Keeping Up Appearances
Disclaimer: Gakuen Alice (Alice Academy) does not belong to me.
Previously in Keeping Up Appearances-
His emotions were still rampant, the rage barely concealed, and the other emotion… Well… He needed to get out of there. To get away.
"Ruka-pyon~!"
His canter hesitated for the briefest of seconds before rushing through the door. 'Hai...Mikan.'
There was something wrong. He needed to get a grip.
'Just once…'
"Ruka-pyon~…" I wanted to chase after him. Even after he had gone, I stared at the spot he had been just a few minutes ago. What's wrong with him? There was a brief touch on my arm. It was Natsume and as he looked at me, I knew that he too was worried for Ruka. The class was finally settling down and Narumi-sensei seemed to have a carefree attitude of what just happened.
Ruka-pyon~… Are you ok? What's happened to you… All these years. You've changed so much. …Ru…ka…
I glanced at the empty chair next to Natsume and tried to remember where it all went wrong. After the incident with the elementary principal, I thought that he was ok. He still smiled and was kind; he opened up to everyone. So popular. I twitched slightly at the thought of the many many girls that has come and go. I'll admit that I was a little jealous. They were always around him as we all grew older and it seemed as if he didn't have time for us anymore. Or rather, he didn't have time for me anymore.
For some reason it feels as though Ruka-pyon~ is avoiding Natsume and I. Not physically though. It's still the same as before, the three of us together. But somehow, it feels different. Ruka and Natsume don't seem as close as they were before. In fact, it seems to be getting more tense between them as the years go by. Why Ruka? We used to be so close. And now… Even now it feels like you're faking. I remembering seeing you surrounded by those girls. You looked so…cold. You had glanced at me at that time and gave me a small smile. It was beautiful… Waaah~! What am I thinking?! I can't stop blushing. Ruka-pyon~ you're so bad for the heart.
BAKA! BAKA! BAKA!
Argh… "Baka… What are you doing spacing out?" said another cold person. I looked up at her crying, "Hotaruuuu~ Whyyy~!?"
"Because you were just spacing out like that. Class is over. Don't you have somewhere you should be?"
"Eh?" I gawked up at her for a second. Ruka-pyon~…
"Oi, Polka. Find him for me will you? I have to go do something." Natsume rested his hand on top of my head and sauntered out of the room. Hotaru also made her way out, "I have several commissions to finish up. I'll see you later at dinner. And Mikan,"
She paused for a moment and looked behind at me with a glint in her eyes, "Don't do anything you'll regret."
I stood up and gaped at her disappearing back, "Hotaru?" Why would she say something like that? I shook my head. That wasn't important right now. I need to go find Ruka-pyon~. I have to make sure he's ok. When I called out to him when he was leaving, he had stopped for just a second. I know that he heard me. I have to find him. Maybe he'll talk to me the way that he used to when we were kids. Ruka-pyon~? Where are you? Why are you hiding from me? I had checked everywhere: his room, the cafeteria, the middle school barn, the entire academy. Ruka-pyon~… Too tired… Leaning back against the tree, trying to catch my breath, I realized where I was. This Sakura tree kept so many memories. My first kiss with Natsume was here. Natsume.
I wonder where he went. Maybe I should go look for him? As I start to walk away, a small rustling sound came from behind me. I slowly make my way back and around, "Is someone there?" I glance down and saw pale blonde hair and a body stretched out, leaning against the tree, "Ruka-pyon~?!"
He was sleeping! I kneeled down by his side and watched him. Besides the small frown on his face, he looks so peaceful. For once, in a very long time, I feel like I'm seeing the real Ruka again. I can feel my face heating up again. And why is my heart suddenly beating faster? Staring at him like this. Those blue grey eyes, and that gentle smile. I want to see them again. Little by little, I reach my hand out to his face. So soft… I brush my hand against his cheek for moment. He really does look like an angel.
"M..Mi-kan…" My eyes widened. Did Ruka-pyon just mutter my name? And why? Is he awake? Does he know I'm here? I hastily withdraw my hand but his arm suddenly shot up and grabbed it. I suddenly find myself drowning in those blue grey eyes,
"Ru-Ruka-pyon~! You're awake!"
He doesn't say anything, just continues to gaze at me with those misty eyes. His face is getting too close to mine. I shut my eyes tight, I know that my face is redder than a tomato, "R-Ruka-.." Gentle lips touch mine.
Oh…my…god…
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Author's Note: Oh wow. That sucks. Yes, this chapter IS in Mikan's point of view. I found it necessary for the reader to know more about Ruka's current character, and I felt that the best approach was to use Mikan. I found that her point of view is more
revealing and honest than if it were Natsume or Hotaru or anyone else. It does seem like it's rambling and awkward but once again, this IS in Mikan's mind. Oh yes. Almost forgot. Sorry for the cliff hanger and the shortness of the chapter. I unfortunately
had this laying around for awhile, but couldn't add more to it due to certain circumstances - .... so yes *throws herself to the ground* I'm sorry!