Chapter 15 – The Party

Tsukushi: *groans* Why are you making me go to some party?
Angel: It is essential to the plot.

Tsukasa: Am I going to be in this chapter?

Angel: No. *rolls eyes* You can't be in every chapter Tsukasa!.

Tsukushi: It's all about me.. *glares at Angel* at a party..

Tsukasa: Parties are stupid.

Tsukushi: *smiles triumphantly* See? At least someone agrees with me!

Angel: Whatever..

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Tsukushi took a deep breath and looked up at the grand building in front of her. The Sofitel Hotel. She was wearing a nice simple dress, that complimented her petite body shape. Asai had said it was a casual party.. but just to be on the safe side.. It seemed too unbelievable that Asai would go to a "casual party". The dress was the best she could find in her wardrobe. There was no way she was going to spend a fortune on some stupid dress.. She stepped into the lobby and smiled confidently. Everyone around here looked so formal.. she had been right in wearing a dress. She walked up to the counter.

"Sumimasen.. Is there a party or something in one of the banquet halls?" she asked timidly. Everything and everyone here made her feel incredibly intimidated.

The receptionist examined every inch of her before pressing her lips into a thin line. She sniffed, "What do you want?"

"No no no.. I was invited.." she said, did she really look that bad?

"It's on the second floor, third door to the left.."

"Thanks!"

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Tsukushi's P.O.V:

My legs felt like lead as they walked towards the room. I almost dreaded to go the party. I didn't know the proper ways to act.. The casual upbringing in Australia had wiped all the etiquette I had learnt when I was still young. Why did I listen to Yuki? Then I caught sight of Ayuhara. I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, a familiar (though hateful) face.

Ayuhara turned around to face me, "You're late." She accused before staring at my attire.

I grinned, knowing she had been probably expecting me to wear something worse.

She glanced at me hatefully, knowing I had seen through her plans. I gave myself a mental pat on the back – good thinking Tsukushi.. Or you would've been humiliated by those bitches again.

"I paid for you so you can go in now." She said haughtily before strutting into the hall.

I had an insane urge to bolt out of this stupid hotel and run home where I belonged. But my pride would not let me, I would not accept defeat to these bitches. I took a deep breath – I didn't look that bad. It was my best dress. I found my legs taking me inside – to a place filled with elegant people chatting in groups and a long table covered in dishes of food. I could vaguely remember going to these formal occasions when I was a little girl.. but everybody seemed to know everybody else. They talked and chatted. Me. I had nobody.

Then I saw Asai heading towards me, Ayuhara and Yamano following closely behind. "You can eat as much as you want, you can try anything expensive." Asai smiled, "I bet you haven't seen food like this in your whole entire life."

My face flushed.

"Hello. Are you college students?" A man walked up to them.

Asai smiled, "Oh no, we're high school students."

I groaned in disgust. It was shameful how they could flirt so openly.

"You are a little different from them, are you from the same school?" Suddenly I realised that he was talking to me. To me of all people!

Asai glared at me, angry at having the spotlight taken away from her. "Of course, she's a special one in the school." She said placing one of her hands on my shoulder. "She aborted twice in Junior High."

"How can I abort when I am a virgin?" I muttered angrily as the guy smiled awkwardly and walked away. This was the final insult. How could they say such things about me? I had done no harm to them..

"Come on, we are here to find rich guys. Someone like F4." Asai spoke to her friends.

"I suppose you like Hanazawa-san," she said, turning to me. "But he won't pay attention to you" she grinned, "He has someone special already. He won't worry about a normal girl like you."

Rui? Me like Rui? I scoffed at the very idea. Rui was just a friend, I told myself firmly. They are just making it all up… right?

"We are different level people, I am embarrassed just to be with you." Ayuhara directed her hateful comments to me.

"Hello, long time no see." Another guy had just walked up to them.

"Oh hi!" Asai said sweetly, "I heard you were promoted to being president!"

"Oh yes, I just succeeded my father's company." He turned to look at me. "Is she your friend?"

"I don't think so.. Let's go." Asai said before dragging the guy away with her.

I stood there speechless. They could be so cruel when they wanted to. Then I heard Asai's high-pitched laugh. "Did you see her face. She actually thought we would make friends with her."

"I bet she's walking around alone," commented Ayuhara.

"Oh hello, my name is Yuriko," Asai had gone up to another guy.

"What a nice name!"

"Yeah, even though her name is beautiful, she is so evil. Beware of her tricks." I warned.

"What are you talking about?" screeched Asai angrily.

"Is she your friend?" the guy asked mildly.

"No, I haven't seen her before." Declared Asai.

"Oh come on," I said sarcastically, "We promised we would find a nice and rich guy here."

"Nice and rich?" the guy looked so bewildered. I felt partly sorry for him.

Asai glared daggers at me. "You've got to find someone who can understand you," I said wisely.

By that time, the guy had already lost interest and had walked away.

"You bitch!" she cried loudly. Asai narrowed her eyes, "I won't forget this."

I shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't care. Makino Tsukushi is a strong weed. I won't back down." I declared.

Hanazawa-san already has someone special. He won't bother with a normal girl like you. Asai's words echoed in my head. I don't like Rui! I protested strongly in my mind. I am not hurt.. I am not hurt. Rui is just a friend.. After all, I reasoned. I've only known him for what.. a few days? A week? No feelings could have developed so fast. My mind flew back to when I had caught him playing the violin. He had been so cold to me – was it because of this "special person"? No no no.. I was thinking too much. It was just Asai trying to hurt me again. Right? Somehow I didn't believe my own reasoning…

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There.. I really hoped you liked that chapter..

I made it that Tsukushi didn't wear casual clothes and not get humiliated by Asai..

Originally I wrote something entirely different.. but Winniekins gave me this idea.. thanx.

It's nice to have a twist.. not the boring same old HYD again.. not that I'm saying HYD is boring or anything..

To Wina~ you think my story is more like MG than HYD? Hmm.. maybe, because I haven't exactly read HYD.. only the translations.. wish I could have the real thing.. *sigh* But after all I have been writing MG for so long.. and reading and watching MG.. so I guess there must be some influence on my writing..

Hope itz not too bad though.. But do you think my fic is really too much like HYD? Lyk 'hate hyd' said.. *sigh* I really am basing the whole thing on HYD.. only some twists here and there.

I think t/t have been outvoted by the number of r/t fans.. though I'm not sure..

Keep commenting! I hope to get another 8 comments before I update another chapter..

* Angel *