Okay, I'm rewriting this. It's bad, I don't like how I've had to separate the days into different chapters, it's a very poor example of my writing capabilities, and I'm not portraying the characters as I should be. Ergo, I'm changing some things up around here... without, you know, getting rid of the reviews and favorites and followers. But, just to clarify, I'm not changing the story much. I'm just fixing the bad parts I wouldn't have written a year ago. I hope this works out...

(Also, small side note, I'm changing my characters' name just a tiny bit. It's a symbolism thing.)

Disclaimer: I only own my OC character. The Ouran High School Host Club and all of its characters belong to Bisco Hatori and all of it's publishers.

"Is your apartment big enough? I've heard that in Japan everything is really small so-"

"It's fine."

"Are you sure you don't want to rent a car? I don't want you to be riding your bike and have someone hit-"

"Everyone rides their bikes here, Mom. I'll be fine."

"You don't have to go to that private Academy if you don't want to just yet. After all, you'll be starting later than everyone else. I double checked and we can still sign you up for a public school in the area until their next school year starts up."

"Mom, I'm the first American to ever set foot in their school as a student. It'll look very rude if I turn tail and run. Besides, it might be fun!"

"Well, if you change your mind and want to come back next April instead of staying in Japan for another two years, we'll get you a plane ticket pronto, alright?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Now, I want to remind you about our rules. One, no parties. You're living on your own, but you're down there for school. If your grades don't add up, we're bringing you home. Two, stay safe. Don't forget emergency numbers and-"

I rolled my eyes and pulled the cell phone away from my ear. Pressing the speaker button and laying the phone down on the counter, I continued to open the cardboard boxes that were full of kitchen supplies. My mother's voice droned on as I stacked the cooking pots in the cabinet next to the stove.

No, I wasn't paying attention and, yes, I felt a little guilty, but my mom and I have been in the same phone call for the past hour, ever since I landed at the Tokyo International Airport, and she's repeated the list of 'Jacklyn's Do's and Do Not's of Japan' four times now. I love my mom, but sometimes I wish she would stop talking.

"-and above all, call or contact us everyday. We're given two times every day to speak when the other isn't about to go to sleep, so it's a narrow window. Keep all these things in mind, and enjoy yourself!"

"Okay, Mom, I will."

"Have you finished unpacking, yet?"

"No. Actually, I think I need to hang up with you so I can get the last of it all and go to bed. I have school tomorrow."

"Oh. Okay, then. Goodnight, Jacklyn."

"Good morning, Mom. Make sure Ben keeps Alec out of trouble."

"I'll remind him. Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up and set my phone down. For a moment, I just stared at it, twirling my long light-brown hair between my fingers. Although I'm glad my ear wasn't being talked off any more, I still missed my mom. And Dad. And Alec. Heck, my little brother hadn't let go of me until I had to head off to the plane gate. We haven't been separated for over a week ever since Mom and Dad brought him home from the hospital thirteen years ago. As annoying as he is...I'm gonna miss him.

Ding dong!

I jump, my phone slipping out of my hand and back onto the counter with a loud smack!

Who...

Biting my lower lip, I skirted around the cardboard boxes littering my apartment and peeked out the small peephole in my front door. Standing just outside was a mom and her daughter. They were holding a container each and looked excited about something. I took a very deep breath to steady my nerves before pulling my face away from the door, unlatching it, and pulling it open.

"Hello?"

The mom spoke first, extravagant and cheerfully, "Hello! Oh, you're so cute! I'm so happy we came to visit!"

"We're your new neighbors, two doors down, and we wanted to welcome you to the apartment complex!"

I blinked before smiling at the two, "O-oh! Thank you! Ah... w-would you like to come in? I mean, I-uh, I haven't finished unpacking everything yet, but I do have plenty of places to sit. I-if you want, you know?"

They smile and nod, walking through the doorway, the daughter shaking my hand as she did so, "I'm Haruhi Fujioka, and this is my dad, but-"

"But please call me Ranka! Everyone does!"

My eyes widen a tad, but I take this new information in stride, "It's a pleasure to meet you both! I'm Jacklyn Prout. I just moved here from America."

"Oooh! America, how exciting!"

I closed the door and lead the two over to the couch, kicking boxes out of the way as I went, "Well, make yourselves at home. Again, I'm sorry about the mess…"

"Oh, it's no trouble, you probably weren't expecting guests. Have you had dinner yet?"

"No, I haven't. I've been a little busy…"

Ranka smiled widely and took the container from his daughter's hands, "Oh, good then. I'll make the three of us some dinner and we can talk some more. Haruhi will keep you company!"

I giggled, "Thank you very much! If you need any help, just ask!"

"I will, now, make conversation with my daughter!"

"Okay, Dad, we will."

He rounded the corner and Haruhi gave me a warm smile, "So, Jacklyn, right?"

"Yup."

"What grade are you in?"

"I'm going to be a 1st year student in High School, apparently. It's going to be a little weird starting after summer break since everyone else has already started, but I think I'll manage. How about you?"

"I'm a 3rd year at the Junior High School. That means you're only one year older than me."

I laughed out loud, "Figures! Most of my friends are either younger or older than me! I don't do all that well with kids my own age!"

"You too? It seems like all the girls in my grade care about are clothes and famous actors! They don't bond well with girls who like to study all the time and get good grades."

"Really? I guess Japan really isn't all that different from America. But there's nothing wrong with liking that stuff."

"Of course not, I just meant I have nothing in common with the girls who go clothes shopping every month."

"Yup. I may like to go to a bookshop every month, but…"

Haruhi grins and calls out, "Hey, Dad? I think I just found myself a new best friend!"

"That sounds perfect, Haruhi!"

When she looks back at me, I lean in a bit and whisper, "Your dad is super cool! But, I have to ask, does he prefer male or female pronouns?"

Haruhi stares at me for a moment before smiling, "He prefers male. And thank you for asking."

"No problem."

"Hey, speaking of which, I haven't seen your parents around. Are they-"

"They're in America. I'm just here for school, all by my onesies."

"Sounds a little lonely… where are you going to school, then?"

"Ouran Academy."

Haruhi perks up, "Ouran Academy? The prestigious school?"

I smile at her eagerness, "That's the one. I was one of the three students coming to Japan to be offered a scholarship to Ouran Academy, and the only one to receive it. It's full tuition for all three years if I remain in the top 5 students of my class, and they'll even pay for my first year of college anywhere in the world in full!"

"Wow, that sounds like the acceptance of a lifetime!"

"Yup! I'm both the first American student and the first honor student to ever be accepted into Ouran Academy! Hey, I heard that they'd be offering another, similar scholarship to the public schools around Bunkyo next year. Haruhi, you should try for it! You seem super smart, I'm sure you'll get in!"

"You think?"

I nod vigorously just as the microwave in my kitchen dings and Ranka calls out, "Dinner's ready!" Haruhi and I hop off the couch and rush to help set the table, Ranka's cooking wafting through the room and making my stomach growl. Haruhi's own stomach responds and I giggle. I guess I don't have to worry about making friends...

Sigh. Yeah, this chapter wasn't adjusted much, but the next one definitely will be. I hope these adjustments will go over well. I'm just very aware that this story isn't as popular as my other one, and I think the writing style and characterization might be the reason. Well, let me know if you think these adjustments are better.

Read, review, favorite, follow, whatever you'd like.

See you next chapter!