Disclaimer: Characters of Gakuen Alice are not mine.

A/N: HEHEHE :3 I am sorry. I wasn't able to update because of all the dramas in my life. Now, with less drama, hopefully I can update more often and finish this ficcy.

Chapter 20: The Ball I

"Are you sure about this?" Hotaru asked. She was wearing a green cocktail dress with black embroidery on the left side. Wearing a pair of black heels, her hair set loose and with light make-up, she looked very pretty.

"Yes." Mikan replied as she finished tying her hair into a neat bun. Mikan was wearing a gold floor-length dress paried with high heels of the same color. Her make-up was also light but her beaity was stunning.

"Are you ready then?" Hotaru looked at her bestfriend with concern evident on her eyes.

For a moment, hesitation croseed Mikan's eyes but she hid it immediately. She looked at her bestfriend and gave Hotaru a reassuring nod.

.

The event place was already packed with buzzing students. Hotaru and Mikan were waiting for their dates as they planned to meet here and not at their dormitory.

"Hotaru! Mikan!" A familiar voice called out.

Ruka. Mikan thought as she smiled at the charming guy who's making his way to them.

"You look stunning." Ruka breathlessly said to his lover, Hotaru.

"Same to you." Hotaru murmured under her breath as she looked away, blushing.

"Mikan, you look stunning, as well!" Ruka complimented Mikan as she said her thanks.

"Ano- I hope you don't mind if-" Ruka stammered, shy by his request.

"I don't mind." Mikan cut him off as she smiled sweetly at the nervous Ruka.

Ruka mouthed a "thank you" to Mikan as he led Hotaru away. Before they disappeared in sight, Hotaru looked at her bestfriend one more time and gave Mikan a worried smile but Mikan, as usual, gave her a reassuring nod.

.

Mikan, being left alone, walked aimlessly as she waited for her date but her tracks stopped, her heart stopped beating, her breath was held. She was staring at him.

"Mikan..." The beautiful guy infront of Mikan whispered as he tried to swallow the beauty infront of him.

Mikan was just there, staring as she, too, was trying to take in all the beauty infront of her. A whole minute passed and they were still staring at each other's eyes.

"Natsume-kun?" said a sweet voice that broke their eye contact.