Chapter 6

KaoruxOCxHikaru

The twins and I walked up what felt like a thousand stairs, before reaching my floor. Once there, we walked the long hallway to almost the very end, where my room was. The whole time they were quiet and it felt sort of awkward. Finally, Kaoru spoke.

"Well, here we are." He said opening the door for me and allowing me to step in. I examined the room with my eyes. It was quite luxurious and fancy. There was a canopy queen sized bed with a small nightstand beside it, a lovely chandelier that hung in the center of the room, with a dimming light switch on the wall that could be adjusted from bright, to slightly dimmer, to a romantic setting of sorts, and finally black. I'd never let the twins know, but one of my biggest fears since I was a child, was the dark. I'd probably be sleeping with the romantic light on tonight.

The walls were decorated with floral wall paper, and the carpet was a snow white color that had never once been stained, if possible it was probably whiter than snow. There was a dresser and closet for clothes, but I hadn't brought any with me so those weren't exactly necessary. Near the window was a small love seat. The room also had its own bathroom which at the time I didn't feel like exploring quite yet. I heard the door close behind me and turned to see the twins side by side leaning against the door, with their arms crossed, smirking like they always did.

"What is it you have planned?" I asked dryly.

They both shrugged and then Hikaru walked over to the closet. "I realized earlier that you didn't bring any change of clothes, so I called our mom, she's a fashion designer, and told her to send something over for you." I raised an eyebrow. My stomach had a sinking feeling in it, because I was afraid of what exactly I'd be wearing.

"You didn't have to do that," I said biting my lower lip.

Hikaru rolled his eyes, "Don't make a big deal over it Yankee. Here." He said pulling out a satin turquoise nightgown… basically a dress for sleeping in. My lip curled in disgust.

"Hikaru, I hate dresses." I said with a sigh.

"This isn't a dress it's a nightgown." He argued.

"It's the same thing!" I retorted.

"Do we need to help you get changed?" He asked, now in front of me with his hand beneath my chin.

I closed my eyes tightly and swiped the nightgown from his grasp, "I'll be in the shower." I said going into the bathroom and locking the door behind me, hoping that it would be enough to keep them out.

While in the shower I leaned back against the wall and slid down to the tub, letting the water hit my face. I was exhausted, but the twins seemed like they were still wide awake. I wondered if they'd still be out there when I returned or if they'd get bored and leave. I was hoping for the second one so I could go to bed, but I was sure I wouldn't be so lucky. After about twenty minutes I decided to face the music. Drying off I put the bikini back on and slipped the nightgown over it. It went to my knees, and felt way too short. I brushed out the endless knots in my hair and pulled the built in blow drier out of the wall so I could dry my hair a bit more, and prolong going out there for as long as possible. For some reason my hair was more curly than usual this time. I assumed it had something to do with the fancy shampoo.

After a deep breath, I stepped out into the room and was surprised to see both Kaoru and Hikaru lying beside each other on my bed sound asleep. I couldn't stop staring at them. They looked so perfect. My eyes shimmered, and my stomach spun with an unfamiliar feeling of happiness. It almost brought tears to my eyes and I wasn't sure why. I couldn't look away. I felt a smile appear on my face, and for once in quite some time (other then at the beach with Kaoru previously) it didn't feel forced.

The bed hadn't been made before, so the comforter was folded up at the foot of the bed. After unfolding it I placed it over both of them and walked over to the dresser, searching to see if there were any extra blankets. Luckily there was an incredibly soft throw blanket that matched the white carpet. Turning the lights down to what I liked to call the romantic setting, I walked over to the love seat and curled up in the blanket. Despite the small space that was some of the best sleep of my life, and with the twins just feet away, I actually felt safer than I would have had I been alone.

The next morning came, and when I opened my eyes, I was staring up at the canopy. Sitting up quickly, I was wrapped in the comforter on the queen sized bed. I didn't dream all of last night up did I?

Quickly, I hopped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom to get my clothes, but they were gone! I rushed over to the closet, and sure enough they were neatly hung up inside. Did the twins do that? Was there room service? I felt a little weird knowing some person I didn't even know might have been prowling around my room while I was resting; it was kind of a creepy thought.

I changed and when I came out of the bathroom, there were the twins sitting on the edge of the bed smirking at me. I froze in place. "Sleep well?" Kaoru asked.

I didn't know what to say.

"Keep the nightgown Yankee. You should wear dresses more often, you're very cute in them." said Hikaru.

"Did you guys… carry me over to the bed?" I asked.

They both shrugged.

"You can't do that! Did you or?" I started to say before once again Hikaru was in front of me with his arms placed firmly around my waist. He had me pulled in close.

"What if we did? You did the same for us." He said resting his forehead against mine.

"I didn't want to wake you guys up, you looked so…" I was again cut off.

"Looked what?" Kaoru asked, taking his place behind me, with his head rested on my shoulder.

"Adorable…" I whispered, and their eyes widened. They didn't expect me to be so open about it, and really I didn't expect it either, it just sort of slipped out. I closed my eyes. "Don't allow yourself to do this" I told myself. "Shouldn't we go downstairs and meet up with the oth-" I gasped in the middle of my statement because of the next thing that took place. They both took it upon themselves to kiss my cheeks. My eyes shimmered again, and I broke out of their constricted embrace. "Stop," I demanded. "Please, just stop all of this! All of this teasing and getting close to me and calling me your toy! All of this needs to end, if it doesn't then… then we can't be friends anymore!" I was hysterical. Why was I so afraid? Why did I do nothing, but push people away? I didn't even let them respond… I was already out the door.

I raced down the stairs and found the other hosts in the lobby, but just kept heading for the exit. "Chelsea?" I heard Haruhi call to me confused, but I left without even a second glance.

The twins appeared soon after, and Haruhi turned to them expectantly. "What did you do to her now? She's really upset."

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Hikaru scoffed and crossed his arms. Kaoru stood beside him with a sadden expression melting on his face. His arms were crossed as well, but he gave off a genuine aura of sadness. Hikaru kept running his mouth, "She's just a damn Yankee who's afraid to get close to anyone!"

"Who does that sound like?" Haruhi said, mirroring his posture. Hikaru glared and looked away in response.

"I suppose that would make sense, the death of a loved one does tend to make people either antisocial or needy." stated the ever so clever and crafty Kyouya.

Everyone's attention was now on him, just the way he seemed to like it. Kaoru spoke up, "What do you mean death of a loved one?"

"The background check on Chelsea shows she lost her father at a very early age, and just recently lost her mother." Kyouya answered, pressing up his glasses.

The twins' mouths fell open. They had no idea. None of them did. Suddenly her haughty attitude made sense. When Hikaru looked over at his brother, Kaoru looked ashamed and above all, incredibly sad. It felt like a dagger in his chest seeing his brother so down, and deep inside, he felt the same way.

Sunday dragged on forever, and before I knew it, it was Monday again. All day I was depressed, I didn't even want to show up for school, and I told myself as soon as the last bell rang I was out of there. This place, along with the rest of the world, suddenly felt like a colorless prison. I wouldn't even think of their names, if I did, I'd probably crumble in front of all these rich kids. I took a trip to the restroom every class just to contain myself in a small stall for about three minutes, so I would not cry. I wouldn't shed a tear for them.

When the last bell sounded, I bolted up from my chair and rushed out the door. I just needed to get out of this place. Everyone that even slightly knew me would be in the third music room like always, so I decided I could just take my time. My last class was on the top floor of the building, so I took each step down the staircases very slowly. When I reached ground level I was only a couple right turns away from the exit, but I didn't get that far, when I turned the first corner, there stood Hikaru, waiting for me, and he was alone. Quickly I spun around on my heels and headed back the way I came, but he pursued me. Before I got too far he grabbed my arm and pulled me back, pinning me to the wall. Why wasn't I ever a fast runner? Staring up into his cat eyes, he stood at what I mentally measured to be 5'9 and I myself was only 5'4 ½. His perfect hands were placed on either side of my head and he was leaning over me.

"Stop trying to run away… idiot." He hissed.

His words stung. I just wanted to go home. This was killing me.

"We get it now alright? Why didn't you tell us… your mother died?" He asked leaning in closer. "Why do you try to pretend everything's okay when it's not?"

How did he know? I was dumbfounded by his words, but managed to whisper, "The last thing I wanted to hear from everyone was "Sorry about your mother" I didn't want to be accepted here out of sympathy!" I stared down at my feet, keeping my eyes away from his. They were only digging into my soul and trying to rip it free.

"Idiot Yankee," He growled, "Look at me." I refused to. I ignored his demand like he wasn't even there, and he forced me to look up by pushing my chin upward. "First of all, only assholes would say things like that to remind you about your loss, second of all, your real friends, the one's you've made in the host club, we'd only truly accept you for who you are." My eyes were starting to water. I had never heard his voice so forceful, "Don't rope us in with the people who have been treating you so poorly. Kaoru hasn't said much of anything since Sunday morning and I can't stand it! We only tease you because we see you as our friend. You stupid girl!" He was now yelling. If a principle had been around, he would have been taken to the disciplinary office. The hall fell dead silent, and… a tear slid down my cheek. I made him… so mad, and Kaoru… I made him sad.

"I… I'm sorry Hikaru… I'm… I'm sorry." I said looking down. "I am stupid… I tried… so hard not to show any weakness… I told myself I'd never cry again after mom died… and now…" I looked back up at him, and tears were flowing down my face like twin waterfalls. "…look at me… I'm pathetic…" I was crumbling, the exact thing I figured would happen if I saw or even thought of the Hitachiin twins, but in actual fact they never left my mind the moment I left my room at the Ootori building. No… from the day we met…

He stared at me with hard eyes, and then silenced my quivering lips with his index finger, "Shut up…" He wiped a tear from my cheek. "You're wrong… you're not pathetic… you're not stupid… just… scared and confused." He knew how it felt. I could hear it in his voice. "You haven't been able to talk to anyone… or lean on anyone since she died have you? You push people away… our world, and yours… because you figure that way you'll never be hurt by anyone else ever again, you won't have to worry about them leaving you." My eyes widened slowly, and more tears fell. "Please… stop crying…" He demanded, and then shook his head and leaned in as close as humanly possible, "No, you can cry… just if you have to… don't do it alone… lean on Kaoru and me." He whispered pleading, and then he filled the gap, and pressed his lips against mine. It felt like the world faded around us. I never expected my first kiss to end up like this. At first it was gentle and cautious, and then it became more strong and rough, before he pulled away. When I opened my eyes, the world had returned, but he still remained.

"H-Hikaru…" I choked his name.

"Let's… get you back where you belong." He whispered with a smile. It was the first time he ever smiled at me that way, completely sincere and happy. He then walked me to the third music room, and I heard the word I actually missed.

"Welcome," The hosts said in unison, except Kaoru, who was in a corner by himself. When he looked up and saw me with Hikaru, he jumped up from his chair. I closed the gap before he had the chance and hugged him.

"I am so sorry." I whispered in his ear.

He was shocked that I hugged him, but returned the embrace openly, "Already forgiven." He whispered back. It was so nice to hear his gentle voice again.

I couldn't deny it any further; I loved the twins so much it was almost unreal. Somehow we could relate to each other in such a way like no one else. "Our world… and yours…" Hikaru said. That was exactly how it felt for me, but if it came down to it… would I be able to choose between the two? I was getting ahead of myself. Right now, I just wanted to enjoy the time I could spend, with the both of them.

Author's note: This is not the last chapter, just thought I'd clarify that because it sort of sounded like one I could end on, but have no fear! This chapter was crucial to my character, and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. What happens next I have yet to decide, but I think the mall might be involved… we'll see. Chapter 7 shall come soon! Leave me feedback and have a wonderful day!

P.S. Thank you to those who are reading and responding, it means so much to me.

~Kudos