A Twin's Love

Chapter 12

Jenna could feel the glaring eyes on the back of her head, but she continued to walk forward as though everything was okay. Clenched her fists tightly, she considered whether she should defend herself if someone were to grab her from behind.

"Jen-chan!"

Honey suddenly skipped up to her, Mori walking calmly behind him. "Are you heading to lunch?" the child-resembling classmate asked enthusiastically.

"Um, yeah. I was thinking about it."

"How about you come sit with us? We can get some cake together."

The girl couldn't help but smile. It might be nice to sit with friends for once. Maybe eating with the Host Club will ward off any bullying schemes that other classmates have been planning.

"Sure. I'd like that, senpai."

"Great! Let's go!" Honey grabbed her hand and started leading her towards the cafeteria. "By the way, what kind of cake do you like?"

"Um, I like strawberry, but chocolate is my favorite."

Wait, did I just imagine that? As the pair passed Mori, she could have sworn that he was glaring at something behind them. Mori is known to have a constant straight face, almost always showing no emotion. But just now, it seemed that he was actually glaring, like he was angry.

"Mori-senpai, is something wrong?" Jenna asked curiously. He stayed silent as he shook his head, resuming his usual poker face. Strange. . .

Lunch went without an incident, as a few members of the Host Club ate with Jenna. Though she enjoyed the company, the young woman wasn't sure how to take this new treatment. After a couple of days, a pattern emerged in her observations. Except for when quickly using the bathroom, at least one member of the Host Club made an excuse to be near her. Most of the time, it was the Hitachiins or Haruhi.

And with the added companions, there was a significant decrease in her bullies' advances towards her. It didn't take long for Jenna to connect the dots. One day after school, she met with the Host Club while they were getting ready to open. Everyone was wearing their costumes for a rock/pop star theme that they had been planning.

After slamming the door shut, she had gained their full attention. "Have you all been protecting me? Like some helpless damsel?" Everyone stared in surprise and nervousness, but nobody answered immediately.

Tamaki stepped forward and opened his mouth. Jenna cut him off before he got one syllable out. "I'm not one of your clients, so save your cliché scripted lines. I don't need your help!"

"We were just worried about you, Jen-chan." Honey said as sweetly as he possibly could. Unfortunately, that did not help soften her mood.

"You shouldn't be, because it's none of your business."

"Jen, can we talk in here?" Karou stood next to the open door of the club room's pantry. Still not happy, the girl reluctantly went in with him. Once the door was closed, he spoke to her softly. "Don't be mad at them. It was all my idea."

"Why?"

"Because it's our job to make our guests happy. And if not our guests, our friends."

"I can take care of myself. I don't need your help, or anyone's, for that matter."

"You think you don't need it, but you actually just don't want it. I know you're used to doing things alone, but you really shouldn't all the time. It never hurts to ask for help when needed, though I can understand that it can seem difficult. Believe me, I know."

Jenna paced for a moment in front of the wooden cupboards. I'm not going to admit that he looks good in his rock star outfit. Blue ripped skinny jeans, leather combat boots, studded belt and cuff-bracelets, fitted black shirt with a white star painted artistically on the front— all nicely put together. And as great as he looks, I'm still mad at him!

"Why in the world did you feel the need to help me when I did not ask? How did you even know what was going on?" She asked, almost furiously.

"Do you really think anything can get past Kyoya? We suspected something was up for a while. Once we got confirming evidence, we decided to act as your secret and discreet body guards."

She turned to him, eyebrow raised in question. "Confirming evidence?"

Karou sighed, as though he was giving up. "Haruhi told us about your injuries after visiting you."

"I knew it!" Jenna cursed under her breath as she continued to pace in frustration.

"Jenna, I'm sorry. I was just trying to help. I hated seeing you go through all of that. I had to do something." The young man explained.

"Why? Why go through the trouble of basically looking after me, risking the increase in rumors about us supposedly being together, and possibly ruining the reputation of the Host Club?"

"For you."

Jenna froze in front of Karou, staring into his completely serious face. Her heart pounded fast and hard in her chest as he stepped closer. He spoke again, a little softer in tone and volume. "Your sister was right. I have fallen for you, Jenna Davidson. I have been in love from the beginning. I'd even say that I was attracted to you when we first met."

She could barely comprehend what she was hearing. "Y-you don't even know which twin I was that day."

He smiled knowingly. "You were the one I met first, the one who wrote the note."

"How did—? Emma?"

He nodded, gently pushing her hair out of her face, stroking it tenderly. "And I still don't care what anyone else thinks. I want to be with you. I'd even quit the Host Club if it will make you stop worrying."

"No! Don't do that. I know what this club means to you," Jenna began pacing again, tugging on her hair and pinching her arms. This has to be a dream! Karou has just confessed that he has feelings for me. There's no way!

Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed her wrists and turned her around. He looked straight into her eyes. Karou was so close, she could see the careful eyeliner on his lids, and the sparkle of his fake black diamond earrings. "Please forgive me, and let me help you." He pleaded softly.

Jenna could do nothing but stare into his hazel eyes and bite her lip nervously. Finally, after a long minute of silence, she sighed. "Okay."

He let go of her wrists, but didn't move away. She wouldn't have let him anyway. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she embraced him. "Thank you." She whispered, planting a light kiss on his cheek. Karou hugged her back, holding her in a gentle, warm envelope of protectiveness. It seemed that he didn't want to let her go, but reluctantly loosened his embrace. "Please try to be more discreet with the 'protection detail'. People might figure it out and I still don't want any trouble."

The girl stepped around him and towards the door. He grabbed her arm once more, with one last question on his lips. "When will you go on a date with me?"

It was the one question she hoped he wouldn't ask. Biting her lip for a moment, Jenna answered without looking at him. "We'll talk after all of this has died down." Then she left without another word. Karou leaned against the cupboards for a minute, letting out a quiet groan after her footsteps faded from the Music Room. After it dies down. . . It's not soon enough, but I'm willing to wait. If it will make her happy, that's all that matters.