Killjarkidranger- Thank you! I'm so glad that you like the chapters and I hope you continue to like 'em.

FanFictionReader225- Yes! Haruhi and Riko bonding is like my fav. thing to write!

Dari-Kun- It's alright, I was kind of hoping some people would think that they were some sort of other animal first before it's revealed that Cuddles is actually a snake (an Albino Ball Python to be exact) and Bubbles is a spider (a tarantula) that way they'd be surprised. I'm so proud of her too! Writing her as if she is real, like someone who is changing and developing, going through the motions, is fun!

Dove Is The Way- Haha, that's all going to go straight to my head and boost my ego. Thank you!

Enecs- Thank you! It was a lot of fun to write!

MariMart- The real question is, who is she going to hug next? ;)

Thank you for all the reviews, favorites, follows! I really appreciate it! Enjoy the next chapter of Awkward Silence!

~CWA

Chapter 10

After such a refreshing weekend, I'm back to my normal self by the time school rolls around. My hands are healing nicely and I don't have to wear the bandages anymore. I just put the ointment on and I'm good to go. I've even made the decision to drop the honorifics, especially since Ootori-sama… I mean Kyoya, practically begged me to in first hour so that Tamaki's head doesn't get any bigger. To be honest, it's strange to not use any sort of honorific, but if that's what they prefer, who am I to argue? But does this make all of us friends? I hope so.

My first week of being in the club- woah. Wait a second. It's only been a week. A lot's happened in such a short period of time. It feels like it's been a lot longer than that, but maybe I'm just imagining things. Or maybe the members of my club just have that personality that makes you feel like you've known them for years instead of days. I used to have a personality like that, I like to think. I have no idea what's happened to me since then. Oh yeah. I grew up and became awkward.

Ever since my… breakdown… last week, the twins and Tamaki haven't even bothered me. They still talk to me, interact me, of course, but they keep their respected distance. The twins tried to ask me what was wrong with touching a few times, but Takashi swept in and saved me from their interrogations. Eventually they gave up and everyone else figured out that I would tell them I am ready- if I ever am ready. A few times Tamaki has asked if it's okay to get closer and he only does so after I give him consent. Maybe it's hopeful thinking. I shake my head slightly to clear it. I should just enjoy this time in the Host Club while it lasts. There's a small dread filling up my stomach because when I get home, I will have to deal with the sea witch again. Ugh.

"You look so funny, Riko," Umi giggles.

I look at her confused. Funny? I know sometimes I do look funny- after all, I do stuff my face with sweets anytime I can, but I'm not doing that at the moment so how am I funny? Do I have something on my face? I wipe absently at my cheeks, but Chiko and Tsuki are giggling as well.

Chiko, Tsuki and Umi are my three regulars. Well I actually have more regulars by now, but I can't really remember all of their names. Aside from that, these three are also my first customers and Umi and Chiko are actually pretty good girls. Umi-chan is even my friend. I think. To be honest, I'm still a tiny bit confused about that.

"Your face," one of my guests explains, "You look so cute when you space out, Riko-senpai! What were you thinking about?"

I spaced out again? Oh well. I do that a lot. I don't really mean to, I just get caught up in my thoughts. Just like I'm doing now. Again. Opps. I give them a sheepish expression before getting an idea as one of the guests question about what I was thinking about. I look around and then motion for them to lean in. They do so and I whisper huskily,

"All of you lovely ladies of course. It's hard to be surrounded by such beautiful girls sometimes."

My husky tone sets them off the edge as they all swoon. I'm pretty sure Umi has a nosebleed and her face is as red as a cherry. Tsuki is swooning with the others. Chiko fainted with a goofy grin on her face. I'm almost worried about what she's dreaming about. Should I pick her up? Is she going to be okay? I poke her absently with the tip of my foot and she giggles. Well. At least she's still alive.

I have a sheepish smile on my face. I expected the swooning, but not so much with the nosebleeds and passing out. Are all of them this crazy? I remember hiding in my locker once a long time ago from Tamaki's fangirls so that's a yes. Yes they are crazy. I notice that Mori, or rather Takashi, looks over a bit curious as to what I did to make the girls react that way. Tono gives me a proud thumbs up and Haruhi rolls her eyes.

I give them all a sheepish expression and a shrug, speechless for an answer or any sort of reply. What am I supposed to say? Sorry I broken my customers? Pushing up my glasses, I glance towards the door. Masami has yet to visit the club, but she assured me that today she would come by. That means that she should be here anytime now. Sure enough, the doors swing open in a dramatic manor. In walks Masami, looking as cheerful as ever. Tamaki is the one to greet her and she swoons just like all of his other guests, fluttering her eyes in a way that's supposed to be attractive but to me it just looks like she has mascara stuck in her eye.

I jump in surprise when I see Umi and Chiko, who is now thankfully up and well, glaring at Masami. Umi goes as far as scooting a bit closer to me, eyes never leaving Masami. Chiko, the sweetheart, looks like she's about to cut a bitch. I gulp nervously and look toward Masami hoping that maybe I have an unknown psychic ability that will warn her.

It doesn't seem to work. Masami is just dodging Tamaki and scooting toward me slowly with an apologetic expression on her face.

"I'm sorry Tamaki," Masami apologizes, "I'm here to request Riko!"

She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. Way to boost my ego Masami. Please don't act so excited, I'm scared you'll burst. I make a face slightly at how serious she is about coming to see me. It's like she's going to see a doctor about a terminal illness. Her words send Tamaki back into his corner, sulking with what seems like a cloud of depression and sorrow. Drama queen. The twins burst into laughter. Kyoya steps forward,

"Of course, Miss Masami. Riko's table is over there."

Bless Kyoya for actually being useful, unlike the twins who are poking Tamaki with a stick. Masami thanks Kyoya before she heads over, a smile on her face. I return her smile as she sits down across from me and alongside my other guests.

"Girls," I say kindly, "T-This is Masami. Masami, meet Chiko, Tsuki and Ai. I believe you already know Umi."

Each girl smiles and nods in greeting at Masami, but there's something in their eyes that tell me that Masami is going to have a hard time later. The girls tend to be… over protective… of me. Maybe I'm just that likable? Or that cute? Innocent even? I'm a delight. I notice that all customers have a certain way they act. Mori doesn't have that many customers, but his customers are usually very talkative and enjoy him 'listening'. Hunny's customers are very sweet and kind. Haruhi's customers are very friendly. The twins have crazy fans. Mori's customers are usually snobby. Kyoya's customers are usually very naïve and dumb. All of the customers, however, are very protective of their favored host when it comes to sharing them with other girls. They are fangirls for a reason- crazy fangirls at that.

Masami is still smiling, forcibly. Umi and the other girls scoot a bit closer to me. Chiko even goes as far as putting their hand over mine with a smile.

"Why don't you tell us how your book is coming along, Riko?"

Bless Chiko. She actually knows what to say to break an awkward silence. Masami and Umi eye her hand with distaste. My own hands are shaking a bit and slowly peel them away from her grasp so she doesn't notice.

"It's all coming along great," I say softly with a smile.

The girls all nod. The one thing I loved about my customers is that, like me, they prefer the quiet. They don't mind that I speak just above a whisper or that my voice is sometimes too breathy. For a moment, I sometimes even forget that I am a host. I almost think they are friends- I almost think all the hosts are friends, but they are just club mates. Though Kaoru, Haruhi, Mori and Hunny I will gladly consider friends. They are kind and quieter than Tamaki, Hikaru and Kyoya (who while quiet is a bit rude).

"What's it about," Umi asks eagerly with a large grin, "Vampires? Orcs? Elves? Spirits? You never told us!"

The girls all turn to me curiously. I shrink away slightly with a small blush. Out of habit, I rub the back of my neck sheepishly,

"I don't write things like that," I admit, "My newest book is actually about samurais, time travel, romance, betrayal, and fights to the death!"

With each word, more passion is added. I can feel the adrenaline in my veins just speaking about my newest book. Umi and a few of the other girls blush slightly at my excited expression. Masami just shakes her head with a small amused smile- she is used to me getting excited about my new books. Especially now that I am more comfortable with my usual guests I can express it more.

"Sounds romantic," Chiko sighs wistfully with a far off gleam in her eyes.

"Sounds epic," Tsuki and a few of the others cheer.

"I suppose so," I muse, but I get distracted from my own thoughts as I glance at Masami.

I notice the way that my best friend is glancing at Mori. Her leg is twitching and her hands are getting fidgety. Her eyes look longing and she looks so love stricken. It almost breaks my heart because I know Mori doesn't really like any girls here. In fact the only girls he really interacts with is me and Haruhi, though he seems to talk to me a bit more often. But even then, it's not necessarily romantic. As cute as he is, I don't really harbor any romantic feelings for him, especially since I don't really know him. But even so, I doubt he really has any romantic feelings for Masami (or any girl). Which means she is just going to get her heart broken. But until then, I will be supportive of her. I smile slightly at her,

"Masami," I say softly, getting her attention, "I wouldn't mind if you went to Mori instead."

"Are you sure? I would hate to just leave you!"

"I'll be fine," I say easily, "I have all these lovely girls to keep me company. I am sure he would be happy to see you…"

The girls swoon at my words, though I'm not sure why? Shaking it off, I watch as Masami gives me a small nod of appreciation before she heads over to where Mori is sitting silently. She sits down beside him, but he just gives her a small nod of greeting, not even saying a word. It's almost sad. I hold back the frown and negative feelings piling up in my chest.

Haruhi notices what happens and with a tray in her hands she wanders over towards me.

"Riko-chan, are you sure you're okay with Mori-senpai taking your customers?"

"Of course," I crinkle my nose slightly as I continue, "I mean, Masami likes Mori's silence better than my awkward act."

I spot the twins heading in my direction and I-Think-Hikaru has a look in his eyes that make me realize I have made a grave mistake. What can of worms have I opened now? I just had to open my big mouth. I really should be quiet more often. Or talk even softer, maybe that will work? Though I'm almost positive the twins are some sort of mutants with the sense of always knowing everything. It's almost creepy.

"Except you're not acting," Hikaru chimes in as he strolls over, his arm still draped around Kaoru.

I shift in my seat slightly, avoiding eye contact. I am awkward. I know that. Do they have to point it out every chance they get though? Or rather did Hikaru have to keep pointing it out? I thought maybe he has changed since what happened, but am I wrong? Does he really not care? I look down, avoiding his eyes. I don't think I even look at him. He always speaks whatever is on his mind so whatever he is saying may be what everyone else is thinking.

I really need to stop being so pessimistic, but at least I'm honest with myself.

"Really, his voice is pretty grating, isn't it," Hikaru says casually, waving his hand around.

I bite my lip, my hands shaking slightly. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it! I knew my voice is annoying. I knew I should be talking quieter or not at all…. Mother is right.

My customers gather around me a bit protectively. Umi is the most fierce as she gestures toward me violently, waving her hands wildly as she speaks. I have to duck slightly to avoid one of her hands hitting me. Chiko is the one to pull me out of the onslaught while everyone is distracted, leading me away from the group silently and stealthily.

"Don't you say that about Riko," Umi sticks her tongue out, "Riko has a beautiful voice! It's amazing!"

"It's so cute," one of the girls add.

"And sometimes even seductive," another chimes.

My face heats up. Do they really think that or they just saying that? Hikaru just huffs, leaving with his twin. Though Kaoru glances back at me with an apologetic expression before he nudges his twin harshly, whispering to him frantically about something or another. I'm not sure what he says but it's enough for Hikaru to at least look back at me with an apologetic expression before he leaves to his customers.

But that doesn't stop the fight breaking out between my own customers as they argue about just what my voice is. Some are screaming it's cute. Others say it's charming. A few are screaming it's seductive. Umi is leading them all with a passion, which just adds fuel to the fire. As I watch the scene unfold, my eyes widen. If Chiko hadn't led me a bit of a distance away, I would have been in the middle of all that like pray in a piranha pit.

"…Thank you for saving me Chiko," I dip my head to her as I whisper my thanks, "If not for you, I may have been torn apart by them."

Chiko giggles, her eyes lighting up as she flutters her eyes at me. There's something else in her eyes. The love bug. I'm not surprised, but I am a bit uncomfortable as she gets a bit closer to me. Her hands are grazing against mine as if she wants to hold my hand. Discretely, I move my hand so that she can't suddenly grasp mine, my eyes still focused on the fight that is quickly spreading.

The customers are still arguing about my voice adjective, which has only grown even more since they got a few other customers of the other hosts joined in. It's practically a murder house as they scream at each other and even Kyoya trying to calm them down isn't helping. The twins are laughing their heads off at the chaos Hikaru has created. Tamaki is sulking, muttering about how no one ever fights about him. Mori and Hunny are watching with slightly wide eyes, as if they can't believe what they're seeing. I don't really blame them. I'm pretty sure that I saw someone throw a shoe. Though I wouldn't be surprised if it was Hikaru who did it just to add more fuel to this wildfire.

Everything is getting too loud for my tastes and Chiko's attempts to make a move on me while everyone else is distracted isn't really helping my situation. I can feel my head begin to pound from all this noise. This is a prime example of why I don't like loud noises, it gets too chaotic and it's absolutely impossible to think under these conditions.

If only I could be loud enough or knew how to get their attention. Most of them are my customers so I am sure that if I wanted to speak, they'd quiet down to listen and they'd have to quiet down a lot just to hear my voice over this riot. I only have a vague idea of what I could possibly say to calm them down, but I'm not sure if it will work or not. But it's worth a shot…. If I can only get their attention.

Haruhi, my little sister, is the one to finally take a stand against the crowd, going as far as standing on a table and letting out a shrill whistle. Almost instantly, everyone goes silent and looks to her with a mix of confusion and anger, though the hosts, myself included, just look at her in pure relief. I feel myself relax now that the noise level has went down considerably with a sigh of relief.

"Riko-chan," Haruhi gestures toward me, signaling me to say what I need to say.

Bless my sweet little sister. She actually noticed that I wanted to say something. I step forward, hands shaking slightly, unsure how to begin or what I even want to say. Taking a deep breathe of courage, I join Haruhi on the table and face the girls. Many of them are watching me with interest. My own customers seem to be instantly captivated by my presence while other girls, such as Tamaki's fans, seem to just huff as if I'm not worth their time.

Ignoring the pounding in my chest, I let my poetic side take over as I calmly face them with confidence. It's fake confidence but they don't really need to know that. Besides, isn't it best to fake it till it's real? Either way, I easily find my words as they flow smoothly from me, instantly gaining everyone's attention.

"Ladies," my voice is a bit lower than normal in pitch, adding a more charming tone to it though it's just as soft as my normal voice, "I'm flattered that you all are so passionate, honestly, I am. However, that passion can be used for greater things rather than fighting each other. You all are strong, beautiful women and are worth so much more than this."

The honey is thick in my voice and it's almost sickening for me to talk in such a tone, but it works. Chiko has stars in her eyes as she sighs wistfully, batting her eyelashes up at me. Umi is sighing with a romantic tone as well, dipping her head back with a hand over her forehead dramatically, giving me a wink when she notices me watching her. Flustered, I gauge everyone else's reactions. They all seem pleased and flattered, which is a very good thing.

By the looks of it, I not only tamed this wild hoard, but I gained a few new fans in process.

I can practically see the dollar signs in Kyoya's eyes.