✔Summer Rain |Fruits Basket| HatsuHaru Sohma

18- Tired

  I rushed down the hallway, my bag tossed haphazardly over my shoulder as I made my way to the student council classroom.  I threw open the door, sliding into my seat beside Yuki.  "Sorry I'm late-"  I mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear while I readjusted my uniform top.

  "That's okay."  Makato glanced at me, then turned back to the paper work on his desk.

  "Are you alright Chiyu-san?"  Yuki asked, glancing at me.

  "Ah-"  I nodded quickly.  "Yes!  Sorry for being such a bother, I woke up a bit late this morning is all-  late night last night." 

  "Mei."  Makato frowned, not looking up from his work.  "Don't push yourself."

  "Right."  I nodded, pulling out some of my own paperwork.  "You're right.  Sorry."  I turned back to Yuki, a smile on my face.  "Thank you for worrying about me!"

  "Eh-"  He cocked his head.  "Of course!"

  I turned back to the table with a small sigh.  Truth be told, I spent the entirety of my day off sitting at home with my mom.  One can only imagine how that turned out.  I eyed the bruises on my left forearm, turning then inward ever so slightly so I wouldn't worry Yuki or Makato.

Mom had gotten angry because I'd spoken back to her over something stupid, and taken her anger out on me.  I chose not to fight back, which would have just made the situation worse than it needed to be. 

  "Are you sure you're alright Chiyu-san?"  Yuki asked, drawing me out of my thoughts.  "You're staring at your paperwork-"

  "Sorry-"  I laughed.  "I'm a little tired is all!"

  "Well the bell rang, we've got to get to homeroom.  Honda-san and I will help you with your work if you want to rest."

  "Thats- that's not necessary!"  I shook my head, falling into step beside him as we made our way to class.  "Please, just forget I ever came in late!"

****

  "Mei!"  I glanced out of the corner of my eye, catching sighed of Momiji running towards me, pulling Haru behind him.

  I grabbed my books, tucking them under my arm.  "Hello Momiji-kun.  How was your school day?"

  "Great!  A couple of girls from my class tried to hug me today!  I had to push them away but they didn't get mad about it!"  He giggled.  "Hey!  Do you wanna hang out with us?"

  "Oh- uhm-"  I rubbed the back of my neck, eyeing Haru who was staring out the window.  "I can't today.  Sorry-"

  "Can't?  Or won't?" Haru sent a glance in my direction, a teasing look on his face.

  I scowled at him, tempted to snap back at him but settled with a glare instead.  "I'm sorry Momiji, maybe another time?  How about- Wednesday?  I'll try and get out of student council duties and we can go do something together."

  His eyes widened in joy and he nodded.  "Okay!!  Hey!  Can we walk you to the student council classroom?  I wanna say hi to Yuki!"

  "I guess that would be alright-"  I glanced out the doorway of the classroom for any straggler students before sighing heavily.  "Alright let's go."

  I led them down the hall, Momiji chattering at my side as I tried my best to stay awake.

  "Mei, are you gonna be the president next year?"  He asked, dancing around in front of Haru and I with a grin.  "Or are you and Yuki going to work together?"

  I yawned lightly, tucking my head into my elbow to stifle it as I nodded.  "I assume I'll take the position of President-"  I said softly, glancing out the window.  "Yuki and I will continue to work together until we graduate."

  "That's really cool!  You've got all the power in the school!"  Momiji gasped.  "You can tell anyone to do anything!"

  "Well, not anything-"  I giggled.  "I mostly take care of keeping things orderly between students.  Such as idiots like him-"  I motioned towards Haru who had been mostly silent until now.  He glowered at me And stared spacely out towards the nearing student council room.  "And do any paperwork that needs to be done."

  "Mei!  There you are!"  Makato glanced up from the doorway.  "I was beginning to get worried, I was going to send Yuki to look for you!"

  "She's fine."  Haru huffed.  "Come on Momiji."

  "Okay!  Bye Mei!  I'll see you tomorrow!  Don't forget about Wednesday!"  He giggled, as he was dragged off by the collar of his shirt by Haru.

  "Bye-"  I waved weakly, confused but not surprised by Haru's dismissive attitude.  "Sorry for being so late to the meeting, Momiji-kun distracted me."

  "Is that all?"  He frowned, tugging me to the side.  "You came to school late, you've been out of it all day.  Did something happen at home?"

  "Its nothing."  I shrugged.  "I seriously just woke up late and spent all night working on homework.  I promise I'm fine."  I lied, giving him a reassuring smile. 

  Makato didn't budge further, only nodded and stepped aside.  "Alright.  I've only got a little bit of work for you today, we're discussing upcoming school events and we need your input."

  "Wonderful."  I rolled my eyes.  "Let me guess, we've got some sort of outlandish requests again?"

  Yuki nodded meekly, staring at a large stack of papers sitting in front of his face.  "One-hundred of them."  He said softly, resting his face in his hands.

  "Oh."  I blinked, stifling another yawn that threatened to come out of my mouth.  "Okay, we should probably start now then."  I sighed, flopping down into a seat beside Yuki.

  "Was that Momiji I heard in the hallway?"  He asked, glancing at me as I grabbed the first paper.

  "Yeah, he and Haru wanted to walk me here.  Well-  Momiji dragged Haru along, he's still just shitty Haru but I dealt with him."

  Yuki chuckled lightly.  "Haru means well."

  "You and Hatori say that, but I don't think you know exactly what it means.  He has barely given me anything but the cold shoulder."

  "Well, he is the Ox spirit."  He whispered lowley.  "Hard headed to a fault.  I wouldn't take it to much to heart."

  I gave him a small smile, turning back to my work.  "Thanks Yuki."
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Word Count: 1052 Words