Chapter Two
The sun peeked through the closed blinds, waking me up. I glanced at the clock and pushed myself up on my elbows; my hair was pushed over my head. I stood up and pulled my white blouse on. Staring in the mirror, I noticed just how messy my hair was. I brushed it out and pulled it back as normal, putting on my school pants, and walked out of the room. My bag, hanging in the hallway, I flung over my shoulder. In the kitchen, a bowl of fruit awaited me. After that, off to school.
The day went like every other, except Kyoya said hello to me as I entered English first period in the morning. As the afternoon progressed, I slowly lost interest in going to the dinner that night. I know how this dinner is going, and how bored I'd probably be, even with the Host Club there.
After the bell rang, I walked towards the music room, just to stop by. Before I got all the way down the hallway, I saw Kyoya. "Hey," I said motioning for him to come my way.
"Yes, Airs?" Kyoya asked pushing his glasses up.
"I'm not going to be able to give Haruhi a ride home today, could you give her one?"
"Yes, I'll see that she gets a ride home." Kyoya opened his notebook and marked something down.
"Well, bye. Thanks again." I said ready to walk away.
"Where you going?"
I was half way down the hall by now, "Hair... Person. Stylist! Yeah, that's the word." I replied.
As I walked into the ballroom, my eyes widened. The tables were beautifully set, fresh flowers set perfectly on each table. The room so open and yet no space being wasted. How amazing! I couldn't believe how nice the place was. It seemed like a dream.
The Ootori's had stepped in behind us; everyone dressed in suit and tie. "Pardon my wife absence, she is out of town, I apologize." Mr. Ootori said, shaking my father's hand.
"I really thought you wouldn't show?" Kyoya said, stepping from behind his brothers and father.
"Sure, like I could turn down a family dinner..." Though amazed by the ball room, I still didn't want to be there.
Kyoya chuckled, "I see."
A band came through a side door to set up. Great, slow music, I hate this. I want to go home!
"This where we're sitting, you may leave your bag here Airs." Nikooru said, smiling. Her grin spread across her lips. My father called her over to him. As she left the table area I noticed her designer heels, costing about thirty thousand yen. That gold digger! The things I would do to that woman if only I could. She'd pay for what she's done to my father. God, why did my dad marry her, of all the things to do?
"Hey Airs! Wow! You look amazing!" The twins said in unison.
"Don't remind me. I'm missing the horse races!" I raged. "This isn't how I wanted to spend my Friday."
"It's not that bad, at least the hosts are here," Kaoru noted, pointing at the others all talking in a group.
"Yeah, but I just don't go to things like this. I hate them."
The twins gave me a weird look. I took no mind to their stares I had other problems. Like the fact my brother and I had to dance at some point. I remember when Nikooru told him and I about the dance. He looked at me with hatred in his eyes. I couldn't help but hate him for it. It's not like it was my idea to dance with him! I didn't even like him as a friend, let alone a brother.
The twins and I talked about the upcoming semester, up until Hikaru asked me to dance. The music playing was slow. Hikaru wrapped his arm around me, I placed my hand against the back of his neck. Not the formal way to slow dance; that killed Kaoru.
This isn't weird at all, I said sarcastically in my mind."So, why did you want to dance with me?" I nonchalantly asked.
"Because, how often do I get to dance with a girl like you?" Hikaru inquired.
"Oh..."
"I know I'm already taller than you, but I thought you would be taller in heels."
"Yeah, I'm wearing my high-tops. Like I would wear heels!" I chuckled "Please, you're funny."
"Why didn't I see that coming?"
The song came to an end, and we walked back over to Kaoru, who was complaining to Kyoya about Hikaru and I dancing.
Once the music has started up again, Kyoya took a sudden interest in me. He took my hand, and we danced. What the hell? Kyoya just laughed.
"Really, you could have just asked," I said, as I repositioned my arms to his height.
Kyoya just grinned. What is going on in this guy's mind?
"So... What do you plan to take next semester?" I was trying to make small talk, to smother the awkwardness between us.
"Same as you, except for math."
"Don't you find it weird that we've been in the same classes since middle school? Well, everything but meth?
"Meth?" Kyoya laughed and cocked an eyebrow.
"Did I say meth?" I giggled, "I meant math."
We were both chuckling as a man passed behind Kyoya. The man pushed Kyoya forward, sending us both to the floor. I sat up, quickly tucking my shoes under the skirt of my dress. Kyoya jumped up. Anger gripped him for a moment but he said, "Watch where you're` going, please," his voice clam. He turned to me, helping me to my feet. Wow! How he so clam. Anyone else would have hit that guy.
"Airs!" A voice called; it was Nikooru. I walked over to the little room where she was sitting, the wall blocked us from the crowd. Nikooru's face was red, she swung her hand at me, smacking me in the face. I tear flowed freely across my cheek. "Did you really think you could get away with wearing those ugly high-tops? And on your father big day? You should be ashamed of yourself, Airs." She fussed; she pulled out my blue heels, from her bag. "You thought I wouldn't notice! Really Airs? Put them on." She chucked them at me, and then left the room.
I sat on the floor, untied my shoes and slide the heels on. Why can't I do anything right? Why does this have to happen to me?
"Are you okay?" Haruhi asked, peering from around the corner.
As I hooked my shoes I replied, "Fine, I'm fine."
"You don't look fine." Haruhi sat next to me.
"I'm not!" I began to cry, "I don't know how my father married such a bitch! I just don't get it! What's wrong with me? I'm always behind or the reason something went wrong! I don't understand."
"I'm sorry. I wish I knew what to say," Haruhi hugged me. I hugged her back, I hid my face, so no one would see me cry. "Why don't next week you come stay with me? So you can get away from your family."
"Really? Your father wouldn't mind?"
"No. And it's not like my mom would complain. So why don't you come over Sunday night?"
"Okay," I sat up and rubbed away the tears. Haruhi handed me a handkerchief, "Thanks." She got up and walked away. After cleaning away the tears, I stood up, fixed my hair and walked to our table. An open seat waited for me next to Kyoya.
"Are you okay?" My father asked as I sat down.
"Yeah, fine. Why?" I asked, a bit defensive.
"You seem upset, that's all. Guess I was wrong." My father turned back to Nikoouru, who glared at me.
I sipped my water, and turned to Kyoya. "Our conversation was kinda interrupted, what were we talking about?" I said, trying to sound as if nothing had happened.
"I noticed you're taller than you were when you walked away?" Kyoya noted, Nikooru heard him.
"Ah, the poor girl was wearing sneakers under her dress. I had to have her change into her heels," Nikooru laughed cheerily, as if it was funny.
Mr. Ootori, "Ms. Nikooru" turned to Kyoya's father, "who would come to a dinner party in 'high-tops'?"
"Ha ha, you're so funny Mr. Ootori," I laughed sarcastically. "Please stop talking about me right in front of my face, you two."
"Sorry, Doll-face, but it's funny," Nikooru replied.
"If you have nothing nice to say, then just... Shut up! I'm so tired of you!" I stood up and kicked the heels off of my feet. "Why don't you just disown me? Oh wait, I'm the man you mooch off of's daughter, so you have to act like you like me, right?" I walked to the exit. "If you fucking need me, I'll be at home." I yelled before walking out the door.
I opened the limo door, "David, take me home, than return here." I said to our limo driver. And he did.
A knock on the door. I ran to answer it. I swung the door open carelessly.
"Hello?" I grinned, a burst of wind blew my lose hair from behind my ears, "Kyoya? What are you doing here?"
"Hello, Airs. I wanted to apologize for my father last night, though I thought you did rather well," Kyoya said as he raised his head, "in defining yourself."
"Um, thanks." My voice shook as I tossed all of my hair over to one shoulder.
"May I come in?"
"Sure, sorry." I turned to let him in, leading him down a hallway to a open area, the kitchen. "So... Hi." Oh God, what the bloody hell does want? I walked over to the far side of the kitchen, jumping up on the counter to sit.
"Did I wake you up?"
"No, I just like my PJs." Fluffy shorts. Yes, totally normal, Airs. My stomach growled. I hugged myself in hope Kyoya didn't hear it.
"Would you maybe like to get some lunch?" Kyoya asked, he noticed. I jumped down from the counter top.
"Like, together? Just the two of us?" I asked, puzzled.
"Yes. You seem hungry. I mean, unless you have plans-"
"No! All we have here is leftover chicken." I chuckled to myself, "Just let me put on some 'real' clothes."
"Alright, I'll be waiting in the car."
I walked down the hall to my room; changed out of my PJ's into my long sleeved purple shirt, blue mini skirt, and jean vest. I grabbed my phone, wallet, and clip, sliding them into my tiny shoulder bag. This is so awkward; he comes to your house and your still in the clothes you slept in. God, I'm dead if Nikooru finds out. I walked outside then locked the door. I turned and saw Kyoya was waiting outside the car. As I walked over to the car, I pulled back my hair. I was ready to clip it when Kyoya stopped my hand, "You should wear it down, it looks nice."
My heart stopped. I looked him, stared into his eyes for the first time ever. His onyx eyes shined as the sunlight danced on them. "Okay.." I said, sliding my arms down.
Kyoya opened the car door, gesturing for me to get in. I slid into the limo and over to the other side of the car. Kyoya followed. "So, where are we gonna go?"
"Nihon Ryori Ryugin, my family goes there often, they have good service."
"Oh, cool." I gazed out the window; Kyoya sat next to me, catching the motion.
"What are you looking at?"
"Oh, just staring off into space." I giggled
The limo pulled in front of Nihon Ryori Ryugin, the driver opened the door, letting the sunlight in the dark, gloomy seating area. As I got out of the vehicle, the wind blow my hair in my face, why wouldn't he let me put my hair up, I hate this.
We walked in to get a table; the servers all wore the same black and blue uniform. Their smiles fake as they take orders and carry hot food out into the dinning area. "Welcome Kyoya Ootori! Please follow me to your seats." A young woman asked carrying two menus. Why do they have to act like they love serving people? And how did they know his full name?
"Yes, thank you." Kyoya said, following her to a window seat. There she placed the menus.
"I hope this is to your liking." The women said as she grinned. After she left, I noticed menu nicely placed in front of me. God, this place is really fancy. I know he can afford it, but I'm still going to feel bad if I order anything to pricey.
"You see anything?" He voice tarred me away from my wondering mind.
"Yeah, the Yama-kake." I returned, "You maybe want to split a sushi tray or something? I normally don't eat a lot."
"I guess we could do that. Anything in mind?"
"The 'Try it All' seem worth trying. It's all the sushi they service on one plate."
"Sounds fine."
"Nice so now that's settled"
"I wanted to talk about last night, at the diner."
"Yes, what about it?"
"My father is an ass hole. To say it kindly."
I giggled, "It didn't bother me. What bothered me was being slapped in the face by Nikooru."
"Is that why she called you over, after the dance?"
"Yeah, she saw my high tops. She got pissed off and smacked me across the face."
Silence hung over us until a waiter came to our table, "what can I get you today?"
Kyoya grinned, pushing up his glasses as he began to speak, "we will have the. 'Try it All' tray, and could bring two extra plates?"
"Sure, will that be all for today?" The waiter asked, picking up the menus.
"Yes, thank you." I added, stopping Kyoya.
The waiter walked away, "I want to go somewhere else for desert." I told Kyoya, he had a puzzled stare.
"That's fine, but I'm not big on sweets."
"I would have never guessed," I was being sarcastic. "Neither am I. But I'm in a mood for ice cream."
Kyoya gave me a look that said, 'really now?'
"Just say you'll try it. It won't kill you," I said, pushing hair out of my face. Kyoya's eyes widen. What? I mean, "what?"
"Your eyes just changed colors, from green to blue as the sun touched them." Kyoya interest peeked, so my eyes change color, what's the big deal. "Normally the sun brings out littler pigments like green could be pulled out of blue."
"I'm confused. What are you talking about? I get the color thing, but how does this pertain to my eyes?" I was beyond confused.
"Your eyes turned green to blue." Kyoya said, pretty straight forward.
"Oh. I get what your saying, but how is that weird. My eyes have always been that way," I smiled.
"This is Poouri's." I said as we walked up to the front door. "They have some of the best sundaes ever."
Kyoya grinned as we made our way to the counter. "You know what you want?" He asked reaching for his wallet.
"Yeah! Wait. Don't. I got this, my treat." I explained.
"Okay, you sure?" Kyoya said, turning to me.
I stood at the counter, "positive." A woman came up to me.
"Ya know what ya want?" She asked.
"Yeah, one sundae, two scoops of vanilla, no nuts. No, can you put nuts on one and not the other?" I returned with a question.
"Yeah." She answered.
I turned; Kyoya had picked a table already. I sat opposite to him; I took out my clip and pulled back my hair. Kyoya seemed hesitant. "You're going to be staying with Haruhi next week?"
"Well, once I know her dad is okay with it, I am. I just need a break from my family, you know?" I said, The woman who took my order came over to the table with the sundae and two spoons.
"Would it have anything to with her comment last night?" He asked.
"Yes and no." I said as I shoveled a scoop of ice cream into my mouth. The cool cream settled my nerves and the taste soothed the stress. "Are you going try any?"
Kyoya picked up a spoon. He scooped a half spoon full, than tasted it. His face said it all– amazement, interest, and hesitation. I slide the bowl closer to me, "I have a question?"
"What?" Kyoya said taking another bite of the sundae.
"Why did you really come talk to me today?" I asked, placing the spoon down. I pushed a piece of hair that had fell into my face, behind my ear.