My body is stiff. My mind tells me to run but I am petrified. My mother, who abused and even abandoned me- her own daughter, and said the most horrible things to me. Why is she here? Resentment builds up inside of me. The door suddenly bursts open and in walks my mother. As always, she is a glamorous woman who wears glamorous clothing and talks about glamorous things, yet her expression- not so glamorous. He scowls harshly at my aunt for a split second and then looks at me. Her scowls softens, and she settles for a cold, expressionless face instead. "Come on, we're going home. You've been with this good-for-nothing aunt for far too long and I think it's starting to get to you." She forcefully grabs my arm and drags me behind her. Her long, polished nails start to dig into my skin harshly. I look at my aunt for help. She seems taken aback from what was just said to her, but as soon as she sees my pleading face she snaps out of it.

"What do you think you're doing? You abandoned this girl and left her without a mother. She was so devastated. And now she has actually found happiness and you're going to take that away from her? Just who do you think you are?" even though I can't see her face, I can tell my mother is irritated. She lets go of my arm and briskly walks over to my aunt. She slaps her hard. "Who do I think I am? I think I am her mother! And as her mother I can take her wherever I want! You don't have a say in it!" what did she just say? The anger boiling inside of me starts to evaporate, and I decide to let it all out before I explode. "I think she does." Both of them turn around to look at me. I just stare at my mother, hate and rage seething through my eyes. My mother looks stunned. Her expression turns into one of authority. I hate seeing that smug face of hers. "This is the woman who actually loved and cared for me when you- my own mother couldn't do that properly. In fact, I wouldn't even call you my mother anymore! You are the one who doesn't have a say in this, and you can't decide what I do anymore! I'm not your little girl anymore Hisako." Hisako. My mother's name. She looks a little shocked when she hears that name come out of my mouth. "I'm staying here no matter what you say! You don't own me. Try to take me away if you want. We both know auntie has more money and power than you'll ever have!" Hisako looks at me in triumph. "Oh really? So that's all you have become- a spoiled brat!"

" Well then what does that make you." I retort. A silence fills the room. My mother starts to look uneasy and self-conscious. She takes a deep breath and starts talking slowly. "You're right. I was wrong for saying all those horrible things to you and then even abandoning you. The truth is I originally came here to apologize to you….so….I'm sorry…and I got rid of that horrible boyfriend! He hated you for some reason, and since I was blinded by `love`, I listened to him instead of my own daughter. I'm so sorry Rena. I really love you dear…" hmm… "Really?" I ask and narrow my eyes in suspicion.

"YES! And I've got a new husband instead too!" oh… wow… I roll my eyes. "No! It's not like that. He's really nice and would never do a thing to a poor girl like you…er..I mean….ANYWAY he really is a great guy. He also has a daughter who goes to the same school as you. You get to have a new sister now!" I sigh heavily. "Alright. You can't expect me to forgive you…ever. But I will come over and visit you guys every once and a while." My mother looks at me nervously and twiddles her fingers. "Well.. the thing is…I've already talked to your aunt about this. My husband lives in a small house and can barely cover the expenses for him and his daughter, and now me and you would also pose a problem, so your aunt says we can stay at her house." My jaw drops in awe as I look at my aunt. No… She what? I give my aunt a death glare and she shrieks in fright. I turn back to my mother. She smiles wryly at me. "Well, there is one thing about him, but I'm sure it won't make much of a difference. You'll love him! In fact, he's coming with his daughter right now!" No one ever told me about this! Right after the whole Hikaru thing too! the door flies open and in walks a redheaded woman who seems extra perky and feminine. "Oh hi dear! So this is our new home? It's absolutely lovely! And that is my new stepdaughter? Oh she is such. A. DOLL!" she squeals. Something about that voice sounds …..slightly masculine. "Um…..Well Rena, this is your new stepdad now. He's a transvestite. Even so, I'm sure you will come to love him! His name is Ranka. Or at least that's his name at the tranny bar. Also his preferred name." Ranka….where have I heard that name before? "Oh my daughter and you will get along so well I just know it! Oh HARUHI!" HARUHI? My stepdad is Haruhi's father?

My jaw drops in awe. I have to live with the girl Hikaru likes and see her everyday now? My mother looks at my face and mistakes my expression for one of surprise and happiness. "You love them right? I knew you would! Now we better get going to unpack. See you later then sweetie! Oh, and again…I'm really sorry." Her expression of guilt soon lightens up as she sees her husband's worrying face. She gives him a cheerful and assuring smile. That new husband of hers seems to have made her change for the better. But still… "Um…Auntie?" she gives one of her signature grins "Yees? Don't you just love them? And their daughter is AD-OR-A-BLE!" she squealed. "Actually, the daughter is the girl I've been talking about. Haruhi Fujioka, the one Hikaru likes." I explain. Her smile soon drops and turns into a look of pity and guilt. "Oh…I had no idea. And if he chooses Haruhi…and comes over" …yeah… "But.. umm…. It's okay. I'll figure something out!"My aunt looks worried. I smile to reassure her. "Alright then…" she says, and then walks out to do some work. Soon after, Hisako knocks on the door and comes in. "Hey Rena…I really don't expect you to forgive me, but please don't take it out on the new family. They're really sweet. I saw that look you had earlier and I just wanted to-" I cut her off "No it's not that, it's just…" I explain everything about Hikaru and Haruhi. Hisako listens intently and never interrupts. Does she actually care about me? "I'm glad that you got a boyfriend! I would love to meet him but… I don't know what to say. I wish I could say I know he'll choose you but to Haruhi that would be…and that Haruhi does have a way with people. You shouldn't worry too much. She also has a boyfriend, and quite a protective one at that." I laugh. She's right. Relief washes over me. If worst comes to worst, Tamaki will always keep those two apart. Then again…if he really does choose her… Haruhi won't get together with him but I won't have him either. I start worrying again but realize it's no use anymore. Whatever happens, happens. "Oh, by the way I thought I should tell you that the boyfriend is coming over." Tamaki is? That will be a little weird, having Tamaki in my house but I guess I should get used to sharing this place with other people now. This is good though. This means Tamaki and Haruhi are close and aren't likely to stray from each other. I shake that thought out of my head. I shouldn't be thinking of things like this. Hisako soon leaves my room. As I get ready for this celebration of a new family (sort of…it's really just a dinner but Auntie likes to make a big deal out of these things), I get a text from Hikaru.

Hikaru: UGH… That Kaoru told the chef to only make enough food for him and said it was because I was going out. WHEN HE KNEW I WASN'T! That Kaoru...doing something like that on purpose. Anyway, just texting to tell you I've made up my mind. I've chosen you. Sure I liked Haruhi a little, but you're the one I really belong with. I'm really sorry I caused you all that worry but I really do like you and I find myself worrying more and more about you and what you must think of me. I barely get any time to think about Haruhi! Not that I would if I had time. Please stay with me. I swear I won't cause you any more sadness and worry. Don't worry, I've gotten over her almost completely! So can I come over for dinner tonight? Hehe…sorry. Kaoru…I swear he did it on purpose so I would go over to your place. Not that it's a bad thing! Okay Love you~3! See you later! I guess…

He chose me? I'm so happy. I bounce up and down and do a little victory dance. I sigh in relief. He chose me…I'm so glad. But then I realize. Tamaki is coming over too. What if Hikaru sees them together and gets jealous all over again? Then Hikaru would… Just as I was thinking that, the doorbell rings. Me and Haruhi both reach the door at the same time. She smiles at me. She is wearing a cute, frilly, salmon-colored dress. She looks really good in it too…she opens the door. There stand Tamaki and Hikaru. He got here fast. Hikaru spots me. "Hey Rena, why is the Boss he-"he starts and is cut off by Haruhi "TAMAKIIII!" she squeals and runs into his arms. Woah. I've never seen her like that. Haruhi welcomes him in and he greets me. "Thank you for having me. Pardon the intrusion. By the way you have a really nice house Rena!" he smiles. "Uh…thanks."I mutter.

The two walk inside leaving me and a stunned Hikaru "Rena…?" I sigh heavily. I have a lot of explaining to do. "Come on Hikaru, let's go to my room. There is something I have to talk to you about." Still surprised, he reluctantly follows behind me into my room. I shut the door behind us. Hikaru seems a little nervous when I do so. I plop on the bed and pat the spot next to me, gesturing for him to come over. He becomes stiff and blushes as he slowly walks towards me and sits on the bed. I take a deep breath and explain everything. By the end of my rant, he seems a little calmer. "Okay…that explains pretty much everything…" yeah… we sit there in an awkward silence, playing with our fingers. "Um…Hikaru, if this is too uncomfortable for you, we can just go and eat somewhere else." I suggest. He looks relieved. "Oh yes, that would be great. And I would get to have some alone time with you~!" he says in a singsong voice. "I thought I was going to be sick watching those two be all lovey-dovey the entire night." He blurts. "You would?" he realizes what he just said and seems flustered. "N-No! That's not what I meant…I just…er…I brought something for you! Here Re-chan!" he holds up a bag nervously. I take the bag reluctantly, still suspecting him. Just what exactly did he mean?