The next personal space issue wasn't so much a disturbance as a minor fluctuation in my regular routine.

Haruhi, in desperation to study for the final exams that were next week before school let out, asked if she could stay at my place for the weekend to study. Apparently, we couldn't do it at her father's, because he was having some friends over and from what I could tell from the information Haruhi gave me, he was... different. I didn't pry, but I did consider heavily having another person besides me in my personal space. I tried not to be biased in thought, breathing through my decisions and picking apart what could possibly go wrong. I also did like Haruhi very much, but I just wasn't sure if I was that close to her yet. However, I topped off my decision on my basis to be polite, so I said yes.

I was nervous, of course. I had no clue whatsoever how to act around society, but the week went fast and so did Friday afternoon, just like every other weekday. When we left the Host club right after another session, Haruhi followed me to my motorcycle. I paused. "Do you have everything you need? If you forgot anything, we can stop by the store and grab it before we head to my place." She shook her head. "Nah, I'm cool." I nodded in response and swung a leg over the motorcycle. Haruhi got on the back, but tensed up. I could understand; there weren't a lot of people who drove motorcycles, and she was definitely not one of them. I turned to her. "Do you trust me?" I said softly. She nodded, I nodded, and I revved the engine, tearing out of the parking lot. I did go slower than what was my usual limit, just so I wouldn't freak her out. As antisocial as I was, I wasn't a sadistic bastard who got off on other people's fear.

When we pulled in front of the motel, I held up a finger to tell her to hold for a moment as I went inside to see the owner, and slapped down money for another month. I came back out and Haruhi was standing next to the bike, and I motioned for her to follow. I unlocked my door with the keycard and stepped in, my nerves unwinding at the thought of being in a now-familiar place. "If you don't mind, I'm going to take a shower." I said to Haruhi, going to my closet and pulling out a pair of sweats and a tank top. She nodded. "Go ahead." Before I could go into the bathroom, though, she spoke. "Hey. If you want, you could stay with me and my dad. I'm sure he wouldn't mind." she said, shooting me a sympathetic look. I shook my head. "I'm fine here. I have more than enough money to pay to stay here. It's not an issue." An awkward silence fell between us. "That's not what I meant. I mean, don't you ever get lonely? You live all by yourself and despise any human contact. I was just wondering."

Now I paused. I could understand the reasoning behind her words, but I didn't know how to answer her question without making it sound like a total oxymoron. But I still tried. "Ummm... yeah, I guess I'm lonely, but it's better than not breathing half the time. People just scare me. Especially loud ones like Tamaki." I said, scratching the nape of my neck in thought. "I understand the benefits of having company, but the cons for me outweigh all those. I just have a hard time trusting people. No offense, but I'm not even sure if I trust you yet. My apologies." She nodded, and smiled. "It's ok. I understand. That's how I first was around people too, when I came to Ouran. And especially the Host Club."

Common ground! I could have whooped with joy, but that wasn't my style.

I tried to smile, but I just couldn't do it. I couldn't remember the last time I had smiled and it was literally almost painful for me to do so. A few minutes later I was once again relishing in the comfort of a hot shower, using my favorite watermelon scented shampoo. When I got out, I mopped up water that had spilled out onto the floor and combed my fingers through my hair, once again stopping short. I missed my long hair so much... I grasped the ends of my hair and pulled at them in frustration, needing my version of a security blanket when I was uncomfortable. But it didn't exist anymore, and this was how my hair would look for the rest of my high school career. I picked up a comb and ran through it quickly, then combed some in front so it would dry as the soft bangs that just barely hung in my eyes. I dressed in my tank and sweatpants and loped into the room, using a wireless hair dryer to fluff out my hair. Haruhi sat in the middle of the queen sized bed, examining her science notes with utmost concentration. I stopped. "We have a three day weekend, and we don't need to spend all of our time studying. How about we just chill for now, do shopping tomorrow, and study for Sunday and Monday?" Though obviously not one to procrastinate, apparently she thought it made sense and looked up with a smile on her face. "Sounds good to me, but I didn't bring any mon-"

"Stop worrying about it. I could think of few things better to spend my money on than a day with you."

I held up my hand as she opened her hand to protest. "You think too much. I'm fine with it, ok? You're my... um... friend. Yes, you are my friend." I stated, surprising myself that I actually wanted to spend time with someone. But if having a warm feeling in the pit of my stomach was what happened when I was with a friend, I guess I would have to spend more time with Haruhi. My confidence in my last statement grew, and I nodded my head vigorously to keep away any doubts that might show. I took the notebook from her hands and set her things next to my bag, feeling a weight had vanished from my chest. Speaking of...

"How do you hide under your uniform? Your chest is huge." said Haruhi.

Needless to say, I was thrown off momentarily by such a random statement.

I shrugged, and ran my hand through my hair. "At first, it didn't matter to me because I wasn't trying to look like a boy. But when everyone started thinking I was, I didn't want to get picked on or have a bad reputation for being a tranny, though I didn't need to be one to have bullies already. Especially since I joined the Host Club, it started to matter more so I wore smaller bras and camisoles, and the shape of the blazer took care of the rest, I suppose."

She nodded. "Makes sense. Does the TV work?" I loped over to the television, turning on the power button. I had paid extra to request DirecTV for my television, and bought a Wii for it, too. I figured I would be here long term, so I needed something to cure boredom. I handed her the remote and explained the mechanics, letting her choose what she wanted to watch. I also let her know that the fridge was full of food, and regardless, I ordered pizza with the cash that I had left in my wallet. We would have to take my car tomorrow if we were going shopping...

For the most part, we were silent that night; however, when I suggested we go to bed when the clock reached about two in the morning, I shut off the light and set up a blanket and pillow on the floor, letting Haruhi have the bed. She offerred to let me have it, but I refused, saying she was the guest. She insisted that I at least share the bed with her, which I also rejected, and she caught on. To make things even more uncomfortable, Haruhi asked me something I really did not want to answer.

"What happened that first day of school? When you first came?"

I froze, wondering what to tell her. As trustworthy as she seemed, I didn't know if this was an appropriate subject and I was almost certain I would end up crying if I said anything. I had not been the first relationship abuse case, but he had been awfully brutal. As much as he deserved it, I didn't want to make waves. I just wanted to move on, but then again, this was an opporunity to relieve my conscience. I gulped, nervous, and my voice lowered to a barely audible whisper. "An ex boyfriend of mine. He was getting too violent with me, and when I went to his house to tell him we were breaking up, he went crazy. He beat me down and I guess one of his neighbors heard the commotion and called police. I woke up three days later in the hospital, and it was supposed to be my first day at Ouran. I have a deathly fear of hospitals and a lot of other things, and the last thing I needed was to stay in one. So I left, and found that I was late for school. When I got there, I met you and the twins first period. I was in the courtyard for lunch, and a group of guys were bullying me.
I can't hurt anyone, I'm just not that kind of person. I don't like blood either, and it makes me really sick. I had no idea what to do... but you can fill in the dots for me. When I got home, I found my house burnt to the ground. It's way back in the woods, so I can understand why no one noticed, but not why the trees didn't catch fire. A coincidence, I suppose. I attract bad luck like a karma magnet."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"I don't go looking for trouble. It comes looking for me. I just want to be left alone."

I guess Haruhi nodded. "I feel like that sometimes too."

Silence followed, and I heard snoring, so I assumed she had fallen asleep. So did I...

I sighed as I circled the rim of my cup with my fingertip, which held french vanilla cappucino. He knew it was my favorite flavor, and he had set it in front of me with a smile on his face. I really hated to break his happy mood... he looked so jubilant. Maybe he was finally starting to change. No, I thought. That's what you said to yourself last time. And what happened then? I twitched. Sometimes my own mind made more sense than I could as a whole.

"We're over."

My heart skipped a beat as his face contorted; happiness fell into confusion, loss, and anger.

"You can't say that!" He yelled, pounding his fists on the table, a vein in his temple looking fit to burst.

I flinched, cowering away. "I can't do this anymore... I'm sorry..."

In a flash, he was across the table, knocking me off of the chair and pinning me to the floor.

"You can't leave me! The only way you're getting out of this is if you die!" he screamed, brutally smashing my face with his fists, aiming punches at my stomach. I coughed, blood spurting through the air onto his face. It almost blended in with his skin, he was so beet red. I kicked him between the legs and threw him off, staggering towards the door. He recovered quickly, and pounced on me, knocking me to the floor. He violently kicked me in the stomach, and didn't stop until I couldn't move. I thought this bout of anger had passed, and he left the room. This reprieve was short-lived, however, and he came back with a knife in his hand. With what strength I had left, I screamed as loud as I could...

I shot up, sweat beading my forehead as I struggled to calm my labored breathing. I grasped my throat with my right hand, trying to vanquish the panic that arose and threatened to engulf me. I stood, walking to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. I tried to make out Haruhi's figure in the dark, but I didn't see anything. I stopped, and walked over to the door of the bathroom. A crack of light was coming from between the frame and door, and I pressed my ear up against it, hearing the shower running. I sighed in relief, glad I hadn't lost her; as improbable as it was, I would have felt guilty had she wandered off or had gotten kidnapped. I went to my closet and grabbed a blue tee with black skulls and rhinestones. I wrote a note to Haruhi saying I was going for a walk, and grabbed my bottle of water. I put on a pair of converses and left the motel, locking it behind me, the cardkey in my pocket. Just a precaution so no one would go in and take Haruhi. I noted that I was excessively protective, and I guess that's what happens when you make a friend.

I ran right out of the parking lot, down the highway for a couple of miles. I ignored the fire in my legs and the ache in my ribs and pushed myself. Evil in the world was not taking a break, not for one day, so neither did I. I tried to divide my water equally among miles and time stretches, and it was still gone by the time I made it back to the hotel, shortly before two. I panted, bent over, hands on knees, and slid the card into the knob.

Naturally, as fate dictates, nothing whatsoever normal awaited me.