Mikan's POV
I was trying to stay awake as I carried my large load of gifts for everyone to the classroom. I barely got enough sleep last night since I was up perfecting my gift for Natsume, which I forgot to get in my rush to get ready this morning. Oh, well I'll just give it to him later. When I entered the room, I saw Hotaru with mountains of gifts around her.
"What are you looking at Mikan?"
"N-nothing."
As expected of Hotaru to get so many gifts.
"So why are you holding presents?"
"Oh! I got something for everyone. I got you a case of your favorite crab brains Hotaru," I said as I handed her a large box.
"Thanks, I'll give you yours later."
"Where's Nonoko-chan and Anna-chan?"
"Let me think… they were sent to help get the rest of the Christmas presents that were sent in."
"Oh, okay when'd they go?"
"What time is it?"
"Almost nine."
"About three hours ago…"
Three?
"Maybe four…"
"How many can there-"
The door suddenly opened and an avalanche of wrapped presents came pouring in. I then heard someone muttering and a hand came out. Nonoko-chan emerged from the pile.
"We got it all," Then she collapsed on top of the mountain.
"Where's Anna-chan?"
Then Anna popped out and tiredly said, "Most of these. Hotaru."
"I-is this how many gifts you normally get H-hotaru?"
"No, this year is a lot smaller than the piles before."
I'm scared to see the piles she got last year. I decided to change the subject.
"Here are your gifts Anna-chan, Nonoko-chan."
"Thanks Mikan-chan," they said simultaneously. Are they really not twins?
"A new lab coat! I needed a new one."
"This apron is so cute! Thanks so much!"
"But…"
"We…"
"Didn't get you anything," they said at the same time… again.
"It's fine, it's fine. Besides, I'm just happy that you're happy."
"Really?"
I nodded. Besides my parents are normally away during Christmas anyway, so they always send gifts which is always a new violin and Onee-chan always gets me something for my birthday and Christmas but she's never home. I wonder if Toudon is so nice a school that she forgot me…
"We promise to make it up to you!"
"Like I said it's fine."
"When's your birthday?"
"The first day of next month."
'We'll definitely get you something by then!"
"Like I said it's okay."
I noticed that Natsume was in his seat looking the same as ever wearing a Santa hat the Narumi forced on him. After I gave Yu and Ruka their gifts I walked up to Natsume. Noticing my presence he said "what?"
"I made you a cake as a Christmas present."
I put the box in front of him and took the lid off.
"So?"
"Um, well I thought that it was a good idea since we're partners and all and I would really like it if we could be friends because I want to get to-"
The cake was now on my face so I blinked a couple times to see better. Natsume's fingers had a bit of icing on them, and he was now facing my with an angry look on his face.
"Look, I don't know if you know this but you're annoying."
I could feel everyone's eyes looking at us.
"If you think that act is going to get you close to me you must be the dumbest person alive. I don't care who the heck you are. Your personality, your past, and your family I don't want to know. You're an annoying idiot who can't take a hint. I hate you! Get out of my face!"
I looked down. Is that what he really thinks about me? I don't wanna think. I turned away from him and ran back to my dorm room, trying not to cry.
Hotaru's POV
I watched as Mikan ran away not bothering to go after her, because now I have bigger annoyances to worry about.
"Hyuuga-kun," I said while smiling.
"It's the smile of evil!"
"Everyone run away!"
"No way that's the Ice queen's famous smile? How creepy!"
"What do you want Imai?"
"Come with me for a minute."
"No."
I leaned in closer to his ear and whispered, "I will tell everyone that you wore dresses when you were little and sell all of the pictures."
And that is how I got him to follow me. "Why in hell's name did you do that?"
"Yell at that girl? Simple-"
"Her name is Mikan!"
"Fine, I yell at Mikan because she was annoying."
"That's why? That's why she ran out of the freaking classroom with cake on her face? Hyuuga you're a dead man."
"Well, could you blame me? She was annoying, wanting to be friends with me. All girls are the same, except for you."
"If I were you I wouldn't be joking. All she wanted was for you to be friends with her."
"Why should I care at all?"
"Because you were her best friend!"
His eyes widened.
"That's why you should care. When I left her 8 years ago, you took my place in comforting her! She's been waiting for you for 7 freaking years! With the hope that you'll come back, that's why she didn't abandon her smile. She continued to smile for you! When she wrote to me, she told me that she had finally found another person that won't judge her for what her parents are! You were the entire reason why she was able to survive in that, that cage that's supposed to be a home for 7 stinking years!"
"As much as I love you ranting-"
"You'd better have a good reason for me to stop."
"You said 7 years ago right?"
"Yeah so what?"
"Well, I lost my memory when I was eight."
"What?"
"I said-"
"Don't repeat it! Please tell me that I have hearing problems when I say that you just said that you lost your memory when you were eight."
"Why would I lie about something like that?"
"To get out of getting hit."
"No it's the truth. I swear on my sister's life."
Well, he could be telling the truth since he does have a sister that he really cares about… But that's not the point right now!
"Fine, then find Mikan and apologized to her before it's too late."
And so he started running like a maniac. Mikan, please wait a little longer. You'll be able to have a happier ending, just wait.
Mikan's POV
After I finished cleaning the cake off of myself, I changed into something more comfortable. I can't believe that he- he didn't remember who I was, looks like I'm only going to stay for this year. And since I lost… I'm going to be a puppet again. I tried to hold in the tears but I could feel them going down like raindrops across my face. I heard something ring. Oh… my phone. I looked at my caller id, Mom?
"Hello Mikan?"
"What do you want? I'm not backing out of the deal."
"I have great news! The headmistress of Toudon called and offered you a full scholarship! Now you can just stop the deal and go see your sister again. She's going to be there to pick you up soon."
"Look-"
"Do you want her to be there sooner?"
"I'm not backing out of our deal."
"Mi-chan look, you're 14. You and that boy haven't seen each other for 7 years, I doubt that he remembers you."
"He'll remember me."
"Mikan isn't it better just to stop while you're ahead? Before you get hurt? I'm only thinking about you."
Yeah and how much you want to use me to become more famous.
"I'm not going."
"Look Mikan he'd not going to remember you."
"And why not?"
"Because he lost his memory when he was 8."
"What?"
"I was curious about him, did a little research and found out."
"So you knew that I was going to lose? For how long have you been keeping this a secret?"
"Ever since you left, but I was only thinking of you."
I took a deep breathe and tried to focus on the good things so far. I've got nothing and I don't want him to be unhappy. There's really no more reason for me to be here. A silver tear fell down my face. This is for the best.
"Where's Onee-chan?"
"So you're going?"
"Where's Onee-chan?"
"You rang Mi-chan?"
I turned around to see my older sister then immediately ran up to hug her. The tears flowed out even more.
"Come on Mikan. We'll pack up your stuff and leave."
"The sooner the better."
Natsume's POV
I looked everywhere! Except her room and the music room. I slapped myself in the head. Of course that's where she'd be! And I've spent 5 hours looking everywhere else! I opened the door to find no one there.
"Natsume-kun?"
I turned around to see Kotone sensei.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be getting ready for the school Christmas party?"
"I should be asking you the same question," I said as I eyed her casual attire.
"Are you looking for Yukihara-san?"
"What's it to you?"
"Pity I thought that I would tell you where she is."
"Where? I don't have time to lose!"
"I just said goodbye to her and her sister."
"Where?"
"It's a little too late for that."
"And why is that?"
"Because she left."
"To go where?"
"Toudon, she got a full scholarship."
I think my heart stopped beating for a minute.
"What?"
"Geez, you're loud today."
"Why did she go?"
I thought that she loved it here, then again I did throw cake at her and make her cry…
"I was able to ask her that question. She said that she didn't want one of her best friends to be unhappy with her here. Natsume you made her leave and now she's gone."
Gone? If only I could redo the past, if only I remembered, if only I wasn't in that accident!
"We humans cannot change what has already been done. We can only accept it and move on. Then maybe one day fate will allow us to right what we have wronged. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes."
"You should probably get going. Maybe Yukihara-san will be there."
When I started to open the door she then said, "There will be a day when you two will meet again. I'm sure of it."
Moon: Why'd you do that Natsume?
Natsume: Well, I didn't write this story! You did!
Moon: Yes, that could be true, then again it could not be true.
Natsume: What are you smoking?
Moon: Well, this is my Christmas chapter and I'm not changing it. If you hate me I'm sorry, but this isn't the end. Please R&R. And I sincerely wish that you have a Merry Christmas!