handsome. His tousled hair didn't even ruin the flawless features of his perfect face. He held an impassive face making him look alluring and agonizingly deceptive of being a playboy.
"It's been when?" he asked vaguely but Ruka immediately understood.
"A week or so. Your dad kept calling me." Ruka confessed sheepishly.
"You told him?" Natsume glared at him. Crimson eyes met clear cerulean ones.
"I can't help it, Natsume..he insisted." He explained, "He should know it." He added later on.
Natsume heaved a sigh and lean on the headboard being supported by Ruka.
"What does he wants now?" he asked glumly.
"I think you need to rest.." Ruka said obviously avoiding the topic.
"Come on. I've been sleeping a week long and now you're telling me to rest? Don't be such a worrier." Natsume said.
"What do you want to do now?" he asked uncertain.
"Talk."
"About what?" he asked confused. For the first time, Natsume had actually wanted to talk.
"Why did he call? He never calls me unless he wants something." He stared outside.
"So you don't have any clue at all?" Ruka looked surprise as he is.
"No." Natsume's voice was low.
"So he's right when he said that probably you didn't receive his voice mail." Ruka nodded more to himself.
"What stupid voicemail?" Natsume was thoroughly lost.
Ruka smiled gently, "He wants you to return to Japan."
First it was shock, until his eyebrows were really scrunched in confusion, "What?" he growled, staring at him wide-eyed ignoring the pain in some part of his head.
"As expected.." he chuckled, "He told me that he expected you to come last week." He informed.
"He didn't think I would go just because he said so, didn't he?" he asked dryly.
"Hmm..that's why he kept on calling you. He even told me it's time for you to marry someone dear to you. He's getting old and—"
"I don't care! I won't marry anyone." He said firmly cutting him.
"Don't expect me to believe you." A knowing smile was on Ruka's lips, "We all know you still want the weird girl."
"Hotaru? You're kidding." Natsume said bluntly.
"You say that yourself." Ruka laughed.
Natsume glared but after a while he smirked. "Yeah right."
After being discharged at the hospital, Natsume finally got the chance to talk to his father. And even how much he prayed that Ruka was kidding; apparently he wasn't. What his father had said was exactly what Ruka has told him. He grunted, brushed off his calls and did all the possible tactics to convince him not to let him go home, Uncle Kota refused.
And so now, he was packing his clothes for his flight tomorrow. He hated to go back, it just brings all of his childish bitter memories he had there but still he has to, because of his father. His long hands reached for a duffel bag and put all his personal belongings, the clothes were left to place at the big suitcase. And for the fifteenth time, he sighed.
Another long way to go.
She tapped her foot impatiently on the cold marble floor. A few minutes more and Uncle Kota will meet her here on their house. Such an impatient person as she is. If there's one thing she didn't change on herself over the years, it will be her impatience. She always wanted to be on time. She planned her actions carefully. She thinks of the future and not the present nor the past. What matters is the future. And she believes that everyone has to be.
Apparently, there's this silly sensation tickling her stomach since the day she learnt he would come back. She was almost disappointed when Uncle Kota cancelled the appointment the next day, saying Natsume had met an accident. She worries deep inside her heart though her demeanor outside was cool. Uncle Kota was glancing at her secretly from time to time the moment he broke her the news probably amused of the unconcern in her look and voice. She smiled clandestinely, pleased with her action.
And now, the time of waiting was finally over. She heard the roar of engine on their front gate. She snatched her bag on the couch and went down. She was wearing her usual get-up, a floral sunny dress, and her flats. Just her normal everyday get up. She doesn't need to make herself look beautiful. She doesn't care about him anyway. Well, does she?
On their way, she was thinking of meeting him. What does he look like now? Does he look still the same? How different is he now? She imagined his penetrating crimson eyes, his well-built frame, his pointed nose, the perfectly chiseled shape of his face, his perfect pale red lips—and she wondered.
Supposedly, at this point and time, she would think about what to do after meeting the client. A welcome party, perhaps? Just something to celebrate of, businesswoman, yes that is she. But apparently, this one is different because this includes a bitter part of her past—bitter part that is. Moreover, she was asked to bridge him into her best friend. Uncle Kota is definitely something. He might want her to get jealous, but by her profession, she guessed not. She'll never get this matter under her skin. She'll get the hang of it soon.
Mikan Sakura is a very famous matchmaker in the school. She talks like Cupid. He matches a boy and a girl, and most of the relationships she'd bridge last long. People who'd been heartbroken, loveless, or hopeless in finding romance would go to her and ask for an advice. She'll give some, try to make it work-out for the client and she gets paid. And she gets money for this little part-time. It's just ironic to think, that after so many years, none had captured her heart. She never had any boyfriend. And she never worries of having one. Not after thinking that boys are dumb and girls are plainly submissive beings on boys. And that make girls dumb as well. And she knows she's not dumb and that she doesn't need dumb beings in her life.
"We're here." Uncle's voice intruded in her reverie.
"I know." She answered tersely and got off the car.
"In ten minutes, the plane from Los Angeles California will land at Narita Airport." Somebody announced from the PA, and repeated it few times more.
However, Mikan had been impatiently tapping her foot now. The plane was delayed fifteen minutes. If she'd only know then she'd not rush in contacting people dear to her client. She brusquely fished her phone to make some amends. This is usually what she does with clients. If her client would be from a far place, she'd organize a party and start a celebration right away. You see she was a very professional matchmaker. She doesn't only match make youngsters her age. She had worked on with some desperate women looking for a lover.
"Too excited, I guess?" Uncle Kota's voice interrupted her.
"So, you're back." She said smugly.
He had left her a few minutes ago saying he has to buy something for Natsume. He left her alone waiting for the plane to land and apparently the plane was late fifteen minutes. You may imagine how bored she was. All thanks to her thoughts, she was able to break some moment of boredom. Uncle Kota smiled and beside him, a woman at mid-forties appeared and smiled at her pleasantly. Mikan looked too shock to move. She just felt the warm embrace the woman gave her.
"I missed you, Mikan." The woman said excitedly.
"A-Aunt." She said startled. She paled.
Natsume's mother is in front of her. She had not seen her the same time as Natsume. She'd been too busy in their business. It's ironic, because Uncle Kota seems to take care of things a mother should while Aunt Yekha do all the business things he was supposed to manage. Mikan didn't hide the surprised in her voice.
"W-When did you come back?" she asked.
"Yesterday, I really wanted to surprise you." She beamed to her.
A familiar pain made its way through her heart. Uncle Kota and Aunt Yekha had never forgotten her. She'd been remembered even if they were busy on business. Why Natsume did have to be perfect? He has the perfect life and the perfect family. And all she has was the tiny fiber of loosened hope. Both her parents had maybe never even thought of her ever since they began travelliing. Ah, yeah, they've been busy in their business as well; busy in making money; busy on other things. Maybe, she just has to accept that they would never give her a spare of their time.
"Hey." A stoic voice cut her thoughts.
She turned around and saw Uncle Kota had poked her shoulder and she didn't even budge.
"A penny for your thoughts?" he asked lightly.
"Just remembered something." She smiled again.
Then they heard the PA announced that finally, the passengers from California had landed on the airport. The peculiar feeling came back as soon as she heard this. A wave of excitement had circulated her whole body, and she could not move. Her thoughts about her parents were diminished with anxiousness. Then she heard screams, and his' and hellos for Natsume. She remained motionless; fear had sudden poison her mind. What if she's not beautiful enough to stun him? What does he looked like?
"Oi."
A terse greeting, from that familiar stoic musical voice interrupted her thoughts again.
Three times a row, she'd been interrupted. But then, she stiffened.
She closed her eyes, before turning around her to see the person she has dreaded to see.
Crumpled Thoughts