"I'm not clumsy. It's just the floor hates me, the tables and chairs are bullies and the walls get in the way." - One of Amaris' many life mottos. 

Also, for the someone who doesn't mind spending most of the early school morning talking about anime with me. Thank you so much <3 You made my day, even if you didn't know it. 

The next day at school, I'm approached by some members of the planning committee while I'm telling Maiko what happened last night.

"Amaris-san."

I look up at them, and vaguely recall their names to be Honoka and Erika. They're a year below I am.

"Hello."

"You know that the school festival is coming up, right?" Honoka asks me.

"Of course I do. It goes on every year doesn't it?"

"Yes, well...we need your help," Erika says hesitantly.

I'm confused.

"But Amaris already said she'd help with the painting and designing things," Maiko reminds them, also looking puzzled.

"Oh, yes we know. Thank you, Amaris-san. No...you see, Eri-chan and I have an idea," Honoka explains. "We want to do a picture of the school with some students outside, you know, as a flyer."

"That sounds nice," I say, playing it safe.

"Everyone else thinks so too. But...we have one problem."

"We really, really, really want Oshiro-san to be in the picture. No, we need him," Honoka says passionately.

I rub my neck, a little uncomfortable with where I suspect this is heading.

"Okay. Well his classroom is right there, and he's inside. Go ask him."

Maiko not so cleverly tries to disguise her laugh with a cough.

"The thing is, we're scared he's going to turn us down," Erika admits.

Oh, so they aren't total idiots.

"But it would definitely attract people if he's in the picture!" Honoka affirms.

I frown.

"What exactly are you two expecting me to do about this?"

"We were hoping you could talk to him for us," Erika says shyly.

"What? Why me?"

Erika and Honoka exchange glances.

"Well there was the picture...and aren't you two living together?"

My cheeks turn pink. I wouldn't call myself a violent person, but I have to fight down the urge to smack them both.

"Not a chance."

"But-!"

"No!"

I survey the two girls, and their downcast expressions. They honestly seem like nice people. I sigh.

"Alright. But I'm not talking to him. I'll just come with you two."

"Thank you, Amaris-san!"

We walk down the corridor and into class A. Sure enough, Sebastien is sitting to the back of the room, reading. I urge the girls over to him. He doesn't look up from his book.

"U-um, Oshiro-san," Erika begins.

Sebastien looks up at them, his dark hair falling into his face just a bit. I swear Honoka swoons. Maiko rolls her eyes. I'm sure I probably do as well.

"Yes?"

Erika makes a squeaking noise in the back of her throat. Well aware I would have been exactly like they were behaving a year ago if I had been talking to him, I step forward. Even though I said I wouldn't be talking. I didn't want to stay there all day.

"Sebastien. These girls are from the planning committee. They want you to be a part of a picture they're taking to promote the school."

"I'm not interested," Sebastien says dismissively, returning to his book.

"What? Why not?" I ask, incredulously.

"Because it doesn't seem very interesting."

"They're trying to help improve the school's image."

"I do that well enough with academics and sports."

I frown. By now Honoka and Erika have recovered and they look defeated. Maiko is watching amused. Well...I do have a trump card.

I flip his book closed and lean forward, just close enough so that if I whisper, the others wouldn't be able to hear me.

"I have another picture."

Sebastien jumps back and upright, glaring at me. Honoka and Erika shrink back in fear.

"Where is it?" Sebastien asks, his voice tight and clipped.

"Somewhere you'll never find it," I murmur. "But if you don't help them...let me put it this way. Maybe I'll find something much more interesting for them to incorporate on the fliers."

"You..."

Sebastien sighs, and fixes his collar. He turns to the girls.

"Alright, I'll help you. When do you all want to do this?"

*

Friday afternoon I'm sitting in the living room with Asuka and Yuuki when the front door bangs open.

"AMARIS TSUKINO!"

I look up, a small smile playing on my lips when Sebastien barges into the room, furious.

"That is my name, yes."

"Don't even start with me! Do you have any idea where I was?!"

"Um..."

"At school! And do you know what I was doing?! I was being made to pose in ridiculous positions while people were busy clicking away to take pictures of me! And some of those people weren't even part of the planning committee!"

"Well, you were supposed to brace yourself for that..."

"You...I...I'm tired of this! You turning my life upside down! I'm going to bed!"

Regret touches my heart when I see Sebastien storm upstairs, clearly annoyed. I turn to see Asuka watching me with stars in her eyes.

"Ah! I haven't seen Bas that worked up in years! Amaris you really bring out the best of him!'

"The best? Are you joking, Oba-san? He looks furious at me!"

"Yes well...He just needs one more push," Asuka mutters, almost to herself.

Admittedly, I'm scared to go in my room. I'm afraid I'll wake Sebastien, or get him even more annoyed. I go up to Suzana's room instead. Unsurprisingly to me, she's laying on her bed, reading a magazine. It's her favourite pastime.

"Hello nee-chan," Suzana says without looking up. "Sebastien-kun was yelling quite a bit wasn't he."

"I made him upset... I'm sorry about it. Can I hide out in here for a bit?"

Suzana doesn't answer. I sigh, and I sit at the foot of the bed. I'm still sitting there when Asuka knocks and enters the room.

"Oh good, Amaris-chan, you're in here too! Something came this evening. Papa's parents aren't feeling too good, and he went to check up on them. It's nothing serious, but he's asked me to come out to meet him. I'm taking Yuuki with me, and I thought Suzana-chan would like to come with me to get the things she needs for the school project she was telling me about."

"Suzana? You have a project?"

I'm surprised that she didn't tell me about it.

"Yeah, nee-chan. I forgot to tell you. It's nothing big."

I exhale in part frustration.

"Oba-san, I'm sorry. I'll take Suzana to get her things. Please, don't go to all that trouble."

"No, no, Amaris-chan. I don't want Bas to wake up alone in the house. I'll take Suzana-chan. It's nothing."

"But...I...Oba-san..."

Nothing I said could dissuade her. In exactly ten minutes, she, Suzana and Yuuki have gone, Yuuki protesting all the way to the car.

"I want to stay back too!!"

And this is how I find myself sitting on the couch, alone in the house, except for, since the last time I checked, a very pissed off Sebastien. I check the clock, it's almost five o'clock. They really did keep him back late. The least I could do...would be to make dinner.

*

"What are you banging around in the kitchen like this for?"

I turn around, jumping despite myself. Sebastien is standing in the doorway, blinking at the bright light. I swallow as he steps inside and begins inspecting the dishes on the table.

"You cooked."

"You're welcome."

"Where's everyone else?"

"They...something came up with your dad's parents, is what your mom said. She took Suzana and Yuuki-kun, but asked me to stay back."

His eyebrow raises.

"I don't...are you hungry?" I ask hastily.

Sebastien shrugs, but sits at the table. I hand him a plate. We eat in silence.

"Do you like it?"

He doesn't answer, and I feel tears prickling at my eyes.

"Look, Sebastien, I'm sorry. I didn't think they'd use you like that. If I can do something to make up for it, I will."

Yet again, he doesn't answer. Great, just great. He's still annoyed.

*

He doesn't help me clear away the dinner things, much to my annoyance. Sebastien is leaning against the kitchen counter, and I can feel his eyes on me, watching my every move. Jeez, if you aren't going to lend a hand, you might as well just leave!

"Can I do something for you?" I finally snap, spinning on my heel to face him.

"Where's dessert?"

Two words. Just two. But it's enough to send my temper flying. I cooked for you, not a word of thanks and that's what you say!?

"There's chocolate in the fridge."

"I don't like cold chocolate."

"Then microwave it."

"You're closer to the microwave."

Y-you...!

I stomp over to the refrigerator and snatch the bar of chocolate from the shelf. I stick it into the microwave, slamming the door shut. I jab at the buttons, as though they're the cause of my irritation.

"I can't believe you forgot des- Amaris take that off right now!"

"What?"

I spin around, jumping backwards when I see sparks flying in the microwave. I run forward to turn it off, but Sebastien is quicker. He pushes me out of the way and stops the microwave, staring at me incredulously.

"Who just sticks a bar of chocolate into the microwave?!"

"Why didn't you tell me there was foil on it?!"

"You're supposed to know that!"

"You obviously didn't!"

"I assumed you would know!"

"You're the one who said you didn't like cold chocolate!"

"None of this would have been a problem if you'd made dessert too."

"I made you dinner! You didn't even say thank you!"

Sebastien laughs.

"After the torture you put me through today? I didn't need to say thank you."

I'm shaking; I want to hit him or something, so very badly. Sebastien just shakes his head, and still laughing, walks out of the kitchen. I'm furious for two reasons now; I hate not getting the last word.

"Why are you still laughing?!"

It's a last ditch attempt to end this on my terms. No dice; Sebastien doesn't walk back. He shouts back to me, at the top of his voice.

"I can't believe someone with your brain microwaved metal!" 

I know he's too far away to hear me. I know this. 

"...I can't believe someone with your brain didn't stop me!"

A/N: Hope you enjoyed reading this! It's been so long since I updated this... I appreciate any and every person who reads this book! Please feel free to comment, and tell me anything at all!