Chapter Seven
Confusing Attraction
All this meaningless direction
Feels like it pulls me away
It's hard to just forget what they say to me_ Unfamiliar, The Birthday Massacre
Work feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, Nogi-senpai and I exchange small talk and I briefly entertain the thought that his flirtatious remarks aren't just harmless teasing.
Nogi-senpai is 18 years old, two years older than me, but still he seems so comfortable and grown up, so worldly. I wonder if he knows I like him, the thought embarrasses and exhilarates me.
"Hey Yukihira-chan?" he sneaks up behind me as I'm filing through the check-in papers, and placing them in folders. I jump and drop the folder to the floor.
"Y-yes, Nogi-senpai?" I ask, blushing redder than a tomato. He smiles and bends down to pick up the folder, placing it back into my hands gently.
"I was just wondering if you'd like to catch a movie with me tonight," he says with his winning smile. My heart feels as if it's about to burst out of my chest, got to play it cool Mikan, act like it's no big deal, you get asked out by angelically good looking boys all the time.
I nervously tuck a strand of chocolate hair behind my ear as I place the folder on the counter.
"Uhm, sure, I'm not busy," I say, turning to face him and clasping my hands in front of me to keep from fidgeting.
"Will it just be the two of us?"
"I'm afraid not," Nogi-senpai looks chagrined and my spirits fall, but only a little, he is still inviting me to the movies after all, it's practically a date, and at least he's interested in being friends if nothing else.
"That's fine," I say offering a smile and shrugging my shoulders,
"I have nothing else to do after all. If you don't mind, can I ask who'll be accompanying us?" Ruka brightens and my heart does another little flip.
"Natsume will come, he wanted to see this movie," my heart turns to stone and sinks as he digs around his pockets, pulling out three tickets. He hands them to me and I look at the movie title skeptically. Its' a horror movie, I look at it stoically, steeling my resolve. I may not like horror movies, and I may not like Natsume, but none of that is getting in the way of my date with Nogi-senpai.
"Sure," I said with a sunny smile
"It'll be fun,"
XxXx
I sigh as Anna finishes tying up my hair, it's in two buns on each side of my head, she hums as she places a flower barrette in one of them.
"Are you sure this isn't too much?" I ask, she has washed my hair; blow dried it and brushed it out, put various products in it to make it shiny and styled it. Now she is busy showering me in perfume.
Hotaru to my surprise had tagged along, and is sitting on the edge of my bed, flipping through a magazine and looking bored.
"It's not too much at all! You have to knock him clear out of the park!" says Anna, digging through a box of makeup. I sigh as she lines my eyes with smoky gray eyeliner and paints my lips a soft pink. She spins me around in my chair, and I have to admit, I do look rather nice. I smile sweetly at my reflection and Hotaru appears behind me.
"I guess even you can look nice," she says and I scowl at her, Anna giggles, I swear this girl is more excited about my date than I am.
"Don't worry too much, that's just how Hotaru shows her affection," she says as I get out of the swivel chair in front of the mirror. Hotaru snorts and returns to her magazine.
"I laid you out an outfit, you need to look good on my behalf," she says blandly, gesturing to a pink button up silk blouse and a white skirt, my mouth falls open, they are beautiful, but they are far too much! I open my mouth to protest but Hotaru holds up a dismissive hand.
"Just shut up and wear them, will you?"
And so I do.
XxXx
When they're finished with me I can barely recognize myself, I have never dressed in such finery. The blouse hangs loosely but flatteringly, and the skirt travels gracefully down the curve of my hips, stopping just above my knees. I have a pair of high heeled sandals that tie onto my ankles with pink ribbons, Hotaru had placed a silver chain around my neck, stating that my neck would look naked without it.
My pale face is smooth and soft with cover-up, my lips are pink my eyes are lined and shadowed with varying shades of smoky gray, bringing out my hazel eyes, my cheeks are brushed pink, the same light pink as my blouse, my lips, and my nails.
I'm some strange fairy creature, beautiful but a stranger, I can't help but feel a little awkward. All this for a date that may not even be a date? Why can't I just wear casual jeans and a cotton t-shirt like normal?
"You look beautiful Mikan," says Anna with a soft sigh, I smile nervously at her and Hotaru. Is this what it's like to have female friends? I haven't had friends my own age in such a long time, my old friends had disappeared when my dad did, and when my mom starting losing it. The thought almost brings tears to my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall, I won't let it ruin my make up.
"Thank you guys, so much," my voices hitches slightly and Hotaru raises and eyebrow but Anna doesn't notice, she pulls me into a hug, careful not to ruin my clothes and make up.
"Knock em' out," she says brightly.
XxXx
They arrive at 8:30, and Anna gets the door, she can barely contain her soft blush as Hyuuga struts in, in leather and jeans, his tousled hair looking messy but attractive. Nogi-senpai looks his complete opposite in a light blue polo and khaki shorts. His eyes brighten when he sees me, and I can feel Hyuuga's eyes on me as well.
"You look beautiful," Nogi-senpai says, offering me his arm, I place my hand on it and let him guide me to the door, Anna yells goodbye after me and Hotaru waves.
"Not bad," says Hyuuga, and his comment surprises me, my cheeks heat up once again, I wonder if they'll ever stop doing that when I'm around this jerk.
"Thank you," I say careful to keep my eyes on Nogi-senpai.
We step out into the brisk night air and my eyes widen as I see the vehicle, it's not a Bentley or a Lamborghini but it's far fancier than anything I've ever ridden in. A champagne colored Lexus, scrubbed and waxed until it shined like a diamond. Nogi-senpai grins as he holds the door open for me, the back door.
I slide in silently; the interior is just as spotless as the exterior. I'm surprised when Hyuuga slides into the front seat. I was expecting it to be Nogi-senpai's car. Hyuuga turns his peculiar red eyes on me from the rearview mirror. I carfully avoid his gaze and instead watch Nogi-senpai get into the shotgun seat in front of me.
"I know I've said it before, but you look truly stunning tonight Mikan," he said, turning in his seat as Hyuuga started the car and we drifted out of the driveway. I blush at the use of my first name, and Hyuuga snorts.
"Thank you again, Nogi-senpai," I murmur, trying to sound as pretty as I look. He waves a hand and grins.
"Please, call me Ruka, I hope you don't mind me calling you Mikan," he says. Hyuuga rolls his eyes and then returns them to the road. He's a good driver I have to admit.
"I don't mind," I say brightly, first names mean something right?
"Ruka-senpai…" his name leaves my lips shyly and he grins at me, his blue eyes sparkling.
"Why don't you guys just start calling eachother Pookie-bear and Honey-bun," Hyuuga grumbles, running a hand through his tousled hair.
"Could you perhaps be jealous, Natsume?" Ruka smiles cheekily at his friend and Hyuuga rolls his eyes again, throwing the car into park.
"Get out, we're here,"
XxXx
For some reason I end up between the two boys, feeling very uncomfortable and for some reason, very exposed every time Hyuuga's eyes dart over to me, which seems the be often. I fasten my eyes to the big screen and watch as Coca-cola commercials reminders to shut of cell phones flash across it.
The movie starts with a crack of lightening and a boom of thunder and my hand finds a warm hand next to mine and squeezes for dear life, unfortunately it's the wrong hand, and Hyuuga stares at me with an amused expression while I drop his hand in disgust.
But his hand doesn't stay dropped for long, nor does Ruka's, the movie is fast paced and bloody and I've never been accused of being the bravest, especially when it comes to blood.
The murderer rips into his victim spraying innards everywhere and a scream tears itself from my throat, Hyuuga sighs and stands up, gripping my hand in his, and I notice with some embarrassment that I'm shaking like a leaf.
Ruka looks up puzzled as Hyuuga drags me off
"I'm taking this loud mouth out to get some water," he says, his hand still tight around mine, sending off a curious sparking sensation. Ruka smiles apologetically and nods.
"The movies almost over, I'll tell you how it ends," he says, popping a kernel of popcorn into his mouth.
Hyuuga pulls me out through the doors and to the water fountain, standing with his arms crossed.
"Are you always this annoying?" he asks,
"Are you always this rude?" I shoot back, leaning down to take a sip of water.
"Not always," he says, and I turn to find him with a small smirk on his face,
"Polka-dot panties, huh? Isn't that a bit childish?" he asks, and my eyes quickly travel down my body. The bastard has flipped my skirt.
I gasp and slap his hand, pulling my skirt tightly against me, I'm redder than a beet and this asshole is going to pay.
"Y-You pervert! M-Molester!" I hiss through clenched teeth, he scoffs and shoves his hands in his pockets.
"You're implying I have some interest in you, sorry but I don't date little girls,' he says, his eyes finding mine.
"You're such an asshole, Hyuuga." I press my back against the wall and fold my arms, ignoring the strange sensation that overcomes me as he steps closer. His hand reaches out to my face and I put my hand up instinctively, but he knocks it aside with his free hand and takes a loose strand of hair that hangs by my face.
His eyes are suddenly serious, locked with mine, his thumb brushes my cheek as he tucks the strand of hair behind my ear, and leans ever more forwards, his mouth a hairs breadth from mine.
"Call me by my first name," he whispers,