Hi. I know, I should be killed for my five months of not-updating-until-the-end-of-summer. BUT. I'm rather dissatisfied with this story. Tell me what you think about it, and let's see if this needs a big rewriting. -.-'
Well, on with the story.
Chapter 6:
Later that day, Mikan invited Anna over to Ruka's place, given permission from the prince himself, as Natsume's little sister forcibly came to rain on the parade.
…
There sat a brunette in a pretty big dilemma, as you can see her in a room with people, obviously. But two of those people are currently angry. On one side was a best friend, holding out a dress that she clearly made herself, not to mention extremely cute. On the other, a princess sat with a satin and silk dress, matched with red heels and gray gloves. Two princes and a blonde woman stayed on the neutral side, both ready to voice their opinion.
"Then take a picture with you wearing that and that, and find out which gown you prefer," said an arrogant prince.
Ah, boys, they'll never understand girls if they keep thinking like that. Mikan started explaining in her head; when you go out and buy, make, order, (etc) a dress with a friend or someone, you'll find that it's like betraying the friend if you don't wear it on the occasion. It'd be infuriating for your friend if you don't accept it in the first place, with either a hand-made or an expensive one.
"Ruka, I'm going to be in the parlor if you need me."
"Yes mother. I understand."
The pigtailed girl felt a bead of sweat running down her forehead and into her brow as the woman left. An idea suddenly came to her.
"How about I wear both of the dresses to the ball? I mean, I'm only going to one ball, so for the first half of the night I'd wear Anna's, and the other half I'd wear Miss Aoi's," Mikan spoke as she prayed that they'd both agree.
"I was hoping you'd come up with a better idea than that, Mikan," Anna spoke in monotone.
"I concur," Aoi agreed following Anna's voice.
Mikan blushed, and protested to protect what little pride she had, "Can you think of a better one?"
"I was hoping you'd ask that half an hour ago," Aoi stated arrogantly. Mikan heard snickers on the neutral side.
"Be quiet you blockheads," the girl confronted muttered. "Well, what is it?"
"That Miss Anna and I choose a dress most fitting for you," the girl smiled as she spoke. "Miss Anna could make the accessories while you would simply model. I believe that would be sufficient, as the ball is a mere three days away."
"I think I'm starting to like you, Miss Aoi," Anna smiled warmly.
"Why, thank you. I believe I am developing a bit of appreciation for you as well, Miss Anna Umenomiya," Aoi returned with a slightly colder smile.
"I feel totally unloved here," Mikan mumbled.
"You should. I think you should start improving that brain a little before the ball, since no one likes a ninny. Also- improve your damn grammar; even my little cousin can speak better english, and he's only in grade school."
"What? You're about the same level as me judging from those last sentences."
"I don't exactly want to sound like I'm a total douchebag, now do I? You'd just jump at whatever chance you'll get to make fun of the way I'd speak."
"You wouldn't be wrong there, Sir Natsume Your Douchebaggy-ness," Mikan snorted. Aoi raised an eyebrow, surprised that someone would speak so casually, and well, rudely with him, and the person was completely fine with it.
"Fine. Like to make a bet? I'll speak like a douchebag for the next three days, while you just go and attempt some proper grammar. Enrich your vocabulary too, since you obviously don't know what ignoramus means, and in case you do, you are one."
"Well, I'm sorry to say that I don't exactly know the definition of the damn word, but I do know a synonym; idiot. I also know enough words to insult you throughout the night. Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot that you had to hide behind big, lame words in order to protect your pride since you have such diminutive balls."
This argument went on for about an hour, resulting in a bet, loss of two hairties, a messy room, anger, a questioning queen, and two sore throats. The following evening had Mikan making Sumire and Luna give her some insulting words to use on Natsume, as Anna helped the girl in frustration with grammar and a bit of etiquette.
...
As the days until the big ball went to the number two, the group was over at Natsume's house. Mikan stood there with Aoi and Anna all over her, with millions of cut and coloured fabrics. Anna matched colours as well as proposed different cuts and hems, while Aoi continued to sketch out different dresses in a notebook.
"Are you guys- ahem, are you two finished measuring my figure? This position is causing a bit of discomfort."
"Well, we've almost finalized your measurements, and may I suggest some crunches? Your waist may have a bit of trouble fitting into the corset."
"I do not think that's a very appropriate thing to comment on, since you seem to be feasting on your chef's pizza for breakfast and lunch," Anna stole a peek at Aoi, who blushed.
"Nevermind about that then."
Mikan stifled a giggle. "The two of you are hilarious," she said smiling.
Aoi stared.
Anna stared.
Mikan froze. "Is there something wrong?"
Aoi shook her head. "No, no. I believe I'm envisioning completely different." The princess quickly scribbled something, and showed it to Anna.
The pinkette raised both of her eyebrows as high as she could, exclaiming, "That's gorgeous! It would totally suit her!"
The brunette was stunned. "Show me."
The two looked in the brunette's direction. "Not a chance," they both said simultaneously.
"Oh, how about a cut here? Where's some pencil crayons? Oh, here. Then, I was thinking to add a bit here..."
"Yes! That would definitely suit her! Oh, how about we add some mesh here, and a floral pattern on the edges?"
"Then that would be a bit too tacky. We're aiming for a mature look, since this girl still looks like she's still thirteen."
"Hey!"
This discussion went on for about four hours. While it was going on, Mikan did a bit of exploring, and tried to remember what room she was in. She walked long hallways and searched for a room with books, climbing stairs and opening doors. Finally, she opened a door with four bookshelves, surrounding the room with five walls and windows above the three shorter ones.
Interesting. Mikan looked at all of the shelves. Three small four story shelves were filled with manga, titles ranging from D. Gray-man to Nononono to Bleach to, well, you get the picture. The other shelf had double the amount of stories of the other three, meaning eight shelves. The stories were filled with difficult looking math and english books, and three out of the eight were filled with classics, like The Lord of the Rings, Tom Sawyer, and smaller novels like Charlotte's Web. Mikan was surprised. She would have at least suspected at least one of the Twilight saga to be here, but thankfully, there wasn't anything.
The brunette turned back to the manga section and picked up a Samurai Champloo volume, opened it and started reading on one of the chairs nearby. After supposedly 30 minutes had passed, she closed the volume, shelved it carefully, and picked out the following volume. She repeated this again, and was in the middle of it when a certain prince came walking here.
But the girl was so absorbed in it that she didn't realize it until she heard the door quietly close. Mikan looked up to see a crimson-eyed seventeen-year-old staring at her.
"... What are you doing in my room?"
… Room? "This- is this your room?"
"Yes, I believe so. Considering the shelves of manga volumes and the fact that a picture of my sister is up on the Classics shelf, I do think that this is my room."
"Oh, I wasn't meaning it in that manner, but sure. But what I mean to say is, if this is your room, why do I not see a bed, nor a private bathroom?"
Natsume raised a brow, and simply jestured to the three four story shelves. He pointed to one, "A-H is to the bedroom," the boy stated as he pulled on a side of the shelf, and a door was shown with a bloody Keep Out! sign. He opened the door with a key that was chained to his belt. "I-P is the way to my TV and computer." He pushed the other shelf to the side. "And my washroom is behind the Q-Z shelf."
"This is quite a room," Mikan spoke with amazement. "Is there anything behind the Classics?"
"The room next door, which is the library, though I hardly use it. That is why it has a picture on top of it."
"I see. Do you mind if I-"
"Yes," Natsume said without hesitation.
Mikan pouted. "Why?"
"Because your idiocy would infect my walls and I would eventually lose IQ points."
"You have three shelves of manga here in this room!"
"Your point?"
"Urgh!" the brunette cried out in frustration. "Natsume's an idiot!"
"And why might that be?"
"Well, erm..." a rather clever idea popped up, since Natsume seemed like a person who didn't like to be spoiled, "because I just finished D. Gray-man, and I could give you spoilers~"
"No way."
"Hmm, I see you're up to volume 10 on DGM. You should buy some more, since Allen almost killed-"
"Don't tell me."
"Oh, and also, did you know that Kanda has a frie-"
"Stop it."
"Well then, how about Allen being the fo-"
"I get it! Just don't spread your idiocy around, okay?" Natsume quickly walked out of the room, but not before taking out his cellphone and a something that seemed a lot like a credit card. It seemed as though he wanted to call somewhere and buy something.
"I can't believe he's so cute." Mikan smiled and picked up the first volume of the series she was talking about and started reading.
Natsume appeared in the doorway. "And, um, Ruka said to get you to Aoi's room, which is down the hall. Tell Aoi that I'm in the library," he said awkwardly before walking out the door.
...
Later, Anna and Aoi finished their design, and made Mikan go through the 20 different sketches, giving her opinion about them.
She completely forgot about the promise with Ruka.
Well, there you have it. Sorry it took so long, I just started typing this two hours ago. I'll come back with another chapter soon, okay?
If anybody was confused or curious, we say 'washroom' instead of 'bathroom' or 'restroom' here in Canada.
Give me your opinion on my writing, and please point out any mistakes.
~NyaniHenshi