Chapter 6: He`s Here

This chapter is a little shorter than I wanted it to be, but so be it! Also, so sorry it`s a little later than usual.

Warning: Lenku! And lots of it! Enjoy! A.V

…

"Miku, are you ok?!" Luka asked me the second she saw the bandage on my face the next morning. I didn`t know how to reply as I tiredly shrugged my shoulders. Though it wasn`t a lie, as I honestly didn`t know myself if I was ok. Everything had gone by so fast. The hit, spending the early morning with Len…

"Miku! Tell me! What happened?!" Luka was getting in a wild panic, "Did Meiko hit you?!"

I shook my head. I knew Luka would stick up for me if Meiko had actually done it, but she hadn`t. I didn`t want to explain how our fun afternoon caused the mess on my cheek as Luka would feel bad and go panicky.

I just shook my head again and turned away. It wasn`t until a few minutes later that I felt arms wrap around me gently. I quietly breathed in Lukas's beautiful perfume scent and leaned back against her. I had to be careful not to fall off my chair at the same time as we were already in homeroom. Luka had surprised me by turning up early, and even though it was a surprise, I liked it.

I didn`t like surprises very much these days; they scared me a little. Surprises were supposed to be unexpected and I was better off knowing what was coming. I felt more comfortable that way.

"Are you sure?" Luka asked, still curious but giving off a vibe that she wasn`t trying to push the issue though I could tell she wanted to know.

"I-I…" I shut my mouth. I didn`t know what to say, honestly. Luka would panic and she would let it slip in front of someone and then social services, court and police would be called up. Would that be the outcome of Len`s help?

Luka moved away from me, "Miku, why won`t you tell me? Aren`t we friends?"

"Luka of course we`re friends, I hope. But I…" I shook my head, "It just…" A tear ran down my cheek, "I shouldn`t have went out with you,"

"What?" Luka looked confused, "Why not?" Then her blue eyes drifted to my pad then to my eyes in recognition. She caught on,

"Miku! Oh my god, Miku!" Luka pulled me into a hug again, "Are you ok?! Why did he do it?!"

I sniffed, "I didn`t work which means no money for drink. And that answers that,"

"What a…jerk!" Luka cried. She hated cursing, especially at school, so she used alternatives that she thought were just as effective,

"You need to tell someone!"

"No!" I said then looked away. I had told someone actually. Was it better to tell Luka about what happened early this morning or leave it? It could help…

"I-I did tell someone," I whispered, my gaze now at the floor. Luka looked at me, breaking away,

"Who?! The police?!"

"Um… That boy you saw at the diner the other day…"

Luka gave me a strange look, "You confided in a STRANGER?!"

I nodded slowly then looked into her eyes, "But, he doesn`t feel like a stranger. When I`m around him… I feel weird, as if we`re connected somehow…"

"Connected?"

"It`s as if… We`re supposed to have met," I explained, "He offered me help, and I took it. He gave me this pad and it felt…nice,"

Luka grabbed my hands, directing my gaze back up to her, "Be careful Miku. Stranger or not, he could be lying,"

I thought about it. Len didn`t seem like a liar. Was he? What 'liar' sat out in the early morning playing guitar, helped patch up a stranger then offered to help them with their life problems? Was this just to get my attention? Was he working with Meiko?! I hoped not…

Yes, he didn`t seem like the type to lie at all. When he spoke to me, he used such a soft and gentle tone, as if he really understood and wanted to help me. His actions when examining my cheek and patching it up showed that he actually cared…

"I… I don`t think he`s lying Luka…" I managed to say.

Luka nodded, "I-I just don`t want to see you hurt again. I care about you Miku-chan…"

Miku-chan… It`s been years since anyone has called me that… It felt good to hear those two words for once.

"Thanks. I`ll be fine," I paused then nodded mentally, "Luka-chan,"

Luka blinked then smiled happily, "It`s no problem Miku,"

We sat in silence for a while before Mrs Raynard walked in. Luka threw me a glance and I gulped silently. Our homeroom teacher gave me a concerned look, picking up on my sudden quiet panic.

"Hi girls. Miku, are you ok? What happened to your cheek?" She asked, purple hair swaying a little behind her shoulders. I could see Luka slowly nodding to me out of the corner of my eye and I shivered a little. Mrs Raynard came closer,

"Miku? Do you not feel well?" She placed a pale porcelain hand on my bruised and covered cheek, examining the pad. I could feel the gentle heat from her hand and was instantly reminded of Len. This was what he had done to me this morning. Mrs Raynard`s hand was larger and was less warmer, whilst Len`s was average for a boy and was slightly warmer and more gentle. Why was his gentler than someone I already knew?

I didn`t feel very well at all actually. I had gotten home late/early morning and slept for an hour or two before waking up feeling extremely sick. My stomach hurt and my cheek was even worse but I still managed to get to school ok. My head was pounding by the time I had my breakfast and in the end, I ate nothing.

Mrs Raynard was looking at me and so was Luka. They both had concern written across their faces and it was for me I realized I hadn`t given the teacher an answer.

"Um…" I didn`t know what to say. If I said I wasn`t ok, then Mrs Raynard would call home. When someone felt unwell here, their parents were called and they went home with them to be looked after. I had experienced illness plenty of times, but never went home. The house phone didn`t work anyway and Papa never picked up his phone unless it was one of his fellow drinkers.

"I-I…"

"Miku-chan?"

"Hatsune, please, speak to us!"

My head was starting to hurt again and so was my stomach and cheek. Mrs Raynard`s hand left my cheek and touched my forehead to check it`s temperature. Luka looked extremely worried,

"Miku, speak to us!"

My head was pounding now and there was now extreme pain in my cheek and stomach. I was on the verge of tears for an unknown reason. Ever get that feeling when you just want to give up, cry and accept pain? That was now for me.

Events played through my mind: The hit, the meeting with Len, Luka`s concern. Then more was added to the mix. That morning with Meiko in the homeroom class, again the ending to my day out with Luka and more Len. It hurt to remember everything. Hurt was in everything. My mind burned, overwhelmed with sudden voices and memories and just like that, I found myself screaming.

Luka and Mrs Raynard shot backwards in surprise and shock, their faces full of concern, worry, shock and agony. I put my hands over my ears as tears streamed down my cheeks and I shut my eyes tightly. Now I couldn`t see or hear anything. I just wanted to block out every single sound, memory and sight around me and let it all go. It hurt...

Dreams and sleep are said to be the perfect way to let go. That never worked for me. I didn`t understand how people could let go just like that. What about important things? Didn`t they understand that one day their lives could suddenly be ripped from them and they could be left asking questions they once never thought they would have to ask? Left to starve, lose and wonder?

Like me…

…

A little later, I was sitting in Mr Wright`s office with Luka on one side of me and Mrs Raynard standing behind us. I was looking down at the floor and I could feel all three pairs of eyes on me. It was rather disturbing, but I didn't` dare break the silence I myself had set.

"Hatsune? Would you like to tell us what happened?" Mr Wright finally asked. I continued to look at the floor. I had no idea how to even start explaining my sudden outburst, though I was pretty sure Luka and Mrs Raynard had already filled him in.

I still wasn`t sure myself what had happened. All of a sudden pain had kicked in and I just started crying and screaming. I had no idea what had happened; it was like my emotions had finally taken place from years ago and I had had a bad reaction. Not that I hadn`t cried before but it had all taken place at once. Everything was going by far too fast, and I just wanted it to slow down for once until I could make a clear picture and understand.

"Miku, it`s ok," Luka whispered to me, taking one of my pale hands. I finally looked up, staring into Luka`s blue eyes. She was smiling softly and nodding. I sighed,

"I… I-I just don`t feel very well," I mumbled. Mr Wright looked at me,

"You were crying?" He asked. I nodded,

"It`s just a bug and I do it a lot," I tried to smile and give a laugh but it failed. It looked as if all three of them didn`t believe me.

"Um, Hatsune, I think I`ll call your father and ask him to come and collect you." Mr Wright reached for the phone. Luka and I shared frightened glances.

"My father`s not in!" I said quickly. Mr Wright retracted his hand.

"Oh. Do you know when he`ll be in?" The school had learned previously that my parents had divorced and Mama was dead.

"Um, no! Late!" I replied.

"Miku…?" Mrs Raynard looked at me, "Are you positively sure?"

I nodded quickly, "He`s working and he has to stay on as no one else is there to cover his shift!" The lies were working its way from my full mind to my tongue and out into the open air and into everyone`s ears. Luka was biting her lip, seeing straight through my lie, and the two adults were exchanging looks.

"Ok…" Mr Wright said, "Well, are you alright to continue on?"

"Certainly; it`s just a little stomach ache, that`s all!" I stood up, determined to get out as soon as possible. Both teachers nodded and I exited as quickly as possible, Luka following. She caught up with me at last,

"Miku! What the heck happened back there?!"

"I-I…"

"You had a chance to tell them!"

"What?! No!"

"I thought you wanted help?!"

"I-I can`t!"

"Why not?! You agreed to that boy`s help!"

"Um…" I was at a loss. Luka had crossed arms and a tiny scowl on her face.

"We should get to class," I stuttered, changing the subject. I started to walk away and immediately felt guilty when I heard Luka sigh and head the other way. Nice going Hatsune, you just irritated the only friend you have! Did Len count as a friend, or was he still a helpful stranger?

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to get warm. It didn`t work. I sighed. Why was everything so difficult in life for me? What had I ever done to deserve any of this?

…

Luka didn`t sit with me at lunch. I didn`t see her at all. I knew it was my fault instantly and regretted every single word I had said that morning. If I hadn`t gone out I could have brought in the money and wouldn`t have anything to hide apart from the usual. But then, wouldn`t there not have been a reason to meet with Len?

I wasn`t eating again; I still felt sick and not hungry at all. I knew I should eat something, but I just didn`t feel like satisfying any need for food. The pain was still there, in my stomach and cheek, but I tried to not think about it. I stared ahead at the beautiful outdoors from the bench I was sitting on.

I had sat outside earlier, waiting for Luka to come. I had a feeling she wouldn`t show. I hadn`t been paying any attention in class so instead worked on an apology which I didn`t get to say a word of as I never saw Luka.

People had been giving me funny stares all day, especially people from my homeroom class. The bell had went and they had all started trekking in just as Mrs Raynard and Luka were escorting me out and to Mr Wright`s office. Meiko never gave me a funny stare; she was always smirking when we made eye contact, even for the briefest moment.

I sighed as I wrapped my arms around myself and looked to the ground. When I looked up again I saw something, or someone, I never thought I`d see here.

"Are you all right?" Banana bangs, sapphire eyes…

"L-Len…?" I was shocked. Since when did he go to this school? How had I never seen him around before? He gave me a small smile then gestured to the extra space on the bench,

"Mind if I sit?"

I shook my head and he sat. We were in silence for a few moments before I decided to ask,

"Why are you here? How have I never seen you before?"

"I`m not in any of your classes, and usually I go home at lunch and the library at breaks. I`m not really social…" Len replied, turning to me, "I had a feeling you went here, and after we met that day at the diner, I tried to find you. I knew that you could use some help or something so…"

"You were looking for me?" I asked, feeling my heart thump against my chest, getting louder in my own ears.

Len nodded then he looked at my cheek, "Is it any better?"

I shook my head. I hadn`t removed the pad this morning as I didn`t have any to replace it and I didn`t want it on show.

"Did you not replace it?"

"I… I don`t have anything to replace it with," I mumbled. Len looked slightly surprised but nodded. He had already learned of everything in my situation from this morning. I watched as he then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small tub of healing cream and a medical pad.

"I-I brought these in case I found you. I knew they would help…" Len blushed and I felt heat rushing to my face as well.

"Len…"

"Here, let me see,"

There was a small sting as his hands reached up to the corners of the pad and gently started removing it. He kept apologizing for any pain he caused, and I couldn`t help but be glad he was here. A few moments later he had the pad in between his fingers, completely off. I was surprised that there were a few blood marks on it as well as some white and slightly yellow gunk.

Len reached over and placed it in the bin behind us then opened the cream. He repeated his actions from last night and I relaxed under his warm touch. His gentle eyes fixed on my own and that soft smile never left his face.

"Done," Len removed his hands and immediately I felt…lonely?

"Is that better?"

I blinked then nodded, "Thank you," I looked at the ground.

"Um…" I could hear he was searching for something interesting to say. I would`ve listened anyway no matter what he said, "Have you ate lunch?"

I didn`t expect his question, but replied,

"No. I d-don`t feel like eating…"

"Miku, you have to eat something!" I could hear him rustling in his bag now and I looked up to be given a banana similar to the one he gave me in the diner the day we met.

"Len… I can`t-"

"I have another, and you need to eat! You`re too thin to be normal!"

I blinked slowly then turned my gaze to the banana in my hand. It looked so inviting… I carefully peeled it open and took a small bite. I tasted really good! It actually tasted better than the first one he had given me. I swallowed then turned to him,

"Len, I shouldn`t take your food…"

"Think nothing of it! I want to help…" He said, smiling, "And… I would like to be your friend,"

I looked at him. Was he asking if he could be my friend? No one really asked me that nowadays. I thought this over. It would be really nice to have him as a friend, and I liked him.

"Len…" He looked at me, "I would like that,"

A happy smile filled his face and he blinked, "Thank you," Then he pulled another banana out of his bag and started to eat it as I did mine.

This was nice. Sitting eating bananas with a new friend. Friend… Didn`t that mean he was no longer a stranger to me? It felt better now that in my mind I could picture him as someone other than a helpful stranger. He was now a helpful friend and school mate.

"Where`s your friend?" Len suddenly asked. He was trying not to speak with his mouth full and I blushed silently at how gentleman like he was.

"Um…" I wondered if he had heard about this morning.

"Did something happen?" He asked, "I saw you going into the principal`s office after the bell went this morning. I was going to stick around and help if I could, no matter how strange it may sound, but I was worried. Also happy that I had found you at last,"

Found you at last… It sounded like something from a fairy tale; though I was no Snow White. Len as Prince Charming? It could work…

"I just felt sick then we had a little…argument," I tried to stop the word fight coming out of my mouth. I hated that word and preferred argument over it any day.

"Oh. Do you still feel sick?"

"A little," But I felt better now, just by being in Len`s company. I never thought this would happen in school. I was sitting with a boy, a friend, and it felt great. It was as if all my sudden sickness and pain had disappeared and I felt now was happiness, warmness and something else…? What was it?

"I hope you get better," Len mumbled, putting his banana peel in the bin. He reached over, took mine from my hand and put it in the bin too. We sat there for a while before he spoke again,

"Are you still allowing me to help you?" He asked, blue eyes filled with worry and concern. I gulped. Was I positive about this? He looked as if he was intelligent enough to help.

"Are you lying to me?" I asked, ignoring his question. Len jumped back a little, shocked and looking a little hurt,

"Miku… I`m not lying," He blinked softly, "I promise…"

I relaxed again. Len nodded then took my hand, "I`ll do everything I can to help you Miku-chan, don`t worry…"

I didn`t feel like worrying. I instantly felt safe around him and I just wanted to spend all my time with him. He really was a good person and not lying at all. I knew it was bad to just take his word for it, but he promised didn`t he? He suddenly gripped my pinkie with his own,

"Pinkie promise,"

I found myself giggling quietly, though loud enough for him to hear. Then we separated our pinkies and we drew back. I looked to the ground, blinking. A few moments later I felt a warm hand on my cheek, turning it towards Len. He was smiling, bright eyes shining in the sun`s light. His blond hair sparkled too and I found myself blushing. He was blushing too.

Then he started to lean in. My body responded to this action first and before I knew it, I was leaning in too. He closed his eyes, his hand still on my cheek, and I shut mine too. Our lips were inches apart, just like the dream…

But before they could touch, a voice called out and I heard footsteps,

"Miku, I`m so sorry-" Luka stopped immediately, blue eyes filled with confusion,

"Miku? Who`s this?"