I know this is a bit short, and it's been a while.
School. We all deal with it.
And just to clarify, Ame started Ouran at the beginning of the second term.
Which begins early September.
So she has been there for almost two months.

"So, this is the place?" I asked as Haruhi and I stepped out of the car. The apartment building was moderately sized, two floors, and whitish on the outside. A few people meandered about, and one of them waved hello to us.

She nodded as we approached the steps to the second floor, fishing around in her backpack for a key. "It's not very big, but it's just me and my dad. We don't need that much space."

"Don't worry about it. I don't really care how big your place is." I shrugged.

Haruhi finally located her key, and opened the door to the apartment. The inside was fairly plain, with a small kitchen, tatami mats on the floor and screen-style doors leading off to who knows where. We left our shoes in the doorway and dropped our bags nearby. "Want some tea?" Haruhi asked, gesturing to a silver kettle that looked like it lived on the countertop. I nodded, and she set about making it. About ten minutes later, we were seated at the low table in the living room.

"So..." I trailed off.

"Kind of awkward, right?" Haruhi wondered. I let out a half laugh, she was right. While it had been nearly two months since we met, Haruhi and I had never had an extended conversation with just the two of us. We sipped our tea in silence for a moment, wondering what to say. Finally, Haruhi set down her cup and looked at me. "If you don't mind my asking, what are you going to do about your mother?"

I stiffened at the question, ready to shout that this was none of her business, but I held it in. "The She-Devil," I paused, trying to keep an even tone, "I can do nothing about at the moment. She'll come when she's ready. When the time is right."

"When would that be?" Haruhi waited for a reply, but I was done.

"I'd really rather not go into it. Agonizing over what she may or may not do will only make things worse." I stared angrily into my tea, as if the minuscule flecks of leaf in it had caused all my problems.

"I know it hurts to talk about your mom. But holding everything inside won't make it any better. We can't grow stronger on our own." Haruhi advised, with a sudden burst of wisdom.

"Like I said back at school: she'll want to strike where she can hurt me most. I don't know what's been going on in her head these past years, so I don't know what she thinks the best time will be. All I can do is brace myself for the confrontation." I said flatly.

I heard Haruhi let out a small sigh. "Ame..." I didn't say anything, but I met her eyes. "You're right about worrying. We can't do anything about your mom now. So what can we do?"

"I don't know...Wait!" In all the excitement this afternoon, I'd forgotten that I had another problem. One girl who was going too far into my business for her own good. "Ayanokoji."

"What about her? You haven't spoken for weeks."

It took a moment to explain to Haruhi what had been happening over the past few days. She listened silently, nodding every now and then. Her eyes narrowed when I told her about the words Ayanokoji had spoken in the hall. "So we need to create some sort of cover story to throw her off my trail." I finished.

"Is that what you wanted to ask Hikaru and Kaoru about?"

I nodded. "The fake story has to be realistic, but so dramatic that it'll make her stop looking. And I have to make it seem like I really didn't want whatever I was 'hiding' to be revealed. She'll want it to be humiliating."

"Why give her what she wants? It doesn't really seem like your style." Haruhi asked. "I'd think you would want to find something she is just as desperate to hide, and use it against her."

That is a good idea..."But we don't have the time. We need to start laying a trail for her immediately."

"What did you have in mind?"

For a few minutes, Haruhi and I discusses possible cover stories, reasons for a reveal, and ways to make it dramatic. She wasn't all that much help in the drama department, but she did come up with an alternative to my scars. It was a skin disease called vitiligo, which caused loss of color in the skin. It couldn't be that hard to recreate with a little makeup. As for my gloves coming off, getting one of them snagged on something was a believable idea.. Now, for the reveal, there need to be plenty of witnesses. A party, maybe?

"Halloween is only a week away." Haruhi commented when I made the suggestion. "I think I heard Tamaki nagging Kyoya about some sort of celebration."

"That's perfect." Huh, I completely forgot what time of year it was. "We need to bait Ayanokoji into coming. Open invite for the students, maybe?"

Haruhi nodded. "And you'll want to start dropping hints."

"So, a Halloween party with an open student invite and very good publicity. Sounds like a plan!" I held up my hand for a high five. Haruhi returned it with a small smile.

I may not be able to deal with her right now...But Ayanokoji is one problem I can fix.

The next morning, I looked in the mirror and grimaced. This...fucking...dress! I was wearing the Ouran uniform, with white tights, gloves, and scarf.

"You don't have time to change, Ame. We're going to be late!" Haruhi called, already halfway out the door. And the reason for that, well...I really didn't want to wear the Ouran dress.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" I grabbed my bag from the floor and rushed out after her. Her father (Who I thought was pretty cool) mumbled a sleepy goodbye as the door shut behind us.

We hurried down the steps. The day was clear and a little chilly. Soon I wouldn't be the only scarf-wearing student at Ouran, I realized. We hadn't even gone a hundred feet before a car pulled up beside us. "Need a ride?" A voice called from within.

"Kaoru!" I exclaimed.

"Hey, I'm here too." Hikaru pouted. "The boss told us to come get you. That's a nice outfit, Ame." He added with a snicker. I flipped him off, but didn't say anything.

"Cool. I didn't like the thought of running the whole way." Haruhi informed. We got in the car, and I smoothed down my skirt before sitting. If I didn't take care of this stupid dress, Kyoya would probably make me regret it.

"So." I began, "What do you two know about a Host Club Halloween party?"

"We're definitely having one." Kaoru answered, "Why?"

I explained my plan to them. The twins nodded in unison, excited smirks growing as I revealed each step. "So, think we can do it?" I asked when I was done.

"Oh yeah." They answered in unison, with grins to match.

"We'll fool her." Kaoru continued, "Ayanokoji has no idea what's coming to her."

And nor does Ame.
Just to warn you, we only have about four chapters left.
Plus the epilogue. And in those four chapters,
EVERYTHING will be resolved. Chew on that till next time, kiddies.
Oh, and I have a question: Masquerade or full on costume for the party?