AN: It's been a while... sorry guys! But I'm back and not obsessed with AC or KnB as much so I have a lot more time to write! I'll try to keep on track this time! Anyways, I hope you all enjoy! R&R

I don't own anything from OHSHC or the music and quotes! I'm not cool enough to come up with that stuff, come on!

I show up to the Host Club again just as it is ending. "Hey, Haruhi-kun, are you ready to go?" I ask, interrupting the chatter that the other members had erupted into.

"Yeah, just give me a second and we can go." I grin at the boy and wait patiently at the door. Wait, why are they silent? And staring at me?

I give everyone a weird look and ask, "What?"

"We're going to your house, right?" Haruhi-kun asks, oblivious to the awkwardness that the rest of his club members are creating.

"Yeah, we're having dinner afterwards. Do you want to go out somewhere or just stay at my place?" I answer, still staring at everyone. Haruhi-kun shrugs as he walks over to me and we start to leave. "Umm… bye everyone," I toss over my shoulder. I turn to Haruhi-kun and ask, "So, what are you planning on us doing?" The door shuts behind us loudly.

"Oh, I was just planning on quizzing you at first to get an idea of what I need to teach you," he answers easily.

"Thank you so much for tutoring me, by the way," I say abruptly. "I really do need the help and I appreciate it." At first, he didn't really want to but he caved once I started begging and making a scene. Hey, I'll do anything to get the help I need. I really suck at math and a big test is in a few days.

"I doubt that you're that bad. What did you get on your last test?" I glance off to the side in embarrassment and mumble something. "What did you say?" Haruhi-kun asks, leaning closer to me.

"67%...," I say louder, a blush covering my features now as I look at Haruhi-kun. I inwardly moan at my shortcomings. But come on! Numbers! What else can you expect?

The boy laughs slightly and my blush becomes darker as I look away again. Yeah, it is pretty bad "It's fine, Akari-chan, there's no need to be embarrassed. I just think it's cute," Haruhi-kun explains with his host smile. I relax slightly and smile back at him.

"Haruhi-kun!" I cheer, running to the brunette enthusiastically.

He turns and says, "Oh, hi Aka-Oof!" I collide with him and wrap my arms around his neck. I hug the boy tighter to me with another cheer and we both swing around in my excitement. I so don't care that everyone is staring at us. Nothing can ruin my good mood right now.

"You're the best!" I inform him, letting go so that I can show off the test score that sensei had passed back. 84% is written in red on the top and I grin wider as I see it again. I got a B!

"Good job," he compliments and I blush under his praise.

"It's all thanks to you, Haruhi-kun," I respond, easily falling into step with him as we go to the Host Club. We talk easily with one another and I grin widely as he laughs at something I told him. "You know, I have to repay you somehow," I think out loud, trying to find a suitable reward for helping me.

"You don't have to do anything for me, Akari-chan."

I shake my head absentmindedly, still trying to think of something. "Of course I do! You saved my grade and I'm really grateful. What do you want, Haruhi-kun?"

"Nothing," he smiles and an idea suddenly comes to me.

"I'll bring you food!" I tell him. "I'll make a picnic and we can have it tomorrow during lunch!" I'm so smart! I heard from the other guests that Haruhi-kun has a soft spot for fancy food. I can tell that the first-year wants to say no. I sweeten the deal, "I'll bring fancy tuna."

The boy smiles at me happily and I inwardly melt. He looks so cute right now! "Okay, I guess that I can let you do that. Thank you very much, Akari-chan."

I blush at his sincere expression and respond jokingly, "It's a date!"

I had dragged Haruhi-kun out to the big tree outside so that we could sit underneath the shade and look at the garden. I never saw Haruhi-kun leave the classroom for lunch and thought that it would be a nice change. "What do you think?" I question as we eat, wanting to make sure that I had Hisoka make the right stuff. This is the best kind of thank you gift that I thought of and I don't want to have messed it up.

Haruhi-kun continues to eat the bento that I had made for him. "This is really good," he gushes and I grin gratefully at him.

"I'm glad." I giggle as he stays focused on the food. "I knew that you liked food but I didn't know that you had such a soft spot for it."

His expression softens and I blink at him slightly. I know that Haruhi-kun is a boy but sometimes he looks really… cute. So much so that it's almost girlish. I feel kind of guilty for thinking about him like that but I can't help it. I know that he is a boy; I also so that he would make a really pretty girl. "I don't get to try stuff like this a lot since it's all so expensive, so I really enjoy it when I do." He sends a smile my way and I melt on the inside. "Thank you. Akari-chan."

"That's what friends are for, silly! Don't thank me!" Honestly, I'm happy that this worked out so well. I was worried that Haruhi-kun only accepted out of politeness but now I think that he really thinks of me as a friend. I smile as I eat at the thought.

"From the moment I decide you are a friend, it does not matter how long I have known you, because I make a commitment right then and there... To be there for you when you need me."

― Aaron Usery

"An event is coming up for the club," Haruhi-kun mentions casually as I take a break from the books. Ugh, Haruhi-kun that tells me nothing. Why can't he gossip like a girl sometimes? You know, like Tamaki-sempai. He had been helping me with my homework since I was the only one with him at his table. I plan on monopolizing him every chance that I get; this guy is brilliant!

"What kind of event?"

Haruhi-kun smiles and whispers, "It's a secret." And the natural type is at it again. I let out a slight groan as I blush. This guy is killing me with lack and details and stunner hosting abilities. What girl can stand up against it?

"Fine, fine. Moving on, are you free this weekend? I was thinking that we could hang out and do homework," I propose, not thinking much of it. "You said that you were having problems with the assignment in history, right? I can help! That's my best subject." I learned by now that 'problems' with an assignment means that he might get a B on it. Nerd.

He thinks about it and I take the moment to look around the room. Wait, where are the rest of the hosts? All I see are Mori-sempai and Kyoya-sempai. "Uh… I don't know, I think that I'm going to be busy," Haruhi-kun answers and I deflate slightly.

"That's fine if you're busy then." Honestly, I still feel like I owe him so I want to be able to help him too. But maybe another time.

He glances over at me and I send him a slight smile. It's no big deal, I'll make it up to him somehow. "Actually, I think that I'm free Sunday. We'll just have to meet up later so that I can get some things done still. And I can't stay for dinner this time."

I laugh slightly, thinking of how disappointed that my staff would be. They absolutely loved Haruhi-kun, Hisoka especially once she found out that he cooked. "I'm sure that Hisoka will be heartbroken. But Sunday sounds good, text me the details, okay?" I look around the room and see the hosts all back in their usual spots and tilt my head in confusion. Weird.

"Did you know that when we first met Haruhi, he was dressed like a hobo?"

"Uh… no, I did-didn't." This is strange. Like really weird. "Anyways… Tamaki-sempai, I was wondering if you had seen Kyoya-sempai anywhere." I hadn't talked to most of the Host Club for a while and I was missing my friend so I figured that I would visit him today. But Tamaki-sempai had popped up out of nowhere and dragged me to his table! What did I do to deserve this?

"And he uses words like dude and bro." Ignored! I cry internally. How the heck did I get into this situation? The whole day, the Host Club has been telling me strange things about Haruhi-kun and I don't know why!

As soon as Tamaki-sempai was distracted by his other guests I left his table to go to Haruhi-kun. Maybe he'll know what is going on. I don't need to talk to Kyoya-sempai that much. "Ri-chan!" I spin as I try to keep my balance as the third year violently attaches himself to my middle. Wait, when did I end up at Honey-sempai's and Mori-sempai's couch? "I've missed you!"

I go to pull away Honey-sempai's hands but he clings to me persistently. What the hell? Who knew that this guy was so strong!? I let out a whine as I give up and instead sink into the couch. I guess that I can ask Haruhi-kun later about the Host Club being weird. "Uh, I missed you too, Honey-sempai." I've reached a whole new level of suspicion. Honey-sempai is never really clingy to his guests and this is freaking me out. Besides I was with them like a week ago. The Host Club is up to something. "I'll make an appointment with you for Monday okay? I have to go talk to Haruhi-kun."

"Come on, Ri-chan, stay with me and Takashi! I'll even let you hold Usa-chan!" The teen holds up the stuffed animal and I take it from his grasp if only to get that look off of his face. I'm such a sucker.

I twirl my pencil in my hand and glance at my work before writing down the answer to another problem. Haruhi-kun had been here for about an hour and all of my staff had already come to visit because they adored him so much. I might feel betrayed if I didn't think that it was so funny.

"Hey, Akari-chan, can you help me with this question?" I lean over to him so that I can see.

"Oh, that's-." I start to explain the answer to him and point at the section in the text book that he brought. A strange sound interrupts and I look around. "What was that?" Everything is silent and I shrug. "Just look through that section and you'll find the answers." I leave Haruhi-kun to figure out what had made that noise. It sounded like someone was outside. There's nobody outside though… hunh. Maybe I should have Takumi look around. There's no way that I imagined that. "Weird," I mutter and go back to my friend. Takumi took his job as the butler very seriously- thought himself to be something like Alfred from Batman- so I doubt that it was anything worrying if he wasn't freaking out.

After a while, Kotone pokes her head into the library and squeaks, "Akari-sama, you have guests." Why does she look so flustered?

"Me?" I ask, even though I heard her perfectly. I wasn't expecting anyone, Father or Hideki were the people who usually had guests over. My maid nods enthusiastically with a brilliant blush on her features and I get up. Well, I might as well greet them and figure out what is going on. I walk to the entryway and stare in shock. Well, now I know why Kotone was so flustered. They probably charmed their way into my house.

"You know the place-."

"Hasn't changed much."

"What? You've been here before, Kao-chan, Hika-chan?"

I finally process that the Host Club is actually at my house and step forward. "My mom decorated the place and we never felt the need to change it."

"Akari!" The King greets, giving me a hug and twirling me around. "Just the girl I wanted to see!" This is weird. Like, really weird. Man, I've been having a really weird week.

I pull away from the blonde and smile at him. "Uh, yeah, about that. It's not that I'm not happy to see all of you but uh, why are you here?" They all look away from me and I narrow my eyes in suspicion. They're up to something and I don't like it at all. Maybe I should just kick them out and not deal with them. Hmmm, tempting but should I really pass up the chance to have the whole Host Club at my house? The idea that they're visiting makes me feel kind of special after all. Ah, I guess that I can let them stay. I do like feeling special. And Tamaki-sempai did say that they wanted to see me. Yeah, no way am I kicking them out.

"We can't just want to visit a friend?" Kyoya-sempai asks, writing in that creepy notebook of his.

"Well, you could," I answer. "But that's not why you're here." My best friend just smiles indulgently at me as if to say 'You'll never know.' Brat. Oh well, what do I care, it isn't like I could stop them really. At least Hideki and Father are out at the company for work. The Host Club whistle innocently and I stare at them blankly. "Nevermind. Follow me, I have to get back to Haruhi-kun."

"Haruhi-kun, I'm back," I call, going into the library. Everyone else is surprisingly silent and is just watching us. They're so strange.

The boy turns around with a welcoming smile on his face that melts off as he sees everyone else. "What are you guys doing here?" he accuses. He turns back to me with an apologetic smile. "I apologize in advance for any trouble they cause Akari-chan."

I laugh at his reaction to his friends and move forward to take my seat next to him. "It's no big deal, Haruhi-kun. I'm always happy to have friends over."

"He-hey, Akari!" I turn back to Tamaki-sempai who had called out my name. Why does he look so desperate? "We wanted to ask a favor of you."

"Oh?" I ask, turning back to take my seat but instead blink at Hikaru-kun who had sat there. Kaoru-kun had taken the seat on Haruhi-kun's other side. My work was pushed farther down the table and I frown. What the hell are they doing? I move to my work and take a seat there, gesturing for everyone to sit down. "What do you need?" Kotone silently brings in drinks for everyone and I smile at her. "Thanks Kotone." She's the best maid ever.

"We-well… uh." I furrow my brows at them all, once again wondering why they're really here. Obviously, they weren't here to ask me a favor. "We heard that you helped Renge with stuff for the Host Club and was wondering if you could keep helping!" he bursts out suddenly, looking very satisfied with himself. Well, I was told to get over my jealousy and I figured that the best way was to talk to her. Somehow she manipulated me into helping her do grunt work in the process but hey, I don't hate her for a stupid reason anymore.

I scratch my head. Maybe it has something to do with Haruhi-kun. That makes sense, they're very protective of the scholarship student. The only thing that I don't understand is why they had to come all the way to my house and pretend that they wanted to see me. Whatever, there are some things in the world that you aren't supposed to understand. For me, the Host Club is one of them. I'm okay with that, I'm not quite sure if I want to know. "Uh… sure, why not," I answer flippantly. What's the big deal, I doubt that they really mean it. Besides, how much work could they possibly have me do?

"Great!"

"Great. Is that all you needed? Haruhi-kun and I are in the middle of something." I could tell that the teen was already having trouble focusing because of the twins continuously messing with him as Tamaki-sempai talks to me.

"Uh, no!"

"No?" I ask, honestly surprised. What else could they want from me?

"No." Okay. I wait for Tamaki-sempai to explain and instead we sit in silence. I stare at him expectantly but he look like he isn't going to say anything soon and is just smiling.

This isn't going anywhere soon. I prompt, "So, what else do you need?"

"Right! I need something from you."

"And that is?"

"Something important!" Maybe I should just kick them out.

"We were wondering if we could stay at your house for a while, Ri-chan!" Honey-sempai chimes in.

"Will you two leave me alone!?" Haruhi-kun snaps at the twins. "In fact, why don't you all leave? Akari-chan and I are busy and don't have time for you idiots!" Silence reigns for a few seconds. What? I was expecting them to freak out like normal. Tamaki-sempai was supposed to start crying and everything. Instead, the blonde gestures furiously for the rest of the Host Club- excluding Haruhi-kun- to gather in a circle. The only sound is of their whispering and I lean over to try to look at their expressions. No dice, Mori-sempai is the body guard it seems. Ah, well, might as well go over to the only other excluded person then.

"How's your assignment, Haruhi-kun?" I question rhetorically, not really expecting the brunette to answer. He was focused on doing what he could while the rest of his club was distracted, I'm sure. He's almost done. I wonder if he'll leave as soon as he finished. I glance over at the whispering teens across the room. Probably since they're here. He told me once that he valued the small amount of time that he got away from them. I guess that I could see why seeing how they treat him. "Ah, you got that question wrong."

"I did?"

"Well, I guess not wrong but you haven't answered it fully." I can feel all of them staring at the two of us and I don't know why. I shouldn't let it bother me. I told Haruhi-kun that I would be able to help him with the history assignment and I will.

I let out a yelp as the small third-year suddenly pops up between Haruhi-kun and I, making us lean away to avoid him. "Takashi is good at history too!" Honey-sempai cheers and everyone bursts into random conversations. We both stare at him before looking at each other with identical expressions of annoyance.

We're so done with the Host Club.

"Don't you think-."

"-That kicking us out was a bit dramatic." I let out a strangled noise of surprise as the twins appear in front of me.

"Well," I say, trying to walk around them and failing miserably. They just moved with me and grinned. "It did get the job done."

"It still wasn't very nice," Kaoru-kun admonishes and I finally groan in defeat and stop moving.

"What do you guys want?" I ask, staring at them wearily.

"Nothing." I roll my eyes and walk past them. I'm late for my appointment with Honey-sempai that I promised that I would make.

I run to the music room to make up for lost time. "Hey, sorry that I'm la-." I stop mid-sentence to stare in confusion at the dark room. The club did start like ten minutes ago right? It is Monday… I'm pretty sure. I mean, yesterday was Sunday so you would think.

"Welcome!"

The place lights up to reveal the Host Club dressed up as butlers- although the twins and Haruhi-kun were absent. Several small tables were set up and girls were sitting there with other guys. A timer was ticking in the middle of the room and romantic music was playing.

"To the Host Club: Speed Dates!"

Uh… okay. Why not? I guess that there have been odder things that they have done. Well, no actually, this one is pretty far up there.

"Ah, Akari!" Tamaki-sempai greets, taking a hold of my hand and escorting me to a table with some random guy. "Here you go, you two have fun." He winks and whisks himself off to let us have some privacy.

"Hi," he greets and I smile back as we talk. There wasn't anything romantic about it but neither of us minded. The timer rings and everyone gets up to switch. A tall guy sits across from me with a frown on his lips. I have the feeling he always looks like that.

"The next date starts… now!"

And it went on and on for about an hour. I met a bunch of different guys and had fun talking to them for the most part. Hunh, I guess that the Host Club had a pretty good idea this time. A little out there compared to what they usually do but a nice idea all the same.

"So, did you find anyone you're interested in?" Tamaki-sempai asks hopefully and I shake my head.

"Nah, they're not my type," I answer simply and the Host Club slumps slightly. I frown slightly. Were they trying to set me up with someone? Why?

"What is your type then, Ri-chan?"

"My 'type' hunh…" I hadn't really ever thought about what my type actually was. "I guess it's someone that's natural for me to be around. Someone who makes me feel at ease." I smile as I think of my only previous relationship. He always made me feel safe and I loved it.

"You really do like Haruhi-kun, don't you?" What? Do they mean what I think they mean? Like, like like? Oh shit they do!

"Uh, it is-isn't uh- I-I mean I d-d-don't-." Great now I'm reduced to a stuttering mess. Were they trying to set me up with someone else so that I didn't date Haruhi-kun?

"It's okay." I'm shushed quickly by a finger on my lips and I go cross eyed trying to look at it. I don't really know what to do. Me? Have a crush on Haruhi-kun? That's just uh… well I guess it isn't that hard to see. I do kind of fawn over him but that doesn't mean I have a crush on him! Who cares anyways, a bunch of people have a crush on a member of the Host Club. "But your love will never work out." I push away the blonde's hand and look at everyone in what I hope is a convincing way.

"It isn't li-like that, gu-guys," I try to explain but everyone is just looking at me sadly.

"You don't have to deny anything, Ri-chan." My eye twitches in annoyance at the understanding tone that Honey-sempai took. I'm not in denial, damnit!

Tamaki-sempai lets out a long sigh and starts spouting something about forbidden love and how I don't understand. He finally, looks at me again instead of staring out the window and grabs my hand. "You see, Haruhi is-."

"I don't care what Haruhi-kun is," I finally snap, and everyone looks slightly shocked. "I don't even like him." I cross my arms over my chest and look at the Host Club. Silence reigns for a couple of seconds as everyone looks at Tamaki-sempai with varying expressions of annoyance.

He had gone white in the face and was staring in confusion. Oh God, he actually thought he was right! "What about the dates?" he questions shakily.

"Dates? What dates?" I question, thinking back. You know, now that I think about it, I did jokingly call our lunch together a date. Crap, I'm so stupid. All of this because they thought I had a crush! I could have avoided all of it!

"You always went to 'study'!" Tamaki-sempai accuses while pointing at me. "And I have pictures of you having lunch together." He pulls out all of the evidence that only serves to make me think that he's a stalker.

"What the hell!?" I yell as I spot something that looks familiar. I swipe the picture and look at it closer. That is! "What were you doing in my backyard!?"

"W-well about that…" Yeah, about that. I glare at them all and they point at Tamaki-sempai.

"He told us to," Honey-sempai reveals.

"It was you guys that I heard when I had Haruhi-kun over!" I realize and try to control the urge to strangle Tamaki-sempai. He was so protective it wasn't even funny. He's like that really over protective dad dealing with his daughter. Gross. "And I actually needed help with the subjects, Tamaki-sempai! I wasn't trying to get an excuse to spend time with him!"

"What about the lunch?" Tamaki-sempai was looking more and more defeated as I went on. "And the smiling and giggling! Girls only do that when they have a crush!" I slap my forehead with my palm at the pure stupidity.

I try to explain, "Haruhi-kun is a host and is very charming. I blush and giggle when I'm embarrassed or flattered, Tamaki-sempai. It doesn't mean that I have a crush!" God, I never thought that I would be explaining this sort of thing to a Host of all people. "Besides, I brought Haruhi-kun food as a thank you for helping me study. I heard that he was a glutton and it was an easy way to say thank you to a friend."

He slides to the floor and states, "So you don't have a crush on Haruhi…"

"No."

"Oh." Yeah, oh. My annoyance spikes at the relief in his statement. Was it really so bad for me to date Haruhi-kun? I'm a little insulted.

"I told you," Kyoya-sempai chimes in and I shake my head. I'm so done to the Host Club.

"I'm going to tell the twins to let Haru-chan go!" Honey-sempai chirps and pulls out his phone to call them.

"Let him go?" I question, looking at Tamaki-sempai. "What did you have them do? Lock him in a closet?" A nervous laugh is the only reply that I get and my mouth falls open in shock as I point at the cowering blonde. "Oh my God, you did! What did you think I was going to do, jump him or something? What is wrong with you!? You idiot!" I hit the blonde harshly and he starts crying.

The twins and Haruhi-kun show up quickly and they stare at me and Tamaki-sempai. "Will you guys tell me what's going on?"

"Yeah, Tamaki-sempai," I say with false sweetness. I can't wait to see how Haruhi-kun reacts. "Why don't you tell Haruhi-kun what's going on?" I wasn't disappointed.

"I'm still confused about something," I say, as I think about it all the next day. The Host Club looks at me questioningly. "Why wouldn't it work if I did have a crush on Haruhi-kun?" Everyone stops and laughs slightly.

"No reason!" I let out a huff but drop it. They're so strange.

Crashed on the floor when I moved in

This little bungalow with some strange new friends

Stay up too late, and I'm too thin

We promise each other it's till the end

~White Houses by Vanessa Carlton