a/n: i dont celebrate thanksgiving for the pilgrims, i celebrate it for that one episode from gossip girl ~mmm whatcha say - read how naomi short circuits in this chapter

[It's a Wonderful Lie]

Naomi had furiously thrown her clothes into the duffel bag, the hangers were littered across her blandly decorated twin sized bed. She hadn't even bothered to fold them as she roughly pushed the pieces of cloth and denim inside. Naomi threw her butterfly knife and crushed the creased photograph into the corner just because she wasn't satisfied with the acts of aggression she inflicted on her clothes. She gave one last angry shove, she zipped close the duffel bag, she did it so quickly the zipper almost caught on her delicate skin.

Naomi ran her hands through her dark hair and rested them on the either side of her neck, she let out a frustrated sigh. Maybe, I could go tomorrow, She gripped the worn out strap, No doubt, they'll come and drag me over there, and she slung it over her shoulder with a frown creasing her features.

Naomi could hear Veronica's voice in her ear, 'Don't pout, it provokes wrinkles,' she sighed again, 'sighing too.'

She closed her palm around the doorknob and pulled it open with a glance behind her to see her dark dorm room, she'd see it again soon enough, once winter break was over, but she couldn't bear to part with it or maybe she just didn't want to live with two people she found annoying, and one she was desperately trying to avoid. And I will succeed in avoiding. She thought, and the way I reacted a while ago shouldn't make too hard, Zero's a natural at pulling away when someone treats him like he already feels on the inside.

It's cruel to do it but... Naomi winced at the thought, necessary.

Naomi slammed the door, she was glad no one was here, she no doubt would've woken up half of the people in the Sun dorms and Naomi couldn't deal with people shouting at her, or giving her ugly looks. She rubbed her eyes with her free hand as she walked down the hallway of the dormitories with a scowl on her face.

To say, Naomi took her time would be an understatement, her steps were slower and her strides became shorter. She didn't even mind the shiver that ran own her spine as the brisk wind that blew gently when she finally stepped into the dark night. She even stopped few times to readjust the duffel bag on her shoulder, not that she needed to. None of it mattered though, she was prolonging the inevitable, she knew that, but she paused one more time when she infront of the Headmaster's building.

Naomi never really took the time to actually see the Headmaster's building which she now realizes that it was more of a house than a school office. She went up the three small steps and forced the scowl to leave her with her usual expression of indifference.

She wondered, Should I knock?

She decided that she shouldn't. Perhaps, they wouldn't notice her coming and will leave her alone for the night.

Naomi turned the knob as quietly as she could and walked with minimal sounds, and did the same as she closed the door behind her. She gave a quick scan of her surroundings and saw no one but she could her dishes clanging somewhere near her, and could also see the shadows coming from what she presumed was the kitchen.

Maybe, I could slip through... not likely.

It didn't stop her from trying.

"Naomi," Cross smiled, "just in time."

She failed spectacularly.

Naomi didn't have the energy to fake a smile as she tilted her head in acknowledgement.

Yuki peeked her head and smiled in way she would a friend, Naomi did not return the gesture. This didn't deter her, she was used to Naomi's aloofness now, Yuki promptly grabbed Naomi's hand and pulled her into the kitchen without fear of a hurtful comment. Yuki took a hold of the duffel bag and placed it neatly on a chair.

Naomi narrowed her eyes at the older brunette, Naomi was naturally skeptical of most people, but she supposed, Yuki was always annoyingly nice; plus Yuki was a perfect distraction from Zero, who stopped cooking to greet her.

"Hey," his eyes were still sad.

Naomi ignored him as she kept her full attention at Yuki.

Zero returned to his cooking.

Yuki sat next to her, "So I was thinking-"

You think? Naomi bit her tongue and pushed the thought away.

"What if we invite your parents to come over?" She continued, "That way you can still spend the break with your family."

Naomi blinked, Finally, a good idea coming from her. I never would've thought she could.

Cross nodded, "Yes, yes, that would be wonderful." His glasses glinted with joy, "They could stay, I have another guest room."

Yuki smile widen in delight.

"My dad works on the holidays and so does my mom. They'd only be free for one day and only for a couple of hours," And Naomi, finally smiled, "but sure."

Yuki's eyes shined with something Naomi could only call determination as Yuki grabbed her hands, and said: "They'll be here even if I have to walk them here myself!"

"Okay..." Naomi awkwardly pulled her hands from Yuki's.

"As will I!" Cross cheered.

Naomi never wanted to be somewhere else so badly, until this moment. She met Zero's gaze for a second their annoyed expressions in agreement, before she hastily looked away.

"The food's ready," Zero said.

Yuki practically skipped off to get the plates and Cross test tasted everything before serving anything. It wasn't long before they were all seated and much to Naomi's dismay Zero had sat next to her on her left. She shifted her chair slightly closer to the right.

Cross chirped across her about pointless things she didn't care for, but Naomi would nod for time to time to give of the impression she was listening as she ate the meal in relative peace.

The food wasn't bland, it was actually quite good and couldn't help but to think what else could Zero cook? Yuuto couldn't cook to save his life and neither could her father, so much so, Naomi vowed to never date someone who couldn't cook (at least, not seriously), Perfect.

Naomi gulped harshly, No, stop! Not perfect, not perfect at all! She would've smacked herself had they not been here, she probably would've scolded herself out loud too.

Dinner went by quickly after that, mostly because Naomi kept trying to distract herself. She once genuinely listened to what Cross was saying but became bored.

She placed her chopsticks on her empty plate, "Anyway where am I sleeping?"

Yuki took the plate away from her.

Cross pursed his lips, "You don't remember sleeping here before?"

Naomi stared at him for a few seconds...Right, the night I confessed in killing Shizuka.

"I wasn't exactly lucid that day," Naomi said.

"I suppose you're right." He said, "Zero can show you to your room."

Shit.

Zero stood up from his seat, grabbed her bag from the spare chair, and motioned for Naomi to follow him.

She didn't notice.

No, no, it's fine, She thought, it's not like I actually have to acknowledge his presence.

What are you going to do? Pretend that he doesn't exist?

Yes.

"Naomi." Zero called.

Her thoughts burst like bubbles as she snapped her head at him, I can do this.

Naomi rose and followed Zero, but not without leaving a large gap between them both. She kept her eyes focused on the gap, when the she deemed she was a little to close, which wasn't close at all, she would stop and then walk again. She certainly wasn't thinking of how shiny his glistening silver hair was, or how the white long sleeve shirt he was wearing was charmingly tight on him, or how she noticed his shirt was just the tiny bit transparent.

No, absolutely not.

Naomi was so focused, in fact, she smacked her face on his back when they arrived at her room.

Someone kill me now.

Zero reached to touch her forehead, "Are you alright?"

Nice.

Naomi felt warm when his skin touched hers, such a small act.

Soft.

Lavender eyes meeting hers.

Pretty.

"Naomi?" Zero asked.

It was like someone had shaken her awake from an extremely pleasant dream, she snapped back to reality.

Naomi swerved away from his touch and took the duffel bag from his shoulders, "Lost in thought is all." She pointed at the door infront of her, "This it?"

She didn't wait for him to respond, she merely pushed the door open and let herself in.

"Na-"

Naomi refused to look at him, "You can go now," as she kicked the door shut with her heel and locked it.

Never again.

a/n: why finish writing chapters for this story when i can make a pinterest board about a gossip girl AU for this story - naomi nakamura = blair waldorf - what is wrong with me? go check out the poll!