Author's Note: It seems that between school and extra-curricular activities, I haven't really had much time to write. Sorry, dear readers, for the delay, and please enjoy the next installment!

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice, but a girl can dream . . .


Monday, November 27th – 6:45 am – Mikan's Apartment

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Groaning groggily, Sakura Mikan sat up, resting her back against the headboard of her bed. Her eyes darted to the digital reading on the clock. 6:46 AM.

"Okay, Mikan. You can do this. Just get up, get ready, and go to the interview like you promised." She already regretted caving in to her friend's request – for a mere piece of cake, at that.

Five more minutes, her (rather lazy) other half pleaded.

"No," she declared resolutely. "Get up. A promise is a promise."

With a reluctant sigh, the brunette slid off her bed, shivering as her bare feet touched the cold wood floor. She quickly made her bed and immediately headed to the master bathroom for a nice, hot shower.

In exactly fifteen minutes, she emerged in a white bathrobe, sparkling clean, fully awake, and ready to take on the world. She strolled across the bedroom to her spacious walk-in closet and quickly dressed before heading to the kitchen to get breakfast.


7:15 AM – Aoi's Apartment

"Hello? Natsume?" Hyuuga Aoi paused, waiting for a response. "Natsume, pick up the phone!"

"You've reached the office of Hyuuga Natsume. He is currently unavailable. Please leave a message after the beep. He'll get back to you as soon as—"

Huffing impatiently at the syrupy voice of her brother's now-former personal assistant, she quickly hung up. As if he even checks his voicemail, the woman scoffed.

Aoi looked up at her living room clock. Well, looks like it's time to head out anyway. I'll just grab a cup of coffee on the way.

She quickly grabbed her purse, dropping her wallet and keys into it, before slipping into some black pumps and sauntering out the front door. Absorbed in exciting thoughts of the impending events, she made it more than halfway down the hallway before she realized that she hadn't locked her apartment. Chuckling, she strolled back and pulled out her keys, completing the forgotten task.

As she stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for her friend's floor, Aoi thought about the perfect way to execute her plan.

She'll need to look attractive, but not desperate. We can get coffee and bring it to him. But should I send her in by herself, or accompany her and present her as . . . No . . . Yes, that'll work.

DING! The elevator announced its arrival on the twenty-sixth floor, and Aoi walked out of the elevator with confidence. When she reached Mikan's door, she took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. Stage two – officially underway.


7:29 AM – Mikan's Apartment

As she flipped a page of her magazine, Mikan couldn't help once again looking up at the kitchen clock. Any second now . . . she predicted, anticipating the arrival of her friend.

DING-DONG!

The brunette smiled, amused at the coincidence.

"Coming!" she replied promptly, walking over and answering the door.

"Good morning!" greeted Aoi, a huge grin on her face.

"Good morning would have been at nine," Mikan responded laughingly. She opened the door, and gestured for Aoi to come in. As soon as Aoi's eyes landed on her companion's clothes, however, her expression changed from one of happiness to one of unconcealed horror.

"What in the world are you wearing?" she screeched.

"Huh?" Mikan responded, frowning in confusion. "What's wrong with this?" She looked down at her outfit, which consisted of a white blouse, a black blazer, and long, black boot-leg trousers.

"No, no. You can't wear this to your interview!" Aoi exclaimed.

"What? Why? There's nothing wrong with my outfit . . . . Practical, comfortable, and—"

"There's nothing wrong with it." Aoi interrupted. "You just can't wear these clothes today." Putting on a pleading expression, she asked, "Please change? For me?"

The look on the woman's face was one of obvious desperation. Mikan sighed, her resolution crumbling at her friend's expression.

"You know, I'm suddenly doing a lot of things for you lately," said the brunette. For some pretty suspicious reasons too, if I say so myself. "What am I supposed to wear today, then?" she asked.

Aoi's eyes lit up, and she swiftly responded, "I think I have a pretty good idea." Without another word, she kicked off her shoes in the foyer and headed for the master bedroom – more specifically, the closet. With a small smile and a subtle shake of her head, Mikan followed.

After a series of shuffling noises, Aoi marched out of the closet, new outfit in hand.

"Put this on, I'll do your hair, and let's go! We're already . . ." She stopped mid-sentence to check her watch. "Two minutes behind schedule." she concluded.

Walking into the bathroom for privacy, Mikan hurriedly changed into the dressy scoop-neck navy blouse and black pencil skirt that her friend had picked out, frowning when she looked in the mirror.

"Aoi," she began, opening the door. "Is this okay to wear to the interview?", gesturing at the length of the skirt, which fell right above her knees.

Aoi waved her hands dismissively. "Believe me. You'll look downright conservative compared to some of the others. Now let's just do your hair, and you need some jewelry. Shoes and . . . ." Aoi ran back to the closet, talking to herself. A moment later, she emerged, pushing Mikan into the bathroom. She twisted the brunette's hair into a loose chignon and started powdering her face.

"Wait," Mikan said. "Can we do without the make-up?"

After a few seconds of consideration, Aoi companionably replied, "Sure, if you're okay with it. I personally never go out without some semblance of foundation on, though. Of course, your complexion is quite even without any. How about some blush, at least?

"Thanks, but no."

"Mascara? Eyeliner?"

"Aoi—"

"Oh, come on. Be a good sport," she coaxed. "It's just a little. Here." Aoi fished a tube of mascara from her purse and offered it to Mikan. The brunette decisively shook her head.

Exhausted from her efforts and in desperate need of caffeine, Aoi decided to put the jewelry on her friend and be done with it. She opened her other hand and gently set a pair of earrings and a necklace on the bathroom counter.

"Well, at least put these on. I got them for you months ago, and I still haven't seen you wear them."

Feeling guilty from having forgotten them and for refusing Aoi's help, Mikan willingly put the jewelry on.

The earrings were a dainty pair of silver rose studs, an informal gift for Valentine's Day. The necklace, a layered jumble of black and silver charms (including another rose), was just something Aoi had impulsively bought before realizing that she had one almost exactly like it. Mikan laughed as she thought about how her friend's impulsive shopping trips often resulted in an inadvertent addition to her own wardrobe.

"Do you have any coffee?"

Aoi's question snapped Mikan back into the present.

"In the kitchen." the brunette responded.

"I'm going to get some, if that's okay. Are you ready to go yet?"

"I'll get you some," Mikan said. "I'm finished here anyway."

The two made their way to the kitchen. While Mikan poured coffee for her friend, Aoi rummaged through the shoe closet.

"Two sugars and a splash of cream, right?" Mikan called.

"Yep. Could you also make another cup black? It's for someone at work."

Hmm . . .? Could this be the start of some office romance? Mikan chuckled before replying, "Sure."

Aoi walked into the room with a suspicious look on her face. "What's so funny? If it's about the coffee, it's definitely not what you think." she said.

"Oh, really? What should I be thinking, then? Or should I say 'of whom'?"

"Well, wouldn't you like to know?" Aoi laughed mysteriously.

Before Mikan could begin an intense interrogation, however, Aoi quickly continued, "Put these shoes on, and let's get moving. We're officially . . . oh my god, ten minutes behind schedule."

Mikan considered refusing the intimidating black, peep-toe pumps, but she decided to put them on instead of wasting energy on a futile argument. She handed Aoi her cup of coffee and said, "Alright, you've officially exhausted the 'but I'm you friend card' for the day. Now let's go." Grabbing her black bag from the night before, the brunette opened the door and stepped out, waiting for her friend in the corridor.

Aoi hastily slid into her shoes and stumbled out, smiling once again.

"Looks like we'll make it! It's only a fifteen minute walk anyway – about a mile."

A mile in three inch heels, to be precise, Mikan grumbled to herself. "Make that for the week."


Author's Note: Again, thanks for the patience. Remember that reviews are greatly appreciated. And motivating. -coughs- Would six reviews be too much to ask for?

Also, I'd like to again congratulate crimson-diamonds-823 for being the first to review AND to answer the question correctly. Your prize will be revealed in a later chapter.

See you soon!