A/N: A big thank you to all that have reviewed, followed, and favorited "Louise"

It really gets me fired up to continue writing.

#include "fried_brain.h"

#include "noise_canceling_headphones.h"

using std::route;

string current_activity = "walking home";

int backpack_weight_in_lbs = 15;

/*Why aren't tablets allowed in class? I swear I'd only use it for reading ebooks. My back is going to break. Maybe I should work out…*/

"Ruisu-chan!" A voice called from behind me.

I looked over my shoulder to find Haruhi hurrying to catch up to me. "Hey, Haruhi-kun," I said pulling off my headphones.

"Oh, that's why you didn't respond the first few times I called out to you."

"Huh? Oh, yeah. The libraries here aren't all that conducive to studying. Why are you here so late? Club?"

"Mhm! Do you want to walk home together? My house is in the same direction."

/*Calm down heart. This isn't an anime. Walking home together doesn't mean anything. We are friends. He's your first friend in years. Don't ruin it by going and getting a crush… Thank God we aren't sharing an umbrella.*/

"Sure," I said shifting my bag to my other shoulder.

He smiled in response and started walking.

/*Think of something to talk about!*/

"Haruhi?"

"Yeah?"

I hadn't actually thought of anything to say, so I just blurted out the first thing that popped into my head. "Do you think the twins will help me with my game?"

"Hmm… I wonder if they would." He thought about it for a moment before smiling. "I think they might, if you ask."

/*Well that answer was insanely noncommittal, and now I have nothing to talk about again…*/

"Might?" I said, trying to coax a more certain answer from him.

"Well, they don't take an interest in many things. At least not for very long. It took a lot for Tamaki-sempai to convince them to even join the Host Club. But, I think, if it's you, they might say yes. I think they find you interesting."

"Me? Interesting?"

"Well, yeah. I think so."

I began to watch my feet as we walked.

After another block or so, Haruhi came to a stop in front of a park.

"Want to walk through here? It's still decorated with Christmas lights. Unless you need to get home soon?"

I stopped in my tracks and stiffened. I looked up from the sidewalk and turned my gaze to the park.

The park was a square patch of green, spotted with trees, most of which were wrapped in multicolored lights. A couple meandered along the winding stone paths. A few of elementary school kids played on the swing set in the far corner. Some elderly men were huddled around a table playing Mahjong.

/*We won't be alone.*/ I relaxed. "Sure, Haruhi. That sounds nice."

This time we walked in a comfortable silence under the canopy of lights, until Haruhi began to recount what the park had looked like at Christmas. As we passed the Mahjong players, I asked Haruhi about the rules. He began to explain them, but stopped, when I looked confused, and just suggested that we play it sometime.

As we exited the park we passed by the couple. They were holding hands and leaning against one another on a bench as the boy ate cookies that his girlfriend had made. The air around them was practically pink and sparkling.

I couldn't help but glance sideways at Haruhi. /*I wonder what that would be like… No, brain. Stop it. You are only thinking these things, because he's so nice. He's nice to everyone. You aren't special.*/

Suddenly, Haruhi's eyes went wide, and he grabbed me roughly by the arm, pulling me close. I felt a whoosh of air behind me and heard a shout of, "Sorry!" as a biker, who'd narrowly missed colliding with me, sped away.

With my heart in my throat, I looked up at Haruhi.

"Are you alright?" His gaze was searching, his voice filled with worry. He pulled away from me and gave me a once-over to see if I was injured.

"I-I'm fine. Thanks, Haruhi-kun."

We parted a few blocks later, and I found myself wishing that we lived farther from the school.