It's Our Teenage Life

This story is dedicated to my sister…thanks for giving me your story!=P Hope you like it people!

"How strange that the young should always think the world is against them - when in fact that is the only time it is for them." ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

Chapter 1: Prologue

Summer was fast approaching. Three more days and it would be the end of the school year. Graduating students in Kyoto Kindergarten were enjoying their last few days playing and talking with their friends while others are just roaming around. Everyone was enjoying themselves, except for one… only for one…Natsume Hyuuga, the laughing stock in the class.

"Shorty! Shorty!"

He heard it every day in school. In fact, this made school for him a horrible place. Taller and bigger kids always teased him since as his title says it; he was the shortest in their class.

Natsume's POV

Damn it! They're here again!

"Yo! Shorty! I think your shirt looks too big for you. Five glasses of milk a day may help you reach my hips! Hahahaha!" Yamamoto Riku, the tallest boy and the big bully in our class, loudly said as his friends laughed with him hysterically.

That made me frown. This always happens to me! When will they ever stop calling me . . . "Shorty"?

I glared telling him to back off. But instead, he pushed me away, lifted my collar and said, "Huh, are you looking for a fight, shorty?" He was about to push me again when a brunette girl suddenly punched him right on the cheek, making me fall to the ground with a loud "thud".

"What the heck? Who did that?" he shouted angrily.

"I did, and who gave you the permission to call him "shorty"? Only I can call him that!" she said punching the tree so hard that made Yamamoto and his friends shiver in fright.

"W-We were just p-playing, S-Sakura. Umm…A-Anyway, we have to g-go, bye!", and with that, he and his friends ran away like scared cats.

"D-Did they l-leave already?" The brunette asked stuttering.

"Yeah, I think so", I replied.

Good…

…

"iiiiittttttaaaaaaiiiii! Ouch! Ouch! My hand hurts!" she shouted, jumping and swaying her hand back and forth to ease the pain.

"By the way, that was the stupidest thing you've ever done, Mikan", I told her.

Mikan Sakura, my not-so-bad classmate and best friend, was a taekwondo yellow belter so you might not want to make her angry because she could really kick your butt goodbye. Even though she's a girl, boys around our age were afraid of her. She always protected me from all those bullies. She was also the tallest girl in our class and the most annoying person you could ever meet. By the way, she was the one who started calling me "shorty" and other stupid names! She was a bully with a good heart, if you know what I mean.

"Mou, you're so mean! I only did that to save you. You should thank me for it, Natsu-chii" she retorted, grinning as she said the word "chii".

I winced. Ugh! I hate that new nickname she just made. It's so…so…so ugh-embarrassing!

"N-Natsu-chii? Where in the world did you even got that hideous name?" I asked furiously.

"Well…I think it's cute! Besides, it's the perfect nickname for you since "chii" means small, right?" She answered like an idiot.

"I am not a girl, ya' know!"

"Of course, I know! You're not even a woman YET!"

"Are you teasing me again? Let me tell you something, we-are-not-singing-one-of-BRITNEY-SPEAR'S–song!"

"Yah, I know! We're just using some lyrics of the song, right?"

Ugh! How smart!

Grrrr…oh how I wish I was much, much taller than her that I could just squash her with my own big feet! Hmph! The next time she borrows even one of my favorite books I'll-

Beep-beep!

"Hey, Natsu-chii! Your mom is fetching you already!"

I smiled inwardly and thought, "Perfect timing mom!"

End of POV

At Natsume's mansion…

"Natsu-chan!"

Oh great! First, Mikan calls me "Natsu-chii"; then my mom's calling me "Natsu-chan". Ugh. Girls are so weird! I thought angrily as I ate my broccoli.

"Umm… Natsu-chan, your father and I have something important to tell you so I hope you would understand", Nadeshiko Hyuuga said with anxiety.

"What is it mom?" Natsume asked, bored.

"We're leaving Kyoto after your graduation. We're going to live in Tokyo."

"Oh, is that so-

…

WHAT?" Shock from what he had heard. "C-could you repeat that again? I may be hearing wrong", he hoped that what her mother just said wasn't true. "It's not yet April right? So April's Fool is an impossible excuse." Her mother sighed and repeated what she just said earlier, "We are leaving Kyoto after your graduation".

"We are leaving Kyoto."

"We are leaving Kyoto."

"Leaving Kyoto."

"Leaving Kyoto..."

"W-what? N-no-way! W-why are we leaving?"

"It's because of my work, Natsume", his father replied. "I have an important business to handle there so I hope you'll understand. It's for your own good too so that no one's gonna bully you again."

"Well I hate those bullies but what about my school, our house, and what about my frie-

"Friends come and go son, I'm sure you're going to find new pals and I promise, there are a lot of better schools in Tokyo than here. We're going to sell this house and I sincerely think your future will be brighter there." Mr. Hyuuga explained.

Huh, brighter future, better school, my ass! I don't care about them. I don't even have friends! I only have a friend. And they expect me to leave that friend of mine behind? If only they understand... Natsume thought to himself facing down. .

"Natsume", his mother comforted making him look at her eye to eye, "Don't worry. Changes always happen. You will still see each other. Everything's gonna be okay."

"No. Nothing's okay! Nothing's going right right now. We can't just move to Tokyo because of your job! You can work here, right?" Natsume reasoned.

"The decision's final Natsume. Whether you like it or not, we're going to Tokyo. You will be thanking me one day because of this." His dad authoritatively said.

"I can't believe you!" was all Natsume can say. He was too angry that he skipped dinner and immediately went upstairs.

"Natsume! Natsume!"

"What should we do, Nadeshiko?" Mr. Hyuuga asked anxiously his wife.

"Don't worry, honey. I'll convince him." so she went to Natsume's room to have a little talk with their son.

When Natsume arrived in his room, he slammed the door and locked it furiously. He didn't take notice to turn on the lights for he hurriedly jumped into his king sized bed, grabbed the nearest stuffed bear, and talked to it like it was alive.

Natsume's POV

I can't believe it! How could they do this to me? Is it because I'm too small and weak to handle those bullies and-

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Natsume, can I come in? We need to talk." It was mom. "Darn it!" I'm not in the mood to talk to her now. I just don't feel like it.

"No."

"Okay then."

Good! She gave up! Now, some time to be alone-!

Click!

Crick! Crick!

Or not…I threw the bear as I saw the door open. It was mom again! She really won't quit! Hey, I remembered locking the door! How come, she was still able to get inside? I heard a small metal sound and looked at her hand…oh right, I forgot that she has the key to my room. How brilliant! Note the sarcasm.

Then to my shock mom just hugged me tightly and I felt like she was on my side all along. "Son, you have to understand." she said. I'm wrong; she was trying to convince me. I took off her hold from me and faced to the other side. I don't want to see anybody right now. I hated them. I hated myself. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even fight for myself with those bullies. I felt so weak, so helpless . . .

"Natsume, think of it, you'll be meeting a whole lot of new people. There will be many opportunities for you. We're moving not only for your dad but for you. We're going to start a new life there and you will begin living without anyone to judge you. You'll be fine and you're not really leaving your friends, you'll just be away. You can still communicate with each other."

My heart squeezed wanting to cry but pride wouldn't let me. And so, I faced my mom and asked, "You really think so mom? What if my friend would get angry?"

"Friendship stays even if they're far away."

I smiled and thanked her, "Thanks mom."

"It's already late so time for bed. Goodnight sweetie", my mom said as she placed the covers on top of me and kissed my forehead before standing up. "Don't let the bugs bite", she added. I chuckled. "Goodnight too, mom", I whispered quietly as she turn off the lights, and then I fell on a deep slumber.

End of POV

The next day…

How should I tell this to her? I'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon, Natsume thought feeling a little down.

"NNNAATTTTSSSUU-CCCHHHIIII! O-hayo!"

"No need to shout, stupid! I can hear you, ya' know", I told her trying to glare like I always do, but failed to do so in which she immediately noticed.

"What's wrong, Natsu-chii? Did somebody bully you again? Is it Yamamoto and the pups again? No worries, I'll beat him into a pulp!"

"No. It's nothing. Meet me at the secret hiding place after dismissal time. I need to talk to you. It's important, got it?" I told her, making sure she won't forget. She smiled, "Okay! See ya later!"

At dismissal time…

Natsume was at their secret hideout…the Sakura tree. It was easy for them to know that it's theirs since they made a sign "Dangerous tree, don't go beyond the sign or else you die". Well, it was actually Mikan who made and placed the sign on it. After waiting for 5 minutes, Mikan finally arrived.

"NATSU-CHI!"

"You're 5 minutes late, idiot. And stop calling me Natsu-chii!"

"Mou, you're so mean! Anyway, what do you want to talk about?" She suddenly asked.

"Umm… it's… I'm leaving Kyoto tomorrow…after graduation.", Natsume told her seriously. Silence engulfed around them. Natsume looked at her expression. Her face was blank.

"So? You're not going to spend your summer vacation at Kyoto?"

Natsume palmed his forehead. She's the dumbest of all the dumbest, all right! He thought. And here I was being serious about telling her that I'm leaving. But ends up that she misunderstood it again!

"Mikan, listen first, will you? I-am-leaving-Kyoto! That means, I am not gonna study nor going to live here anymore." Now her eyes were filled of shock, sadness, and…guilt?

"H-hahaha! Nice joke, Natsume! It's really not funny, you know! It's not yet April, so April's fool would be too far", Mikan said as her eyes began to water.

"It's not a joke, Mikan. I'm serious. I'm leaving tomorrow after graduation." Natsume told her as he covered his eyes with his bangs.

"B-b-but w-why? W-why are you leaving? Is it because I tease you a lot or is it because someone always bullies you? Tell me! Tell me the reason why you're leaving!" Mikan shouted as hot tears began to pour down her porcelain cheeks.

"It's because of my father's job, that's why we have to leave."

"Where will you go?"

"Tokyo."

"Where in Tokyo?"

"Somewhere out there."

"How long are you going to stay there?"

"Don't know."

"I see."

"Natsume, don't go." Mikan said, tears were still pouring down her cheeks. "I don't want you to leave." Natsume looked at her with a sad look on his face. He then pulled out her ribbons and Mikan's auburn hair began to fall down.

"Promise me something Mikan. Promise me that you'll never ever cut your hair short, so that when the day we meet again I could still touch your hair like this." Natsume said as he touches her hair.

"I promise." Mikan said as she sobs and Natsume just guiltily watched her fragile state.

After graduation at the school ground…

As the graduation finished, everyone was now allowed to go home. Mikan, on the other hand, was looking for a way to find Natsume.

"Mikan, since Natsume is going to leave Kyoto, why not take a picture of you two as a remembrance for the both of you? Besides, you look really cute on that dress your dad bought you!" Mikan's mom said.

Mikan was only wearing a simple carnation pink sleeveless dress that reaches up until her knees, embroidered with sakura petals at the lower right and a long white ribbon tied at the back. She was wearing ruby earrings and baby pink strap sandals. Her hairstyle was half-pigtails tied with pink and white ribbons.

"Great idea and thank you, mom! I'll just look for Natsume! "

Mikan's POV

Now where's Natsume? Did he leave already? Nah, I don't think so… ah! Maybe he's at the Sakura tree! I thought and ran quickly there. A few meters from there, I saw a familiar figure standing and watching as Sakura petals fell on him.

Ha! There he is!

"Natsume. Natsume! Natsuuummmeeee!" I called, still running towards him and waving my right hand to call his attention. He looked back just in time his hair was blown slightly by the wind. Awww! He's so adorable! I shook my head, going back to reality. I stopped running and walked my way to shorten the distance between us. As I got nearer, I got to see his outfit of the day.

Natsume was wearing a white polo shirt, khaki pants with chains on the side, a white Nike shoes, and a cross necklace. His hair was messily arranged. I then noticed that he is holding something in his hand. A gift? Must be given by someone to him.

"Looking for me, big girl?" He smirked.

I gasped. How dare him! And here I was trying to be nice to him and all! Hmph. How rude! I thought angrily and pouted.

"Not really. Anyway, my mom told me that we should take a picture so that it would serve as a remembrance for the both of us, since you're leaving already." I told him.

"Hn."

"Here." Natsume took out the small pouch and gave it to me. My eyes twinkled. And I thought it was given by someone else!

"What is it?" I asked.

"Open it first before you ask, pigtails!" He rolled his eyes, seemingly pissed at what I just asked. I glared at him and puffed my cheeks at his reply. Hmph! So much for being nice!

I opened his little gift for me and for a moment, my eyes widened. It was a stone. But it wasn't just any stone but it was his special stone. I smiled. He gave his special stone to me. I'm so happy!

"Thank you, Natsume." I thanked him, and then I placed the stone back to the pouch and slid it down to my pocket. I then realized that my stone was also inside my pocket! And so, I hurriedly took it out and tap Natsume's shoulders.

"Here." I handed my special stone to him. He took it, and then looked at me. I smiled widely at him.

"Why are you giving this to me?" he asked.

"You gave me your special stone, so I'm giving mine to you too."

"Thanks, pigtails."

"Oh! I almost forgot." I took my ruby earring on the left and handed it to him. Even though the earring has an original gem, I know that he will take good care it! Besides, it matches the color of Natsume's eyes.

"What's this? Are you going to make me gay?" He asked suspiciously, staring at the ruby earring on his palm.

"No, silly! Do whatever you want with it. Turn it into a necklace, an earring, anything! Just make sure that the next time we see each other, you are wearing it." I told him and he only nodded.

"Natsume! Promise me that when you get to Tokyo, you'll send me letters, ok?"

He smirked Again and said, "Whatever, big girl."

"And Pinky swear with me that we'll still see each other again, ok?" I told him as my eyes starts to get watery again.

"Even though *sob* we don't *sob* know *sob* when will it *sob* be", I said as droplets of tears fell from my eyes. "Don't always *sob* forget that *sob* I will still be*sob* your best*sob* friend."

He then went to me and hugged me, and I hugged him back. By the time you'll go, I'll really miss all the memories we shared for so long and the first friendship hug that we've ever had.

"Mikan! Natsume!" It was my mom. We both broke our hug and turned towards her as I wiped my tears.

"There you are the both of you! We've looked everywhere. I've found them, Nadeshiko!" My mom said loudly. Mom then turned to us. "So, aren't you two going to pose for your last picture?"

Natsume and I looked at each other then smiled.

Our picture was pretty simple yet memorable. I was at the back of Natsume smiling and hugging his neck on my right hand and making a "V" sign on my left while Natsume on the other hand, was crossing his arms and sticking out his tongue. Well, at least he's looking at the camera.

End of POV

End of Prologue

For those who read the wrong story…sorry, it was just a draft…this is the real edited chapter!=) I'm still a newbie so please bear with me and I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews are highly appreciated… Thank you for reading! ^.^