Chapter 6: Piece of Cake

I awoke to the sound of my alarm. I turned on to my side, trying to remember why I set it so early.

'Noisey...' I thought, reaching for the snooze button. 'So early...why did I set it so early?'

...

...

...

'CAKE!'

I shot up out of bed and turned off the alarm clock. I hurried into my bathroom and brushed my teeth and hair, then I changed into a T-shirt and a pair of jean shorts and rushed downstairs.

"Oh!" my maid, Hinata, said as I brushed past her, "Good morning, Miss. You're up e-" but I was already out of view.

I enter the kitchen quickly, surprising the cook.

"My goodness!" Georgina exclaimed as I walked to the pantry and threw on an apron. "Aren't you the early bird this mornin'? What's so important?" She asked, giving me the eye as I pulled out the cake ingredients.

"I'm baking a cake for a friend of mine," I said as I turned on the oven. She scrutinized what I was doing, but as I cracked a few eggs and measured out sugar, she soon realized that I knew my way around a kitchen.

"I didn't know ya had bakin' skills," she said as I pulled out a whisk and began mixing.

"Most people don't."

"Is this for the boy ya like?" she teased.

"No, he's just a friend," I replied with a giggle.

"Oh, so it is for a boy!" She barked, her booming laugh echoing through the room.

"Just a friend." I clarified again, and she nodded her head sarcastically.

"Yeah, yeah, just a friend. Do ya want any help?" she asked, tying on her apron.

"Well, I can do it myself, but," I paused and sighed, "my arm's getting tired." She laughed again, and I smiled, handing her the mixing bowl.

We baked the cake together, and she talked about how she thought I had the potential to be a good chef.

After we got the cake in the oven, I spent a few minutes making myself a box lunch.

I took a quick look at the clock. I needed to get going to school soon. I set a timer and turned to Georgina.

"Georgina," I said, handing her the timer, "Take out the cake when this goes off, leave it out to cool for a few hours, then cover it and place it in the fridge. I'll have Christopher bring the ingredients for the icing, the strawberries, and the cake to the school. I put it together there, okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am," she said while jokingly saluting me. I smiled and rushed upstairs.

I changed into my uniform, grabbed my new school bag, and threw the boy's uniform that I had borrowed into a bag. I jumped into the car and told Christopher my plan. He agreed to bring what I needed later that day.

"Thanks, Chris!" I called as I hopped out of the car.

"No problem, and have a good day at school, Miss," he replied. I smiled at him and hurried into the school for I was late.

"Whew," I exclaimed, taking my seat, "That was close." I had said this to myself, but Misawa overheard it and glared at me. I shrank into my chair a bit as I got out the things I would need for class and listened to the other girls' chatter.

"Can you believe how cute he was?" One girl asked another.

"I know! But I asked Kyoya if he's going to become a regular host and he said no! Can you believe that?" The other responded.

"Yeah, it's really too bad that he was just a guest host." The first girl complained. I coughed away a laugh.

Classes went by normally. Fewer girls stared at me today so it was mostly just Misawa. When the lunch bell rang, I grabbed my lunch and the bag with the school uniform in it and headed out to my lunch spot.

As I got closer, I could see three familiar people sitting under the tree. Honey, Mori, and Haruhi.

I paused a second.

'If I go over there and Misawa sees or hears about it, then I'll most likely end up worse off than in a pond, but now I'm ready for it so I could take her on if I needed to. Haruhi is my friend who is Misawa to tell me who I can be friends with!' I thought, and I nodded, walking out to them.

"Hey guys," I said, reaching the tree, and both Haruhi and Honey looked up and smiled at me. Mori watched me but, the same as ever, his expression told me nothing about what he was thinking or feeling.

"Sohma-chan," Honey said, patting the spot on the grass next to him between him and Haruhi.

"Afternoon, Aya," Haruhi greeted me as I took my seat. Honey looked at me with a hopeful expression, eyeing the bag in my hands.

"This," I said, handing it to Haruhi, "Is the school uniform I borrowed." Honey looked a bit downcast, and I giggled. 'He's so simple-minded.'

"I said I would bring the cake to the club, and I will," I said, patting his shoulder. "Don't you want everyone to get to enjoy it together, won't that be more fun?" I asked, and he thought it over a few seconds. Then he smiled and nodded.

"Yes, it will!" I smiled again at how childlike he was.

"So, Aya," Haruhi said, and I turned to her, "I like your new glasses."

"Oh," I said, touching them, a bit of blush coming through. "Yeah, they're a bit girly-er than I'm used to."

"I like them! I think you look cute!" Honey said, and I smiled at him sheepishly.

"I agree," Mori said, and I looked at him curiously. "It's easier to see your eyes now." His tone was very serious. I felt my face heat up and I looked down at my lunch.

"Not really," I mumbled, getting out my lunch.

"Hey, Aya," Haruhi spoke to get my attention. I looked at her, she seemed like she had a question.

"What?" I asked her.

"Uh, never mind." She said, returning to her lunch.

"Hey," Honey said, "Can I call you Aya-chan too?"

"Um... sure, I guess," I said, throwing an octopus-cut hotdog in my mouth.

"Yay, Aya-chan!" Honey said.

We all ate our lunches as Honey and I spoke about sweets again. I talked a bit with Haruhi about my time in America. Mori hardly spoke except to nod in agreement with any question Honey directed his way, but he kept looking at me for most of the conversation. It made me a bit uncomfortable. When the bell rang for the end of the lunch period, it surprised us all, and I jumped.

"What, lunch is over already," I said.

"We lost track of time," Haruhi said, smiling at me.

We quickly packed our things, and we each hurried off to our own class. Since Haruhi and I were in the same grade, we walked together. After a while, Haruhi spoke up.

"Hey, did you make that lunch yourself?"Haruhi asked; I looked at her, surprised.

"Yeah, how could you tell?" I said, tilting my head.

"Octopus," she said.

"So," I said a bit of blush scattered across my cheeks, "No big deal."

"No big deal when you were making six identical lunches for yourself and five little kids," she said with a grin, my blush growing.

"When was the last time you saw your siblings?" she asked, and I began counting.

"Four," I said.

"Four days?" she questioned

"Four weeks," I said, and she looked surprised.

"But they don't live in another country now, shouldn't you be allowed to see them whenever you want?" she asked, confused.

"Yeah, but my mom's upset with me, so she's not letting me see them," I explained.

"Oh," she said, looking down. "You miss them, don't you? Hence the octopus."

"I missed them more when I was in America, but even then, my mom let me call and talk to them on the phone. This time there's no contact allowed whatsoever."

"That... doesn't seem right."

"She's my mom," I said, "She can do whatever she wants."

"So can you," Haruhi said, and I sighed.

"My class is farther than yours, so I'm gonna run the rest of the way by myself," I said, "See you at the club later."

"Uh, Aya-" she said, but I was already running.

I arrived at class late, and the teacher got mad. Misawa snickered at me as I took my seat, and I shot her a glance, but it didn't make a difference.

My classes seemed to drag on as I watched the clock more than I paid attention to the lessons. The seconds seemed to tick by slower than usual.

When the bell rang, I bolted out of the room and out to where my car was waiting for me. Chris handed off the cake stuff, and I took it with me to an empty home economics room.

'It's going to take too long to put it all together before the club, and I don't want to burst in during club hours and risk running into Misawa. I'll have to bring it after the club is over.' I thought as I pulled out the first layer of the cake. 'Sorry, Honey, you're going to have to wait a bit longer.' I told him telepathically.

I took my time putting the cake together perfectly; after all, these guys are rich and used to perfection. I placed down the first layer of cake spread some of the icing, then layered it with strawberries, then I put on the next layer of cake. I iced the outside and placed cut strawberries all around. When I was done, it looked better than any of the others I had made before. I nodded and began cleaning up the kitchen space and utensils I had used.

When I was finished cleaning, I checked my watch and noticed that the club was almost over. I placed the cake in a cake box and headed to the club.

I walked at a fast pace, but not running, as I rushed through the hallways to the clubroom. When I arrived, it was five minutes after closing time; I sighed as I put my hand on the door handle. 'Honey will be upset with me, or worse, he won't be here.' I thought as I opened the door and poked my head in.

Everyone was still there, and they were gathered around a table with a stack of empty plates and tea. There, sitting at the table, was a sad-looking Honey.

"Aww, why so down?" I asked, and his head popped up.

"Aya-chan!" he said, running towards me, and he wrapped his arms around my middle; it made me giggle.

"Sorry I'm late," I apologized, ruffling Honey's hair.

I heard Tamaki say something along the lines of, "How come you're letting Honey touch you?" then there was something about a nickname, but I toned him out.

"Hello everyone," I greeted politely as I walked with Honey towards the table.

"Honey-senpai has been waiting very anxiously," Haruhi said with a grin.

"Really?" I glanced down at him.

"He didn't even eat any other cake at all today," the twins said.

I could just see it in my mind, the little guy sitting there, waiting, watching for me. Girls would offer him cake but he would decline while looking at the door the entire time.

The image caught me off guard, and I felt a little choked up. I cleared my throat to disguise how moved I was as I placed the box on the table.

Honey excitedly watched as I opened the box. It was one of those boxes that the sides fall open when you take off the lid. The sides fell, showing off my handy work; everyone looked surprised, even Haruhi.

"No way it looks like a cake," Haruhi said, which irritated me.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, "What did you think it was going to look like?" She smiled apologetically. I sighed as I picked up the cutting knife and a plate.

"Who wants the first slice?" I teased, and Honey looked up at me with pleading eyes.

"Just kidding," I whispered, nudging him. I smiled and cut him a slice. He took it, placed it on the table, and stared at it from every possible angle. I blushed a bit as my work went under inspection and served the others their cake. When everyone had a piece, we all turned to the short judge as he took his first bite.

The fork was still in his mouth, and he froze. I thought that maybe he didn't like it.

"Honey?" I said concerned, and he turned towards me and tugged on my sleeve. He looked up at me with large sparkling eyes filled with tears of happiness and hugged me. Tamaki complained again.

"It's delicious!" Honey exclaimed. I smiled sweetly as he returned to the slice of cake.

This was when the rest of them all took a bite. They liked it too and began complimenting me.

"Wow!" the twins said, "It's delicious."

"Tastes like cake too," Haruhi said. I couldn't help but feel a little offended by that comment.

"This is amazing, my darling!" Tamaki exclaimed, floating to my side. "It tastes like it's been prepared by the hands of an angel!" He said, putting his arm around my shoulders. I stabbed it with my fork. He released my shoulders and began crying dramatically, his hand swollen; the twins started laughing and teasing him.

"Not bad at all," I heard Kyoya mumble under his breath.

All the compliments, although a bit irritating, made me blush a deep red. I looked down at my slice of cake and had a bite. Indeed, it tasted as it should. It wasn't too sweet or too rich. It was perfect, the way it's supposed to be. I watched the other host members as they ate their cake.

Honey was wholly engrossed in his cake, nomming on it with a smile.

Tamaki was on the floor, piddling in the corner with his cake as the twins teased him, each with their slice.

Haruhi was eating and watching the show.

Kyoya was working while eating, typing away on his laptop again.

Then came Mori.

He wasn't eating, but his slice did have some large bites missing, he was staring at me. I looked back down at my cake in red-hot silence.

'What's with that guy? I can never tell what he's thinking and when he looks at me...' I chanced a glance in his direction. I looked up at him through my hair, but I couldn't tell if he was still staring at me. I tilted my head a bit, trying to get a better look. Sure enough, he was still staring, and I met his eyes. 'When he looks at me, it feels like his eyes are trying to tell me something.' I could feel my face turn even redder than it already was, and I looked away again.

I kept from looking at him while I shoved another bite of my cake into my mouth.

"Hey Aya," Haruhi said, walking towards me, I looked at her questioningly.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier if I upset you-" she started, but I cut her off.

"No, no, it's fine. You were just trying to help, after all." I said with a smile, and she smiled back.

"Would you like some tea?" she asked.

"Yes, please," I said.

"Why don't we sit," she said, and we walked to the couches together. I took a seat, and Haruhi sat across from me and poured the tea.

"Thank you," I said, taking the cup from her. I sipped on my tea for a bit before I checked my watch and sighed.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I have another lesson today in less than an hour," I said unenthusiastically, "Ballroom dancing." I heard a snicker escape her lips, and I scowled at her.

"You've got to stop laughing at me like that!" I said, irritated.

"I'm sorry, but I was just caught off guard by the image of you trying to dance." I rolled my eyes.

"I can do it. I used to be in gymnastics in elementary school," I said, stick out my tongue at her.

"I don't doubt you," she said with a smile, "You've been known for your surprises." She held up her plate with the cake on it as an example. I smiled back at her. Her expression turned to confusion.

"So, why are you taking dancing lessons anyway?" she asked.

"Well," I sighed, thinking it over.

I remembered back when my father told me about the lessons.

"Ayami, I have a plan. It's going to take a while, and I'm going to need you to do a lot of work, but it will all be worth it." I looked at him confusedly.

"I need you to take some basic lessons on how to behave and act. Things like what to say and what not to; how to dress and how not to. Not that there's anything wrong with the way you are now. I'm not trying to change you. I just need you to know how to act like you've been raised in this world." he paused to see if he had upset me.

"I understand father, after all, baggy jeans and boots don't really say, "I'm a Suoh." He smiled at me.

"I'll take these lessons if you want me to."

'Being the perfect daughter is a part I have to learn to play. Was it Shakespeare who wrote, "All the world's a stage"? It seems so to me...' I thought as I sat across from her. I looked up at her from my cup of tea. She appeared concerned.

"I guess I'm doing it to make my father happy," I said.

"But you're not happy," I heard Mori say to the left of me. I looked up at him surprised. He was standing beside the couch. 'Ninja! When did he get there?... wait, why did he just say that?'

"My poor darling daughter!" Tamaki said, coming up from behind me; he was going to wrap his arms around me, but I gave him a threatening glare.

"Poor what?" I asked, and he backed away and quickly hid behind Haruhi. "Daughter," I said, "You just called me your daughter. I thought I told you not to call me that."

"You did," Haruhi said, looking at him.

"Right, I thought so," I said, taking a sip of my tea, "so why are you calling me your daughter anyway?" I asked with a bothered look.

"Because," he mumbled. Suddenly his face became determined, and he jumped out from behind the couch. He stood up straight and pointed at me. "Because you're lonely and you need friends! You need a family! You need me as your father!" He finished placing his hand on his chest, boldly. Haruhi covered her face with her hand, shaking her head as I stared at him.

I couldn't hold it in. I burst out laughing.

"Oh my gosh!" I exclaimed in English, "He's totally mental!"

"What?" he said, confused. I calmed my laughing and looked at Haruhi.

"Is that a yes?" he asked hopefully.

"Haruhi, is this guy insane?" I asked her while pointing at Tamaki with my thumb.

"I don't think so, but I guess it's possible," she said, smiling at me. He frowned and I laughed some more before sighing; it had been a while since I had laughed that hard.

"No, thank you," I said, his frown getting bigger, "I already have a father, and I definitely don't want you as my father; besides, it's just not possible," I said, taking the last sip of my tea.

"I've got to get going," I said, standing.

"No!" Tamaki exclaimed, "You will be my daughter."

"You sure are persistent," I said, giving him a slightly irritated glance, "but I already said no." He ignored my protests.

"Now that we have adopted her into the family," he said, turning around, there was a pause where I butted in.

"Hey, are you even listening to me?"

"Let's proceed with OPERATION AYAMI'S HAPPINESS!" He exclaimed confidently.

"With what?" I asked in confusion.

"Yes, boss!" The twins said, showing up on either side of me.

"Stop right there!" I commanded. "This is nonsense! I'm not going along with any of your weird fantasies, especially not something called 'Operation Ayami's Happiness!' Where the heck did that come from anyway? Why on Earth would any of you think I wasn't happy?" I asked as I took a good look at each one in the face. They all seemed a little uneasy.

Honey and Haruhi both looked a bit worried.

Tamaki looked like he was a guilty three-year-old who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

The twins looked more indifferent.

Kyoya wasn't really paying attention.

Mori was, well, Mori, but his expression was similar to the one I had seen when I had told him that I miss my siblings.

None of them said a peep. I finally gave up and sighed.

"Whatever, I'm going to be late if I don't hurry. You." I said, pointing at Tamaki, "Stay the hell away from me." He shrank back as I turned on my heel and walked toward the doors.

"Honey," I said over my shoulder, "Enjoy the rest of the cake. See ya later, Haruhi." I opened the door and walked briskly through the halls. I texted my driver that I was ready to leave, and he texted back that he would be waiting for me. Then I heard someone running up behind me.

"Sohma," I heard Mori call. 'Come on! What is this guy's problem? Is he the only guy on the planet that likes running after girls! Why?' I didn't slow my pace.

"If you're going to say that you want to 'help me find happiness' then you should just forget-"

"That's not it," he said, interrupting me. He had caught up to me by now, and I stopped and looked up at him. He stayed silent for a bit, and I sighed.

"Thank you," he finally said, catching me off guard.

"For what?" I asked, tilting my head.

"For humoring Mitsukuni, you made him very happy today." He said; I stared at him, unsure of how to reply.

"Um... you're welcome, I guess," I said uncertainly.

We stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before I thought of something to say.

"Thank you," I muttered just loud enough for him to hear. He looked at me surprised. I turned away blushing.

"For yesterday," I added. "I never told you to thank you for that." I stood there silently, not knowing what else to say.

"No problem," he finally said I looked up at him. I half-smiled at him and nodded my head, then I turned and started walking. I had only gotten half-way down the hall when he called my name again.

"Ayami," he called, and I turned to look back at him, "I really liked your cake." Then he turned around and walked away.

I blinked a few times then slowly began walking again until I realized what he had just said. I froze in place and blush covered my face from ear to ear.

'Ayami! He just called me by my first name! He's never done that before and, from what I've seen in the club, he rarely calls girls by their names, let alone their first name.' I shuffled down the halls now, my pace getting quicker and quicker. 'Why would he do that?' I tried to put it out of my mind as I went on to my dance lesson.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. My dance instructor was very friendly and, since I had taken ballet for a very short time in elementary school, it wasn't all new to me. My gymnastics background helped keep me limber and flexible, and the past few years of basketball had given me quick reflexes.

For the rest of the week, I avoided the host club and tried my best to blend in with the other girls at school. I didn't eat in the same spot twice. I changed it up every day so that no one could tell the hosts where I was sitting for lunch. I didn't like it, it made me feel like I was hiding from them, but what else could I do? I don't want others to see me as weak and in need of help, and I didn't want to anger the girls in my class any more than I had. I couldn't pull the same scare tactics as I did in my old school here, my dad would eat me for breakfast if I got into a fight.

But all of that changed the next Tuesday when a particular member of the host club showed up at my classroom door at lunchtime.

There you have it chapter six! Bet you'll never guess who it is! Muahahaha! Just kidding, you probably will.

Please review, thanks!

~Thank you for reading~

~MiraCarpathia