Chapter 7: The Awkwardness between Us

Hi :D I updated again today! I would love to thank MizuneMinamiki and l3Len! This chapter is for you two for making my wonderful evening!

*~Rin's P.O.V*~

Mikuo walked me to the handicapped bathroom since it was just one bathroom and came in with me, locking the door behind us so no one would come in and get the wrong idea. He sat me on the sink and grabbed a tissue from the dispenser and wiped away my tears.

"Shh…it's okay Rin…I'm here; I won't let him do that again, okay?" He told me in the soft voice I knew, possibly even softer. I sniffled and more tears welled out my eyes dropping onto my shirt. Mikuo hugged me, sending electricity into me and sending my heart into a panic attack. I felt my cheeks heat up and was relieved that Mikuo couldn't see.

"Thanks Mikuo…I-I'm sure that it might have been worse if you weren't there…" I finally managed to get out; my voice was still hoarse and came out as a whisper. I shuddered at the thought of it getting worse, and buried my face into Mikuo's shoulder.

"I…I wanted to break Akaito's face for doing that…that perv, he shouldn't even have the pleasure of kissing you…Rin distract me so I don't go back and kill him…" Mikuo responded, hugging me tighter.

"Um…well we probably need to start heading to class before we get marked absent and then have them think we ditched…" I mumbled into his uniform shirt and I felt him nod and let me go. I peeked out of the restroom and saw nobody in the hall, and Mikuo and I walked out, heading towards the art room. I felt the awkward silence between us, but was too scared to speak up. Mikuo opened the door for me and I muttered a "Thank you" to him and walked towards an empty easel by Gumi. I felt everyone staring at Mikuo and I and it made me duck my head.

"Hey Rin what's going on? Are you okay?" Gumi asked me, once I set my bag on the ground and sat on the stool. I didn't respond, looking at the board to see what our assignment was. The teacher looked at me concerned, but didn't speak up. I saw that we were to draw something that made us happy. That's easy, I thought, but when I tried to paint something, nothing came to mind. I realized I was tired and hungry again. I began to draw music notes and swirls, along with oranges, my friend's faces, and a cat. I saw that I had made Mikuo's face first and then began on Gumi's and the others. Once I was done, I showed my canvas to Gumi who smiled and showed me hers, which was a carrot and her dog Carri. I smiled sadly and set my canvas by the window to dry as instructed. The teacher gave me permission to listen to my iPod music as long as she couldn't see it other than the head phones. I listened to the songs that my friend's and I had made. I instantly flicked to one I had made a year ago for Len, but had never showed it to anybody. I clicked play on "Why don't you call me yet" and began to listen to my voice playing through the ear-phones. I almost cried again, feeling the messed up feeling inside my body begin to make my heart-ache again. I chewed on my lip and put my iPod away once I saw there was only a minute left of class. I quickly grabbed my bag and waited by the door, feeling nauseated and uncomfortable. The minute the bell rang, I was out the door, sprinting to the gates to meet Rinto. I sat down on the sidewalk and waited for Rinto. Rinto showed up, smiling, until he saw my puffy eyes.

"Bunny-Chan? What's wrong?! Did somebody hurt you? Where is the ass-hole?! He's dead!" Rinto said, glaring around the schoolyard. I felt a ghost smile on my lips and jumped up and hugged Rinto, feeling the need for comfort. Rinto patted my back and put his arm around my waist as we walked home together.

"Now tell me what happened, Imoto-san." Rinto told me as we were less than halfway home.

"I…I'm just so confused…about guys…" I said, deciding to leave what happened with Akaito out. If Rinto knew, he would send Akaito to the hospital and Mikuo already wanted to do that. I heard Rinto sigh and he patted my back once again.

"Imoto-san…do you really think you are old enough to get involved with guys?" He finally spoke, glancing at my face. I was about to answer when I thought about it. I think I am, I thought. I hadn't realized I had said that aloud until Rinto nodded.

"Okay then…" He said and we walked the rest of the way home. Mom's car was parked in the driveway, signaling that she was home. I ran ahead of Rinto, who seemed to be lost in thought.

"Mom we're home!" I called once I pushed open the oak and frosted glass double doors.

"In here, sweetheart!" Mom called from, what I assume the kitchen. I pulled off my shoes and socks and put them in the wooden box labeled "Rin" and walked towards the kitchen. The cold marble floor greeted my warm feet and made the hairs on my legs rise. I saw mom making white rice and ramen noodles. I smelled the aroma and felt my stomach yowl in hunger.

"Mmmm...smells good Mom!" I said, instantly wetting my lips. Mom smiled and began to make tea. I walked upstairs to my room, pulled out the book I had bought earlier, and threw my bag in a chair. I got out of my school uniform and put on a white tank top and some normal orange shorts. I stretched and flopped down on my bed, flipping the first page over.

Step 2.

Get to know your crush. Find out their dislike and likes and see if you have anything in common. If not move on.

I continued reading until Mom called us down for dinner. We ate in the living room like always and watched my Inuyasha episodes before I headed back upstairs to take a shower. I let the warm, fresh water cascade down my body as I began to scrub my hair and body. After re-conditioning my hair and pulling a brush through it, I walked out of the bathroom and walked towards my bedroom. I saw my bedroom door ajar and peeked in to see Rinto reading the book I bought.

"Rinto! What are you doing in my room!" I shrieked, still in a towel. He looked up surprised and set the book down.

"Rin get some clothes on and then come to my room, understand?" He said, his voice sounded a little sad and I quickly shoved him out and got dressed. I wonder what he want's to talk about, I thought to myself. I walked cautiously down the hallway and into Rinto's room.

There were old orange peels overflowing the trash can, rock music CD's littered the floor, and his schoolwork was scattered on his desk. I stuck my tongue out at the mess and sat down on what seemed to be a clean bed. Rinto came in a few minutes later and scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Okay Rin...since you think you are old enough to date, I might as well tell you about the birds and the bees..." He told me, looking every where, but at me.

Sorry guys again my laptop is dying! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Read the next one to see how Rin reacts to the "birds and the bees" conversation with Rinto! xD R&R please!