CHAPTER 6: HE'S MY EX-BESTFRIEND AND I AM STILL THIS WORRIED

As I went down the stairs, images of what was written in my 'Natsume' notebook flashed in my mind. I raised both of my hands to touch my cheeks which were turning scarlet red. Mikan, don't fuss over that. You were stupid back then. Yeah, stupid enough to fall for him. I held unto the railing and walked down hurriedly.

"Mikan, I'm in the kitchen."

So, I walked over to where Mom was. The moment I stepped into the kitchen, my whole body seemed to freeze. Tons of plastic bags containing medical supplies such as bandages and such came into my view. I grabbed a kitchen stool, located in front of my mother, and sat.

"What the fuck?"

I wanted to slap myself for saying that. I never had the intention to openly cuss in front of my mother. But, when I got a closer look at the amount of bandages – which exceeded even our school's stock, I could not hide my sheer disbelief.

"Mikan, don't curse like that," she said as she gave me a warm smile. "Is that what you learn from school?" She mockingly questioned as she continued arranging the medical supplies on the table.

I ignored her question. My jaws fell at the sight of numerous things which were all used for injuries and serious cases of wounds. I stared at each of them and the amount of my speechlessness heightened.

"Mom, I'm not going to a place where World War III would break out," I said matter-of-factly while picking up a roll of tourniquet and raising it to meet her gaze.

"It's for safety purposes, Mikan. And who knows when and where war may happen," she stated as she placed the last bottle of hydrogen peroxide on the table. Really now. Hydrogren Peroxide? And in different concentrations too?

"Gakuen Alice is located in the middle of the forest, Mom." I placed the roll of tourniquet, that I was holding, back on the table. Sometimes, I wonder if my stupidity originated from my mother. I just wonder.

Mom looked straight at me. The medical supplies she bought were all neatly arranged in front of me. "Honey, I'm just worried, okay?" She reached out to me and held my hand in between hers. "I don't want to see you injured anymore next time I fetch you," she said as she raised her other hand to pat me on the head.

I felt her concern and I was happy about that. I'm so lucky to have a mother like her. "Mom, I appreciate your concern. But, I don't think I need a lot of those. Our school has a complete set," I said with a smile that says 'believe me'.

"Oh, these aren't all for you. The nearby clinic asked me to keep their stocks for awhile," she stated and flashed me a bright grin. Okay, I so wanna die now. She pushed a roll of tourniquet and a small box of band-aid towards me. "These are yours. And, this." She got something from under the kitchen cabinet, and it stunned me to shame.

"…"

I'm so speechless that I couldn't make myself say anything. Well, I could probably say tons of curses right now. Yeah, I really needed that.

"Don't you like it? I got it in your favorite color!" My mom squealed as she held that thing up.

"Mom." A vein popped on my head. "I don't need freakin' orange-colored boxing gloves!"

"But, Mikan, since you're punching hard objects lately, I think you really need that."

I wanted to murder someone right now. Please, God! Help me.

"Mom!"

I threw the boxing gloves on the floor and sat down on one of the edges of my bed. A deep sigh escaped my lips and I kicked my slippers off my feet. This day has been – well – unproductive. Tomorrow, I'm going to face the most-awaited battle of the century: meeting Natsume Hyugga again.

I've programmed myself for days that I will not be bothered about him anymore. But, earlier, Ruka and Nonoko just had to mess up my perfectly perfect meditation. What did Ruka mean by that? Seriously, I can't help but be bothered about it even though I said that I would not care about anything related to my ex-best friend. But, still –

"UGH!" I grunted as I lay down the bed and stared at the ceiling.

I looked over my bedside table and read the time on the clock. 9:00 pm. I should sleep now. I still have to wake up 5 o' clock in the morning tomorrow. With a low sigh, I got up and went over to my dresser. I randomly picked out a pair of sweat pants and a shirt.

I pulled my towel from the rack and walked over to the bathroom.

I cursed inwardly as I stared at myself in the mirror. I was wearing crimson sweat pants and a shirt that has a print 'I love your eyes'. Could this day get any worse?

I walked out of the bathroom and plopped down the bed. I stared at space for some time. I will not bother myself with him. I shut my eyes close. I was about to drift off to dreamland when I remembered what Ruka said – again.

He has his reasons why he's avoiding you.

My eyes shot open. Seriously, let me sleep. I looked over to the clock again and saw that it was already 11 o clock in the evening. Just another hour and it will strike twelve. And, I don't wanna turn back into being emo Mikan.

Don't be bothered. He's your ex-best friend. He's not important to you anymore.

It was painful but it's the truth.

I don't know why but I feel like everything's alright – unusual, huh? It must be because I finally realized how stupid and pathetic I am. Before the school break, I was all emo – punching the ground, watching horribly sad movies, and feeling like the whole world was against me.

"Sup, Mikan?" Koko, who seemed to just appear randomly, greeted me. Well, one of his buddies, eh? What a way to let me forget him. Whoever controls my fate sure dislikes me.

I gave him a small smile and replied, "Well, feeling normal as of late. You?"

"I'm fine." His expression changed from normal to teasing as one corner of his lips tugged upward. "Well, isn't that great news? No more sappy, emo Mikan." He flashed me a blinding grin with his perfectly shiny teeth. I could tell that he was partially mocking me. Well, partially.

"Yeah. Whatever, Koko." I dismissed him with a waving hand as I closed my locker door and began walking to class. I saw him shook his head as he administered a low laugh before I completely turned around the bend.

I heaved a sigh and looked at the scenery outside the windows. As always, it was stunning. The forest stretched vastly as the sky seemed to be painted with mixed colors of blue and yellow. Removing my gaze from the breathtaking view, a hallway – with less number of students as far as I could remember – came into view. Yes, I also couldn't believe that I'm actually back at school.

I as well as the others arrived yesterday. It was a pretty long drive from home to here. During the ride, I felt like I was watching a live Beatles' concert – difference is they only sang one song in repetition. And, imagine listening to it for five hours with a mother who was singing along to it. I know – what the hell, right?

So, moving on, I was practically knocked up dead the moment I reached my room. I didn't even bother listening to Nobara's story about how her twin (evil) cousins got arrested for sneaking into their own house or be bothered about getting hit by Hotaru's baka gun.

And as of this moment, I can't wait to see Natsume Hyuuga to test my inner bastard-immunity-shield. Or you can simply say that I want to see if I will still feel emotional around him.

Yeah, I'm pretty confused myself.

Hotaru was the only one in the room when I arrived. She was busy with one of her inventions when she looked up and gave me a small nod. I smiled, placed my bag on the space beside my chair, and sat down.

"Hey, Hotaru! How was your vacation?" I asked, cheerfully, while looking at her.

She turned her head to look at me with a seemingly questioning face. I couldn't quite tell because it's the same as her usual expression but there's a different feel to it. You know what I mean?

"What happened to you?" She asked.

"What?" I met her gaze. As I can see that my plan to not answer was useless because of the way her icy stare penetrated into my soul, I answered – reluctantly, "Okay, fine. I finally realized how much of a fool I was. There! Now, quit it with your stare. It gives me chills."

She just shrugged and went back to fixing her invention. I sighed. Shouldn't she at least say that it's nice of me to realize?

I picked up my bag and fished out my notebook and pen and placed both of them on my desk.

"It's common for you to realize it this late," Hotaru muttered, almost inaudibly.

It's not the exact sentence I'd like to hear. Without moving my gaze on the board in front, a smile made its way to my face. I crossed my arms on the table and replied, "I know."

This is weird. It's already time and not a soul of Natsume Hyuuga. Even Ruka – who is always with him – has entered the classroom already. I know I've said I shouldn't bother about him. But, without him here, I could not test my so-called immunity shield.

Riinggggggggggggggggggg!

The bell rang like the world was about to end. It rang like a girl shrieking for help. It rang and Natsume was nowhere in the classroom. And, I was feeling uneasy. It's unlikely of him to not attend classes. There must be a reason.

I looked around the classroom and everyone was chatting happily with one another. I saw Anna a few rows from me. She was talking to Mochu. She seemed to notice me as she waved towards my direction. I smiled back at her. Okay. Mochu's here as well. Where could he be? I continued searching the class for any person with a pair of crimson eyes. But, it was no use. He was not here.

I gave up and slouched back on my seat, releasing the tension which was building up in me. Mikan, you should be happy he's not here. That way – it's easier. You'll just test that immunity shield tomorrow.

I turned my head to see that the seat on my left was empty. I'm so not used to this. My gaze landed on the boy seated behind that empty spot. He was not his usual self. Ruka-pyon – for the first time – seemed to be sad.

"Ruka-pyon?"

"Huh?" He raised his head and our gazes met. "Uh. Mikan," he greeted without the usual bliss which was always present in his tone. "So, how are you?"

"Uh. I'm fine." Should I ask?

"Ano…. Ruka-pyon, why is –"

"Good morning, class~!" Narumi –sensei's voice cut through my question. My attention turned towards our teacher who was wearing a silk polo with frilly edges and tight, faded skinny jeans. Saved by Narumi.

"Good morning, Narumi-sensei!" The whole class responded except for me and Hotaru. Instead of a warm greeting, I heard Hotaru utter an almost inaudible 'idiot gay teacher' as I caught a glimpse of her stamping an 'x' sticker in her notebook. She's really scary sometimes. It's obvious that she's controlling herself from murdering our beloved teacher.

"Since today's the first day of this semester, we're having our free time for homeroom and English class," Narumi-sensei said as he raised his pointing finger up. "Wouldn't all of you like that?" He flashed his famous, blinding smile.

The class cheered and began thanking him. This is why some could tolerate him. It's because of his kindness and tons of free time. I think that he's too fashionable – more like flashy – sometimes.

"Oh. And, one of your classmates, Hyuuga-san, took a leave for about a month." A month? What? It was beyond imagination. Why that long? The whole class' cheers died down. It was replaced by whispers of doubt. Narumi-sensei held out a paper and continued, "Don't worry. He's just taking a month trip to the United States. It says here that he's just going to attend a family matter there."

Really. He doesn't even like his family except for his mother – that is. What on earth is happening?

"So, okay?" Narumi-sensei raised his thumb up. "Let's now have our free time! Yipeee~" He twirled around like a ballerina in front and landed perfectly on his chair. Usually, I would think that it was funny and start roaring with laughter but I just didn't feel like doing that right now. Something else is bothering me to great extent. I fumbled on the button of my uniform. So, that means I won't see him for a month. I know that it would be a great chance to forget about him. But, I just feel like nothing's right.

"Uhm. Mikan, what was your question earlier?"

I almost toppled over my seat. I turned around only to find Ruka-pyon looking at me. It seems like he's asking what I was supposed to say before Narumi-sensei barged into the room with a lot of sparkles surrounding him. "Ah. That. I just wanted to ask where your pet rabbit was. You seem to not have him today," I lied as I gave him a seemingly natural smile.

He looked like he was disappointed by my question. "Ahhh." He scratched his head as he grinned. "I left him in my dorm room. He was still sleeping. I didn't want to disturb him," he replied as if it wasn't the question he was expecting. Well, it wasn't really the question I wanted to ask in the first place anyways.

"I thought you were going to ask me about Natsume," he continued before giving attention to his cellphone which blinked in repitition. Must be a text message.

Oh gosh. He's too honest sometimes. "Not a chance. I don't bother myself with him anymore," I said as I turned my attention back in front. I knew it was a lie. And, it doesn't hurt, right? It's only a simple white lie. Narumi-sensei was filing his nails and blowing on it repeatedly. Seriously, he's such a homosexual sometimes.

"Idiot, you just realized that you're a fool. But, that doesn't mean you're not worried about him."

I wanted to turn deaf right there and then. Hotaru really has her ways of comforting me. Really. And, it's not really my idea of comfort. But, as always, she figured it out faster than me. I wonder why I have a brain like this. I couldn't even figure out my feelings that fast! Am I really this dense? But, I can't deny this now. No, I can't.

He's my ex-best friend and I am still this worried.

I should get another life. Who wants to trade?

Hi guys! It's been months! I'm so sorry.

School really got me. It's now vacation time and I'm going to spend it

with review classes for entrance exams and a workshop for writing.

Yeah, I should get another life. :)) I'm so sorry. I'll update more often.

Please do review! It encourages me to update fast!

I tried to make this chapter sound fun and, well, it's quite an ending for a chapter

but I'll add another chappie this first week of April. I already started writing it.

Thanks so much to those who reviewed, listed this as their fave or had this on alert!

:)

Saikono-san: Thanks so much! :)

anim3gurl: Hahaha. Yeah, that's true. Sometimes, I wonder why I made him like this. Oh well. But, it's his character here.

Kylee-Cat: :D I thank you so much! I'm happy that you're always reviewing. Yes, Tsubasa sort of has a big part here.

But, I did not put any Tsubasa scenes in this one. I don't think it's necessary. He'll be in the next chapter! Definitely.

lollovelolipop: Awww. Thanks! :)

31 MAY 2011

4:55 PM

(: nineprincess :)