Maria stood at the blackboard in front of the class, writing the equation to the circumference of 3.14(pi). Tamaki was passing notes to Kyoya whenever the teacher turned her back.

Chapter 3 

Not so Much as Such 

'Mommy! What should I do?! I really want to host Maria, but she's always so busy after school!' Tamaki swiftly threw the folded sticky note at Kyoya's face. It took Kyoya everything he had not to throw it back at Tamaki's face much harder. 

'Well, daddy, did you ever ask her?' Kyoya set it on Tamaki's lap. Tamaki sulked in embarrassment. 

'No' Tamaki threw it at the side of Kyoya's head, causing Kyoya to grow an irk mark. His anger grew when he read it. He internally face palmed, then wrote down something. He neatly folded it into a paper crane and set in on Tamaki's table as the bell rang. 

Tamaki unfolded it quickly so he can get to lunch on time. 'Then ask her during lunch. She sits on the roof during lunch hours'. Tamaki quickly stood up and grabbed his things. He threw his stuff in his locker and ran up the stairs. 

Maria walked up the steps slowly, reading one of her books that were suggested to her by her Astronomy professor back at her old school. It was titled, 'Swapping the Sun and Moon' by Richard Z. Maria heard footsteps behind her but she ignored them. With her bento situated safely under her armpit, she had no worries. Wind flew by her as the footsteps disappeared into the distance. Her hair slightly swayed before going back in place. 

Tamaki rushed past a girl, whose face was hidden behind a white book with big black font. He opened the door to the roof, and scanned the area. There was no one there. Had Kyoya made a mistake? Tamaki felt his insides drain. He walked over to the railing and leaned both elbows on them, and hanged the rest of his arms off the edge. He rested his cheek on his right bicep, and sighed. He really wanted to get to know Maria better. He hoped that hosting her individually would fulfill his wish. 

Maria reached for the golden doorknob, but nearly fell forward. She lowered the book and shut it, her finger bookmarking her page. The door was already open. No one goes up here. Maybe the janitor? She looked around to see a boy with familiar blonde hair leaning on the rail. He looked saddened. 

"Tamaki?" Maria called, causing the boy to quickly straighten his posture. He turned his head and a wide smile stretched across his features. 

"Maria?" Tamaki jogged over to her. "I thought you weren't coming!" He gleamed. 

"I always come here to eat lunch." Maria giggled. "And how did you know I'd be up here?" 

Tamaki froze up, then chuckled nervously. "Kyoya told me." 

"Want to sit down with me?" Maria asked, walking over to a bench. Tamaki sat down next to her, and took out his own lunch. They talked for a while, Tamaki making jokes every once in a while. 

"Oh yeah. Maria?" Tamaki asked. 

Maria hummed in response, chewing on a strawberry. 

"Will you visit the Host Club after school today?" Tamaki asked. 

"I'm really sorry Tamaki, but I have Club after school today." Maria apologized sadly, setting down her half eaten strawberry. 

Tamaki felt like he turned into ashes and blew away. It wasn't the situation where he could bribe her to come, because he knew better. This wasn't Haruhi. Nor was it like she was in his club, like Haruhi. He couldn't drag her wherever he wished. She was already in a club.

Tamaki forced down his food with a painful swallow. "What Club?" He asked. 

"The Astronomy Club." Maria gleamed. "I always loved the stars. Metaphorically, I want to shine as bright as them." She smiled, looking down at her strawberry. 

'But you already do.' Tamaki thought, looking at Maria. She took another bite of her berry, then placed the leaf back in her bento. Maria shut the bento with the lid, then set it next to her. 

"Tamaki, ever went star gazing far in the country, where there's no lights. Just lay there, forget about the world. Watch the beauty of the for- granted night sky, make a wish upon a shooting star." Maria grinned at her memories. 

"No, but I want to now. With you." Tamaki said, causing Maria to jump up. She bent down in front of Tamaki and grinned happily. She tilted her head and giggled. 

"Then lets make a promise. When we get older, and have too much time on our hands, lets go out to the country; where everyone is thankful for anything and everything. Let's go star gazing, and wish upon a star. Together." Tamaki blushed, as their faces were only inches away. 

Maria straightened herself, and brought out her hand. "Promise?" She asked. Tamaki sat there, staring at Maria. His eyes were wide, and his face was now tinted a rosy pink. A smile then stretched across his features. He brought his hand out, and they shook on it. 

He felt warm and fuzzy inside.