Stuck in the Middle

Chapter Three

Alex's POV:

Nanako had brought my jacket as planned. Her skirt was too short once again, but her shirt fit her a little better. She had kissed my cheek before running off to get to class on time.

A few days had gone by since then, Nanako ate with me each day, and each day she kissed me on the cheek before she left. I couldn't get past it, I couldn't figure out how to make her stop without upsetting her. If she kept it up though I was afraid she was gonna get too attached and then I was really going to seem like a big jerk.

I walked to the music room for the host club meeting with Honey-senpai and Mori still contemplating the best way to tell Nanako to stop. "Alex, you're too quiet." Honey-senpai whined as we walked, "What's wrong?" I sighed looking up at him sitting on Mori's shoulder. "It's Nanako." I said sounding bummed out even to myself, "She keeps kissing my cheek and touching my arms when we're together...I think she's starting to like me."

"Girls are supposed to like the guys in the host club." Mori offered. "I know, but that's just it." I said looking at the tall, dark haired man, "I don't want to hurt the girl's feelings, but I can't exactly be the right guy for her. Do you see what I'm saying?" Mori nodded along with Honey-senpai. "Do you like her?" Honey-senpai suddenly asked.

I shook my head. "I don't know her that well." I said, "Plus it wouldn't matter if I did like her because nothing can ever happen between us while I keep my secret."

Neither of them had any more to say and we had reached the music room. Tamaki, Kyoya, and the Hitachiin twins were already inside when we walked in. "You three are late." Kyoya said as he pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Kyoya was ready to start without you." Tamaki said in a dramatically sad voice, "I had to beg him to wait."

"Sorry, I got caught up with Nanako again this morning." I said going to sit by Hikaru and Kaoru. "Mitsukuni wanted to stop and get sweets." Mori said simply as if that was all they needed and no one questioned it.

"Are things heating up with that girl?" Hikaru asked turning to me. "Is she your girlfriend?" Kaoru asked raising an eyebrow. "No, nothing like that." I said throwing my hands up, "Nanako is getting touchy/feely lately and I don't know how to make her stop without either hurting her or telling her the truth."

"Even if you tell her the truth you're going to hurt her feelings." Kyoya said, "At least let her think that she was turned down by a boy."

Perhaps Kyoya was right. At least if I just turned her down as the male Alex then she would have her dignity, right?

"Can we get on with this meeting?" Tamaki asked, "Alex's problem is important, but so is this and it's why we're meeting so early." I pushed my problems with Nanako into the back of my mind and focused my attention on Tamaki.

"Okay." he said once all the club members were listening, "It's the time of year when we do our big spring turning to summer event. What should be our theme this time around?" Kaoru and Hikaru glanced at me. "Whatever it is, we can't have it like any of the last ones." Hikaru said. "Alex can't walk around in nothing but swim trunks like the rest of us."

My cheeks burned even thinking about it. "I can wear a tank top and shorts." I offered. My chest was small, but I still wasn't going around without a shirt. "Then why don't we do a picnic on the beach theme?" Honey-senpai chimed in.

Kyoya pushed his glasses up and cleared his throat. "we can go to my family's private beach.' he said, "The girls will love it there and we can also stay in my family'# beach house, it will be like a small vacation." Jeez, the Ootari family...more money than brains?

"okay then." Tamaki said, "It's decided. Announce it to your guests today. " He was beaming, obviously thrilled, but I was internally freaking out. Could I survive the night with this bunch?