XXx Aya xXX

I rest my head on my desk in the middle of study hall. I am completely and utterly prepared to bang it there a few times just so the thoughts in my head are incoherent ramblings. Anything is better than the burning desire to chase away all the hoard of girls that are crowding around my fiancée at this very minute.

Pretending everything is normal turns out to be way harder than I expected.

Before it didn't really matter of Honey was surrounded by a bunch of girls. He wasn't mine, so I really didn't have the right to feel anything like this. But now…I have this paranoia that all his regulars know we're engaged and are doing this just to piss me off. But I know for sure that the only people who could possibly know are Mori and Kyoya.

But the thought of Kyoya knowing creeps me out even more than the thought of the entire student body knowing.

But then what can I really do about it?

Honey shoots me a small smile through a gap in the wall of girls, and I return it tiredly. Then the girls shift, blocking the small gap again.

I glace down at my ring…the one surefire thing that promises that every compliment he gives to those girls are polite, but empty all the same.

All I know is that school cannot end soon enough.

It wasn't until I got to my dance period that something happened to actually take my mind off my desire to snap at all these other girls. And in a way I think that's a good thing, because who knows what Kyoya would do if I cost the host club a few dozen customers.

It started out as any other day before the break.

I was stretching out in my normal corner when Nakoto-sensei waltzed into class literally seconds before the bell rang. Her black hair was pulled up in a sloppy bun at the top of her head her oversized tee shirt was hanging off her right shoulder.

She has a certain uncaring confidence that rolls off her body in thick waves. Normally people like that get on my nerves, but in a way, her ego is somewhat justified, since she actually is really good at what she does.

"All right!" she barks as she rolls up the legs of her sweat pants. "Hurry up and form a circle or whatever! The sooner I have your attention the sooner I can get on with life."

The huffing and sighs are suppressed as everyone settles into a clump in front of her sound system. It ends up becoming a crescent (much to sensei's irritation) and the normal cliques begin to form.

"Faster!" she growls as she changes from her street shoes to her dance pads. "I'm only going over this once!"

Every one settles in, all happy and chummy. And me? I'm still as alone as I was on the first day of school.

But that's not really the point…friends are overrated right? All they do is trick you into letting your guard down and then spill all your embarrassing secrets.

Or is that just my paranoia talking? I guess it is…because as nice as it is to have Honey and the rest of the club, I really find myself wishing I had a girl my age to talk to. But my best friend track record isn't really a good one.

The more I think about it, my options are really limited. I'm not really on the same wavelength as Haruhi. And I don't always get to see Akimi because she is after all, a maid. She does have to earn her keep around the estate.

And now I'm slowly beginning to realize how sad it is that my only real friend might just be a stuffed bunny. Well shit...

I sigh quietly as the last of the students settle down and Nakoto-sensei finishes plugging her phone into the system and faces us with her hands on her hips.

"I have an exciting announcement to make," she declares loudly. "The middle school is deciding to go all out this year for their Christmas Show and will be putting together a production of the Nutcracker Ballet. And we're going to help them out."

This time the groans are not suppressed. Nakoto-sensei shoots a withering glare at the students that she catches before moving on.

"We will be teaching the middle school dance department some pointe techniques, as that was our first unit of the school year."

Crap…I wasn't here for that…

"But Harano-sensei also need help to fill larger dance roles, so I'm going to volunteer five students in this class for those roles."

This seemed to perk the others up a bit, though it seemed they were more interested in where they supposedly ranked in the class than helping out at the middle school.

"So when I call your name just head to the middle school dance building for further instructions," Nakoto-sensei orders as she picked up a clipboard from her chair.

" Yoshida Akina."

A small first year gets to her feet nervously. She has long reddish brown hair that hangs down her back in a loose braid and bright jade green eyes.

I'm not really surprised she's the first to be called. Akina's parents are both professional ballroom dancers that are regulars on some reality TV series. She seems to have a natural affinity for dancing.

Just name any style and she can dance it like it's the most natural thing in the world. Even though outside the dance room she seems painfully shy, when she dances she has a charisma that's impossible to duplicate.

" Hosokoawa Setsuko."

A tall first year with jet black hair and mischievous blue eyes lazily gets to her feet.

She has a wiry and delicate build, but there are clear signs of power about her. Her arms and legs are thin like sticks. But not quite enough to take away from her aforementioned powerful aura.

I've heard she's the daughter of a Welsh actress and a famous Japanese actor. They met when they costarred in movie when they were both still young. I always hear other girls gush about it. It's the love at first sight story they dream of. The ultimate romance that very few people are lucky enough to experience.

I would have thought the same thing if I wasn't also aware they had divorced years ago. But funny enough no one ever talks about that. But Setsuko doesn't look like most outcomes of a divorced rich couple. She seems more interested in keeping an eye on Akina than having her parents trying to buy her love, which makes her ok in my book.

"Inoue Aiko."

The second year that stands up looks like the little mermaid.

Her cherry red hair doesn't have one strand out of place, and frames her intelligent hazel gold eyes neatly.

I've heard a lot about her. Her father is a film producer with high expectations for her to succeed him. She has the top scores for the girls in the second year, and I even heard a rumor her last test scores were only half a point lower than Kyoya's. And though his feelings about her seem indifferent, Tamaki constantly complains that she's the only girl in class 2A that doesn't attend the host club.

Smart girl alright, once you get sucked in there there's no getting out.

"Asukai Shiori."

A small girl in my year bounces to her feet.

She has long gingery hair that falls in waves down to her hips and large brown eyes that practically radiate a sense of naivety.

This is the girl who helped me out on my first day of art. And now I know why she was so helpful. The Asukai family is one of the biggest art dealers in the world. Not only are they experts on buying and selling, but they create pretty amazing pieces themselves.

You wouldn't really expect their heir to be so childish and sweet, but then again who am I to judge? She was nice enough to talk to me on my second day and smile at me on a regular basis, so I'm sure as hell not going to complain.

"Atsumi Amaya."

...Say what?

My body freezes as all eyes turn to me with looks varying from shock to anger and every other emotion in between.

My mind goes numb as I get to my feet slowly. Nakoto-sensei tosses her clipboard back onto her chair.

"Alright, skedaddle," she barks as she scrolls through her playlist for a warm up song.

I nod numbly at the ground before following my classmates out of the room. I don't know the way, so I trail behind the rest of them. They all fall into step together, and for the first time I realize they must all be kind of close.

The silence around us is made apparent whenever the wind blows through the trees. My mind is buzzing so loudly that I didn't even notice Shiori fall into step beside me.

"Congratulations."

My eyes flicker over to her and she smiles at me. It's sunny and warm, reminding me again with a sudden pang that I should try to smile back.

"Thanks," I reply in what I hope sounds like a steady voice. "You too."

"Well it's not much of a surprise to me."

I look up to see Setsuko towering over me, a sly grin gracing her lips.

"I've been waiting for this for a while."

"Huh?" I ask stupidly.

"Your dancing senpai," Akina says shyly from her place behind Setsuko. "You're good."

I try to keep my jaw from dropping. A Yoshida complemented me on my dancing. Now way. No fucking way.

"But I'm nowhere as good as you," I reply hastily. "You're the best I've ever seen."

"You're very kind," she replies as she steps out from behind her friend. "But it seems you're selling yourself short."

"She's right you know senpai," Aiko finally pipes up. "We all like watching you dance."

I feel my face flush and I look down at my feet. I'm obviously not going to win this argument.

"You know, you don't need to call me senpai," I mumble, trying to change the subject as quickly as I can. "Just Aya is fine."

"Ok then Aya-chan," Shiori says happily. "Hurry up! We have to help the middle school!"

"I swear you are entirely way to happy all the time Shiori," Setsuko huffs as she starts walking again.

"But isn't that why you love me Setsuko?" Shiori counters as she latches onto Setsuko's arm.

Setsuko gives her a genuine smile before ruffling her ginger bangs.

"Yeah I guess so," she says with a sigh before Shiori lets go of her.

"So what do you suppose these roles are?" Aiko asks as she delicately flips her long ruby hair over her shoulder. "Haven't you danced the Nutcracker before Akina?"

"Well yes," Akina answers. "But the only role I could think of would be the Sugar Plum Fairy. But if that was the case they wouldn't need five of us would they?"

"Well one thing's for sure," Setsuko sighs as she crosses her arms behind her head. "I'm sure as hell not going to be a snowflake."

When the other three burst out laughing I can't help but feel envious at the bond they seem to share.

I've never noticed before, but their different personalities mesh into a perfect jumble. They are at ease in a way they never seem to be around other people. They seem to complete each other.

And it just makes me jealous…knowing I've never had something like that.

"Aya-chan?"

I look up to see Shiori holding the door to the middle school dance room open for me.

"Ready?" she asks.

I feel the ends of my lips quirk up ever so slightly as she smiles at me.

"As I'll ever be," I reply before stepping inside.

XXX

I can't believe what I was volunteered for. I walk in a daze back to the locker rooms behind the other poor unfortunate souls stuck in the same boat as me.

It's overwhelming.

Over the course of the next two weeks we're supposed to learn five dances and then audition them to get a lead dance role in the show. Every other day…oh crap Kyoya isn't going to like this.

"I'm going to kill sensei one of these days," Setsuko huffs as she pulls her long raven hair into a ponytail.

"It's not like our whole life revolves around her dance class," Aiko says sharply. "I have a huge test coming up that I need to study for."

"Aiko do you ever do anything other than study?" Shiori asks.

"I think there's no hope of ever curing her of that," Akina says with a small smile. "Without that habit she just wouldn't be Aiko."

Akio smiles down at her before turning back to me.

"Are you ok? You've been quiet all this time."

I give her a weak smile before running a tense had through my bangs.

"I'm just trying to figure out what to tell my club members. They're not the type to let something like this just slide…" I trail off.

"Well then, we'll come with you," Setsuko says.

"You don't need to do that," I reply a little too quickly.

I'm a little happy that she offered, but if these girls are potential friends, the last thing I want to do is get them involved with the host club.

"It's no trouble," Akina says quietly.

"Sometimes in this school you need people to vouch for you," Aiko says with something that resembles a smile.

"We'll meet you here after school ok?" Shiori says before sprinting for the locker room.

I just stare after her in shock.

"Well she sure is eager," Aiko says before taking off after her at a slower pace. "See you later."

"Eager about what?" I whimper as Setsuko ushers Akina along.

"I guess she's just wants to find out what the rest of us want to know," she says.

"What's that?" I ask warily.

Setsuko just winks at me over her shoulder.

"Are you really just antisocial? Or are you just waiting for the right people?"

And with that she leaves me standing there in shock.

XXX

I press the skip button on my phone harder than necessary in my irritation. Even my choice in music seems to mock the fact that I still am having a rather shitty day. Now that's sad.

"Ah there you are."

I look up to see the four girls coming to a stop a few feet away from me.

"You sure?" I ask as I rest my headphones on my neck. "You really don't need to do this."

I was going to add a 'for me' at the end of that sentence, but I thought it would be best not to push my luck. Here's me assuming that they are in fact wanting to do something for me. Way to get ahead of ourselves now.

Setsuko just throws me a lopsided grin before nodding in the direction of the school.

"Lead the way."

I swallow the lump in my throat as my feet begin heading towards the school building, feeling slightly more at ease as I hear them break into a quiet conversation behind me.

At least they don't seem to notice where I'm taking them.

But sooner or later we find ourselves standing in front of the doors of Music Room 3.

"This is it?" Setsuko asks in a slightly wavering voice.

"Uh huh," I reply awkwardly. "Unfortunately."

"You don't really look the type to hang around here senpai," Aiko says tonelessly.

"I guess we were onto something," Shiori says with barley contained excitement in her voice.

"Senpai really is interesting," Akina says from her spot at Setsuko's side.

I feel my cheeks flush, but a smile quickly replaces it. I have potential friends, and now I get to see Honey. I'm not going in looking like I had a crappy day.

"Watch your face," I warn them before I throw the doors open.

XXx Honey xXX

My leg bounces underneath the table, tying to relieve my body of the anxiety building up in it. But it's not doing anything for me.

I begin to get a little worried when I find Aya isn't in the club room when I arrive. I don't feel my usual appetite as I stare down at my slice of strawberry cake.

Her last class is a lot closer to the host club than mine is, so of course with everything that's happened in the last few days, paranoia begins trailing its icy fingers up my spine.

But it's not just me…I've seen it in her eyes too.

It's lingered all day, varying in size and intensity. I want more than anything to just reassure her, to hold her like I've been doing the last two days. To just stroke her hair and be blanketed by her soft and subtle scent.

But I know that until we get back to the estate that would just make things worse.

Takashi shoots me a glance from across the table. The expression on his face treads the fine line between amusement and worry. I glance up to meet his eyes and the corners of his mouth pull his lips into a smile.

I roll my eyes and fight the feeling of a blush rising up in my cheeks.

He found out about my engagement to Aya last night, and actually didn't seem all that surprised. If anything he seemed almost ready to laugh. But I guess he's just a little worried for us too, because he's been a little stiffer than usual all day.

"Where did you two put todays costumes?!"

I look up from my plate to see Tama-chan emerging from the changing rooms with an irritated expression.

"There are no costumes today Boss," Hika-chan calls from across the room.

"Today we're going to model some pieces from our mother's new line," Kao-chan says as he pulls along a clothes rack stuffed with black garment bags.

"Oh…right," Tama-chan says. "Well get a move on! It's almost time to open!"

But just as the words leave his mouth the doors are thrown open and the petals start swirling.

Relief floods through me as I see Aya standing there in the doorway. But then I notice the four girls standing behind her.

XXx Author's Notes xXX

Finally getting into the twenties

lotsa love, Krystal