Ardea's POV

This so called 'host club' fascinated me. My curiosity was just ignited by the fact that nobody would tell me what it was! Some kind of secret organisation? I could feel myself almost skip down the halls as my excitement built up. After the nerves of this morning, I had been worked up all day, and all that tension was deciding to relieve itself through this bubbly feeling in me.

I tugged at Azalea's hand harder, urging her to go faster. Then I noticed the look on her face. Fear? I stopped and turned to face her.

"Hey Z, what's up?" I tried to look into her eyes but she kept her head down and scratched the back of her head awkwardly with her free hand.

"Heh…" she mumbled something I couldn't understand before clearing her throat and repeating. "Their manager scares me."

I could help but let out a little laugh, but I gave her a quick hug to make up for it.

"Well, you have me this time. She can't be that awful," I smiled. She looked up and seemed to give a deep sigh of resignation.

OH YES! She was coming! I bounced on the spot a few times and then continued onto music room three.

I finally found the room and proceeded to open the doors. I was met by the fragrance of roses and a chorus of "Welcome to the host club, princess."

It was all I could do to not laugh at the 'princess' part. Really, was this for real? Then I finally took note of the people standing there. A blonde boy who seemed to be taller than us, with what I assume to be a 'seductive' face. There was also another young looking shorter blonde, who grinned happily next to his extremely tall dark and handsome friend. The next dark haired boy had an expression that reminded me of Azalea when she was amused at something, but trying not to show it. He was holding a little book writing something in it, as if observing everything going on, his glasses pushed down his nose. Then there were the Hitachiin brothers, who I had heard a lot about during Geography from Azalea. They were notorious throughout the entire school. Mischievous, heartthrobs who were impossible to distinguish and even more impossible to seduce… not that I was thinking of doing any seducing… maybe. A girl could dream couldn't she! I could feel my sly grin as I looked around the host club. I knew what this place was now. Courting girls to just leave them later? Kind of skank, yet oh so tempting to join.

The taller blonde boy stepped forward and bowed smoothly, looking up again making eye-contact.

"What is your name, princess?" His voice was smooth a melodic, much like his appearance. Yeah, I am saying he was good looking, in a puppy dog kind of way.

I laughed nervously before replying. "I am not a princess… but the names Ardea. Ardea Monroe."

"What an interesting name," said the dark haired guy with glasses. "Any special reason? Family name perhaps?"

I looked over at him. How did he know? "Uhm, yeah. My…" I glanced at Azalea, "OUR Grandmothers name. It means fire. I guess I have it because of the hair."

"And what beautiful hair it is!" cried Tamaki, who was somehow almost floating around the room. "It shimmers and burns like a dying star, taking its last fiery breath of life with everything it has left! Anger that this will be it's last day of light, reflected in the passionate ruby glow." His hand came to his head and he looked almost as if he was going to cry in agony… almost. Very over-dramatic. But rather flattering at the same time.

I couldn't help but giggle at him. Azalea pulled at my sleeve and I turned to see her, I want to go NOW, expression. I shook my head, this was far too much fun.

"Lady Azalea, how nice of you to come and see us again!" smiled the blonde guy.

"Yeah yeah, whatever Tamaki." She smiled as she said it to take the bite out. "Is.. uh… Renge here?" Tamaki shook his head, and Azalea visibly relaxed. I guess Renge was their manager.

"Well I suppose I should introduce us to Ardea, because it seems to rest of you have forgotten… as usual," said one of the Hitachiin twins. He looked over at me and I realized he was the one who I had locked eyes with in English. I could feel my face start to burn. I am such an idiot.

"My name is Hikaru Hitachiin, and this is my brother Kaoru," he gestured at his twin beside him who smiled in response. "The blonde idiot is our boss, Tamaki Suoh. Feel free to ignore him. This," he said gesturing at the dark haired guy with glasses, "is Kyoya Otori, son of the famous Otori group. The tall guy is Takashi Morinozuka, who we call Mori. His little blonde friend is Mitskuni Haninozuka."

"But you can call me Honey!" cried the little blondie, jumping up to hug me. I laughed at his enthusiasm, and wondered why on earth he was in high school. How old was he?

Hikaru cleared his throat and continued the introduction. "Over in the corner is our newest member, Haruhi Fujioka," he explained. This 'Haruhi' was a brunette, the second to smallest of the group and extremely female looking. I guess that is a mean thing to think, but it was true.

The dark haired boy with glasses smirked and promptly said "well, we should be getting back to our other guests, please feel free to join a host and have fun," before walking off in another direction. Just like Azalea, not a time waster.

I glanced at my cousin who was looking as if about to bolt for the exit. I tried to pull her in the door fully but she held firm.

"Oh come on Z, pleeeeease? Just this once? Their manager isn't even here! I want to go sit with the twins!" At my last comment, her eyes lit up and she nodded reluctantly, apparently now not having anything to say or argue.

We made our way inside and headed for the red head duo. There was a nice spot for the two of us directly opposite the twins who were entertaining another two girls. We received innocent smiles as we sat and Kaoru stood up to greet us. I think it was him at least... No, I'm sure. It was Kaoru.

Kaoru's leg knocked the table and it wobbled precariously. Jumping to stop it falling, Kaoru ended up falling himself and hitting his shoulder on the chair. Everyone who saw gasped in shock and Azalea's hand flew to her mouth. Hikaru swept into action, helping his brother up and making sure he wasn't hurt.

"You are so clumsy Kaoru," he whimpered affectionately, and took his brother into his arms. Kaoru hugged him back, and they stared deep into each other's eyes. The two other girls swooned, Azalea and me stared. Twincest? And yet it wasn't as horrible as it sounds. There was something sweet and loving about it, as if they truly had a special bond. Azalea laughed lightly beside me, and I knew she was thinking the same thing.

The twins stepped away from each other and apologised to us, and the other two who were still drooling. Then all of a sudden Tamaki was springing up beside them and laughing happily. "What a wonderful performance!" he cheered.

I looked at Azalea, but she was just staring at one of the twins... I think it was Kaoru. What the hell? Uh oh... she was totally falling for him! Haha…

I turned back to Tamaki and smiled at him before saying, "so what is your role at this host club?"

His smile beamed at my attention.

"I am the king of course!" I raised an eyebrow at him, but smiled anyway. "Speaking of royalty, we have a task on our hands and we need some help from a couple of young ladies such as yourself. Do you feel up to helping us out?"

I blinked twice. My first day at school and I was already being asked to do a favour.

"Uhh... I am not sure if I should... I mean I don't even know the school..." I looked down at my hands. It sucks to be the new girl.

The twins popped up in my face. "Don't worry Ardea, we will show you around," said one.

"Get you used to the place," finished the other.

"Bu-but why me?" I squeaked.

"But not just you. Azalea too. We was going to ask her anyway, but I thought we may as well ask you both," explained...Hikaru?

"Eh? Why me?" asked Azalea, indignant.

"Because you seem to be the most reasonable and sensible person in this place," said Kaoru. He moved closer to her face and stared into her eyes, issuing a challenge. "Think you can handle it?"

Azalea snorted disdainfully. "Of course I can do any task issued to the host club. Easy."

"Greaaat!" sang Tamaki. "Now that you're in, you can help Ardea!"

"Huh? I never said I would do it?" I cried. Suddenly I had three pairs of puppy dog eyes, and one glaring at me. I dismissed Azaleas moody face, ignored Tamaki and didn't dare look at Kaoru. But Hikaru... this is ridiculous. Snap out of it. SNAP SNAP SNAP... arrgh, his eyes just look so desperate for me to say yes. I am so ridiculous. I'm probably imagining it, but I know I have to say yes anyway.

"Fine," I huffed. Azalea squealed and hugged me. Why was she so happy? She didn't want to do it either? Trying to prove her point I guess.

"So… what exactly do you want us to do?" Azalea asked.

"Take care of the guest student!" If I had a drink, I would have spat it out. My first day and I was expected to take care of a guest? Were they completely crazy?

"…Okay!" replied Azalea, sure of herself. "As long as you don't expect me to like them." Ha! That was my Zaylie, hater of the newbies! Not that I think a guest counts… but to her it apparently does.

"That's why you have me then I guess? To lighten the mood?" I asked, eyebrow raised.

"Yep!" grinned Tamaki. I love that guy. He seems stuck in a permanent state of hyper crossed with confused… or is the word oblivious?

"Where is he coming from? Whitewood?" asked Azalea, Tamaki nodded. I looked at them with a question mark practically stamped on my face. "Whitewood Academy is the new school not far from here. Much like this place but they like to say they have higher standards than money alone to let students in," Azalea explained swiftly. Okay… sounds interesting.

Not much happened after that. We chillaxed in the host club for a while, chatting to Honey and drinking tea. I love tea, green tea and lemon being my favourite.

It didn't feel like much time had past until it was time to head home… or rather wait outside in the cold snow for the limo. When I say cold, I actually mean freezing.

Ehehehehe…hehehe

Azalea turned to look at me. "Did you hear that?" she asked, forehead scrunched up in confusion.

"Hear what?" I asked. She frowned and turned around looking for the source of whatever she had heard.

Heheheheee…eeeehheheheeee….hehe

"Okay, I swear I can hear someone lau-" A snowball hit her square on the back of the head. Her eyes blazed and she turned to face the soon to be new victim of revenge.

Hikaru and Kaoru stood laughing their asses off. I could almost feel the anger burning off of Azalea, and wanted to tell the twins to run. Until of course a snowball flew out of nowhere and smacked into the side of my head. I spun just in time to see Tamaki sprinting around the corner. Hikaru and Kaoru ran after him, still laughing.

I looked at Azalea and she looked at me. One nod and we were off. No way were they gonna win this snowball fight. This wasn't going to be an ordinary snow fight this was a war.

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Silvana