Chapter 11
Alexis laid in her bed, her mind running over the events of the past 2 weeks, she had been so lucky that on her first day at Ouran she had found such good and true friends.
Alexis had really enjoyed herself yesterday. Sure she had been a little over the top with her acting, but, she had been acting. To spend so much time with Kyoya without arguing had been bliss. They had managed to get along and team up to pull off a very convincing act.
She enjoyed baiting him, but, it was also nice to know that should they need to they could be in tune with each other. She would have to watch herself though, he was a sneaky, intelligent foe and she had already given him too much leeway for her liking. He knew her secret, he was a friend and he was starting to tug at her heart in ways she had no right to act on.
Despite her own common sense she could feel the piece of her heart that he had laid claim to, unintentionally of course. She would never act on those feelings though. Even if this became full, heartrending, forever love. She would never tell him or try to win his affections for herself. It would be cruel, knowing that she was going to be dead in less than a year, gone from Japan in less than 6 months, and still trying to capture his heart only to leave it broken when she was gone...
When he falls in love that will be a sight to see. The absolute epitome of who he truly is laid bare for that girl. He is the type of person to see it and acknowledge it for what it is, no doubts or subterfuge to protect himself. He'll do what it takes to have and keep that person.
She began to feel depressed. Climbing out of her bed she began to get ready for school. Even though she would never let him love her like that, she still wished it was possible for her to see him fall even if it was for someone else; she was sure it would be an amazing sight.
At school Alexis managed to hide her depression. Faking the laughter, hoping that if she did it long enough she could pull herself from her slump. Thankfully, nobody seemed to notice, either that or they assumed she was still tired from yesterday.
If she hadn't had enough to deal with a message was sent to her during her study period to remind her of the absence of her requisite club for the school. Any thoughts she had of leaving right after school went out the window. She fished the remaining stack of papers out of her bag.
I hope I find a club myself, without Kyoya's help. I think it would be wise to give me some time away from him. Allow whatever feelings are growing to fade or weaken.
She began to pour over the papers, once again frustrated at the volume of nonsense Ouran's student body used to occupy their time. At least this time she was able to find some candidates. She began to make a list of the few clubs that seemed interesting or at least suitable. She was lucky that Haruhi and the twins were preoccupied by a group project since they were aware of her deal with Kyoya.
When her hour was up she had a small list of 10 options in her hand and half of what was left of the computer printout, in the trash. She was able to narrowly avoid her host friends and begin to hunt down the first club on her list. The newspaper club. She had bought one of their papers last week and while it had mostly been fluff, it seemed like harmless fluff.
She heard from one of her classmates that the club had hit a rough patch earlier in the year, but, had straightened itself out. It wasn't that she was particularly interested in writing (drawing was more her forte), but, she could contribute to the entertainment section due to her family business. When she met the club president Akira Kamatsuzawa, she was a little amazed that he already knew her name. She put it off as her being the new student and him being a reporter.
His henchmen, oops, club members were a little too shifty for her (hell the president was the same). They seemed to live to do the smallest whims of Akira and unfortunately for her he had some club business to attend to and had to leave her with them. They went on and on about the club and its benefits, but, once she saw the enormous stacks of old newspapers around the room and smelled the musk of something that had not been cleaned in months, she thought it best to look elsewhere for her club.
When she tried to leave however, they came up with several meaningless questions to ask her and than insisted that she stay to say good-bye to the president. When Akira finally showed he started in on the ridiculous questions himself and than insisted on showing her the club all over again, but, through his eyes. When she finally managed to impress upon them that she really did have to go, he began to visibly sweat.
She opened the door fully intent on never stepping foot in that club again and walked face first into Kyoya's chest.
"Ugh" She backed up a step and shook her head clear, missing the nod of thanks he sent to Akira. "Good afternoon, Kyoya. Do you store your computer in that pocket?" She heard his chuckle and looked up. "Why aren't you at the club? Is something wrong?"
"The question is why aren't you at the club? The deal was that I help you find a club if you help with the party. You have upheld your part now it is my turn." He raised his eyebrow as if to challenge her.
"Well, I received a reminder today and was able to dig up a list of possible options by myself." He got hold of her hand and began to lead her down the hall.
"And the newspaper club is on that list?"
"Not anymore."
"Wise decision, allow me to complete our bargain. It is after all part of my obligation to you since you did so well with your part."
Damn it! Kyoya is so stubborn when it comes to honor. I had hoped to do this alone, get some breathing room, but, no he had to step in.
"Sure, I already have a list in the works, you can look them over real quick and I'll go visit them so you can get back to the club." Ha! Take that!
"No, you did such a through job of the party, it is only right that I do the same." The exact same. "I will get another full list, we will get back to the club, go over each in detail and than schedule appointments with the ones you are interested in for after school tomorrow." He was spinning his web around her in such ways as couldn't be protested.
"I won't be here tomorrow there is something I promised to do, but, maybe Monday?" Her doctors appointment was Friday, she had promised her mother to keep her up to date and monitor her health. It had been a condition of her travel.
"Than perhaps it would be better to wait until the weekend to meet, that way you will have far more time to consider each and meet Saturday." A chance to speak to her away from my meddling friends and see if she really has as much in common with me as I think.
"Saturday would be fine. I won't be traveling this weekend, I want to rest, where should we meet? A park maybe? The weather should be just perfect." The had reached the host club's doors and were attempting to finish the conversation. They both understood that as soon as their friends saw them, their time alone would be over.
"That will be fine, I will be around to pick you up after twelve; don't forget a sweater it could get cold." He didn't want to add pneumonia to the list of things that made him worry.
The doors of the club swung open and Tamaki greeted them in an exuberant display of joy and energy. "There you are Kyoya! And Alexis your here too perfect! I just had the most marvelous idea! Let's host a winter gala! We will have snowflake ice sculptures, and fireplaces ablaze oh and don't forget the carolers" Tamaki began to spin and twirl wrapped up in his imagination.
Both Kyoya and Alexis groaned in their minds...
Friday was much the same as any other day; it went by a little too fast for Alexis. She really wasn't looking forward to her appointment. Ever since her accident she didn't really trust any doctors other than the ones her family had employed for years. She didn't really have a choice, and, her doctor back home had known Dr. Zabatsu since they attended medical school together.
As class let out, she slowly gathered her things and made her way to the school gates. Each step became heavier and heavier until she was frozen in place.
What if there is some sort of miscommunication and my medications get mixed up again? What if she really isn't as good as Dr. Howard remembers? What if...
She didn't realize that she had been frozen in place, unmoving for almost 10 minutes. For a full 5 of those minutes Haruhi and the twins had been trying to snap her out of it. They had seen her as they had been on their way to the club and now were worried.
"Hikaru, call Kyoya tell him where we are at and what happened." Hikaru pulled out his phone at Haruhi's instruction and began to dial.
"We should try to get her to sit down." Said Kaoru as he used one arm to support Alexis and the other to grab her arm and lead her to the edge of the fountain. Haruhi toke up the same position on Alexis' other side and they slowly walked to the fountain, sitting her between them.
"Do you know what happened? Did you see anything in class today?" She locked eyes with Kaoru.
"No, did you?"
"No" they both began to pray that Kyoya would have the answers and know what to do when they heard running.
Kyoya appeared in front of Alexis. He saw her pale complexion, vacant eyes and the faint perspiration misting her skin. He lifted his hand and slapped her straight across her face. There was a large gasp from everyone present.
Alexis seemed to start. She stood up quickly and looked at her silver filigree watch. "Thank you Kyoya. I almost missed my appointment" her voice was void of any emotion. She continued toward the gates on autopilot.
Kyoya turned to Tamaki, who had run with him when he had received Hikaru's call and addressed the group. "I won't be returning to the club today. It might be best if we closed till Monday, it is understandable if you require a break." With that Kyoya toke off and climbed into her awaiting limo after her.
Their friends watched as the limo pulled away...
"Alexis you might not want to go to the appointment you don't look very well." His throat seemed coated with fear. Seeing her so still and emotionless had felt unnatural, eerie. In that moment before he slapped her all he felt from her was fear.
"I have to go it is part of my deal with mama. I can stay in Japan as long as I get regular checkups." Her voice was far away as if she was trying to distance herself from her body.
"Alexis what happened? Why are you so scared?" He had been sitting across from her, but moved to her side when she flinched at his questions.
"It's silly really. It's just that she is a strange doctor and the only time a doctor other than Dr. Howard has taken care of me was during that incident at the hospital." Slowly the color began to seep back into her skin, little by little at each word. "Dr. Howard knows Dr. Zabastu, but, I still have fear about seeing a doctor I don't know." Her fingers began to knot themselves together.
The pieces clicked in Kyoya's mind, he pulled his cellphone out of his breast pocket and dialed the main office of his families company. "If this Dr Zabatsu is the one I am thinking about than she is under my families employ. If that is the case than you are under excellent care; my family only hires the best. What is Dr. Zabatsu's first name?"
"Noriko"
After a quick conversation with the office he hung up. "Noriko Zabatsu is a graduate of Harvard Medical School in the top 5 percentile. She interned at Kyoto Internal Medical Hospital and..."
Alexis turned and looked into his eyes her own soft and grateful. "Thanks, Kyoya."
He twined her right hand into his left. "Don't be a fool. I couldn't do less. Now shut up and let me finish." For the rest of the car ride he told her all about Dr. Zabatsu and the clinic the doctor worked at.
As Alexis signed in Kyoya scrupulously phoned the doctor on her personal cell and informed her that there would be no mess ups for her next patient or the consequences would be dire. He also informed her that he would sit in on Alexis' appointment.
When the time came for her appointment Alexis was grateful that Kyoya went in with her without her having to ask. The appointment was pretty routine, still she was glad Kyoya stood by her, everything felt safer with him there...
I don't own Ouran High School Host club. So there mean lawyers...
Another heavy chapter. At least for this story but you'll see why it was neccesary... TOMORROW! or maybe next week... I don't know depends on wheither my mind is all go or not. Usually not but I will try.