Songs and Stories - Gakuen Alice

Chapter 3: It Was Always You

Summary: Natsume Hyuuga was an idiot. How could he not realize? It was always you.

Pairing: NxM One-shot!

Song: It Was Always You by Maroon 5

~.~.~

I woke up sweating from a dream, my breath coming out in ragged puffs as I sat upright in my bed, wincing at the dark. A different kind of feeling swirled inside my chest as the fresh memory of my dream flashed before my eyes again.

Glancing at the digital clock sitting on my bedside table, I inwardly groaned that I had only a few more hours before I had to go to school. Getting out of bed, knowing I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again, I did what Natsume Hyuuga normally would never do.

I got ready for school.

I walked to school at six o’clock sharp, earlier than my mom could imagine and my sister wasn’t even up yet.

~.~.~

Finally arriving at the gates of my school, Gakuen Alice, I walked straight to my locker, gathering the books I needed for my classes that day. With almost half an hour to spare, I took out my laptop and sat on a couch, waiting for classes to start. 

15 minutes later, students started pouring in, one after the other and the noise became almost irritating. 

“Good~” I inwardly grinned. “Morning!” Mikan Sakura, my ever cheerful best friend greeted loudly as she jumped onto my back, circling her arms around my neck.

“Yo.” I greeted back simply, earning a pout from her. Chuckling at her reaction, I gave her a light pat on the head. 

“What class?” She asked, and I rolled my eyes. The first question she always asks everyday, first thing in the morning. 

I glanced away, pretending to think, using extra time just to mess with her, before I answered.

“Maths. You?” She wrinkled her nose as she tried to remember her schedule, or was it because she didn’t like the subject?

“I got history class...with Jin-Jin! Oh my god, I didn’t even do the homework!” She cried in exasperation, using her puppy dog eyes to try and persuade me to help. I had too much on my thoughts right now, so I merely gave her a smirk before I headed off to my class; there was only about 5 more minutes left anyways.

All day long my heart was beating, for reasons unknown. I was still fine when I made my way to school, but after seeing Mikan...I groaned. What the hell? I spent my whole day searching for the meaning of my irregular pulse and my dream earlier this morning.

Then suddenly it hit me, and I knew. Hazel eyes...those beautiful irises flashed in front of me, and my heart started beating irregularly again. Ohgod, I was so color blind. How could I be so stupid? We were just wasting time all along.

For my whole life, we never crossed the line. Mikan Sakura was, and always will be, my best friend, and that was all I thought about. I assumed that was also why I was so protective of her, why I always seemed to get jealous (fuck I hate that word), was because we were friends. 

But now I realize, it was always you. Mikan was the one I love. That was also the reason why I could never concentrate on any dates, never able to hook up with any other girl. I can't believe I could not see it all this time, it was so obvious.

It was always you

Now I know why my heart wasn't satisfied, all those light hugs and innocent pecks on cheeks. Why I always stupidly wished something more would have happened, but always shook the thought away.

It was always you, now I don’t have to look for that girl anymore. Looking back now I know it was always you. You, who was always by my side in the first place.

All my hidden desires that I tried to repress all those years, finally came alive. I suddenly wanted to hold her tight and kiss her like there was no tomorrow.

~.~.~

It was our weekly sleepovers, something we started doing ever since lower school. Sitting on the floor of my room, Mikan gazed at me with those wide eyes, and I started to feel uneasy under her gaze. 

“Ne, Natsume?” She asked innocently, her voice soft and sweet. I mumbled a simple reply as I tried to finish my essay before I had to entertain her.

“Have you ever lied to me before?” My fingers froze over my keyboard for a second at her unexpected question.

“What?” I asked out of surprise.

“Do you like me?” She asked, her voice this time laced with hope. I stared blankly at her for a few seconds before I decided, why the hell not?

“Yeah.” I answered, my eyes never leaving my computer screen.

“I don’t mean it as a friend. I meant do you like like me?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you humoring me? You’re lying.” She pouted, not believing my answers. I gave out a light chuckle at her reaction.

“No, I never told lies to you, so why would I start tonight?” I answered honestly, staring into her hazel eyes, and once again I was reminded that I was so color blind, that we were just wasting time.

“You...” She stared at me. “You’re serious? Like, you actually like like me?”

I groaned at her persistence, so I flicked her forehead, just like I used to do when we were still kids.

“How many times do I have to tell you? Yes, I like you. Like like you.” She narrowed her eyes at me with the look of ‘if-you’re-lying-I’ll-fucking-kill-you.’

I laughed before giving her a hug, loving the feeling of her in my arms.

“Now then,” I whispered into her ear, feeling her shiver as my breath tickled her ear. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

“What?” Mikan asked, her eyes wide with shock.

“You’re not going to make me ask again, are you?” I grumbled irritably.

“I wouldn’t mind that.” She giggled and I almost wanted to choke her. Ironic, I just asked her out and now I want to choke her.

“Yes.” She whispered back and I blinked at the sudden answer, not knowing what to feel. 

“What? I said yes, you idiot. Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend!” I almost kissed the daylights out of her after that. I never felt happier.

For my whole life, we never crossed the line. Only friends in my mind, but now I realize, it was always you. I can't believe I could not see it all this time.

It was always you

I woke up sweating from a dream, my breath coming out in ragged puffs as I sat upright in my bed, wincing at the dark. A different kind of feeling swirled inside my chest as the fresh memory of my dream flashed before my eyes again.

Now I knew what it meant.

It was always you.

I love you, Mikan Sakura.

~.~.~

Suggestions on songs and pairings are very welcome!

R&R Please!