A/N: Thanks for the reviews and support! Here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran HSHC. Just Emiko :)


Wake up to a sunny day, not a cloud up in the sky. And then it starts to rain.

-"Broken" by Lindsay Haun


"WATCH OUT!"

I snap out of my daydream haze just in time to see some blonde guy slam into me, bowling both of us over. My glasses were knocked off my face, and the binder I was hugging to my chest slid halfway across the room on the dirty floor.

"Owwww...oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! Are you okay? Here, let me help you!" I felt a strong hand pull me up off the filthy floor and heard the same voice apologizing over and over again. I bend down, him still jabbering, and pick up my glasses. I slide them onto my nose and pick up my binder.

"I'm sooo sorry! I just didn't see you! It was an accident, believe me! I-"

I hold up my hand, silently cutting him off. I couldn't stand to hear anymore of his repeated jib-jabber. I smiled, silently saying that all was forgiven and that it was okay. The blonde smiled at me, his teeth shining. Before he can say anything more, I give him a little nod and walk away to my next class.

I set my binder down, tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and sit down. I observe. Not much to see; looks like a plain old ordinary classroom. After a few minutes the teacher begins to take roll. I don't really pay attention until I hear a name that sounds interesting.

"Kyoya Ootori?" the teacher calls. A boy about my age a few rows over looks up, smiles, and says: "here." He definitely looked like the snobby type. From his whole appearance you could tell his family was wealthy. Heck, his haircut even looked like it cost a million. He wore thin-rimmed glasses that he had to keep pushing up his nose. I take off my own glasses and wipe them on my shirtsleeve. I feel pathetic.

"Emiko Shizune?"

I raise my hand silently, not saying anything. The teacher nods at me and marks me as "here" on her roll chart. I put my hand down and pick at my sleeve sub-consciously. I hear sniggers and murmurs, one in particular saying:

"Emiko? Huh...I didn't know that was a boy's name..." followed by a snicker. It isn't, I think to myself. I simply cradle my elbows in my hands and bite my lip. First day so far is crap.

Typical first-day-of-school; teacher hands out syllabus, reads it to us even though we've been reading since kindergarten, parents have to sign it, blah blah blah. I look up at one point and see the boy with glasses looking at me in a curious way. Could this day get anymore weird? I tune out my ears and look over the list of books we're reading.

Okay, I admit; the first day of school wasn't that bad. It was kind of bittersweet; the teachers were actually nice, but no one talked to me. Invisible Girl, that's me. Sounds like some kind of superhero name. I roll my eyes to myself as I walk home. I don't live that far away, just a block or two, and both my parents work so I kind of have to. I don't mind it, really: I love nature.

I unlock the front door with the key from my pocket and walk inside. I slip my shoes off, put my bag down, and go upstairs to my room. I shut the door and let out a deep breath I didn't know I was holding. I run a hand through my hair as I dress into more comfortable clothes. I feel much better after doing so. I leave my room and descend the stairs.

I stop in mid-step along the way. There's a picture of Natsuko hanging on the wall; her senior photo. Her long honey-blonde hair was hanging down her back, and her smile was radiant. She was holding her violin up to her chin and delicately holding the bow close to it. She looked beautiful. I break my gaze from it before I start to cry.

I head down to the piano in the living room. I sit down on the seat and pluck a key. This piano is the only thing that's mine in the entire house, except my room. No one else touches it except me, and no one dares move it unless I tell them to do so. When Natusko was still alive we would play duets together, her on the violin and me on the piano.

I start to play a familiar piece, one of Natsuko's favorites. Without the violin in the background the song sounds empty and hollow. I stop right in the middle of it, as I can play no longer. I close the lid of the piano and stand up. I walk toward the front door to pick up my bag and notice a note I didn't see earlier in my mom's handwriting.

Working late tonight. Order Pizza, 555-2875.

I sigh, ripping the note off the door and taking the money along with it in my pocket. My mom used to be really good at cooking, but that was when Natsuko was alive. I throw the note away and sit down on the couch, hugging a pillow to my chest. I'm alone and the house feels too big. I close my eyes as the tears begin to fall.

Little did I know I was being watched.