We part ways and I head to class. Remind me again why I got put in 2A? All of these kids are older than me. I should be in 1A with Haruhi. Stupid me and my stupid brain and being smart.

I enter the classroom and head to my seat in the back corner. No one likes sitting there, so I'm left alone in peace. I pull out my earbuds and book. I turn on an American group I like, Panic! At the Disco, and open up my book.

As I'm finishing up a chapter I suddenly hear someone loudly exclaim, "You!" and I look up from my book. I see the Suoh kid and Ootori prick walking towards me and I mark my place in the book. I can tell this'll take a while.

"Suoh, was it? And Ootori right? What do you want?" I coldly ask them.

"You're in our class?" Suoh asks.

"Are you just now realizing this Tamaki?" Ootori asks Suoh.

"Shut up. I just never saw her in here before."

"Excuse me. I hate to interrupt," I sarcastically interject, "but I believe class is about to start. You should probably sit down and pay attention."

Sure enough, as soon as I finish taking the bell rings and the teacher walks in. Everyone rushes to their seats and pull their stuff out. I don't pay them any more attention and focus on taking notes.

The lunch bell rings and I sigh. Could the teacher be any more monotone? I feel like he was purposefully trying to put us to sleep. My thoughts are interrupted by two figures standing in front of me. I look up and see Suoh and Ootori. Great. Them again.

"Can I help you?" I ask with a sigh.

"Are you eating in the cafeteria my lady?" Suoh asks.

"Hell no," I reply.

"Well, would you like to eat with us in the club room princess?" He offers me a rose.

"Fuck no," I respond, frustrated, as I push the rose away. "I'm perfectly content eating right here, where I can listen to music and work on homework."

"But I insist you eat with us princess. We didn't get to finish our conversation from yesterday."

"What conversation?" I ask. Then I realize what he's talking about. "What do you mean we didn't finish it? I thought I made myself pretty fucking clear but just to make sure, I have no fucking interest what-so-fucking-ever in joining your club."

"But, my princess, you haven't heard us out."

"I don't need to. I have no interest. It's not happening. I'm not gonna join."

Ootori, who's been silent up until now, speaks up. "Ah, but you see, I think you will. We have some very interesting information about you."

"Oh? Is that so? Please, do tell."
"It's come to my attention that you have a job. Are you aware that jobs are prohibited?"

"I'm very aware."

"If you join our club we'll make sure the chairman doesn't find out."

"That's a little impossible."

"How so?"

"Chairman Suoh is the one who gave me explicit permission to have a job. And, if people ask, it's a paid internship. There are no rules against paid internships."

Surprise crosses Ootori's face for a second before he regains composure.

"Well, we could always tell the whole school about your family situation."

Fuck. This guy's good. "Go ahead. Be my guest. It's not like anyone cares. And even if they did, there are other schools I can attend. I was offered a scholarship to Lobelia Girls Academy at the beginning of the year. I could always take them up on their offer. The Zuka Club was very interested in me."

At this Tamaki pales. "No! Anything but them. Ok. We won't force you to join. We'll just have to convince you to join. Kyoya, don't threaten her anymore."

"As you wish," Ootori replies.

"Now, if you don't fucking mind, I would like to eat my lunch in peace."

"Are you sure we can't persuade you to join us for lunch, princess?" Suoh asks.

"I'm very damn sure."

"Goodbye for now then." With that Suoh and Ootori leave the room.

I sigh. That was close. Who the fuck does Ootori think he is? Threatening me like that? That's certainly not gonna make me want to join their club. Fuck! Now I'm pissed. I'm not gonna get any homework done like this.

I pull out my earbuds, lunch, and book. When the bell rings I put my stuff away and grab my stuff for my next class.

When the final bell rings, I pack up my stuff and stand up. Suoh approaches me.

"Kyoya, go ahead without me. I'll be there soon," Suoh calls out to Ootori.

"Don't be late," Ootori replies as he walks off.

"Whatever you want it can wait. I have places to be," I tell Suoh.

"How about I walk you out? Where are you headed?"

"The exit."

"I meant after that."

"Work. Some of us have to work to be able to live," I reply sarcastically.

"Where do you work?"

"That's for me to know and you to not. If you're that curious I'm sure Ootori could tell you."

"I know he could. But I wanted to hear it from you. I don't want to go behind your back to find out. And why do you call him Ootori and me Suoh? We have names."

"I'm aware. But at no point have we gotten to the point where I'm comfortable calling you guys by your first names."

As we're walking we pass by the 1A classroom. I see Haruhi leaving the room.

"Haruhi! What's up?" I call out.

"Huh? Oh, hey Kairi. And I see Tamaki is with you. Did you decide to join?" Haruhi asked.

"No. You were right. He is in my class. He asked if he could walk me out when I told him I have places to be."

"Gotcha. Tamaki, get off me." While they had been talking, Suoh had run over and hugged Haruhi. When he didn't let go of her, I grabbed his ear.

"Are you deaf? He said off!" I yell.

"Yikes. Sorry!" Suoh exclaims.

"Are you ok Haruhi?" I ask.

"Yeah. He does that a lot. I'm used to it by now. Thanks for your concern Kairi."

"No problem," I reply. "Us girls have to look out for each other," I whisper to her.

"Hold on a moment!" Tamaki exclaims. "Why do you guys use first names? You just said you didn't feel comfortable doing that yet!"

"No, I said that about you guys. I never said it about Haruhi."

"How do you know each other?" Tamaki asks with suspicion.

"First of all, we're the same age and commoners in this rich kid school. Of course I'm comfortable with first names. And secondly, aside from yesterday the only other time we've talked was this morning in the library. Which reminds me, Haruhi do you have a cell phone?"

"Yeah. The twins got me one," Haruhi replies.

"We should exchange numbers so we can hang out sometime."

"Sure." We both pull out our phones and exchange numbers.

"Great. I'll text you later."

"Ok."

"Well, I have to go or I'll be late. Bye Haruhi. Suoh." With that I leave and head to work.