Mayumi Loved: Chapter 1

My name is Mayumi Takahashi. I am enrolled at Ouran Academy. I am 16 years old and a second year. I have black hair with a rusty-dusty orange tint to it. I have snake bite piercings, and use a lot of eyeliner. I'm average height, a little under -average weight, green eyes and people say I have really soft skin. And this place stinks. I wish I could get out of this hellhole.

Here at Ouran Academy, we are expected to be 'proper' and 'ladylike'. It's agonizing. And the girls' uniforms are absolutely ridiculous, I can't STAND those big yellow, frou-frou things. So my dad made some calls, actually, A LOT of calls, and started a strike, and now all students with a permit (costs 5000 dollars)are allowed to wear whatever they want. I guess you could say I'm the 'punk', 'outcast', or maybe 'scene/emo'.

Well today at lunch my two best friends in the whole world, Mitsuki, and Saki, told me about a group of seven boys who flirt with girls and drink tea and what not, called the Host Club.

'They are the handsomest boys you will EVER SEE!' Saki told me. 'My favorite host is Mori! So dark and mysterious!' They both squealed with delight. 'Oh gosh.' I rolled my eyes. 'But when Tamaki holds your chin in his hand and brings you closer…!' Squeal! I covered my ears in agony. 'I'm gonna marry him!' 'WOULD YOU BOTH SHUT THE HELL UP!' I barked.

They both paused mid squeal and stared wide-eyed at me. Are they mad? They burst out laughing. 'Oh, haha, oh… Mayumi.. you'll ….' Saki regained her breath. 'I'd like to see you after you visit the Host Club!'

'Yeah right... I doubt they are as dreamy as you say.'

'Hmmm, I give you a bag of Spicy Cheatos (spelled different for copyright reasons) if you go to the Host Club this afternoon.' Saki bribed me. Ugh! She knows how much I love Spicy Cheatos!

'Fine. But I'm telling you I will NOT think they are cute!'

'Don't be so skeptical, Mayumi! You will LOVE them!' Mitsuki assured.

Just then two girls from the next table over, came to ours. They looked very rich, and very stuck up, but you never know, they could be really nice girls. Looks are deceiving. 'Hey Saki, Mitsuki, why don't you come sit with us?' 'Yeah, and, like, everyday." The second girl added.

'Sorry we are hanging out with Mayumi. You are free to join though.' Mitsuki smiled.

'Oh, sorry, her? We don't hang out with depressed trash like that.' The first girl announced, and rather loudly. Lots of people were now looking at our table, waiting for my reaction. I looked at both the girls standing before us. I desperately searched mind for a comeback. I decided to go with the traditional, 'Piss off!'

'Oh, the wittle emo kid wants to act like a big girl! Go cut yourself!'

At this, I glanced at my wrist and pushed up my hello kitty bracelet. My eyes filled with tears. Now I was pissed. How could she be so insensitive! 'Now you've done it BITCH!' I screamed. It all happened so fast, the next thing I knew was the girl was lying on the floor covering her cheek, and the palm of my hand hurt.

'My goodness! What is going on here!' One of the teachers, an old frail woman, probably in her early 60s, walked over all lady-like.

'You, miss Takahashi, have detention tomorrow night after school for an hour! I will see you in my classroom then! '

I sighed, how embarrassing. That dumb bitch was egging me on! The bell for fifth period rang.

'Oh , Mayumi, we are so sorry!' they both tried to console me. I put on my best fake smile and pretended it was nothing.

'Oh, no big deal, it's just for an hour, right?'

Mitsuki looked doubtful. 'Um, okay.' Mitsuki and Saki exchanged confused glances, then their faces softened.

'We'll meet you at music room 3, top wing, south floor, after sixth period! Be there!' Saki instructed.

'Ok, but-'

'Or no cheatos!' her voice rang out from across the cafeteria.

I ran to the nearest girls' bathroom. I'll just skip class… I thought. I'm a top student, so no worries, right? I slumped onto the floor in a heap, and began sobbing. That girl had just made fun of me! In front of everyone. She may have been joking, but cutting is a serious thing. 'Crap, crap, crap!' I just realized my raccoon eyes were getting messed up. I wiped up my face. And stood, hunched over the sink. I looked in the mirror. Sigh. My fringe and eyeliner help hide the ugliness of my face.

'Mama, why am I so weird-looking?'

'What do you mean, Mayumi, you're the most beautiful girl alive!'

'Haha, thanks mommy!'

I miss my mom. My parents divorced when I was 10. A few years later she was hit by a car. They weren't able to save her. My dad couldn't get over the grief. He speaks to me, let alone look at me. We usually communicate through text, because every time he looks at me he breaks down with memories of her, and wishes they had made up. I couldn't stand making him suffer like that. One day he came up to me, I could tell he was holding back tears.

'Mayumi , would you mind living on your own for a while? It's nothing personal, you'll always be my little mayflower!'

That was what he called me, as in the flower, not the boat. So I left, and have been living on my own since then. I was 14 when he asked me to leave. But I forgave him, because what else can you do? So we text each other.

Sigh. If only I had someone to tell me I'm beautiful, like my mother always did. I smiled. She was the best mother you could have. Now to prepare for my visit to the Host Club this afternoon.