Chapter 31: Owls vs Ouran

"Alright girls, we get a break before our next match. Rest up, have a light snack and be ready for game time. Our next team is a team we've been having trouble with for years. But let's show them what we've been working at!"

"Yes coach," we a called out.

The moment the coach turned away, Aimi was saying softly, "Z."

But I was done, I turned, snapping, "What is your problem? Hate me off the court, fine, but the least you can do is set me in a freaking game!"

"Hate you? Z?" She looked confused, trying to play innocent, "I was-"

"She was trying to tell you," Hina leaned on Aimi's shoulder, pulling herself into the conversation, "We don't need you. Like I said when you first got here. Happy she finally sees it my way."

Aimi's mouth opened as if she was going to say something. I begged for her to say something, anything to show that this wasn't all some sick skeem. I thought I had actually made a friend here, and all I ask is for her to say something. Anything. But her lips pull together, and her head drops to the ground. She says nothing, conforming that there is nothing here between us.

Just as I feared.

I wanted to run. Where, I don't know. I just felt the urge to get away from her, from everyone. My foot was already backing up, ready to turn and just go. 100% sure no one would come after me.

But before I could make my full turn, Hina's eyes moved over my shoulder, "Oh look, it's more of them." Her eyes quickly widened as she hissed, "What, you went telling them about last night."

"No," I mutter, "They just came to watch us play."

In the moment it took me to turn around. I switched from a scowl to a smile, "Hey guys!"

I turned and looked at my family approaching. A normal image for me, but from the eyes of hate all around me, u suppose this would be an odd sight.

My red haired twin uncles, my golden brown skin aunt, her tall sun-kissed children and her twins, with reddish brown hair, all curling in every direction. Then uncle Hikaru's son, with his dark hair, looked like the only Japanese person here. And then, the half French blond, hiding in the back with his hood up and sunglasses indoors. He looked all around him as if he were being hunted.

To Hina, this must look like the circus. But to me, it's family. It's love. And I could really use some of that right about now.

I laugh a little asking, "Why is uncle Tamika wearing sunglasses inside?"

Quickly he, "shhhh...."ed me. He checked over both shoulders before saying in a hushed tone, "I can't be caught Fraternizing with the enemy. I'm the chairman for crying out loud. I own the school your team just destroyed."

"So just say you came over here to respectfully congrat us. It's not like Ouran is known for their spots anyways. No one is looking for you here."

Still, he looked around, paranoid.

I informed him as he began to duck into a corner. I think everyone did, well beside my teammates who stared at the strange man in the black hoodie.

Then, in come the hugs. First Hana, throwing her body into mine, "Finally, a win for you!"

"Thanks Hana," I chuckled as she squeezed me.

She let go once her brother spoke, "It's not like she did much."

My voice lowered to a whisper as I stepped closer to KJ, "Blame your girlfriend for that." He smiled, glancing over my shoulder back at Aimi. I, on the other hand, did not smile. If she's so ashamed to be my friend, I can only imagine how she would feel if it got out that she was with KJ.

I feel stupid for this, but I still care about her feelings. She's trying hard to fit in with these girls, something I could never do no matter how hard I try. I can't force her to be an outcast with me.

"So what, you gonna go say hi?" Ros said, nudging him.

He laughed a little but shook his head saying, "Nah, she told me I might throw off her focus. I get it. I mean look at me, of course I'm a distraction."

"Yeah, cause of your big head," his father chuckled, pushing at KJ's head.

"Mom," KJ cried out but she threw her hands up saying, "I'm out of this," she pushed through her children to make her way to me, kissing me on the head saying, "Good job out there." Before looking around to my teammates and raising her voice to say, "Nice job ladies! I brought you all some fresh fruit to snack on before the next game."

Uncle Hikaru sent down a small box of apples, oranges and bananas, before looking to his twin saying. "You're carrying the next box."

The girls started to crowd around the box, saying thank you to my aunt. As if they weren't just chasing after me last night in black face.

Hina did not say thank you. She's not fake in her hate, I can say that at least. But she muttered to me as she walked past, "Rich mommy coming to buy you some friends."

"That's rich aunty actually," Aunt Bri fake chuckled, "I'm assuming you're not friends with my niece here."

Hina took a big bite of her apple before shaking her head.

"Oh," Aunt Bri gave the look of someone being shocked. But big and over dramatic, obviously sarcastic, just waiting for her husband to turn in, "Well that's a relief," uncle Kaoru said, uncle Hikaru leaned on his shoulder breathing, "I was just thinking the same thing."

Being adults, they can't technically roast her, but they can belittle her in just a few words. But the twins on the other hand, treat this as their campfire saying together in the monotone voices, "Zara doesn't need mediocre friends."

Hana went on, adding, "With split ends."

"I guess she was trying to hide it with her ponytail," KJ said in a not whisper to his twin.

"Well She's not doing a good job," Hana went on, "And what's with the gray hair, is she like a grandma?"

"She has to be, I mean look at the bags under her eyes," KJ criticized, but now was when my smiling Aunty jumped in saying, "Alright twins, play nice."

"Well she doesn't," they whine together.

Hina stood, gripping her apple tight with her face screwed up. She was turning red with anger. She so wanted to say something, but she bit her tongue. Aunt Bri and her family comes with a level of intimidation that I wish I had. They hold their heads up in confidence and it forms a wall that can't be broken. Or seemingly unbreakable. I've seen my aunt and my cousins crumble. I've the work her and uncle Kaotu put in tp make sure their kids had enough love for themselves, to fight against anyone trying to put them down. They tried to instill this in me as well, but they've only had me for two years. And those two years were not enough to bring me to the level of pride my cousins are at.

They stare Hina, right in the eye, daring her to say something. And doesn't. But if it was me and me alone, she would. And I would say nothing. And I would walk away. And she would feel like she won.

But now, my aunt tells her children, "Be the bigger person."

And they nod, still staring her down, still with their heads high. And anyone here can feel that they are beneath them. Even me.

Ros must have seen this. Must have seen my chin drop, slightly. Seen my arms fold around myself. Seen my legs take the slightest step back from them. I am not one of them.

But Ros's hand came out to me, lacing in mine, pulling me to stand beside my family. Uncle Hikaru's hand landed on my shoulder, strong. And I stood there, with my family of misfits, with them assuring me, that if there is one place in this world where I belong, it's with them.

Hinaa, now stepped back. I was raised onto the Hitachiin platform, and this, this was too much for her. She could not stand to be beneath me.

So she left, with the words, "Don't fuck up."

And trust me, I don't intend to.