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Don't Forget

By Tsuki's Angel

~Chapter 5~

-A Change in Heart-

"Since when were we broken up?"

Mikan stared at Tsubasa. She never told him that they were over. When did this happen?

"Natsume made it clear," Tsubasa said. "Besides, you love him, too, right?"

Mikan blushed, "W-what? No! I hate him. And since when did he have a say in my relationships?"

Tsubasa rubbed the back of his neck, "Even if you say that, I think he's head over heels for you, Mikan."

"I don't care," Mikan lied. "How could you give me up so easily? You could have put up a little fight."

Tsubasa sighed, "Mikan, I'm serious. If I were in his position, I would feel like crap. I mean, now that I know just how much that dude loves you, I can't just go around hurting him. He's never done anything to me. Plus, he gave me a really sweet ride."

"If you wanted a car all you had to do was ask," Mikan said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Even if I wanted to get back together, we can't," Tsubasa said.

"Why not?" Mikan contradicted.

"You two slept together that night."

"No we didn't!" Mikan said, shaking her head. "It wasn't anything like that!"

Tsubasa raised an eyebrow, "It wasn't anything like that?"

Mikan shuffled her feet, "Not entirely…but we did not sleep together in that way."

Tsubasa shook his head, "See, Mikan? You obviously love him, too. Trust me; I'm doing you a favor here."

"If you were my friend, you wouldn't give me favors I don't want," Mikan grumbled.

Tsubasa chuckled, and hugged Mikan, "Trust me." He repeated.

Mikan sighed, "Fine. But I still don't like him."

"Rose! We need you over here!"

Mikan cried over her shoulder, "Coming!" She turned to Tsubasa. "I have to go." She strut away from him and Tsubasa smirked. That girl was hopelessly in love, whether she realized it or not.

. . .

"Why?"

Mikan was frustrated. Immensely so. Why did Natsume have to be here? She was still nervous being around him after what had happened the night of his birthday. She sincerely hoped that he didn't see right through her façade. There was some truth behind those words she had spoken.

"Because I want to be here." He said. "Besides, I'm co-starring in this music video with you."

Natsume didn't see how he could possibly get this girl to forgive him. Couldn't she see how much he wanted her? How much he cared? How much he needs her? He even went through the trouble of personally asking to be in the video with her!

"I don't care. Leave or I'll call security."

Mikan was strongly hoping that her harsh words would cause him to leave, and then someone else could take his place. Was he famous for suddenly ditching things he needed to attend? If so, this would be the perfect time for him to leave.

"What security? Imai? I'm not leaving."

"Again. Why?"

Because I want to see you. "Because I can—and have to."

Natsume stood firmly in his spot next to Luca who was chatting with the camera man. He could tell that Mikan was obviously not content with his being there. If he could wish for anything at the moment, it would be for her to live one moment of this day genuinely happy to be with him. But, that unfortunately wasn't going to happen.

Mikan sighed, "Just don't bother me."

"Hn."

Mikan strode off to where her seat was. The script writer was sitting in a chair right next to hers. She sighed happily when she saw him. She was glad that he was so kind. She had met him last week when they had gotten the script for the video. Although there was no actually dialogue, she would be acting. She sat down on the chair that had her name written across the back.

"Hey, Rose," he said, looking up from the script.

"Koko, how many times do I have to tell you to call me I Mikan?"

He grinned sheepishly. "That should do it." He laughed. "Sorry, Mikan. Just getting used to it. Mostly everyone calls you Rose, you know."

"The tabloids don't," she said nonchalantly. "It's just a stage name. I expect at least some people to call me by my real name."

He laughed again. Kokoro Yome was around Mikan's age. He had brown hair and eyes. He was so lighthearted it made Mikan feel relaxed to be around him—like she was with Tsubasa. She didn't have to worry about work or anything for that matter when she was with Tsubasa. She hoped it would grow to be the same with Koko.

"Did you read the script?"

Mikan looked up. "Hm? Oh, yeah. I did. I thought it was quite interesting. I haven't played the role of a high school student since high school."

"Was that supposed to be funny?"

"Laugh like it was or I'll be angry at you for the rest of the day."

He could tell she was joking, but he laughed anyway. "Oh! I wanted to ask you—who's tall, dark, and scary over there? He keeps glaring my way."

Mikan rolled her eyes. "Ignore him. He's just jealous."

"Of…?"

"My talking with another guy," she explained. "Just…ignore."

Koko shrugged. "Fine by me." He grinned. "I'm starving, though. Chinese noodles sound amazing right now."

"We'll go out to eat for break," Mikan said. "It's sunny outside, and it's a good idea."

"We're shooting in ten!" called the director.

Mikan looked over herself once in the mirror. Honestly, she didn't mind the way she looked today. She looked like a teenager, but it brought back so many good memories of her past. It actually brought a smile on her face. Memories of her and Natsume were what she thought of the most.

She remembered one day after school when they were just friends—and their relationship wasn't complicated. They went to Mikan's house, back when her grandfather was still alive. It was them and they were sitting at the counter, where they ate Oreos with milk.

"Hey, Ro—err, Mikan!"

Her head snapped up from her reverie. "Yes?"

"Let's get on set."

"Right behind you."

The script was pretty simple. The music video was going to be about a girl, Mikan, who was in love with her best friend. It started off with them a park. They sat on a bench and appeared to be talking to each other. They laughed while the music played. Of course, the video was going to be edited to make the music sound better. Right now, the song was on to create the mood.

Natsume was pretending to talk to her. He leaned back and slung an arm over the back of the bench, while Mikan sat right next to him, smiling. Natsume was talking about his day. Mikan played with a lock of her hair while she listened to him talk. The sun shone in the background, making them glow. Mikan switched to fixing her scarf—which really didn't need to be fixed. She was acting nervous.

Mikan talked back to him, while staring at her shoes. Although she was just acting, her heart was beating pretty fast. Was she really anxious? She fidgeted, but tried to remain calm. Quit that, Mikan, she thought angrily to herself. This is no time to be acting silly. The irony struck Mikan like a ton of bricks—she was supposed to be nervous! And here she was, trying to remain calm. At least I'm doing a good job at acting.

"Cut!"

Mikan looked at the director. "What? I thought I was doing fine!"

"Put more emotion into it," he said. "I don't feel anything coming off of you."

Mikan groaned. This was going to be a long day.

. . .

Mikan was eager to get off set as soon as they called lunch break. She told Hotaru where she was going and headed to go meet Koko. She met him off set at the park entrance.

"Chinese noodles?"

Mikan shrugged. "If that's what you really want."

Koko thrust his fist in the air. "Yes!"

Mikan nearly laughed. "I didn't know Chinese noodles could make someone so happy."

"Just today," he said, smiling. "I'm really hungry. Can we go now?"

"Yeah," she said.

Shortly, they arrived at the small Chinese restaurant where they ordered noodles. Mikan didn't really have the appetite, but she chose to try to eat anyway. Koko kept talking about random things. Mikan was actually content with just listening to him talk.

"—and you know, I saw the way he looked at you."

Mikan stopped stirring her noodles. "What?"

"Tall, dark, and scary." He explained. "Isn't he Natsume Hyuuga or something? Yeah—I think he is."

"No—what were you saying about him?"

"Oh." He said. "Well, the entire time we were shooting, he kept looking at you in this weird way." He slurped his noodles. "I don't know how to explain it." He tapped his chopsticks against the rim of his bowl. "It was kind of like he didn't know how he got so lucky. Get what I mean?"

Mikan stared at him. "No."

Koko sighed. "Let me put it this way—he looked at you like he really actually loved you."

"Ugh!" Mikan said, aggravated. "Why does everyone feel the need to say that to me?"

Koko smirked. "Maybe you keep denying it. Do you have a history with him? I saw that magazine by the way—you were right. The tabloids do use your real name."

"You saw that article?" Mikan groaned. "Yes, I have a history with him, but it is long gone. I don't want to think about it."

"You know," he started, "I'm not one to give out advice, but let me tell you something." He put down his chopsticks. "Mikan, sometimes it's better to forgive and forget. I don't know what happened between you two, but I think you need to start trusting him again."

"I don't want to," she said stubbornly. "What happens when I get hurt by him again? Or if his blasted father makes him marry another girl?"

"I don't know," Koko said. "Honestly, I really don't. But you never know unless you try. Don't you get it? People make mistakes. He made a mistake, and you could too. But I'm sure he would forgive you faster than you would forgive him."

"Really—he's more stubborn than I am," Mikan said. "I'm not sure about your statement."

Koko grinned. "Just start off slow. You don't have to trust him all at once. Build it up again. I'm sure everything will get better from there."

Mikan blinked. She didn't know Koko was capable of such talk. "Just shut up and eat your noodles."

He laughed. "Yes ma'am."

. . .

"Okay, we'll continue shooting tomorrow."

Mikan breathed a sigh of relief. Her feet ached. She wanted to go home. She was so close to hailing a taxi and leaving when she was interrupted by Luca. She hadn't expected it, but she'd rather talk to Luca than his best friend.

"Hey, Sakura!"

Mikan turned around to face him. "What do you want, Luca?"

"I know you probably don't want to do this—but can you go talk to Natsume?"

Mikan stared at him, skeptical. "What? Do you think that I'm just going to waltz over there and talk to him—just like that?"

Luca sighed and bit his lip. "He wants to talk to you. He told me he'd wait for you by the park bench until you came there."

Mikan rolled her eyes. "No, he didn't. You're just making that up."

"No, I'm not."

"Natsume wouldn't do something like that," Mikan said. "I've dated him—I know."

"Just," Luca said, "please. Just go."

Mikan stared at Luca's expression. He looked pleading—like he'd do anything for his best friend. Mikan was extremely reluctant to do this. Whatever Natsume had to say, it couldn't be comfortable. It would be extremely anxiety inducing. Mikan fought the urge to sprint from Luca's sight.

"Mikan," Luca said. "Please? For me, if not for him?"

Mikan looked at him curiously. He called her Mikan. He rarely did that. It was usually Sakura. "I…won't."

Luca's shoulders sagged. "He really wants to talk to you."

"And why should I?" she snapped.

Luca groaned in exasperation. This girl was freaking impossible! "Because he loves you!" Luca said, throwing his hands in the air. "It can't get any simpler than that!" Luca looked Mikan straight in the eye. "Okay, I know you hate him. But the thing is, he doesn't hate you. Mikan, you're like a drug for him. He needs you, and when he doesn't have you, he ends up in this appalling condition that simply cannot pass for human. You got that?"

"Drug, appalling—are you saying that he's appalling right now?"

"If you have to deal with him moping around 24/7, then yes! He's appalling!"

Mikan laughed. "Then why the hell would I want to talk to him? Huh?"

"Because it would his life, your life, and especially my life easier! So just go."

Mikan huffed and crossed her arms. She did that pouty thing she always does. "I won't like it…"

Luca breathed a sigh of relief. He started walking towards his ride. "Tell him I went home."

"I'll probably end up being hostile…"

"Hm…oh, and tell him I'm eating dinner without him."

"I'll probably just make his mood even worse," Mikan threatened, giving Luca one more chance to change his mind about forcing her to do this.

Luca threw a smile over his shoulder. "Good luck with that. I'm not sure his mood could worsen."

"Ugh!" Mikan said, throwing her hands down. "You're impossible!"

Luca just laughed. "See you tomorrow!"

Mikan angrily stared at the limousine that drove away, leaving her annoyed and afraid to go talk to Natsume. She turned around and made her way over to where Luca said Natsume would be. She dragged her feet through the snow. She could feel the cold penetrate through her feet. She shivered. She was even wearing a coat! Why was she cold?

Mikan found the park bench that Natsume and Luca were hanging around earlier. She imagined finding Natsume there. But he wasn't. Mikan looked to her left and to her right. The path was completely empty. Mikan crossed her arms and pinched the bridge of her nose.

In…one, two, three…

Out…one, two, three…

In…one, two, three…

Out…one, two, three…

Nope. She didn't feel any better. Mikan felt her anger rise to its boiling point. She kicked a nearby rock that sat in front of the bench. It didn't go exactly the way she wanted to, though. She hit the rock. But her shin hit the bench. Mikan's features twisted in pain and she fought the urge to scream bloody murder.

"Ouch," she ended up muttering.

Angry tears sprung into her eyes. She felt hurt. She didn't even want to meet Natsume in the first place. And now she felt rejection all over again. He was supposed to be here, wasn't he? Mikan felt her emotions swirl. She took a seat on the bench, propped her elbows on her knees, and held her forehead in her hands. She looked down at her snow-soaked feet.

Why would Natsume just ditch her like that? He's the one who wanted to meet her. Not the other way around. So where was he? Did he intend to make a fool out of her, knowing that Luca would convince her to come meet him? Did he know that she would come, undoubtedly? Did he know what she felt the night of his birthday?

Did he see right through her?

Mikan decided that she needed a walk. It would do her good, seeing as she felt that her joints would permanently freeze if she didn't get up. Mikan forced herself to walk. She had never hurt her shin like that before. The force of all her anger is what hit her shin. And it hurt like hell. She had a slight limp, but she was sure by tomorrow morning, all that would be left of this injury would be a bruise.

Mikan was walking for a good ten minutes. The path seemed like it lasted forever. She heard the occasional siren from the city but other than that, she was engulfed in silence. Mikan didn't like the feeling that overcame her at that moment. She felt all alone. It was like when he left her. The weeks, months that followed that dreadful day were full of misery and anguish for her.

After the day he ended it with her, she wouldn't eat. She wouldn't talk. She became a mute. Mikan felt the silence was overpowering her will.

"...just one more time…"

Mikan looked at where the voice was coming from. It was high pitched and feminine. She looked around but didn't find anything until she looked directly in front of her. As soon as her eyes took in the sight, they widened to the size of her platinum CDs, and her jaw dropped. She took in a small, sharp breath.

There was standing Natsume Hyuuga kissing a woman with bleach blonde hair. She looked pathetic and desperate in her revealing designer clothing.

Mikan thought angrily to herself. He was supposed to meet me at a freaking bench, and now he's making out with some tramp?

Mikan's anger was back. On her walk, some of it cooled down, but the sight set before her completely brought it back. She watched them in plain sight. It was a while—an incredibly long while—before she pulled back, kissed him lightly once, licked her lips, and walked over to the car that was waiting for her at the entrance at the park. She blew him one last kiss and stepped into the taxi.

Mikan took this chance to walk up to him and turn him around by the shoulder. His eyes widened when he caught sight of her. He was even more surprised when she brought her hand back and cracked it across his face. He was definitely not prepared for that.

"What was that for—"

"What are you doing?" she half-growled, half-screamed. "Luca said you wanted to meet me, and here you are, making out with some chick who's probably a pole dancer on the weekends!"

"What—Luca? What are you talking about?"

"Like you didn't know!"

"Polka, listen—"

"Don't call me that!" she screeched. "If those are the kind of girls you like, then I want nothing to do with you!" Mikan ran in the opposite direction, but his arm caught her waist and pulled her back. "Let me go!"

"Not until you listen!" he said.

Mikan pulled free and turned to face him. She saw his cheek glowing red. "No! I don't care." She took a step back and he stepped forward. "Just say it! Say it!" Natsume just stared at her. She was hysteric now. Her cheeks were cold. The tears that ran down them were probably freezing. He still didn't reply. "Why aren't you talking? Spit it out!"

"Spit what out?" he yelled. "You're not listening and you're not making any sense!"

"Say that you hate me!" Mikan screamed, choking up. "Say it! Say that you hate me so I can finally forget about you!"

"What?" he shouted.

"I wish I never met you!" she continued. "I wish you never came into my life!" Natsume was about to protest to her wounding words, but what she said next cut him off. "I wish I never knew you! Then maybe I could fall asleep without you being the last thing on my mind!"

Natsume was rendered speechless. There was nothing he could say at this point. The only thing he could think of was wrapping her up in his arms and taking her home with him. But it wasn't going to happen. She would just push him away.

Natsume closed the distance between them and placed his hands on her upper arms. "Polka, I—"

"Don't," she said getting his hands off her, "call me that anymore." She looked at him through eyes of distress. "I'm not yours anymore. You have no right to call me that."

Natsume growled. "I can do whatever I want. You can't do anything about it."

"Oh yeah?" she snapped bitingly. "Well, I can too!"

"Tch," he scoffed. "You don't have an authoritative bone in your entire body, Polka-Dots." He looked almost smug if it weren't for that scowl on his face.

"I'll show your arse how authoritative my foot can be," she hissed icily.

He glared at her. "I bet it took you your entire being just to throw that slap across my face."

"Yeah?" she snapped again. "Do you know what takes my entire being not to do?"

"What?" he drawled, as if he didn't care.

She didn't say a word as she grabbed the tie to the business suit he changed into after the shoot and pulled him down to meet her lips. The kiss she gave him wasn't sweet. It wouldn't even pass as semi-sweet. It was rough and full of anger, hurt, and betrayal.

Natsume never felt her kiss like this before. She still held tightly to his tie while her hand tangled itself in his hair at the back of his head. Truthfully, Natsume had no problem kissing her back, but it was the way she was kissing him that he had to question.

Something was wrong.

Natsume moved his hands so that he held her face. He slanted his head more to the right. Mikan moved her hands to wrap around his waist.

Mikan pulled back, breathing in a deep breath of air. She roughly pushed a stunned Natsume away from her, and all he could only stare at her with his glassy eyes that were glazed over. Mikan slipped her hand into her coat pocket.

"Now, who's not authoritative again?" Mikan said, being completely sarcastic.

Natsume's jaw clenched. He didn't notice it in the act, but she totally owned his arse. She had him in the palm of her hand and he didn't even know it. Once those glossy red lips were on his, he couldn't do anything but think of her. How she felt, how she smelled, how she tasted. It was all that occupied his mind.

And she knew it, too.

Before Natsume could have a chance to reply with a snappy comeback, Mikan was already walking away from him towards the park exit. He didn't bother to reply to her because she had proved him wrong. Even with his fists clenched at his sides, he still found the urge to look at her silhouette amongst the blinking city lights. She was beautiful. And damn authoritative.

Mikan left Natsume as quickly as she could. She couldn't comprehend what went through her mind just then. Just when he was kissing the blonde. When he said he could do whatever he wanted. If he could do that, then he could just trample on her heart. And he did. She would never let him do that again.

Mikan took her hands out of her pockets, and with them, she took out the keys to Natsume's car. She smirked to herself. He was so distracted while kissing her, he didn't even notice her steal his car keys right out of his front pocket.

"Business man like him should have a pretty little car," she mumbled to herself.

Mikan easily found where his car was parked. Even amongst the other expensive models, Natsume's sleek, black sports car stood out above all. Plus, its license plate was a dead giveaway. Mikan shoved the key into the car and the door swung up.

Mikan jumped back. She didn't expect that. The doors opened upwards. "Nice."

She stepped into the car. She was amazed at how beautiful it was on the inside—smooth leather seats, a wonderful grip on the steering wheel. She closed the door and revved the engine. She sighed. It smelled really good. Just like him.

Mikan backed up out of the parking spot with a stupid grin on her face. Just how much fun could a celebrity like her have with a car like this in New York City?

The answer was a lot.

. . .

Natsume stood in the same spot for several minutes before he decided he was going to be late for the meeting he was designated to go to. He reached into his pocket to look for his keys. His heart jumped a little when he didn't feel them there. He checked in his other pocket. Nothing.

Then it hit him. Mikan stole them.

His anger flared. "Goddamnit, Mikan!"

He took a fistful of his hair and groaned. This wasn't good. His father was going to kill him when he found out that he let his ex-girlfriend steal his car. Sure, it was his own car, but Natsume didn't like the idea having his father lecture him about responsibility. It would be the same stupid lecture he got when he dumped his fiancé to have Mikan back.

Natsume had a decision to make. It was a dilemma—go the meeting where there were boring old men discussing business trends or find his car with Mikan inside it and force her to spend the night with him again. Natsume thought over the two choices. There was no competition.

Of course, he chose the latter.

. . .

Mikan had stopped in the parking lot at the top of a hill that overlooked the city. She parked next to a big oak tree.

Blind with fury, she stepped out of the car and right to the front where she dug the key into the hood. She scratched letters into the shiny paint. Right underneath the word she just scratched, she drew a very rough picture of a heart. She proceeded to coloring it in with the red lipstick she carried with her in her small purse.

When she was satisfied with her artwork, aka ruining the hood of his car, she went back into the car, sticking the key back into the ignition to see what was on the radio. Her own voice appeared. She didn't want to hear that at all.

She threw her head back on the seat as she took the key out of the ignition. She looked out the windshield. The city was truly beautiful. She sighed as she turned her head to the side. She spotted the glove compartment. Curious and with the urge of quickly coming bored, she opened it to see what was inside.

She wasn't at all surprised at the contents. A map, some mints, a couple of CDs, a cell phone charger. But something had caught her eye immediately. She lifted the familiar book up and began to flip through it. To name it more accurately, it was a photo album. It was bright orange and medium sized, decorated with small decals one would find at a craft store. Mikan gave a small smile as she opened it to the inside cover.

To Natsume—

Happy 20th Birthday!

I hope you always remember the good times we had together.
My favorite page is 27 (the day of your birthday!).
No matter what comes at you in life, stay strong.
I love you more than life.

—Mikan

Mikan flipped the pages. She roughly scanned the pictures up to page twenty-seven—pictures of them playing in the park, at Natsume's place on pie Sunday, at a pool party, at a Halloween party. She laughed a little at the picture of them washing her dog. Natsume had gotten splattered with soap and water when the dog shook his coat. Mikan laughed at him while Natsume grumbled about getting wet. Simply, these were just pictures of them when they were dating. And if Mikan had to sum up the time they shared together in one word, it was wonderful. Mikan flipped past the pages and made it to twenty-seven.

To say that it brought back memories was an understatement. It brought back the reason why Mikan loved him so much. It reminded her why he was the one. What Mikan was looking at was a picture of them in a circle of their friends during Christmas in front of a roaring fire in the fireplace. Mikan had just opened her present from Natsume. She remembered at how shocked she had been. Natsume had bought her a diamond ring. It was a simple ring with a gold band and a single, shimmering diamond, but it was more than Mikan would have ever asked for.

Natsume was slipping it on her finger in the picture, while she had given him a kiss on the cheek. The photo was taken at that exact moment, creating the perfect snapshot. Mikan laughed a little. Natsume looked so flustered afterwards. She even remembered what she herself had gotten him—a card, a warm hat, and a necklace with an orange stone hanging from it. Before she was a celebrity, she wasn't rich at all unlike Natsume, so she couldn't afford to get him anything too expensive.

The very last picture in the album was a picture Mikan had taken herself. It was during the summer when they went to the beach. Together, they were watching the sunset. Natsume had stood in front of the light and it created his silhouette in black. She could have sworn her heart jumped out right then and there in the car. He was so beautiful.

Mikan's heart suddenly started to beat really fast. She closed the album gently. Why was this in Natsume's car? With shaking hands, she put it back to exactly where she had found it so that nothing looked amiss. She shook her head. No. She wouldn't admit it. She couldn't admit it. She would just be setting herself up for more heartbreak.

"No," Mikan whispered to herself. "No."

Those pictures, the night of his birthday, her reaction to him kissing another woman…no, no, no. She will not admit what was going on through her mind. She just keyed his car and scribbled on it with lipstick, for God's sake!

She repeated out loud like a mantra. "It's not true. It's not true."

No, it wasn't true. She hated him. Mikan was having a tough time convincing herself. Everything she came up with a counterexample to what she was feeling, it would lead her to believe exactly what she was trying to disprove. And for some reason, she was getting butterflies in her stomach like a girl getting her first kiss! Which shouldn't be happening because she wasn't even a virgin anymore!

Mikan began to feel sick. Did he always have the power to make her feel weak in her knees? Did he always look so stunningly handsome in a business suit? And did he always keep that album in his car? Why was she just realizing it now?

Had she always been in love with him?

Was there no escape?

Mikan threw her head back against the seat and groaned. Well at least, out loud she would not admit that she might still be in love.

Mikan sat in the car for a long time before it began to feel cold. She put the key back into the ignition and turned on the heat. The car began to warm up immediately. She sighed. Mikan played around on the radio stations again. All of her favorite stations either had her voice playing on them or they had some song playing that she didn't like. She finally just settled on a station and blasted the music so loud that it was sure to give her a headache later on.

At some point, she began laughing at herself. She just had to look at herself. She was a mess. It was completely awful what she had become. She just vandalized an important business man's car. She was going crazy, wasn't she? If so, crazy never felt so good.

Mikan got out of the car. Maybe she just needed some fresh air. Her head needed to be cleared. No sane person laughs at themselves for any reason in particular. She breathed in deeply and walked over to the fence that lined the hill that overlooked the city. She stared at the road she rode on to come up here. There was a car riding up it. Mikan pursed her lips. That can't be good.

What if they saw her here? Of course they would know she vandalized the car. There wasn't any man or woman in sight with red lipstick… It was too late to wipe of the stuff—it was probably hard from being out in the cold so long. Plus, there was the addition of the words scratched into the hood…

Mikan hummed and did the only thing that she could think of—try to find an escape. She looked around for a good place to go. Up the tree? No, she couldn't climb for her life. Run away? She was wearing three inch heels. Not going to happen. Rev the engine and get the hell out of sight? They would follow, wouldn't they?

Not if she was quick.

Mikan jumped into the car and revved the engine. It came to life in a purr. She backed up out of the parking lot and floored it. She was thrown back. Damn, she forgot how fast these cars could go. She looked in the rearview mirror and giggled to herself. Maybe this could be fun. Heartbreak can sure change a person.

. . .

Natsume's phone was installed with a GPS locater system that made it easy to locate his car. It was tedious work, but the closer he got to his car, the closer he got to Mikan. He had borrowed a car from his father's company for the evening. He made his way to the edge of the hill his car was apparently located on. As soon as he reached the curve to the parking lot, he heard a screech of tires on asphalt.

Natsume squinted out the windshield. There, he saw his car speeding out of sight. His eyes widened as he realized that Mikan wasn't going to be caught so easily. He hurried to make sure he didn't lose sight of her. If she wanted to play it that way, fine. She would have it her way.

Mikan, on the other hand, was humming to a song in the radio in the car. She sang the lyrics quietly to herself. She was loving this car. It was so quiet—even when she accelerated. She looked out her rearview mirror once more. She saw the one face she didn't want to see in the windshield of the car chasing her.

"Well," she said to herself, "this'll be interesting." Mikan accelerated. "Come and get me, Hyuuga."

Natsume groaned when he saw his car speeding up. The car he was in wasn't nearly as quick as his. He made an attempt to keep up, though. He really hoped that Mikan would drive a bit slower—not because he couldn't catch up, but because it was dangerous to drive this fast in the winter. She could skid on ice or something of the like. He hoped she knew what she was doing.

Mikan was not at all worried. She was just intent on getting away from him. She drove directly into the much less crowded part of the city and turned corners, ran stop signs, anything to get away. She kept glancing back. She would take a sudden sharp turn every so often to catch him off guard. It was working really well. She could see that she was losing him.

Natsume was very agitated. Here he was, trying to get this girl to like him again and just his luck—she had to catch him kissing his ex-fiancé! On top of that, he got slapped, kissed, and a car stolen, and this was all from the same girl! She better not damage it. Or so help him, she will pay. That was when she took another sharp turn, and Natsume lost her. He checked his phone, desperately searching for the GPS signal. The signal was weak, but he got one.

He turned around and followed Mikan down the street she was on. His phone told him to take a right. He did and stepped on the gas. He saw Mikan come into view, but just as soon as he saw her, she was gone again. He checked his phone, and it was almost dead. He instinctively went for the glove compartment, knowing he had a charger in there, but forgot that this wasn't his car. He punched the dashboard in frustration.

A thought came to mind. Did she look in the glove compartment of his car? Was she snooping? He sincerely hoped not. If she did, she would find the album. And who knows what she would think of him after that. Natsume decided to just park the car, and turn off his phone. He would wait an hour or so until he was pretty sure she had stopped driving. That way, he could locate her—err, his car and drive there immediately.

All he would have to do is wait.

It's been a while. This story needed some lovin'. Two updates in the same week? Yeah, I'm surprised too.