A/N Now I introduce actual drama into the story haha. Please review, it makes me get more ideas!

Disclaimer: Damn, I'm this close to getting Ouran!

Chapter 4

I felt a little better the next day. After smacking myself in the head, I realized I had acted like a spoiled kid. It was pathetic and I was going to stop. The room immediately brought me a sort of warmth and I breathed in that good smelling rich kid's air. Halfway through my Danishes, a short stout man entered the kitchen. He was wearing a chef's hat and had some black hair sticking out. We looked at each other and simultaneously said, "Who the hell are you?"

"Who's this man/girl?" We shouted in Kyouya's face as soon as he came in.

"Ah, this is Horio-san. He is our normal chef."

"And who is she?" He pointed an angry finger in my face.

"She's Saki-san, the chef who was substituting you."

"What's going on?" The other members questioned.

"Horio-san has come back."

"Oh, Horio-san! How is your injury?"

"Fine, fine. But what are you going to do about this girl?"

"Ah, I guess you can just go home and relax Saki-chan." Hunny said.

"So that's it?" I was furious, and I knew it wasn't nice to yell, but I wasn't really caring about manners at that point. "So you drag me out of my life, act like my friends for an awesome week, and then just throw me back when I'm of no use anymore?"

"It's not like that Saki." Haruhi pleaded.

"Yeah, we didn't mean to hurt you." Kaoru explained.

"So," I stared at him with pained eyes, "So, you were going to do this all along? You were just going to push me out once the main chef was back? Didn't you think of what I was going to feel even once? What if, what if, by some miraculous reason, I had the time of my life hanging out with you 'friends' and baking delicious things every day?"

"No, we didn't mean it like that." Hikaru said gently.

"Sorry, but I think I've had enough." I lowered my head and added softer, "Sorry I was so mean. Most of the things I said aren't true. I think I'll leave now. And please, please just stay away from my life now." I paused as I walked to the door. "Bye." I closed the door and walked slowly back home. I didn't run like last time, instead I just let it all sink in. All those times, all those times we were spending together were really fun. I couldn't believe that they didn't enjoy it. At least they enjoyed it, I thought. My mind was flooded with images. I started to laugh at all the times I had argued with Tama-baka. Why was I laughing? I realized sharply that I was never going to have those times with them again. My laughing turned into crying and I cried. I cried all the way to my house, all the way up my stairs, and even when I fell down onto my bed next to my birthday present, a stuffed rabbit. I cried until I was sure there was no water inside me anymore.

I trudged over to the bathroom and washed my face. After setting two bags of cold water on my eyelids I lay down on my bed and slept. When I was woken up by my mom she didn't say a word. My dad simply asked if there was a boy that needed to be taught a lesson. I replied no, and laughed. Despite my mom's protests, I told them I was alright and went to buy the groceries. When I passed the fish seller section I almost cried again as I saw a familiar bobbing head. I quickly hid myself and grabbed the rest of my groceries. I ran the way home, as if something was chasing me.

When I came home, I read a book until it was dinnertime. For 3 whole hours I didn't say a word. I just went back to bed after my shower and thought. I thought about everything, even daring myself to think of Kaoru. I thought that maybe if I shed all my tears now I wouldn't have to cry anymore about it ever again. And when I was finally done with this despicable feeling I would confront Haruhi and talk to her again. Maybe even send a card of apologies to the Host Club. But I couldn't face Kaoru, that I had to give up forever.

That night, my sore eyes were relieved to finally rest. I slept like a baby and woke up slightly happy again. But it didn't last very long. The entire day I said a tiny number of words and got a part-time job at the supermarket to fill up my weekdays. I made sure it wasn't during the night though; I wanted to have as little as possible contact with Haruhi until I was ready. When I came home, I was blinded with shininess. Soon, I realized that they were fancy cars. Before I could run, Hunny came out of one, surprisingly not smiling.

"Saki-chan, don't worry, only I'm going to come out."

"What do you want?"

"We brought your birthday gifts."

"That was days ago."

"Kyouya's really sorry. Please accept these, you don't have to do anything. Just accept them."

"Okay. But no one other than you is allowed to talk."

"Okay." Hunny motioned for Mori to bring the boxes I just noticed. The next thing I knew, my arms were full of gifts and I wanted to laugh as I saw Haruhi's small box standing next to Tama-baka's huge one. I let myself smile, and Hunny looked genuinely surprised.

"We're sorry we hurt you."

"I told you, it's my fault. Don't worry about it."

"Well, I guess we'll go now. Ne, Takashi?"

"Ah."

"Oh, Hunny. One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"Tell Haruhi, that I'll see her tomorrow. I'm ready to talk to her."

"Okay!" Hunny smiled cutely. "Oh, and don't cry anymore, it's going to be okay."

"Alright." I smiled again, and this time Mori and Hunny smiled back. As those cars drove away, I loaded the boxes into my room. All of the guys each gave me the dress from the day at the factory that they liked the best on me, and Haruhi gave me something to put on my keychain. I hugged a box and waited patiently for the next day to come.

The Next Day

"Hey."

"Hi, come in. I've really our talks."

"Yeah, I've missed you, Haruhi."

"Let's talk." We talked a long time, at least 3 hours. I laughed for the first time since that day and I was really happy I went to her house. We were walking to the supermarket when she handed me a piece of paper. It had fancy writing on it and it read "Please attend the Host Club's Dance Party!" On it were the details. I looked at Haruhi.

"I can't do this."

"Not now. But it's in two weeks. You have a lot of time to think."

"Does the Host Club know you're giving this to me?"

"No, I decided to do it myself."

"I'll think about it."

"Okay." She smiled, and I did the same. We parted at the cashier, and I headed home, still gripping the invitation. It was a tough decision, but after pondering about it, I brought it up to my mom and showed it to her.

"Mom, can I got to this?"