Hey guys. I feel so bad, updating a little late. But gah, I've been busy and I hate it. Anyway, I hope you like this one. Enjoy! x

"Hey, Mikan. God, I miss you so much. I'm not even kidding. This place is fucking deserted. Literally in the middle of nowhere. And there's no damn signal. Anyway, call me when you get this!"

"Ugh. I am currently on the roof of my grandparents' house. I am too afraid to go out of this house at night. It's way creepy. Call me, biatch."

"Wait, do you still want me to visit? Because I asked my parents about it and they said yes, but only for like three days. It sucks, but at least we get to see each other! How you holdin' up there, Cali girl? Did you hook up with the hot lifeguard? I want the dirty deets. Call me right away. I must know everything!"

I sighed, as I locked my phone. I completely forgot that it had been weeks since Sumire and I last talked. And I felt bad for it right away. I didn't want history to repeat itself. So I promised myself I'd call her back. After work. It was a Monday morning at Tony's Ice Cream shop, and now that Hotaru and I were getting along, work was much easier.

"Who was that?" Hotaru asked as I came back in after my break.

"A friend," I replied. "I met her in Tokyo."

I looked at Hotaru's reaction carefully, and she didn't seem bothered by this. "Oh. Is she coming to visit?"

My eyes widened. "You heard her voicemails?"

"No, I just thought that if she's your friend, she'd visit you here right?"

I nodded, considering this. "I Don't know yet. I have to ask my parents first. But, um, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why didn't you come and visit me?"

When Hotaru didn't answer, I regretted asking her right away. "Sorry. Stupid question."

"It's okay," she said. "I did consider that, you know. But then there was also this fear that when I got there, you'd act like you don't know me. Or worse, not remember me at all."

"Oh." It felt like someone had shoved a knife in my chest, because partly, she was right. If she did visit me, maybe I would just glance at her like she was just another face in the crowd. But they way she said it, it was like she was still afraid to trust me again. "You know if I could change things that happened two years ago, I would. I wish that everyday."

She nodded. "I understand. But sometimes things happen for a reason, and we have no choice to accept them and move on with life."

I didn't need to reply to this because she was right. But the fact that my brother being gone was something that I had to accept and move on was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

It was lunch time, so the shop was always packed. I went to the cashier, and did my usual greeting. But what I didn't expect was being face to face with Tobita Yuu.

"Hi," he said. "Um, can I have one Rocky Road please?"

I hadn't seen him since that night he got me drunk (well I got myself drunk, but he brought me there even if I went), and seeing him here again made me uncomfortable. I already remembered clearly everything that happened to me that night. The way he tried to take advantage of me made me want to cringe. I didn't like this feeling. Being scared of someone.

"That'll be a dollar and forty-nine cents," I replied, curtly.

He handed me a two-dollar bill and I handed him his change. I noticed Hotaru was observing us. She gave me a questioning look. I know she heard about what happened, but didn't exactly know the details. I gave her a look saying, "I'll explain later," and she nodded. I was glad our way of communicating silently hasn't changed.

"Mikan, I—" Tobita started to say.

"Save it," I told him. "I know you're sorry. But please, I don't want to be friends with you. At least not now. Not yet. And would you mind moving along? You're holding up the line."

He looked behind him, where there were already three people standing and glaring at him. He apologized to them and turned back to me. "I am sorry, Mikan. I wasn't myself that day. And I would love it if we became friends."

I nodded, and he went over to get his ice cream from Hotaru, who now has her eyebrows raised at me. I let out a breath that I didn't notice I was holding in. I knew Tobita wasn't really that type of person, even if he used to be a jock and had those stereotypical qualities that came with it.

"So he got you drunk?"

"No," I said. "Technically, I got myself drunk. But he took me there."

"And tried to get laid?"

My cheeks flushed at that. "No. I mean, sort of. He asked me if I wanted to go to his place. But he was drunk too. So..." I had no idea why I was sort of defending Tobita. But the whole thing wasn't entirely his fault.

"That bastard," she said, darkly.

I laughed at that. "Yeah, but it's practically history. I don't even want to remember any of it." Hotaru and I walked back home together now, and I gotta say, the long walk was worth the while with someone accompanying you.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"For what?"

"For being a bitch to you. If I knew that was what you were going through then—"

"Stop," I said. "It's history."

Just then, Natsume approached us, and my heart rate got noticeably faster. Then I panicked. Why was I having these reactions every time I... No. My stupid crush on Natsume was over ages ago. And I wasn't planning on having those feelings back again. They were too much to handle.

"Hey guys!" he greeted cheerfully. I still wasn't used to seeing him so perky all the time.

"Hyuuga," Hotaru acknowledged in a flat tone.

Natsume rolled his eyes at her. "Good to see you too, Hotaru."

"So what's up?" I said, loosening up the tension between the two of them.

Natsume looked uneasy for a moment, and he glanced between Hotaru and I. "Are you free tomorrow night?" he asked me.

His question completely took me off guard. I glanced at Hotaru and she raised her eyebrows. "I think so," I answered, as casually as possible.

"Well I better get going," Hotaru said. When I glared at her, she glared at me back and gestured her hand in a phone position.

"Cool," Natsume said. "I'll be at your house at around seven. Is that cool?"

Was he asking me out? "It's not a date," he quickly added when he saw my expression. "I just want to take you somewhere."

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Isn't that what a date is supposed to be like?"

"Well, um. Do you...want it...to be?"

"No!" I said, my cheeks flaming. "I mean, we're just hanging out right?"

"Sure."

"Right. And should I know where you're taking me?"

He smiled slyly. "Nope."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Alright. See you tomorrow."

I was so freaking nervous.

And I had no idea why! I mean, Jesus, obviously this shindig I had tonight isn't a date, but my nerves weren't calming down. This doesn't make sense. I would be this nervous if I was, let's say, 15 years old, when I was head over heals for him...

No. I was not going back down that road again. Having feelings for someone is like rolling over in broken glass. Extremely painful. I knew Natsume had no interest in me before, since I was his best friend's sister and all, but back then I still hoped. Besides, we were just friends now. And it wasn't a date. He was just taking me somewhere I know nothing about.

"Wow, you look nice," my dad commented when he entered the living room. This was usually the time where he lounges on the couch and watches t.v. until he fell asleep. But now I was seated on his spot, wearing a white floral sundress, with my hair braided back.

"I do?" I said, in a panicked voice. Because this wasn't a date, so I didn't want to seem like I was trying too hard.

"Of course," he replied. Then he saw the worried expression on my face. "What's wrong?"

I sighed. I should just stop overthinking all together and get a grip. Okay, my dad said I looked nice. All dads are required to say that to their daughters. "I'm going out tonight," I answered. "Where's Mom?"

"Really? With who? Your mom's at some old friend's house."

"Natsume," I said, nonchalantly.

Thankfully, my dad didn't think any of this. "Oh. Okay then. Have fun." It was either he didn't care I was going out with Natsume or he really wanted to watch his t.v programs. Probably the latter.

"I'm leaving now," I told him. "And don't fall asleep on the couch."

He chuckled. "No promises, honey."

I smiled at him before grabbing my jacket and heading out the door. I felt the cold night summer air once I stepped out. Then, I saw Natsume only having come out of his house. "Hey!" He waved at me.

I waved back, and we met halfway in between our houses. Also, he looked incredibly good tonight. He had a tank top underneath his polo shirt, and was wearing his usual khaki shorts. I hadn't realized I was already staring at him. Fortunately, he didn't notice.

"So, should we go?"

"Yeah," I said. "But one more thing. How do I know you're not going to hold me hostage anywhere?"

Natsume chuckled. "I can assure you, this date is hostage-free."

"Date?"

He shrugged. "Might as well call it that. Unless you want to call it a gathering-of-two-people then that's works too."

I blinked, confused. Just yesterday he said it wasn't a date, and now he wants to call it one. "I think I prefer hanging-out."

"Are you that repulsed of the idea of me going on a date with you?" he said. "Just kidding, Mikan. Hanging-out works too."

Okay, this was getting more awkward by the minute. Or was it me just thinking that? Because Natsume just grinned at me, as he escorted me into his truck.

"You know," I said, fifteen minutes later, when I noticed we were driving far from the city, "my parents are going to send out a rescue team if we don't come back."

He chuckled. "Mikan, would you relax? Geez, we're almost there anyway."

A few moments later, he pulled up somewhere on a hill. When we got out of the truck, I noticed right away the smell of seawater and the sound of the waves banging on the cliff. I did not expect this.

"Where are we?" I asked, clutching onto my jacket. Man, it was freezing out here.

"On a cliff," he answered, as we started walking. "Your brother and I used to come up here all the time. We'd just sit there on the edge, and sometimes go for a swim. You know, just to get away from it all."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Well, I just thought you'd like it here. It's a good place to think."

Once we reached the top of the hill, I had to admit the view at night was breathtaking. We could see the moon clearly, and the water looked peaceful and scary at the same time. Natsume was right though. This place was relaxing.

"Come on," he said, grabbing my wrist and leading me towards the edge. One glance below me, and I would've had a breakdown. If this moment was happening two years ago, I would've grabbed Natsume's hand, and jumped into the water together. Too bad that wasn't the case.

We both sat down on the edge of the cliff, our legs dangling. I told myself to breathe. I didn't realize I was tightly holding on to Natsume's hand. I let it go immediately and tucked them in my jacket.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Fine," I answered, a little breathless. "Just cold."

He started to take off his jacket when I stopped him. "No, it's fine. I think I'm warm now."

"You sure?"

I nodded. I looked up at the sky, and there I saw the stars but I could only see a few. "Hey can I ask you something?" I said, still looking up.

"Sure."

"Do you remember that time when I slept over at your house and we went stargazing on the beach?"

A smile crept across his face. "Yeah, I remember. Why?"

"I just remembered the conversation we had," I said. "About leaving town. You never really got to that, did you?"

He was silent for a moment and I wondered if I brought up a sensitive subject. "No," he replied, smiling. "Not really."

"Do you regret not leaving?"

"No. I'm glad I stayed."

"I'm glad you did." I clamped my hand on my mouth. I realized a second too late, that I just said that out loud. I wasn't even thinking it! It just recklessly came out of my mouth.

"You are?" I could hear the smile in his voice.

"No. I mean, yes. I mean, I'm glad you stayed for Aoi."

"Can I ask you something?" he said.

"Sure."

"Did you miss this place when you left? I know how you don't like being back here again, but did you miss it at all?"

I looked at him, thinking about my answer. "At first of course I wanted to come back. But then later I started to think living an easy life was the best way to avoid pain. It seemed like all of us, my mom, dad, me, were all doing it. Then when we came back here, something changed. It was like moving was a wrong decision, but it seemed like it was right too. I don't know, I guess things are meant to happen." Wow, I can't believe I just said that. I didn't even realize that was what I felt until I said it out loud.

"She wasn't the only reason why I stayed," Natsume said, out of nowhere. There was seriousness in his voice, and it scared me a little.

"Oh yeah?" I said, lightly. "What other reason is there?"

Instead of answering me, he stood up and took off his jacket. "Wanna go for a swim? I dare you to jump in that freezing water."

I felt like all the blood in my face was drained entirely. "Are you crazy? Do you want us to freeze to death?"

He rolled his eyes. "Don't be so dramatic. Come on. Just for fun."

I felt it now. Bile was rising up in my throat. I wanted to throw up so bad, but I swallowed hard. He wasn't going to see me doing that here. "I don't have my suit," I said.

"That's fine. We'll get out as soon as it's too cold for us. You ready?"

I wanted to tell him, I really did. But I couldn't control the urge to throw up right now. "Excuse me," I croaked before running down the hill.

"Mikan, are you okay?" I heard Natsume shout behind me. I could hear him running after me. I ran faster and spotted a nearby bush and vomited my guts out. As I tasted the awful taste in my mouth, I thought I could handle my fear now, since it's been weeks that I stayed here already, and looking at the ocean didn't seem to bother me anymore. I wondered if it was something more. Because whatever it was, it was getting worse.

How's that for a start of MikanxNatsume moments? Haha. Sorry Mikan had to ruin it though. And to make it up to you for updating late, next chapter will be full of MikanxNatsume moments :) and I promise to update sooner!

'Til the next update! Ciao!~ xx