It was a Saturday and, just like every other day of the week, I was woken up by the beeping sound of my bedside alarm clock. Groaning, I reached a hand out from under my blue comforter and pressed the button to make the sound stop. I squinted through the blinding light of the lamp I switched on. I'd learned my lesson when it came to trying to get ready in the dark.
It was only 5:30 am, and though I was used to getting up early, I could never get used to the cold feeling of my flat's hardwood floors on my feet. My morning went just like any other morning: I fed Bubbles, took a scolding hot shower and dressed in a simple pair of faded jeans and black t-shirt.
Of all the jobs I'd held through the years, my favorite had to be the coffee shop I waitressed for just five blocks from my apartment. It was called Café Tesoro, and despite being a nice place with quality coffee at cheap prices, it was quiet and not well known, providing me with many chances to stop and study for a bit. I'd met the manager only once, in my interview. Since, it was like he didn't exist.
I slipped on a pair of worn black sneakers and grabbed my bag and coat before leaving my apartment for the day, remembering to leave the TV on for bubbles. I didn't know if he cared about it or not, but I felt bad leaving him in complete silence anyway.
When I reached the shop, I unlocked the door quickly, wanting to get inside since it was still dark out. I really liked winter, but it was a little creepy walking to work in the dark before the moon even fell below the horizon. I closed the door behind me, locking it until it was time to open. Turning around, I scanned the empty dining room expecting nothing out of the ordin-
"Kyoya?"
He looked annoyed. Guessing by how early it was, I could guess why. But what I couldn't figure out, is why he was there at all. After three years of little to no contact, what reason could he possibly have to show up at the café, well before the sun rose, and with no other host member in tow?
"Did Tamaki send you?" I asked. It seemed the most likely reason. Even after all this time, I was sure the two remained close.
"I'm here to personally invite you to the 'Host Club reunion," Kyoya began standing with an off-white envelope in his hand, "At Tamaki's request of course. I had suggested actually mailing you the letter, but he insisted that it be hand-delivered to his darling daughter."
I felt my eyes roll, a sort of reflex for anything involving Tamaki.
Kyoya reached his hand up, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose, before holding out the envelope. I took it from him, opening the ornate paper.
As I read over the intricate script about how it had been too long since we had all been together, and a party was exactly what we needed to reconnect, I could feel a small nostalgic grin spread across my face. Despite Tamaki's stupidity, he always knew how to make me smile. My eyes scanned down to the bottom where the date and location were printed only to feel my heart sink to the bottom of my stomach. Sighing, I placed the card back into the envelope and handed it back to a bewildered looking Kyoya, my smile instantly fading.
"As much as I'd like to, I won't be able to make it." I informed him. "It's finals week. I'll be all but barricaded in my apartment studying."
"Your absence will hurt Tamaki, despite the circumstances, you understand this correct?" Kyoya asked his voice very nearly monotone.
I knew he was right. In all likelihood, Tamaki would take it as something personal against him, even though her reason was valid and unavoidable. Even Tamaki couldn't get the week of her finals moved…right?
"I do," I sighed, "But there isn't anything I can do. Exams aren't something I can skip."
Kyoya reached behind him, grabbing the briefcase of the bench he previously occupied, before shaking his head.
"I'll be sure to pass along the message. Take care." Kyoya said, turning to leave.
"It was nice seeing you too, Kyoya." I blurted out, sarcasm practically dripping from my words.
Kyoya turned, his ever-present smirk never failing.
"Perhaps we'll meet again." He said quietly, before turning and heading towards the back door.
Ignoring the chills that were now running lines up and down my spine, I walked back into the front of the shop, and behind the counter.
It was going to be a long day.
xxx
I lounged behind the counter, watching as person after person passed by the shop. Usually I would have been aggravated that not one of them stepped in, but today it was a relief that we had no more than 5 customers this morning. I was too stressed out for customer service.
I stared intently at the clock hanging above the door, practically willing it to read 5:00. When it finally did, I all but jumped over the top of the counter. I wanted to grab my things from my locker as quickly as possible, not wanting to stay another second.
When I finally got my locker open, the first thing I noticed on top of my coat was the off-white envelope Kyoya had tried to give to me earlier. The only difference was the small note written in the corner. Curious, I picked it up.
'Just be there.'
xxx
The next few days passed normally. Work, school, home, rinse and repeat. I didn't hear from Kyoya again, but the envelope with his handwritten note sat threateningly on the coffee table in my living room. It seemed a little unfair of him to demand something like that from me. It's not like I could e-mail my professors with a, 'Oh, sorry, I have to go hang out with my friends so I won't be there for the finals. Thanks!'
Things didn't work like that for the average person. But I understood well that their privilege made it hard for them to see that.
I was sitting on my couch trying to figure out why Kyoya would put me in this position when I heard it.
A dinging sound rang throughout my small flat, as I stared at the door, thinking I had maybe hallucinated. My doorbell?
I waited a moment, and when it rang again I realized I wasn't hearing things. I walked cautiously towards the door wondering if it was Tamaki, here to give me all the reasons why I absolutely couldn't miss the reunion.
I reached my hand out towards the doorknob, turning it slowly, before it slammed open, nearly knocking me to the ground.
"Haruhi!" A pair of voices called happily to me in unison.
At that moment, I was sure my heart had stopped. Or at least paused and tried to hide, like I wanted to do.
The two pulled me into a tight embrace, practically cutting off my air supply. I let my arms stay limp at my sides as I always did when they hugged me, until they finally decided that letting me breathe was a good idea.
I looked up at the two, looking for some sign of age, though was disappointed. Other than a few centimeters of length to their hair, it was if they hadn't changed a bit.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, maybe a little too bluntly.
"What is this that we hear about you not making it to the club reunion?" Kaoru asked, leaning in close to my face.
"How, dear Haruhi, do you expect us to have any fun at such an event without our favorite playthin- …friend there?" Hikaru added, leaning in as well.
Backing away slightly I racked my brain for some kind of excuse that would maybe get them to leave, or at the very least change the subject. Unfortunately I came up with nothing. The truth would have to do.
"I'm busy the day of the party. I have exams and work to take care of. Not to mention a very hungry fish. I can't just neglect my life for a day of partying… no matter how much I miss you all." The last part came out a bit softer than the rest of my excuse.
Hikaru and Kaoru exchanged glances before shutting the wide open door behind them, and taking a seat on my couch. They planted there, as if they were waiting for something.
"I can't go okay? It would only be troublesome if you tried to find some way for me to attend and more than likely, make me upset. If you want to hang out with me, you can call me after finals. It's not like this is the last time we're going to have a chance to see each other."
The twins looked at each other, probably exchanging thoughts, and then turned back to me.
"You got it Haruhi. We won't force you to go." Hikaru informed me, to my great surprise.
The two stood up, moving to either side of me, leaning down to speak into my ears.
"However, just think of how upset our Lord will be." Kaoru mentioned quietly on one side.
"Yes….how will he ever forgive you?" Hikaru added, on the other.
Standing back up straight, the two patted each of my shoulders.
"Goodbye Haruhi! Too bad you can't make it!" They said in unison, cheshire cat grinning at me.
And then they were gone.
Sighing, I flopped down on my couch, staring at the open envelope on my coffee table with that small writing in the corner.
Just be there?
Like it was that easy.
xxx
05/10/16-Allllll right ya'll. Here is the second revision. Feels real weird doing fanfiction again, but I'm gonna keep at it. Feels good to be writing, tbh.
Anyway, thanks to all of you that stuck with this for the million years I've been on hiatus. Check back for the revisions. I'll date them so you know.
Looooove uuuuuu
-tst