Hey guys! I am so sorry for the delay. My schedule just suddenly became hectic over the past week and I was so exhausted.

And I just woke up this morning to tragic news. Cory Montieth died already and him and Lea were supposed to get married in two weeks. God, it's so depressing. I don't think I can watch another episode of Glee without crying.

Sorry for the blabbering it's just heartbreaking. :(

Anyway, here it is :) enjoy! x

I woke up the next morning, thinking that I was in my own room. So, just as I decided to go back to sleep, I found myself in Natsume's arms. I realized I was snuggled up to him, with my head practically on his chest, and my leg thrown over his. One of his arms were around my waist, hugging me like a pillow. I was so shocked that I almost screamed. How on earth did we end up in this position? From what I remember last night, we weren't even touching. I could feel his breathing, slow and even, unlike me, whose heart rate I think would wake him up. I could feel it practically pounding right out of my chest.

I pulled my head up slowly, and saw Natsume still sleeping. I almost gasped. He looked so... beautiful. I always thought he was. Oh my God. I can't feel this way about him again. I just can't.

I slowly moved his arm from my waist, and lifted my leg off him (God, now I knew what Tsubasa meant about me being an unruly sleeper). But then he moved, and I felt his hold tighten on me. I heard him mutter something about five more minutes. He must think he was still at home too. And as much as I didn't want to wake him up, I had to.

"Natsume." I nudged him softly. "Wake up. We have to get the truck."

No reply. Okay, new tactic: Push him out of the bed. But that won't work since he was embracing me so I would fall too. As I was thinking of ways to wake him up, he suddenly turned and then I was face-to-face with him.

Our face were just inches away from each other, and I felt my heart race faster and faster.

"Hi," he said in a husky voice.

Before I could reply, he immediately let go of me, so now we were only facing each other. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't um... I wasn't aware that... I'm just..."

"I get it," I replied. "I'm an unruly sleeper too."

He smiled and nodded. "You hungry?"

Now that he mentioned it, we did forget to eat dinner last night. "Actually, I am."

"Good. So am I." He got out of the bed and flexed. I couldn't help but notice his abs when his shirt went up a little. I mean, I've seen those abs billions of times, but good God. Also, his hair was all messy which made him look even more attractive. I looked away, blushing deeply.

"Mind if I use the shower first? I have to call the towing company after."

"Sure."

When he was gone, I immediately checked my phone for messages. Surprisingly, there was none from my mom or Hotaru, but there was one voicemail. I clicked on it.

"Hey, it's me. Look, sorry about yesterday. I just wasn't myself. Look, I have to tell you something. Call me back as soon as you get this. Or whatever. Bye."

I was shocked. This serious side of Sumire wasn't the one I was used to. I knew she'd get over the fight quickly, but then it sounded like there was something else. What on earth was she going to tell me? Could it be that I wasn't the only one keeping secrets from her?

After I took my shower, and changed clothes, Natsume and I checked out, and looked for a place to eat.

"The company said they'd be here at around eleven a.m.," he said, checking his watch. "Which gives us three hours to look for somewhere to eat and to actually eat."

We were walking along the sidewalks for the last ten minutes, and so far all we found was an abandoned tire shop. While walking, I couldn't help but notice that our hands or shoulders would accidentally touch, and that it would send an electric shock within me. I wanted to kick myself, really. One night together where nothing even happened, and now I was turning into this girl I was long ago who had a stupid little crush on her brother's best friend. Or was she there all along, and I've been trying so hard to keep her underneath?

"Look, a diner," Natsume said, breaking my thoughts. He was pointing over to a diner not too far from where we were. About five blocks.

"Thank God. I'm starving."

Four hours later, after the truck was towed, we finally arrived back home. For some reason, I felt so drained even if, okay, I had a good's night sleep last night.

"Hey, Mikan," Natsume said as I walked back to my house. "Sorry for ruining the camping trip. I promise I'll make it up to you."

I smiled. "No worries. I had fun." And as I closed the door behind me, I realized that my last statement was true.

It was a work day again, and I haven't seen Natsume since our little adventure. I stayed at home for the rest of the weekend. Of course, Hotaru would pick this time—when there were a lot of customers—to ask about that night.

"So he didn't like, make a move on you?"

I blushed slightly, remembering our very awkward position that morning. Although to be honest, it felt comfortable. Safe, even. "No," I replied.

"Are you sure?" she prodded. "I mean, like, a guy and a girl who have been lusting for each other, alone in a motel room. And nothing happened?"

"We are not lusting for each other," I whispered, fiercely. There were old people here for God's sake.

Then, as if the whole universe hated me, Natsume entered the shop, and my breath caught in my throat. It was too late denying my feelings for him. I knew that I was doomed.

"Not lusting for each other, my ass," Hotaru muttered, examining my expression.

But my heart immediately sank when I saw that he wasn't alone. Misaki walked up behind him, laughing about something he said. The worst part is, it wasn't the laugh that you knew screamed of flirting. It was as if she really thought he was funny. I saw her reply something, and Natsume laughed as well. I looked away, wanting to kick myself. There was nothing to be jealous about. He wasn't mine, he wasn't anyone's. But my heart still had that sinking feeling.

"Jealous much?" Hotaru said in my ear.

I just glared at her. "No. I'm just surprised to see them here, that's all."

She snorted. "Right. Well they always hang-out here. I'm guessing it's their thing."

At that moment, Natsume looked up from their table and waved at me. Misaki did the same. I waved back. Eventually, he had to order, and I honestly didn't want him to come up to me.

"Can you handle this please," I told Hotaru.

"Mikan, it's your job to take the orders."

I looked at her pleadingly, and she just rolled her eyes in reply. "Fine. Move."

After Hotaru took his order, and handed them to him, I breathed out the air I didn't know I was holding the whole time. I felt him staring at me a while ago, and I tried my best to not make eye contact with him. And it worked, because he didn't talk to me.

"What is the matter with you?" Hotaru said.

I sighed, glancing at Natsume and Misaki, who were cracking up about something. "I can't do it."

"Can't do what?"

"I can't have feelings for him. It's too messed up."

"But you already have feelings for him," she pointed out. "Or you never lost them."

I shook my head. "God, just forget I said anything. Are you doing anything tonight?"

"No," she said, slowly. "Why?"

"I know I put that behind me, but I just need it tonight."

She frowned. "Need what?"

"To party," I said. "You up for it?"

Her expression actually relaxed. "Mikan Sakura, what do you think have I been doing for the past two years? Lived like a nun?"

I told my mom I would stay over at Hotaru's that night. And to be honest, I actually felt bad about it. Now that we were getting along, I felt guilty lying to her. But I just wanted to block my head of any thinking. I didn't want to analyze anything. I needed to be numb.

It was a good thing I packed some of my clothes I wore at parties. I put my favorite little black dress, my silver heels, and make-up kit inside my duffel bag, and headed to Hotaru's.

"Running away?"

I jumped at the sound of his voice. I turned to Natsume's house and saw him sitting on the porch.

"Sleepover," I replied, a little breathless.

"Then why are you so jumpy?"

"You scared the crap out of me, okay? Jesus, I thought you were some freakish stalker. What are you doing out here anyway?"

He shrugged, then walked towards me. "I just want to think."

"Exactly what I don't want to do," I muttered.

He studied my expression and frowned. "You're not going to do anything stupid tonight, are you?"

Crap. Was I really that obvious? "Define stupid," I said, walking past him.

"Mikan!"

I turned around and rolled my eyes at him. "Relax, I'm kidding. I'm staying over at Hotaru's tonight, okay? The most stupid thing we could possibly do is leave the faucet running in the bathroom or something."

He was still staring at me. I was sure he could tell I was lying. He'd always known before. But I knew I was better at it now. Years of practice. "Okay," he finally said. "It's not like it's my business or anything."

I nodded, feeling a little hurt at this for some reason. "Right. It isn't. So I guess I better go."

"Wait," he said. "Can we talk? Tomorrow?"

"About what?" I asked, cautiously.

"Not telling you until then," he answered, smirking. "Have a good night."

"You too," I mumbled. Great another thing to add to my things-to-worry-about list. But no, that list would not exist for tonight.

"Oh shit. We have a problem."

I glanced at Hotaru, and giggled. We've been at the bar for about a few hours and I lost count of how many tequilas I had ages ago. She looked at me, then we laughed together. Obviously, she's lost count too. And we were having a blast. We danced like six times tonight. I almost forgot how it felt good to just let loose and not care about anything.

"What's the problem?" I said, in between laughs.

"We don't have a DD."

We looked at each other in realization and started laughing again. "Oh shit, you are so right. How are we going to get home?"

"Maybe we could find someone kind enough here to take us home."

I giggled at how that sounded. "Hotaru! You have a boyfriend."

"I know, dummy. Not my fault you took it the wrong way."

We started laughing again, and ordered two more shots of tequila. Then we went to the dance floor and danced like there was no tomorrow. It felt exhilarating. And to be honest, the experience was much better with Hotaru around. I regretted why I didn't drink too much before. The alcohol made everything in me numb. And that was exactly what I needed.

"I think we should go home," Hotaru said, when we finally took a break from all that dancing.

"But we don't have a DD, remember?"

She looked a little sober now. "Don't hate me for this." Before I could reply, she took out her phone and started dialing. I panicked a little because I thought she was going to call my parents. Or worse: Natsume.

"Babe?" she said over the phone. "Yeah, I know it's three in the morning, I am so sorry. But you can yell at me tomorrow, okay? Can you come pick us up? Mikan and I are both too drunk to drive."

"Oh my God, I am so sorry," I told her. "If I knew that—"

"Don't even say it. I had fun tonight, and I came here to accompany you. I'm just doing what a friend would do."

I smiled at her. "Thank you. Really." I just hoped I'd remember this in the morning, so if we ever get in a fight again, we would look back at this moment.

A few moments later, Ruka arrived, and I heard him hushing angrily at Hotaru. I thought she would say something back, but she just nodded as if she was being scolded by her mom. Ruka just looked at me with a disapproving expression on his face. And for a moment, I pictured it as my brother's.

The next morning, I woke with a piercing headache and found that I was still wearing my clothes from last night. Hotaru was beside me, her hair covering half her face. I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost two in the afternoon. It was a good thing Hotaru's mom was out of town. I got out of the bed and used the shower first. My head was still pounding fiercely as I recalled the events from last night. I remembered dancing a lot, and then Ruka's face popped into my mind. I almost forgot that he was the one who drove us home. And the way he looked at me, like he couldn't believe I've done such a thing again.

After I got out of the bathroom, Hotaru was already sitting up on her bed and staring out the window. I recalled her and Ruka getting into a fight, and that it was my fault. God, I had to fix this.

"Hey," I said, sitting beside her. "You okay?"

"Beside from the massive headache, and the fact that I slept in these clothes, I'm great."

I smiled slightly. "I am so sorry, Hotaru. Are you and Ruka okay?"

She glanced at me. "Don't be sorry. Ruka would get over it. I'm the one who should be sorry."

"What for?" I asked, shocked.

"I know he's going to tell Natsume. Those two never not share anything to each other. They beat us girls at it. And I knew why you wanted to go out last night. It was to avoid him, right? Like avoid him in your head?"

I sighed. "I guess you could put it that way."

"Did it work?"

"No," I grumbled. "Well it did for a while. But now all I can think about is him. Like what he's going to say to me after he finds out I got drunk again. It was already bad enough to see Ruka look at me disapprovingly, I'm not sure if I could take him looking at me like that. I just imagined my brother looking at me that way. And I don't want him to be disappointed in me."

Hotaru put an arm around my shoulders. "Hey, we all do stupid things, right? No one can judge you for that."

"Thanks," I said, sighing. "Well then I guess I better head home. Thank you. For last night. I had a lot of fun."

She smiled. "Best friends equals drinking buddies."

It felt good hearing her say those words again. I hugged her. "I'll let you know when we have our next."

"It better not be tonight again! God knows what that Hyuuga boy has to say."

"I'm sure it won't be that bad," I replied. But I highly doubted that.

Sorry I had to cut it there. But I promise the next chapter would be posted sooner! I'm still writing it :) Anywho, hoped you liked this one. 'Til the next update! Ciao!~ x