I heard squealing. Fangirl squealing to be exact. Only a week in the host club had made me pretty adept at recognizing it. So when his hands were gone and his warmth had left I opened my eyes to discover two girls who looked somewhere around my age getting a little to close to comfort, leaning against his sides. He looked up to me with wide guppy eyes, but as one of them put her hand on his chest, and the other turned his chin with her finger, he turned his gaze away from me. I swallowed a sudden lump in my throat, my hands falling to my sides. Muddled at their sudden prescense, I watched for a second as they pushed him back towards the crowd gushing coquetishly in his ears. A shiver went down my back as he gave me one last look before they got lost in the crowd.
Are you kidding me?
I let out an annoyed sigh, folding my arms over my chest.
Of course. The jerk left me for some vamps.
I huffed, probably more upset than I should have been.
A sudden feeling of self consciousness came over me. I tucked a stray hair behind my ear and bit my knuckle. I was about to turn around when abruptly a hand gripped my shoulder making me jump at the sudden contact. A slender figure waltzed over in front of me, hands on their hips, lips contorted into a glossy gross smirk. My eyes widened in fearful surprise and I sucked in a sharp breath. It felt as if someone had dropped a bombshell in my stomach. There she was. Pinstraight black hair set free and dressed short electrifying bluish green dreas that just made her pointed gree even more intimidating. In the back of my head I knew this would happen. I've had nightmares about it. They were the thoughts that lingered in the back of my head whenever I passed the stairs at school. She was the last voice I heard, the last evil smile I saw before her gang of assailants came down on me, leaving me scarred and bruised physically and emotionally. Her smile grew as she realized I had recognized her instantly.
"Katayama Mayumi.." She said slowly, as if trying out the name for the first time. She looked me up and down leisurely stepping closer to me. I held my forums as best as I could, keeping my chin up. "It's been a while.." Her hand left her hip and went up close to my face making me flinch, as she grabbed a loose hair and twirled it around her finger. "But I know you've been fine. Actually better than fine." She said making a face.
I closed my eyes for a second and breathed. I can't let her make me scared. "What do you want from me?" I asked steely gazing at her.
"Why would I want anything of yours?" She said with a repulsed look. "You think you won didn't you? You think that now that you have their attention for a while that they actually care about you? That they'll protect you?" Her fiery glare intensified. "Let me tell you, you little freak that your just a game. Why on earth would they care about a stupid little freak like you that can barely choke out a word?" I bit my lip, my fear suddenly burning into anger.
"You have no id-" I began with my fists balled to the sides. However she spoke over me.
"You're a freak. A psycho. A loner. Do you know what that means? It means you don't have friends. Why would be they want to be friends with a basketcase like you? Can't you see it? Can you clear your thick little head for just a second and realize that they're just playing with you? Your just a strange little toy that they picked up because they were bored. And trust me. They're going to get tired of your dull existence." This time I couldn't hold back the prickling behind my eyes. I bit my lower lip as hard as I could to stop the dam of tears from breaking. It hurt. As much as I tried to ignore it, it hurt because it was true.
She straightened up, and traded her malicious scowl for a clipped smile full of evil intentions. "Are you going to cry?" She said with false sympathy. She picked up a half drank glass of champagne, and got a little closer before tipping it in her fingers and letting it slide down the front of my dress. I moved away quickly but she threw the rest of it on me and tossed the glass to the floor behind me.
"What is wrong with you?" I managed out of my mouth angrily in a gruff voice as a tear spilled over and ran down my cheek.
"Oh what's wrong with me? Nothing. I'm where I should be. But you little wench obviously don't know where you belong. You belong with your scum friend, not anywhere near a host. I promise, no, I swear I'll get you again, this time worse and nobody will save your disgusting little bloody figure..."
Hikaru's POV:
I watched a hurt look cross her face, looking me in the eye, almost betrayed. For a second I went weak, words failing to reach my mouth as these two random chicks, who, might I add, were a lot stronger than they let on, pulled me away from her.
"Hey Hikaru!"
"We're huge fans.."
"Do you recognize us? We go to the club everyday and..." They rambled on and on as they pulled me farther into the crowd of dancers, and then deeper in between tables.
"Um I appreciate it, really, but—"
"I love your eyes! Really they're so unique.." One quibbed.
"Right I've never seen anything like them.." Said the other pressing up close to me.
"I'm sorry but I was with someone." I said firmly this time shaking them off me. They jumped back surprised. I tried telling them nicely... I fixed my blazer and ran a hand through my hair, just about to walk past them, when suddenly they hooked onto my arms and planted their feet to the ground.
"Can't.. we just.. chat a little." One said struggling to keep a grip on me as I tried to carefully wiggle out.
"Let go!"
"Please.. just a while longer!" Said the other who had gotten in front of me and who was pushing me back into a chair. They were girls, and being raised by a woman herself, I learned one: to never hit a woman. And also two: never underestimate their strength. I tried my best to wither our of their restraint, but they pushed on persistently. Fine. We'll play your way. I relaxed and let them push me back into the chair, both holding down my shoulders, with elated grins on their faces when they succeeded. I sighed.
"What are you guys doing?" I asked exasperated, all host charm void from my mouth. They gave each other a guilty look before responding.
"We just wanted to talk to you for a bit.."
"Why are you with the maid girl? At her house?"
I looked at them miffed. "I told everyone that her name is Katayama-chan. Not maid girl. And why are you here? This is a private party." I said, although honestly I wasn't sure.
One girl crossed her arms in front of her chest. "We're here with Yumi-chan. Her parents were invited. Perfect timing, huh?" She said looking over to the other girl. I took the opportunity to run and practically flew off the chair. It took them a second to react, but a second to long. It was too late and I had pretty much lost them, as I made my way through the garden. I stretched my neck and looked up above the crowd, scanning for Katayama-chan. It took a second but finally I found her, her back facing me many feet away. She was talking to someone. A girl. Friend? Cousin maybe? They were still in the secluded corner where we had been dancing earlier. My lips twitched up at the memory. She was so close. Almost. Almost about to rest her head on my chest, in her dream-like reverie. She felt so small and soft and unguarded; so unlike her usual self. And I wanted her to trust me. In that moment I was sure I wanted her to trust me. To be a 'friend' like I told her before. But she was like me in that way, cynical. So stubbornly doubtful of mostly everyone.
I strode closer towards them. The other girls face became clearer and clearer, revealing a malign grin and eyes hinting of something more than just friendly conversation. Something wasn't right as I noticed Mayu's hand was just barely shaking. I walked a little faster, and was soon within earshot.
"..you again, this time worse and nobody will save your disgusting little self, understand minx? Watch your –"
"HEY!" I called out, my arms balled into steely fists. I couldn't touch her, but god I wanted to. The girls face blanched the moment she spotted the the source if the voice. All malice slipped from her face and was replaced by a doe-eyes look of shock. I rushed over, and took a hold of Mayu's quivering shoulder. I didn't have to look at her face to know she was crying.
"Hika-Kao-uh..! I had no idea you were here.." The girl spouted, looking everywhere but at my eyes.
"What the hell were you saying to Mayu?" I managed to grunt out, letting go of Mayu's shoulder and stepping closer to the girl.
"I-I was.."
"I don't know who you are, but your definitely not getting anywhere near the Host Club or Mayu for that matter, understand?"
"What? No-! I was just.."
"Just what?" I said. The girl stopped her fidgeting and stomped her foot, rage settling on her face.
"How can you defend her! She's such a fr-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence." I said grabbing her wrist that was pointing at Mayu and dropping it indignantly at her side. "Leave now or I swear you'll never step foot in Ouran again.." She tried to recompose herself, but there was an obvious look of intimidation as she turned around and left without a word.
My fists had lost feeling as I noticed they were still clenched. Looking down at my bloodied palm, I suddenly remembered something much more important. I turned around to find Mayu, she was still shaken, her eyes glassy from tears left unshed staring vacantly into the distance. Her arms barely covered her dress stained from some sort of liquid. She was biting her lip hard small blips of blood from the pressure. Otherwise from the obvious shaking hands, her makeup splattered face looked frozen.
"Mayu..?" I asked hesitantly after a few seconds. She didn't move.
"Mayu.." I said stepping closer this time, grabbing one of her trembling hands. I squeezed her soft hand in mine, and looked up to see tears starting to fall again, a steady stream against her cheek. "Hey.." I said pulling her closer, and she slowly collapsed in my arm, struggling.
"Let go.." She said in an airy voice weakly struggling to get out of my grip and trying to cover her face.
"It's ok.."
"Stop." She said. But it was her who stopped, and fell back against my shoulder. I felt her tears seeping through my jacket.
"C'mon.." I said and led her small figure towards the inside of the house. We squirted through the side of the crowd travelled quickly, to avoid questioning.
The music starts getting fainter and fainter as we walked into the almost empty house. There are a few adults here and there chatting, but we just ignored them as I searched for the bathroom. It was quite easy to find seeing that there was a long line of guys waiting just outside the door, looking just about ready to explode. She had poked her head out of my side and saw the long line. She sighed almost inaudibly and looked down the hall. She tugged my hand and led me to the end of the hallway where there was a wide staircase. She slipped off her heels and held them in her free hand while taking fast but quiet steps up the stairs. I followed along quietly and she whispered to me. "We're not allowed up here.." I blinked in response at he first words she had muttered.
She lead me all the way up, gingerly holding onto my hand. When the staircase ended there was another wide hall with doors on one side and a railing on the other side, that looked down to the front side of the house. She seemed to relax a little when she saw that it was all empty and continued to walk down the hall. When we reached one door to the middle and opened it to reveal a bathroom.
"You can go if yo–"
"No." I said with a little edge in my voice. It wasn't directed at her, but I was still enraged at the girl. Who would want make Mayu cry? Who in their right mind would want that? I refastened the grip of our hands and pulled her into the large bathroom, closing the door. I sat her down on the edge of the tub and she limply complied as I rummaged around the bathroom looking for tissues or a cloth.
Mayu POV:
I watched him fumble through the cabinets looking for something, but I couldn't seem to get words out of my mouth. I watched his face through the mirror carefully. He seemed kind of angry. I took in a deep breath and sat there not knowing what to do with myself. I felt numb. Strangely numb at the reality of what she had told me.
"Your a freak... Why would be they want to be friends with a basketcase like you?... Your just a strange little toy that they picked up because they were bored... They're going to get tired of your dull existence."
Tired. Were they getting tired? I wasn't the friendliest. Or the smartest. Or the funniest. Or the prettiest. I was just me. Mayumi. And maybe right now they didn't care but one day they would. They'd realize I was nothing more than just me. And for some reason I cared. I cared that one day they'd ignore me again and that one day I'd be nothing.. not even their damn tutor. I had gotten deep in over my head without even realizing.
All of the sudden, I heard a sigh next to me. Turning the slightest I saw Hikaru looking at me. When he saw I wasn't planning on turning any further, he took my chin in his hands and carefully turned my head to face him. I looked at him confused before he pulled out a small wet towel, and started to dab away at my face full of runny mascara and eyeliner. I blinked a couple times looking up at his face full of concentration. "You don't have to.." I began quietly but he seemed completely unphased by my words. I put my hands up to his and brought them away from my face. "Hikaru, I said–"
"I know, but I do have to."
"No you–"
"Yes. I do!" He said sounding almost exhausted. I just looked at him puzzled. "I do." He said quieter. "You don't believe me. I know you didn't believe me when I told you I wanted to be friends. I almost didn't believe myself. But you have no idea how angry I still am at that girl. You have no idea how fucking enraged I was when I saw you!" I was wide eyed at his sudden outburst. His cheeks were tinged red. I looked down at my hands and noticed that he was grabbing onto them. Tight. Eventually his gaze followed mine and he let go immediately. "Sorry. I just.. I did–"
"It's fine." I mumbled. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair seemingly frustrated. I watched him intently as he picked up the cloth again and began dabbing my bloodied bottom lip without a a sound. The silence consumed us. He was staring at his work and I was staring at his eyes. Those caramel eyes, always so full of something. But never as viciously honest as now. When he finished he set the cloth down on the side of the tub. As he did, I noticed small red cuts on his palms. He had seen me cry and as numb as a statue. At this point I had not a drip of shame left. The green eyed girl took it with her for the night. So, as soon as I saw the minor injury, I took his hand into my own and turned it palm side up.
"What happened..?" I asked, my voice just above a whisper. He stared at the hand too.
"I was clenching my fists and..." He had no need to finish. I pushed myself off the edge of the tub and opened up a wooden cabinet above the sink. Not really sure how to go about it, I picked up some gauze. I sat back down and began to wrap up his palm. I refused to look at his eyes and looked down at the hand in my lap.
"One day your going to realize I'm nothing more than an awkward geek. I'm just Mayu." I looked up when I heard a faint chuckle. He was staring down at me, the ghost of a smile on his face.
"I already realize that." I frowned, narrowing my eyes at him. "And I for some reason I like that. I like 'just Mayu'." I felt the blush that had been gone longer than usual creep up my cheeks, but looked back down to tie the guaze before he could see it. As I finished I set it back down on his lap and looked away. He shoved the other hand forward and finally I looked up at him in fake annoyance. There was a small grin lingering on his face. It was really no trouble. I looked back at the hand. As I started the other hand I knew I had one thing left to say.
"You're going to get tired of me."
"How can I get tired of this?" He quickly retaliated and lifted my face, pinching my rosy cheeks softly. I swatted his hand away as my I flushed even more. "Seriously, who blushes that much!" He playfully nudged me and I just lifted my freezing hands to try to cool it off. He just chuckled even more. "Don't worry. It suits you." He sighed out looking ahead. I let my hands fall and took his right hand again to finish tying it up. I sniffled and stood up flattening out the nonexistent wrinkles on my dress. There was still a nasty champagne stain on ot though.
"C'mon.." I said, although he was already getting up on his feet too. I opened the door carefully and peeked out into the hallway, Hikaru almost bumping into me. The coast was clear thankfully, and after looking down at the bottom floor from the railing, we walked out and I stopped in front of my bedroom door.
"I thought we weren't allowed up here." He said, his now thinly guazed hands stuffed into his pockets like usual. I was quiet for a moment, my fingers lingering on the knob.
"I trust you..." I said quietly and opened the door before he had a chance to respond.
XxX
Hikaru POV:
I sat on the edge of her bed, feeling a mixture of awkward and relief. She said. Quietly and quickly and without even looking at me, but she said it. And I knew she meant it. Now, she was in her closet looking for a clean dress to change into. I smiled at her quite decorated room. It wasn't exactly what I would have imagined. She had a flower calander and a bunch of posters of what seemed to be mostly American bands on her creamy colored walls. Perhaps that was what was always playing through the earphones that always seemed to be either permanently in her ears or hanging out of her pocket. There was a short bookcase on one said of the wall almost entirely filled with mangas and actual books, a flimsy orange stuffed dog sitting atop it. Although I itched to get a closer look at everything, I stayed at my spot on her light flowery bedspread.
She walked out of her closet barefoot, holding a short pale blue dress and creamy colored flats. "I'll change in the bathroom.." She murmured before stepping out of the room. I watched her go, my eyes intent on her face.
She still seemed a bit wary, but not of me. Whatever that girl had said to her, it seemed to have shaken her quite a bit. I knew she wouldn't tell me if I asked, and I didn't want to pressure her, but it was weird to see her so spooked by just one girl. I decided to brush it off and instead shot a quick text to my brother to let her friends know. Not a moment later Mayu reentered the room in the short pale blue dress. It wasn't nearly as extravagant as the first one, but this one seemed to suit her better in a way. It made her deep blue eyes stand out. She sat down next to me on the bed. She looked tired.
"That girl.. She was.. She.." She took in a deep breath, as if having trouble getting the words out. I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to say.
"She was like...the leader. Of the girls that beat me up." I looked at her again and saw that her eyes were getting glassy again. "She said she'd do it again. She said..she–"
"No she won't." She turned to me this time looking a bit alarmed.
"She will. I know she will and I–"
"I promise she won't." I said. Suddenly a familiar mischievous grin was forming on my face. "In fact, I can guarantee you she won't. I believe it's time for revenge!"
A few things..
1.) I dropped the f bomb in a T rated story.. Oops.
2.)I just realized it's been over a year and some of you are still with me, and I'm really thankful :) I know I suck when it comes to updating.. But..
3.) I updated the next week! Woohoo! Let's see of I can make it next week.
4.) I had fun writing this chapter! (I'm positive writing 'revenge' will be a lot harder but we'll see..) But I hope neither of them (especially Hikaru, it's hard to write from his POV..) seemed too OOC.
and finally..
5.) I don't know if I'm making it clear in my writing so I guess I'll just write it here: Hikaru does like Mayu. (Y'know like like..) But he thinks what he's feeling is a 'like' for her in the friendly 'like' way. He'll realize it sooner or later ;).
Ok that's about it.