Chapter One
Alexis slide out of her limo an onto the spotless sidewalk in front of her new school. She calmly smoothed the skirt of her VERY yellow uniform and clutched her drawing pad a little tighter. Her eyes taking in the opulent building now in her sight she paused.
Pondering if perhaps she should have chosen another less pink school she slowly made her way through the gates and down the walkway to the main building. Past the gates, beyond the fountain of a child taking a long wiz and up the stairs to the entrance of her new challenge.
Goodness it's large, almost the size of an American university. Although much more regal and elegant and well pink. But, than again I was looking for a new experience and it's only for a few months. Really if I didn't want to attend, I shouldn't have applied.
The entrance exam though had been a challenge she couldn't ignore the various and sundry ways it had poked around in her brain, trying to find if she had the intelligence to attend such an elite school had merely whet her appetite to attend the prestigious academy.
Though she would have gotten in even if she hadn't passed (her mother was a old friend of the headmaster) it was a delight to know she could have attended on merit alone if need be. Alexis had never been one to pass up a challenge, having been taught at a young age that if she was to grow every so often she would have to face a stronger opponent and conquer it.
That test sure was a formidable opponent. Studying kept me up so late mama threatened to stop me from going to Ouran if I didn't take a break and rest every so often. She didn't let up until I told her that focusing on the test helped to block the pain while my body healed. I swear as soon as I got my results back, she chucked the study materials into the fireplace and roasted marshmallows.
She failed to notice that as she toke in the view of the building the student body toke in its view of her. Normally her new peers wouldn't have been caught dead waiting in the schools courtyard for class to start. Someone had let it slip that a new American student would be attending and now everyone wanted to be the first to spread any information about her.
Ouran Academy (her new school) had a wide array of students though aside from their income status there was something else they all had in common.
They all gossiped like old woman. Nothing distracts rich people like another rich person from another country with various connections.
As her small hand reached for the doorknob another much larger hand caught hold of hers and a smooth voice intruded on her thoughts.
"Princess, you must not allow your delicate hands to befall such an awful fate as to do manual labor. As long as I, Tamaki Souh, have a breathe in my body, fair maidens such as yourself will never have to fear such an unfortunate duty." All this was said in one breathe, as he gazed deeply in to her peridot eyes, and waved his arms dramatically.
I wonder if he's in theater, cause that couldn't really be his actual personality. Right? Just in case, I'll just act like he is normal, don't wanna tick someone off on the first day of school. Besides wasn't the Headmaster's last name Souh? They could be related. Yeah just go along with it and hope his temperament is a social experiment or temporary insanity. Yup, sounds like a plan.
"Thank you Tamaki," she replied as they entered into the main halls "You wouldn't by chance be able to help me locate the headmaster's office could you? I have to meet him before school and I don't want to get lost."
"Why I most certainly can simply follow me and we will be there in no time." He gently toke hold of her right elbow and guided her to the first flight of stairs. As they approached Alexis introduced herself.
"My name is Alexis Overtun, I will be a first year. What level are you attending?" she inquired.
"Oh, I am a second year though I do have some friends that are in the first year A class."
"Tama-chan who have you got there" a childish voice called out behind them as they reached the first landing.
Alexis turned around and looked up. Than up again. Perched on the shoulders of a tall, muscled, brunette, was a blond, cherub faced teen swinging a pink bunny.
"This is Alexis Overtun, Honey, she is a new student to Ouran."
"Hi, Alexis-chan, my name is Mitsukuni Haninozuka but everyone calls me Honey." pointing to the brunette "This is my cousin Takashi Morinozuka, everyone calls him Mori and this" waving the bunny "is Usa-chan!"
"Well hello Honey, Mori and Usa it is a pleasure to meet you"
"You as well" spoke Mori in a deep, somber, voice.
"You want to join us, Honey? I was just leading Alexis to the Headmaster's office."
"Sure, Tama-chan! Alexis-chan where are you from?"
And so began Honey's version of twenty questions. His version because like or not half the time he was commenting on a sweet in comparison to the answer of one of his questions.
He really was a cute guy in a little kid kinda way. And she could tell that he was more intelligent than he let on. For one his questions while they could be taken as frivolous by themselves, when put in conjunction with each of the others, actually painted a picture of her personality.
Mori, while he appeared to be very quiet was another breed of male than she had met in America. Maybe it was the way that people in were raised in Japan but they were very respectful and Mori was no exception. Along with being excruciatingly polite he was also a born protector if she ever met one.
He seemed to be on the constant lookout for any danger. Which was sort of funny to her, considering they were in a private school which had its own security force. She did however appreciate it when on their way up the third set of stairs (sweet Jesus how many levels are there!) she tripped and he reached over, caught her with one arm, and without even breaking stride set her back up, Honey still balanced on his shoulders.
"Thank you Mori. Sometimes I just klutz out it's a curse." she joked.
She had been a little startled, yes she did klutz out from time to time but that was not what had caused her to trip up the stairs. For a split second her left foot had gone numb and that is what had caused her to stumble. Not that she would tell her new acquaintances that. She would let them believe she was vertically challenged she didn't need anyone acting weird around her. She had too much of that at home.
"Alexis-chan" piped up Honey during a break in the game. " Do you want to come by our club after school? We have tea, and sweets and you can meet our other friends!" Honey's voice got more and more excited as he expelled on the virtues of the club. "And you could meet other girls from the school and we can talk more about your home!" The end coming out a little lower than a squeak.
"Treats, tea, friends and Honey. I think that sounds like a plan! After today I know I will need a break, moving into a new country and than the first day at a new school. Yeah I'm gonna need a break and that sound wonderful! Count me in!" She was getting excited herself.
It sounded like an experience that was not to be passed up.
Tamaki chimed in "Yes the Host club's purpose is expressly to show the princess's at Ouran how precious they are and to give them the wondrous experience of being the center of our attention!" He said this so enthusiastically she couldn't find the heart to ask him what was so special about his friends that girls would want to be the center of their attention.
"Well it is time to part your company Alexis but we will be seeing you soon!" Tamaki had stopped in front of a set of tall doors with a gold nameplate stating "Headmaster Suoh".
"See you later guys!" She waved as they made their way further down the hall and out of her sight.
Sighing she straightened her back and knocked at the door. After hearing permission to enter she pushed open the door to a large, grandiose, office with tall windows facing out into the courtyard. In the center of the office was a large walnut desk and behind that desk was a older blond haired man.
"Headmaster, my name is Alexis Overtun, we have spoken on the phone." she introduced herself.
"Yes, Alexis, it is nice to finally met the daughter of my old friend Liv. Well don't just stand there come over and take a seat. I hope your trip went well."
"Yes, everything went as planned and aside from a little jet lag and having to move in I'm doing as well as can be expected."
"Good, good wouldn't want anything to happen to you. You do realize if you need anything you can come to me? Your mother allowed you to come out by yourself because she knew I would take care of you and I really don't want to disappoint her." He looked very serious and she knew he had good reason. Her mother could be terrifying when she was mad.
"Yes, I am well aware. Which is why I am going to let you know that every weekend and holiday I plan on taking short trips. Nothing major mind you but, I have always wanted to travel and this seems to be the only time I can. To put your mind at ease, I did have a check up with the family doctor before I left for my trip. I am doing well and have already found another doctor here to keep track of my progress. My first appointment with him is in 2 weeks, but, that really feels more like a formality since I feel fine."
"Considering your current condition and the fact that we have never had a student with your particular predicament in our school before I feel it would be wise to inform the staff of your health status." He pushed on, he had heard from her mother how stubborn she could be and since she was in such an accommodating mood he felt it best to take advantage of the situation while he could.
"I agree to an extent, the staff should be aware but I still value my privacy. One of the major reasons I decided to come to Japan is that my condition is not as widely known. When the accident occurred, the people around me treated me differently. Even my family looks at me with pity or helplessness and I am not interested in strangers doing the same."
"It is necessary that the staff know to at least watch out for your own safety. If something should happen..."
"I am not against the nurse knowing all the pertinent facts, the rest of the staff however I very firmly believe should only know that I have a delicate system and to call for the nurse in case something should happen. I will be around the teachers everyday and the students will notice if the teachers treat me differently than them. That in its self could bring about jealousy if they think I am a teachers pet, or questions I don't want to answer." She was honestly fighting for her life about this.
The tension at her old school had escalated to the point where others were not willing to touch her for fear of hurting her. It had made her feel like a pariah. Friends she thought she had since she was younger had fled not willing to wait until she had healed.
The mental scars she carried from the accident had affected her treatment of others as well. She was no longer willing to wait for them to grow up, or realize their mistakes. She knew how precious her time was and if they weren't willing to be themselves around her she would find others that were.
Seeing that this was a losing battle Suoh decided, for now to do as she requested.
"But, if something were to happen than I will tell the teachers it is not just for your safety but for others as well. How do you think the people around you will react if something were to happen to you that could have been avoided if they had simply been made aware?"
Just than there was a knock at the door and at the headmaster's admittance the door opened to reveal a small teenage boy. The first thing Alexis noticed was how small he was about 5 feet even a full 7 inches shorter than herself. Brown hair and large brown eyes that reminder her of a girls and soft feminine features that reminder her of a girl as well.
But, it is most definitely a he. He is wearing the boys uniform after all.
"Fujioka, right on time" turning to Alexis "Alexis Overtun, this is Haruhi Fujioka our top student in your level. Haruhi will be showing you around our campus since you are sharing the same classes. I will let you leave now and don't forget to keep me up to date on your appointment."
As she nodded her acquiescence, Haruhi lead her out the door and into the hall. As they made their way through the halls toward their first class, Haruhi began to inform her about the school.
"The first class we have is world history. There are a few friends of mine in that class that you need to watch out for. They aren't troublemakers exactly, well not that they've been caught by anyone who could do anything about it. But, they do love jokes and pranks so just keep an eye out." His voice just the slightest bit apprehensive.
"I'll be careful, I promise. Hey, do you know anything about a Host club that is held in the third music room after school. A few of the members invited me." She queried only to notice Haruhi's shoulders tense ever so slightly. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, actually I am apart of the Host club. I can show you how to get there when classes let out since I will be headed that way as well."
"That would be very nice of you thank you. From what they described it is the perfect place to go to relax after classes. Tea, sweets and cute boys! Sounds like heaven!" She giggled.
"Relax, yeah that is not exactly what comes to mind when I hear host club."
"What do you mean?"
"I would describe it more a blend of exuberant male teenagers and their female fans."
"Ah, ohhhhh. I already promised to go."
"Maybe they'll be on their best behavior." Not that, that will help much. "This is our class, let me introduce you to the teacher, she'll probably want you to sit near me, at least in the beginning." He said stopping.
And so her day went, Haruhi introducing her to teachers and other students. She recognized right off the bat that the Hitachiins were nothing but trouble with red hair. It probably had to do with what they were attempting to do when she entered her first class.
Their flirting with each other bugged her at first, until she realized the girls in her class waited with bated breath for the next incestuous gaze (that and she caught Hikaru staring at Haruhi during their study period). actually she was pretty sure if she hadn't been with Haruhi she would have not have had a very pleasant first day. With Haruhi present however; the boys had focused their playfulness on others which she had to admit was very entertaining.
As for Haruhi, she decided that he was in fact gay or very effeminate and that was why she was getting the "mother-hen" feeling off of him. That was actually a little surprising. For his part Haruhi seemed to subconsciously understand that Alexis was a little more delicate than most. He toke extra care in making sure she was OK, even going so far as to nag one of the twins (she wasn't really sure which) not to drag Alexis all over the place.
By the end of the day she was feeling rather peaked, but, having promised to visit the club, she made the effort to attend. Haruhi wasn't really much of a help though. He kept asking if she was really up to the visit. The constant questioning actually made her a little nervous. What about the club was so bad that Haruhi wasn't sure if she should go.
"Haruhi, I always keep my promises so even if I am tired all I have to do is make it a short visit. Stop worrying so much!" That seemed to stop the questioning.
Unfortunately, that didn't stop the past questions and attitude from encroaching on her mind. Mentally preparing herself for a short ride through hell, she stopped alongside Haruhi. In front of them was a pair of double doors that had a gold plate with the lettering "Music Room #3" engraved on it. Haruhi pushed open the doors and at the same time red rose petals drifted in her direction. She gasped...
I don't own Ouran High School Host Club. Mores the pity.