Chapter 10

KaoruxOCxHikaru

We came to the double doors and he let me inside. Once I took a step in I was taken back by how lovely the set up was. Roses lined the second story in intricate fashions, the chandeliers had purposely dimming light bulbs placed for the occasion to set the mood of whatever melodies would play, and everyone was dressed wonderfully. It was like walking onto the set of a Disney Princess Ballroom or something.

"You seem stunned," Kaoru said, still with my hand in his.

"I've never been to a dance before." I replied still in awe.

Right now the music was calm and people were just standing around. Only a few actually had a partner and were dancing. This place could use more upbeat music than just three violinist strumming away. I wondered if this was all these kids listened to. Even in a dress it still had a hidden pocket at the hip, mom was always prepared like that. I had my MP3 player tucked away, but if I had to I would find the sound system in this place and hook it up. These rich kids needed some sort of thrill. There was even four large speakers on each corner of the room that weren't even being used. I dunno about them but I certainly felt cheated.

Then suddenly it came to everyone's attention why there was speakers. Up at the top of the balcony stood Blondie with a microphone. The music faded, and he spoke, "Welcome Ouran High to the annual Ballroom Dance." Girls cheered and swooned just by his presence. I was probably the only girl who looked unenthused, "At the end of tonight one lucky lady will be chosen for her wonderful dance efforts to receive a kiss on the cheek from yours truly." He batted his eyes like he was high and mighty, "So have a wonderful time and remember…" he winked, and almost the entire group of girls fell to their knees.

I looked over at Kaoru with an annoyed look, and he had to cover up his mouth to muffle his laughter. "It's so funny," he said between his giggling, "You're the only girl besides well… Haruhi who doesn't swoon by just the sight of him." he said with a smirk.

"He's just not my type." I said with a shrug. The music started up again and it was the same melody the violinists were playing last time, "Is this all they know how to play?"

"It can sound sort of repetitive after a while huh? Tamaki hired them for the opening of the dance. The real music should start soon." He said with his small smile.

Every time he smiled that way I wanted to hug him, but then something occurred to me. I hadn't seen Hikaru yet, "Wonder if Hikaru's around here." I said aloud.

I noticed that Kaoru showed signs of nervousness; he bit his lower lip, "I'm sure he is." he whispered lowly.

My eyebrow perked. Did they have a fight earlier or something? "Hey Kaoru, is something wrong?" I said looking into his bright cat like eyes.

He stared at me sort of sadly, but shook his head and took my hand. The music tempo changed into something different and he guided me out to the dance floor.

"Kaoru I can't dance." I protested.

"Of course you can," he replied. He guided me through the waltz and all I could do was try to keep from stepping on his feet. My movements were sloppy, but I tried to hold it together as much as possible. He chuckled at me, seeing how red my face turned with each step we took. Finally he spun me into a dip and my face was so red it felt like my face was going to melt. His face was just inches away from mine and he was smirking, much like his brother usually did.

"K-Kaoru…" I murmured, and he pulled me up, spinning me out and back in so my back was against his stomach, with his head rested against my shoulder.

"Yes?" he whispered in my ear.

I didn't know what to say, I was to enveloped in the moment. His arms wrapped gently around my hips, with his fingers laced with mine. The sweet smell of his cologne teasing my nose. His lips gently pressed against my earlobe, as I felt his warm breath entering my ear. I felt sedated. This moment was so perfect, I could never put into words how I felt right then.

He didn't question me a second time. He just swayed our bodies back and forth to the calming sounds of the violin. Why did the music have to end? I had never felt more happy than this moment. Kaoru awoke my caged heart just by being around him. My stomach was fueled by the butterflies.

When the music faded, he spun me around again to face him, and started to cradle my face with his hands, "Thank you for coming with me tonight." he whispered.

All I could do was nod in response. How could the girls look at Tamaki like he was the Prince when the real Princes were Kaoru and Hikaru. Hikaru…? Why did he keep coming up in my head? Kaoru and Hikaru… Hikaru and Kaoru… there was no me involved there. The twins… was I really pulling them apart?

"Kaoru…" I murmured again, "E-excuse me…" my voice tripped up as almost did my foot as I scampered away to the bathroom to have a moment alone. I stared in the mirror blankly. What was I doing? I shouldn't have ever accepted Kaoru's invitation. I should have made up some dumb excuse that I couldn't go to the dance. Should I leave? Should I say something's come up? But what? I just couldn't live with myself knowing that in the back of my mind… I was pulling the twins apart. I felt a pulsation shoot through my system, it wasn't a vision this time… no it was the start of what could quite possibly be another panic attack. I started to shake and my palms were sweaty.

Just then one of the girls came walking out the bathroom stall. It was one of the twins' customers, and the moment she laid eyes on me, she looked like she was going to drown me in one of the toilets, "Ever since you came along…" she hissed. "The twins haven't been the same… why don't you just go back where you belong?" She growling washing her hands and then drying them off, "No matter how nice they are to you it's just sympathy for your dead mother." she started to head for the exit of the bathroom, "You don't belong here… you're an outcast Yankee… no wonder your mom died. She probably didn't want anything to do with you either." That said she left.

There I stood by myself, feeling completely alone. I felt another shock to my system and leaned against the wall. The girls hated me here, but the mom comment. That was a little too much as far as I was concerned. Normally I would have followed her out and gave her a piece of my mind, but I just couldn't move right now. I was actually hurt by her words. I had grown so soft in the past month and a half. The twins… I had… hurt their relationship. I felt tears develop in my eyes and turned my head toward the mirror, looking at the ashamed reflection I wish I didn't have to call my own. I had never cried this easily before. The twins had made me much more emotional in such a short amount of time. What was this feeling?

Wiping away my tears I headed out of the bathroom and was on my way back to the ballroom when I heard a voice from behind me only a few feet away, "Yankee." It growled.

I turned to face him. Hikaru was standing there with his arms crossed, and tears filled my eyes once again, "H-Hikaru…" I choked.

"Shut up." He commanded, and I took a step back out of reflex, "I haven't seen you all night." He said coming toward me, "Why are you crying?" I wasn't just crying now, but trembling. Now that he was right in front of me I stared up into his eyes. He grabbed my shoulders and pushed me against the nearby wall, fully indulging himself in my lips. My eyes sparkled, but this was so wrong. All of this. I couldn't be with either one of them. I couldn't let him kiss me anymore. I tried to push him away, but he just grabbed my hands and pinned them against the wall above my head. When he finally released my lips, I closed my eyes tightly.

"Hikaru, this is wrong let me go. I can't… I can't do these things with you and Kaoru anymore." my eyes shot open, and more tears followed.

"Don't say things like that," He murmured, pressing his forehead against mine.

"No, Hikaru, I am serious. This has to stop. I saw the pain in Kaoru's eyes! You and him fought! You are dividing and it's my fault!" I growled, and his eyes opened to meet mine.

"Fought?" He mumbled, "We didn't fight… things have just been a little different between us lately."

"It's my fault… and I will not be the one who separates you two!" I said, my eyes shimmering again.

He just smirked and murmured, "Stupid Yankee." before pressed his lips against mine again.

"H-Hikaru..?" both our eyes bolted open when we heard Kaoru's faint whisper.

HIkaru slowly pulled away from me and we both looked over to see Kaoru standing there trembling. His head down, with his bangs shadowing his eyes, "Kaoru," I was starting to panic, "This isn't what it looks like." I felt my heart jump up into my throat.

"If you wanted to be with Hikaru tonight…" Kaoru's voice cracked, "You could have just said something, ya know?"

"Kaoru, I was the one that-" Hikaru started to say, but Kaoru held his hand up, so he wouldn't continue.

"Goodnight Chelsea." Kaoru choked before turning and walking away. I stopped breathing the moment I swear I saw a tear escape his eyes and stream down his cheek.

"Kaoru!" Hikaru yelled, but his brother continued until he was out the door.

"Follow him." I commanded Hikaru. His eyes met mine again, "I mean it." I said, "follow him, embrace him, and whatever you do, whatever he does, don't let go." I whispered, my eyes tracing the tiles on the floor.

He hesitated, now holding my hands between our waists, "Just go dammit!" I yelled.

Without a word, Hikaru let go of my hands and quickly pursued his brother. I watched him until he disappeared out the doors.

I found another exit, and started for home. As I walked home one of my heels broke, and I nearly twisted my ankle. Tonight was a nightmare. I stopped at the nearest trashcan, took off my heels and walked the rest of the way home barefoot; not caring whether I'd step on something sharp or not. I hadn't felt this hollow since I heard that mom died. How would I go to school again Monday? The only way to keep the twins together was for me to separate myself from them. Every time I thought of how much I loved them, I whimpered so loudly I was sure a dog would howl at my grief.

I was so stupid, to think I actually had found my place here. So stupid to get caught up in the whirlwind of love with two boys. I told myself I wouldn't be the one to tear apart such an unbreakable bond. Be the one that made them frown instead of smile in the most beautiful way imaginable. Never in my life had I seen such perfect smiles…

When I got home, it was hard to put the key into the keyhole of my apartment door. My eyes hurt so badly from crying so hard. My feet stung from the icy cold pavement I had walked on previously. Once inside I was heading for my room when the phone rang, I was afraid to answer from fear it was one of the twins, but the caller ID proved that it was an out of area call. I didn't know what to expect when I answered the phone, but when I did… "Hello…?" I said distantly. I never expected that the nightmare could become worse. "What…?"

Grandpa passed away that night.

Author's Notes: _ yeah, what a depressing chapter _ T.T don't hate me. At least this isn't the last chapter! More will come! Had to bring some drama to the table =P I'll update again soon! Love you guys!