i own nothing, disclaimer and all that.

ok this is my first published work, depending on how well this goes i might post more. i have 7 chapters of this story already written and i'm still working on it. so please read and review. also be kind about grammar and spelling, i do try my best but i do not have someone else to look it over. and i promise this story gets better than this chapter

oh and the chapters switch perspective. this is from natsuki's point of veiw

"Natsuki, wake up", I could hear a faint voice trying to pull me from sleep, that must be Mai, who else would be brave enough to try and wake me up? "Natsuki Kuga, get up!" she pestered, shaking me roughly. As much as I grumbled and tried to push her away she kept persisting.

With a final groan, I gave up all attempts at sleeping in. "Just because it's your couch doesn't mean you can force me awake any time you want" I huffed.

"Stop being so lazy," Mai nagged, "I swear, you're just as bad as Nao. It's practically noon"

"Only noon?" I practically groaned, sitting up and raking my fingers through my tangled hair. The red head gave me another shake, "ok ok, I'm up jeez" I lazily stretched out before sitting up, as Mai disappeared into the kitchen. I continued to comb my fingers through my hair, absent mindedly listening to Mai fumble about with pots and pans. I assumed she was beginning to prepare lunch for herself and Nao. Honestly, I don't know why Mai would want a roommate in the first place, never mind someone like Nao, the girl could be such a pain. Thankfully the only person I'll ever have to share my space with is Shizuru. I couldn't help but blush at the thought…

Just when my mind was beginning to drift off, Nao burst through the door. "Honey, I'm home!" she called making her way into the dorm. "Uhg, what's the mutt still doing here?" she turned her attention to me and gave me a dirty look. "I already have to see you at school, now you're invading my home life too?"

I dramatically sprawled myself across the couch with a small smirk, "aw but it's so comfy here. The only downfall is the insect problem, you see, there's this big ugly spider that haunts the place"

Nao narrowed her eyes at me before turning to Mai, "Mai, you know there's a 'no dogs' policy in the dorms" she frowned.

"Well if that wasn't the most original come back then I don't what is," I snorted.

"Yeah like yours was any better," I heard her grumble as she took her seat at the kitchen table.

"Can't you two play nice for once?" Mai finally intervened. "I made us a nice lunch and I'd like it if we could sit down for a meal, without the two of you bickering through the whole thing." She sighed, cleared already annoyed with the two of us and placed three bowls on the table.

Nao stuck her tongue out at me as I took my seat, "well if it means I get some of Mai's famous ramen then I guess I can try to be civil with the mutt". I simply rolled my eyes and began to squirt a large amount of mayo into the bowl Mai had placed in front of me. I really wasn't in the mood to deal with Nao so soon after waking up.

"So Mai," Nao loudly slurped at her noodles before continuing "have ya given any thought to Midori's offer?"

The perky red head gave the noodles a few idle prods before answering, "I haven't decided if it's a good idea or not" she gave the noodles another poke. "You remember what happened at the last party," she grimaced, probably remembering when she had way too much to drink and ended up leaving Yuuichi a bunch of embarrassing voicemails. Luckily it had resulted in him confessing his undying love, finally, but Mai was still really embarrassed.

"Whoa what party?" I felt myself perk up.

"Midori said that if I wanted, she would throw me a birthday party on Monday. She said it was perfect timing since school's going to be out all week and she was already planning on having some sort of get together," Mai continued to poke at her lunch as she explained, occasionally taking a few bites.

"Yeah and Mai's being a prude and won't take her up on the offer" Nao cut in, her cheeks full of ramen. "I don't see what the big deal is."

"Uhg Nao you know how easily things get out of hand at Midori's parties. You and Natsuki like to cause trouble" Mai shook her head. She really does remind me of a mom. She's so busy trying to take care of everyone; I think she forgets that she's a teenager too.

"Hah we do not, trouble just seems to find us" I chuckled, placing my now empty bowl in the sink.

By this point Nao was almost in tears from laughing so hard. "Remember the first time we got Mai drunk and she threw up all over herself?" she managed through laughs. Mai's cheeks immediately flushed as she scowled at the two of us.

"Oh yeah," I exclaimed. "That was awesome! You were such a light weight Mai."

"Yes, and it is lovely memories like that, that make me think a party is a terrible idea," Mai crossed her arms in her usual know-it-all way.

"Aw come on Mai. We'll be good, I promise. You deserve a birthday party and it'll be a lot of fun, please?" Nao begged. She was giving Mai her best pout and I knew it was only a matter of time before the other girl caved.

"Fine, Monday at eight it is" she said at last, rolling her eyes. "But you two better not do anything too crazy"

Nao nearly jumped out of her seat with excitement, beginning to ramble on about all the things we could do. Mai tried her best to calm the other red head down but it was already too late.

I took the chaos as an opportunity to sneak away and call Shizuru. I slipped out the door as quietly as I could, with Shizuru's number already dialed, and hit send. As soon as I heard the dial tone my heart began to race.

"Ah so my Natsuki is finally awake" the familiar accent giggled through the phone.

"Hah yeah, Mai woke me up a little while ago and made me lunch". Just her voice was enough to make me blush.

"Well that was nice of her, I hope you didn't drown whatever it was with mayo" I could almost hear the grimace in Shizuru's voice. She thinks my mayonnaise addiction is the grossest thing. Not that she's one to talk, the girl drinks tea like they're going to stop making the stuff.

"You know me too well," I laughed. "I have to have my mayo"

"Yes, I know how fond my Natsuki is of the disgusting stuff" Shizuru chuckled. "I'm glad you called though, I wanted to ask you something before my next class"

"Ok, what is it?" I kicked my foot idly against the floor. I always feel awkward on the phone, I'd much rather talk to Shizuru in person.

"My parents left for a business trip this morning, and I was wondering if Natsuki wouldn't mind keeping me company. They won't be back for at least a week and I would hate to be in that big empty house all by myself" Shizuru's voice held that familiar flirty tone that made me blush.

"Of course I'll stay over with you then. Who else is going to protect you? Young ladies really shouldn't be left all alone." I laughed sarcastically, kicking the wall again.

"Well if Natsuki is protecting me, who will protect me from Natsuki?" she giggled as my stomach filled with butterflies.

"Hm, if anything I need protecting from you" I wished she could see me sticking my tongue out at her.

"If Natsuki really minded the she wouldn't have agreed to stay over." Shizuru chuckled again, and with that the phone click and she had hung up. She was right, I sighed leaning against the door. I didn't mind when Shizuru teased me, I kind of even liked it. I kicked my foot again frustrated by the blush that had colored over my cheeks. Damn that woman. I sighed again before deciding to head back inside, after my blush faded of course.