Hey guys. My summer is so effin' boring so I spend the whole day in my room, typing away. Here's one product. Enjoy :)

"Mikan?"

I looked up from my phone, where I was reading my conversation with Sumire, because what else was I supposed to do at a place with no reception? I was startled to see three guys standing in front of my table. They all looked oddly familiar. The guy who was in the middle, who I think said my name, was tall, had dirty blonde hair and big brown eyes. The two guys with him almost looked like twins. The one on the right had spiky blonde hair, while the one on the left, had light brownish hair.

I must have looked pretty shocked and confused because the guy in the middle introduced himself. "You don't remember me? I'm Tobita Yuu. And I'm pretty sure you're Mikan Sakura."

That name rang a bell. It took me two seconds to finally recognize them. "Oh. Tsubasa went to school with you guys."

The guy on the right, who I remembered as Kokoro Yome, snickered. "Went to school with? Pft, you make us sound like losers."

"I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"Nah it's cool," Kitsuneme, the guy on the left said. "He's only kidding."

Tobita gave me a once over. "Wow, it really is you. For a minute there we thought you were a ghost or something..."

There was an awkward silence of three seconds, until I spoke up. "Um, I think I'm still alive?"

"Of course you are!" Koko said. "It's just um, we... well..."

"Look we're sorry about what happened to your brother," Tobita told me, his eyes serious. "We really are."

I nodded. The last time I heard those words, "I'm sorry" was two years ago. When it happened. I kept on hearing it everywhere. In Tokyo, nobody felt sorry for me. And that was the way I liked it. But hearing it now, again, made it lose its meaning.

These three guys weren't even that close with my brother. Tsubasa was actually part of the popular crowd in high school (me finding out when I stepped foot in the ninth grade), and he wasn't the kind to brag about it, because he honestly didn't care. He was popular because of what he does: class president, captain of the swim team, top of his class, etc. Tobita, Koko and Kitsuneme were all part of the football team, Tobita being the captain. They invited Tsubasa and Misaki to one party once, when they were both juniors while Tobita and his gang, seniors. That was one point in my life where I was disappointed in my brother. He got in so much trouble that night and was grounded for a month because he came home drunk, and I think stoned as well. He told me later on what happened, when he remembered it. I hated those guys who did it to him ever since. And now, they were here, and not actually being jerks. Sort of.

Tobita actually sat on the chair across from mine. "So, Mikan. What brings you here? I heard you left or something."

"Actually," I told him as I got up from my seat, "I was just leaving."

I didn't know where to actually go, but home wasn't an option. And besides, I didn't like the way Tobita made me feel uncomfortable.

"Wait!"

I dared myself to turn around.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Anywhere but here."

A small smirk crossed his face. "I know exactly the perfect place."

I couldn't believe this.

Half an hour ago I was itching to escape Tobita and his creepiness, but now we were at this bar somewhere downtown, and he was buying me a drink. Koko and Kitsuneme were on the dance floor for the last hour.

"What would you like?" Tobita asked me.

"To get out of here," I said. "I don't drink."

He laughed. "Yeah okay. I'll just order for you, is that okay?"

I glanced at him sharply. "What do you think you're doing?"

"What do you mean? I'm buying you a drink."

"Why the hell did you bring me here?" I demanded.

Tobita smiled and shrugged at the same time. "I don't know, it seemed like you wanted to get away from something or avoiding it. And this is where I always go when I feel that way. It's like my sanctuary."

I laughed humorlessly. "You don't know anything about me."

"I know that you were Tsubasa's goody-two shoes little sister, who is always happy about everything."

I snorted.

"But now, you're this rebellious teenager who thinks she's better than everyone else."

It irked me that he thought that he knew me so well, and that he could read me like I was on open book. "Wrong. I'm a normal teenager who is being held hostage at a bar while a stranger tries to hit on me. It's sickening really."

He actually chuckled. "I think you're the stranger here. And I didn't hold you hostage. You could have said no. But you didn't say anything so I took that as a yes."

"That was me being utterly surprised and pissed at the same time."

"Now I know."

I didn't respond and observed my surroundings. As much as I'd hate to admit it to Tobita, I was relieved that he brought me here. This was definitely my escape place. It made me miss Tokyo.

"Here." Tobita was holding out a glass that definitely reeked of alcohol, towards me. I actually didn't drink when I was in Tokyo, because I observed that it made someone act like a total fool. I did try a few times, but it was only when Sumire was in one of her dramatic meltdowns, and I felt like I had to drink with her. But I've never been drunk before. Nor did I do drugs. Yep, I was the lamest rebellious teenager on the planet.

"What is that?" I asked, even when I knew exactly what it was.

"Vodka. C'mon try it."

"I've already tried it. Not much thrill."

"Oh. Should I get a different one?"

I grabbed the drink quickly from his hands, and took in a huge gulp. The alcohol sent sparks in my body. Now I knew why people thought of it as an escape. Because it made me forget everything for even just a second.

Tobita was watching me with amused eyes. "Or you could gulp it down. How old are you, Mikan?"

"Seventeen." I took another gulp, and the drink was finished. I signaled the bartender to give me another one.

"You're underaged? I thought you were eighteen."

"If you did the math, you're the same age as my brother who was three years older than me. Why? Does my age suddenly make me lame?"

He scooted closer to me, and whispered in my ear. "Nope. You can definitely pull-off eighteen. And older."

My drink came then, and I drank it all in one sitting. I asked for another one. I was already feeling a bit lightheaded, but I liked this feeling. It was the first time I felt numb.

"You're quite the drinker," Tobita commented.

"Actually I'm not," I said. "Back in Tokyo I never drank. Or I did a few times. But I didn't like it. Now, I love it. It's awesome."

"So you moved to Tokyo, huh?"

"Yeah." Another glass of vodka was placed in front of me, and I drank, but didn't finish it. "My parents are such cowards. We moved right after Tsubasa died. They said they couldn't concentrate on their work, so we fled to Tokyo. Can you believe it? Of all places. But surprisingly, I love it there." I realized this was the first time I ever told anyone about that. And of all people, it had to be Tobita. A guy I barely knew.

"So what brings you here again?" he asked.

"My parents are saying it's because of Tsubasa's anniversary, but I honestly think they're trying to punish me." I took another gulp of vodka. "See, I wasn't the daughter they wanted me to be. I always partied and came home late. That started when we moved to Tokyo. So if you look at this in all angles, it was their fault to begin with."

He nodded. "Yeah, I feel you. My parents want me to go to business school so I can take over my dad's company. Hell no. I don't know what to do in my life yet, so I'm just having fun right now."

"What did you parents say?"

"I don't know. I moved out last year. I got my own condo with my trust fund. It was supposed to be for college, but I'm not going there."

"Wow. Business school and a trust fund. Must be living the good life."

"Not even close. I have to get an actual job and pay bills. Do you know how hard that is?"

I shook my head, and giggled. Then, we both burst out laughing.

I took a last gulp of my drink. "Life sucks."

"You're telling me," Tobita said. He pointed to my empty glass. "Do you want some more?"

I handed it to him. "Yes please."

Three more drinks later, I actually felt like I was floating. Tobita was actually a normal person to talk to. Or maybe it was because I was drunk? After my seventh drink, Tobita's chair was already right next to mine. He leaned to me and whispered in my ear. "Do you wanna get outta here?"

I nodded. "Yes. Take me back to Tokyo."

He chuckled. "I meant, this bar. If you don't want to go home tonight, my place has a lot of free space."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying, that we-"

He stopped talking, and had on a terrified expression on his face. He was looking behind me. I turned around and saw Natsume walking towards me. I thought I was seeing things, so I blinked my eyes a couple of times. But it was real. It was like being in a nightmare, and daring myself to wake up, but I couldn't. Natsume was standing right in front of me.

While I knew my mouth was gaping open like a fish, Tobita seemed casual about it. Almost like he was used to seeing Natsume in places like these. "Oh hey, man. What's up?"

Natsume ignored him and turned to me. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

I have to be completely honest. The coldness in his voice made me freeze for a millisecond. Then, I laughed. "Are you dumb? As you can obviously see, I am here having fun! You should try it sometime."

"Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else right now? Or let's say six hours ago?"

I cocked my head to side. "What are you talking about?"

Natsume sighed angrily. "Your mom called me. She wanted to know if I knew where you were. I was about to go out searching for you, but eventually you're here at some bar with a guy you barely know."

"Um dude?" Tobita said. "Sitting right here."

Natsume glared at him, and that made Tobita shut up. I replayed what Natsume said in my head. Mom called him? This made me laugh out loud. "So what, you're my babysitter now?" I said. "Classic."

"Look. Your mom told me that as soon as I find you, I bring you home. Let's go." He grabbed my wrist, and I furiously pulled back.

"I'm not coming with you."

"Mikan, I don't have time for this. Come on." He started reaching for my wrist again, and I pulled back harder, getting up from my seat in the process. I was now facing him.

"No."

He didn't say anything, and reached for my wrist one more time. Suddenly, Tobita also stood up from his seat. "Hey, stop it man," he said. "She said she doesn't want to go. And why are you doing this? Don't you already have-"

Natsume shot him a cold, hard glare and spoke to him in a low menacing voice. "Stay out of this, Tobita."

Tobita immediately retreated. Natsume grabbed my wrist again, and managed to pull me out of the crowd of people already watching. He led us to his truck, and opened the passenger door. "Get in," he ordered.

My head was already throbbing, and I felt woozy so I was too tired to argue. I did what he said.

"Are you kidnapping me?" I said, after a few minutes of silence. "Where are you taking me?"

"Home." His reply was cold.

My head was leaned against the car window, so I sat up to look at him. "Home? Where the hell is that?" I let out a laugh. "Because for the past fifteen years of my life, I thought this place," I gestured around the truck, "was my home. And then we move to Tokyo, and I've thought of it as my home for two years of my life. And now I'm back here, while I left my well-adjusted and fabulous life in Tokyo. So I don't think I have a home. I'm homeless." I laughed out louder.

Nastume didn't say anything, but just looked straight ahead. I slammed my head back to the window. It didn't even hurt. There were a few more moments of silence until his phone rang. He answered it.

"Hello? Yeah, I know I'm so sorry... No, it was an emergency. I'll explain it all tomorrow... Yes, I'll call you right away. Bye."

"Ooohhh," I sang, genuinely curious. "Who was that?"

"No one."

I gasped, loudly. "Is that... your GIRLFRIEND?"

Natsume didn't answer me again. "Ha! I knew it. You do have a girlfriend. Now I know why you're being so nice. It's because of a GIRL!" I laughed. "Oh my God, I am so freaking smart."

Silence.

"FYI," I said, "you're not being so nice right now. Man, you are so weird! I thought you were a good guy now, but then you decide to become a raging monster. What's it gonna be?"

"Where were you supposed to be tonight?" he asked, clearly changing the subject.

"Who the hell knows," I replied. "Not me."

"Your mom said something about a dinner. Where was it?"

"Why do you care?" I demanded. "It doesn't matter to me, so definitely won't matter to you."

He sighed. "Fine."

"But if you must know," I said. "It was supposed to be at Hotaru's place."

"Is that why you didn't go?" His tone was soft, like he felt sorry for me. It irritated me. I didn't need anybody's sympathy. The nerve of him.

"Stop acting like you know me," I said, sharply.

"I do know you, Mikan. I've known you for years."

"You know the old me. You know nothing about the new me."

"The new you?" he said, in a mocking tone. "There is no old or new you. You're still Mikan. Only now, you're hiding."

There he was again, trying to figure me out like I was some sort of ridiculous puzzle. I was about to say something else, but we already came for a stop. We were now in front of my house. Natsume got out, and helped me get up from the ground, since I think I fell or something. "Are you okay?"

I shook of his hold on my shoulders. "Just leave me alone, you jerk."

"Wow, I help you get home and you call me a jerk. Well, you're welcome."

I wasn't listening to him, because my stomach felt weird, and I felt like something was coming up. Before I knew it, I vomited. On Natsume.

I wrote this after watching an episode of the carrie diaries so... yeah idek what I'm saying. Am I weirding you guys out? Because if I am, well then I'll stop. Not with the story of course, but with the random ramblings. Okay bye :) xx