I actually based Miki's story off of a Taiwanese drama called Meteor Garden, which is based off of Hana Yori Dango/Boys over Flowers. XD I had a good time watching the first couple of episodes in fifth grade. 

Then I quit watching it cuz the main guy's impulsiveness and jealousy streak was too dang much for me LMAO

Hanazawa's name (花澤) is exactly the quiet one in this Taiwanese drama :D and I imagine his appearance similar to Mitsuru Sanada from First Love Diaries.

Nolan's PoV

"Did you just take a picture of me?" She asked when she heard the snap of my phone.

"Yes," I responded simply. 

We were out taking a mid-evening stroll along the border across from Hotel Tres Spades. The setting sun was halfway down the horizon, painting the sky and water a beautiful shade of gradient violet to dark blue. Also dying Miki's hair a purplish red. The cool evening breeze combing gently through her soft hair only added on to how attractive she looked while leaning against the railing.

I gave her a glimpse of the photo I just took. The photo I just took of perfection.

"Delete that! My hair looks a mess!" She protested but I only tapped away at my phone. 

"Too bad, it's my screensaver now." 

I pocketed my phone before she could reach out. Deciding to change her strategy, she placed her hand on my chest and traced tiny circles with her index finger, "Please? I don't really like that picture, I'll pose for you to take another one, okay? I'd at least wanna look nice if you're putting it as your screensaver."

I can't believe she thought she looked bad. Without a second thought, I hold on to her hand that was on my chest and pulled her towards me. I whisper on her lips upon our close proximity, "To me, you look beautiful no matter what."

She didn't seem particularly affected by it, "I know, I know. That--"

"Even if you decide to show up in public with a huge mess of a bed head and a paper bag as a dress, I'd still be glad to call you mine." 

She averted her eyes for a few seconds. The faint redness in her cheeks was definitely not from the sunset. Her fist dropped onto my shoulder and she snuggled into my chest, she speaks with her voice muffled, "You're the first person who's ever made me blush."

I pulled her closer to me and wrapped both arms around her shoulders, she immediately slipped her arms around my waist as well.

We've been dating for almost a year now. It's currently the last day of summer vacation, which means neither of us will be able to sleep until 10 a.m. anymore.

"Do you think you can maybe take it down a notch this year?" She shuffled her head and peered up at me.

"What do you mean? In school?"

"Yeah. For example, not breaking someone's leg for glancing at me twice?"

I scoffed, "That guy had it coming. He was staring at you during class and lunch, too."

She quirked a questioning eyebrow at me, "You're not in any of my classes, how'd you know that?"

I mirrored her look and then she understood right away. I have eyes and ears everywhere. Besides, where else would I go when I'm ditching class?

~~

The next day, Asher and I hung out on the roof while all the other losers went to the opening ceremony. We talked about anything random as we wait for Hanazawa and Miki to get out. I've known them both since we were six years old, there was always plenty to talk about.

"Whoop, there's your princess." Asher pointed out among all the students flooding out of the atrium. I narrowed my eyes when I see that she wasn't alone. She was smiling and talking to a new student. A male student. I turned right around and sped downstairs with Asher's amused laughter following behind.

A few minutes later, Miki introduced me to her high school classmate, Kento. Though I was too busy glaring at the pathetic mutt who cowered in my piercing gaze to hear her introduction of him. I didn't pay attention until she said 'ex-boyfriend.'

"Try not to kill the poor guy." She patted me on the arm before heading to her first class, she doesn't skip class, unlike Asher and me. 

"...Sure." I murmured, my glare never leaving the shivering fool barely standing in front of me. Asher took out a bag of leftover popcorn from the movie theater he went to with some girl and glanced between the two of us, his eyes shining with amusement, obviously expecting a show.

"How long have you dated her?" I take threatening steps one at a time closer to him as he stumbled back but tried his best not to stutter, "Two months...."

"How far have you gone?" A crowd was starting to form as they could practically see me getting more agitated by the millisecond and honestly felt bad for Kento.

"Just holding hands, she never--"

"Have you ever thought to do more than that?" I was one step away from grabbing his collar when he slipped past me, "I uh, should really start getting to class...! I'll get in trouble if I'm late on the first day, haha!"

I grabbed his shoulder and stopped him in his tracks, "No need, as long as you tell your teacher Nolan kept you here, you'll be off the hook."

"Hah? Who do you think you are? A teacher will just do that?" He shrugged off my hand. 

A wicked smirk plastered onto my lips, "You are so, very new. See if you can say that to me again by the end of this week, no, this day."

He rolled his eyes; big mistake. He then eyed me up and down, "So you're Miki's new boyfriend? Are you the only one?"

I didn't understand how he asked that so casually, I narrowed my eyes at him again, "Of course."

His expression showed genuine surprise for a second until he realized my puzzled look, he proceeded to explain, "Ah, you see, Miki was quite the famous player back in high school."

My tightly-knitted eyebrows went up in slight surprise. 

"Ooooh, plot twist!" From under a tree shade, Asher called out while stuffing his face with popcorn.

"Yup, she considered multiple people her 'boyfriend' simultaneously, or at least, she acted like it. Surprisingly, none of the guys minded that, she was just far too charming to miss out on simply because of her naturally out-going personality." 

Hold on, that sounds even more twisted than what my father does all day.

"But then," Kento continued, "She suddenly broke off with her entire social circle in the middle of sophomore year, I think it was around the time when her mother fell ill and regularly went to the hospital for checkups until she was completely hospitalized by senior year."

I tuned out whatever he had to say after that, then I said quietly, "Get out of my sight."

"Eh?" He blinked several times at my sudden order that interrupted him, he opened his mouth again, but then saw the sympathetic looks on people's faces begging him not to speak back to me. He shut his mouth again like a goldfish.

"This show was way better than the sappy romance movie I had to sit through yesterday." Asher remarks in a satisfied manner after he got up from his viewing spot and walked with me out of the school gates.

"If you don't like it, don't do it." I say back to him.

"What can I say?" He shrugged dramatically in a joking manner, "I'm a gentleman, I don't just turn girls down when they ask me out."

I made a deadpan face at him, "You do realize it's much worse when you break off with them completely just by text within a week of so-called dating?"

His goofy expression dropped so fast as he stared straight ahead, "I guess even after these years, I still wanted to try. To just try to see if I can actually come to love someone, or feel loved by someone... I guess it's simply too impossible, everybody annoys me to no end within a couple of days. Except you and Hana."

It was the first time he's claimed something that sounded absolutely lonely and hollow, I couldn't believe it was Asher walking beside me. And as if catching that drift as well, a fun-loving grin returned to his face, "And Miki, too! She's fun to mess around with and she never gets upset!"

He got exactly the reaction he wanted from me when I growled at him. He purposely chose to talk about Miki to distract me. Asher's parents traveled often, and he was compared to his older brother ever since birth; I would imagine he never felt like being a part of a complete family. I at least had a warm family for nine years.

Asher's given up on making amends with his family for years, never feeling love made him incapable of giving it, either. I guess fate just crashed into me before him.

"See ya tomorrow, I'll just hang around the area before going back to my house." He waved back once before turning a corner.

I suddenly realized he never referred to the place he lived as 'home'. He never said 'I'm going home'. 

Miki's PoV

"Why didn't you tell me he was Nolan O'Bryan?!!" Kento exclaimed with tears in his eyes as he shook my shoulders at the gates after school hours.

"You recognize his family name?"

"Of course! I'm studying in the business field and I'd be an idiot to not know the son of the closest business partner of Eisuke Ichinomiya, the head of the Ichinomiya group that--" He bit his tongue while he said that all in one breath, his hands quickly flew to hold his mouth in pain.

I laughed at his panicked state, "Don't worry! I'm sure Nolan wouldn't hold a grudge."

Hopefully. 

"I wouldn't be too sure about that." Hanazawa's ghostly voice made both of us flinch. He closed the book he was holding in one hand, then eyed Kento and me up and down. He says to me: "You know more than anybody how possessive Nolan is." He then glanced at Kento, "Though I think he'd get over it after torturing you for about seven months."

I sweatdropped at Hanazawa's obviously exaggerated time, but since he looked so prim and proper, Kento took him seriously. I can see his soul drifting out of his body. I've found out over the past year that Hanazawa isn't who he seems. And this is just a grim reminder.

"Stop scaring him." I pulled Hanazawa back by his arm, he stared at me for five seconds straight when I did.

"...Why do you make physical contact so casually?" He asks all of a sudden. I narrow my eyes at him before mumbling, "Hana, are you actually an overly-shelter prude?"

I've picked up on Asher's habit of calling him 'Hana' a couple months back.

"No. I do, however, consider relationships very time-consuming." He didn't show any signs of flusteredness as he adjusted his glasses, "Just look at what Asher does all day and you'd see."

I chuckled a little at his dark humor. Then, I realize Kento was watching us for a while now. When confronted, he responded with a small smile, "You've acted differently ever since you broke off with your social circle, everyone's been worried. Now I know that you're really the same as ever, it's somewhat of a relief, haha, ignore me."

My expression softened at his words, "Thanks, Kento."

Light reflected off of Hanazawa's glasses as he remarked, "And that is what the ex-boyfriend says to his ex-girlfriend who dumped him."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, and then there's you, Mr. Prim-and-proper fooling everyone into thinking he's such a perfect student until he took off his mask." I waved my index finger in front of him, but I should've known better, I've never won a single argument against him before.

"Please, you were the only one who's ever fallen for that front." 

"...Damn your sharp tongue."

"I'm captain of the debate club for a reason." He flipped his book open again to a certain page, then walked off without waving goodbye, "This conversation is over, I hope I don't see you two tomorrow."

I swear, he is just so nice.

"Honestly." Kento laughed a little, "You look so much better like this, like the Miki I used to know." He bit his lip, "I admit, I still like you, but I know you're in a serious relationship now. I probably won't see you around again since we're in the opposite ends of the school, and I'm sure your boyfriend wouldn't appreciate me showing up all the time, either."

"...So, this is goodbye?" 

"Yeah, even though I just saw you." He chuckled nervously to try to make it seem less awkward as he stretched out his arms, "One last time, I promise."

I gave him a light, friendly-hug around the shoulders and a small pat on the back, "You're a great guy, Kent. As cheesy as it sounds, I wish you happiness."

Before he could respond, a sharp gasp from a girl beside me made us pull away. My blood immediately ran cold when I saw Nolan at the gates, I couldn't read his expression, but his aura definitely read that he was beyond upset. 

An extremely tight feeling tugged in my chest at the pained look in his eyes I caught when I walked up to him. 

No sound even came out of my mouth yet when he beat me to it: "Come."

Cut and short, he turned right around then climbed into his limo that parked outside the school. I quickly catch up to his pace and got inside as well. A butler shut the car door behind me.

I glance out the window, a lot of girls' glares followed the car as it drove away. 

The tension that was long gone between us hung in the air. He stayed seated at the far left side while I stayed at the right. Normally, he would beckon me over or slide over himself, just to hold my hand or simply be close. I realize how much I miss his presence right beside me when he merely stared out the window during the entire drive.

Not daring to break the silence, the only thing I could do was swallow my words until we stopped in front of his house. I've already been here too many times to count, and today was no different, except that I trailed behind him while he took long strides inside.

A little while later, he loomed over me as I sit on the edge of his bed. He only ever spoke to me like this if he demanded an answer, or when he's upset. Though this time, I couldn't exactly read the emotion present in his eyes. In his usual low voice, he asked, "Is it just normal for you? To be intimate with other guys just fine whether you're in a relationship or not?"

I immediately understood where he got that impression from. For once, I was eager to explain myself to my boyfriend so he wouldn't misunderstand. I thought for a second to organize my thoughts.

"Back in junior high, I completely couldn't understand why my boyfriend got upset over the fact that I went to karaoke with a group of four guys and two other girls. Even in freshman year, I still didn't see what was wrong with hanging out with other groups of guys when I had a boyfriend." I swallowed, then got to the point, "But when it came to you, there's just a natural feeling that I shouldn't spend time alone with other guys. I-I guess it just didn't occur to me until it was someone I actually liked...."

Up till then, a rush of nerves flushed up to my face and I realize how nervous I got. I couldn't push any more words out, even more so when he doesn't respond for a long time. I spouted out what I was truly feeling and how I felt.

When Nolan can't express himself with words, he kisses me passionately to get his point across the rough way; and that is exactly what he did. He practically enveloped my body with his as he held down my wrists, showing his insecurity in what he heard about me, which were all true. Knowing his personality, he definitely couldn't accept something like that.

He had his fingers completely tangled in my hair by the time he pulled back and opened his eyes. I was surprised to find a sense of serenity in them. With one of his rare soft smiles, he caressed my cheek and murmured, "Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break, anyway."

Just seeing him like almost breaks my heart. 

"You are the only one. My one and only, I promise you." Cupping his head in my smaller hands, I look at him straight in the eyes to make sure my point got across.

A small laugh escaped his lips, "I never doubted you; I trust you. Asher's right, you are fun to mess with."

I've gotten used to his words that disguised his true feelings; at times like these, he just saved himself by claiming he was just messing with me. But I know he actually put thought into it. However, though, I gotta play along to support his stupid pride.

I was going to punch him for saying that when I decided to get him back the way he did instead. I trailed an index finger down his cheek, "Depends on what type of messing around."

"Well, what do you have in mind?" Going with the pretend flow instantly, he lifted one knee up onto the mattress, forcing me to crawl back further on the bed. In the concept of flirting, I'm pretty sure I could still top him.

"Hmm~ depends, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I sat up on my knees and matched his eye level.

"You gotta tell me what to do first." He stated, an arm already snaking around my waist, I put my hands on his shoulders to stop myself from falling into him.

"Well, I can't taste my lips, could you do it for me?" Deciding to go with a trusty pick-up line that my dad taught me literally a week ago--just for fun times--I licked the corner of my mouth just for emphasis and I could've sworn his eyes shined.

"...Are you flirting with me?" He replied after a few seconds. I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but it sure ain't about candies and unicorns.

"Of course not. I'm just being extra nice to someone who is extra attractive." 

I giggled when he tickled my side and made me fall onto the bed with the pillows breaking my fall.

"...You win." He muttered by my ear before biting the lobe.

"Eye contact is a dangerous, dangerous thing. But lovely, oh so lovely." I chanted like a drunk person just to reaffirm my victory and placed my fingers on his chin.

"What's dangerous is your words, you have no idea how you're making me feel." 

I'm pretty sure I got an idea when he literally bit my shoulder, not enough to draw blood, very softly. I decided I should stop teasing him so much.

"Alright, alright. Hey, I think I have an English paragraph to write, geez, there's homework right off the bat." I just remembered that tomorrow is Tuesday, and I already have studies to complete.

"Screw homework."

He mumbled into my neck before falling beside me and pulling me towards him. I sighed knowing I'd have to stay up late tonight to finish the paragraph if he kept this up, but no strength in my body could push him away.

We stayed in that position and cuddled for hours on end.

EXTRA (just to ruin the moment):

"You know you should stop intentionally putting those thoughts into my head." He said vaguely while averting his gaze. I smiled at him, "Your own fault for putting innocent words into what you're thinking."

"It honestly isn't my fault." He sighed, "my dad has been slipping weird stuff into my wallet for the past four months. I swear I'm gonna fucking go insane one day."

"What stuff?" I ask.

He hopped up and grabbed his wallet from his jacket pocket, then proceeded to dump its contents onto the bed.

Aside from the huge amount of cash and two cards, I blushed when two foil packets fell out, as well.

------------------------

Nolan's dad is such a savage.

I apologize for the late update DX It's 1:10am I'm half-asleep I apologize beforehand for any forms of errors.

September 10, 2016

I have two presentations, one test, and one essay all due on Monday, and I haven't started any of them. Just great.

-Lily (sad life)

Instagram - seika_akashi