Hey hey hey :) read your reviews, and so glad to know that you guys liked the story! I just noticed, that this is my second story that involves someone dying. And I didn't do it on purpose! Hahaha. Okay anyway, I'm talking too much, here's the second chapter :)

I woke up at around noon that day, and as expected, my parents were waiting for me downstairs. My mom was drinking her usual cup of coffee while watching television, and my dad was reading the local newspaper on the couch.

"Oh there you are," my mom said when she saw me. "I hope you hadn't forgotten about that talk."

I didn't say anything, as I proceeded to the kitchen to get myself some coffee. I was in no mood for this, even if this was like, the hundredth time that we would have some sort of "talk." The whole thing was pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

"Mikan," I heard my dad call. "This is important."

I sighed exasperatedly and headed for the living room, a cup of warm coffee in my hands. I sat on the loveseat in our living room, and waited for whatever they were going to say now.

"Okay," my mom said, as she entered the living room. "Let's get down to business."

"Mom. We are not at a court talking about a case," I told her.

"Mikan," my dad warned.

I sighed one more time and took a sip of my coffee. Both my parents' jobs were lawyers, even when we were back in Malibu. So for both parents as lawyers, my brother and I didn't get to see them as much, but we didn't have a hard time getting along, then. Now that Tsubasa was gone, it was like something took put the roots of a tree, and now we were a wreck. A wreck that my parents were trying hard to polish, but wouldn't shine.

"Okay, so here's the thing, Mikan." I wanted to roll my eyes at how my mom was trying to be formal and professional. "I know, well your father and I know, that you have no interest in studying for the SAT's so-"

"I told you, I still have a year. I'll be out of your hands as soon as possible, okay?"

"Will you just let me finish?"

I placed my mug on the coffee table, and crossed my arms over my chest. "Fine."

"Okay. So I was saying, if you're not going to study for the SAT's this summer, then for sure you'd be out partying every night. Am I right?"

"Yes."

She nodded. "Right. And your father and I agreed that we don't want you spending all summer partying."

"I have a job, Mom," I reminded her. It was at a music store at the mall, and it was the only job I could find at that time.

"Yes, a job that pays minimum wage, and you hardly even go to because you're out partying."

I decided to stay silent because she was right about that. "So, the whole point of this conversation right now, is to figure out what we'll be doing for the summer."

"Wait," I said. "What do you mean, 'we'?"

"Actually," my dad cut in, "we aren't going to 'figure it out', because your mother and I already planned our summer."

What the hell was happening? "Wait a minute. What exactly is going on here?"

"We," my mom said. "Are going to spend the summer in Malibu."

It was like I had suddenly gone deaf, and all that I could hear was the ringing in my ears. Malibu. That name hasn't come up in this household ever since we moved. Just the sound of it, how my mother said it, suddenly brought back different memories. But what about Malibu?

"Mikan?" my mom was snapping in front of what I think was my flabbergasted face. "Honey, are you okay?"

I shook my head and snapped back to reality. "I'm sorry, but what did you say?"

She sighed. "I know you heard me, Mikan. But if you really want me to repeat it then, here it is. We are going to spend the summer in Malibu."

Summer. Malibu. That was all it took for me, to actually burst. I didn't know what it was, but I stood up and started freaking out. "What? Are you completely insane? I thought that we wanted to run away from that place? That it was time to move on? Now we're going back, like you didn't decide to leave in the first place?"

"Oh honey, we weren't trying to run away," my mom said. "We thought that it would be good for us if we moved. But it seemed like it only made things much worse. I mean, look at you. You weren't like this before, and I know you're angry at us for leaving everything you've ever been used to behind. Angry that your brother's not here-"

"Not everything is about you!" I exclaimed. "Why can't this be about me? You think it's easy? Moving to a new place, a new country, and trying to move on, when the truth is we can't do that?"

"You think this has been easy on us?" she shot back. "Do you know how we felt waiting for you every single night, worrying that something might happen, or if you were still alive? Mikan, you're the only one we have left, and I know you're angry but don't think that you're the only one having a hard time here."

For the first time in two years, this was the only time we ever talked about grieving. How it hurt to lose someone in the family. The truth is, everything my mother said was right. I knew I was this way, because I was angry at the world. That was why I didn't want anyone to get too close to me, because I always thought about how much pain it would cost if I ever lose them.

"I'm not going," I said.

"Yes you are," my dad said. "We're leaving on Saturday."

This Saturday. June 26. It was Tsubasa's third death anniversary. I looked at both my parents, and I knew that they knew what I was thinking. I couldn't believe they were doing this to me. This was hard on all of us, but they didn't know what it was like being with him that last time. When there could have been a chance that he was saved, but wasn't.

"I don't have time for this." Without saying another word, I walked out of the living room, got my car keys, and left the house.

"Well, you're here early."

"My parents."

Sumire nodded knowingly. "Ah. Well then, come on in. At least I have some extra help for the party later."

"Yeah, not gonna happen," I joked. Sumire let me in her house, and she led me outside where the pool is. There were a number of tables and chairs already, and a long buffet table filled with bowls.

"Well, it look like you can do all this on your own," I told her.

She rolled her eyes. "Ever heard of housekeeping? And besides, it's only one o'clock. Let's just lay under the sun for a while."

We both laid down on two of the loungers, while I was still trying to get rid of what my parents just told me earlier. No way was I going to back to Malibu. First they wanted to leave so they could forget about my brother, then come back two years later for his death anniversary? The whole situation was fucked up.

"So, what's up?" Sumire asked me.

"I told you. My parents."

"Well yeah, I know that they're annoying sometimes. They're parents. It's their jobs. So what happened?"

I really didn't want to talk about it, but Sumire is the closest thing I have here. "My parents and I are going to California."

"Mikan!" she exclaimed. "Just what is so bad about that? I'm completely jealous. I think my parents are sending me to my grandmother's or somewhere in the countryside this summer."

I gave her a look. I remembered actually telling her that I came from California, and that it was filled with not-so-good memories.

"Oh right," she said, after two seconds of realization. "But why would they do that?"

"My brother's anniversary." I didn't want to say 'death' in front of her, because the last thing I needed was someone to show me some sympathy.

"Oh." Then after a while, "how did your brother die? You never told me. And I never asked because I knew it was a sore topic at that time. But it's been two years, so..."

She obviously didn't know what it felt like to lose someone who meant the world to you. Time doesn't heal anything. No matter what happens, he's always going to be gone. He was never coming back, and nothing will ever be the same. But I didn't say anything, because I knew she wouldn't understand. So I decided to just tell her the truth.

"He drowned," I said.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I shook my head.

She nodded. "Is that why you're afraid of the water?"

"I'm not afraid," I snapped. I cleared my throat. "I just don't like being in it."

"Okay, you know what," Sumire said, standing up. "This drama talk is ruining my tan. Why don't you help me fill those bowls with snacks." She gestured at the buffet table.

I smiled at her. "Glad to."

"And okay, I'm sorry for being an insensitive bitch."

"Don't worry about it."

"Oh and I forgive you for not planning to swim at my pool party," she added.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Come on, let's just get those snacks over with."

I got home at around midnight, and I was so not in the mood to deal with my mom right now, since I knew she'd be waiting up for me. So, I quickly locked the door behind me, and walked quietly up the stairs.

"Change of plans."

I let out a shriek, and turned around. "Oh my God, Mom. You scared me to death."

In the darkness, I saw that she looked a little hurt about what I just said. Then, I remembered how it was sore topic for her. Good. Let her feel that way. I've had a way harder time than her.

"Well why are you being sneaky? It's not like you're going to get caught."

"I was being sneaky, because I can't deal with you right now. I'm going to bed."

"Mikan, get back here."

I was already halfway up the stairs, and I was tired and cranky. If my mom got on my nerves, I don't know what I'll do.

"This is important," she called.

I let out a frustrated sigh and turned around once again. "What? What is it that is so important that can't wait in the morning? Oh wait, nothing. Because you've already dropped the bombshell earlier today. Or is there more?"

"Mikan Sakura, would you quit it with that attitude of yours? I'm getting tired of it."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Well? What is this important thing that you have to tell me that can't wait tomorrow morning?"

"It's about Malibu."

"I already told you. I'm not going."

"Yes you are. You are still underaged, so we still have complete power over you."

I was getting more annoyed by the minute. "You can't make me go."

"Mikan, it's for your brother."

I raised my hands up in exasperation. "Not this again. It's not fair, Mom. Two years ago, we left Malibu because you said that you wanted to move on with life, but found it difficult to do it there. And now we're here in Japan, a thousand miles away from everything that reminded you of Tsubasa. Isn't this what you wanted? To forget about it all?"

"How could you think that? You and I both know, that none us of wanted to forget him."

"Then why did we move?" I demanded. "Please enlighten me, Mom. Because for all I know, we could have just stayed there, and adjusted to the life without him. Of course it was going to hurt. What did you think, that after a month we could just get over it? It's been two years, and I'm not over it. I remember every single detail. And it hurt that you had to take us away from there just because you were scared."

My mom was silent for a while. I couldn't believe what I just said. It was mostly what has been inside my chest ever since we moved. It was more painful to be away from the place my brother loved so much. That I, loved so much.

"We're still going," my mom finally said. "And the plan's been changed. We're leaving tomorrow afternoon. So you better pack your things tonight." And with that, she went up the stairs without saying another word.

While, I, was left there dumbfounded. Tomorrow? The realization hit me like a tidal wave. I shivered, not wanting to remember. Honestly? The reason why I didn't want to go, was because I was scared. I wasn't emotionally prepared for a change again, even if that change is going back to somewhere I knew so well.

Okay, I know ya'll been waiting for Natsume's appearance, but let's be patient lovelies. He'll be there soon :) X