First Day at Ouran

I pinched my arm. I'm not dreaming am I? I rubbed my eyes and continued to stare at the light shade of pink painted on the walls of the infamous Ouran Academy. Such an eyesore, but still beautiful. At least it wasn't such a startling shade. But then again, I suppose it sort of blended in with the cherry blossom trees surrounding the school.

And that was when I first saw the puffy yellow dress. Wait, what? There was a school uniform? Back in Germany, there hadn't been such a thing, although there was a strict dress code to follow on what type of clothing to wear. And now... As I looked around, I saw more and more students pouring into the school from limos dressed in either the blue blazer and trousers combo for the boys or the poofy dress.

Oh no. Because I myself was dressed in a sky blue dress that reached my knees. Well...oops. I saw several students already eyeing me and whispering amongst themselves. Shrugging, I walked through the garden and into the school building. I needed to go to the secretary. When I finally found the office, the secretary told me to wait, gazing at me for quite some time. After awhile, she gave me my student ID card.

''You do realize that there is a- Aah...'' she trailed off, then proceeded to mutter about 'commoners' while I started to walk away, glancing at my ID card.

''Wait!'' the secretary called out. I stopped in my tracks and turned around.

''A student from 2-A, the class that you will be in, will be here shortly. Please wait.''

And so I waited while the secretary went on with her work. I soon heard footsteps of someone and glancing up, came face to face with none other than Ootori Kyoya, third son of Ootori Yoshio and vice president of the Host Club. You see, I had been intrigued upon learning about these elite students that were a part of a club that seemed to serve no function whatsoever. And so, I had searched out information on them. Turns out that they were also part of some of the richest families in Japan.

''Hanabanashii-san, Ootori-san has been assigned to show you around the school until you are familiar with its layout,'' the secretary told me.

Kyoya bowed, ''a pleasure to meet you, Hanabanashii-san.''

''You too, Ootori-san,'' I said, mimicking him.

Kyoya led me from the secretary's office to our class, not bothering to start a conversation.

''Class, we have a new student and she is transferring from Germany,'' the sensei said, motioning to me, who stood to the side.

''Hello, I'm Hanabanashii Aiko. Nice to meet you,'' I said and quickly bowed.

''Well, Hanabanashii-san, you can sit behind Yamamoto-san,'' the teacher said. ''Yamamoto-san, please raise your hand.''

As I moved past the rows of desks and towards the empty desk in question, I noticed a red-haired girl looking at me with interest.

"Oh my god. Look at that girl, Saito-san. Look at her eyes. They're blue!"

The red-haired girl looked at the dark-haired girl, 'Saito-san,' beside her.

"Hmpf. She's obviously a hafu. Not to mention, a commoner. I mean, look at her clothes." And with a sneer, Saito turned her head away.

I frowned and shrugged it off, ignoring the bad feeling I was getting from Saito and continued to my seat. Yamamoto lowered his hand as I sat behind him. He looked behind him and smiled at me. I smiled back. It was only then that I realised that I was sitting in front of Ootori Kyoya. He was sitting beside a blonde, namely Suoh Tamaki, the illegitimate son of Suoh Yuzuru and the only heir of the Suoh family. Also, president of the Host Club. Hmm...

After the day's lessons were finished, Kyoya told me that I needed to select a club to join, which was compulsory. I told him in return that I had already selected one: the Baking Club. He looked at me as if I was crazy.

''The Baking Club?'' he repeated.

''Yes.''

''I suppose that I should inform you that the Baking Club has been disbanded ever since it's last member graduated from Ouran Academy.''

''Oh...but shouldn't someone have taken over?'' I asked.

''Nobody was interested,'' he shrugged.

''Hmm...''

He looked a bit irritated and he pushed up his glasses, ''well, I am the vice president of a club myself, so it seems I have to leave you here.''

''Wait, Ootori-san! Can I come with you?''

''You see, our members are strictly male and our guests...appointments are required, Hanabanashii-san.''

''Oh...well, I'll see you tomorrow then.'' We both turned to go.

''Ootori-san?'' I asked suddenly.

''Yes?''

''Can you please direct me to the room that the Baking club used?''

I regretted my words as soon as I said them, for Kyoya's expression had turned sour. I could see that he was clearly irritated now.

''Er...well, it's alright. I'll ask someone else.''

He nodded and walked away. Sighing to myself, I wondered how on earth I could find the room by myself.

I looked at the map, but I couldn't understand head nor tail of it. That was when I collided with something hard.

''Oof!''

Both the girl and I had fallen onto the floor. I picked myself up and dusted off my dress.

''Oh!''

I raised my head. The girl had brown hair and hazel eyes.

''I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going.''

I waved off the apology. ''It's fine. I'm afraid I was the one not looking where I was going.''

''No, no. It's just clumsy me,'' the girl said, and then she mumbled: ''as always.''

''Well, anyways,'' the girl stuck out her hand. ''I'm Matsumoto Umeko and I'm in 1-A.''

I shook her hand hesitantly. ''And I'm Hanabanashii Aiko. 2-A.''

Matsumoto Umeko...Matsumoto...I wonder if she is the sister of Akihito Matsumoto, the heir to his family's company?

''Excuse me Matsumoto-san? Can you direct me to the Baking Club's room?''

She blinked at me. ''Oh, you're going there as well?''

As well?

''But we're only two people. I think you need at least three to start a club...''

Start a club? What in the name of God was this girl saying?

''Eh...Matsumoto-san?''

''Hmm?'' At this point she was walking towards, what I assumed was, the Baking club's room.

''I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about.''

She laughed. ''Of course not. I'm so stupid.''

I noticed the way her eyes slightly hardened as she said this. Then she smiled serenely.

''You asked about the Baking Club. I've always liked baking and it's probably the only thing I'm passionate about. But then I heard that the Baking club was disbanded about...what, a year ago? I was very disappointed...and you have to join a club. It's compulsory. Unfortunately. I was, for a crazy moment, thinking of restarting the Baking Club.''

She showed me an application form for the forming of a club and shook her head slightly and then continued on.

''I don't know what I had been thinking...but when you asked me about the Baking Club, I thought you wanted to be in it as well. That's why I acted so...well you know.''

We had arrived at the Baking Club's room and my reply died on my lips.

Because that was when we found a girl, who was staring sadly up at a sign:' The Baking Club.'

She seemed to have heard us approaching because she turned her head to look at us. She suddenly seemed unsure of what to do, and so we let her be. As we reached the door, Umeko looked at me expectantly and gestured to the ornately carved door. Placing my hand on the cold handle, I was suddenly reminded of the meeting with my grandmother when she had told me about my maternal family. It seemed so long ago now.

I tried to open the door.

''It's locked,'' a timid voice spoke up.

Umeko and I turned around. It was the girl, dark black hair forming a curtain around her face as she looked down at her shoes.

''Oh,'' I said very cleverly. ''I'm Hanabanashii Aiko and this is Matsumoto Umeko.''

''Ito Akira,'' she said, bowing low. ''I'm in 3-A.''

''I'm in 2-A and Matsumoto-san is in 1-A.''

And that was how I met Akira and Umeko.

He couldn't really care about it. But then again, his father had requested that he do anything and everything in his power to please the girl. No doubt the girl in question was a spoiled brat. Like the others.

He strode in through the huge doors slightly behind his father, taking in the elegance and simplicity of the home.

The head of the household greeted his father and they began to talk. He knew it was important that he listen; after all, he was going to take over once he was old enough. But honestly, right now, he couldn't care less.

That was when the girl his father had spoken of came into the room. His father reminded him of his duty with his dark eyes. He stared back, acknowledging that he understood.

"Why don't you go play with her while your father and I talk?"the other man asked.

He almost huffed at the thought. Play. Honestly. He knew he was young and most adults did not expect young children to take part in such serious matters, but still. Play. He almost shuddered.

The girl smiled at him."We can go out into the garden if you want, Shio-chan."

He frowned. "That's not my name."

"I know. But it sounds much cuter that way."

He almost rolled his eyes. This brat.

"I'm-"

"I know your name already."

This time it was the brat's turn to frown and he smirked upon seeing it.

"Come on then. Let's go," the girl said.

Thanks to all of you wonderful people who took the time to read my story and hugs for everyone who followed or favourited this story. You don't know how much it means to me.

This is my very first fanfic and I'm sure that there will be several mistakes but please bear with me. I'm so sorry for the late updates but I'm a very severe procrastinator so you know...

-Lillyannp