A/N: It's back. This fan fiction was originally published last September 30, 2009 and was my first story. Due to FFN's rules I took it down a couple of months ago. I wrote this fic as an outlet for my love for this fandom and music. Happy reading!
-VCL 10/28/12; 12:08 PM

PS: I've recently revised the first few chapters completely, but the whole chunk of it all is still the same with the original. This is probably the less cringe worthy version of the fic. I've explained it further in Chapter 2's author's notes.

PPS: I changed my username sooo... lol (I've explained why in my Bio/Profile)
-meriyaaat (Revision 2.0: Aug. 2, 2017)

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice

Warning: Please do keep in mind that this fic is set in an alternate universe and is big on music. So if you can't picture Mikan and a few other characters from GA to be interested in music, I suggest you click away.

Dedication: To those who PMed me... those who left reviews regarding the deletion of this fic. You wanted it back just as much as I did (maybe even more).This is for you.


Chapter 1: Secret

Mikan Sakura

Secrets have reasons why they have to be kept, hidden, and tucked far away and never to be found. But some secrets are ticking time bombs. They're just waiting for their moment to explode.

Like the secret we're keeping.

"Unbelievable," Anna mumbled, surprised, from under her breath as she was scrolling through her phone.

The school hallway was buzzing with students trying to make their way to their last period before the bell beat them to it. My friends and I were taking it slow, our teacher was always late.

I looked at Anna behind me and started to walk backwards, a habit I couldn't break, about to ask her what the matter was when Nonoko beat me to it.

"What is it?" Nonoko asked in the calmest manner.

"It's Reckless Heart," she said as if those two words alone answered Nonoko's question. When we didn't respond she continued, "They released their latest single this morning and it's already number one on the charts."

I almost halted from the excitement. I wasn't expecting any of this. "Really?"

Ohmygosh. Ohmygosh. Ohmygosh.

The two of them stopped on their tracks and gave me a quizzical look. Hotaru, who was walking beside me but was facing the right direction, nudged me lightly as a warning.

Oops.

Anna raised an eyebrow. "For somebody who has made it very clear that she isn't a fan of Reckless Heart, you sure sound pretty ecstatic."

"That's because I am." I've been so used to making up excuses to my friends that it has become second nature. I swear to God, if this music thing doesn't work out, I should consider acting. "Good on them, you know? Just because I'm not a fan, doesn't mean I'm a hater."

Anna considered this, her eyes narrowed. "Nice save. But remember, one of these days I'm gonna get you."

It was my turn to halt. "Get me on what?"

Anna and Nonoko brushed pass Hotaru and I. "That you're secretly Reckless Heart's number one fan."

I couldn't hide my smile as I fell into pace with Hotaru, finally facing forward. "That'll be the day."

"I can see it now," Nonoko started, fighting back her laughter as we rounded a corner, nearing our classroom. "You have their EP and all of their posters. Your most played song on your iPod is Can You Keep a Secret."

"Speaking of secrets," Anna piped in. "Kudos to their management team. It's been what? More than a year since they released that song and we still have no idea who they are," she pointed out. "I don't know what game they're playing, but they deserve a pat on the back."

I gave a Hotaru a pat on the back. I was given a stern look in return.

Anna and Nonoko were talking animatedly in front of us, totally engrossed in their own conversation about the said band. "What? She complimented you," I whispered to my best friend.

"And you're walking on very thin ice."

I linked my arm with Hotaru's. "Can you believe it? Number one on Tokyo's music charts! I was so nervous. I wonder if the guys already know."

"It's a good song, Mikan. Stop doubting yourself. You're a good writer. Congrats."

I beamed. It's not every day Hotaru Imai complimented you.

As we entered the classroom the substitute teacher was crying his heart out since no one was listening to him. Which was perfectly normal (sort of). So it was kind of like a free period. Again.

I took my seat and dropped my bag to the floor. The guy next to me was covering his face with a manga, so one would assume that he was sleeping, as always. I took an old spiral notebook out and turned to a fresh new sheet of paper. I planned on writing a new song when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and found my seatmate's crimson eyes looking at me and intercepted a flying paper wad. I surprised a grin and opened it. Here we go again.

I bet half of my weekly allowance that you're going to be late for practice later.

I rolled my eyes while writing back in reply:

Ha. No thanks.

I slid it on top of his desk. He took it, and after a few minutes, tossed it over again.

You don't want to risk it?

Chances are I will be late for practice. With my brilliant luck and all. And it hurts that you're only betting half of your allowance, Natsume.

Is that a challenge? Are you writing a new song?

Nope. Not a risk taker, remember? Yeah, I was kinda planning to, but I can't think of any good words. Maybe later at practice.

And I found it hard to write songs without my guitar.

I gave the paper back to him. We've been doing this ever since the band started, since it was the only way that I could stay alive without our classmates noticing us discussing music.

Just music. Nothing more, nothing less.

Although we shouldn't really be discussing the band's music in class.

Nobody seemed to notice that we were exchanging notes. If they did, his scary fan girls would probably start World War Three with me. Even without Reckless Heart, my ever so good looking seatmate has his very own fangirls. Insane, I know.

I have known Natsume Hyuuga for seven years now. He was my assigned partner when I was a transfer student back in elementary. He and I never really got along at first. He was a… jerk. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't a bully. He's just very… him.

I'd gotten to know him better when he taught me how to play the guitar a year after I transferred. He didn't do it willingly at first, if that's what you're thinking. We were partners and it was a final exam of sorts for our music class back in sixth grade. It was a surreal experience. I never stopped playing the guitar since.

We both got an A.

Music has always given me comfort, it was a familiar ground. I've been in love with music since I was little and I knew then that it wasn't just a phase. My dad used to write songs for a living and at one point he played back up in a band. And to this very day, I thank him for the influence. We used to sing karaoke until my mom had to unplug the thing since it was already getting late. I smiled at the memory. Mom gave me all of dad's records, CDs, and anything of the sort when he passed away. And although music has shaped my childhood, I never actually tried to learn how to play an instrument, or write songs, or even sing for that matter.

Not until Natsume taught me how to play the guitar six years ago.

Not until Natsume, Ruka, and Koko asked me to join the band two years ago.

And the rest is history, I suppose.

I felt Natsume nudge my elbow, jolting me out of my thoughts. I grabbed the latest note and began reading.

Good job with Infinite.

I grinned. Infinite was the song Anna was talking about earlier. Number One on the fucking charts. Eeeep! It was Reckless Heart's first single from our upcoming album. It's been almost one year since we released Can You Keep a Secret, our debut single,and people were waiting for more.

It was a team effort and you know it. But thanks.

I gave the paper back to Natsume and turned my attention to the front of the class. The substitute teacher was writing our homework on the board and I suppressed the urge to sigh. I hated homework. I took my phone out and took a picture when the substitute teacher was finished writing. The bell rang shortly right after, signaling the end of classes.

I was in the middle of grabbing my bag when a voice said, "Don't be late, Polka. I'm warning you."

I grimaced at the nickname. Even if he was the band's leader, and even if we're kind of close, he's still one big jerk.

"Pervert," I grumbled at him.

He flaunted his signature smirk on his face as he passed by. Ruka and Koko entered the room at about the same time he exited, and they fist pounded/did-whatever-ritual-males-do-when-they-greet-each-other. I wasn't in the same class as Ruka and Koko which was a bummer. I waved at them after they spotted me a moment later.

"You won't be late again, 'kay? I guarantee it," Koko grinned, ruffling my hair. To think that two years ago the only words that I said to this guy were either 'good morning!' or 'hi!'.

"And you didn't have to emphasize the word again you know," I glared at him jokingly as I tried to fix my hair that he messed up.

He raised an eyebrow. "Okay, okay. Chill, Mikan." He pretended to fan me with his hands, which had me laughing.

I heard someone call out my name. I craned my neck around the two boys to see Nonoko, standing with Anna at the front. "We're going to Central Town, Mikan. Want to come?"

"Um, sorry Nonoko," I started. "I already made plans you see." I scratched the back of my head to add to my sheepish image.

She sighed in return. "You're always so busy these days. Not to mention Hotaru as well."

"I promise I'll make it up to you guys!"

"Sure. We'll just call you later," Nonoko waved as they left the classrooms.

Anna, on the other hand, wasn't as accepting. "Bye, Mikan." Her tone of voice wasn't very uplifting. It was always like this, but there wasn't anything I could do about the circumstances. I had to lie.

Ruka noticed my slightly crestfallen expression and squeezed my shoulder. "It's okay, Mikan. They'll understand."

Will they? I wanted to ask.

"Why don't we go to practice together?" Koko suggested.

I nodded. This was Koko's way of making sure I wasn't late even if he had to bend the rules a little. "Let's get going."

We walked to the Academy's gates and made sure nobody saw us leaving together. The guard let us through, as usual, and then we hopped into the car that was waiting for us.


A/N: EP means Extended Play, it's like an album but has lesser songs (about 4 to 6 songs).