Hey, all! This is the second chapter or Astoundingly Mediocre. I just whipped it up last night, so I'm sorry if there are any grammatic mistakes, but I do hope that you will enjoy!

The coffee flowed all over the front of Tamaki's uniform. And I gasped in the most unbecoming way, adding another demerit on my imaginary slate of Tamaki's opinion of me. I knew it. I was done for, and any chance of a kind look from Tamaki's way was now ruined, my silent reputation besmirched in front of my face. I was heartbroken. My only impossible dream was finally showing itself for what it was; impossible.

"Oh, Souh-sempai! I am so sorry! Please let me try to help you before the stain settles." I made a sad attempt at regaining my composure. An attempt I thought of as futile.

"Do not worry my beautiful flower! It was simply my mistake for turning the corner too quickly!" My heart thumped loudly. I could not believe that he could address me so kindly after that. My mind was working so slowly that I didn't even realize until later that it was me who turned the corner, not him. "You are too kind to offer assistance, after I nearly knocked you over. I did not think that so kind-hearted a person still roamed about the halls of Ouran!"

And to that, I must admit, I had not response. First the beautiful flower, but kind-heart? I was not at all sure why he was so nice to me at that moment, but I relished the idea that this might my way into the few moments that I might have in his presence. My hope for a chance with him was most likely the only thing that kept me from swooning in his exact presence. Oh, and the fact that I now either had to remove the stain, or pay him back for the ruined uniform. That dilemma kept me off the floor too.

Coffee stains, what do I do for coffee stains? Oh! I got it! I recalled a technique that my mother often used on my dad's unfortunate plethora of coffee-stained shirts. Hm. Maybe spilling coffee runs in the blood. I'll have to see about that. I somehow managed to murmur something about following me to the kitchen to Tamaki and company. And soon, we found ourselves in the large wood-and-tile cookery. I was amazed at the size. I could probably fit my room in there ten times and still have room for my closet.

I rummaged about the cupboards for vinegar and water, trying to remember the exact measurements for the mixture that my mom made. I eventually decided to screw it, and put equal amounts in a bowl. Now here comes the embarrassing part. I had to ask Tamaki to take off his clothes. Well, maybe it wasn't that bad. But he did have to take off his shirt. I started blushing as soon as the thought occurred to me. And just as I turned to face him, he handed me his jacket and shirt, already neatly folded. I was stuck staring at his beautifully chiseled chest as my entire body burst into crimson ready to out-match the shade of a lobster. I had to quickly turn to my work in order to avoid having my flush spotted. Regrettably, I was not fast enough, because I heard the twins snickering in the background. Most likely coming up with plot to humiliate me in front of Souh-sempai yet again. Could they not let me alone? I did nothing to deserve their torment. As I toiled away at the splotch on the fabric, Souh-sempai eagerly took notes, constantly making comments on the resourcefulness of "commoners". I am ashamed to say that I was too distracted by thinking rude insults to the difficult stain to appreciate the attention I was being given by Souh-sempai. I suppose that instant coffee leaves a more stubborn mark than regular coffee. But I wanted to work diligently to prove to him that I would make up for my clumsiness. The entire time, Kyoya took notes in that mysterious notepad of his. Everyone else roamed about and talked among themselves until they deemed it boring and left, or in Haruhi's case, declared this entire ordeal ridiculous and set out to help me with my work.

A sigh of relief was released from me when I knew I was getting help. Maybe together we could get the rest of it out. Tamaki was suddenly inspired to assist also. But for some reason, Haruhi and Kyoya both shot him a look that screamed "No. You'll just screw everything up." I chose not to intervene, but I honestly can say that I wished he would come closer, maybe reach around me and try his hand at the blot. I could quickly imagine the sensation of having him wrap his arms around me, press his shirtless self against me and not let go. I silently melted to the thought of him whispering sweet nothings into my ear. That is, until I realized that I finished my job, and my short, glorious moment with Souh-sempai was over.

Doing my best to keep my composure, I returned his clothes to him and told him to let them hang dry overnight. And a small-no, a very large- portion of me was very much enthralled that he continued his shirtless state as he thanked me for helping him.

"It was so very good of you to assist me with that terrible blotch. I ask you to accept this rose as a token of my gratitude, and I hope you speak to you again soon, kind princess." He pulled a white rose out of thin air, a magic trick I presume he uses often. Either that or he kept secret compartments of roses all over the school campus. But I still took the rose, no matter how startled I was. No one had called me princess before. Especially no one who went to a school full of people who might as well be royalty. I couldn't believe that he was addressing me; I never thought I would get to the moment that I was being charmed by a prince like Souh-sempai.

We said our goodbyes, and Haruhi and I walked to the bus stop that would lead us to the train station. Then the train ride, when we talked politely and always stayed positive. We got off on our respective stops, and I walked through my front door, still in a daze from the afternoon's events. The entire way home, I clutched the rose tightly. I suppose that I was afraid that I would lose it or something would damage it before I got home.

My dinner was sitting on the table, getting cold. I missed dinner with my family again. And strangely, it was not an unusual thing for me to stay occupied at school and arriving home late. It may have been unfortunate, but it was also something that I became totally used to. I skated through the evening, and finally went to sleep, keeping my mind alive with the idea that something might change for once. And that my usually routine day had just broken, opening a floodgate of new opportunities, I hoped. So I slept to a dream about love and beauty. Where I became the Only One and he became mine.

~{+}~

The following morning, I went through the same motions of my ordinary day. But this time, I took the moment to do my hair, choose a shirt that was flattering and cute, and I cheerfully skipped out the door, waiting for the moment that I saw Souh-sempai again.

Haruhi joined me on the train not too late after I got on, and we held our usual conversations about classes, and the frustration of putting up with the snobby rich folk of Ouran (meaning everyone). We got off the train, and as we walked out of the station, I noticed a limo in front, waiting for someone. All of a sudden, out popped Souh-sempai and everyone else. They had come to drive Haruhi to school. This was something they did often, picking up Haruhi before school instead of making her take the bus. I was shocked, I didn't expect to see them all so soon.

"Maya, would you care to join us to get to school? I'm sure that it would be easier than taking the bus like usual." Kyoya invited me to join them. I couldn't believe it. I just spilt coffee all over their leader, and now that I had popped up on their radar, I was invited to ride with them to school?

Suddenly, a small, blond boy was dragging me to the limo behind Haruhi. Hunny-sempai jumped up and down.

"Yeah! Maya can join us! Please do! Hey, Maya, do you like cake?" The next thing I knew, I was pulled into the long car, and forced into a seat. Gradually, I realized that I was the only girl in a car with the Host Club members. I was in the seat that every girl at Ouran would kill for, and I nearly couldn't hold in my excitement. I would have been content to spend the trip staring at Souh-sempai and fantasizing, but it seemed that the club members had something else in mind. More specifically, Kyoya, who was loaded with prodding questions, and the twins, flanked beside me.

Uh-oh!

I hope you liked it. It would be totally awesome if you could leave me a review, because I always love to know what my readers are thinking! The longer the review, the better! But short reviews are appreciated also. Thanks!

-Bambi