Chapter One
I awoke from my dream with a jolt. Sweat was pouring down my neck and back, and the boat was lurching underneath me with such force, I was almost thrown from my cot. I felt rather sick and was beginning to rethink my decision about not eating breakfast that morning…
Running the back of my hand across my brow, I wiped the sweat off and crossed the room to my tiny dresser, putting on more suitable clothing. Today would be the day I would finally get off this wretched ship and step foot on solid ground- the solid ground of Japan. I smiled to myself in the mirror of my vanity as I brushed my long, gnarled hair and attempted to arrange it into a nice half-up 'do.
At last, my hair listened to me and lay on my head in the way I wanted it to. Sighing at myself and thinking, 'This is as good as it's gonna get…' I wandered into the hallway, suitcase in hand, and found the captain of the ship standing at the wheel.
"Good morning, Captain! How long will it be until we're ready to unload?" He chuckled at the anticipation in my voice and waved me off, turning back to the wheel.
"No more than an hour, I would say. We've had great sailing weather so far, mademoiselle, so be thankful for that. We'll be on Japanese soil in no time, you'll see. So, if I may suggest…?" I nodded for him to continue, "Go get some breakfast. Jean-Paul made a fabulous Eggs Benedict dish this morning- you're boyfriend won't want to see you on an empty stomach…" He was joking with me, but my stomach gave a little flip-flop at his statement.
"Maybe it's best I follow your suggestion… Thank you Pierre." I bowed slightly and made my way to the kitchen. This was going to be a long hour…
When we finally arrived on Japanese soil, my breath was taken away. Japan was beautiful! For the first time, I could see why my saint had been so excited to travel to this country. The skies were clear and bright, and the people bustling about the docks were interesting, unique- nothing like the people I had grown up with in France.
As I stepped off the ship, I could feel the stares coming from some of the teenagers and elementary students around me. I didn't look like them. I wasn't one of them. I could hear their whispers and their excited claims of my being a foreigner. It was weird, but I could handle it. I had spent almost half a year on a ship; I could do anything. I gave my last goodbye to the Captain and his ship-hands, and made my way to the small house my parents had purchased for me. They didn't necessarily approve of my adventure to find my saint, but at least they had cooperated. Of course, my parents and I weren't on great terms… We never had been. They were always busy with work; they never had much time for me.
After I had gotten settled, I put on my new uniform: a long, light yellow dress. It was long-sleeved, which was crazy in this heat, but it rather flattered my figure. I didn't mind it, but it was a little too frilly for my own personal tastes. But, I guess that's why they call it a uniform, right? I thought, it's not supposed to fit your personal tastes… I called for a car and was transported to my new school, Ouran Academy. It was huge, almost like a castle. The hallways were empty when I arrived, seeing as it was time for the students to be in class, but I somehow got the feeling that I was being watched. Shaking the feeling off, I made my way to my classroom, 2A.
My heart pounded in my chest as I reached for the handle, coming to a complete stop as it opened for me. I came face to face with a gorgeous blonde male, his violet eyes capturing me and taking me back to France when I was young. I stared at him breathlessly as he exclaimed,
"Oh, I'm sorry, Princess! I didn't know that you would be on the other side of the door." He gave me a once-over and took a strand of my hair between his fingers, bringing it to his face intimately. This was it! He knew it was me! "I don't believe I've seen you here before…"
"I'm new," I whispered, wishing that my voice would just stay calm, unlike my heart. "From France. My name is Antoinette DePaul." Please let him remember me…
"Antoinette…" My heart squeezed in anticipation, "That's a beautiful name! Well, Princess, I can assure you that you will have a splendid time at Ouran Academy! In fact, my friend Kyouya and I will make sure of that. We will be your personal guides for the remainder of the day- which means you must allow us to show you the Host Club." My heart sunk with every word he spoke. He didn't remember me. It had only been a few years, but he had completely erased me from his memory… I felt like such an idiot.
Trying not to cry, I nodded and whispered, "Sure. That sounds nice." And with that, he squeezed past me, saying that he would be back. He was going to the infirmary for a moment. I sucked up my feelings, tossed them aside, and strode into the classroom with my head held high. I would make Tamaki Suoh remember me if it was the last thing I did…
