Disclaimer: I do not own Alice Academy and the characters related to it. But the rest, I do.

Author's Note:

I'm so happy that I get to write a longer chapter from the rest! I hope you enjoy this one! It's nearing its end and to those who have reviewed and clicked this as their favorites and story alerts, I'm very grateful! It's what kept me inspired to write. Please keep on reviewing!

Lots of love!

~dancedaze

JULY 06, 2009

One o'clock in the afternoon.

I wake up to the streams of orange and yellow rays of light as they peer inside the window. The orange and yellow rays mix with the flower-printed teal curtains, which flow from time to time due to the air conditioning. They create a clash of warm and cool colors that recreates the beach scene!

I feel excited and sad at the same time. I have been waiting for the fireworks celebration that we are having tonight but it's also a sign that we are leaving the next day.

I get up and sit on the edge of my bed. I run my fingers through the comforter, which are flower-printed as well. Aoi used this room before, right? She must have loved flowers! My fingers continue to feel the softness and warmth that has been accompanying me for a couple of nights. I feel an interruption with something hard under the fluff and I flip the comforter over. Checkered yellows and greens! The journal that Natsume and I have been writing on. The journal you and I have been using!

Yes, this journal has become more special to me than it was before. I'm not so sure if it's the change of perspective that I have been reading or the contrast of doodles that I find inside. All I know is this journal has made me feel like I've gotten to know you, Natsume!

Due to the grogginess, my grip is not strong enough to hold the journal. It slips from my fingers and lands on the floor. I pick it up and I notice something written on the page before the back cover. I'm not sure if I should widen or squint my eyes, but all I know is that I'm not sure if I'm reading this properly. I rub my eyes and stretch my arms farther to be able to read it properly.

I love you.

I slam the journal and make two sides meet. I'm not so sure if I should open it again. I inhale deeply and I feel my heart beat faster and faster! I slowly peep at that page.

There it is. I love you.

I honestly don't know how to react! You know what's funny, Natsume? It's… It's your handwriting! Why do I feel flustered? I'm pretty sure that it's not for me! Admitting that to myself, makes me chest tighten. Why is that…

I toss the journal aside and I try to forget about it! I change into swimwear but I realize that I have a dilemma of choosing between my green bathing suit and my red bikini. After a long contemplation, I decide to wear the green one. I'm quite hesitant because of the cuts and the design. Hotaru bought this for me last week and she advised me that I have to learn the art of revealing but not. I don't understand what that means! Why am I so frazzled? I'm not supposed to be feeling this way!

I pull a baggy white t-shirt over my head that had blue and yellow music notes on the edges. I got it from a Maaya Sakamoto concert three months ago! I slip on a pair of black shorts that I tailor made from Tsubasa's old shorts! I stare at my reflection, thinking what I should do with my hair. I grab sections of hair and pull it back to a half ponytail. I see the journal's reflection and I feel my cheeks flush! I slap my cheeks. I need to calm down! I breathe in and out and quickly walk out of the room.

I close the door shut. As I'm about to go walk down the hallway, I see you exit your room. I panic and try to look for a place to hide! Why do I need to hide again? That doesn't matter! I feel your eyes watching my every move, every twitch my body made. I pray to God you don't come any closer, but you do. You walk towards me and I panic more! Out of instinct, I enter my room and slam the door. I lock the door knob and I could feel the heavy breaths that my lungs produce. I'm so stupid!

I stare at the clock and wait for the second hand to make a full sixty-second turn. I close my eyes, hoping that you have already left. I open the door and amber meets crimson. You're in front of my door, intently analyzing every shudder and shiver my body released. About to slam the door yet again, you push the door back with your arm and your eyes drill into mine. I didn't know what to do, so my legs start to shift from one to the other! I ran as fast as I could – down the stairs and out the front door!

I realize Hotaru's presence when she commented on not helping for the preparations. She raises her eyebrow at me and questions my heavy breathing. I deviate from the subject and ask her what I could help with. She shoves balloons that need to be blown up. I grab a red pump and I decide to channel my nerves and energy to pumping. I see you come out the front door and I start to pump faster! Mr. Narumi asks if anyone could pass by the store and buy more decorations. I volunteer immediately! I grab a random arm and I start running! I could not fathom my actions or my feelings, I just have to run and sweat them away! I reach the nearest store and I could feel my heartbeat run faster and faster. I hear someone call my name and I realize that I dragged Koko with me.

I apologize to Koko and words continuously pass my lips. I stutter and said nothing but gibberish! Koko sternly grips my shoulders and told me to calm down. He says that we have to buy some stuff and help out back at the beach house. I just nod my head and we buy everything we need. We walk back and I feel nervous again! Koko notices and asks me what's bothering me. I couldn't tell him that I'm bothered by eight letters and three words! That would be weird. And I know that he would definitely interrogate me. I lie and say that it's my upcoming time of the month. I'm so sorry, Koko!

We reach the house and I feel calmer and more collected. I gave some of the decorations and I help set up the rest. I glance at you from time to time but you're busy talking to Yuu. I check my heartbeat and it seems to be stable. Yes, I am calmer now.

Three o'clock. We finish with the decorations and Mr. Narumi advises that we swim for the last time before the party starts! Ruka grabs a volleyball and invites us for a little game! I take off my shirt and my shorts and I see your eyes widen. I could see that you're quite baffled. You ask me what the heck I'm wearing. I immediately divert my eyes in another direction because I know that my face will flush again, and it did. I ignore you and I run down the beach. We play for a little while and I realize that the game released all the stress and unknown emotions I've been having the past couple of hours. We swim and explore the caves that are around the area. You send me a couple of glares, probably thinking of how I look in this swimsuit.

Hotaru checks her waterproof watch and tells us that it's already five o'clock and that we have to go back and get ready.

I finish taking a shower and I stand in front of my closet, deciding if I should wear the dress I bought the other day. I slip on the turquoise tube dress that is decorated with tiny broken glass and seashells collected from the beach. I'm thankful to Sumire for helping me pick it out! I turn around and see Hotaru with her gear, ready for battle. I place my hands on my hips and I ask her what she's going to do to my hair this time. She sits me down and tells me that I just have to trust her! She grabs her curling iron and twists sections of my hair one at a time. She smiles at me and tells me that tonight could change my life. I'm not so sure what she meant, but I know asking her won't exactly get me an answer. She pulls all of the curled hair into one high side ponytail and ties them together. She inserts the chrysanthemum flower you gave me and tells me that I can't attend the party without it. I felt myself blush a bit.

She pulls me out of the room and we walk towards the party venue. I stare at Hotaru and I notice how she looks great—she always does! A yellow spaghetti strapped dress with a necklace made out of real flowers, of course she looks beautiful! That's why she's liked and admired by everybody! Everybody… Including you. My heart stings a bit. What's going on with me?

We found a little hut beside the beach house where rows of food that Anna and Nonoka made are lined up. You're staring at me. Why? Please, don't. You're making my heart beat faster and I don't even know why!

Nonoka hands me a plate with food and I sit beside Hotaru. I try to finish my food when I notice you. The candles that surround the hut highlighted your features – your crimson eyes, your cheekbones (that are surprisingly soft), and your messy raven hair. Hotaru pulls me closer and whispers to my ear that I don't have to be afraid and that I just need to calm down and listen to my heart.

My heart…

My eyes uncontrollably gaze at you again. You notice my stare and you return my gaze. I forgot about my food and I allow myself to drown in those alluring red pools that continue to fixate at me. What is my heart trying to tell me, Natsume? Is it a response to those words you left here on the journal? Are those words even for me?

Author's Note:

I hope you like this chapter! Please keep on reviewing. Thank you for the support that you have given this story! I can't wait to finish this one because I already have new ideas for my upcoming ones!

I can't wait to hear from you. Comments and compliments are greatly appreciated!

Spread the love!

~dancedaze