Summer Vacation is…Ending?

Boston…

A "lavish" city of the American culture where true fans of sports can enjoy their teams, party goers can satisfy their tastes, and pollution lovers can breathe the air.

It is here that a group of good, close friends find themselves studying abroad…in their words, "for adventure and fun".

Haruhi pushed the strands of her short, brown hair out of her face. As she leaned over the book, taking account of each bit of information, she was biting her thumb. Let it be known, it wasn't the subject matter that was too difficult. It was, in fact, the group of obnoxious boys attempting to break into her room.

"Haruhi! Why are you ignoring me?" The whiny voice belonged to non-other than Ex-Host Club President, Tamaki Suoh. In other words, the current boyfriend of our studious damsel.

"Ignore him!" Kauru exclaimed.

"Yeah! Come hang out with us! We want to see what Americans do for baseball!" Hikaru called out after his twin.

"I want to try a Boston Crème!" Honey exclaimed.

The only quiet ones, were of course, Kyoya and Mori…Kyoya was silent due to his lack of interest most likely since nothing was to be gained, and Mori, well, he just never said anything.

"HARUHI!" The voices called out together.

With that, Haruhi had no choice but to snap. She slammed her book shut, walked over to the door to her apartment, and flung it open. The most obnoxious of the three (ahem…Tamaki, Kauru, and Hikaru) fell forward onto the floor. They stared up at her with pleading eyes. "For rich men, you sure do a lot of begging," she muttered.

Tamaki smiled. First one to his feet, he held her hand. "Haruhi, we must go explore this marvelous city. They have a building dedicated to basketball! Can you believe it? And they have a really famous baseball team. Apparently, it's required of people to wear the famous red socks on their hats!"

Let's all note that Tamaki is wrong on the "required" part.

"Guys, we all have homework, especially you, Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai. University work must be even more difficult." Tamaki squeezed her hand. "Seriously, I'm not going to waste this opportunity."

"You're wasting it if you don't experience the culture," Hikaru chimed in.

"Yeah, you have to eat the Boston Cremes!" Honey jumped in the air. For the time being, his Bun-Bun was in his apartment on the fourth floor.

"And we have to visit their stores," Kauru interrupted, still lying on the floor near his brother, "Our mother requested that we take pictures of commoner clothing of America."

Haruhi sighed, "Listen, I know you all want to hang out, but…this isn't Host Club anymore. Host Club…it's over in Tokyo. We aren't here for fun." All of the guys tilted their heads, slightly confused. How do I explain this to them? They're only here to have fun. "Guys, go on without me."

"What?" Hikaru jumped to his feet. "No way, Haruhi, we all do everything together." His voice escaladed and echoed across the room. "We might not be the Host Club, but we're still suppose to stay together." Haruhi's mouth dropped open in shock. She was ready to say something. She had to admit, Hikaru's plea almost made her say yes. "Come on, we're a family. Right Tamaki?"

All eyes turned to him, the King, despite the lack of Host Club to be king of. Tamaki let go of Harhui's hand. His long fingers ran through his hair. With a smirk, his eyes lit up. Haruhi stared up at him. "No," Tamaki whispered, "If Haruhi doesn't want to go, she doesn't have to." Hikaru grunted. Only Kauru's reassuring hand on his shoulder made him relax. "Good day Haruhi, we're sorry for bothering you. We shall be eating out tonight, so you don't have to make us anything as usual." Tamaki smiled, "I should've realized you would need a break from us. We will go as you demand." With that, they dismissed. So easily, not another word spoken. The King's words were law.

Haruhi shut the door. Her eyes fell on the closed text book. She had gotten exactly what she wanted, but Tamaki's serious tone was shocking. How many times in the past had he taken her hand and forced her into a game of kick the can or club shenanigans? She stepped forward, looking about the large room that was hers alone. The bed was settled in the corner, right next to her desk. There was a single door that connected to Tamaki's room, which was purposely blocked by a desk filled with books. Then, right in the corner nearest to the door, was the kitchen. Dinner already cooking in hopes of Tamaki and the others to return. Haruhi sighed as she sat down at the desk. "Well, at least I got what I wanted." But, her words didn't fill the emptiness that settled into her stomach.

"Tamaki, why did you let Haruhi stay?" Honey rested his head on Mori's shoulder, holding on to his cousin in a piggy-back ride. Tamaki stared at him for a moment. They were currently standing outside a store, looking through a window to study the American culture. The twins were inside currently, taking pictures as their mother requested.

Tamaki's face softened into a smile. "I wasn't supposed to be here," he replied, "The best I can do is disappear when she doesn't want me around." He placed his hands in his pockets as he stared down at the gum-covered cement. He pictured her face when he told her he was coming along. She was surprised, maybe a bit happy, but also a bit disappointed. "She knows I am standing beside her and supporting her wishes. As a gentleman, I must understand when those wishes ask for me to leave her be."

Honey smiled. "That's nice, Tamaki." Then, the college student leaned towards his cousin. "Hey Mori, remember when Tamaki was too stupid to know he even loved Haruhi?" Mori smirked and nodded his head.

Tamaki, however, took the blow as dramatically as he could, and knelt down in front of a light post. People walking down the streets ignored him. They were too busy with their cell phones. "What did you do to mi'lord?" Kauru and Hikaru stepped outside. Tamaki peered over his shoulder. "Oh, you brought up his stupidity, didn't you." They both remarked with the exact same boring expression.

Why are they so mean to me? Tamaki picked at the green paint peeling off the light post. His friends surrounded him. Kyoya, the most silent of the friends, knelt down beside him. "Let's go Tamaki. I know you wanted to go visit the Boston Commons." At that, Tamaki's face lit up with happiness. He believed the Commons was the place where the commoners go, in actuality, it's just a giant area of stores, movie theaters, and more. "And maybe, while you're there, you can pick something up for Haruhi, as an apology for bothering her today." Tamaki felt like that was a great idea.

Haruhi stared up at the sky. She was resting on the windowsill. The grand amount of leftovers was still sitting on the table waiting to be packaged up. She figured that she would eventually get to it. Tamaki's laziness had been influential on Haruhi after all. She smiled though at the thought. She touched the ring on her finger that had been a gift from Tamaki. It was cheap and plastic to say the least. But, it was a gift from him, so she loved it, to say the most.

A knock came at the door. Haruhi peered over her shoulder, "Come in!" The door swept open. The figure stepped into the room as Haruhi focused her attention on the sky.

"How could you say that!" Tamaki yelled dramatically. He shut the door behind him. "I could've been a burglar or a terrible man that attacks women in their apartments."

"As I recall, you did fall on me that one time you came to visit me," Haruhi smirked. Suddenly an arm rested on the window sill above her head. A very serious Tamaki leaned down to look at her. She felt her cheeks blush.

"Let us not forget that it was an accident," Tamaki replied, "And also, I have been punished enough for that." He held a hand up to his heart, "It hurts when you bring that up and use it against me, Haruhi." Her face lit up with a smile as she laughed. Tamaki, although completely serious, dropped it and smiled down at her. "Here," he held out a hat.

Haruhi took it, their fingers lightly brushing. "Thanks, Tamaki," she earnestly replied. To be honest, it was just a Boston Red Sox hat, which can be found just about anywhere. To Haruhi though, it was enough. "Now you should go finish the rest of your summer homework before class starts…tomorrow."

Tamaki's face dropped as he lightly laughed, "It's not so much as finished as it is starting." Haruhi frowned. He held up his hands, "I know, I know, but I'm used to it. The King shall be able to do it." His voice trailed off.

"You need help, don't you." Haruhi replied. Tamaki nodded his head. "Fine, go get your homework, and I'll help make sure you stay focused." Tamaki smiled. Before she knew it, he was leaning down and kissing the tip of her nose. As a blush spread across her face, Haruhi narrowed her eyes, "Go get your homework."

Tamaki nodded his head and turned. Haruhi watched him pause, his head turned towards the kitchen with the large table. The food remained there waiting for her. "You made dinner…" Tamaki's voice trailed off.

"It's all right," Haruhi replied, "I had started it before you told me not to make dinner."

"Still," Tamaki replied, "You should've said something. This food will not go to waste!" Before Haruhi could explain to him the meaning of leftovers, Tamaki ran out the door. Ten minutes later, all of the Host Club was in Haruhi's room, sitting around the table, with their unfinished summer homework and plates filled with dinner. Haruhi sat with them, despite the fact that she was both full and done with her homework. She looked across the table at Tamaki. His eyes lifted off his book and up to her. Both of them shared a smile, before she motioned for him to go back to his work.

Tamaki did this for…me?

The thought of a girl who still didn't understand the intensity of a boy's love for her.

I would like to note, I am an American, and I realize that I'm stereotyping Americans, especially Boston. So do not be mad or insulted. I felt like it would be more entertaining that way, since it's from the POV of the Host Club members…who most definitely stereotype.

Hope you enjoyed the first installment. =)