3. Infamous Rose Maze

I didn't sleep that night. Thinking I would oversleep, I kept my eyes focused on the crack of the door, waiting for the darkness to lighten up. When it finally did, I put on the uniform. I refused to acknowledge the similarity between this uniform and Ouran High School Host Club's female uniform. My brain did not need more thoughts to over analyze.

I ran my fingers through my hair, combing out any tangles before putting my hair in a messy braid. Now, all I needed was to go to the bathroom and I'd be set. Mumbling curses, I opened the door of the janitor's closet and peered around the door. Satisfied that no one was around, I ran to the bathroom, ready to begin the day.

Chairman Suoh had put me in class 2-A, which was perfect as I was a junior in high school in my school. Although, I couldn't help but notice he had put me in a few classes with the other years. I had English with the third years, and history and Japanese with the first years.

It's not like I could complain, though. It made sense to put me in English with the third years as I was advanced – it being my second language and all – and to put me in history and Japanese with the first years as I did not know a lot about Japan's history and my Japanese was a bit rusty.

Thankfully, not many students had arrived yet, so I was able to find my classes pretty easily. As the students arrived, however, my stomach and heart began to flip out. I could feel the stares of my classmates and hear the whispers.

"Isn't she the weird kid that yelled?"

"She's a total foreigner, a yankee."

"What a weirdo! Wonder what she did to get her poor self in here?"

I forced myself to ignore them, taking a seat in the back to escape their stares. Despite this, they managed to sneak glances at me. Yippee, school was going to be fun today.

As soon as the bell rang though, the students sobered up and waited patiently for the teacher to come in. They might be spoiled brats, but they knew education was a vital requirement for a bright future.

"Students, we have a new student. Please come introduce yourself," the teacher politely commanded, walking into the classroom and motioning towards the spot next to her.

I mentally groaned. I was not ready to be under the students' scrutiny again, but my desire to please the teacher was stronger, so I reluctantly dragged my lazy ass to the front of the class.

Taking a deep breath, I began my introduction. "Hello, my name is Gia Novoa. I just transferred in from a school in America. Er, my Japanese is a bit rusty, so yeah."

I awkwardly shuffled back to my seat after writing my name on the board and dodging questions. I began to sigh in relief, but smashing my face to the ground prevented that. Blushing furiously, I slowly got up and faced the perpetrator, who still had their foot out, ready to give them a piece of my mind.

Idiot.

My plan was foiled as l felt a liquid substance slowly drip down my nose. I blotted my nose, discovering that blood was the culprit.

Oh.

"Ootori-san, please escort Novoa-san to the infirmary," the teacher requested, assessing the situation.

Too shocked to move, a hand wrapped itself around my wrist and pulled me out of the classroom.

I still couldn't believe a simple fall had caused a nose bleed. Granted, I've always had a sensitive nose, but still! That's so embarrassing, and it certainly won't help me get in the good graces of these snobs.

Snapping out of my trance, I eyed the student that had taken me to the nurse. I mentally sighed. Spending time in that janitor closet had finally cracked my brain into accepting what was right in front of it.

The "boy" who had helped me was that Haruhi Fujioka. Those familiar orange-headed twins were indeed Hikaru and Karou Hitachiin, and, the student who had dragged me to the nurse was Kyoya Ootori. Despite my new enlightenment, I still couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that I was stuck in a shoujo manga or anime. I didn't know which, but it didn't matter, because hELLO, I WAS STUCK IN A SHOUJO MANGA/ANIME.

I thought I would just need a plane to get home, but, nO. I NEED A FUCKING DIMENSION-HOPPING MACHINE. Did that even exist?

Clearing my head, I decided to focus on the present situation, thanking Kyoya for his generosity…even if the teacher ordered him to take me to the infirmary.

"Ootori-san," I began, catching his attention, "thank you for bringing me to the infirmary, even if it was at the teacher's request."

"It's no problem, Novoa-san," he replied, allowing a polite smile to adorn his face.

My soul has just melted. No! Get a grip, Gia! You will not fangirl over him. Focus! You must return home!

"Novoa-san, here," the nurse said, interrupting my thoughts. She handed me two white pills and a glass of water. "You must've hit your face pretty hard if caused a nosebleed, so take the aspirin, and you are free to go."

I nodded, doing exactly what she told me. My head already hurt from simply being here, I did not want it to hurt due to an injury as well.

Kyoya was a gentleman, as always, and helped me off the table I was sitting on. Once I was steady, we walked back to the classroom in silence. He was too polite to pry – that, and he had amazing investigative powers – and I was too shy to start a conversation. With that, my interactions with Kyoya came to a close.

I, unfortunately, had to switch classroom as I had classes with the other years. In a way, it was good, because I could avoid my classmates' stares, but I didn't want to introduce myself again and again.

But, against my will, here I was again. "Hello, my name is Gia Novoa. I just transferred from America, so my Japanese is a bit rusty. I'm a relatively easygoing and friendly person, so I can't wait to meet you all."

Like last time, I dodged questions and wrote my name on my board, but thankfully, due to the practice, I wasn't as awkward and I knew what I was doing. Also, this was a class full of first years, so, as a second year, I managed to gain an intimidating edge. Okay, so there was nothing intimidating about me, but it was nice hearing a chorus of "Hello, Novoa-senpai" instead of silence or snickers.

The teacher pointed to an empty seat next a familiar brunette as she began the lesson on history.

"Fujioka-san," I whisper-greeted, excited at the prospect of having a somewhat familiar and nice person sitting next to me.

She nodded in acknowledgement, although a bit questioningly, and began to take notes.

Ah, right. She needed to keep her grades up to retain her scholarship.

Following her example, I began to take notes as well, because I realized I also needed to keep my grades up to keep my scholarship.

Once class was over, lunch time had finally graced us with its presence! Too bad, I didn't have food or money for food.

Ugh. Another worry I have to add to my list. Get a job to get money.

"Novoa-senpai, do you want to eat lunch with us?" Haruhi inquired, standing up to join the twins that were eyeing me curiousity.

"Thanks, but I'm going to explore. I'll see you for Japanese!" I answered, making my way to the door. I really needed to figure out how I was going to get back. If I did, every other problem that had presented itself would go away.

Making my way downtown, walking fast, faces past, and I'm homebound~

I cackled inwardly at my silliness as I made my way towards the infamous rose maze.

Ah, good ole Vanessa Carlton and White Chicks.

I jammed out until I found the gazebo in the middle I had read about in so many fanfictions. Its descriptions did it no justice, however, as its beauty was indescribable. It was antique-looking, but modern at the same time. The woodwork was simply out of the world, and the roses paled in comparison to the gazebo's architecture, although, they did add to its beauty, filling the air with their lovely aroma. It was the perfect place to think, so think I did.