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The Love Note

Chapter 6: Claimed

I went into the bathroom in haste and took a bath. There was a strange scent inside. It was a pleasant smell, until I realized that it smelled like Natsume. I shook my head and continued bathing myself.

I rushed out and dread came over me. I didn't have a uniform! I glanced at the gown I wore last night. When I was about to resentfully take it, I noticed our school's women uniform on a nearby chair. I took it and a note fell. I read it aloud, "You looked cute last night."

I threw it to the floor in anger. That guy! He's really trying to get on my nerves!

I rushed out of the room. I looked around and muttered in anger, "This is a damned HOTEL! Why am I here, in the first place? Did Natsume bring me here!? Ugh!"

"Mikan?" I turned around and saw Anima smiling at me. "Why are you here?"

I smiled back. "I'm just here because of.. some unfortunate circumstances. You?"

He raised a thick envelope. "Business." He paused for awhile then smiled, "Say, are you really Natsume's fiance?"

I winced then replied, "No. He was just kidding."

He smiled, but I saw in his eyes that he barely believed me. "Why don't we meet later after school. Is five alright?"

I blushed. Is it.. a date? "Uh, sure." I glanced at a clock hanging nearby. "Uhm, sorry, but I have to go. See you later!"

I was about to leave when Anima grabbed my hand. I turned around and he smiled at me. "Why don't I drop you to school then?"

Anima took me to school. He didn't drive of course, and it surprised me when he actually removed his suit inside the car. I actually called him pervert and other malicious stuff. Turned out, he had his uniform worn under the jacket. Honestly, I cursed silently after he started laughing at me.

I don't really know why but I feel comfortable around Anima. I mean, if that was just another guy, then I would have certainly left the car. Actually, he makes me blush. Gahhh! But really, when I'm with Natsume, it is SO different. Beith with Anima is like color white while being with Natsume is color black. It's not exactly the difference between hate and love. More like, the huge difference between two kinds of love. Like, the love for your brother and the difference from the love for a boy. You see, even if both are 'love', there's so much difference.

But either way, did I just say I love Natsume? Gross. That's the most disgusting this I've thought of in my whole life. That guy is the ultimate pervert, perfected through generations of training on how to annoy a woman.

When I realized that we were already at the gate of my school, I got off the car and waved goodbye to him. The car drove away. Ah I forgot to ask him where he studies.. AND where we'll meet. Oh well, I guess the date has to wait.

When I entered the school, everybody glanced at me then whispered around. Is this what they call 'center of attention'? I was surprised when somebody suddenly asked me, "Did you go home last night?"

I stuttered, "Y, yes.. of course."

Now that you talk about it, I'm sure I'd be dead meat when I go home. But seriously though, where is Natsume!? I still have to ask him about last night!

As I walked by the bulletin board, I frowned and took a step back. My jaw fell when I saw what was were pictures of Natsume and me last night, and the kiss! THE KISS! I groaned. That was my first kiss! How could I have forgotten about it?

To ny surprise, a guy suddenly started running around and screaming, "News! News!" He shoved me away with a smirk and posted a picture in the bulletin board. I almost fell down the floor in shock. It was a picture of me getting off Anima's car. I felt cold stares being thrown harshly at me. Two girls suddenly pulled me and dragged me towards Natsume's classroom. I tried to shake them away but they were too pushy. I shuddered when I saw Natsume. His eyes were as usual, but I somehow felt threatened by it.

One of the girls pulled my hair, causing my to shout in agony.

"What are you doing?" asked Natsume.

"Pulling her hair." The girl replied in a matter-of-fact manner. Natsume just stared at her, as if cursing her to the pits of hell. I felt the girl shiver. "Uhm, well, she was seen with a guy this morning."

Natsume snickered. "That doesn't matter. If you were able to take pictures of what happened last night, then shouldn't you also be able to take pictures of what happened in the hotel I stayed in?"

The two girls looked at each other then dropped me. I sighed in exasperation as the two girls screamed to one guy loitering outside to find out what hotel Natsume stayed at last night.

I looked at Natsume and asked, "What exactly happened last night?"

"You fainted. I took you to the hotel. The room I stayed at didn't have its own bathroom so I used yours instead. Satisfied? Or are you disappointed because I didn't make you mine?" He replied in a carefree manner. He seemed to remember something then smirked at me. "Oh and, why don't you go to the comfort room and look carefully at your neck?"

I raised an eyebrow but seing how evil he looked, did as he told me. I shuddered when I understood what he meant. On my neck was a small red bruise, but definitely visible to the public. I gritted my teeth and ran back to his classroom.

I screamed at him in anger, "Why the hell did you give me a hickey!?!?!?"

His classmates glanced at us then giggled. I blushed and Natsume snickered. Bastard.

"I'm happy you're proud enough to shout about it," Natsume replied, grinning.

"Ugh!" I stopped away in anger. On the bright side, I wasn't raped, but on the dark side, I've been claimed! By NATSUME!

I sighed. If only I knew where Anima and I should have met, then this day wont be so bad. I slowly walked towards my home, readying myself to be scolded by my mother. I was surprised to see a guy standing in front of our house. He turned around.

"Mikan," he muttered.

I stammered, "Anima?" I noticed that his face was pale. I rushed to him and rubbed his cheeks. "You're so pale! How long have you been standing here?"

He smiled, and through the low temperature, his smile was still as warm as summer mornings. "Not long. Over an hour, but definitely not long enough."

I gasped. One hour? "Hey, let's postpone the da— the meeting, alright? You don't look that good."

"No, I'm not here for that," he replied. He held my hands, which were still warming his cheeks, and held them close. "Would you… go out with me?"

I was surprised by the sudden confession. He looked so serious, I would never think of this as a prank. He held my hand as if it was the greatest treasure in earth. He flatters me.

I sighed then smiled at him. "Okay."

Waaa~ don't hate me for making that the end of the chapter.. this is the best way to end the story early. Wait for the next chapter! Oh and sorry if there wont be much humor from this chapter on.

Hope you enjoyed. Please REVIEW!