Chapter 6: Surprise and the New Year!
Amelia rushed into the limo apologizing to driver. He smiled shrugging it off.
"Friends of yours Miss Wolfe?" he asked.
"Yeah, they're willing to come over tomorrow for Christmas after their family gatherings," she explained.
"That should be good, it's one way to celebrate Christmas," the driver commented. She nodded, smiling and staying silent for the rest of the way home. She eyed her notebook filled with numbers from the guys, feeling a little safer knowing that they had her number too.
They stopped at the estate, and she walked into the empty house. As she turned on the lights, all decorations were up. She gasped in surprise, turning back towards the door.
"Isao!" she called out. All of a sudden, everyone who worked at the estate popped out and shouted.
"SURPRISE! MERRY CHRISTMAS IMAI!" Isao in the middle of the crowd of servants, giving her a hug. She smiled, laughing giving her caretaker a huge hug.
"What is all this?" she exclaimed.
"You mentioned Christmas at the estate. I figured it's a good idea to make you feel more at home on this year. Even with your father gone and your mother away doesn't mean you should't have a Christmas. Besides we need a little holiday spirit for once," Isao explained.
"Thank you so much Isao," Amelia said, gripping him into a deeper hug. "By the way if you don't mind a few of my friends from school offered to come over tomorrow, is that all right?"
"Of course it is. It's your home you don't have to ask our permission Imai," Isao accepted with a smile. "You have fun the way you want to. It's what your father wanted after all."
"Thanks Isao. Merry Christmas," she thanked heading upstairs to her bedroom while saying good night to all of them. As she got into her bedroom, she noticed the package from her mother was resting on her bureau. It also had a small box wrapped with a note.
It was from Isao: "This was Mr. Wolfe's old phone. I had it programmed to your old number and it works for here too without extra charge. Gina told me about your pond incident. Figured you needed something to keep in contact with your new friends."
She laughed, turning on the cell phone. It was nice to have one in her bag again and not have to use the house phone. She eyed it as it came back to life. Her father's name was still typed up but in this case Isao programmed it saying, Merry Christmas Imai, from Howard Wolfe. Her eyes smiled but her throat choked at his name. She shrugged it off, looking at the box her mother mailed her. Might as well open it. It is Christmas Eve.
She opened the package finding a note inside from her mother saying: "Merry Christmas and I thought you needed a few things. Take pictures! Love you."
As she searched she found not just one thing, but a bunch. A new mp3 player, a few CDs and a nice DSLR camera. She was stunned her mother went through so much trouble to get her these things. She smiled with tears in her eyes while hugged her gifts.
"Thanks mom…" she whispered. That was when she had the idea to put the numbers in her phone. She went down the list and added them on her cell phone that was now filled with the seven friends plus the estate number. This was a Christmas worth having.
…
After the Christmas party at school, the rest of the vacation went by quicker than Amelia thought. Although it was good for the new year. There were days she was bored out of her mind without the Host Club members around (except the women who surrounded her of course). By the first day after vacation, the winter air was still lingering chilling to the bone. But that didn't stop the activities at the club. Amelia was leaving her house, saying her good-byes to the head caretaker.
As she went outside, she looked up observing the property. Somehow it was just empty. The driver opened the door for her as she stepped inside thanking him. Then they drove off towards Ouran Academy, another day with the Host Club. Another year was gone she still couldn't believe it. It'll be her birthday in a few weeks. She knew that day would come when her father wouldn't be there for her birthday. She tried not to think about it because it'll be February when that happens.
The limousine screeched to a halt forcing Amelia to throw on her heavier wool coat. It was nice because it went down to her ankles, protecting her legs from the cold. She stepped out, noticing that the rest of the students were already scrambling to homeroom. She turned waving to the driver to be on his way. He nodded in return, driving off smoothly amongst the crowds of kids being dropped off.
And so the New Year begins...
...
3:00pm…
Amelia was bombarded by the Host Club when the twins threw a kimono at her. Apparently it was their theme for the day. After some catching up she had to have help with it, not knowing exactly how to put it on. Because of her whole "bad boy" façade, the twins put her in a black, silver and blue striped kimono. Blue clips on each side leaving a few stands in her face. It was an interesting look. Still couldn't see the appeal but maybe that was a cultural thing. Or maybe just a Host Club thing. That seemed to happen a lot.
The flow of customers was steady, apparently booked for the next few hours. First day back in school, and they're already working to the bone. Amelia tried to keep her customers happy with her "type" but after the first hour and a half it became exhausting. She was glad when she finally had her break. Serving tea was much easier by then. It also allowed her to socialize with the members. Although the costume became difficult to wear due to the traditional sandals.
She was glad when Haruhi was helping out. Although they both couldn't help but notice their rather famous members were crying with their clients. Was there some emotional thing that happened that they weren't aware of? It made them slightly suspicious.
"Is there something in the snacks or tea today or is it just an emotional day for everybody?" Amelia questioned but Haruhi gave the same "beats me" look.
"I don't know but everyone seems to be crying real easily today," Haruhi replied as they continued on with their chores. Haruhi bumped into Kaoru. She wasn't expecting something falling out of his sleeve. High-grade eye drops.
"THAT'S CHEA-" Haruhi began but was instantly muffled by Hikaru.
"Don't make a scene," he said.
"Girls just melt at the sight of tearful eyes," Hikaru added.
"Right…" Amelia laughed as she grabbed Haruhi, steadying her from bumping into Kaoru.
"Don't worry about it. Here Haruhi," Kaoru offered, handing each of them a sweet treat encased in a small plastic box.
"This is for me?" Haruhi asked.
"AREN'T YOU THE CUTEST?" the twins grinned with satisfaction at their surprise of receiving a treat.
"Do you guys like sweets?" the girls questioned looking dumbfounded.
"It would make a great offering for my mother," Haruhi replied with a smile. Before she knew it, Tamaki popped up giving her more and more cases of sweets.
"Don't you think you're overdoing it?" Amelia asked amused as the audience clapped at Tamaki's generosity. "That might be a little much."
Suddenly, they noticed a new guest standing shyly at the edge of the door.
"Looks like the Host Club has a new guest," the twins greeted. "Come on in don't be shy."
"Decorum, gentlemen please. Please my princess," Tamaki began as he walked up to her with a rose in his hand. "Welcome to the Ouran Host Cl-"
"DON'T TOUCH ME YOU'RE PHONY!" the girl screamed slapping him hard in the face. Tamaki was stunned and bewildered by her actions as he covered his face with his hand.
"W-What do you mean I'm…phony?" Tamaki asked in fear and confusion.
"HOW DID YOU EVER BECOME A KING OF THIS HOST CLUB?!" she yelled, calling him names. He finally broke at the mentioning of him being a "lousy lover". He cracked, falling rather dramatically to the floor. The others looked at her with oddity. This was some stuck-up, overly outgoing girl.
"I don't suppose you are?" Kyoya asked with a calm tone. Suddenly the girl looked up, her eyes bursting with tears.
"IT'S YOU KYOYA!" she yelled as she ran towards him trapping him in a rather close embrace. He looked at her confused, oddly calm. Amelia was shocked at this strange girl's sudden outburst. Who was this girl?
"Oh how I ached to see you. My one and only prince charming," the girl mentioned with tears of joy in her eyes.
Everyone around them were speechless, not knowing how to take on this situation.
...
After all the customers were gone and everyone changed…
"KYOYA HAS A FIANCEE!" the twins yelled in disbelief.
"That's right. My name is Renge Hoshakuji and I'm transferring into Ouran Academy's first year class A tomorrow," Renge announced. Tamaki was huddling in the corner, still grieving at the mean girls name calling. Everyone else was just shocked by the situation in general. It didn't make any sense.
"Why's he sulking?" Hikaru asked.
"Because 'Mommy' kept a secret from 'Daddy'," Kaoru replied.
"Whatever. Not that I care but why are we always referred to as if we were husband and wife?" Kyoya asked.
"I'm going to go make some tea. This craziness is giving me a headache," Amelia intervened.
"Good idea," Kyoya agreed.
Amelia left to the back room where she took her time with the tea. She overheard the French foreign student fawn over Kyoya's personality (which obviously wasn't his real personality). After all the months that she's been with the club, Kyoya has done none of those things. It seemed impossible to be him. Although she never really saw him outside the club, he was a year older than her. So maybe it was possible. But for a French girl to know that? That seemed more than a little unlikely.
"That doesn't sound like him at all," Amelia muttered under her breath as she began brewing the tea.
As the girl continued obsessively, everyone was running around telling her to "make it stop".
Amelia brought out tea as Renge remained in her own little world. She put the tea tray on the table offering it to the others who were cringing or shaking in their seats.
"You're putting me in place of that character. His personality you put on was me making you think that I'm your fiancée," Kyoya observed as she continued acting all over the place. Kyoya with a fiancée, that would be the day I'd like to see, Amelia thought as she sat next to the twins across from Kyoya.
"So she made it all up didn't she? You're not really her fiancée are you?" Tamaki asked.
"I never met the woman," Kyoya replied rather calmly. Tension released from the room. Everyone was relieved that this all was just a scam from an overly obsessed imagination.
"You know you could've told us that," twins mentioned. Renge finally stopped bouncing around, sitting next to Kyoya with starry eyes. Amelia tried act amused. It's not like she hasn't seen this behavior before (especially in entertainment).
"So I understand you run the club huh Kyoya?" Renge asked with intrigue.
"Kyoya's in charge!" Honey grinned at her. Renge started going off now saying she's going to manage the Host Club. This couldn't be happening. To make matters worse, Haruhi was now responsible for Renge and keeping her entertained. Failure would result would be increasing the debt to the club. With no negotiation, Haruhi was dragged to make cookies with her in the Home Ec area.
"Geez that girl needs to take off her nostalgia glasses," Amelia commented as she cleaned off their table.
"How can you even keep her in the same room Kyoya?" Hikaru asked rather annoyed.
"She's going to destroy this club," Kaoru added.
Amelia looked up, sniffing the air. Something was burning.
"Or right now the kitchen," Amelia corrected, running down to Home Ec: Cooking Station 1. Low and behold, Renge was burning the cookies. Haruhi already aired out the smoke from the oven. The cookies were burnt and done for. There was no way they were edible.
"Oh hey Imai," Haruhi greeted tiredly. It was like having an overactive child and Haruhi was the responsible babysitter.
"We're baking cookies!" Renge says gleefully. Haruhi looked at her, smiling hopelessly.
"Or at least trying to," Haruhi corrected. Amelia rolled her eyes irritable.
"Why don't we make them again? I don't recommend eating burnt cookies," she suggested, grabbing an apron and a bandana along with them. She started making her own batch of chocolate chip cookies while instructing Renge. Although Renge got the batter right on her own cookies, she again burned them after Amelia finished hers. She looked at Haruhi, rubbing her eyes in frustration. This girl is unbelievable.
"This one wants to run part of the club?" whispered to herself. Haruhi grabbed Renge's batch, putting them in a hand rolled wrap. Renge darted back to Music Room #3 to show her progress. Amelia cleaned up before doing the same.
"That one never ceases to amaze me," she commented, as she walked out the door. Haruhi doesn't even bother taking off her kitchen attire, carrying her ginger flavored cookies back to the club.
"Well if we don't entertain her properly we're both in trouble," Haruhi informed tiredly.
They walked back to the music room slightly exhausted from the ordeal. It was surprising that the others were nibbling on Renge's more than a little burnt cookies. Kyoya just seemed amused, while everyone else (other than Tamaki sitting in the corner), chewed on the cookies that were more like rocks.
"These aren't tasty," Honey complained. That triggered something no one wanted to be a part of. Renge went berserk chasing Honey up and down the room. Amelia rolled her eyes, closing the door behind her.
"Don't worry we have more," she announced, sitting herself down on the couch placing the wrap of chocolate chip cookies on the table. Haruhi was testing hers as Amelia put her feet up. She raised her brows when the twins found a way to bug Tamaki out of his funk. Hikaru grabbed a part of the cookie that was hanging out of Haruhi's mouth snapping it and eating it.
"That was good! You need to bake us a cake next time!" Hikaru grinned. Kaoru noticed cream on Haruhi's face, licking it off her cheek. Amelia looked between them with uncertainty. Apparently that's one way to make Tamaki freak out. Do anything physical with Haruhi and he thinks of it as sexual harassment. Haruhi just fed into it making him freak out and scold her even more.
"Geez milord can't take a laugh," Hikaru commented plainly walking over towards Amelia. Amelia grabbed a cookie, waving it around in her hand.
"I doubt he'll get a laugh with you two around," Amelia said sitting herself up on the couch, her back resting on the armchair.
Hikaru and Kaoru looked at her.
"You two are a bunch of trouble makers. Out for his little girl," she smirked. They smirked in response.
"Not his only little girl," they corrected in unison.
"Your turn Imai," Hikaru commented with a sly smile appearing behind her arm chair.
"My turn?" she asked in confusion. Kaoru sat next to her putting her legs on his lap. Hikaru leaned down taking a bite out of the cookie in her hand.
"Tasty," Hikaru complimented chewing the remains.
"Hey that was mine," Amelia rolled her eyes, trying not to laugh. "You realize you guys have more right there."
"What's the problem can't share food yet?" Kaoru smirked eating the rest of the cookie from her hand. Amelia raised a brow at him.
"See no more," she mentioned with a nervous smile.
"But you have crumbs on your hand," Kaoru informed, taking her hand and licking her fingers. A sudden rush went down her spine. This can't be good if that keeps up.
"I think we found a weakness," Hikaru sang putting his head on her shoulder when Kaoru's head lifted from her fingers.
Amelia looked over at the cookies in panic, grabbing two of them. She smirked, putting a her hand under Kaoru's jaw before stuffing one of the cookies in his mouth. She proceeded the same routine with Hikaru due to his close proximity.
Shocked they chewed through the gooey cookies.
Amelia got up proudly smirking at them.
"You're not finding any weakness from me this soon," she grinned, grabbing one of her cookies and taking a bite. "I'll give you kudos for trying."
They groaned in frustration mouth full of delicious cookies. Amelia winked at them as she headed towards the spazzing Renge who insisted everyone (excep Kyoya) to switch out their characters.
"This is going to be harder than we thought," Hikaru groaned feeling rather annoyed. "She's not like the other girls who just fall for that stuff."
"We'll get her eventually. Just be patient Hikaru," Kaoru encouraged.
…
The next day was a mess. Renge insisted on trying to make a movie that failed miserably. Kyoya even broke a camera because of Haruhi almost getting hurt. This was mainly due to some Class D students who were almost expelled for Renge's controlling behavior. The violence that Tamaki brought out to save Haruhi obviously wasn't going to be good for their reputation. Although, what Kyoya did salvage from the footage seemed to be a highly appealing to the customers. Amelia was just glad to not see Renge around as frequently. It made the club seem back to normal.
Let's just hope that the rest of the year will be a little less chaotic...