I told Haruhi that I wouldn't be able to go with her to the club today, but I'd be there to pick her up right after and then we could go home. I had to meet with the chairman and discuss my schooling and sports scholarship.

Walking into the dimmed clubroom I overheard Tamaki ranting about Haruhi and how she could be so popular with the ladies when she was one. Then things got worse when Tamaki pulled out a photo of her with long hair and things really heated up. I stayed in the background like usual awaiting my moment. Then one of the twins asked if she'd had any formal dance experience. I made my appearance then, telling Haruhi everything would be ok.

As I walked Haruhi home we discussed how she'd practice dancing. It was quite amusing, but I didn't let her know that. I was just glad they hadn't asked me to help her since our heights would be off since I was 5'6" and she was 5'1". Plus, I couldn't dance very well. At least, I had never tried to dance.

Over the next few days, Haruhi practiced with this sweet girl while I watched her. She was getting better, but she lacked confidence. Kyoya often kept me company during my visits. Today was a bit different though. The twins decided to keep me company instead.

I learned to tell them apart quickly since both were very different even though I didn't let on I knew the difference. Hikaru spoke first like usual. "Are you going to come to the party Ayako-sempai?"

I laughed him off nervously. "M-me, go to the dance? Haha, I uh…can't. That is to say, I've never really tried to dance. Besides I'm an athlete, a major tomboy. I don't own anything fancy since I've never needed them."

They both looked at me shocked. I then realized the other hosts were listening in. I panicked. "Uh, it's not a big deal or anything, really I'm fine. Thank you for asking me though, I'm touched."

Kaoru then asked. "Do you want us to teach you?"

"But Kaoru what about me?" Hikaru asked playing up their act.

Instead of finding it attractive I thought it was funny and cute. "Aww you two are so cute. I couldn't possibly come between such a bond. Besides, you all need to focus on Haruhi. Well, it's time for me to head on out."

I glanced over to Haruhi. "Hey Haruhi, I'm going on ahead meet ya at the gates."

She nodded and knowing she'd heard me, I grabbed my bags and walked out. I had no idea that by me opening up to the twins, with the others listening in, that my world would soon change much like Haruhi's.

The night of the dance I was over at Haruhi's helping her get ready. We made it to the school with plenty of time to spare. Unfortunately for me it was planned this way. "Uh Haruhi…where's everyone? I thought the guys would have been here already."

Haruhi was never good at lying to me, so she didn't even try. "Well, you see…the guys want you to dance…"

Before she could say anything else the twins grabbed me and flung me into the back room where they threw me into a chair and started on my hair and makeup. My hair was nothing special it was an auburn color and fell to the middle of my back mostly straight with just a hint of a wave. I wondered what they were going to do with it. Then my thoughts wandered to the makeup. My eyes were the only thing I thought stood out about me. They were a pale magenta with a darker ring of magenta around the edges.

When they were done I wasn't allowed to look in the mirror. Instead they rushed me into a dressing room and threw a dress to me. I sighed, but complied with their wishes. When I put the dress on I was thankful it wasn't poofy or anything. Instead they went with a simple silver dress that reached a little above the knee. It had thin spaghetti straps and a shimmery shawl to go over my arms. The heels they provided weren't too high, thankfully, more like half-inch heels.

"Don't laugh guys. I don't even know what I look like." I said pulling back the curtain.

I was met with silence. I didn't dare look at any of them as I was afraid of their expressions. Thankfully Haruhi came to my aid. "Wow Ayako…you look amazing."

I blushed at the compliment. "Y-you don't have to lie to me Haruhi. I know I look ridiculous."

The twins became enraged. I still hadn't opened my eyes, but I could feel their hands on my shoulders pushing me somewhere. Then Kyoya spoke up, "Be easy on her guys. I have a feeling she's not used to this sort of thing."

I scoffed. "Of course I'm not. I've always been one of the guys. No guy ever looked twice at me and now you expect me to believe I'm even remotely pretty! You have to be crazy!"

Mitsukuni softly whispered, "Trust us Aya-chan. We wouldn't lie to you or make you look bad."

His softly spoken plea got to me. I conceded, "Fine, give me a mirror then."

The twins laughed. "We've got one better. Open your eyes." They said in unison.

Doing as instructed I slowly opened my eyes to see a full length mirror in front of me. I was shocked to say the least. Is, is that me? It can't be. I walked over to the mirror and gently ran my fingers over the image. "Is-is that me?"

Haruhi walked over nodding. "I always knew you were pretty Ayako, but now you're beautiful."

Blushing I looked down at my feet. "Haruhi…" I whined.

Tamaki barged in then. "Men, come on! The girls are starting to arrive where's…"

Before he finished Kyoya interrupted. "We were just finishing things here Tamaki."

He looked over at me, but I had no idea since my eyes were trained on the floor. I felt myself being lifted into the air and being swung around by Tamaki. "You're so cute!"

I was starting to understand how Haruhi felt. "T-Ta-Takashi…help…me." I begged not knowing why I had called for him.

Before I knew it I was in the strong arms of Takashi. I finally looked up to thank my savior, but stopped. I realized then how close I was to him and stuttered out, "T-thank y-you."

"You're welcome." He gently placed me on my feet.

Looking around I saw the other hosts were blushing when they looked at me. Was I that different? Finally Haruhi broke the awkwardness by walking up to me and taking my hand, we all went out to enjoy the party then.

The hosts danced the night away with their guests. I stayed back like usual and tried to hide. I had the misfortune of running into the other males at the party and each one asked me to dance. I tried to deny many of them, but they wouldn't hear of it. Eventually I conceded but blushed when I realized my mistake.

"U-umm, I don't…know how…" I couldn't finish my sentence.

The guy who had brought me out onto the dance floor laughed hard at me. "What…you mean to say you can't dance or you don't know how?"

I knew he wasn't being funny, especially given his tone. He was being mean towards me. I went from being my shy, timid self to my outgoing side in the blink of an eye. "I don't find it very funny!"

I hadn't realized I had grabbed a few others attention. I continued on, "Just because I've never danced before gives you no right to laugh at me or judge me! What kind of gentleman are you?!"

I felt a hand grab mine. Looking over I saw Mitsukuni holding it tightly in his. Takashi was hovering behind me. "Guys, it's ok. I have it under control."

Mitsukuni spoke up and not so gently. "I don't think you should be here. I don't like people who are mean to my friends."

I blushed as I couldn't believe they could consider me a friend. Especially knowing that we hadn't known each other that long and they were really only friends with Haruhi.

Takashi had grunted his reply signifying his response matched Mitsukuni's. The guy left with scared eyes and not so much as another word was said. Everyone went back to dancing like nothing had happened. I looked up at Takashi. "Thank you Takashi."

I gripped Mitsukuni's hand a bit tighter as I glanced down at him. "Thank you too Mitsukuni."

Mitsukuni beamed up at me. "No problem Aya-chan! Takashi was worried about you so we came to help."

I blushed madly at that. "Thank you…not many have ever done anything like that for me before."

"Hey Aya-chan, can I ask you something?" Mitsukuni asked.

"Sure."

"Why do you call us by our names? You can just call me Honey and call Takashi Mori."

His question was simple and easily answered. "Well, to be honest I don't like using nicknames very often. But I'm sorry if I offended you or Takashi. If either of you want I'll start using your nicknames."

"Call me Honey!" Honey exclaimed excitedly.

"Ok, and for you?" I asked looking up at Takashi.

His silence got to me and I looked away first. "It's ok; you don't have to answer me. I'm just going to go ahead and leave now, so I don't cause any more trouble. I'll just come back to pick up Haruhi. Oh and tell the twins they really know what they're doing, ok?" I spoke to Honey.

He nodded his head and climbed up Takashi. As I was walking out, I felt someone grab my arm forcefully and I looked up to see the guy from earlier.

"You think you can embarrass me in front of everyone and get away with it?! Just because you sleep around with the Host Club doesn't mean anything!"

I had had enough of this guy. Without a second thought I decked him square in the jaw. "Now you listen to me! I don't sleep around! I'm nothing to the hosts or the Host Club! The only reason they're nice to me is because I'm a part of Haruhi's family!"

I knew I was drawing a crowd, but I couldn't help it when I lost my temper. "Do you really think anyone's going to be interested in a girl like me?! I'm an athlete, a tomboy! I'm never going to even compare to any of the people that go to school here, but I try and that counts for something!" I didn't voice that I'd never be able to be out from Haruhi's shadow because that was something I'd rather her never find out about.

Before I could go on Kyoya intervened. "I think you've overstayed your welcome."

The guy then made a move I'll never forget. He went to hit me. I was going to move, but I saw someone get in the way and brought the guy down hard. It was none other than Takashi.

Tamaki spoke up. "A true gentleman never strikes a lady or acts in such a manner. You will leave now."

I was shuffled away from the scene by Haruhi, who left me alone by an empty table. I was so enrapt with my thoughts I didn't notice when someone sat down next to me. When I finally snapped out of it I realized it was Takashi who was sitting next to me while Honey was eating cake. "Thank you for protecting me Mori." I decided to try out his nickname for a change.

"Takashi." I heard his deep voice state.

"Excuse me?" I asked making sure I wasn't hearing things.

"Call me Takashi."

"Bu-but I thought only Honey could call you…"

"Normally." He said interrupting me.

I blushed at him. "Well then, thank you Takashi."

He blushed only slightly then Honey ran up and jumped onto his shoulder. "Takashi was saying that you should come and dance Aya-chan."

I hid my face in my hands trying to block out that thought. "I-I can't Honey, I told everyone I can't dance. That and after what just happened…I really shouldn't."

Without skipping a beat Takashi stood up, grabbed my hand, and led me out on the dance floor. He did most of the work and I was trying hard not to mess up. With him I seemed to glide easily enough. "Oh wow…thank you again Takashi. This is amazing." I awed.

His blush and grunt in reply made my stomach flutter. Then without any warning he was gone. Looking around the other hosts were gone too. Oh, so then that means they must have something planned.

A few minutes later they came back and announced the winner and that Haruhi was to give the kiss instead of Tamaki. The real shocker was when Tamaki inadvertently pushed Haruhi into the girl's lips instead of her cheek. I knew that if Ranka found out he'd be furious. Thankfully, Haruhi didn't seem too upset about giving her first kiss to a girl. The night ended on a good note at least and we left for home.