Thank you for reviewing my story! I really appreciate it.:) Thank you sooo much! This is a ten page work of art, I managed to do nothing but write all day. I started this at around...9 p.m. ended writing and editing by 3:30 a.m.

Hooray for my INSOMNIA!

High School Sweethearts

Written by:

13ISMYNUMBER

Chapter 25

The Deck of Cards

"That doesn't really matter because in the end, it hurts just the same."

Mikan Sakura

Mikan just got home from her date with Natsume. He justed wanted to treat her out to dinner and make sure that nothing's going between them after all the drama that happened between his friends and her cousins.

She tied her hair in a bun and started changing to see Nonoko off. She checked the clock that read 7 p.m. She still had 2 hours. As she was putting her jeans, she heard he cell phone ring.

"Hey." Mikan answered.

"I'll pick you up in an hour." It was Hotaru on the other line.

"Sure. How did your talk with Ruka go?" Mikan said as she pulled a top out her closet and started putting it on.

"Let's just say when I asked him, he really thought hard. He even asked if being late to our dates count. I found out that he is not late always because of his business with his dad but because he lost track of time." Hotaru explained. Mikan can hear that Hotaru was tapping on her laptop.

"Hotaru don't tell me you're working again. Can't you just leave that to your brother?" Mikan said putting her boots on now.

Hotaru stopped typing and said, "Fyi, I am not working. By the looks of it, Sumire is planning on leaving with Tsuki for Los Angeles in a week."

Mikan was shocked. "What! She never told us this? She was absent for one day and all this shit happens? God. The world has gone mad."

Hotaru was silent at the other end. Mikan heaved a sigh and said, "Fine. I'll talk to her about it. Bye."

Mikan ended the call as she removed her bun and started fixing herself in front of the mirror. But before she could grab hold of her brush, a white envelope caught her eyes.

To: Mimi

From: Nat

'Seems like this was written years ago, mom probably found it somewhere. I probably misplaced it unconsciously.' Mikan thought.

She held it in her hands and then turned it, not planning to open it. But as she was about to get her box of letters inside her closet, she saw that the letter was never opened.

"That's odd. It's not open." Mikan said. Mikan sat on her bed, ready to open the letter when her cell phone rang.

"Nonoko? Yeah. Hotaru's going to pick me up. Yeah, lets meet up at the airport. Okay. Talk to you later. Love you." Mikan quickly ended their conversation.

Returning to the letter, ripping it open and grabbing the letter inside.

"Sweetie, Hotaru's here." Her mom called from the door.

"What? What time is it?" Mikan said as she quickly put the letter inside her bag and grabbed her cell phone from her side table. "Oh gosh. It's just 7:30! She said an hour."

And the letter would have to wait. The eighth card revealed upon Sumire's decision. The ninth card is soon to be out of its deck of cards.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Misaki went down as fast as she can, keys in hand. She cannot afford to be late to see Nonoko off.

"Mom, I'm off." She called aloud in the mansion knowing her echo would reach her mother soon.

"Where are you going?" Kendra said running down the stairs after her.

"Nonoko's leaving tonight, I'm seeing her off. And no, you can't come. Cousins only." Misaki said with firmness as she said 'cousins only.'

Kendra nodded in understanding and started going back up the stairs. Misaki turned around and heaved a sigh, irritated that she had to see Kendra again. Truth be told, she doesn't like making her life miserably…but every time she sees her, it's as if she just can't help it.

Kendra was everything she wanted to be.

At least when it comes to being loved…

Tsubasa loves her. Their father loves her. The two men she wanted so badly to have…out of her grasp and onto Kendra's hold.

Misaki opened the door of her car only to be stopped by a voice, "Can we talk?"

Misaki didn't turn around immediately, knowing it was Tsubasa.

"What do you want?" Misaki said, her back still to him.

Tsubasa neared her and turned her around by the shoulders. His eyes looking for hers. She looked away.

"I need you to tell me that we're not over." Tsubasa said.

Misaki, to say she was surprised, but she was more pissed. She rolled her eyes and harshly removed Tsubasa's hand on her shoulders. She wanted to hit him in the face for saying those words as if nothing happened, as if she wasn't a rebound to the long lost love he had with her half-sister.

"I've been meaning to tell you something." Misaki said, controlling her anger. Tsubasa waited for her to continue. "Can I hit you?" Misaki finally said giving him an icy glare.

Tsubasa pursed his lips and said, "If that would make me win you back."

"Win me back! You never won me over. I was never your property. I was never yours. We never had anything. It was a game. And it still is." Misaki said poking him hard on the chest. She pushed him away but he tried to hold her arm.

Misaki pushed him even further. She opened her car and said, "I hate you! I hate you so much…I just want you gone."

Tsubasa grabbed her car's door to stop her from leaving. He took a step forward and said, "I love you. I do. Please believe me. I love you."

Misaki's tears fell and she harshly wiped them with the back of her hand. "No, you love my sister, who you saw in me."

She tried entering her car but Tsubasa kept stopping her. She pushed him away one last time with tears running down her face. "I'm leaving for Rome in three months time."

"After graduation?" Tsubasa said. He cannot believe that she was just going to run off like that.

Misaki nodded. "And while I'm still here, do us both a favor and stay away from me. Because Yes, I love you…but that's exactly the problem, I love you even if I know it's wrong."

"How is it wrong?" Tsubasa shouted at her.

"Because I'm hurting, Tsubasa! Love is not supposed to hurt! It was never supposed to be like that." Misaki shouted back. Tsubasa was speechless and he just removed his hat and held it in his hand, his knuckle turning white.

Misaki's tears never stopped as she said before entering her car and driving off, "I love you…so much, it hurts."

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Yoichi placed her silver watch and checked how he looked on the mirror. He was heading for the airport. He was going to see Nonoko off. For the first time, his cousins were separated. Somehow, he feels like this is healthy for them. Maybe, Japan was just too small for all of their drama to fit.

Yoichi swiftly walked and went down the stairs only to see someone sitting on their living room.

"Aoi?" The said girl turned to look at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Reo's leaving for Russia in a week." Aoi said innocently.

Yoichi just smiled and said, "Yeah. We talked about that." He was now in front of her.

"How about Lil?" Aoi asked as she just looked up at him.

"Let's leave that to Reo, okay?" Yoichi said. "I'm off to see Nonoko off, so you better go home." Yoichi made Aoi stand up and started leading her to the door.

"I didn't just come here for that." Aoi said as she stopped walking. Yoichi stopped too, looking at her intently. "I want to know if you plan on leaving me too."

Yoichi stared at her. He can't believe he is hearing this from her right now. He walked closer to her and hugged her as tight as he could. To say that Aoi was surprised would be an understatement. She is having mixed feelings about all of this.

"As long as you want me here by your side, I'll stay. If you want me to go somewhere with you, I will. If you want me gone, I'll walk out of your life." Yoichi whispered to her ear. He pulled away and looked at her in the eyes and said, "Because I love you."

Aoi smiled and she hugged him back. "I love you too."

Not all cards of Fate are evil…some could reveal a very sweet romance.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Nonoko looked out into her window. There's no turning back now. She's off to New York in an hour and she would be the perfect successor…in short a perfect puppet to her grandmother. But for her, its better than being broken as she is now.

She looked at her sister, knowing that Kitsuname would take care of her. She was willing to give up her fairytale for her sister. After all, Anna deserves it.

Anna looked at her and smiled.

"Anna." Nonoko said as she grabs hold of her hand. "I want you to always be happy with Kistuname. He seems like a really great guy."

Anna's face lit up more. "I know. He told me he doesn't plan to do anything stupid. Especially not now, not when all the drama is happening. He told me he learned his lesson through his friends mistakes." Anna explained.

Nonoko smiled and was relieved to hear that. "That's good. At least I know you're in good hands." Nonoko squeezed Anna's hand and they silently drove to the airport.

The twins would be separated soon but Nonoko won't leave without making sure that her little sister's heart is safe.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

All the girls and Yoichi were now saying their goodbyes to Nonoko. Hugs and tears could be seen. Nonoko was really leaving…and they were really going to be separated.

Nonoko hugged Yoichi and then pulled away quickly. She took out something from her bag. It was a velvet box. "Give this to Aoi, if you ever gathered up the courage to tell her you love her." Nonoko said handing it to him.

Yoichi chuckled and said, "I already did."

All the girls were surprised. Sumire placed an arm around Yoichi and said, "When did this happen?"

"Just an hour ago?" Yoichi said as coolly as he can. Everybody laughed. Nonoko ruffled his hair and said, "Well, at least give it to her as a gift. It's a family heirloom. Grandmamma gave it to me when my mother died. And I feel like give it away. I want to start anew."

Yoichi held the box and hugged Nonoko again.

"I have to all tell you something, guys." Sumire said. She took a deep breath and said, "I'm leaving too for L.A. in a week with Tsuki."

"We know." Misaki said, her voice cracking from crying all the way. "I told them." Hotaru confessed. Sumire rolled her eyes and said, "Koko confessed that he loves me. And I love him too but…it's not as simple as that."

"It's because you're going to be engaged?" Mikan said. Sumire nodded and said, "I just need time to think. You know, to get away from this."

"Well I suggest you tell Koko about this." Anna said. Sumire heaved a sigh, ending their conversation.

Yoichi hugged Sumire, who was on her right, and Mikan, who was on her left, and said, "Group hug!"

Everybody followed. They're going to miss each other. But they know, deep down in their hearts, that this is only temporary. Fate has its way of twisting their roads…after all when the world turns their back on them; they stick around and fight for each other.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Nonoko just left a few minutes ago and Sumire wanted to party, to go to a club and get a drink. She said, "We need it after all the drama and shit! And besides, I'm leaving in a week! I need to get drunk."

They all agreed and were on their way out of the airport. Upon reaching the automatic doors, Mikan's phone rang.

"Hello, Grandma?" Mikan said and the girls silenced and listened. "Yeah. I saw it. How did you have it? Oh. Thanks. I'll call you the moment I open it. Bye. I love you too."

Mikan was nervous now. She was confused. How could her grandmother have that letter?

"Why did she call?" Hotaru said. "I'll explain later. Let's get in the car."

The moment she entered Hotaru's car, she searched her bag for the letter and opened it frantically.

Dear mimi,

How are you in Paris? I hope you're doing well.

I wrote you a letter because my doctor said that I need to make most of my time on Earth. He said that God would be getting me soon and I'll be off to a better to a place called heaven. I do hope I can see you before I go. I will miss you.

Come home, okay?

Love,

Nat

Mikan's tears rolled. Nat was…dead? That's impossible; she was just with him this afternoon. They just dated. They just had dinner. They just shared a kiss. Could be that Natsume…is not Nat, he childhood friend? Could be that all this time, he was lying to her?

Mikan swallowed hard and just closed her eyes. Hotaru, who was driving, held her hand for a second and said, "What's in the letter?"

"My childhood friends died years ago, H." Mikan said breathless. "Natsume lied to me."

Mikan's tears ran through her cheeks continuously. The letter on her hands crumpled. She would wipe her tears from time to time but they kept flowing down. She needed to hear the truth…she needed to talk to Natsume. Now.

Mikan's phone rang and before answering, she wiped her tears and swallowed the rest of the lump in her throat. "Hello?" She said in a cracked voice.

"So you've read it." It was her grandmother.

"How can he be dead?" Mikan said as the tears started running back down.

"He died because of brain tumor. I didn't want you to be distracted so, I hid the letter. I know I shouldn't have but it was for your own good." Eleanor said.

"But….but…how about Natsume? Who is he then?" Mikan said breathless once more.

"He is Natsuke's twin. He pretended to be him for reasons unknown to me…but he still lied to you. He deceived you, Mikan." Eleanor said trying to convince her.

Mikan continued to cry. Although the car had stopped, she just sat there and continued to cry her eyes out. Eleanor waited for a minute before speaking again, "I'm sure Natsume would explain himself, dear, but do remember that he still lied to you about who he really is."

And Eleanor ended the call. The phone slipped from Mikan's hands and she continued to cry while cover her face with her hands. They were already in the parking lot of the club. All the girls parked their cars.

Hotaru opened Mikan's car and squatted on her side, trying to comfort her. All the girls and Yoichi gathered around.

"How could he lie to me?" Mikan said as she removed her hands from her face. She hugged Hotaru. Sumire grabbed hold of the letter and read it with the others. And they knew what was going on.

Even if they knew, it sucked since they can't do anything about it. Mikan has to grow and she has to face this on her own. All they can do is comfort and support her…like they always did.

The ninth card is out of its deck…and the chaos continues in Japan's elite.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Sumire ordered so many drinks that their table was so full.

"Sumire, are you seriously wanting to get drunk!" Misaki shouted over the music.

"You need it, I need it, Mikan needs it! The only people who doesn't are Hotaru, Anna and Yoichi!" Sumire shouted back.

Misaki shook her and just laugher at Sumire. This girl is totally going to party hard tonight. Sumire continued dancing until her feet hurt.

They both got back to their table and started having shots. Mikan stopped crying but was still very quiet. Sumire handed her a shot and said, "If Natsume's worth your tears then he is also worth a shot!"

Mikan can't help but smile. If Sumire wanted everyone drunk, she'll totally find a way. Mikan took the shot and drank it as fast as she could. It had that effect and her head could feel a tad bit dizzy.

"You haven't had a drink in a long time!" Sumire said as she laughed.

The shots continued to come… Sumire continued to order until Yoichi and Hotaru were the only ones standing.

"Oh god! I can't believe you all got drunk!" Yoichi shouted over the music. Misaki just laughed and said, "Because you're not heartbroken!"

Sumire agreed and laughed too. Yoichi just rolled his eyes. He knew that his cousins could really be a pain in the ass. He took his cell out and dialed a number. "Hello! Jeffrey! I need you to go to P3 club! Bring the limousine!" He shouted. He ended the call by shutting his phone.

Hotaru who was drinking a cocktail said to Mikan, "We're going home."

"NO! I'm going to see Natsume!" Mikan said as she tried to get another shot. Hotaru stopped her hands and said, "What the fuck, woman! We are going now!"

Hotaru tried pulling Mikan up. After a few tries, Mikan stood up and started walking out in a zigzag. Mikan was a mess, and everyone could see that. She was really broken.

Once they got out, Mikan looked at Hotaru and said, "I need you to drive me to Natsume's house."

"Mikan! It's like what…3 in the morning?" Hotaru said.

"And he like what…broke my heart." Mikan said using Hotaru's tone. Hotaru rolled her eyes as she grabbed Mikan by the hand and started to walk towards her car. She pushed Mikan in the passenger's side.

She entered the car too and started the engine. Once they were on the road, Mikan tried to grab hold of the stirring wheel, making the car go to a different lane. A truck was up ahead and if Hotaru doesn't do something right now, they will both die.

Hotaru punched Mikan in the cheek and she was pushed back on her seat.

Hotaru turned and was on the right lane again just in time before they hit the truck. Hotaru's patience was running out. And when she was about to shout at Mikan, she saw her crying.

"Mikan." Hotaru said softly.

"I..love him…and I need to hear from him that this is all nothing but a bad dream. I need to wake up from it." Mikan said not looking at Hotaru.

Hotaru heaved a sigh and took her phone from her pocket. She pressed call and waited for someone to answer. "Hello, Hyuuga? We're coming over."

And she ended the call, heading for a different direction.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Hotaru slowly eased the car to a stop. She turned her engine off and faced Mikan. She held her by the shoulders and looked for her eyes. Once she found them, she spoke, "Once you talk to him in this situation, you might do something that you would regret later on. Mikan, it's not yet too late, we can still go back and just wait until you can be sober. Mikan! Are you listening to me?" She shook her shoulders as hard as she could.

"I already did. I regret ever falling for those lies he told me." Mikan said as she removed Hotaru's hand from her shoulders.

She opened the car's door and steadied herself once she got out. She took a deep breath and tried to see straight. She might be drunk but the pain would give her some sense…to say the right words. Because, she was hurting…every single part of her was hurting. And she needed to let him see what he did to her. What one little lie did to her.

The tenth card is soon to be revealed. The deck has more to show.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Yoichi was stuck taking home three drunk ladies. He looked out the window and thought about all the drama that had happened. He knew that there would be more to come especially since their grandmother is home.

"What are you thinking, baby boy?" Misaki said, obviously a little bit sober after a nap.

Yoichi looked at her and said, "A lot of things."

"Like?" Misaki pressed further.

"All the drama. I mean, everything's being messed up ever since grandma came. Don't you think it seems suspicious?" Yoichi said as he loosened his tie.

"Yeah but whatever happened to me, that's because of my dad. I just don't know with Nonoko, I guess, grandmother could have twisted a few knots in fate." Misaki said as she sat properly.

Yoichi looked away once more and said, "And this drama of Mikan, grandmother could have done something again. I guess, we all could say that somehow, grandmother still wants us to go her way."

"Afraid that Aoi will get hurt?" Misaki said in a teasing tone.

Yoichi looked at her. She can't read his face but the moment he opened his mouth, she knew he was dead serious. "Yes. But you see, unlike your little boys, if I leave Aoi in the dark…I make sure she stays there until no one can hurt her."

"Do you really think grandmother would not find a way?" Misaki said as she raise a brow at him. Misaki grabbed a wine glass and opened a red wine on the limousine. "She will break you apart if she sees that Aoi is on her way of making you the perfect successor that she wants you to be."

"And I'm ready for anything she throws at me." Yoichi said firmly. He smirked and looked out the window again.

Misaki smelled her wine and drank from it.

Eleanor Uchiha's not the only one who can play with fate's cards…Yoichi can too and he is willing to bet everything he has on Aoi.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Mikan entered the Hyuuga mansion. She saw Natsume on the couch waiting for her, asleep. She tried to walk straight towards him and once she was in front of him he lowered herself to his lips and kissed him.

He opened his eyes and saw Mikan kissing him. His hands instantly went to the back of her head. After awhile, Mikan pulled away. "What are you doing here at this time of day..or night?"

Mikan tried to steady herself and from this gesture, Natsume figured that she is drunk. "Are you drunk? Mikan, what the hell? What is wrong with you?" Natsume said a little bit mad as he stood up to help her steady herself.

Mikan pushed him away that he instantly sat down again and said, "What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you!"

Natsume was confused. "What are you talking about?"

Mikan stepped away from him and her tears started rolling down her cheeks. Natsume tried to touch her but she pushed him away. "You lied to me. You are no better than your friends!"

"What the fuck are you talking about!" Natsume shouted at her. He grabbed hold of her and hugged her tight but she tried to push him. She kept punching him but he wouldn't let her go.

"Let me go! Let me go, liar!" Mikan kept shouting at him. Natsume let her go but held her by the shoulders. His grip hurts her but not as much as the lie that stabbed her in the heart. "What lie, Mikan? Cut the crap already!" Natsume said.

"You're not Nat. You lied. He's already dead. He died years ago." Mikan said, her tears kept flowing and Natsume can't help but be pained…not only from seeing her cry but for causing her to be in so much pain.

"Mikan, I can explain." Mikan pushed him as much as she could. And he let her go. Mikan wiped her with the back of her hand and said, "Okay. Fine, explain to me. Explain to me why you did that, why you lied to me, why you broke me. Did you really think I was that stupid? How long do you plan on lying to me? Tell me!"

Natsume pinched the bridge of his nose and ruffled his hair. He walked towards her and hugged her again. She kept fighting back until Natsume found her lips. He kissed her…trying to ease away the pain. Hoping that she'll forget every single thing that she found out tonight, he hoped…He hoped. But he knew, he knew deep down that the damage he has done was something he can never repair. But somehow, he still hoped. He didn't wish to hurt her…he didn't wish to end it this way. He wanted to tell her, many, many times…but fear got the best of him. And he knew he messed up.

Mikan, finally getting some senses back, pushed Natsume with force that he had to let her go. Mikan wiped her mouth and said, "You disgust me."

Natsume couldn't look at her. She was right…he was disgusting. He said, "I never meant to hurt you."

Mikan laughed at what he said. Then the tears started rolling down her cheeks endlessly again. She was a little bit sober now…and the real pain just came back. In the morning when the sun is up, she hopes that everything would be forgotten, along with the pain. But she knew that this was impossible, because what he did was something she can never ever forget. She said, "That doesn't really matter because in the end, it hurts just the same."

THE END~

OF THE CHAPTER 25!:D

Anyway, as I was reading MISAKI AND TSUBASA'S TALK...I saw what I wrote. Tsubasa said, "I need you to tell me its not over." If any boy, any boy at all. TELL ME THAT AFTER BREAKING MY HEART, I would totally break their face. I mean, come on! You had the guts to break my heart and now you're pushing your luck by telling me to take you back? WTF. That is juuuuust wrong!

HAHAHA. Just saying.:)

Anyway. TATA.

REVIIIIIEWWWW!:D

Stay safe.

Love,

13ismynumber