CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:

Ninomiya Kazunari – Niji

If you have the time to listen to this, please do.

DISLAIMER: I don't own Gakuen Alice. :D

Red Lining

"I'm in love with you, Mikan."

Mikan felt her heart stop for a moment as her brown orbs widened from what she had suddenly heard.

Was Natsume...

"I-I..." She tried to muster as she covered her stunned face with her hands. "This can't be..."

"Mikan..." Natsume took a step towards her, reaching for her only to make her step backward, away from him.

Natsume looked inwardly at Mikan. He's head tipped to the side as he slowly observed Mikan's reactions towards him.

This was his first proposal to a girl after all.

He knew from those romantic movies that Tsubasa had made him watch, the girl protagonist should, by now, be running towards the boy protagonist and saying that she had loved him for as long as she could remember.

He pouted for a moment as he clearly saw the difference in those movies and his situation. A lot of questions flashed into Natsume's mind as he searched and tried to understand the different signals Mikan was showing him.

"Mikan..." He started all over again, as he took another step towards her.

Mikan waved her hands in front, shielding her from the sight of Natsume. She shook her head and started, "No, no... stay right there."

Natsume stopped at his tracks and looked at Mikan's dazed face. He tried to control his annoyance as he realized that Mikan was pushing him away.

He silently asked, trying to cover the hurt he was feeling inside, "Didn't you hear anything that I just said?"

Mikan just stared up at him like he was talking in a foreign language.

"Are you... are you trying to push me away?" Natsume spat out angry now as Mikan continued to look at him but still keeping the distance between them.

Honestly, he was never that type of person to come to someone when he needs him/her. And now that he was doing it, his object seemed to be trying to get away from him.

And it scared him and made him infuriated a lot.

"Why are you trying to get away from me, Mi—"

Natsume abruptly stopped as tears suddenly spilled out of Mikan's eyes. He looked straight at her and then he heard her whisper, "No."

Mikan brought her palms to her face again as to cover her tears.

She couldn't possibly be together with Natsume.

It was different.

It was difficult.

Natsume didn't know what hit him but he felt the stung inside him as he heard her whisper.

Mikan sighed.

"Natsume, you're just confused. How could you possibly like me? We don't get along... I hate your guts, you hate my guts. We're in two different worlds. I'm normal, you're a rock star. I want my life to be private, yours is like a story made from a book, an open book. It's difficult."

Natsume's hands clenched into a fist as his ruby eyes darkened.

"We're not meant to be. We could never be together. You're just being foolish..."

Mikan giggled a little hoping that Natsume wouldn't see the façade that she was trying to put on. She wiped her wet face and looked up to face Natsume to let him see that she wasn't at all stunned and that she wouldn't take any of this seriously so that they both could go on with their lives.

If not together, hopefully as friends.

Mikan tried to smile but half of her wanted to throw her arms around Natsume.

No, this is what's best for both of you. Don't let Natsume's career be in danger because of you.

She looked up, giving all the best she had to make her lips form into a smile, but suddenly her heart slammed wildly inside her as she felt Natsume's orbs boring into hers.

Natsume took a step towards her. She wanted to back away but the eyes that bore into her stopped her from moving even an inch. Suddenly he was in front of her. He managed to close the gap between them that Mikan could actually feel his hot breath on her cheeks.

They continued to stare at each other when suddenly Mikan felt Natsume's hands firmly grasp her chin and made her look up to him even more. "What are—"

Suddenly Natsume covered her mouth with his own, his fingers forcing her chin to move and her lips to open its rim to welcome his tongue. Mikan gasped as she felt the hot velvet touch against hers. She tried to get away from him. She jerked her arms at his chest but only to find her slammed against it as Natsume's other arm found its was around Mikan's back, pushing her towards him.

Mikan's eyes widen.

It was like the first time he had kissed her but tonight it was rough, needy, savaged.

Natsume plunged his tongue inside Mikan's mouth again and again, earning a moan from her. He suckled on her lower lips, sending shivers all the way done her spine. Just when he felt her reacting to his touches and responding to him with the exact same need he had, he removed his fingers from her chin and curled it around her nape, pushing her harder into the kiss. His other hand pushed Mikan closer and harder to his stronger body.

Their kiss lasted for more than a minute and when Natsume pulled his lips away, they both gasped for air. Natsume's hand continued to hold her tightly to him as he tried to regain his composure. He lowered his lips on Mikan's neck and kissed the very same spot he had bitten her.

Mikan, on the other, couldn't do anything as she felt hot everywhere. She continued gasping for air as she felt Natsume kissing her neck.

For a minute they stayed like this when Natsume suddenly stopped his movements and placed his mouth against Mikan's ears.

He was still gasping for air but when he did finally speak; his words were raspy and mixed with different emotions that made Mikan shiver all over.

"Now, tell me... tell me, we can't be together."

Mikan froze.

Tell me we can't be together...

Tears wanted to spill out of Mikan's eyes but she quickly stopped it

This is our only choice. I know we can't be together...

Mikan tried to find her composure as she straightened up and closed her eyes. She wanted to memorize exactly how it feels to be in Natsume's arms.

For she will surely, always treasure it.

Several seconds passed before Mikan finally whispered against his ear. "We can't be together."

Natsume stiffened against her. Within seconds, he pushed Mikan away from him and turned away from her, ready to leave.

But... I want to be with you.

"Natsume?" Mikan said as she turned around and looked at Natsume who was heading out of the hall.

Natsume stopped at his heels but he didn't turn back to face her.

Mikan tried to stop the ache he was feeling as she stared at Natsume's back. She wanted to pull him against her again. To say that she was sorry and that she needs him.

But she controlled herself.

"Can we still be friends—"

Natsume fisted his hands until his knuckles became white.

He stopped because he was hoping Mikan would change her decision. So that this would be something to remember in the future but it all came shattering down. Mikan wouldn't change her decision.

You'll never have her, Natsume.

"Have a good night's sleep, Miss Sakura."

Mikan just stared at the now empty way of the Music Hall.

Everything was silent.

Tell me that what I'm feeling is not a mistake.

Aha! There's the twist! Mikan, actually refused Natsume. :O Haha!

Next chapter will be longer than this, I promise all of you.

Take care!

khostar