2nd chapter! Woohoo!
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This is my first story, and I'm so stupid I don't know how to access my own reviews... I know, right?
So, if someone could please help me... thanks.
I totally own Gakuen Alice. Notice the sarcasm.
It wasn't as if she didn't know who he was. As soon as he left Gakuen Alice, everyone found out he already had made a small fortune by secretly investing while he was still in school. And his wealth only grew. Soon, he became an integral part of the high class, invited to every party or meeting. Of course, his presence was desired because of his prestige, which itself derived from his incredible looks and his cold exterior, as well as his money.
He was often in the news. Sometimes it was something he had said, more often an update on his newest girlfriend, be it model, actress, or singer. Their career often skyrocketed when the relationship began, and then plummeted permanently as soon as he switched. And if it were a woman with inherited money, she would fall from the higher society in disgrace. Luckily for womankind, he didn't date too many.
She knew she was going to have to deny any relationship if she wanted to remain successful. She was starting to question her sanity, in between accepting the invite and making a new dress to wear to the party. She convinced herself that she was trying to promote her line, willfully ignoring how Natsume had got her to go.
So when the doorbell rang at seven thirty, she considered applying to an insane asylum momentarily before answering. "Na—" she began, about to berate him for being late, but then gasped, "—tsu…me…" She blinked, telling herself that he most certainly did NOT look utterly gorgeous in his suit.
Similarly, Natsume was also breathless. Mikan was wearing a simple evening gown of her own design, a silky green dress that emphasized her smooth, pale skin and beautifully coiffed amber hair. It had straps, multiple separate strings on both side that went over her shoulder and crossed, making a delicate weave with silver thread woven in, and then connecting to the back. A thin white ribbon was wound around her hips, from white tiny pink beads sprinkled down like petals. It swept down to her feet, which had on green stilettos.
As soon as both had recovered, Mikan gave him a tentative smile. "So… should we go?"
Natsume nodded tersely, and they both walked back to his car. Natsume didn't bother to open her door, but admired the way she so easily slid into the seat, in one fluid motion, as if she already knew his car. The car was sleek and black, which matched both of their preferences.
The drive started out awkward. Neither really knew what to say, considering the reason for Mikan's departure. So he decided to turn up the radio, and immediately made a mental note to murder Aoi. She had used his car again.
But then that thought disappeared, because Mikan exclaimed, "I love this song!" and began singing to it. He had no idea what the song was, but it sounded really girly. But Mikan's voice was beautiful, and it kept both their minds off the tension.
When they arrived at the party, there were obviously a great many reporters. After all, it was one of those few events where one could see a mixture of all of the best: actors and actresses, singers, dancers, designers, models, talk show hosts, and people who were just plain filthy rich for some other reason. Only the most famous, the most wealthy, and the most talented could attend. The party was hosted by a man well-known for noticing potential and producing stars, backing them up all the way. To be noticed by this man was a compliment of the highest degree.
Natsume had met this man several times. Each time, he had been pressured to become a model, but each time, he had turned it down, saying he already had enough fame and fortune. Mikan had never met him.
As they walked through the flashes—Natsume was used to it and Mikan was too stubborn to show her anxiety—reporters began screaming questions. "Natsume, are you and Mikan now dating?" "What happened to Luna? Have you two broken up?" "Is a Mikan a replacement for Luna or do you really like her more?" "Does Luna know about this?"
Mikan, having years of experience in being distanced and emotionless, easily ignored all these questions, despite how offensive they were. No stupid paparazzi were going to force a career-destroying tantrum out of her. But this time, she had to repeatedly remind herself that these blunt queries shouldn't be crushing her heart.
But she was quickly distracted by the man bounding through the crowd to greet them.
"Yuu?!" she half-shrieked.
"Hyuuga-san! Sakura-san!" the handsome young man called out as he slowed his pace and stopped in front of them. "Why don't we sit down?" He gestured formally towards a nearby table, and Mikan took some time to glance around the room.
It was large, grand, and spacey. There was a high ceiling to give an airy feel, and the décor was modern enough so as not to be old-fashioned. There was a stage at the back wall, and a dance floor right in front. All around the rest of the room were large tables, most of which already had people chatting. Yuu led them towards an empty one.
"Yes, Sakura-san," Tobita Yuu was saying. "I'm the one who is famous for producing stars. Don't you read the news?"
She looked miffed. "Of course. I knew that already. I was just wondering how… I didn't really keep up on news after I left the Academy."
Yuu smiled kindly. His face had outgrown the girlish look, and he had replaced his glasses with contacts. "Well, after you left, everyone was so—well, I didn't have to save you from Imai-san's gun anymore, so I studied harder. The Academy allowed me to skip several grades, and I graduated early. Then I became a manager, and made several stars. After that, I became what I am now."
Neither man noticed the flash of pain across Mikan's face. She smiled to cover it up. "Wow, Yuu-kun. You always were the most responsible and organized person in our class."
"Oh!" Yuu suddenly exclaimed, blushing at the compliment. "I nearly forgot! There are some people I'd like you to meet." He motioned towards a waiter, who nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste to attend to the host. Yuu whispered in his ear, and the waiter rushed off immediately.
Natsume and Mikan exchanged a look. Mikan was thinking, When did he become so… But she wasn't really sure what Yuu had become, so she let the thought go when the waiter rushed back, bringing with him quite a few people.
"Th-they're here, sir," he murmured breathlessly.
Yuu nodded. "Good. You may leave."
The waiter scurried away, and Mikan gaped at the new arrivals. "Sumire Shouda? Koko? Kitsuneme?"
"Mikan!" they simultaneously cried out. Sumire immediately rushed in to hug her. "Oh dahling, where have you been? How are you? Oh, you look absolutely gorgeous! Is that an original? I love your designs! I haven't seen you in so long!"
Mikan was having trouble breathing from Sumire's crushing hug. "I… I thought you… hated me," she choked out.
"Oh dahling, I'm past all that immaturity," she huffed, rolling her eyes.
"And she wants a dress from you," Koko piped up.
Sumire thwacked him on the head with her purse. "No, of course not! …Well, yes, that's true. But really, Mikan, where have you been? We all missed you so much!" she said, dropping the accent and sitting down next to her.
Mikan gave them all a smile. "I missed you guys too," she said quietly. Only Sumire noticed that her smile wasn't quite right. Even Natsume missed it, too busy sulking at having Mikan's attention taken away. Sumire frowned, but quickly smoothed it out, not wanting to get wrinkles.
"Koko and Kitsuneme are now talk show hosts," she informed Mikan. "And I'm a model. Oh, I wonder if we could work together. I adore your designs!"
"Don't forget," Koko added, "We're dating."
Mikan was in shock. Then, "Ohmigosh I'm so happy for you two How long have you been together Why didn't you tell me earlier You make such a cute couple I'm so happy for you two!" She let out in one breath.
Only Sumire wasn't fully freaked out by how much air Mikan had in her lungs. That's the Mikan I know…
"Mikan!" A double squeal suddenly rushed at her, a blur of pink and blue.
"Anna?! Nonoko?!" Mikan exclaimed.
"Where have you been?"
"How are you? You look gorgeous!"
"Is that an original? I love your designs!"
"I haven't seen you in so long!"
The two of them said basically the same thing as Sumire. Mikan smiled at them, her smile slightly less forced. "Thanks."
Suddenly, Nonoko bent down and kissed Yuu on the cheek, turning him bright red. "Hey sweetie."
"Ohmigosh Are you dating also I'm so happy for you How long Why didn't you tell me earlier I'm so happy for you You are dating, right?" Mikan gushed.
Nonoko giggled. "Actually… We're engaged."
Mikan's mouth popped open for the first time in eight years. "Oh. Wow."
Nonoko blushed.
"So…when's the wedding?" Mikan asked, still rather shocked.
"We're not sure yet," Yuu said, still scarlet. "I just asked her yesterday. But we're planning to have it in a few months."
Nonoko gasped. "Mikan, could you please please please please please with a Howalon on top design my dress? It would look totally ah-mazing if you did it!" She gave Mikan puppy dog eyes, and Mikan caved.
"Oh, fine."
"Yay!"
"How long have you guys been dating?"
"Both couples started dating a few weeks after you..." Kitsuneme hesitated, "...left."
"What about you, Anna?" Mikan asked, trying not to notice the painful pause.
Anna giggled. "I have enough to deal with, with Nonoko getting married and all. Plus, running an internationally acclaimed bakery isn't exactly the least stressful job in the world."
"Oh come on, Anna!" Nonoko reproved, "I'm a scientist and I have time to get married. Sumire's a much-demanded model and she's dating. And don't even start complaining about stress in front of a prodigious international designer!"
Mikan couldn't repress her laughter, and she started giggling wildly, immediately gaining her friends' attention. She stopped. "What?"
They were staring at her. The girls seemed near tears, and they all suddenly rushed her. "It's been so long since we saw you laugh!" they started wailing.
Mikan was frozen for a few moments, but finally relaxed and began laughing and crying with them. She hadn't realized how much she had missed her friends. But Sumire, being a model that needed different expressions, realized that Mikan's tears were not the happy kind, and her laughter seemed harsher than before.
Where the hell was Imai when you needed her?
Did you like it?
I know, Natsume doesn't talk much. Sorry. And I don't know Kitsuneme name. Did I spell it right?
I had something else I wanted to say... *bangs head on desk* Much better.
Thank you to BestFriend09 and JuSt To RaNdOm for reviewing!
So... review as well? please?