dumbass finds love

CHAPTER 7: a sham

Laughing, giggling, talking with a passion and without a care is what you think you were meant to do. Even as some people would eye you weirdly, you couldn't find yourself to care as you bumbled down the walkways with your friends. Here, with them, you didn't need to straighten your back and laugh behind your hand as to remain both ladylike and mysterious.

It was pretty sunny today, but not hot. It was perfect. Everything.

"So, I was like, 'Hey, you can't do that!' but she just carried on anyway! Who does that?" Airi complained.

You laughed, "Her, apparently."

Hana snorted and pushed at Airi. "Hey, leave her alone. She probably doesn't know any better since you won't tell her anything!"

Airi stumbles (both on her feet and her words), "Yeah, well, I shouldn't have to!" She starts swinging her shopping bag lightly in annoyance. "She doesn't do what she's told to anyway, so it wouldn't make a difference." She huffs, blowing her bangs.

"Yeah, yeah." Hana smiles, obviously teasing at her to get a rise out of her. Though she doesn't seem to continue as she straightens her back and lightly gasps. "Hey! How's Ouran?"

At that, both of your friends turn their heads to you in curiosity. "Yeah, I completely forgot to ask." Airi says. You nearly start sweating out of nerves and your mouth goes dry. You look to the side to find a distraction before you sigh in resignation.

"It's... So different." Airi laughs.

"Well, yeah, of course. Heirs, remember?" She nudges you with her elbow. Then she decides to empathize. "But yeah. It's not the same without you."

"I know." Hana joins. "Who's going to be the one to act like a total goofball when I'm sad? It can't be Airi, she actually just looks stupid." Airi, the stupid one, makes a sound of disbelief. She's about to push at Hana before you laugh, getting her attention and making her smile at you.

"She's got a point. When Hana does it, she's so stiff and awkward. Totally out of her element. Makes me sad for her instead." Now it's Hana that guffaws.

Getting through your giggling, you finally decide to be a bit more honest. "It's hard there. I don't fit in at all. My scholarship is a joke and it feels like everyone knows in a way. It feels like the building knows. Like I'm about to dirty their pristine, white halls with my peasant self." You get a bit more dramatic at the end to give them a little peace of mind as you bat your hair away with your hand and striking your shoulder up to channel your inner theater kid. Hah, maybe you'd fit right in with Tamaki (and you actually remembered his name!).

It doesn't seem to comfort them much.

As Airi is about to say something, you hear your name faintly called for a bit ahead of you. You all whip your heads in that direction.

Haruhi is staring at you.

You freeze. "Haruhi?"

You feel panic seize you before you have to calm yourself down and be reminded that she's like you. And then you remember she could've heard your conversation. Nevertheless, you still try to be cool and play it off. "Um, hey. You... live around here?"

She nods. "Just a block away." She points behind her. It takes you a second to process her outfit. Her shirt is a simple, light blue, short-sleeved blouse that extends just a bit past her hip. Underneath she has a slightly worn pair of khakis. Vaguely feminine. Maybe Tamaguy-- oh, wait, it's Tamaki-- would be proud. Maybe you'd have to report it to him. Actually, you'd like to not give Haruhi the stress... But anyway, you thought she'd be in something less girly and more tomboyish. Though you supposed Haruhi never seemed to care much about how she came off to others, one way or the other. Maybe Tamaki had instilled those thoughts in you.