Chapter Twelve - Chou's Graduation Party!
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I felt the wind lash it's harsh winds at my cheeks. In my right hand I clutched an invitation, and in the left, a bouquet of flowers. Like me, they were being hit just as hard by the wrath of the weather. I glanced down at my invite. Luckily, it was intact.

You are cordially invited to Ms. Chou Tanaki's Graduation Party!

Time — 18:00-20:00

Place — 43 Hashiro Ave.

If you have any questions, please contact Elliot Moretti & Yuzuha Hitachiin.

I had been surprised when I received the invite. In fact, I was allowed to bring someone along with me, and I brought Jade. She had been pleasantly surprised as well, and even cracked me a smile. I, myself, was terrified. Kanji had informed me Chou only wanted to talk to me, and that today was just a ploy. Everything was just a mirage.

Chou just liked me being a little puppet in her strange game of life and death. I was just another chess piece to her.

“You know,” Jade said as she stepped out of the car behind me, her short black locks blowing around her face, “I hate formal wear. It always feels constricting, but this one is kind of comfy.”

I grinned faintly. “Perks of being a model.”

Jade rolled her eyes and elbowed past me, going to the front door to ring the door bell. I followed up close behind the raven and waited until someone opened the door. It was an older Butler man. He escorted us to what I assumed was a ball room, and then tipped his hat and left.

Jade raised a brow. “How fancy.”

I wished I could've agreed, but my stomach flip flopped. Chou wanted to speak to me. This meant I'd have to be close to her again — surely Candi and Kai would tag along.

I cleared my negative thoughts, grabbing Jades hand in my own. As we were about to head in further, when our vision was obscured by a tuft of orange. Two boys stood in front of us, devilish smirks gracing their cheeks. I frowned, knowing full well who they were.

The twins from the club.

“Hello ladies,” the left one said. He, like his brother, wore a white suit with a colored rose in their pocket. This one had a light blue. I couldn't help hut wonder if they were in on the grand scheme that Chou had set up for display. My eyes flickered, paranoia washing over me like a thick fog. It seemed no matter what I did she crept into my focus.

“Hi,” I said. “Nice to see you two, again. This is my friend, Jade.” I waved a hand down Jade's arm. My best bet was to act normal around them.

I couldn't risk being scared. My knees shook.

I winked at the blue twin, and tossed Jade forward. “Go dance you two!” I shouted. Everyone stared at the raven and auburn haired pair. I then looked at the twin with the orange rose and grinned wickedly. My eyes flickered mischievously, and I could tell by the look on his face he had no idea what to expect from me. That was my goal — be irrational, be unpredictable, be safe.

“Would you mind dancing with me?”

He blinked. After a moment, he held out a hand gracefully, as if it had been his idea. I felt my heart race in my chest. I wasn't supposed to be enjoying myself — considering my life was on the line — but the prospect of dancing with Kaoru was almost enough to make my stomach flip. He stared intently into my eyes as our feet swayed to the music. The large ballroom around me was forgotten in a moment of fun.

It had been so long since I'd felt so—

I didn't know what this feeling was.

We glided across the dance floor, not speaking, until I decided to start up some conversation.

“So what's your name? I'm not good with names,” I asked him. It was a lie.

“Kaoru.”

I nodded. “Kaoru...okay, got'cha.”

Kaoru spun me around, and when I came back and landed softly in his chest, he laughed. “You're weird,” he said.

“What? No! How!”

The boy laughed again, a little dimple showing in his left cheek. My fingers ached to trace it. How could he be so carefree and lovely? I realized — quick suddenly — that he had not faced the same problems as I. If being at Ouran had taught me anything, it was that rich people were ruthless. My smile snapped like rubber into a scowl.

“Don't tell me I made you bored,” he cried jokingly.

“That's not it,” I murmured. “I just realized something important, that's all.”

Kaoru didn't question me further. Another song blared from the orchestra, prompting us into a much faster pace. My focus was intent on my shoes, the marble floor, or the specks of dust flying around my toes. Kaoru tilted my chin up, mouthing the words ‘look in my eyes’ as encouragement.

I had never seen such pretty eyes, I decided. They were colored amber, with specks of gold and brown in between.

I slipped. My brain seemed to forget to move, and my body slid out from Kaoru's grasp. My back rammed painfully into another couple. It was Jade's twin. He eyes me up and down scornfully. I could see the distrust.

My lips thinned. “Thanks for saving me.”

“Sure, sure,” he patronized.

I spotted Jade just behind him, and pushed twin out of the way. I bowed a little and offered my gloved palm to her. She smacked my arm, before grabbing my hand tightly. I put my arm around her waist and we danced, getting strange looks as the only two dancing and giggling like children.

It reminded me of why Jade was my friend.

She didn't care that I was forced to dress like a lady. She didn't care that I was a “boatload of fruit” or the fact that I was now a model. She loved me for who I was, no matter the appearances.

“You know, those twins keep looking at us,” Jade said in my ear.

I glanced around and saw the two boys doing exactly what we were; dancing with each other. They looked hilarious — as I guess we did — dancing with someone dresses identical. Jade spun me, as she was playing the male now. I felt light on my feet.

“Well, why don't we challenge them to a dance off?” I said, giving her half smile. Jade shook her head.

“Can you dance in heels?”

—

In the end, the Hitachiin twins won.

They beat us with a standing ovation for their version of the salsa, which I had to admit was impressive. Of course, it was Hikaru who had to ruin the mood, approaching me with a less than friendly reminder that I had ruined his time with his toy.

“Well, you interupted my brother and I in our attempt to get Haruhi to our house. Not only that, but I saved you from falling on your face. You owe me.”

I frowned, but nodded my head, as if to say, go on.

“So, we're coming over to your place.”

Jade spit the punch right back into her cup.

“What do you mean you're coming over to our place? And what's this about you interrupting something?” Jade asked me, hands placed delicately on her hips. I sheepishly explained how I tried to help the twins, and took everything they did the wrong way, and ended up offering them a place in the Drama Club. It was a half hearted attempt to please Chou.

It ended with a “no” and that was that.

“Whatever,” she hissed, then glanced at the boys. “But don't come crying to me when you're exposed for a creepy cross dresser.”

I froze and stared at Jade. If only she knew.

In an effort to distract myself, i opened my purse. I quickly searched through my carry on bag, and found what I was looking for. It was liquid liner. I then snatched up Kaoru's hand and rolled up his sleeve. He jerked his hand back and gave me a look. “Just give me your hand, you twat,” I muttered and opened the liner.

I grasped his hand then quickly wrote my number down, along with my name, and then put a cute little heart at the end. The twins stared at his hand, when suddenly, all music cut off.

“Hello ladies and gentlemen!” a voice said. “Welcome to my Graduation Party!”

Suddenly, Chou-san appeared on stage, with Yuzuha Hitachiin in tow. They both wore some type of white dress, and lots of makeup. Yuzuha seemed to like contour. “Today, this party is hosted by my best friend, Yuzuha, and my fiancé, Elliot. Could we please get some applause for these beautiful people?” she asked. Woots and claps sounded out throughout the ballroom.

“Today, not only did I graduate from college, but I am officially graduating from modeling.”

Whispers broke out, when Chou called attention back to herself. I felt my heart jump to my throat. My eyes flickered sideways, and Candi winked at me, her body tightly squeezed into the same leather suit she always sported. As if she knew, Chou winked at me.

“I'm also announcing the success of another friend of mine! The newest cover model of H-Magazine! Callie Seville!”

I gasped as a spotlight was trained on me. Everyone turned around and looked at me. I felt my heart beat loudly. Act natural, I told myself. This is for mom and dad.

“Please come up Callie!”

I walked quickly up the steps of the stage, and then smiled nervously next to Chou, who wrapped an arm around my waist, and planted a kiss on my cheek. I wanted to wipe it away. “Callie has been a great friend, beautiful model! Please give her a warm welcome!”

I smiled broadly out at the crowd. My cheeks hurt.

Above my head, they projected pictures of the newest Spring Line for 2015. The cover picture, was of course, me.

Never had I felt so terrified, so alive.

Being Callie was being freed from the torment of being Connor Seville, school fag. I was being threatened, but something about the lifestyle called to an inner most desire. I shook off this cold feeling and waved back to people in the crowd, trying not to enjoy the warmth and caress of the lights, the flashing of the cameras, and the screams and claps from elitist Japanese people.

It was empowering. It was Callie.

—

The party had dwindled down, until all that was left was the twins and I, plus Jade. She quietly sipped punch out of a glass, and whenever she'd run out, she'd make Hikaru get it for her.

I even watched him take a sip at one point.

“You two should probably head home,” I said, stretching. I grabbed my purse, when Hikaru laughed.

“This is my place.”

I slapped my forehead. “I'm stupid. Anyway, we'll be on our way. Thanks so much for having us over. Feel free to text me to come over anytime.”

I saw both twins smile and wave as I grabbed Jade's hand, and pulled her out of the building. We hopped into her rental car, and sped off, new memories spinning in our brains.

Perhaps being Callie could have it's advantage's.

•    •    •

I feel so bad.

I have neglected my Callie Fans, and I feel terrible! I'm supposed to update every Monday or Tuesday, but this week I was so busy, and I hadn't even had the chapter written.

BAI!!!!!

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