It was Monday morning of their first week in Japan. Almond had met her Aunt, and she was sent the uniform for her school, and a list of books. They had already been out shopping, and everything was set up. Evangeline was busy organizing her new flower shop down the road, and Kitashi was still working on her third novel. Almond was busy practicing her Japanese, even though it was nearly perfect. Many people stared at her, a little taken back from the tanned girl with big silvery eyes, and the weird Canadian accent.
It was six in the morning. Almond had to leave at seven, and she had just gotten up. Her new bedroom was pretty plain, but she had managed to set most of her things up to suit her desires. With a yawn she brushes her hair, staring in the mirror across from her. She showered last night, knowing it probably would take her forever to get out of bed. With a stretch, she opens her small closet.
The yellow monstrosity was right in front, as she shudders. They sure had weird uniforms in Japan. With a sigh, she pulls it off the rack, pulling her crinoline on, examining the soft fluffiness of it. Then, she slides the dress over her head, adjusting it over the puffy crinoline. After fixing it up, she pulls her white stockings on, then the shoes.
"I'm amazed they don't tell you what underwear to wear," she mutters, looking back into the mirror.
She blushes at her reflection. Her curves were enhanced in this dress, and the yellow really enhanced her "assets". With a shudder, she examines her wild hair. It was curling at the ends and around the sides of her face but at least her bangs were being nice, falling lightly across her forehead. She leaves her hair as is, and applies her usual eye liner/mascara combo, but with a bit of silvery eye shadow to enhance her eyes.
With another loud yawn, she stalks out of her room, down the hallway, into the living area. Her mothers' and aunt were drinking tea, with a fourth cup set aside, for her, she assumed. Evangeline was the first to notice her.
"Ahh, you look absolutely stunning darling," Evangeline gushed, placing her hand over her mouth. Kitashi looks over as well and grins broadly.
"Beautiful lady," she smiles, moving aside for her to sit. Almond blushes and winks at her mothers', taking a seat beside Kitashi.
"Good morning Momo," her aunt, Kina, says with a bright smile, pushing the tea cup closer to her.
Almond picks up the cup and smiles. "Good morning, Aunt Kina." Her aunt pauses, and then smirks.
"You taught her perfect Japanese, I'm quite impressed little sister." Kitashi rolls her eyes and waves her hand dismissively.
"So, are you excited for school?" Evangeline asks, eying her daughter over her tea cup. Almond sips her tea and smiles at her mother.
"In other words, are you planning on being good in school?" Almond asks with a grin. Evangeline smirks and swats her daughters head playfully.
"Yes, exactly that."
Almond nods, noticing all eyes in the room were on her. "Yeah, I think I'll buckle down and actually try. You guys have done so much for me, I think it's time that I actually be grateful."
Evangeline and Kitashi both smile proudly.
"Well, I suppose you'd better get going. I'll drive you," Kina says as she rises to her feet. Almond nods, following suit.
"We're going early, because apparently the place is huge," Almond says, kissing her mothers'. "Have a good day, see you after school."
They both nod and smile at their daughter, as Almond walks out the door with her aunt.
After getting in the car, and setting down the road, does Almond sigh. Kina looks at her questioningly.
"What's up, Momo?"
"It's just, I'm really nervous. This school is so hyped up, and prestigious, I don't think I'll fit in," Almond says quickly, looking to her aunt for reassurance. Her aunt smiles warmly.
"Dear, I went to the school when I was your age. It is a marvelous place, and everybody is friendly," Kina says, throwing her a dashing smile. Almond smiles back and nods, her eyes now being drawn to the streets.
People were bustling around, now that they've risen from their slumber. Almond blinks and looks at the time. It was only twenty after six, and people were up and about.
"Early risers, starting the day at the crack of dawn," her aunt mutters, as if reading her mind. Almond nods dismissively, as the buildings soon begin to shrink away. Soon, a large field of trees, flowers and grass was in view.
Almond scrunches up her eyebrows in confusion, as she looks out the front window. Up ahead was a pristine, white, palace of sorts, laced with golden trim, and a golden sign. Her mouth dropped, as she shrunk into her seat.
This place was absolutely gorgeous.
Her aunt pulling up to the gate and looks at Almond, who was staring with her mouth open. She laughs and places her hand on Almond's arm.
"You'll be fine. Just go through the main doors, and keep going straight. The office will register you, and you'll get a timetable, and a map." Kina says with a grin. "Now get going."
Almond nods numbly, opening the door. Her books were sent to the school prior, so she wouldn't have to carry them. "I'll see you later, auntie."
"I'll be here at five. You'll have to stick around for about forty minutes after school, sorry about that."
"It's fine, have a good day," Almond says, smiling. Her aunt nods, and then drives away.
Almond has never felt any smaller than this, as she stared at the overpowering school. With a few awkward breaths, she walks up the cobblestone path, towards the large, elegant doors. She opens them, and steps inside.
It was deathly quiet, except for the sound of typing. Almond looks around, before walking in, pausing at the front desk. The plump Japanese woman glances at her, and then does a double take.
"Good morning, dear. How can I help you?" The woman asks, slowly, as if Almond wouldn't understand her Japanese.
"Good morning, ma'am. I'm Almond Hawthorne-Hanabi, the new student," Almond says, making sure to speak quickly, but clearly. The woman seems to get the picture, as she straightens up.
"Alright, that's A-… Almond, Hawthorne-Hanabi? Welcome to Ouran." The woman says, typing into the laptop. Almond nods, looking around. A few seconds later, the sound of a printer goes, as Almond looks over.
The plump woman scuttles from her chair to the printer, extracting three pieces of paper, handing them to Almond. She takes them, and reads over them.
"Your timetable, a map and a list of rules and regulations," the woman explains, as Almond looks over the map.
"Thank you, have a good morning."
The plump woman nods, resuming her work. Almond looks at the map.
After examining it, she walks up a large elegant spiral staircase, to one of the floors. She looks around awkwardly, before tucking the map into her pocket. She had two hours to get lost, so might as well get it over with. She walks down a random hallway, examining the names on the doors, as she walks blankly.
She has never seen this much Japanese in her life, and she felt a bit overwhelmed and intimidated. With a few looks around, she pauses in front of a door, leading to a music room. She blinks.
Almond used to play the piano when she was younger, Evangeline taught her. With an awkward glance around, she opens the door and steps in. She pauses as she hears voices, as they stop abruptly. Seven sets of eyes turned to her, some curious, others annoyed, but most blank.
"Ahh, I'm sorry," Almond panics, and then realizes she spoke English. She blushes and shrinks back. "I'm sorry," she repeats, in Japanese this time.
A boy with shaggy blonde hair, clutching a stuffed bunny is the first to speak, grinning broadly.
"You're really pretty!"
Almond was taken back, as she glances at him.
"Ahh, thank you. I like you're… bunny," Almond stutters, smiling meekly. The blonde's grin widens, even more if possible.
"Almond Hawthorne-Hanabi, transferred from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada," one of the men with cool dark eyes and glasses comments, causing Almond to narrow her eyes. She steps into the room, and placed her hands on her hips.
"How'd you know that, you creep?" She asks.
Then, the twins of the group begin to grin.
"Aye, I like this one," one of them begins.
"She's pretty feisty, dontcha think?" The other ends.
Almond looks at the twins and smirks lightly, before returning her gaze to the guy with glasses. He examines her.
"I have information about everybody in this school," he says as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Almond leans back, her face contorting.
"That's pretty weird," she mutters. One of the boys with brown hair snickers slightly. Her eyes go to him, and she does a double take. "Why are you dressed like a guy?"
Everybody in the room freezes. Almond looks around questioningly, waiting for an answer.
"What are you talking about?" A taller guy with blonde hair asks, looking highly suspicious. Almond rolls her eyes, and points directly at the brown haired girl.
"Her, wearing the boys uniform. She's clearly a girl, her features are too soft to be a man's," Almond says looking bewildered. "Don't tell me you guys didn't know."
The guy with glasses frowns, and looks at her.
"Well well, aren't you perceptive," he says, walking over to her. She blinks and shrinks back, he towered over her.
"I try my best," Almond says, regaining her confidence. They stare at each other.
"You can't tell anybody you know this."
"Why the hell not?"
"Because it's a secret."
Almond snorted. "No shit, tell me something I didn't know."
The twins begin to laugh, before prancing over.
"I'm Hikaru, and this is Kaoru," one of them says, motioning. The other frowns.
"No, I'm Hikaru, and this is Kaoru," the other says, frowning.
Almond stares.
"Uhh, Almond?" She says, raising her eyebrows. The twins then smirk and lean in close.
"Which ones are we? Do you know?" They ask, devilishly.
Almond shrugs and looks at them. "Eh, you're Hikaru, you're Kaoru?" She guesses. The twins both grin.
"Wron-"
"You're right." The girl says, smiling slightly. Hikaru and Kaoru turn and stare at the girl dressed as a guy.
"Traitor," they say at the same time.
Almond looks back to the guy with glasses. He seemed to be writing something down on a clipboard.
"So, anyway," Almond starts, beginning to back out of the room.
"Hold on, I have a question for you," the guy with glasses says with authority. Almond goes rigid, as she stares at him. "Would you like to join the host club?"
Everybody in the room, including Almond gawked.
"Pardon me?"
The guy with glasses doesn't speak; he just looks over at the tall blonde.
"She knows, so we need to keep her."
Almond gawks, even more. "You're trying to hold me hostage?"
"On the contrary, you have what this club would need. A feisty, little devil, if you'd may," the guy with glasses states. The tall blonde with brilliant purple eyes examine Almond.
"And she's pretty exotic."
Almond frowns, crossing her arms.
"Why would I join this club?"
"Because it's a good experience, and you get to meet a lot of different people," the twins say at the same time, seeming to like this idea. Almond looks over at them, and frowns.
"You might have to dress as a male though," the tall blonde says, rubbing his chin. Almond dead pans.
"No."
"Come on, you'd look good as a guy."
"No."
"Why not, it's fun."
Almond frowns and turns on her heels, her dress bumping into a small pillar. She blinks and looks over, as a round ball falls to the ground.
It shatters.
Almond's eyes widen.
"This seems oddly familiar," the brown haired girl says, sounding slightly glum.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I'll buy you a new one, I didn't mean too, how much is it?" Almond fires out, turning around with wide eyes.
Everybody but the other girl, and guy with glasses, stood there with shocked expressions.
"What you just broke there, was an extremely valuable, one of a kind, Egyptian glass sapphire orb, erected from King Tuts tomb," the guy with glasses states calmly, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.
Almond pales, stumbling back.
"It's valued at nine million yen," the guy continues.
Almonds jaw grows slack, as her eyes stare at the shattered fragments.
"I'll take the money in the form of a check."
Almond passes out.
"Good work, Kyoya," Tamaki says quickly, as he catches Almond. The twins look her over, as Honey strides over.
"Is Almond-chan okay?" He asks worriedly.
"She'll be fine, lay her on the couch over there," Kyoya mutters, as he walks over to the shattered remnants. He carefully scoops them up, and carries them over to a small silver dish, putting the shards in. "This is quite the predicament."
Haruhi rolls her eyes and walks over to Almond, as she sits at the end of the couch. With a sigh, she looks over at everybody.
"I hope Kyoya doesn't do what he did with me," Haruhi says with a glance over at the man with glasses. The twins mock hurt as they stare at Haruhi.
"Do you mean,"
"You don't like our company?"
Haruhi laughs and shakes her head. "No, not at all, but she seemed a little shocked."
Tamaki nods in agreement, looking over Almond.
"She really did, yes."
Almond could hear voices around her, but all she could see against her eyelids was the precious glass sapphire ball that fell and shattered. Repeating, over and over again.
She jolts up and gasps, looking around.
"Oh my god."
Everybody jumps, looking at Almond.
"I'll pay you back, I'm so sorry," Almond says, looking at Kyoya.
Kyoya shakes his head, striding over.
"You could just join the club, and the money you earn from the work you do, can pay it off. You, are now in debt, to me," the man says coolly.
Haruhi frowns in disapproval.
"Really, Kyoya?"
Almond shrinks back into the couch, blushing darkly from embarrassment.
"Of course, of course, I'll work here damn it," Almond says. The little blonde then grins widely and throws his arms around Almond.
"Yay! That makes me and Bun-chan here happy! Do you like cake? We can eat cake together!" The little boy says happily. Almonds heart melts as she glances to the side.
"S-Sure, I didn't catch your name," Almond says softly.
"Honey! Call me Honey! And this is Mori," the boy chants, walking to the tallest of the group, and apparently the quietest. He just nods. Almond nods back, still severely embarrassed.
"I'm Tamaki, that's Kyoya, this is Haruhi, and the twins have introduced themselves. Would you like some tea?"
Almond nods meekly, before two hands get shoved in her face. She blinks and looks up at the twins. They both grinned. She smiles back, and places her hands in theirs, being hoisted to her feet. They usher her to a table, where Haruhi explains her situation, and why it was important to not tell anybody. Almond nods, as a tea cup gets set in front of her. She smiles at Tamaki, as he blushes lightly.
Soon, everybody is seated at the table, looking at Almond.
"So, Miss Almond, tell us about yourself," Kyoya says, emotionlessly. She frowns.
"What would you like to know?"
"Everything."
Almond rolls her eyes drastically, before sipping her tea. She clears her throat, and begins.
"I was put up for adoption about three months after my birth, since my birth mother was only sixteen when she had me. I was adopted by my mothers' Evangeline and Kitashi, and I've been living in Canada my entire life. I was a bad ass in school, always ditching to go get drunk, go to parties, have a blast. I also caused massive hell with my best friends, Josie and Amelia. I was a pyromaniac when I was younger, and I almost set my previous school ablaze, but I was caught and I got the boot. My mothers' were quite unimpressed with me, so I went to a simple public school."
Almond explains, sipping her tea, also letting everybody process this information.
"Then the accident happened, and my temper flared madly, and I went into a downhill spiral, messing my life even more. I had just recovered, and then I was booted from the public school due to my low grades and attendance record. I was sent to an all-girls Christian school, but that only lasted half a year before I got fed up and disproved the bible, broke a cross, and lit a smoke in my teachers face. Then, I was enrolled here, and I arrived in Japan with my mothers' a week ago, today."
Almond finishes, leaning back.
"What was this accident?" Kyoya pries. Almond grinds her teeth and looks at him.
"Why are you so damn nosy?"
"Because I'm curious," Kyoya plainly states.
"Well, don't be."
It was silent, until Honey spoke up.
"Was it a bad accident?" He asks softly, looking up at Almond with gentle brown eyes. Almond doesn't move for a few minutes before exhaling loudly.
"I was at a party with Josie and Amelia. We were all drunk, having the time of our lives on the beach. Amelia got sick, and she asked a guy for a ride home, but Josie and I wouldn't let her leave alone, because none of us knew this guy."
"You sound like a true friend, drunk or not. They're lucky you're level headed," Haruhi states. Almond doesn't respond.
"So, we climbed into his truck, giggling like little school girls. We were driving down the road when somebody crashed into us. We weren't smart that night, because we weren't wearing our seatbelts. Josie was vaulted out of the windshield, Amelia was thrown onto broken glass, and the driver, Jerrald, I think, was crushed by a hunk of metal. I was in the back seat, behind the passenger's seat, so I wasn't injured."
Everybody remained silent.
"Josie broke her neck, and died instantly. Amelia was impaled through the chest by a large, and sharp piece of windshield. Jerrald was crushed to death. I only got my side slashed open by a hunk of debris, so I got to watch my best friends die."
Almond furiously wipes away the tears, and stares coldly at Kyoya.
"Happy now? I'll be going now. Have a good damn day," Almond snarls, standing up. Before she could move a foot, arms were wrapped around her, embracing her tightly. She jolts at this, and then she sobs loudly.
The twins had their arms around her waist, Tamaki was holding her to his chest, Honey was clinging to her legs, and Haruhi was tucked between Tamaki and Hikaru. Kyoya stood off to the side, watching. Mori was near the huddle, his large hand placed on top of Almonds head.
"Don't leave, you need somebody with you."
"And we'll be by your side."
"Whether you like it or not."
"Either way, you're in the club, so we're you're friends now."
"Plus, you'll ruin you're make up."
"Things will get better," Mori finished the commentary from everybody.
Almond stood completely still, enveloped in warmth. This was weird.
She was also mentally scolding herself for telling so many people, and then breaking down.
Almond knew she wasn't this weak. It was her temper, her mood swings, and that touchy subject. Almond shudders slightly, pushing the images of the wreck out of her head. Everybody slowly let her go, as she stood there, staring at the ground. This wasn't embarrassing at all.
"Almond?"
"Call me Momo," Almond says softly, to Haruhi, who just spoke.
"Alright, Momo. What classes do you have? Maybe you're with some of us," Haruhi says, adverting the topic that was at hand. Almond blinks, and pulls out her timetable, looking at it.
"Science first, then art. Lunch, music, literature," she reads off quietly. They all nod, most of them grinning.
"You have a weird timetable, you're with almost every grade," Kaoru comments. "You have Science with myself and Hikaru."
"Art with me," Haruhi adds.
"Lunch with Mori, Bun-chan and I!" Honey chirps, happily.
"Music with myself," Tamaki says with a smile.
"Literature," Kyoya states.
Almond just stares, more than confused. She then smiles slightly, and nods, before looking at Kyoya, with slight disdain. With an awkward sigh, she slouches.
"I apologize for snapping at you. Also, what does this club entitle?"
Kyoya nods off the apology, looking at her.
"You'll dress as a male for the club, and have a code name. How does Tokoru Siho, sound?" Kyoya states.
Almond frowns, but nods.
"You'll join Tamaki for your first day, which is today, and just get a feel of what the club does. Since we have literature together, I'll take you back here after school so you don't get lost. The club ends at five, and we meet early in the mornings, and during our thirty minute breaks."
Almond nods, again.
"I'll have everything set up for you, so don't worry."
Almond nods, as the bell sounds.
"Ah, class is beginning. Come with us," the twins say together, as they bid a quick farewell to everybody.
"Okay, see you all later," Almond says, confused, as she gets dragged from the room. Once the doors shut, Tamaki looks over to Kyoya.
"Are you sure about this?"
Kyoya simply nods.
Tamaki examines him, before looking away, accepting his judgement.
"I hope Almond knows what she got herself into," Haruhi says, before walking towards the doors.
"She'll be fine!" Honey says brightly, clutching to Mori.
With a farewell, they all depart, heading to their respectful classes.
Interesting morning, so far.