Well, this story has been sitting in my head for months. I finally started to write it after watching some OHSHC the other day. This is going to be a long story with plenty of twists and turns, so I hope you guys like it and stick with me! It will be following the anime somewhat, but I will add parts here and there between episodes as well as drift away from it for awhile for some of my own arcs. Please please leave me reviews! Constructive criticism is always welcome!

~Disclaimer~ I will only post this once so it isn't a nuisance to read later on :) I do not own OHSHC or any of it's characters. I only own my OC's and any unfamiliar plot :) Enjoy!

"I really did it? I got in?" I asked with a huge grin on my face. My parents smiled brightly at me.

"Yes, dear. We just got the letter in the mail this morning and we couldn't wait to tell you!" My mother pulled me into a hug. I felt my father join in beside me, wrapping both my mother and I in his embrace. I returned the hug, excitement bubbling up in me.

"I can't believe I got a full ride to Ouran Academy!" I squealed. "I have to tell Haruhi!" I started to rush off, but my father grabbed my wrist and pulled me back gently.

"Take your shoes off, Suzume." He scolded in a mild tone. I groaned in mock annoyance before rushing over to the door and removing my shoes. I skipped past my father, giving him a peck on the cheek before running down the hall to my room.

I whipped my head around when I heard barking and turned to see my doberman, Dai running up to me. I crouched and hugged the large dog tightly as he wiggled with excitement.

"Hey, Dai! Were you a good boy while I was gone? Did you protect Mom and Dad for me?" He whined and licked my face as I spoke to him in baby-talk. My parents hated that I did that. They thought it would curb his protectiveness.

I stood up and continued to my room. I pushed open the door and huffed when Dai shoved past me and jumped on my bed, curling up and sighing in contentment. I stepped up and sat on the bed next to him, ruffling his ears affectionately. I turned and picked up my phone from the bedside table, dialed the familiar number for the Fujioka residence, and leaned back against my headrest as I waited for someone to pick up.

"Fujioka Residence." Ranka said in a feminine voice. I smiled.

"Hello, Ranka! It's Suzume. Is Haruhi there?" I winced when I heard Ranka squeal.

"Suzume! My dear, how have you been? You haven't been over in so long, I was starting to think that you and Haruhi weren't friends anymore…" I giggled at the pout in his voice.

"Ranka, I was just there last weekend." I rolled my eyes with a smile. Before he could reply, I heard Haruhi talking in the background.

"Give me the phone, Dad." I heard her annoyance clear in her voice, despite the muffled sound. I raised my eyebrows at Ranka's whiny complaints at the phone being taken away.

"Hey, Suzume." Haruhi greeted. I grunted and scolded Dai, who pawed at my stomach roughly as he asked for attention. Haruhi chuckled. "Say hi to Dai for me."

"Did you hear that, you big oaf? Haruhi says hi." He just stared at me. I rolled my eyes.

"So, Haruhi. You know how you just got into that big fancy school cuz you're so smart?" I said plainly. She hesitated.

"...Yes?"

"WELL SO DID I!" I shouted with glee. "Well, not for being smart, but I got in for my art! I got a full scholarship!" I leapt up and started jumping on my bed, causing Dai to jump up and bark.

"Really? You're going to Ouran too?" Haruhi said, slight eagerness in her voice.

"Yep! Looks like you're not the only commoner going to school with the rich kids!" I stopped bouncing and let out a breath before settling back down on my bed.

"You're not exactly a commoner, Suzume." She said with a scolding tone.

It was true. My father was a heart surgeon, from a family of surgeons, and my mother, an Irish-American woman, was into real estate, buying, remodeling and selling or renting out properties in some of the most visited areas in the world. However, my family was different than most rich people.

Our house was relatively small, located on an estate that was about 3 acres in size. We were reasonably close to the schools as well as the markets. The house had a spacious dining room for entertaining higher class guests. The kitchen was small and homey, with an American style island in the center with chairs around it. It was a single story house, and the bedrooms were located in the back of the house. My parent's room was the first door to the right down the hallway, followed by the guest bathroom. My room was back against the far wall, and was just big enough to fit all my things in comfortably. One nice thing about our house, I had my own bathroom and a small, walk-in closet.

Another thing that separated us from most of the upper class families, my family didn't flaunt their money. We had nice clothes, but we didn't need all designer brands. We shopped at the local market, like everyone else in our area. We were friendly with our neighbors, walked our dog down the street, and I attended the local public schools until now. My parents invested some of their money, and saved the rest. I earned an allowance like normal teenagers, and I even worked a part-time job for extra money if I really wanted something. I was raised to be very modest.

"I know I'm technically not a commoner, but I don't want to be associated with rich snobs…" I trailed off. I sighed.

Haruhi paused before she responded. "Listen, I can tell that you're nervous, but I know you'll make friends at Ouran." I rolled my eyes, but laughed lightly.

"I know, Haruhi. At the very least, you're stuck with me!" She let out a heavy sigh. "Don't act like you don't love me, Haruhi!" I laughed before hanging up. She was used to dealing with me. After all, she was one of the only people that knew the real me.

But, ignoring that fact, I had some preparations for the next day.

"I am NOT wearing that monstrosity…" I said defiantly as my mom held up the girl's Ouran Academy uniform." She rolled her eyes and huffed.

"Suzume, we really don't have time for this. You need to wear it." I shook my head viciously.

"It's not required, because Haruhi didn't get one! We can just pretend we can't afford it, and I'll whip up a school appropriate outfit to wear." She glared at me, making me wince slightly, but there was no way I could wear that hideous yellow dress.

"If you don't wear this dress, then you have to pay your father and I back for buying it." She warned with a raised brow. I nodded vigorously.

"Yes, ma'am! Every penny!" I said with a bright smile.

She let out an annoyed groan. "Fine. Then go get dressed because you have to leave in 10 minutes if you want to get there in time to get your schedule and find your class before the day starts." I squeaked and took off for my room.

I managed to find a plain white button up, a plaid skirt with various shades of purple, a black jacket that flattered my curvy figure, and a dark purple tie that matched my skirt. I pulled on a pair of white knee-high socks before rushing over to my vanity to take in my appearance.

I let my dark brown wavy hair loose, reaching just below my chest. My green, slightly round eyes that I got from my mother looked back at me from the mirror. Freckles decorated my nose and slightly under my eyes. I loved my freckles and green eyes. The reminded me of my Irish heritage that I got from my mother's side.

Satisfied with my appearance, I grabbed my cellphone, dialing Haruhi's house and reached down to pick up my school bag and rushed out the door. Dai whined when he saw me slipping on my shoes. I patted his head, and yelled a goodbye to my parents before walking out the door just as Haruhi answered her phone with an irritated "Yes, Suzume?"

I paused in my jog. "How did you know it was me?" I asked.

"Who else would call me 15 minutes before school starts?" She said, amused frustration in her voice.

"...Good point. Well, I just thought I'd let you know that I'm leaving now, so I'll be at your house in a jiffy!" She sighed.

"Alright. It's a good thing we're in the same class so you don't have to get a tour. You'd be late for sure." She stated bluntly.

"Bye, Haruhi." I said simply before flipping my phone closed and speeding back up to a jog until I reached her apartment building.

She was walking down the steps just as I arrived. I waved exuberantly, giggling to myself when she shook her head.

We chatted as we made our way to the school grounds. Well, I chatted. She pretty much just acknowledged my babbling, sending snarky quips at me once in awhile.

Before long we reached the main gate. She pushed her glasses up on her face, groaning and leading the way inside. Her grungy sweatshirt that she wore whenever she was uncomfortable, hung off of her small frame.

I stepped up next to her and bumped her with my shoulder. "You okay?" I asked in a rare moment of seriousness. She rolled her eyes and smirked before nodding.

"Yeah. Just thinking about all these damn rich people." I frowned.

"You've been here for a week already, right? Are they giving you problems?" I asked. If anyone was bullying my friend then...they'd get...a stern talking to...probably by the chairman….or a teacher.

Okay, so I'm not a very confrontational person, sue me.

She sent me a disbelieving look. "No, they don't bother me. Not that you'd be able to do anything about it." She chuckled at my offended scowl.

We walked a few steps before I got tired of the fake brooding. "Class 1-A. This is us." Haruhi said. I looked inside and saw all the girls wearing the yellow marshmallow dress, and boys in the standard light blue jackets over white button up shirts, and black pants.

"Ew. Rich kids." I said as I stuck out my tongue. Haruhi sighed and fixed her glasses before stepping inside. I followed and made my way up to the teacher, a younger man who seemed completely overwhelmed by the boisterous class. "Hello sensei. I'm Suzume Yukimura, I just transferred here." I said politely.

He turned and sent me a small nod. "Yes, I was told we'd have a new student. You can call me Miyamoto-sensei." He paused to scold a boy for throwing a wad of paper across the room. "Sorry. We'll skip the introductions today. There's an open seat behind Fujioka." He gestured and turned back to his desk. Well then…

I walked down the aisle, ignoring the blatant stares of my new classmates. I sat down in the seat behind Haruhi, poking her back and whispering, "Are all the teachers this...flustered?" She turned and shook her head.

"No, Miyamoto-sensei is the only one like this. The other students know they can get away with it without getting in trouble, so they tend to walk all over him." I nodded my head and sat back down, seeing that the teacher was ready to start the lecture.

I wasn't much for Japanese history. I had been learning it for years, so it was pretty boring. I found my gaze turning to the window, taking in the trees out in the schoolyard. I glanced around the room once in a while, taking in the curious glances that the other students were sending my way.

The rest of the day went by quickly. I shared all of my classes with Haruhi except for my art class. She went a writing class, while I went to art. Afterwards, we met up in the hall and started walking.

"Hey, I think I'm gonna stay and study somewhere for awhile. We got quite a bit of homework today. Do you wanna stay and study together?" Haruhi asked.

"Yeah, sure! I have quite a bit of homework to make up from starting a week late, and to be honest, I probably wouldn't get it done without you there to yell at me anyway." I said with a smirk. It was true… I was a horrible procrastinator. So, off we went to find somewhere to study.

Four libraries. This school had FOUR libraries, and they were all filled with students, talking and laughing loudly. I was very frustrated at this point, and Haruhi was looking defeated. She stopped in front of a door in the empty hallway we currently found ourselves in.

I looked up and read the sign. 'Music Room #3' was printed on the sign hanging over the door. Haruhi stepped up to it and rested her hand on the knob.

"An abandoned music room? This may be our only hope." She muttered. I nodded my head in agreement. I didn't hear any music coming from the room, so it must be empty, right?

Wrong. So very wrong. When Haruhi opened the door, a rush of flower petals blew in our faces. I spit one out that landed in my gaping mouth.

"Welcome, to the Host Club." I stared blankly at the sight in front of me.