One More Chance

Chapter 17: The Alice Dance

*It hurts to love someone and not to be loved in return, but what is the most painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let the person know how you feel.

Mikan woke up and found herself lying on a soft warm bed in an unfamiliar room, bright lights glaring down at her. Her eyes adjusted to the light, and she finally realized where she was.

She was in the hospital wing of Alice Academy, although she didn't know how she got there. The last thing that she could remember was Hotaru and the others finding her and Natsume in the storage room, and as they ushered them out of the room, she fell unconscious.

Her head was wrapped up in bandages, and there was still a light ringing sound in her ears. Although with difficulty, she managed to move her body into a sitting position. That was when she noticed the hand holding hers and the person sitting on the chair beside her bed. Mikan fought the urge to gasp in surprise.

Natsume was here.

Fortunately, he was sleeping soundly, his head resting on the side of her bed. He looked tired, worn out. He probably stayed up all night watching over her.

Mikan brushed the hair away from his eyes. Natsume looked gentle and peaceful as he slept. She noticed the cast on his arm. Mikan couldn't help but feel a stabbing pain in her chest. It was because of her that Natsume broke his shoulder. It was because of her that he had to risk even his own arm in order to save her.

It's because I'm still in love with you. The words ran through her mind.

Mikan couldn't help but blush at the memory. Her heart started to beat faster. Even though Natsume already said that he loved her before, he didn't say it to her directly. But what happened on that day in the storage room was different. He even kissed her. Mikan couldn't help but savor the feel of his lips over hers. The memory had imprinted itself on her mind. She gently touched his cheek.

"I see that you're finally awake." A voice spoke up from the door.

Mikan immediately sat up straight and found herself facing her best friend, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Hotaru." Mikan blushed in an even brighter shade of red.

"Sorry to ruin your moment." Hotaru said, approaching her.

Mikan looked away in embarrassment.

"I can't believe that you saw that." She muttered.

"I also caught it on camera." Hotaru smiled evilly.

Mikan immediately turned to look at her best friend. She wasn't joking at all. In Hotaru's hand was none other than her camera. Mikan's eyes widened in shocked surprise. She tried a grab for the camera, but it was little bit difficult with Natsume holding her other hand and with her body's current condition. Hotaru retreated a step.

"Hotaru! Delete that picture, please." Mikan hissed. She tried to lower her voice as much as she could. After all, she didn't want to disturb Natsume's peaceful slumber.

Hotaru rolled her eyes.

"Geez baka, calm yourself down. I was only kidding." She set aside her camera and grabbed a chair, placing it beside Mikan's bed. She kept a fair distance between her and Natsume's sleeping figure.

"Hotaru, you're so mean!" Mikan whined, but somehow, she felt relieved.

"You should get used to it already, baka." Hotaru grumbled under her breath. "Don't you realize how worried we were when we found out that you were kidnapped?" She demanded.