Chapter 2
Yesterday seemed so surreal. People actually paid attention to me without being judgmental about me. But then again, they didn't know my situation. Post it girl is always good for jobs and nothing else. Everyone thinks that there is no need to be friends with me as I always do jobs. I suppose no one does consider that I want to be liked or go out with friends like normal teenagers, but my situation isn't exactly normal. There's no use in dwelling in my own thoughts. After all, today is a new day and I can't keep thinking about the past. I need to move on.
Every morning, I wake up early, do the jobs required and by the time I'm done I have to wake Tokinawa-sama and prepare breakfast. It's the same routine everyday. Truthfully, it doesn't bother me as I am so used to these circumstances. I enjoy cooking early in the morning. The mouth watering aroma of the warm bread as it toasts into a rich golden brown colour. Eggs sizzling in the pan as the butter in the pan pops as it is fried and spits out of the pan violently as the butter begins to burn. Sometimes as a special treat I will cook bacon as it rarely is in the kitchen. I love food way too much!
When I made it into the extravagant, exquisitely decorated dining room, the head of the Tokinawa family, Akito Tokinawa graced us with his presence as he rarely attends breakfast in the morning. His hairline is being to recede as his once blond hair had tints of grey hiding in the roots. Icy blue eyes intimidate the servants sometimes as it makes him seem like a stern, bitter man. Kindly, he was the one who helped my family out as he was a childhood friend of my mum. Nanami was sat at the other end of the table as far away from her father as possible as they had an unstable relationship. The room was painfully silent as you couldn't hear a whisper of a voice. Quietly, I brought in the plates of food as I felt the atmosphere was so tense you could cut it with a knife and it would have no effect. Softly, I lay the plates orderly onto the table, being careful not to disturb them.
" Hazel," a tough voice called and I flinched in surprise.
" Yes, Sir you called." I turned to face him and gave him direct eye contact to show he had my full attention. Not many servants looked him in the eye like I did which showed that I had full trust in my employer.
" I heard that you have got better grades on your last test. Keep up the good work if you want to keep attending Ouran Academy."
" I am deeply grateful for all you have done for me and even have gone as far as to offer me a job. Thank you for your kind words." I bow in respect. At least, I still get complimented now and again.
" You're dismissed." I nod and turn to head out of the room to get ready for school. Honestly, the uniforms need to be a different colour. Yellow isn't my colour. Carefully, I pin my hair up into a neat bun with my fringe hanging down the side framing my face. Patiently, I began to wait for Nanami outside the limo. Lucky for me that it's still warm. Once it gets into Winter and snowing I don't think I will be able to wait out here for long. 10 minutes later, Nanami finally made it out of the house after applying her usual amount of make up. A light coat of shimmering green eye shadow to show of her blue eyes, a faint blush followed by a natural shade of pink for lipstick. I have never wore make up on my face before. Maybe it make her seem more attractive to guys. I don't think I will ever be able to understand it.
Despite, her late arrival to the limo, we somehow managed to arrive at school early. Nanami left the limo in a rush to catch up with Nojiko and her other followers. Left on my own again. I don't really mind. The library has a good selection on books which half of them go unread. Maybe I should catch up on studying there in the peace and quiet.
" Hazel." Immediately, I turn to see who called after me.
" Hi Haruhi. How are you?" The boy smiled kindly at me.
" I'm fine. I just came to do some studying. I am kind of struggling a little in some of my classes so I need to make sure I keep up my grades." Battered, ancient books were peering out of her bag. Seriously, it must be hard keeping up with studies when he hangs around with loud people like the host club. " So Hazel, how come your here early?"
" I came with Tokinawa-sama but she wandered off with her friends so I decided to head over to the library. If it isn't much trouble, please could you help me study as well I need to improve my grades a lot." If I want to keep coming to school, I can't let my grades slip at all otherwise the payments to go here will stop so I will have work for the Tokinawas for the rest of my life if I don't get an education.
" Sure. It's not a problem. You know it might be more fun to have someone else to study with."
"Thanks." For the rest of the journey, we both remained silent. Haruhi seems alright compared to most of the hosts. How on earth does he manage to put up with them? Looking at him closer, he doesn't really even seem to be a boy. Maybe that's why I don't mind him so much when I talk to him. First, we worked on maths which is my worst subject, then English which seemed to be his favourite subject.
" So how did you find the host club yesterday?" Asked Haruhi while picking out the books from the shelves behind us and gently put them on the table.
" I don't really know how to describe it. I suppose they are all really strange. Not you though! You seem normal enough to me!" Haruhi laughed heartily. After his laughing fit he turned to talk to me.
" Don't worry about it. When I first meet them I thought they were a group of idiots but slowly I got to know them little by little and they seemed like fun. I think it's fun when you get to know someone little by little so you can see what kind if person they are. And it can surprise you from when you had first impressions of them to when you get to know them so well. People can change without even knowing why." This person seems to be really insightful.
" How come you ended up joining the host club if you thought they were idiots?"
Smirking to himself Haruhi began to explain his situation. " Well, I didn't exactly join... It was more to pay back a debt because I broke a expensive vase that was going to be auctioned. The debt is a lot but I am managing to pay it alright so I don't mind."
Without thinking I said, " I know exactly how you feel." Vivid, chestnut coloured eyes stared at me astounded. Before he could question me, I was saved by the bell wailing loudly repeatedly. " We better get going class will be starting soon." Quietly, we walked back to class with our footsteps pounding against the floor. When we made it into the classroom in a short dash I made it to my seat and gazed out of the window in the usual spot. Honestly, I was surprised Haruhi didn't know my situation as he is in my class and I am usually the talk of the classroom gossip. Mind you, I don't think guys gossip or bitch about people as much as girls do. At least, I wasn't on my own in the morning like I usually am if Nanami runs off. Shockingly, she wasn't even in class yet; that's really unlike her to be out of the classroom when the bell goes off.
" Well, who would have thought we would see you here?" With a yelp, I jump out of my skin nearly falling to the cold, hard floor. I start to glare at the culprits. Two fiery, auburn boys were grinning manically at me like cheshire cats with their golden eyes gleaming in mischief. You have got to be kidding me! These two jokers are in my class! It can only get worse!
" What do you to want?" I snapped without meaning to.
" Well, that's kind of rude." Hikaru said disapprovingly. Suddenly, I felt guilty. Occasionally, I snap at people when I am annoyed. It was unfair of me. He didn't even do anything. " I know let's play a game!"
" A game?" I hope it isn't anything bad...
" Let's play... the which one is Hikaru game!" They joyfully announce.
" I already know which one is Hikaru by the way your hair is parted." I said confused.
" Let us finish first." Quickly, they slipped on identical hats and shuffled around so I lost track of which twin was which. " Now try guessing. Which one of us is Hikaru?" Oh god this got a lot harder.
" The one on the left is Kaoru and the one on the right is Hikaru!" I declare as I point in their direction.
" You're wrong!"
" You know I'm right but you won't admit it! I know which one Kaoru is as he is more innocent than Hikaru!" Hikaru stopped his act and marched up to my face glaring down at me.
" What makes you say that?!" His eyes demanding for an answer. My heart rate increased rapidly as if it was racing. He was too close! I can't lose now when I know I'm right.
" Simple you're more mischievous than Kaoru!"
" We're twins! We are exactly alike. What makes you think you can tell us apart?"
" Even if you're twins and look and act a lot alike. You are still two different people!" His eyes widened. Did I do something wrong?
" Hikaru, Kaoru why don't you quit annoying her?" Haruhi called after them as he walked over towards us.
" It doesn't matter Haruhi. I snapped when I shouldn't have. I'm sorry." For a moment Hikaru looked taken back by my apology. He closed his eyes and turned his head away.
" It's fine as long as it doesn't happen again." Relieved, I smile at them. Kaoru returns the smile which makes me blush a little.
" It is better to be on good terms with people so it means less trouble. You two seem interesting enough. Don't worry, I don't intend it to happen again."
" Hey Hikaru! Kaoru! Why are you even bothering to talk to her? She will only be after your money." Damn, it was the babbling girl from yesterday who fell over. She really has it out for me, doesn't she? She doesn't even know the whole story. What right does she have to judge me? Possibly, she might be the one who put up those messages yesterday. I felt their wide eyes staring at me. Her friends were calling her to get her attention. Her name was Monica. I should be used to this by now but for some reason I can't just drop it. Something about that girl irritates me.
" Excuse me but I think you are mistaken. They were just curious who was in their class. They didn't even know me before yesterday and I have no interest in their money. If you are trying to annoy me because of what happen yesterday, I'm sorry but it won't work. I am sorry about what happened but I simply just wanted to make a request. Now if you don't mind please leave me alone." Sweetly, I smiled at her covering the damage she caused. Irritated, she huffed and turn back round to her friends. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply before opening them. When I turned my head towards them, they were still in shock.
" What were they talking about?" Haruhi voiced their thoughts running though all the boys minds.
" Honestly, just leave it alone. I'm fine. I'm used to it. You don't need to know my business like I don't know yours." Luckily, the teacher came in which meant they all had to go back to their seats. That was a close one. I'm sure they will figure out that I'm post it girl and request stuff just like everyone else, then avoid talking to me. Class passed by slowly, almost painfully as the teacher bored us with his monotone voice, teaching mechanically which means no one in the class was motivated or even listening. Many people were doodling in their books out of boredom. Where was I up to writing in that story anyway? Oh yeah!
' Those unwavering, understanding eyes he had as a child had never changed. Hardly, he had changed at all. Except he was different in some ways. Taller. Stronger. He was a man. Definitely he had grown up. Gracefully, he walked towards me; captivating me with those golden, glowing eyes.'
Ring! The bell interrupted my train of thought. Finally, lunch! Impatiently, my stomach growled to gain my attention that it was time to eat.
" Hazel, take care of the things on the post it. I need them done by the time I finish at the host club tonight. You might want to start now, there's a lot to do." Nanami made a sudden appearance like in a magic show. Time for the daily chores to begin. At this rate I might not even be eating the lunch I've packed.
" Alright, I will do everything that you need, Tokinawa-sama." With a nod and a swift turn, she was off in a dramatic fashion. When I turn to look at my desk more post its covered the wood and the desk's worktop was barely visible anymore. The legacy of the post it girl is known far and wide across the school and I get my jobs each and every lunch. In the end I always complete the tasks at hand! It's funny it kind of makes me sound like a superhero! Post it girl away! I can be childish when I want to be.
Of course I complete Nanami's post it first as that is my top priority. The note included: collect books from the library, make sure that you collect all the love letters from my desks and put them in Nojiko's bag as she wants to read them, talk to the flower arranging club to see if they can do the party at the estate next week, choose any flower suited to a cool colour scheme, finally get the specially made cake from the cooking club and hand it to Honey-senpai after school. The cake could wait until after school. Then, I went to work on the other post it notes which were simple requests. Nothing too hard. However, by the time I had finished. There was no time to eat lunch! Only a couple of hours, then I can eat. Fortunately, I didn't run into Haruhi or the twins so I wouldn't get any questions but I might be screwed after school as I am on cleaning duty yet again.
In class, I was struggling to focus as my stomach began to growl annoyed at me for skipping lunch again. Usually, it wasn't this bad but I find it hard to go hungry for a while. At least I won't be cooking dinner when I get back to Nanami's house as the chef should be back from sick leave. Once the bell of freedom rang, once again they packed and ran off to other places. Unfortunately, Haruhi and the twins stayed behind. No doubt that they wanted to question me on what happened earlier.
" Hazel, you seem to be ordered around by Nanami a lot. Is there a reason for that?" Haruhi sounded concern.
" I'm amazed none of you know. After all, I constantly seem to be the talk of the class. I'm sure you have heard of post it girl."
Hikaru laughed. " Yeah, I heard she can't do anything for herself and does everything for class 1-A. Pathetic if you ask me. I might make a request sometime soon."
" Pathetic. It's not like post it girl has a choice. Well, Hikaru you can make your request right now! I'm post it girl, after all!" Realisation hit him to what I had just said. The laughter stopped abruptly. " Sometimes, I am forgetful so Tokinawa-sama put all the orders on the post it. But soon she told everyone to make requests if they needed it and there you have it. How the legacy of post it girl started!" I announced it dramatically.
" You said you didn't have a choice. Why is that?" Kaoru spoke up.
" I am her servant. Every servant has to do as their master says. My family is indebted to her. My father's company went bankrupt and the Tokinawa's brought us out. We were still in debt and they offered us jobs as servants and to pay off the full debt I still have to work for them. They even pay for the money for my enrolment in Ouran Academy. I don't think I will ever be able to repay them."
" So that why. In the library when you said you knew how I felt about my debt to the club so it's the same as you to the Tokinawas." Haruhi managed to fit all the pieces together.
" Yes, but that's only one of the reasons. Now if you don't mind leaving, I still have work to do." I turned away from them so they couldn't see my face. Tension in the air was rising as I still felt their gazes on me.
Hikaru started to speak. " Hazel, I'm..."
" Sorry? Please, spare me. I am sick of hearing people say that. Pitying me because of the position I'm in. I get on with my life so why can't other people just get on with theirs? Please, go."
" Hazel..."
" I said GO!"
" Well fine! Just don't expect another one!" Hikaru stormed off and Kaoru and Haruhi followed in suit. When my parent's died, all I heard was I'm sorry. Honest to god, I am sick of hearing that same line repeated to me. Sympathy won't get me far. I just need to be on my own for a while to learn to move on. But at least they tried to understand, unlike most people in my class. I just dread the moment I have to go to the club to give Honey-senpai the cake because they will be there.