Chapter 19: A Close Call

The next few days were rather awkward between Amelia and the twins. Once school started for the winter term, she kept herself busy. She tried to find every reason to avoid them. Excuses like practicing for a recital or a business meeting suddenly coming up. Just about anything to get her out in the clear of seeing them.

When the club commenced once again for the term, Amelia stayed in the back room for most of the afternoon. Since she had no clients, she didn't want to bother with humiliating herself (well of course anymore than outside that past weekend).

What was I thinking? she thought. Kasanoda came in carrying a tea set on a tray. She already took off her blazer, rolling up her sleeves to clean the dishes. I should've known they weren't interested. They just like me. Why did I think getting close to them was ever a good idea?

"You doing okay back here?" Kasanoda greeted, placing the tray next to the sink. She snapped out of her trance as he approached her.

"Sure. Anything to get me away from the craziness," Amelia stated, glancing at the twins.

"Those two shady guys still bothering you?" Kasanoda asked, following her line of sight. Amelia laughed a little bit, turning off the sink and drying her hands.

"We haven't talked since a few days ago," Amelia replied, setting the towel down, leaning against the counter.

"Maybe for the better. Sometimes I think the way they behave is just an act sometimes. They were a little…brutal in training," Kasanoda admitted honestly. "Seems they like playing pranks more than making someone feel better."

"They do mean well Bossanova," Haruhi approached them as she kept the door open. "Well at least most of the time…"

"Oh hey Fujioka," Kasanoda greeted. Haruhi smiled at Kasanoda before looking at Amelia.

"Hikaru and Kaoru told me you still not talking to them," Haruhi mentioned. "Is that true or them over-exaggerating?"

Amelia faced Haruhi, crossing her arms about her chest.

"It's not them who messed up. Apparently I'm the one who's the problem," Amelia admitted. "Besides I wouldn't expect them to talk to me after last week."

"What happened last week?" Ritsu asked in curiosity.

"Nothing. Just…a misunderstanding," Amelia answered carefully.

"She got snow stuffed in her face," Haruhi stated plainly. Amelia froze, blushing in embarrassment.

"Why?" Ritsu asked looking at Amelia oddly. "Were they trying to be funny?"

"No," Amelia said quickly.

"She tried to make moves on the twins," Haruhi smirked. Amelia death glared at her. "At least that's what they said."

"I was not!" Amelia exclaimed, her face hot with embarrassment. "Since when do you believe what they say?"

"What? They're not talking to anyone else in class," Haruhi informed plainly.

"Really? I wouldn't think a girl like you would be interested in guys like them," Ritsu stated. Amelia turned beat red.

"You know what I'm out of here," Amelia growled, grabbing her blazer and storming out into the clubroom.

Her phone buzzed and she picked it up.

"Hello?" she asked. There was a long silence between her and the phone.

The twins waved off their clients as Amelia stuffed her blazer into her bag. Her stomach clenched at the sight of them. Suddenly she paused, looking out the window for a moment. She tried to hide the emotion in her face as she nodded to herself and hung up.

"Everything all right?" Kyoya questioned as he walked up to her. Tamaki waved his clients goodbye noticing Amelia's rather tense behavior. She felt so stiff, her world crumbling around her.

"Amelia?" Kyoya asked but she remained silent. Tamaki watched Amelia from the sidelines as well as the twins who seemed to finally turn their attention on her. The others tried to pretend they weren't paying attention to her behavior. But in all reality, their eyes were on her as the room was empty of clients.

"Ima-chan, what's wrong? You can talk to us," Honey encouraged putting a hand on her arm. Amelia stopped for a moment, her teeth clenched, pulling off her tie and throwing on her leather jacket. She glanced at the twins in as they cleaned up their tea sets.

"I'm quitting," Amelia finally said.

CLASH! Hikaru and Kaoru dropped their trays causing the tea sets to shatter on the floor. Amelia flinched at the sound. Everyone stared at her in shock, mouths gaping.

"But Ima-chan," Honey started softly. Amelia swallowed hard.

"I'm sorry…" Amelia whispered before turning and walking briskly towards the door. When the door shut, the club looked at each other not knowing what to say in the silence.

…

The next day…

"I can't believe Imai's quitting the club," Haruhi mentioned.

"And she skipped out on classes too? Geez what is with her?" Hikaru complained as he, Kaoru and Haruhi headed for the cafeteria.

"You know I'm starting to worry," Haruhi mentioned softly.

"Yeah I mean what if she got hurt yesterday and we didn't know it?" Kaoru agreed.

"You two just need to relax. I'm sure she'll be around at the club. All this I'm quitting crap is just her freaking out over the new term," Hikaru observed slyly.

"I don't know Hikaru, she seemed rather serious," Kaoru disagreed. Hikaru froze, giving a rather annoyed expression.

"Yeah I mean I haven't seen her that upset in a while," Haruhi agreed with his twin. Hikaru turned around grinning slyly.

"You guys obviously don't know her very well. Where does she always run off when she's upset? The club right?" Hikaru asked matter-of-factly. "So? I'm sure she'll just be fine at three o'clock she'll be there and good as new."

3pm…

Hikaru, Kaoru and Haruhi stood looking around the room in disappointment. Amelia wasn't there either. Hikaru gave a rather annoyed look.

"Okay seriously what is with this girl?" Hikaru growled.

"You think that maybe she's just that mad at us?" Kaoru asked rather sheepishly.

"Come on, last week was just-" Hikaru began but then shivered remembering her that close to him last week.

"Was just what?" Haruhi asked. Hikaru turned red flinching a little bit, holding back his embarrassment.

"Nothing," he stated flatly.

"Kyoya, have any of the members seen Imai? We haven't seen him in class all day," one of the girls whined in concern. The twins and Haruhi looked at the girl before looking at Kyoya.

"I'm sorry, mademoiselle. Imai called for a sick day, it was rather sudden. I'm afraid he won't be in today," Kyoya coaxed. Hikaru rolled his eyes.

"I swear she's playing games," Hikaru denied, grabbing his cell phone.

"What are you doing?" Kaoru asked.

"Calling her," Hikaru replied simply.

Ring, ring, ring…nothing. It rang for a little longer before he got a voicemail. Hikaru rolled his eyes grunting in frustration.

"She's not answering," Hikaru scoffed, looking at Kaoru. "Why don't you try?"

"All right…but I doubt she's going to pick up," Kaoru sighed reluctantly dialing. Ring…ring…ring…voicemail. Kaoru sighed hanging up.

"Well?" Hikaru asked impatiently. Kaoru looked at him rather annoyed.

"What do you think Hikaru?" Kaoru questioned sarcastically. Haruhi looked between them.

"Haven't you guys thought that maybe she just needs some time to herself?" she asked.

"She had all the time in the world yesterday. That doesn't mean she should skip class," Hikaru spat.

"Maybe she's really sick," Haruhi stated.

"If I may interrupt," Kyoya started walking over to them. "I would like us to meet at my place to discuss matters with Imai."

"Oh yeah like what?" Haruhi asked in curiosity.

"I rather talk this over in private with everyone without the anxious ears of our clients," Kyoya replied simply. "My place as soon as we're done here. Everyone must attend."

…

Later that evening, Ohtori's Estate…

The gang was scattered around Kyoya's living room. Honey, Mori and Kasanoda sat on the floor as Tamaki sat in the kotatzu across from Haruhi. Hikaru and Kaoru sat on the couch while Kyoya sat in a chair opposite of them.

"Now. Onto matters with Amelia," Kyoya began.

"She can't just skip out of the club, can she senpai?" Kasanoda asked looking at Mori.

Mori simply shrugged. No one really knew what was going on with Amelia.

"But it won't be the same!" Honey whined, eyes tearing up.

"What about her debt? Surely that doesn't go away because she's not coming back," Haruhi pointed out.

"Actually it might. Apparently, her lawyer just told her last week she is receiving a portion of inheritance from her father on her seventeenth birthday which is next week," Kyoya replied. "I heard from a variety of sources who were close friends with Amelia's father."

"But the money doesn't matter to us does it Kyo-chan?" Honey whined as he sat next to Mori.

"Let her go," Hikaru shook his head, his tone filled with annoyance. "It's clear she's avoiding the club."

Kaoru looked at his brother in worry. He saw him tear up earlier that day. The initial shock hurt them as well, but they tried not to show it.

"There are more important things than money right now, yes senpai," Kyoya agreed. "Although, from her recent behavior I can't say I'm thrilled about her quitting. Something is obviously off."

Haruhi looked over at the twins.

"Still no sign of her from your texts?" she asked.

"I'll be surprised if she's still in the country," Hikaru spat. "For all we know she could be looking at ways to get out of Japan."

"Hikaru…" Kaoru hissed, hurt at his comment.

Hikaru glared at Kaoru before looking at his hands. Kaoru watched Tamaki as he put his hands on his pet golden retriever Antoinette.

"You haven't said anything since she left milord," Kaoru mentioned.

"I've been thinking," Tamaki replied simply.

"Yeah well you thinking isn't helping," Hikaru growled harshly.

Tamaki narrowed his eyes standing up from his seat. He walked over to Hikaru.

"Do you honestly think so coldly of her?" Tamaki questioned. Hikaru shook his head.

"I don't know who she is anymore. All I know is she's being an idiot for abandoning us," Hikaru spat in frustration. "How can she be so selfish?"

"Well then," Tamaki picked up Hikaru, grabbing him by the shirt.

"Hey get off me milord!" Hikaru protested.

"Why don't you tell her yourself?" Tamaki commanded calmly. "The first thing she wants to hear after you reject her is that she's selfish and stupid."

"What? No I didn't say that!" Hikaru growled as Tamaki let him down. "I mean yes she's being stupid but why is she running from us? We didn't do anything wrong!"

"You two are still in you're tiny world aren't you?" Tamaki observed as he sat back down across from Haruhi.

"What are you talking about?" Hikaru asked. Kaoru swallowed hard, looking down in thought.

"Hikaru…" Kaoru breathed. "He's right."

Hikaru looked at his twin in confusion.

"She's the one that needs to grow up! I mean seriously why would she quit?!" Hikaru spat in annoyance. "It's like she hates us now!"

Kaoru grabbed Hikaru pulling him until they came face to face.

"Don't ever talk like that," Kaoru growled. "You know better."

The gang stared at the twins in curiosity and awe. The brothers stood staring at each other. Hurt, wanting to fight, wanting to cry.

"Then why did she run?" Hikaru asked hurtfully.

LA LA LALALA LALA LA LA LA! Kyoya's phone rang and he furrowed his brows in confusion.

"I don't know Hikaru. Maybe…she's afraid she made a mistake," Kaoru guessed.

"This is Kyoya," Kyoya greeted over the phone as he got up. "Oh hello Isao."

Everyone looked at Kyoya at the mention of the Amelia's caretaker's name.

"Hm? Why is Isao calling?" Kaoru asked.

"It's about Amelia…" Isao's voice started.

"Yes, we were all beginning to worry about her," Kyoya mentioned. There was a long pause, his eyes widened slightly. The twins looked at him oddly.

"Yes of course…we'll leave now. Thank you," Kyoya agreed before hanging up the phone. He looked at the others.

"We need to head to Wolfe Estate," he announced.

...

Isao opened the door to the estate. The boys didn't know what was going on other than Kyoya.

"Thank you for coming boys," Isao greeted.

"Where is she?" Kyoya asked. Isao motioned to Amelia's room.

"Kyoya you still didn't tell us. What is going on?!" the twins asked. Isao swallowed.

"Gina…Miss Pinto had an accident," Isao breathed. The boys looked at him in horror.

"Is she all right?" Tamaki asked quickly in worry.

"It was a car accident. A ladder went through the windshield. Thankfully it missed her and hit the passenger side. But…her car flipped when it went off the road and onto a guardrail," Isao breathed roughly. "She's in the hospital. She's fine, just bits of broken glass in her hair and a few bruises but they're doing a few tests now. I think God was with her."

Tamaki went between the twins putting a hand on each of their shoulders. They glanced at him for a moment.

"Go upstairs," he whispered.

"But milord-" they protested silently.

"She needs someone right now. Don't be selfish," Tamaki whispered.

The twins looked at each other for a moment before nodding. Within an instant were trotting to the stairs towards Amelia's room.

"Isao, you mind speaking with us privately?" Kyoya questioned. Isao nodded.

"Sure, just…let me make some tea," Isao insisted. Kyoya nodded in thanks. "We'll talk in the living room."

…

The twins walked down the hall towards Amelia's door. They could hear music playing softly. They looked at each other.

"Why didn't she tell us her mother was in the hospital?" Hikaru whispered. Kaoru put his hands in his pockets, feeling uneasy.

"You know how she is Hikaru. She doesn't like talking about family problems," Kaoru mentioned. They stopped at her door.

"But she can trust us," Hikaru whispered.

"You've seen how she's been Hikaru. Maybe she's been scared," Kaoru sighed. "I don't blame her with the way we've been acting."

"But what if she doesn't want us near her?" Hikaru asked.

"Then…we give her some time to think," Kaoru smiled sweetly grabbing his hand. Hikaru hesitated at the door.

"I hate to admit it…but I missed her the past few days," Hikaru mentioned. Kaoru nodded.

"I know," he agreed. He gripped his hand. He put up a hand doing 3…2…1 before they both knocked on Amelia's door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Amelia's steps were heard before the door unlocked from the other side. Amelia opened the door eyes at the floor for a moment in mid swing.

"Isao I said I'm-" Amelia started, but as she looked down seeing two pairs of feet, her head immediately shot up. The twins smiled softly at her, although just by looking at her they were worried.

Her eyes were red from obvious crying, wearing yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt. Her hair was a mess as if she'd been in bed all day. She swallowed hard looking at them.

"What are you two doing here?" she whispered. Her voice sounded a little hoarse from crying.

"Isao called Kyoya about the news. The others are here too," Hikaru mentioned looking at his feet.

"We were worried so we came to see you," Kaoru admitted looking at her calmly.

Amelia hesitated for a moment, looking at her hands.

"Are you okay?" the twins asked in unison.

"We know you've been avoiding us lately but-" Hikaru began but then suddenly Amelia lunged herself at them hugging them tightly.

"Don't go…please," she begged in a whisper. The twins' eyes widened, their hands out not knowing what to do.

She swallowed hard, feeling herself shake. Tears were forming around her eyes then falling down her face. She felt herself clasp but the twins grabbed her before she could fall.

"Whoa easy there," Hikaru mentioned as he grabbed her.

"I'm sorry okay. I'm so sorry," she whispered to herself. "I should've told you two. I've been so selfish."

"Shhh," Kaoru shushed. "It's okay…we forgive you."

"Just don't leave us again okay?" Hikaru asked. Amelia looked up at him.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry. I promise…" she whispered holding onto him tighter.

"Let's go inside so we have some privacy," Kaoru motioned to her room.

Hikaru swallowed hard as she clasped again as she sobbed.

"Shhh, it's all right we're right here," Hikaru comforted immediately picked her up, cradling her in her arms and leading her back to her room. Kaoru followed them closing the door behind him.

Hikaru sat on the floor as he kept her in his lap as she curled up against him. Kaoru sat next to them putting his head on her opposite shoulder. It was just like the night they found her crying in the dark. But this time…it was different. Something made the twins not want to leave her again even stronger than the last. Everything that was done and said suddenly made more sense even if nothing was said about it.

All they knew was they didn't want to lose her. And she wanted them to stay…

…

Amelia fell asleep in Hikaru's arms as the members came up to see if she was all right after their talk with Isao. Kaoru was sitting next to him dozing, his head on Hikaru's opposite shoulder and holding her by her waist gently. Hikaru just sat there listening to music when the gang opened the door.

"How is she?" Tamaki asked as they came into the room.

"Shh she's sleeping," Haruhi mentioned pointing at her. Tamaki looked nodding.

"It's all right she's been out for a while," Hikaru mentioned.

"We talked with Isao. Gina just got out of the hospital with a few bruises. Other than that she's healthy as she'll ever be. I'll make sure to talk to father about the medical expenses," Kyoya informed keeping his voice lower.

"Now that that's over. You think she's going to come back to the club?" Hikaru asked.

"Once the initial shock wears off, Isao recommended she should be around friends and keep herself busy," Kyoya replied. "He'll talk to her in the morning."

"It's so scary that she almost lost her Mom," Honey mentioned kneeling down to Amelia's level.

"I guess she got lucky huh?" Kasanoda mentioned.

"Yeah," Mori agreed.

"I guess God's really watching over her," Tamaki mentioned. "Has another purpose for her mother. Maybe even for Amelia."

Hikaru held Amelia close to him, petting her head gently as Honey sat on the opposite side of him. Haruhi watched them, remembering the feeling when she lost her mother.

"She needs us," she mentioned. Everyone looked at her. "I don't know what it's like to lose your dad. But almost losing another parent…she needs us."

"Maybe we can do something for her when she gets back to school," Honey suggested with a smile.

"Like what?" Kaoru asked.

"We can throw a party at the club," Mori suggested.

"I don't know if she wants to be surrounded by girls when she gets back," Kasanoda mentioned.

"Then what?" Tamaki asked.

"We can do a party at our house," Kaoru recommended. "We can invite Miss Pinto too."

"Yeah," Hikaru grinned. "We can play some games and just have a good time while Miss Pinto and our parents hang out and just enjoy the evening."

"That sounds like a great idea," Honey grinned.

"Why not this weekend? I'll get my family together for the arrangements," Kyoya mentioned.

"We'll make sure our parents know what's going on," Kaoru smiled sweetly.

"Then it's settled. We'll have a party with the Hitachiins," Kyoya smiled. "I'll make sure we'll let Miss Pinto and Isao know of our plans."

"Let's head out everyone. I'm sure Amelia needs her rest," Tamaki proposed as he motioned everyone out. Kyoya lead them out of her room. "She's had a long day…"

"We'll be right behind you milord," Hikaru mentioned. Tamaki was the last to go out with Haruhi glancing to see the twins get up gently from the floor. Amelia startled, half asleep stood as they tried to carry her off the floor.

"Hikaru?" she whispered tiredly.

"Shh it's all right Amelia," Hikaru whispered. She straightened up after wobbling a bit half asleep.

"Whoa there wobbles," Kaoru laughed as he pulled out the comforter and Hikaru picked her up putting her on the bed gently. "There you go."

Amelia shut her eyes, dozing immediately.

"I'm going to call our driver," Hikaru mentioned as he walked out of Amelia's room. Kaoru sat on the bed next to Amelia moving some hair out of her face.

"You're unbelievable you know that?" Kaoru whispered to her as she slept. He sighed grabbing her hand, squeezing gently.

"You worry us so much sometimes," he whispered, looking away from her. "We really do care about you…"

"I care about you too," she whispered in her sleep. Kaoru's eyes widened, his head darting to her, seeing she was still very much asleep. "Please stay…"

Kaoru smiled slightly leaning close to her face.

"You'll see me at school tomorrow…promise," he whispered. Hikaru stood by the door, peeking in as Kaoru kissed her on the cheek. He felt a knot in his stomach as he came out of the door, closing it behind him.

"I hate leaving her alone after today," Hikaru commented. Kaoru looked at him smiling sweetly.

"We'll see her tomorrow Hikaru. Besides we have a party to plan," Kaoru smirked as he grabbed Hikaru's hand leaving Amelia's room behind them.