Hello to anyone who's still reading this. Warning: two flashbacks and a lot of thinking. This is like a filler chapter, but it's still important with fluffy lovey scenes.
Enjoy!
Chapter 5
She ran as far as her legs could take her, but he was still behind her. The back door was so close, so close. She'd be safe once she got there. She could run from him, and never come. Nothing seemed more important at the time, including her dear big brother who was still in the kitchen doing painstaking chores. She continued to run, but she was too slow. He picked her up, and pulled at her brown curls.
"Ya though' ya could get awa' from me didn't ya idiot," his slurred voice was the product of half a dozen beer bottles. She gagged at the putrid stench of alcohol. He carried her to the small, dim-lit, filthy living room. Bottles of beer, vodka, and other drinks were littered on the floor.
"Just 'cuz ya ma got awa', don't mean ya'll too," he grumbled. She stiffened as she sensed the anger that was boiling at the surface. He always got mad whenever anyone mentioned her mother even himself. He held her from her armpits, and placed her on the old lumpy couch. She was too scared to try to flee again.
"Ay! Boy! Get in here," he called out to the kitchen. A boy, five years older than her reluctantly entered the room. He was unhealthily thin for a twelve-year old boy, but his height made up from it. Curly brown covered his forehead, and brushed green eyes. He held a washrag in his hand, must have been cleaning. Her big brother was as frighten as she was.
"Yes, dad," the boy said, and shot his little sister an apologetic look. She felt guilty for attempting to leave without him.
"Sit," their father commanded. The boy scrabbled to take the seat next to his sister. He stood over them. Like his children, he too had curly dark brown hair, which was greasy and unkempt. Their green eyes were from their absent mother, much to their father's dismay. They knew what was next once he started to rummaged through the living room, in search for his wallet. He was going to leave them again, and go to the bar with his friends. Once he found his wallet, he left, locking all the doors. The windows were already boarded up.
The girl quickly ran to the front window. She peeked through the crack between the wooden boards. Tiny shoulders loosened when she saw the old Ford back out of the driveway.
"He's gone," she whispered. "But he'll be back." The boy hopped off the couch, and went to his sister. He pulled her into a tight hug.
"One day," he began. "We'll leave that bastard, and go some where great, where he can never find us. You're too smart not to end up somewhere amazing." He ran his fingers through her long hair, in effort to calm her.
"Like England?" she answered, perking up. They had this conservation thousands of time before, but it still manages to cheer her up.
"Or France," he said.
"Or Lithuania?" she said, proud with herself for knowing the name of the Baltic country.
"Or Japan, as long as it's away from this hell hole," he added. "There will be light, at the end of the tunnel." The girl smiled at her brother's statement, but the smile was unreal. Realization filled her mind. What possessed her to try to leave without this amazing person? Her brother had done nothing but comfort her and care for her, and she repaid him by trying to leave him behind.
….
"Harley, Harley, wake up! The movie's over! HAR-HAR"
"Huh?" Harley jumped up, waking up and, bumping her head with Violet's.
"Movie's over. Damn you have a hard head," the twin mumbled, rubbing the place where Harley's head had connected with hers.
"Oh, sorry," she looked. The hosts and girl sat in the back of the theater, taking up a whole row. The lights in the movie theater had come on. They all looked at her as if she had grown three heads.
"What?" Harley grumbled. She didn't like being stared at like a zoo animal.
"You were reciting every country in Europe in your sleep," either it was Hikaru or Kaoru who informed her. She was too groggy to concentrate enough to tell them apart.
"Oh," was Harley's intelligent response as an embarrassed blush creped onto her cheeks. She really hated her sleep talking.
"This movie really did sucked. I fell asleep too, but woke up when that German dude pulled his face off," Rose said, drawing everyone's eyes to her. Harley sent Rose a grateful look, and the brunette twin responded with a wink.
"Maybe watching 'Captain America' in Japanese wasn't one of my best ideas," Shay added. She had originally pursued the others to watch the film, because it had an American superhero in it. No one could say no when those wide baby blue eyes.
"Most of the translations were wrong, too," Areily whispered. Harley smiled. It was just like her friends, no, sisters to try to cover up for her. The boys seemed to go along with the girls' ploy. They all left the movie theater, and returned to the limo. Harley changed her seat, and went sit in the back with Areily and Mori. Areily gave her green-eyed friend a concerned look. She didn't need to speak for her message to be heard.
'It was about him, wasn't?' Areily's dark blue eyes read. Harley nodded, slowly so no one would notice their silent conversation. She looked down at her lap, and began to chew on her bottom lip; a bad habit like her facial twitch. She had many bad habits, she noticed, so many flaws. The memory dream only emphasized that. How could any little sister try to leave without her big brother? The brother who was nothing but kind and loving to her, and sacrificed so much for her. 'So selfish,' she thought. After years, the small act still made her feel guilty. A hand with long manicured fingers intertwined them with hers, and brought Harley out of here musings. She looked up to see Areily, her little mermaid. Areily gave her hand a tight squeeze. Harley smiled. She could always rely on the blue haired girl for everything including support. She could still remember the day she had meet the older girl.
…
Snow covered the streets as a twelve-year-old Harley walked from school. Curly hair was down in attempt to receive more warmth that the flimsy jacket did not provide. New York could be terribly cold during the dead of winter. She walked with her head down, cursing her house for being in Queens while her school was in Manhattan, cursing the damn bus for being full, and curing the her train for being an hour delayed. She didn't have the heart to curse at her brother for forgetting to pick her up from school, though. He had a part-time job to go to after all. Harley didn't even notice a tall blonde haired girl until she bumped into her.
"Oh, sorry," Harley apologized to the girl, and looked up to find the girl crying. "Are you okay?" The girl didn't answer, but instead bursted in a sob that she had been holding back. Harley looked at the blond girl in panic. She wasn't used to people crying; it was a phenomenon to her. The tall girl had dark blue eyes, and pin straight sandy blonde hair.
"I'm s-s-so s-sorry, m-miss," she stuttered as tears flowed down her pale cheeks. She went to sit on an empty bus bench, a few feet behind Harley, and curled up in a fetal position. Harley stared at the weeping blonde. The rational part of her told her to just leave, and go back home before her father got mad for being late, but, a part, which Harley hadn't known she had until now, told her to go comfort the girl. So she did.
"Um, what's wrong?" Harley asked the girl, and sat next to her. The girl sobbed something that Harley couldn't understand. Each cry and sob made her cringe. On impulse, Harley pulled the blonde closer, and wrapped her arms around her. The girl stopped sobbing for a second in surprised, but then continued. Harley stroked her blonde hair as she wept onto her shoulder, and send glares at bystanders who gave her odd looks. Haven't they ever seen two strange girls embrace before?
After a while the girl's sobs calmed down. She sat up and wiped her cheeks with the back on her hands.
"Thank you, I needed that," the girl whispered to Harley.
"It's okay, I'm Harley by the way," Harley said.
"I'm Areily," the blonde, Areily, answered.
"Like the little mermaid?" Harley asked.
"No, I think that's Ariel," Areily answered.
"Oh, so, er, why were you crying?" Harley asked bluntly. Areily looked down at the question. Her lap had suddenly become much more interesting.
"Um, mymomcheatedonmydadnowshe'," Areily mumbled quickly.
"What?" Harley asked, trying to piece apart the jumbled sentence.
"My mom cheated on my dad, now she's demanding a divorce, and they just told me today," Areily repeated meekly and slowly. Harley blinked. She stayed silent as she tried to think of a reply. She never had to deal with something like this before. Her one friend, beside her brother, was a tiny bird that lived in the tree next to her bedroom window. Mr. Blue Jay didn't have many family matters for Harley to comfort him with.
"I'm sorry for what you're going through. But I can't say that it'll be alright or that I know how you feel, because I don't know what's like or what would happen," Harley finally said. Areily looked up at Harley. She continued, "I do know though that you shouldn't cry over something that you have no control over. If your mother wants to be selfish then let her because she doesn't realize what a beautiful daughter she's leaving behind. Stop sobbing, it's not worth it." Harley finally finished. Areily smiled slightly.
"Thank you," she said. "For being honest."
"Your welcome," Harley petted Areily's head. "You know, baby blue would be a great hair color for you." Areily laughed at the random statement.
"I'll keep that in mind the next time I go to the hair dresser," Areily giggled. They sat together on the bus bench, and continued to talk. Areily had forgotten all about her troubles with Harley's blunt, yet humorous, and sometimes sarcastic dialogue. They would soon become close friends with a strong bond.
…
Harley's was pulled out of her thoughts as the limo stopped in front of a red light. Shay was bouncing up and down as she explained the plot of a Batman comic to Honey. Violet and Rose were conversing quietly while Hikaru and Kaoru were eyeing them; they knew that the two brunettes were scheming. Kyoya was writing in his black book. Areily and Mori were having a silent conversation. It was entertaining to watch the two tall teens communicate with physical gestures, eye contact, and a limit of one-syllable words. Harley turned to observe Tamaki and Haruhi. The two were talking, Tamaki; with large hand movements and ostentatious words, Haruhi; with eye rolls and a nod when necessary.
'They look adorable together,' Harley cooed mentally. 'I need to get them together so I can fangirl correctly, but how should I meddle in the relationship? Ooh, idea!'
"Yo driver, stop at the nearest public park!" Harley commanded loudly. Everyone stared at Harley like her hair had turned into venomous snakes and her skin had become aquamarine.
"Yay! The park!" Shay jumped and fist pumped the air.
"No," Kyoya said closing his book.
"Yes," Harley contradicted.
"No. The day is almost over and we have school tomorrow," Kyoya argued.
"It's never too late for the park!" Harley boomed. She twirled in a circle with her hands up.
"You're an idiot," Kyoya grumbled.
"I though I was your idiot, mommy," Tamaki whined with puppy dog eyes.
"No you're my moron," Kyoya said.
"Yay! I'm a moron… wait what?" Tamaki said in confusion.
"There, there, you're my moron too," Haruhi said petting Tamaki's head. Tamaki seemed pleased with that.
"Oh, does that mean that I'm your idiot, mommy?" Harley asked, smiling like a dumbass.
"Do not speak unless you're going to say something intelligent," Kyoya said. He rubbed his temple. Tamaki, he could handle. Add disobedient Harley, and you get a migraine.
"But if I don't talk, you'll miss my beautiful voice," Harley said this in a high-pitched voice just to annoy him. "Oh loosen up," her voice was back to normal. "I'm going to the park, and I'm dragging Haruhi along. Whoever wants to follow, be my guest." She took Haruhi's hand in her own and pulled her up. Harley sent the other girls a wink, who returned with grins, and gave Kyoya a quick smirk. She opened the door, and stepped out, taking a confused Haruhi with her. Once they were gone, Areily stood up. She bowed slightly, gave Mori a tiny smile, and left to follow Harley.
"Well, We have a swing set to swing from," Violet and Rose said standing up.
"I want to go on the slide," Shay told the female twins bouncing off her seat. The two girls both took one of Shay's hands, and went to leave the limo, which had momentarily decided to be still.
"Bye, bye!" Shay called out while the twins gave quick waves.
"Come on Takashi, let's go, too!" Honey exclaimed.
"Yeah," was Mori's response. The two third-years went to follow the girls.
"I MUST RETRIEVE MY DAUGHTERS!" Tamaki exclaimed dramatically (because he can't exclaim any other way). "You two much help me find my daughters." With that, Tamaki dragged Hikaru and Kaoru away (why doesn't anyone ever write Kaoru and Hikaru [that sounded weird]). Kyoya was left in the now parked limo, alone.
"Damn her," he growled. He gripped his notebook so tightly his knuckles turned white. That girl annoyed him greatly. It was as if she purposefully opposed him. He had become to hate that smug look she would have whenever she knew she'd get her way. She was frustrating in everyway, from her mocking sarcasm, flirtatious manner, and her manipulation to her ridiculous thoughts, idiotic plans, and stupid tendencies. But, what irked him the most was that she didn't even realize what she was doing. She didn't realize how her short dresses drew the attention of all the boys at the academy or how provoking her usual red lipstick was. She didn't realize how her buxom chest would bounce in an up and down motion with ever step that she took or how she fragile she looked whenever she was deep in thought or zoned out. She didn't realize how gorgeous she looked she was caught off guard or how he wanted to be the only who would wake up to her frizzy bedhead in the morning. She had noticed everyone else's feelings except his, which were the most important in his mind. The fact that he had to try so hard to get her attention angered him. How could he get through her thick skull? 'I'm no better,' he thought as he remembered how he'd fall for her verbal bait. He hated that he taunt and insults her whenever they spoke. His sharp tongue would become faster then his mind, and that happened only with that damn girl. This girl, who wasn't even swayed by his charm, shouldn't have such an effect on him. His grip tightened around his notebook. He was Kyoya freaking Ootori damnit! He should have that effect on her, and he would. He would get what he wanted, and nothing would get in his way. Not an obnoxious blonde or meddling twins. He will get her, one way or another.
Standing up, with a new source of determination, he told the driver to leave and come when he called, and exited the limo. He headed towards the nearest park where he presumed everyone had gone to. He saw a wave of dark brown curls flash by the park entrance. 'Mine,' he thought, and went to follow the brunette.
…
Harley was dragging Haruhi through the park. She would stop every once and a while to examine the area, shake her head no, and then continued. Haruhi was getting tried. It was late, and she still had to make dinner for her dad; he was coming home early today.
"Um, Harley?" Haruhi asked.
"Yes, Haruhi," Harley replied, stopping in her tracks.
"What are we doing? Can we go home? It's getting late," Haruhi, said.
"We, Haruhi dear, are looking for the most romantic place for you to sit. No we can't go home, and the sun setting will make the romantic scene even better," Harley answered as if it was obvious. "There! Prefect!" She pointed at a white wooden swinging bench. Roses, lilies, and cherry blossoms were entangled around the bench's legs, arms, and swinging parts, making it immobile. It looked like something from a romance movie.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Harley asked.
"I suppose so," Haruhi said. The bench seemed nice, but she couldn't the point of it. How did all those flowers even get like that? She thought.
"Now, sit," Harley commanded, and pulled Haruhi down on the bench. She began to fuss over Haruhi's hair, makeup, and clothes, like a mother hen. She pulled the white hairband out of Haruhi's hair.
"What are you doing?" Haruhi asked as Haruhi began to rummage through her purse. Harley didn't answer, but brought out a red strapless dress and red high heels.
"Strip, Haruhi," Harley said. She had the same look as before when they were back at her apartment.
"What? We're outside, don't be crazy," Haruhi protested. Harley pouted, and gave Haruhi a puppy-dog look.
"No Harley," Haruhi said stubbornly. Emerald eyes became even wider, and her bottom lip began to quiver. Haruhi sighed. "Fine, give me the damn dress." Haruhi reluctantly snatched the dress from the other's hands.
"Yay! Now I think I saw a bathroom yonder," Harley said gesturing to the right.
"Damn insane American bastards with their stupid words," Haruhi grumbled as she trudged to the bathroom to wear the godforsaken dress because she was Madonna and had to make a costume change every hour.
Harley smirked. If everything went the way it did in her head then Haruhi and Tamaki will be the newest couple in Ouran.
"Eeep!" Harley jumped when she felt something, no someone, brush against her back.
"You looked like a cat when you did that, even your hair stood on ends," Kyoya sniggered. Harley turned around to glare at him.
"Shut up you asshole! Didn't your parent ever teach you to respect someone's personal space?" Harley grumbled.
"Did yours?" He asked.
"No, but that's not the point," she pouted.
"Why don't you explain to me this ridiculous plan that you formed n your head," Kyoya said sitting down on the bench.
"It's not a ridiculous plan!" Harley protested. "Anyway, Haruhi gonna sit on the bench looking all lovely, then Tamaki will come, and join her, then they'll talk and laugh, ad then they'll kiss romantically, become the greatest couple since Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, get married, honeymoon in Hawaii, have four kids, two of each, name me godmother of one of those kids, grow all together, and finally died happily!" She finished off with a twirl and dramatic pose.
"Has anyone ever told you how much of an idiot you are?" Kyoya asked.
"If you didn't want to hear my master plan then don't ask!" she fumed, her eye began to twitch.
"Do you even know where Tamaki is?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.
"Damnit I knew I forgot something," she sighed, and sat on the bench. She lied back, and put her legs on Kyoya's lap.
"What are you doing?" he asked, secretly this was a silent success in his mind because she was practically on his lap.
"Dude, you ask to many questions. Just loosen up, and enjoy the sunset," she sat up slightly and quickly unbuttoned the first four buttons on Kyoya's shirt, before she could swat her away. "There now you look like a normal teenager." He stayed silent, but didn't try to button up the unbuttoned buttons so she took that as a silent victory. The bench had prefect view of the sun setting, but Harley wasn't paying attention to that. She was staring a Kyoya, at his aristocrat features, his smooth pale skin, dark brooding eyes hidden behind glass frames, and inky black hair. She felt a need to run her hand through his hair. How could someone be that handsome? He was tantalizing in everyway, but hell will freeze over the day she'd admit that. The wind began to stir, and she drew herself closer to Kyoya. Without realizing it she had ended up on his lap, not that she noticed. 'Is that mint? With spices?' she thought. She finally came to the realization that the nice minty spice smell was coming from Kyoya. Harley blushed when she also realized she was seated on his lap. She tried to slide off and onto the bench, but Kyoya's arm was wrapped around her waist like iron. Eventually she shrugged, and settled comfortably on his lap. Finally she returned her attention to the sunset, and rested her head on Kyoya's shoulder. She couldn't see the smug smirk that was plastered on Kyoya's face.
….
Me: I promise next time to have a better chapter, but the story needed this because now you had a glimpse of Harley's fucked up childhood, and how Areily and Harley first met. You also got a view of what's going on in Kyoya's head. So, yeah… remember to review! I wouldn't update without reviews! Reviews fuel my creative writing ability! It's a scientific fact [no it isn't]! Just Review!