A/N Thank you for the follows, favourites, and reviews! It means a lot to me to know people are enjoying this already.


She woke up the next day and for a moment she was confused by her surroundings. And then the hazy sleepiness left her and she remembered. She made her way to the bathroom and got ready for the day. She put on one of the dresses her father packed for her. It wouldn't have been her usual choice but she wanted to feel like she was somewhat close to familiarity. Besides, she knew that if her father found out she wore one of the dresses he purchased for her that he would be happy. She smiled.

She sat back on the bed and took out her laptop. She wanted to check to see if she had gotten any replies yet. She opened up the e-mail that sat in her inbox.

My darling Haruhi,

How are you? I hope everything is okay. It feels very weird not having you here. It's going to feel even weirder not seeing you in school. I miss you already.

I took Antoinette on a walk this morning. I think she liked it a lot. I liked it a lot. We visited a nearby park and she ran around for a long time. I bought her a new leash, I think it suits her better than that other one did.

Kyoya checked on your father. He told me that he's missing you a lot and that he's very proud of you. He said that your mother would be proud of you, as always.

I'm also proud of you. I'm glad that you have this opportunity to explore more of the world. I wish I could have gone with you. I was planning on it but my father didn't allow it. He said that because it's my last year of school that I have to do very well and can't sacrifice that. It's all company stuff. He's expecting me to do great things, my greatness starting with my results for this year, and then continuing when I take over the Suoh company. It's a lot of work. I don't know how you've dealt with this much stress and pressure, I'm fumbling and school hasn't even started yet.

Oh! I spoke to the others about Christmas. They're all up for it. I hope there's space for all of us in your place. What's your place like, actually? I bet it's real nice! I expect nothing but the best for my daughter!

Tamaki.

XXX

Tamaki,

I'm doing okay. I have to go out in a little while. I have to buy food and I need to look for furniture. My apartment came with the very basics - there's a fitted kitchen and bathroom - but everything else I need to sort out. If I'm housing all of you over Christmas then I need to make sure I have enough places for you all to sleep. I've got a double bed so far so that's two down, four to go. Would you oppose to blow up mattresses? Sleeping bags? We'll sort it out. I'm buying somewhere to store my clothes (so I don't have to live out of suitcases for the next year) and I'm going to get a few bins. Possibly a desk, but even if I don't get a desk, there's always the counter islands in the kitchen to work on.

Tell Kyoya that I say "thank you" for checking up on my dad. I know he's going to be worrying. I'll be sure to contact him lots, it'll reassure him to know that I'm okay.

You'll be fine. The stress is never too bad for me. I'm used to it, it's just something that I've always had to do.

You were thinking of coming to America with me? But would that not have jeopardised your schooling? I agree with your dad on this one, you have more important things to do.

I miss you too.

Haruhi.

XXX

She sent the e-mail and put her laptop away. She assumed the others would contact her at a later stage. She grabbed her bag out of the living room and picked up her keys. She had no idea where anything in this place was so she went to the information desk to ask. She prayed that her English would be enough to get through the conversation.

"Excuse me," she said.

A face looked up and Haruhi's eyes met theirs. "Yes?"

"Where is the grocery store?"

"The nearest store is a five minute walk away. When you leave the complex, turn right. Follow the street straight ahead and take the third left. The store is on the corner."

"Thank you. And where is the place to buy furniture?"

"The same street as the grocery store on the other side, a few shops down."

Haruhi smiled and went on her way.

Okay, so turn right and follow the street straight ahead.

She followed the street. It was so hot outside. She was glad she went with the dress. She counted the streets as she walked along and when she reached the third one she turned left. She spotted the supermarket straight away. It was a lot bigger than the one back home. She picked up one of the baskets at the door and bought all the items she thought she would need, which ended up not being a lot. Feeding one person was quite easy. And a lot cheaper.

She left the store and crossed the street and found the shop she was after. She got herself a trolley and put her shopping bags in it. She made a mental note of the things she needed.

Wardrobe. Plates. Cups. Cutlery. A couple of bins. Desk, if possible.

She walked around the shop, pushing her trolley, and picked up as much as she could with her current budget. Even though she knew that, despite it being against her wishes, Tamaki would probably offer to pay for anything she went a little over on.

When it was time for her to leave, that was the tricky part. She didn't know how she was exactly supposed to get all this stuff back to her apartment.

"Excuse me, miss."

She turned to face the voice. It came from a girl who couldn't have been any older than she was. "Yes?" Haruhi replied.

"Do you need any help?"

Haruhi nodded. "I'd appreciate that."

"Sure." The girl picked up two of the boxes.

Haruhi grabbed the shopping bags and the bag holding cutlery and china-ware. "Thank you."

"It's okay. So, I've never seen you around here before. I'm Clara, what's your name?"

"I'm Haruhi. I'm here for one year on an exchange."

"Haruhi Fujioka?"

Haruhi nodded. She was confused as to why this girl knew her name.

Noticing the concern, Clara laughed. "Oh, my dad is on the school board so I know any new students who'll be joining the school."

"That makes more sense."

"You're transferring from Ouran Academy in Tokyo, right?"

Haruhi nodded.

"Wow, that's a long way away. I don't know if I'd manage to move so far away at such a young age. How old are you?"

"I'm 16. My birthday is in five months."

"I'm 17 in two months."

Haruhi smiled. "Are we in the same class?"

"It would appear so. I'll show you around when school starts. Where do you live?"

Haruhi directed Clara to her apartment complex.

"Oh I know the place. We can pick you up on the way to and from school if you'd like?"

"That would be nice."

So far Haruhi was enjoying America and the friendliness she was experiencing through the other girl. When they reached the door and they put her things on the floor, she thanked her.

"Do you need any help putting things away?"

"I need a screwdriver to put together furniture."

"I'll ask next door for a lend."

Clara disappeared out the door. Haruhi began to put away the food, she decided that would be the easiest task to begin with as it isn't too time consuming. She thought the kitchen looked a lot better now that it was stocked up on food. She put away the plates, cups, and cutlery and sighed. She didn't know how she was so exhausted because she hadn't done that much today. She looked down at her watch. It was now after three o'clock.

How have I spent a whole five hours out of the house already?

She groaned.

Clara returned with a couple of screwdrivers in hand and shut the door. "I got two so we can get this done quicker."

"Thanks." Haruhi took one of the tools and decided to take what she believed to be the more difficult of the two pieces of furniture to put together, so she didn't leave her guest doing the harder work. She began to put the desk together.

A couple of hours passed. The desk was positioned in front of the window in the bedroom and the wardrobe was beside the bedroom door. It began to feel more homely for her.

"Thank you for helping me, Clara," she said. "That was really nice of you."

"Don't worry about it. I should probably get going, my parents will freak out if I'm late for dinner. See you around, Haruhi!"

Clara ran out of the apartment.

XXX

Dear Haruhi,

Any circumstances I'm put in at your home is fine with me! Anything for my darling daughter! So long as those shady twins don't try to sneak into your bed, I will not allow that.

I just want to stay by your side. I don't care about jeopardising my schooling so long as I have you. I could have easily repeated the year if need be. Then I would be in the same year as you! Oh, wouldn't that have been tonnes of fun, Haruhi?! We would be spending more time together, it would be great.

Tamaki

XXX

Tamaki,

Don't worry, senpai. I want them in my bed about as much as you do.

I'm exhausted. I bought everything I needed to today. Everything is put away and my bedroom is more spacious now that I'm able to put my clothes and books away. I can't wait to show you my apartment. I'm really happy with it.

Speaking of apartment, I met somebody today. She's called Clara. She knew who I was. Her dad is on the school board. She helped me put together my wardrobe and bring my bags to my room. She said that she's going to bring me to school each day so now I don't have to worry about getting lost on the way to school. I'm glad to know somebody here. Things are getting easier already and it's only my second day in the country.

Haruhi


A/N Thank you for reading! Please review, let me know what you think. I know that it isn't very dramatic or whatever at the moment but trust me, there will be drama!

Also, I'm not basing this fanfiction around Boston. I'm just going to have a few more chapters spread along the school year at various intervals.