*Disclaimer: I don't own Pink's song 'So What'. Oh! And please review!
Chapter 4
~Monday Afterschool~
Nicole's POV
I am so tired of everyone bugging me about Eva's and Kyoya's "happy" engagement. God, do people have nothing better to do than gossip at this school…Well I guess gossip exists everywhere, but it still annoys the hell out of me!
Also I still am reeling from the fact that Eva has been all giddy and lovesick. God, please give a large enough barf-bag to hurl out all of the contents of my black heart. How could she get all hot and bothersome over someone as emotionless and greedy as Kyoya Ootori? Love must truly be blind.
I came to the gym where Kendo Club was normally held, and there was a notice on the door saying that practice was cancelled. Damn it! That's the ONLY reason I come to school at all. Pfft…Like I would come here to learn or seduce boys. The only goal in my life is to join a Yakuza group, but even most of those punks fear me…
Why do people only get afraid of me after I show off my dirty fighting abilities? Why can't they be afraid of me before? Oh! I know the answer! It's because I'm -freaking-4'6 feet and ½ inches.
Uh…Don't forget the fact that I'm a girl! I hate the sexists that exist at this pathetic school! I know sexists exist everywhere, but there seem to be a country full of them here! God, please let me wipe out all of these bastards off the Earth permanently. I swear that the people of this world would be happier and safer without-
"Oof", I said as I fell back and landed on my nonexistent ass.
It felt as if I had run into a brick wall. I looked up and saw a high school uniform. It was a taller red head boy with a serious expression etched all over his face. My anger boiled over, it pissed me off that he failed to notice me.
God, I really hate tall people! They really think the world revolves around them. These jackasses need to remember that when the Earth gets struck by asteroids that they are going to be the ones who get hit first! Plus they have a shorter lifespan than we little guys do!
I glared at him so hard that he seemed to turn to stone for a couple of minutes. "Why don't you watch where you are going you giant dumbass? You are so goddamn tall; I bet you can see over the freaking wall of China! What kind of dummy are you? Did your mama drink too much? So you came out completely retarded. I bet you never got hit as a kid because of your goddamn height! How lucky you must have been you dumbass! God, it must have been so nice to come from a tall family! Get your damn ass in gear and move out of my way!"
This seemed to jerk out of his stony state. He just looked at me so strangely like the Hosts did. Do the guys at this school not get cussed out by girls when they are in the wrong?
He looked me over and said, "I'm sorry". His voice is so sincere and kind, even after I yelled at him. Why? It's got to be a trick! Punks like him don't apologize in that way to bitches like me.
"Yeah. You better be asshole! I hate to see your stank ass in a hospital bed with IV tubes coming out of your arm." He smirked at me.
"You're cute", he said matter-of –factly. I flushed at his unexpected comment and my anger dimmed a bit, before it reheated. Cute?! This guy must not know who he is talking to! I am the chick who beat up 12 Yakuza boys in the back alley, and that 2nd ranked champ in the Kendo Club who called my sis Emi a whore!
"Cute is for puppies and children! For your information, I am a grown-ass woman who handles her own against punks and half-wits like you! Now I repeat get the hell out of my way you dumb-ass Yakuza wannabe". He looked very stunned at this.
"You really don't know who I am?" he asked with a soft smile on his face. He looks cool when he smiles or when he is confused or even with that serious face. What the hell? I don't think about punk boys like him in that way, because they all the same in the end.
"Nah dip Sherlock!" I huffed. His smile grew.
"Should I Inspector Gadget?" I retorted. He looked at me with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"I thought I was Sherlock, not Inspector Gadget. You need to make your mind up on what my nickname should be, little woman." He mockingly threatened. Or maybe he wasn't that much of a punk if he could take my intense bluntness.
My smile grew. "I'll call you whatever I want to Jack Skellington".
"Who is that?"
"Have you ever seen the movie "The Nightmare before Christmas"? You remind me of the main character. He tries to act all scary on Halloween scaring the citizens of Halloween Town, when he is actually a nice guy. " He flushed at my assessment of the movie character that I had compared him to.
"This reminds you of me?"
"Duh…You came up towards me like you are all big and bad. Then you restrained yourself from my tongue lashings. You, sir, have earned my respect which is hard to come by." I said while smirking.
I presented my knuckles to him. He looked at me questionably. I motioned for him to hit my knuckles. He then hit my knuckles; I guess he hit them hard because I started to bleed a bit; but it's hard for me to know if I was in pain, because my nerve endings are so used to blunt force that they don't send me any notifications.
He started to panic. He looks so handsome when he does that. What the hell? I don't understand me! After so many years of 'acting like one of the guys', I'm finally acting like a girl! No way!
"Hey I didn't know Japanese dudes could play bloody knuckles. Good job!"
He looked at me wide-eyed. I couldn't help but laugh at his expression.
"How could be so nonchalant about this? I just caused your knuckles to bleed." He had a look of pure guilt. Yeah, he definitely is too good of a guy to be a punk!
"I'm fine. It's just a-", I started, but was interrupted by him throwing me into his arms. The moment we touched, a jolt of electricity shot through our bones; we then turned to one another and looked at other as if silently asking "Did you feel that too?" We both nodded at each other and smiled shyly.
He then took off with me in his arms bridal style. I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty hot!
He brought me into an abandoned greenhouse. He placed onto of a countertop gently.
Nobody ever treats me like this! I never get treated like I'm worth something, well except Maria and Chrissy-Tia. Everyone either looks at me as the midget troublemaker, or the tough older sister/cousin who wipes the floor with jerks, punks, and assholes. I don't know what to make of this guy!
"Are you in pain?"
"No", I huffed. He then damped my knuckles with sterilizing alcohol. I felt nothing but a soothing sensation as he touched me. I shuddered. I like him, even though I just met him I feel like I have been crushing on him for years.
He looked at me with soft eyes. "Are you sure you aren't in pain?"
"I'm sure. I just was shuddering, because I have never been touched by another guy in such a gentle matter before." He stiffened at my honest statement.
"And you would have preferred another guy to touch you?" he asked heartbreakingly.
"No. You are very good at touching me. I like it and I like you" He looked up at me and I blushed. He started to sweat and blush profusely, which made feel ashamed of my bluntness.
Typical me! Always putting my giant-ass foot in my giant-ass mouth; God, why couldn't you have made me be born without any vocal cords. It would have helped in this situation so much more! Then again maybe it would have only made matters worse.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable".
"No, it's fine. It's just…Girls like you usually don't like guys like me". He said while rubbing the back of his head.
Ouch! Like I was expecting anything different! My first crush that I actually liked, and was a very good guy. And I blew it with my over-sized flapping gums!
I hung my head low, so my braided hair would cover my leaking hurt and frustrated tears.
"Right, sorry. Tough girls like me can't and shouldn't like nice guys like you. My mistake! I'm leaving now! Thanks! Bye!" I jumped off the countertop, and was about to make a run for it. Until I was pulled back by his arm, and I let him hold me there to find out why he would pull me back.
"When I said girls like you, I meant "beautiful" girls, and when I said guys like me, I meant "scary-looking" guys." He said sadly. I looked up at him rapidly.
What he thinks…I'm beautiful? Nobody calls me that…well maybe except Chrissy-Tia. But that doesn't count! This is a really nice guy calling me beautiful!
"I made you cry. I am so sorry", he said so sincerely that his voice cracked in pain. He reached down to wipe away my tears and handed me a tissue to wipe away the drainage from my nose.
"Thank you, but you can't mean that." I remarked while blowing into the tissue.
"Oh I meant my apology."
"No, I meant about the "girls like me" part…I'm not beautiful", I said factually while gesturing up and down my body. He frowned at this and quickly grabbed me up into his chest.
"Close your eyes and listen to what I say". I complied with what he said.
"Feel this softness this is your youthful cheeks. This smoothness is the purity of your skin. The hardness you feel is your muscles; which exemplifies your inner strength. These tiny wisps are your long eyelashes, and they show your sweet side. This tiny button nose is the flare of your temper. These locks show me your practical side that frames your beautiful round face. And these soft, sweet, and beckoning pieces of skin are your beautiful lips that hold whips and chains to injury and hold men down to bow before you", he growled.
I gasped as he touched my lips and I leaned into his touch and kissed his calloused fingers. He growled even lower at my action.
"Let me bandage your hand, before I even attempt to tame your wild lips".
"Wait! What's your name?" He tensed at my sudden question.
"Kasanoda, Ritsu. The Yakuza heir." He said hesitantly.
That explains why he is so nice to me. He must be lonely as the Yazuka heir!
I know that feeling in a different way…I've always intimidated people with my fighting skills, violent tendencies, family name, and my sharp tongue…Wonder if he will be any different…
"And you're ashamed of the burden that your family name forces you to carry", I said. He blinked at me in utter surprise.
"I never said that."
"I know! It was in your tone, plus I've heard myself say in that tone of voice whenever I speak about my family name and duty."
"So what is your name?" He asked.
"Nicole Manger". He paled, cringed, and then blushed. His face became almost as red as his hair.
"Well, I guess my reputation precedes me then". I smirked and winked at him. He blushed even more, and stared at me lovingly.
We just met! But then, in all honestly I don't mind if he stares at me like that. He wants me even after he knows about my fighting abilities. He is such a good guy!
"But…You are not at all like the other Yakuza children described."
"Yeah…So where are you going with this?"
"You're definitely not the 7 foot tall, she-male, with big beady eyes that they describe you as. You are shorter and leaner than what they make you out to be. Not to mention the fact that you are indeed beautiful."
"Thanks. I never had someone describe me in such an awkward, yet sweet way before. I could get used to you Ritsu". He looked at me with his golden brown eyes wide and unblinking.
"You…called me Ritsu…" he said in awe.
"Yeah, that's your name. Would you rather I call you Ritsy-Itsy?" I deadpanned.
He shuddered at my alternative to his name.
"No! Ritsu is fine. It's just that people typically call me Kasanoda or Scary Guy".
"Well I'm not a typical person."
"I've noticed", he said wryly while smirked widely at me.
I blushed at his smirk and bluntly asked, "So are you going to start bandaging my hand? So we can be able to make-out?"
He looked at me so startled that I would offer myself to him willingly.
I placed my hand onto his chest. His pulse quickened the moment I did that.
My eyes jolted up to his golden honey eyes. "Why does your heart do that? Why is your breathing slowing down? Are you attracted to me or are you just afraid of me touching you?" His beautiful eyes widened at my ability to see through him so easily.
"I am attracted to you and I think I might really like you. Also I am afraid that if you continue to touch me, I won't be able to restrain myself and just attack you my lips until you are spent", he huskily murmured.
He likes me! I want him to let go of his restraint and release all of himself onto me.
"Well then hurry up with that bandaging job, so you can let yourself go all over my lips, face and neck", I bluntly said.
He chuckled at me, and complied with the wrapping of my hand.
He then bent over slowly and claimed my lips as his own. I grabbed roughly at his neckline and then started to softly stroke his neck. He growled protectively and wrapped his arms around my waist while not even breaking our lip-lock. He left my lips to set a trail of rough kisses all over my face, and then he scouted out my neckline while nipping gently all the way down into my-. My phone went off blaring Pink's song "So What", and Ritsu gave me a strange look.
"Na-na-na-na, na-na, na
Na-na-na-na Na na
Na-na-na-na, na-na, Na
I guess I just lost my husband
I don't know where he went
So I'm gonna drink my money
I'm not gonna pay his rent
I got a brand new attitude
And I'm gonna wear it tonight
And I'm gonna get in trouble
I wanna start a fight"
"Hello", I said darkly. I was ready to give whoever it was hell. How dare they interrupt my moment with Ritsu?
"Nicole, where the hell are you?! You do realize that the Club Hours are starting in 20 minutes", scolded Eva.
Ritsu gave a questioning look. I held up my finger as if to say "Let finish talking to Miss Thing, then I will answer your question". He nodded.
"Busy", I deadpanned. I stroked Ritsu's face while I waited patiently for my sister to finish yelling whatever at me. He growled low as I did this.
God, please pacify my sister, so I can get back to getting hickies and rough kisses!
"Yeah, well "busy" doesn't cover it. So hurry up and get your punk-ass over to the Club Room NOW!" she screeched.
"Don't get your panties in a wad…" I gasped as he seized my lips quickly.
Apparently his self-control has left the building!
We alternated between rough kisses and nibbling on each other's necks. I groaned loudly from the pleasure that he sent through at the speed of light.
"Nicole…Are you okay?"
I grunted quickly as I took a deep breath from his kisses.
"Uh… Yeah I'm here…So look how about you tell your fiancée that I will accept my punishment for NOT being able to make it today by doing all of the cleaning up while you all go home. I currently have a more pressing matter than being a maid today. Bye." I rushed. I waggled my eyebrows at him to continue while proceeded to turn off my ringer.
"Nicole! Tell me what you're doing"- I hung up on her.
"Now please continue with your amazing kissing conduction skills Maestro!" I ordered.
Ritsu obeyed and took over my body with his touch.
God, I never want this to end!
~Same Time~
Eva's POV
I called Nicole to DEMAND her to tell me where she was and what she was doing. I guess I got my answer. She was doing someone over. The question was who would Nicole possibly want to waste her time with? But I would have help solving this problem as I had put her on speakerphone.
"What was that dreaded evil devil up to?" asked Tamaki.
"Having the night of her life apparently with that gasp; she had be to having sex with someone", chorused the twins.
"Sex? Why would Nicole-chan want to do that?" asked Honey innocently.
He is trying to sound innocent, even though I know that he understands the whole concept of sex.
"Who on Earth, would possibly want to invite Nicole into the pleasures of bed?" Tamaki asked.
"What is that supposed to mean Suou?" darkly asked I, and Alex.
"I…." Tamaki blanched.
"What are you saying that she could never get anyone to want to be with her? If that is what you are attempting to imply, then you are very rude Tamaki-san." Chrissy-Tia scolded in a motherly way; while B.J. nodded her head in agreement.
The Hosts were blinking at Chrissy-Tia in shock, having never seen this side of her before.
Tamaki having never been scolded by Chrissy-Tia froze into a statue.
Chrissy-Tia turned to the rest of the Hosts, and solemnly said, "I really hope that you guys will help us find who Nicole was making out with. You see she has never done anything with a guy before. And though she acts all manly and tough, she isn't attracted to women. In fact, she finds most women obnoxious. She is beautiful though, and I wish that she would see herself that way, but she still holds onto what her father said to her all those years; as well as the abuse he inflicted onto her. That's why it's harder for her to form relationships with other people".
She pointedly looked at me and Emi, while she stared intensely with her old-soul deep blue eyes. All three of us glanced at each other knowingly.
"Then why would she randomly…" started Hikaru.
"…lock lips with a complete stranger", finished Kaoru.
"Most likely, because he accepted her rage and her intense verbal lashings. That means that he is most definitely a good guy. And he has probably found out her name and isn't intimidated by her unusual strength or her infamous violent reputation; this makes him a really great guy and has to at least be fond of her", reasoned Chrissy-Tia.
All of the Hosts, Alex, B.J., and I were stunned by her reasoning. My relatives and I were more stunned at the idea that any guy could be kind enough to deal with Nicole's explosive nature and her brutal tongue.
I guess that there is someone out there for everyone.
I quickly snuck a glance at Kyoya who was also happening to be looking at me. We both blushed by our queer actions.
"You really want Nicole to have someone special don't you Chrissy-Sempai?" asked Haruhi. Her big brown orbs glowed intuitively.
"Yes I do", she said.
"Well then men, we have a mission to carry out: Operation Found out Who Nicole's True Love Is", proclaimed Tamaki.
"No offense Sempai, but wouldn't just be easier if we just asked her who she's in love with" deadpanned Haruhi. She had an irritated look on her face.
"I agree. The direct method always works better. It has more reliable results than the complicated methods", I interjected.
"Yeah, plus who wants Tamaki-Sempai's idiocy involved anyway?" added Alex.
I turned over to her, she was really irritated. Thus her scars started to pop out more.
Tamaki stumbled before yelling, "Mama! Why are our daughters rebelling against their daddy's wishes?"
"Tamaki, I have to agree with the girls on this." Everyone turned over to look at him in shock. I smiled that he agreed with us.
"I bet Kyoya is only agreeing with them, because one of them is his fiancée", whispered the twins mischievously. Kyoya turned to glare at them and it caused them to hide behind Mori-Sempai.
"Thank you Kyoya", I purred. He turned over to me glaring at my gratitude. I shuddered full of pleasure at his intensity.
"Don't do that…You know you make feel like jelly when you do that", I revealed. He got surprised then hid himself behind his glasses. The Hosts looked back and forth between us as if trying to figure if there was something more than just a forced engagement.
"Yuck! Please save your lovey-dovey crap during your dates", exclaimed Alex.
"Awwww…They are so cute together!" cooed B.J. and Chrissy-Tia.
The Hosts and I sweat dropped at them.
The doors burst open, and an awkward girl strode into the room. She had light brown hair and was wearing the girl's uniform.
"Hello Princess, we are just about to start. If you could just wait a little while longer…"
"He the Host King who speakth again shall have nothing but misfortune brought upon his soul", she said darkly.
The Hosts all paled at her choice of words. My relatives and I were stunned until Chrissy-Tia ran over to her.
"You are just too cute! Can I hug you please? Then you can curse me, alright?" she said sweetly. Both the Hosts and the girl seemed shell-shocked by her response. The girl nodded wearily. Chrissy-Tia took that as permission to give her a firm, but gentle bear hug.
Typical Chrissy-Tia, she is always accepting of people and loves to hug them!
"I like this new girl!" We all turned to see Alex leaning against a column with a soft smile on her face.
"Why?" asked Kaoru.
"She was going to curse Tamaki-Sempai. I appreciate anyone cursing him." This of course sent the Bipolar King into his corner.
"Alex, that's not nice. Tamaki is a sweet boy, who cares a lot about others", said B.J.
Tamaki got up and ran over to hug B.J. B.J. seemed to be happy to receive a hug.
"But he's very annoying", Alex deadpanned.
Tamaki seemed to falter a bit. "Mama! Alex is being mean to her daddy again!"
Kyoya ignored him.
I have to get his secret on how he deals with Tamaki so easily.
Chrissy-Tia came up to Kyoya and said, "Can Reiko-san stay here?" Before Kyoya could object, she gave him her sweetest and cutest puppy dog face that no one could refuse. All of the Hosts looked at her with wide eyes and squirming (except Mori who was wearing an unreadable expression, Haruhi who was looking at her with her own giant eyes and Kyoya who was wearing his nonchalant mask).
"Fine Miss Kanazuki can stay, but on one condition." Huh! I guess Chrissy-Tia's puppy dog face works on Kyoya as well.
"Name it!" she demanded. Again the Host Club looked at her with shock, and Kyoya jot this down. Seriously? You have to write down her moment of being a commanding person.
He smirked at her. "You will have to keep an eye on her and pay for her to come visit here, while you follow out your punishment attending to our guests."
"Deal", she vowed. All of us looked at her slack-jawed.
She never ceases to amaze me how she far she sacrifices herself for others' happiness.
"Keiko-san, come with me and watch me make some cakes and cookies!"
The new girl followed her shyly.
"Did you know that cake can be made into many shapes and sizes as long as you have fondant? It also comes in many flavors: chocolate, strawberry, carrot, red velvet, lime, pecan, and so forth. Cookies also come in tons of flavors: peanut butter, chocolate chip, snicker doodle, sugar, coconut macaroon, and etc. What is your favorite flavor of cookie and/or cake Keiko-san?"
"Dark chocolate chip that is filled with many cursed souls", she answered.
All of the Hosts became paralyzed from her strange answer. While Chrissy-Tia started nuzzling her, and saying that she was so cute.
We all sweat dropped from her overbearing mother routine
"Brooke-Jenny come and help us!" she exclaimed. She then linked her arm around Keiko's elbow and skipped with her toward the kitchen.
Why doesn't she use everyone's nicknames like a normal person?
"Coming! I am so excited to meet another black magic admirer!" B.J. hollered.
All of the Hosts paled at her declaration, and of course Kyoya wrote this down.
Tamaki yelled, "Wait! My daughter, don't go over into the Dark Side!"
"I can't believe she did that! B.J. is going to be in there with Keiko-san for hours exchanging spells and other sorceress endeavors. Eva, remember the last time, when B.J. cast a spell for a boy to fall for you and it actually worked." Alex chuckled while the Hosts (beside Kyoya) shook at the realization that B.J. was truly a wielder of the magical arts.
"Don't remind me", I huffed.
It took weeks to cure that boy of his "delusions" of being in love with me. I don't believe in magic, but I do believe in the effects of chemicals can have on other people; which she used in order to make the potion.
"But B.J. doesn't act like most black magic people!" exclaimed Tamaki.
"Well she used to be a big promoter for black magic back in elementary school from grades 1st to 4th, but then she changed. I really miss that side of her", I admitted.
The Hosts looked at me in confusion.
"You see she was more aggressive back then. Now she doesn't stand up for herself as much as she used to. She feels as if she deserves punishment for one of her spells that backfired on her".
Their expressions turned sad at thought of her punishing herself.
"What happened to her Eva-chan?" asked a sad Honey with his eyes all watery.
Why do his eyes do that? But then again I could ask the same thing about Chrissy-Tia's eyes.
"She was creating a compound that she said would remove Chrissy-Tia's bad bronchial tubes. She gave it to Chrissy-Tia and the next day by sure coincidence Chrissy-Tia got into a car wreck. Her entire back broke and had to be removed by doctors. It got replaced by a metal casing. She can't slouch like other people or bend over that well. She also has difficulty carrying extremely heavy things on her back from time to time", I explained with a heavy heart.
"Wow! You would never think that she has back problems…" started Hikaru.
"…with the cheerful way she carries herself everyday", finished Kaoru.
"My princess has such a positive spirit, no wonder, because she is too kind to let her pain be shown to the world!" Tamaki exclaimed while his eyes were brimming with tears.
The twins pulled out handkerchiefs and started crying.
Seriously guys?
"But that is only the tip of the ice berg with your cousin isn't it."
Why does he always do this? Come on Kyoya baby, why do you have to bring to light Chrissy-Tia's other health issues. She is going to hate the pity that you all are going to show her.
"What do you mean by that Sempai?" asked a curious Haruhi.
Alex stepped over to the group and said, "He is referring to her severe asthma, epilepsy, hypoglycemia, and her severe allergies to pecans, ant bites, shellfish, and liquid honey".
Tamaki, Hikaru, Kaoru, and Honey started to weep at her "poor" conditions.
"Guys, I think she has a grasp on her conditions. Besides she doesn't seem to make a big deal out of it, so you shouldn't either", deadpanned Haruhi.
Alex smirked at her honest classmate.
Mori gave another unreadable expression. What does that expression mean?
"Anyways, everyone we need to get ready for our guests arrival", stated a cool Kyoya.
We all greeted the delighted guests. They asked us many questions about Nicole's whereabouts, we all gave the same answer, "She went home early to go punch a wall".
They all blanched at our answer. We smiled at them, and said, "Sorry, we're just messing with you wonderful ladies".
She would do something much worse than punch a wall!
The Hosts all did their "acts", which in my opinion needed a bit of revision.
I would get jealous anytime a girl would flirt with Kyoya. It made me want to go punch the girl's teeth in. Go find your own man! He is mine!
I was so relieved when the Host Club had ended.
"I'm going to go clean up all of the mess I made in the kitchen", said Chrissy-Tia.
"NO! Don't strain yourself my precious daughter!" screamed a flopping Tamaki.
"Don't do it all by yourself, we will have Haruhi help you", chorused the twins.
"Gee…Thanks", said Haruhi dryly.
Chrissy-Tia cocked her head to the side innocently. "Why? I don't need help. I am in perfect health! Why wouldn't I do the cleaning by myself?"
"We wouldn't want to stress you out, so you would start-" Tamaki was cut off by Alex hitting his head and she turned to glare at the rest of the Hosts to shut up. All the other Hosts paled at her sudden violent act, and shivered at her glare.
Alex turned to Chrissy-Tia and hedged, "We just don't want you to worry about such trivial things. It would be a waste of your mental energy."
"Oh! You are so very right Alexandria!" Chrissy-Tia exclaimed.
"Anyway I'm off to Drama Club", said a smug Alex.
"Wait Alexandria! We have to clean up the Club Room still", said Chrissy-Tia.
Alex raised one of her eyebrows. "Don't you remember Chrissy-Tia? Nicole said that she was going to do all of the clean-up work as punishment for not attending today's Host Club meeting."
"Oh! Yeah! Then I guess I will see you when I pick you up around 8."
Alex ruffled her hair before heading to the door.
"See ya, Chrissy-Tia…" she called.
Without a second backward glance, Alex left the room.
"Hey Keiko, would you please come over our house today, so we can talk more about cakes and spells, before I have to head off to volunteer at the Children's Hospital at 6?" Chrissy-Tia pleaded. She gave Keiko her big blue puppy dog eyes and whimpered her lip.
"I suppose joining you ladies in your home would be delightful", she said eerily.
The Hosts shuddered at her tone.
"Yeah!" cheered Chrissy-Tia and B.J. before they grabbed her and took off out of the Club Room.
"Your family is certainly kind and giving to others", commented Tamaki with his violet eyes twinkling.
"Not all of them…" I trailed off. The Hosts all revolved over to me.
"What do you mean by that Eva-chan?"
"All of my older siblings, except for George, Jeremy, Michele, and Emily, look out only for themselves. Same goes for my bougie cousins on my father's side".
"What about Nicole?" asked the twins.
"She's…Nicole. She is always going to look out for number 1. She got in here for selfish reasons to build up her rep. She missed her duties today to get her kicks and used a complete stranger to feed her womanly desires".
"Oh! Really how are you any different from our other siblings and cousins?"
We turned to see that Nicole had been standing in the doorway. Her hair was tousled and her blazer was wrinkled. Her neck had hickies on them, and she had her white shirt coming out of her pants. Her face was flushed, but her eyes were narrowed into angry slits.
"I do not use others for my own personal reasons, like the rest of you. I bet you enjoyed using whoever to fulfill your needs", I hissed.
She ran up to me and lifted me up by my collar and said icily, "Don't you dare talk about our relationship in that way. I couldn't, and wouldn't ever use him in any way for my own benefit in a million years! He is the nicest guy that I have ever met, so don't ever…say I'm only out for myself when it comes to him."
She dropped me on my butt HARD. "So where do you guys need me to start cleaning?"
The Hosts blinked at Nicole. Kyoya stated, "Miss Nicole, I would appreciate it if you didn't break my fiancée, before you have to clean the Club Room from top to bottom as well as organize every item in the Room".
"Whatever", huffed Nicole. She started to walk towards to the mess to clean, but she stopped.
"Eves, I know I am selfish. You don't have to point that out. You are right you don't use others, but they sure use you. Like your fiancée for example, he is going to use your dainty ass for a trophy wife while you are working to take control of our family's company. Just be careful who you allow yourself to care for. Kyoya may seem nice, but Dad seemed nice too. Before Mom got angry with him for being too NICE, then he showed his true colors. He hit her and all of us kids whenever he was pissed off. Except you never got hit, you only got shoved in a closet. Granted, you still became as screwed up as the rest of us. Eves, you just gotta understand that all of the other siblings have a point about doing things in order to look out for themselves. They grew up in an unstable household where dad was bipolar and mommy was too sick and weak to ever really protect us. Though God bless her soul, she tried to. They just want to secure stability and pride in their accomplishments in hopes to boost themselves to receive the praise from some sort of adopted father figure that they didn't get growing up. You should probably test Kyoya before you properly make him yours, in order to receive praise from our bastard Grandfather."
She left me to go clean up the tables near us. The Hosts looked shocked and pitied at the discovery of our daddy problems. I could never handle empathy very well…
"How would you suggest I do that Nicole?"
"Make him really angry and then pray that he doesn't throw you in the closet; because only a really good guy could withstand your anger and not harm you. But I guess that sucks for you having a heartless fiancée like yours, so you're screwed when it comes time to make love and he gets sexually frustrated with you and starts hitting you and the kids. Remember when dad used to come to us kids after he get aggravated at our mom for not "doing the right thing", and he would hit all of us. Oh! Wait a minute! He didn't hit you. You were the lucky one. You only got throw into the closet! How dare you go all "Boo-Who" me when you got it easy, so go and cry in your bedroom closet you little baby!" Nicole hollered.
I felt my eyes water as she said this. I grabbed my things and bolted out of the Club Room.
"Wait Eva-chan!" hollered Honey.
"Princess come back", wailed Tamaki.
"Hey come back here", hollered the twins.
I ignored all of their cries and kept running until I had reached the limo and collapsed on Chrissy-Tia's shoulder bawling my eyes out.
I can't believe that Nicole did that! She has never revealed our family problems to others and she mocked the fact that I am terrified of tight spaces. I can't deal with her anymore! I wish that she would just leave and never come near me again!
We have never completely gotten along with each other. We always have had our disagreements and scuffles… but this is something much more now. I feel like our "relationship" is going to dissolve
~Back in the Club Room~
Kyoya's POV
Tamaki turned on to Nicole. "How dare you upset her that way? She is your sister, and Daddy wants to go and apologize to her…"
She gave Tamaki a glare so dark and evil, it even made me shudder.
"Let's set something straight. One: you are not my "Daddy". Two: what I say to Eves is none of your damn business, even if you witness her fall apart into tears. Three: I don't like you or this damn club; the only reason why I'm here is to serve out my punishment for 7 more weeks, then I'm gone. Four: I don't trust any of you, so don't play the "happy family" act around me. Five: if you ever have the balls to get in my face again; I will beat you down so hard none of your friends will recognize your crumpled physique".
With that said, she continued on with her cleaning duties.
Tamaki had literally deflated at that point. Everyone was stunned into silence at her words. I was as well, but I snapped out of it first. I went to go do some estimates on the Club's finances.
The rest of the Club stood there paralyzed for hours until Nicole had finished and left. This brought them back to normal.
"I knew Nicole had a harsh tongue…" started Hikaru.
"…but I didn't expect her to say something that intense to Tamaki and Eva", finished Kaoru.
Honey's eyes started to water. "Takashi, why doesn't Nicole-chan trust us?"
"It is nothing against you Mitsukuni-san. That is just how Nicole is", said a familiar sweet voice.
We looked to see that Chrissy-Tia was in the doorway. Her eyes were glowing with an ancient look that startled all of us.
"Believe it or not, she actually didn't say anything too harsh. I have to meet this boy of hers! He has really changed her!"
"I'm sorry, but Tia-chan how did you know about what she said?"
"Well, Nicole accidently butt-dialed me while she was yelling at you guys, so I was able to know everything she said."
I regarded her coolly, before saying, "That is all well, and good, but that still doesn't explain why you are here".
Her face became serious. "I came to talk to you all about something important…"
We froze at the change in her demeanor.
"I wanted you to know that I know that all of you know about my…conditions. I wanted to say please don't feel sorry for me or offer to help me all the time. It really annoys me when people do that… So what I'm trying to say is don't give me any special treatment. "
We all merely stared at her. None of us really knew what to say.
Mori surprised everyone by breaking the silence. "If you say that you don't want special treatment, then we won't give it to you."
"Yeah, you seem to have a handle with yourself, so why should we treat you any differently now." Haruhi said.
The rest of us nodded. And for once the idiot said something right, "But that doesn't mean that we won't still treat you like a special Princess, but not because of your conditions. But because you are so kind and beautiful to everyone around you regardless of whom they are."
Chrissy-Tia gave us all an unreadable expression, before she returned to her normal self. "You all are so kind! You don't have to make up nice things about me…I should be kinder to others, because I can be selfish at times."
We sweat dropped at her statement.
Does she not see herself clearly or is she as dense as Tamaki?
I shouldn't even compare the two. I think she is more aware of others feelings and thoughts of her than Tamaki. She also has a better grip on reality than Tamaki.
"Anyway I have to pick up Alexandria from Theatre Club! See you guys tomorrow!"
After her departure, we all left for home.
~A Couple Hours Later~
Nicole's POV
I'm so pissed at Eves! She is such a priss! Why does she have to be all sensitive about our family issues?
I mean seriously they would have found out eventually about her fear, and they would have connected the dots with the scars…I mean seriously.
Why does she have to be such a pain?
I was in my bedroom in our mansion, pacing around angrily.
I never grew attached to things. Ever!
That would be stupid! Because eventually I would either have to sell them or they would end up breaking. So what was the point?
However, when it came to people, I always became attached too quickly. So I would put up barriers to protect myself from pain. Thanks to my childhood, I learned quickly how people closest to you would and could hurt you. I also learned the triggers on how and what made people explode and beat you to a pulp.
So I made a list of triggers to test and see if the person was worth my time:
Insult their pride and/or intelligence
Call them out when they've done something wrong and berate them for it
Insult their appearance
Make sure they know ALL OF THEIR negative qualities and nag them to FIX THEM
Call them every bad word that you can think of and Lastly
DON'T SUGARCOAT ANYTHING YOU SAY
I would use this list on everyone that I would meet.
There were fourth types of reactions. The first kind would get mad and get all pissed in my face; they were usually the punks, jerks, and assholes that needed to keep their rep intact. So naturally we would fight, and I would always kick their asses.
The second kind would just get mad, clench their fists and walk away; otherwise known as the pacifists who earned my respect.
The third kind would just engage in a verbal confrontation and make it loud enough so they could get "super-special" attention; these kids you only had to slap once and they would go all "I want my mommy! Where's my teddy bear?" and suck their thumbs.
The fourth kind was the worst, because they would only engage in hitting you if you were in a confined space with no one else around to witness; these were the abusers; these sadists enjoyed beating the snot out of people who were weaker than them.
What was bothering me was the fact that Ritsu didn't seem to fit any of these types. That was scaring me…because it was unnatural for people to just take and take without showing any anger from my brutal mouth. He only snapped today at a jerk that nearly ran me over once we exited the greenhouse. Of course the dude ran away all scared. He looked at me nervously almost as if I would be afraid to see his anger go off like that. Then I realized that he was very handsome when he did show his anger; which was a revelation for me.
I only smiled at him, and kissed him. I yelled, "Call me". As I ran off towards the Club Room, I shot a quick glance at him. He was as red as his hair.
So what type did that make him? If he would explode at a stranger who was semi-polite, but then could be all calm and reserved around me.
A knock came at my door.
"Go away! I'm busy!" I growled. Normally my siblings or cousins (with the exception of Maria, Alex, Eves, B.J., Haley, Emi, and Chrissy-Tia) would just turn and run whenever I used that tone of voice…But the knocking continued. I glanced at the clock. It was 11:45 p.m.
It can't be Maria, because she turns in around 10:00. Alex usually crashes right after she comes home from Theatre Club, and doesn't get back up to eat her dinner until 1…It can't be Eves, because she most certainly (as well as currently) hates my guts; and I hers. B.J. knocks out around 9:30; so the only ones left are Haley, Emi, and Chrissy-Tia.
I stormed over to the door and flung it open. To my surprise, it was Chrissy-Tia standing there while holding her adoptive baby Jasmine.
"May I come in?" she asked. Her big dark blue eyes were going into their owl shapes, so I really couldn't refuse her.
"Yeah", I huffed.
She smiled at me and walked into my room. I slumped onto my bed. I motioned for her to lie beside me. She shook her head.
"I am afraid that if I do, I won't get up. I don't want to crush Jasmine."
"I understand".
She is so good with that child! It doesn't really surprise me, because she is practically a mother to all of us…She would be a great mother…If only she could live long enough to become one…It's not fair that someone like her is going to have her life cut off when she reaches her mid-twenties. God, why couldn't you take away a bastard or a bitch who deserves it?
"I wanted to ask you why you said those things at the Club Room to both Evangeline and the Host Club".
"I…I was pissed at Tamaki, so I lashed out…And with Eves, I just sort of released all of my pent-up anger against her, and didn't look back."
She gave me an unreadable look. "Nicole, you should apologize to her. You really hurt her feelings by mocking her phobia. The same goes for the Host Club. They deserve an apology for your words against them and what you said to Evangeline."
"Seriously Chrissy-Tia! Why can't you call people by their nicknames? It would be so much simpler", I said exasperated.
She shook her head saying, "Life's too short for nicknames. It's better to appreciate the full name, than to shorten or abolish it completely."
Why does she always pull out that card whenever it's just about nicknames, but anything else she doesn't really say about anything else?!
"Nicole, you need to apologize to both offended parties. It's the right thing to do."
I opened my mouth to retort. She gave me a rare irritated look to stop me.
"No I am not going to drag you like a child. You need to act like the grown woman that you claim to be. Also you need to learn to admit when you are in the wrong. Otherwise you will cause everyone you love to walk out of your life".
Gee-whizz! She is too wise for her age…but then again she had to grow up pretty quickly.
"I know. I just hate when I have to apologize first, it reminds me of when we were younger…Dad always made ME apologize for something that wasn't my fault. It always left me…with the impression with no matter what I did I would be in the wrong…So I never tried…"I trailed off.
"I know it will be hard for you to do this…But you and I both know that you love Evangeline with all of your heart. The only reason why you lashed out is that you wished you hadn't gotten hit when you were younger. You hated the pain and humiliation, so you learned to watch out for his mood changes and learn them. It must have caused you a great deal of pain, so you began to build barriers in order to protect yourself…I can grasp why you envied Evangeline, and still do…but you must also understand that she would be left in a dark confining space for hours, sometimes days. This abandonment caused her phobia and her desire to over-please others, so no one would ever leave her…So you should give her more empathy than what you have given her. Imagine if your Dad had decided to beat you nonstop for hours." Chrissy-Tia, you understand everyone perfectly! Don't you?
"…You're right. I should be more empathetic towards her, and I should apologize to her for all the mean things I said to her", I admitted while tears started to leak down my face.
I can be such a bitch! I need to apologize to her tomorrow before school starts. I sat up.
Chrissy-Tia sat next to me and leaned into me. Since she was holding a small child, this was her "strength hug" that she would give us so we would feel strong enough to accomplish whatever we had to do.
"Now that's settled. Tell me about this boy you are so bent on. Not to mention moaning about", she taunted. So they had me on speaker when they called me. Pfft…I'm really not surprised.
"His name is Ritsu Kasanoda. He is a Yakuza heir. He has shoulder-length red hair. He is so sweet and thoughtful. He can withstand my tongue and my anger. You know he called me cute after I had yelled at him. He is such a blusher. He bandaged my hand. He is 6'1. He has a quite a muscular build…He is extremely handsome".
I looked over to her to see her reaction of him being a Yakuza heir. She was only smiling widely at me in approval?
She approves? Not that I shouldn't be surprised…It's Chrissy-Tia! She is always so accepting of everything and everyone.
"You approve." I said it as more of a question.
She gave me her sweet face. "Why wouldn't I? I see this tremendous adoration in your face. You are brimming with happiness. You are an excellent judge of character, so I believe and know that you are telling the truth. Also he sounds nice."
I blinked at her in utter shock. Well she is probably going to be the ONLY ONE who approves…
I heard a slight cry from the baby.
"It's all right little one. We are in your Cousin Nicole's room."
She tickled the baby's tummy and held her little hand with a finger. Jasmine let out a happy coo.
"Did you know that she is in love with this man? She is head-over heels for this poor man." The baby started making bubbles at this comment.
Chrissy-Tia awed at her little baby. I only sweat dropped at her words. She gave me a kiss on the cheek before leaving with her child.
I'm not in love with Ritsu! I am?