At about three am Karin woke up to a text. It took a moment for her to understand the letters dancing around the screen. Aiko she realized after staring at the phone for a long time.a
Karin, Iknow Ifucked up, but Ican'tsleep, and Ican'tstop thinking about you.
Karin debated how to reply. She was tempted to send her an angry message, telling her to shove it and to deal with her consequences. The other half of her was convinced that the girl needed help and guidance. All of a sudden, another text.
Karin Iloved you. I don'tknow what Iwas thinking. I was told it was e, that we'dhave fun, not that that fixes anything.
She stared at the screen. Neither had used love before in describing their relationship. This was new territory. She turned to the ceiling and must have fallen asleep, because the next time she woke up was six.
Two new messages had appeared since she'd fallen asleep. one was her father, telling her to have a good day. The next was another from Aiko.
KarinIknow I'm no one you want to hear from. I'mjust sorry Ifucked up so bad.
Karin finally got the balls to reply.
Aiko, look, this changes nothing. I'mstillmad, we'restill broken up, andyou still spread rumours about me, but it'slife. C'est la vie, as they say in France. It'slife, we'll learn to deal. Now Iwant you to feel better. You hit a low after your high, and now are regretting everything. I promise you will get better, please don'tdo any week day partying.
Aiko didn't reply. Karin assumed she understood the situation. She began to prepare for school, and awaited her stylist in her room after putting on her dress. Daddy dearest had wanted her to have everything, and so she got everything she'd ever wanted. No one had said no to her.
A cheery woman came in, "Hey doll."
Karin smiled and said hello as the woman put her hair into a brain and applied her makeup. She never left the house not looking her best, it was her favorite part of her life.
After they were done, Karin ate her breakfast, crepes and apple juice, with fresh fruit, and got ready to leave. She was exited to see Haruhi today. She knew she was just rebounding her feelimgs, but she ignored the fact. She was having fun.
There was no one to talk to on her way to class she noticed as she collected her books. Not even a desperate Aiko. She shrugged off her feelings of worry and walked to class. Aiko was fine she assured herself.
Karin entered her class room and recognized two boys from the club. They were sitting near eachother and talking. She sat in her usual seat, the one near the window, and opened her binder. She liked her classes, and she got average grades. The seat to her left and in front of her were left open for the day. She layer her head in her hand as she took notes, glancing out the window every so often.
At one point she saw Aiko walk into the school, and karin felt a wave of releif. She had worried for nothing. She once again began to focus on her work. Soon enough it was lunch.
Karin left the classroom as soon as the bell for lunch rang. She went to the cafeteria and waited in line. A commotion was being made somewhere and she glanced in it's direction before grabbing her food and walking over with mild interest. When she neared the crowed, people went silent around her.
Suddenly the circle involved her and Aiko. Around them they heard shouts.
"Hey, it's the whores."
"Make out for us!"
"Sluts."
Aiko gave her a cold look and walked away. Karin felt her heard break in two. Suddenly she didn't matter, and she was alone. The crowd dissipated and she stood in an empty aisle with her food in her hands, trying not to run crying.
Karin felt someone tap her shoulder. She saw Haruhi as she turned. "Do you want to talk?"
Karin nodded slowly and followed the dark haired boy to an abandoned hallway. "I'm really sorry for how people have treated you."
Karin stared his lips as he spoke. They looked soft. She noticed his eyelashes were really lomg, and that he had really clear skin. She didn't even notice him stop speaking. "So do you want to grab coffee after school?" He asked.
She smiled, "sure. Where?"
"I'm not sure, want to meet me at music room three after club?"
"I don't know. I mean I'm kind of unwanted."
"Just buy my time." He winked.
He knows what he'sdoing. She thought to herself and bit her lip. "But what if Aiko's there?"
"Then you just focus on me."
Karin blushed and looked at her food. She didn't even notice she had bought fish tacos. She suddenly felt very selfconcious. "I'll just do my homework and I'll grab you after club."
Haruhi nodded and ate some rice. Karin hated being selfconcious, but Haruhi kind of reminded her of a deer. She didn't want to scare him off. Then, her mind started whirling. What if this was an invitation for a date? She decided it must be, he was so insistent and flirty.
The bell to end lunch came too early for Karins sake. She liked being in Haruhi presence. She felt like they were friends. When she had to return to class she noticed two people occupying the seats near her.
Kyoya stood near her desk as a blond man sat on the desk beside hers. He saw her and waited for her to take her seat before he began to speak. "We'd like to apologize on behalf of the host club for the scene caused yesterday by our atendees. Their treatment of you was inappropriate."
"It's all good. I'm fine."
"As a token of our apology we would like to offer you a free sitting with one of our hosts, of your choosing."
"I'll think about it," Karin replied. She appreciated their efforts, but found it unnesisary. She understood the looks and their meanings, it wasn't their fault.
They walked back to their seats and she was left alone again. She didn't have too much longer left in the day. And she was exited for her date with Haruhi.