Monday's were never good, no matter how optimistic one could be.
I'd woken up late, thanks to my sleepless nights, and rushed to get ready. I hadn't bothered to brush my hair, or eat breakfast. Takashi and Mitsukuni watched me, bemused, as I struggled to shove everything needed for school into my bag before it was time to go. Finally, after becoming a human tornado, twisting and turning and whirling around everywhere to grab everything, I was ready.
I huffed a sigh of relief as I slipped into the limo. I gazed out the tinted window at the falling leaves; not being able to capture the true beauty of the colours because of the dark glass. It would be nice to go for a walk after school, I mused.
Once we arrived, I said my goodbyes to my family members and headed to my first period class like every other day. I slumped my shoulders as I trudged to class, uneager to see Hikaru and Kaoru after the confusing and frantic phone call from the weekend. To my surprise, they didn't even look up as I stepped in the room and walked past them to my seat in the back, but it wasn't like people usually looked at me anyway.
As I set down my bag and pulled out what I needed for this science class, I gazed up at the backs of the twins' heads- or should I say glared. It was so important for them to call me at home yesterday, but they can't confront me in person today? My breath hitched when I saw one of their heads, the one on the left, turn slightly in my direction. I didn't remove my gaze in order to catch his own and see which twin he was, but unfortunately, his head turned back forwards to face the front.
I sighed loudly and leaned forwards in my desk, resting my chin on my arms. Seconds later, I watched as Haruhi made his way to the desk next to mine. "Good morning, Soymi." He said tiredly.
Good? Is it? "Morning," I mumbled back.
The class went by slowly and consisted of Haruhi completing what was left with out project and me longingly glancing at the backs of the auburn-haired twins. I heard them exchange whispers between each other, making me angry with confusion and curiosity as the class went on. Maybe I had been too rude to them on the phone, I pondered. Maybe they were upset with me? I huffed loudly. If that's the case, then giving me the cold shoulder was, well, cold.
No matter how curious I was, the morning went on as usual. Science ended after what seemed like hours had passed, and I quickly gathered my belongings and left the class without so much as a glance at the Hitachiin brothers. A smile replaced my frown as I realized it was time for my photography class. That class, as well, went by slowly. But, I enjoyed it far more than science. Today's assignment was to take pictures of nature and scenery for tomorrows class due to the natural autumn beauty that was occurring outside. I left that class cheerfully, but my happiness quickly faded after I bumped into someone on my way out the door.
I bent down to pick up the book I'd caused the other person to drop. "Sorry," I muttered, handing the book to them. I looked up apologetically, ready to be given yet another disgusted look by the many students I collided with daily, and quickly gasped as I saw the persons face for the first time. It was definitely one of the twins. But, which one was it? His eyes glimmered with mischief, a common trait both twins possessed, but he also had a hint of something else hidden deep within his amber irises. "K-Kaoru?" I asked quietly with confusion. What was he doing here?
Kaoru's smile faltered slightly at the mention of his name, as if the fact that I knew it was him either bothered him or scared him. "Hey, Soymi. Ready for lunch?"
I cocked my head to the side. I always had lunch in an empty classroom by myself, what did he mean by 'ready'? Did he expect me to be eating with him? I nodded my head slowly, still unsure of what he meant.
"Great," He said, looping his arm through my own, "let's go, then."
Kaoru pulled me, or should I say dragged me, to Music Room 3. The schoolmates we passed by sent us confused and shocked looks as we zigzagged through the maze that was Ouran. After almost tripping over my own feet and stumbling along the corridors, we finally reached the room. Rose petals danced around the two of us, blocking my vision for a moment, and then my surroundings became clear. The boys of the Ouran Host Club sat in various spots around the room, glancing at Kaoru and I in the entrance. Some had looks of confusion, others with looks of shock, and one other who's gaze was situated on Kaoru's arm linked through my own.
"Soymikou?" Tamaki questioned softly. I waved hesitantly at the blonde, earning a grin in response.
"Soy-chan!" I heard Mitsukuni exclaim loudly before running over to me and pulling me from Kaoru's grasp, distracting me from Tamaki. "I'm so glad you're here!" He said while tugging my hand. "Come eat lunch with Usa-Chan and me!" He looked up at me with a smile that could probably solve world peace; his brown eyes were lighter than usual, almost the colour of a hazelnut.
"O-" I began, but was cut off by my other hand being grabbed and pulled in the opposite direction.
"Soymi is sitting with us today, isn't that right, Soymikou?" I turned to see one of the twins I recognized as Hikaru pulling on my wrist. My head went back and forth, from my cousin to the troublemaker. What do I do, what do I do? I looked around me for help; Tamaki was distracted and talking with Haruhi while Kyoya was engrossed by his computer screen. My eyes searched desperately for Takashi in hopes for his aid, but he stared at me impassively. I looked over at Hikaru and gulped, about to decline his offer and sit with Mitsukuni. "I-"
"It's okay, Soy-chan, you can sit with them. We'll sit together tomorrow." Honey spoke before I could. My head spun to face him, a look of disbelief flashing on my face before fading into a crazed look. Please, don't make me sit with them, I mentally screamed and hoped he would read from my expression. To my displeasure, Mitsukuni had already release my hand and was skipping over to Takashi who was seated at the table where Kyoya sat.
Hikaru's warm hand took mine as he led me over to the couch where Kaoru sat. I slowly sat down, still unsure whether or not this was some sort of trick or trap. Hikaru sat down after me, almost directly against me. My stomach began to churn as the two twins made a sandwich out of me, grinning at me scarily.
"Hello, Soymikou." They said together. I sunk back into the couch in attempt to either hide or distance myself from them as much as I possibly could, I wasn't sure which, but neither worked.
I sighed, giving up and sitting straight. "H-hi."
"How was your morning?" One twin asked, although he sounded disinterested. I turned to face him, and knew immediately it was Hikaru. I smiled inwardly, somehow enjoying the fact that the Hitachiin twins could annoy anyone they wanted and yet I could bother them by simply being able to tell them apart.
I took a deep breath and smiled. "It was good, Hikaru, how was yours?" I breathed out quickly.
His eyes flashed to mine and I felt Karou's body tense on my side. Hikaru looked away, his face becoming an expression of boredom, but I knew it was a facade. "It was fine, I guess. Pretty boring, actually." I just nodded in response, facing forwards again; still trying to ignore the knot in my stomach and the speed of my heartbeat.
"But..." Hikaru sang. I turned back toward him, a little confused that he kept the conversation going. I cocked my head to the side as I patiently gazed into his eyes. But something was off. I couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly, but Hikaru had something hidden within his irises as well. It wasn't the same as Kaoru, but it was there. And it made me realize that the Hitachiin brothers put on an act. The way they acted mischievously and bothersome and bored with anyone who wasn't themselves wasn't completely who they were- they each buried something inside them that they didn't want anyone to see. And it made me curious to know as to what it was that was so important to hide from even your closest of friends.
I wanted to know what it was.
"...how about that?" Hikaru's voice finished.
I blinked a few times, realizing I'd been staring at him the whole time. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks, most likely colouring them a scarlet red. "P-pardon?"
Hikaru rolled his eyes but smiled down at me. "I asked if you wanted to go to the park with me after school."
My brows rose so high, I thought they might've came off of my face completely. Hikaru wanted to go to the park. With me. Me. "Me?" I questioned, sounding quiet yet astounded.
"Yeah, meet me in the courtyard of the West building, okay?" He said, chuckling.
I nodded, still pink in the face with a heart beating so loudly I knew they must hear it somehow. Next to me, Kaoru had been silent the whole time. I looked over and saw him looking at his hands, deep in thought. Why was he being so quiet? Was something else on his mind? Was he angry with me? Before I could start to think of worse and worse possibilities- or just ask him, the bell rang, signalling the end of our lunch break and the return to our classes.