Chp 2
"Dai-san, welcome to Ouran." said the charismatic, bespectacled boy. I just give him a blank stare. This was all an act and I was very aware of it. Probably too aware of it, if I thought about it logically. I had been deceived so many times by inviting smiles, that it wasn't even funny. Scratch that, I think it is quite humorous. The thought of so many deceived people brings a light chuckle up my throat.
I've come to realize that ninety percent of smiles are faux. Sure, they are pleasing to the eyes and they can easily fool the majority, but nothing more then petty lies. I am sad to say that I am quite the liar. Very rarely do I ever smile for myself or because I am sincerely happy, but it makes life easier. There's not the constant "Dai-san, are you okay?" fluttering around me, the pests they are. So, yes, I tug my lips in an upward direction for my benefit, whether it's heartless or not.
"However pleased I may be that I've gotten the opportunity to meet you, I'm afraid to inform you that you have entered the second year's subdivision. I believe you're looking for those rooms. " He said, that treacherous smirk never leaving his face as he pointed down the hallway.
If I'm blatantly honest, this kid is quite the looker, however intimidating he is. But, then again, who isn't attractive at Ouran? I haven't seen one person walk by me who wasn't beautiful. I sigh, on the inside, of course, miserably. I will never truly fit in here, and I know it just fine.
"Oh? Dai-san isn't a second year?" A girl from behind him says, her mouth forming the shape of an "o". I shake my head. "Glasses-sama is correct. I'm a first year. Why?" I pry further, just because I'd rather talk to people then head off to class.
"My name is Kyouya. Kyouya Ootori." He said. I guess the nickname "glasses-sama" didn't fit his tastes. The girl turned back to me after previously directing her attention to Glasses-sama when he spoke.
"I don't know. I guess maybe I was just hoping that I'd be your classmate." She said. Afterwards, she placed a hand over her mouth a giggled; a few other girls doing the same. I unconsciously took a step back as I shifted my gaze to the side and rubbed my nose, a nervous habit. "Uh…." I said awkwardly, taking another step backwards. "That's very…comforting." I said, fixating another fake grin on my face. "Glasses-sama, would you please educate me on where I should be?"
I realize that I called him "Glasses-sama" again but, in all honesty, I really don't care whether this bothers him or not. I can't remember what he told me to address him and the nickname I've supplied him with is much easier.
He nods at me, sending a slight glare in my direction, and walks through the doorframe, striding down the hallway. 'I guess I'm supposed to follow him or something.' I think and I shuffle my way behind him as he leads me down the maze-like hallways. The walk isn't far, but my nose is already burning from the floral smelling aroma that fills the school. I am unsure how I will be able to face a whole day under these circumstances, let alone year.
I let out an agonized moan and sigh, venting out the stress. Kyouya turns around and gives me a look that says "control yourself.". As soon as he turns his back to continue on our journey I stick out my tongue at him, childishly.
I've always been known for being kid-like in situations where I'm upset. Jimmy would say "Dai-chan, you're like a 2 year old at some points and a cankerous 50 year old at others." and then poke my cheeks when I blushed. My face contorted at the memory.
"Dai-san, we have arrived" Kyouya stated as he tapped my shoulder, dragging me back to reality. "Thanks." I murmur while making my way through the doorframe, my gaze fixated on the floor.
"Sensei, this is Dai Aomori. He is the new student at Ouran." Kyouya tells the salt and pepper haired man who merely grunts. I lift my head for a second so I can take direction from the man.
"Take your seat." He grunts, giving me a long, stern stare that make me want to slide my head and limbs into my large hoodie and sit in the feedle position, like I used to.
This hoodie had been with me since I was about ten. My older brother had given it to me after I had confessed that I was bisexual. I smiled at the memory.
"T-taro…" I practically whispered as I creaked open the white painted door just enough so that I could peek inside. I saw my eldest brother sitting on his bed, guitar in his lap, eyes on me. He sensed my stress and set the guitar down, walking over to the door in one stride.
"What's the matter, Dai? Come in?" Ah, the ever-kind Taro that I had grown to love. It was Taro that I could tell anything to, Taro who would smile generously at you and tell you words of wisdom, no matter what crime you had done, from stealing a cookie out of the cookie jar to accidentally killing a bird.
The 17 year old ushered me inside the cramped bedroom and sat me down on his bed. Although I knew I was talking to Taro, not my judgmental other brothers, I was still nervous. Afraid that he would no longer accept me.
"T-aro…I…think I like boys." I said, my eyes watering. "I…don't know, really. It's all so confusing." Tears trickled down my face, and the longer he was silent the more I broke on the inside. The ever-kind Taro just stared at me in shock. Not a word uttered out of his mouth and this fact killed me. I knew I should have just been normal and ignored what my body was doing. I ran out of the room, all the way to the park a couple blocks down and climbed up the tree. I waited there for hours and eventually fell asleep.
Then, when the morning came around and the light shone in my lidded eyes, I awoke to my brother, sitting there next to me in the tree, sleeping. In his lap was a grey material. Curious, I shook him awake and he smile that amazing smile at me. "Mornin'." He murmured. "What're you doin' here, Taro? Shouldn' you be tellin' on me for being a queer?" I asked solemnly. Taro shook his head. "Silly boy, I'm not angry that you're this way! And what is there to tell on?" he said, ruffled me hair, and handed me the fabric that was previously on his lap.
"Here. I got it for you. I Didn't mean to make you cry." He informed me. I smiled so brightly that moment that I thought I would explode. "Come on. My ass is asleep." He said and stiffly hopped out of the tree. I did the same and we headed back home.
I felt my face tighten into a smile and then into an expression of pain. My other family had not been so accepting and kind with my new status. They mocked and hit me, my brothers did. My sisters would no longer speak to me. My parents would send me shameful glances, as if they were disappointed .The worst part, was that the next month, Taro moved away to college. He was so intelligent that he left his junior year. I frowned deeply, lines appearing on my face.
"Young man, do as you're told." Sensei scolded, and I realized I had ignored his demand. My eyes widened and I clumsily scooted over to my seat and listened to the murmurs surrounding me.
A sigh escaped my lips as I dwelled on the past, that deceiving smile on my face as I did.