Sweeter Than Chocolate: Chapter 1

#26: Gakuen Alice (Natsume & Mikan)
...xXx...

I stared at the calendar, hoping an answer would appear before my eyes. I had been pondering over the year about whether I should give him the same chocolate again or not. Yeah, it was about Valentine's Day, where the girls are busy making their chocolate for classmates, friends, and special someone. I sighed. I tapped my table clock before it start ringing. I grabbed my bag and went downstairs. I could smell pancakes before reaching the dining room.
"Morning, Okaa-san," I said before taking a seat.
Mom smiled. "Morning, dear."
I live alone with mom. I don't have a dad. Biologically, I should have, but mom never told me anything about dad. If I didn't look like her, I might have doubted that I was her daughter. I finished my breakfast hastily before drinking my juice in one gulp. I went to kiss mom and left to school. As I walked out from the house, I saw him. He was leaning against the wall of the house, right beside the main door. "Morning, Natsume."
He looked at me with the oddest expression I have ever seen. I closed the door, and without waiting for his answer, I made my way to school. He was right beside me. I stole a glance and saw he was in deep thought. That was rare. I have never seen him like this. I shrugged and the rest of our journey was in silence. As we reached the school, I immediately went to my shoes locker and changed to another set of shoes. I closed my locker before searching for his eyes. "I'll see you later, Natsume."
I blinked my eyes as he nodded mutely. I gave him a curious look before leaving to my class. We were in the same high school, but we were not in the same class. I wondered what happened to him as he was different today. No Polka-Dots, no Strawberry Field, it was nothing. Even though I was grateful for that, it was unusual for him to suddenly stop calling me names.
"Mikan!" Anna waved at me with her trademark smile.
I smiled. "Morning."
Anna resumed her chat with Nonoko. Anna was seating right in front of me and as for Nonoko, she was just beside me. Too bad, Hotaru and Sumire were not in the same class, but we always met up during lunch. As I put my school bag on my desk, I know what the two of them talking about: chocolates. I glanced at my other classmates, and as expected, there were no girls that didn't talk about that. I looked at the boys, and some of them were surprisingly looking at me anxiously. It seemed like they were expecting something from me. I blinked my eyes in surprise before looking away as the intensity of their stares increased.

...xXx...

The canteen was packed as usual, but something was different. Most of the girls didn't have to struggle to get their lunch as some of the boys offered them help. I snorted as I had a good idea why. To be honest, I was jealous of them as they might be able to get the attention of the boy they liked even if it was just for one day. They were lucky, unlike me. I got my own lunch by myself. I took a bite of my bread before looking at Koko, who was paying extra attention to Anna. I refrained myself from rolling my eyes when I saw Mochu, who did the same thing to Sumire.
After I took another bite of my bread, I looked at Hotaru and Nonoko, who was surprisingly stayed indifferent. It couldn't be helped as they already had their valentines since last year. I froze when my eyes met with his. Luckily, I could look away from him immediately. I looked at my bread, trying to ignore his penetrating gaze. I wondered what happened to him today. He had never looked at me with that expression before. It was colder than usual. I absent-mindedly wondered if I did something wrong. I found none as I recalled the events from the past few days. Weird.

...xXx...

He was silent again. He didn't say anything. I really meant it; he didn't even breathe a word. I was afraid to ask him why when I saw his face. His expression was just like this morning. After debating with myself, I took another route to my house. I always did when I felt the need to think, just like today. I thought he would be leaving me as in the past he always complained why I took an alternative route which was more time consuming than the usual route. I couldn't chase him away for following me, so I didn't say anything as I walked over to the bench at my favorite park and sat down. Yes, the park was the reason why I took the route. The park was neither crowded by children nor empty. He took a seat beside me without saying anything again.
I heaved an audible sigh which successfully gained his attention. I glanced at him before reaching out to his forehead while putting my other hand on my own. I closed my eyes as I analyzed his temperature. Nope. Nothing was wrong, and he was not sick. I opened my eyes as I pulled my hand back. He arched an eyebrow.
I sighed. "Did you eat something bad yesterday?"
Both of his eyebrows rose until it was hidden behind his bangs. I groaned. "Never mind."
I blinked as I felt a drop of water hit my head. As I looked up, more came down. I frowned as the raindrops were getting heavier. Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me away from the bench. The rain poured down heavily. I cursed myself for not bringing umbrella. We ran for what seemed like hours. I pressed my lips together, refraining myself from asking him where we were going as we were running deeper to the forest that was right beside the park. I gasped when my blurry eyes saw a small cabin. I wondered why I have never seen the cabin before.
I sighed in relief as we got shelter. I looked at Natsume, who was peeling off his wet shirt. I fought a blush that was threatening to come when I looked at his perfect body. When I was about to look away from him, he caught my eyes. I froze. I couldn't look away from him. I couldn't escape from his mesmerizing eyes. The sight of his wet hair was not helping the situation either. I prayed that my face was not like a tomato. Fate was against me today as his eyes suddenly went down. I followed his eyes before gasping and covering my already see through shirt with my school bag. I wouldn't wonder about the color of my face as it turned hot. Before an awkward silence could come to us, I sneezed.
"Stupid rain." I scowled. I forgot about his presence until I heard him unlock the door. I blinked my eyes as I didn't know this cabin was his. I slapped my forehead mentally. He did tell me that his uncle had a cabin around the town, but he didn't tell me where it was exactly. He opened the door and looked at me.
"Come in," he said as he inclined me to walk into the cabin.
I flinched when the lightning flashed. I heard him sigh before wrapping his arms around my shoulders to guide me in.
"Thanks," I murmured.
He left me as soon as we were inside, but he returned shortly with a set of clothes and a towel in his hands.
"You can use the bathroom first," he said while pointing to the bathroom that was easily spotted since the cabin was not big.
I took the towel and the clothes that were obviously his. I could feel his gaze that was trying to burn a hole in my back as I left him. I walked faster before I knew it. I breathed out in relief after I closed the bathroom's door. After looking at the clothes for a moment, I buried my face in his clothes and inhaled his scent. I shook my head to control my emotions. I had come to love him since we were ten. I wish I could tell him my feelings, but I know he doesn't feel the same. I sighed before taking a light shower.

...xXx...

I stared at the pouring rain through the window's glass. The rain didn't give any indication that it would stop soon. I looked away from the rain when I heard the sound of the bathroom's door open. He appeared before the door with short trouser and a matching t-shirt. He had a towel on his head.
"Natsume…"
He turned to look at me.
"I wish to use the phone if you don't mind."
He nodded in reply. I eyed him one more time before I took the cordless phone and dialed my house's number. After a few rings, the phone was picked up.
"Azumi Residence."
"Mom, it's me, Mikan."
"Dear, where are you now? Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm with Natsume. I can't go home now, not until the rain stop."
"Oh, it's alright dear. I'm just glad that you're not alone. I will wait for your return."
"Arigatou, Okaa-san."
I ended the call and put the phone on its place. I looked up at him, and he was looking at me with that expression again. I had the urge to sigh again. I had asked him what was wrong, but he didn't want to tell me. I looked at the rain again. It was getting heavier each second, and I was afraid that I would have to stay with him longer. I was happy that I could stay longer with him, but it was a little awkward since this morning, and I honestly didn't feel comfortable with it.
Too occupied with my thoughts, I didn't know he was already behind me until he wrapped his arms around my waist. I froze. This was the closest contact we have had since we were young. My heart beat a little faster. He seemed to notice how I stiffened in his arms, but he kept his arms around me. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. I calmed down after a moment and leaned against his chest to show him I was not afraid of his touch. Understanding my gesture, he tightened his hold. I felt extremely warm in his arms. I hoped this could stay forever.
I was disappointed when he pulled away. But, what he did the next made me speechless. He turned me around and gazed at me. Our eyes locked and we were lost in each other's eyes. Our eye contact didn't break even after he cupped my face. I felt like dreaming. He caressed my cheek with his thumb before slipping his hand to my nape. My heart beat faster when he leaned closer. My breath was cut short as his nose touched mine. He then pressed his left cheek against my right cheek.
I could feel his hot breath as he whispered my name, "Mikan…"
Am I dreaming or something? I kept asking myself. He had never held me like this. He made me unable to give up now. He had raised my hope ten folds. I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the warmth that was emanating from his body. I let him wrap my waist with his other arm. He pulled his cheek away. When I was about to open my eyes, his lips were already pressed against mine. I snapped my eyes open and met with his closed ones. Dream or not, I didn't want to pass this opportunity. He brushed his lips against mine when I wrapped my arms around his neck. I was willing to lose myself in his embrace and kiss even though it was just for one day.
His kiss became more demanding, and I responded just as demanding. I let him dominate me. I was slowly losing myself in his touch. His kiss trailed down to my jaw and neck. I couldn't content the fire inside me as I let out a moan that I didn't even know I was capable of. I gasped as his hand touched my flat stomach. I felt like fainting…

...xXx...

The gentle shake on my shoulders woke me up. I slowly opened my eyes and met with his crimson eyes. The first thought that entered my mind was what happened to me as I remembered I was in his arms before everything went black. I blinked my eyes in confusion. I asked myself if it was just a dream. I shrugged inwardly before looking at his handsome face.
"You fell asleep. The rain has stopped now. I'll walk you home," he said before walking away from me.
I stretched my body much like a cat. I felt something covered my head. I pulled it away and found it was a jacket. I looked up at him.
"Wear it." His voice held no argument.
I made no protest and slipped into his jacket. I stood up and followed him out of the cabin. It was already dark outside and I was grateful for his jacket. I snuggled deeper into his jacket that was oversized on me and inhaled his unique scent. We walked in silence and before I knew it, I was already in front of my house.
I turned to him with a smile. "Thank you, Natsume."
He nodded in reply. Before I could walk away from her, he caught my wrist. I turned to him again while tilting my head. It felt like déjà vu when he cupped my face and caressed my cheek with his thumb. I found myself unable to move. My heart skipped a bit in recognition when he pressed his left cheek against mine.
"See you tomorrow, Mikan…" he whispered to my ear.
It dawned on me after he left me alone. I took a deep breath as I turned red.
"Oh my gosh…" I whispered to myself. It was not a dream at all. I took out my key and quickly ran to my room without greeting mom. I threw myself on my bed and buried my red face in the pillow. I screamed at the top of my lungs. I planted my right cheek to the pillow and tried to calm down. I glanced at the red heart shaped mark on my calendar. He had given me a hint about his feelings today. I got up from my bed and looked at the small box on my desk. I smiled to myself. Yes, tomorrow would be the right time to tell him about my feelings.

Chapter 1—Chocolate Chapter 2—Sweeter Than Chocolate Next