Hey guys sorry it's been so long. But I do thank you all for the follows favorites and reviews! I just get so excited when I get them! So please don't stop!

I feel like today despite everything that has happen, is going to be a good day. I've decided to try being optimistic for once in my life. After Mistukuni's words...among other things I want to take my mind off of the problem and look at the bigger picture.

I actually get to be apart of a sports festival. Being able to take part in it is going to be a lot of fun. I smile and looked up at the school. Taking a deep breath, I then walked through the entrance gates. I was alone today. I wanted sometime to think by myself this morning, so I told Haruhi I was going to be leaving a little earlier. She understood.

Yesterday was a pretty stressful day, but I'm determined to not let it bother me. I gave myself an encouraging nod as I walked through the campus. Though I noticed something was off...

I glanced around me. The other students were mutter words among themselves. Their eyes flickered up to me as they spoke. When they saw that I was looking they turned away quickly. This continued for a little while longer before I stopped completely and turned around, getting a bit frustrated with the silent commotion.

They all continued on as if their gaze wasn't piercing into my soul. My eye twitched and I ruffled my hair in frustration. Something tells me that I won't be having a very good day. Then a crowd of students in front of the school bulletin came into sight. Curious about what was going on, I walked toward the large group. When suddenly I was stopped in mid-step.

Rin stood in front of me with a wry grin. "Hey Kris, h-hows it going? Fine, that's good. Real good. I'm doing fine as well. Isn't it lovely weather we're having on this fine morning!"

I stared at her. "Rin...what's wrong with you?"

She put a hand on her chest in mocking hurt though she looked very nervous. "What do means somethings wrong? Nothings wrong! I-I'm just excited to see you...that's all."

"Your acting weird and why would you be excited?" I said raising my brow, glancing back over to the crowd. Rin saw my gaze waver and she grabbed my arm as she attempted to pull me along. I straightened up so that she couldn't move me.

"H-Hey why don't we go to class now? It's getting late."

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "I got here ten minutes early."

"Oh...well...it's never to early to get to work right?."

"Classes are being cut short for the sports festival planning." I frowned. "Rin, what are you hiding?"

She gave a nervous smile lifting her glasses. "Nothing..." She glanced back over to the crowd of people starting to look our way. I had a feeling it had something to do with me. I sighed as I walked over to the unwavering stares. "No wait!" Rin called.

I wasn't going to listen and I knew I was probably going to regret it too. As I walked over the crowd seemed to separate. Which made me swallow down the knot I had in my throat. As I walked up to the board and my eyes went wide.

"Hideo Katashi challenges Kris Carson to a duel. Loser will have to quit their sport for the rest of the school year. Who will win?"

I stared up at the bulletin board with my mouth open wide. I knew that it would get out, but to have it posted out where everyone can have their way to start-up any rumor their hearts desire is instigating the situation to unnecessary heights. I thought we already had a talk with the newspaper club. Then again this isn't very far from the truth and this could very well be what the boy actually wants.

I hung my head and let out a tired sigh. "Unbelievable."

Rin gave me a pat on the shoulder as she hesitantly spoke. "I-It's not that...bad."

I gave her a deadpan expression. As if to say: "Are you serious?" She was the one trying to keep me from coming over here. What was this? I didn't agree to it. I only said that I was going to accept his challenge and he would take it this far? Why?

I could see how the universe just loved tripping me with its hope killing banana peels.

"Is all of this true, Kris?" A girl asked.

They all turned to me for my answer. It felt very hot all of a sudden and I was starting to feel sick in the pit of my stomach. What was I suppose to say? "Well...I-yes, most of it-b-but I never agreed to-"

"I see, so you want to back out on the challenge, huh?" We all turned to the boy and his lackeys, glaring at me with a cocky smirk on his face. "Can't take the heat then, am I right? Some captain you turned out to be."

I winced at his words. "That's not how it is at all..."

Rin stepped up with a frown on her face lifting her glasses. "Quitting your club was not apart of the deal and you know it."

He shrugged with a sigh. "So your really that unconfident with your abilities? Well I get it. I would be to if I were you." He smiled. I pursed my lips and tightened my fist.

Rin spoke up again. "Kris doesn't have to do anything if he doesn't want to. You can't force him into anything. It wasn't the agreement."

Hideo let out a laugh. "Oh wow, your letting the girl fight your battles for you, that's rich."

I was getting very tired of him.

"Hey-" I put a hand for Rin to stop.

I crossed my arms lowering my head to meet his eye level. "Alright, I accept it all, bring it on." My tone was a bit colder than I intended, causing everyone to look at me in surprise. The crowd began to murmur among themselves.

"That's so unlike him."

"Are they going to fight?"

"If they do I'd watch it!"

Hideo's expression didn't change by the comments. We stared at each other in silence before he gave me an arrogant grin. "Very well. Oh and so that none of your little friends can help you, what ever individual points we make for our teams goes to our challenge. You need to enter three events alright? I'd do the same. Deal?"

I nodded. "Deal."

He turned on his heel and lifted his hand. "Good luck commoner, you're going to need it."

I stared after him as he walked away. As he left Kagura walked in with Kyo and Makoto over not a moment later. "What's going on here?"

I looked away from him with a frown. "Nothing..."

He gave me an unconvinced expression, before looking at the crowd still standing there. "Nothing to see here you guys. The show is over and you should all be heading to class." The stood there for a moment longer glancing among each other.

Makoto rolled his eyes. "Are you all deaf of just incompetent? Leave." They winced at his menacing aura and did as he said and walked away in a disgruntled way.

"Thanks." I mumbled.

"No problem, buddy." Kagura grinned.

"Hey Amazon, I saw that guy what's his name just a moment ago. Did he give you any trouble?" Kyo asked.

I sighed. "You could say that." What have I gotten myself into?

"See for yourself." Rin said pointing to the bulletin board. They read and Kyo growled.

"That guys got some nerve! You want me to teach him a lesson." He said pounding his fist into his hand.

I pondered on the thought before shaking my head. "No, no, I don't want that." I said.

Makoto sighed. "Actions like that would only cause trouble, idiot. Besides Carson is smarter than you. He wouldn't accept such a childish challenge, right?"

I gave an awkward smile. "About that..."

"You seriously accepted it?" Kagura asked.

"Yes he did." Rin said giving me a look. I returned her stare.

"Wow, he must have really gotten under your skin for you to accept something like this. Well, we got your back." Kagura said ruffling my hair. It seemed like he loved doing that. He looked at Rin with grin. "Right Mazaki?"

She lifted her glasses as she looked away with a pink tint on her cheeks. "Yeah."

I blinked. I just realized she's the only one he calls by their last name. I looked up at him.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing." I said quickly. I'll bring it up to him later. "Well I guess we better get to class."

"See ya later." Kyo said as we walked in separate directions.

"Bye." I waved to them and smiled, turning around with Rin walking beside me.

"Are you alright?" She asked as we walked into the building.

"I'm fine." I said pushing my hair over my shoulder. I knew that wasn't true at all, but I had to convince myself somehow. When we walked in the building I received more stares and whispers. To be honest, I would just have prefered for them to just say everything out loud. I already knew what all the quiet talk was about.

Rin and I were quiet as we climbed the stairs and saw other students looking at us. We walked into the classroom and I tried my best to ignore everyone. I was suddenly glad that I decided to come in early. It would have been awkward coming in with a classroom filled with eyes staring me down. I noticed that Tamaki and Kyoya weren't here yet along with a few others.

"Um do you want me to fix this?" I turned to Rin as she lifted my braid. I'd only just noticed that it was in a frizzy mess. I blushed. Maybe that was another reason they were staring me down.

I nodded. "If you want to." She pulled out the rubbed band and brushed her finger through my hair to unravel the braid. "Your hair is really long. I'm kind of jealous it grows so fast."

I smiled to myself at her attempt to get my mind off the circumstances. "Your hair is pretty long to you know."

"Yeah...I'm thinking about getting it cut."

I blinked. "Why?"

"...well I just want something shorter, you know? Maybe Haruhi's length. It's cute."

Though she couldn't my face. I narrowed my eyes. "Haruhi's length?"

"Yeah, everyone seems to like it."

Everyone...or...

"But I like your hair. It's nice."

I could feel her rolling her eyes. "Right one person. Perfect."

I was silent for a moment then I grinned. "Hikaru likes it." I winced when she pulled my hair. "Ow!" Causing everyone to look at me.

"S-Sorry, he has nothing to do with this!"

And bingo was his name oh~

"I didn't say he did I was just naming someone else who likes your hair...that's all." My tone was high and a bit mocking.

"Right..." We were both quiet after that until she was done with my braid. "Finished." She mumbled.

I turned around and smiled at her. "Thanks." She nodded and turned away. Aw, looks like I took my teasing a bit to far.

At that moment I was tackled by a yellow blur as I fell out of my desk. "Kris is it true?! Will your life be in danger because of this challenge?!" I realized it was Tamaki as he stared at me in distress.

"My life? No-"

Tamaki turned to Kyoya with dramatic tears running down his face. "Mommy why would you trick me like that!"

Kyoya sighed. "You moron, I said her school life would be in danger."

The blond turned to me. "Why would your school life be in danger?"

I gave an awkward smile as I rubbed my neck. "Um about that..."

Rin spoke up. "Kris wanted to be a big 'man' and accept Hideo's other challenge."

"What other challenge?" Tamaki persisted.

"Well if I lose then I have to quit my club...for the rest of the school year."

"But Kris this is your last year in high school!"

"I know." I said with a grimace.

"Not to mention if you lose then you wont be able to go to school here anymore." Kyoya said. "You did got here on a sports scholarship did you not? If your not playing a sport. You wont be much use to the school."

My eyes widened. I hadn't thought about that.

"Kyoya that's pretty cruel don't you think?" Tamaki said with a concerned look on his face.

"It's the truth." He answered.

"Kris there's no need to worry-" I didn't want to hear it. I quietly got up off the floor and sat down in my seat.

Then the teacher came into the room. "Alright everyone I know that your all excited about this culture festival, but I need you all to still pay attention in class." The kids groaned. "I don't want to hear any of that. But first I've gotten your assigned teams in my hand. Apparently there will be three groups, red, white and blue."

I would have laughed if I wasn't so upset with myself. How could I just accept something like that without looking at the consequences. What if I lost? Where would I go to school? Home? I tightened my grip on my desk. I didn't want that.

"..Kris...Kris Carson!"

I blinked. "Yes!"

The man sighed. "Pay more attention, boy. Your on the white team."

I nodded. "Alright." He went through the kids names. Rin was on the red team with Kyoya and Tamaki was on mine.

"Well remember what team your on. There will be an announcement for where your team will meet before class ends. Understood?"

"Yes, sensei."

"Let get to work. Open your math texts books to page 67."

"Argh~" They groaned.

"What did I say about whining?"

I let out a shaky breath. I'm really starting to get nervous and my head was aching from thinking about the situation so much. And because Kyoya just shed light on my rash decision I have something else to worry about.

I buried my head into my hands and my lips trembled. What am I gonna do?

More importantly how was this going to turn out?

*After School*

When the bell rang I stood up from my seat and walked out of the door. I heard Tamaki behind me, but I didn't listen. I knew I would feel guilty about it later. The white team was apparently suppose to meet in library two. I pushed my bag over my shoulder and kept my eye on the floor.

I could still hear the other kids murmuring around me and I felt too tired to care. To be honest, I was starting to actually feel sick as I thought about it. I put a hand to my head and took in a deep breath. "Calm down." I whispered. I jumped and let out a yelp when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around quickly but relaxed only slightly when I saw it was Kaoru.

He put up his hands. "Wow, wow, didn't mean to scare you."

"No it's fine...I was just thinking."

He stared at me. "Hey, I heard about this morning. Sorry."

I turned away with a grimace. "You have nothing to be sorry for. It was my own doing."

He put a hand on my head and I lifted my eyes up to his face. "Stop getting down on yourself...so what team are you on?"

"White." I mumbled. His expression seemed to lighten from my answer.

"Me too." He said with a grin. "Haruhi and Hikaru are on the red team." His voice seemed distant.

"So is Rin." I added. We gave each other a look before sighing. "This feels like a drama."

"Definitely, I really just want to make them all see what's happening." He said stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"It's never that easy." I kept my eyes faced forward. Unknown to myself Kaoru glanced over to me and sighed.

"Yeah, never." We walked in silence until I heard someones feet taping up beside me.

"Piglet!" I turned to Ana. She had a frown on her face. "Did I really hear that your accepting that guys other challenge?!"

I sagged my shoulders. "Is this really all over the school?"

"Well I actually heard it directly from him."

I blinked. "You did?"

She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Yeah! The arrogant jerk was bragging about it in the hallway when I walked out of class. He should watch himself, stupid first year." I would have sweat-dropped and told her she was also a first, but I was surprised.

"Wait a first year?" Kaoru asked, taking the words right out of my mouth.

She scuffed. "Yeah, he should be a middle schooler with the way he's acting."

"That's kind of surprising. He doesn't look like a first year at all." I said. Then again, Mitsukuni doesn't look like a college student either.

"That's what I'm saying, muscle-bound freak."

"Okay, calm down now." I said.

She sighed. "Fine, fine. I was already mad before I walked out anyway."

"Why?" I asked.

"Chika and I are on the same team so I asked him if he wanted to walk with me. And he was all like 'No, I have other things to take care of. It would be troublesome for you to wait for me. Just go." I was surprised at how accurate she was with his voice. "He's such a rude little jerk! Like what does he have to do everyday that holds him up?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

I sweat-dropped. "Maybe he really does have something to do and it's personal. Don't be so quick to call names." Ana always did have a quick temper.

"Yeah, yeah." She said looking away. "Or he just doesn't like me..." Her depressed tone put me off a bit before she looked up at me and smiled. "Well I'm gonna get going. See ya Piglet. Bye Koala bear!" She grinned at Kaoru.

"Bye." He said, waving to her.

"Please don't start any trouble" I called.

"No promises!" She answered. She turned to the next corner and I held my head.

Kaoru spoke up. "Well that was..." I saw that he couldn't place a word for it.

"Yeah, I know. She gets that way sometimes."

"I see..." I glanced to the ginger. "Well we better hurry before we're late." He nodded

*Break*

When we reach the library it was already pretty crowded. Who knew so many people wanted to join the sports festival. I saw Stephanie sitting next to Satoshi, along with Tamaki and Makoto. I went and took my seat next to them.

Everyone was talking when suddenly someone made their way to the front. "Attention everyone, may I have your attention. I am the vice president of student council, Shotaru Yui. Being that this sounded quite interesting to me I have also decided to part take in Ouran's first ever sports festival. The main objective of this meeting is to have assigned people to events. If I have volunteers that would be nice as well." He smiled at us. "Alright first on the list Scavenger hunt race do I have any?"

The student's looked among each other seeming to ponder on the event. I glanced over to Stephanie as she raised her hand. "I would like to part take in the event. My name is Stephanie Carson."

The boy smiled at her. "Thank you, Stephanie."

With that the other kids began to volunteer for events. I was nominated for two others. Now all I need was one more.

"Alright now we have a bit more challenge events for you athletic people. Relays, 4 by 2 race there will be both a female and a male section."

"I think Kris should do this." I turned slowly to Renge as she stood up.

"Your doing this too?" I asked.

"Of course it sounds so interesting and to see you on your quest to keep your honor is just too great not to cheer you on!" I blinked when it looked as if she lifted up in the air with a hand on her chest.

"Uh...yeah."

"I'd like to do it too!" Satoshi said lifting his hand in the air.

"Hm, me as well." Makoto said .

I felt Tamaki's hand on my shoulder. "Me too, I'll do anything I can." He smiled at me and I tried my best to smile back. I didn't notice my sister staring over at me. He then ask for the female students that were going to participate in the race. After everything was set he stacked a pile of paper he had written on and looked up at all of us.

"Well alright then." Shotaru said with a smile. "The actual sports events are out-of-the-way. I'd like for everyone who did not choose an actual sport to please be apart of the white teams cheering squad. I will hand more information of that as you walk out the door. Other than that there's nothing more for me to say other than good luck and have fun. For those of you who need it, practice will be starting after school tomorrow."

As we got up, I lifted my bag onto my shoulder to walk out, but I was halted by a hand on my arm. I turned to see Stephanie staring at me with a serious expression.

"I need to talk to you." I nodded slowly as I followed her out of the library and she stopped behind a stairwell. She turned around to me with a frown. "Kristy,...what's wrong with you?"

I held my arm and looked away. "You heard, didn't you?"

"I did." She said, crossing her arms.

I furrowed my brow. "Then why are you-"

"I want to know why you are acting in such a fretful manner?"

I held my head and kept my eyes at my feet. "It's all over the school papers. What if I lose? I don't even know how good this kid is. He's a first year and he looks like a professional body builder. How am I going to compete with that? The events that I was put in-I'm not a runner or anything. My head hurts, I don't know if I can deal with-" I stopped mid sentence when Stephanie called me.

"Kristal." I suddenly felt a painful burning sting in my right cheek and I landed flat on floor.

She had slapped me, hard

I blinked at her as my eyes went wide. "W-Wha-"

I felt like I shouldn't have been surprised. Ana is quick to yell and bark, but Stephanie is much faster to hit.

She stared down at me with a pitiless expression on her face. "Stop talking as if you have already been defeated. Because as you can see the sports festival has not yet passed us by. Yes you are being put at risk and that scares me. But I want you to succeed. It makes me so very angry that your doubting yourself before you have even begun the challenge. Were you not the one that told me I should not give up because of my circumstances!"

She grew silent and all I could do is stare at her. I swallowed hard before I spoke. "I-I'm sorry."

She knelt down beside me. "I do not want you doubt yourself. I want you to excel in everything you do." She gave me a smile.

I sighed. "Why do you seem like the older sibling right now."

She let out a small chuckle. "I learn from the best." This caused me to smile at her, but I winced at the pain in my cheek. "I suppose I hit you a bit harder then I intended. I'm sorry." She wrapped her arms around me and I hugged her back.

"It's fine. I guess I deserved it."

"Indeed."

I backed away in a mocking hurt. "Oh okay. I get it." She laughed again. "I'll get you back for this."

"We shall see about that." She stood up and put out her hand for me. I took it and she lifted me up. When we started to walk away I blinked and stopped mid-step. "What is it?"

"How are you doing in your classes?" I wasn't expecting her to give me such a smile.

"It's getting better...I've received help."

"Really, from who?" I asked.

She glanced to me before facing forward with a finger to her lips. "It's a secret."

I furrowed my brow. "Seriously?"

"Seriously." She said.

"Ah well, whatever." I said with a bit of a pout. Her attitude made me very curious as to who was tutoring her.

When we started toward the front of the building Stephanie turned to me. "So I see Honey did not come today."

I winced. "Yeah, his classes ran later."

She nodded her head. "That is unfortunate."

"Yeah, it's alright though..." Truth be told I was a bit disappointed.

"Indeed it is...but I'm sure he'll make it up to you later." I turned to her slowly to see the suggestive smirk on her face.

"Stephanie!" I yelped in a flustered manner. I grabbed for her, but she dodged my hands.

"What? It's the truth, is it not?"

"That doesn't matter!" I yelled.

"Uh ho, so you admit it. Kristy has matured."

"Get back here!" I chased after her. Perhaps this is my karma for teasing Haruhi. She grinned as she ran outside. "Stephanie! Stephanie!" I looked around for her when I saw that she was standing still just outside the door. "Stephanie why are you..." I trailed off when I looked at where she was gazing with wide eyes.

It was Hideo Katashi standing not that much further than us. Though we were out of his view. There was a man in front of him that looked like it could be his father. That man looked rather angry. He was yelling though I couldn't tell what exactly he was saying. He poked the boy in the chest. Hideo looked down in shame. It looked as if he said something causing the older man to get angrier. Then suddenly he was punched in the gut as he leaned over the car to keep from falling on the ground. My eyes went wide. What was happening? I'd wanted to do that earlier today, but seeing it actually happening made me feel...bad. Why would he do such a thing? Hideo actually looked scared.

I felt like this wasn't something I was supposed to see, but I couldn't look away. Hideo gasped for air as he held his stomach. The limo driver came around opening the door for them. The man violently pushed Hideo in before he could catch his breath and slammed the door after him. The limo driver let out a silent sigh before going back around to the front.

As the limo drove away, Stephanie and I slowly looked at each other. "I think we saw something we shouldn't have."

"Indeed we did."

DUH DUN DUNNNNN! What will happen next? I know but you don't!...maybe you do... XD. Please review your lovely thoughts.