I tried to hide it from everyone but the truth was things between me and Len had changed. In a word I couldn't say exactly what I was to Len but I knew we were more than friends. To use the word girlfriend felt wrong. I mean, that's what Miku called herself and I liked to think my relationship with Len was nothing like hers.
After the storm had ended that night I thought a lot about what had happened and what it meant. I knew it was what I wanted, to be with Len, but I also knew it was complicated. Those three words had been told to me over and over. So vague. But now I knew exactly what they meant. They were the nasty green stench that now made my life complicated. Len and I had to act like there was nothing going on between us. We decided to even keep it from our friends. Well Len did, actually. It night when the lightning storm had finally subsided and the lights had back on.
"So what were you guys doing up there?" Teto had asked expecting some juicy story. It seems that when Teto went to go find everyone she "forgot" to come find Len and me. Secretly I thanked her for it.
"Nothing Rin fell asleep. I felt bad for leaving her because then she would've woken up in the dark," Len said easily. I guess I was surprised at how naturally he lied. But then again what did I expect him to do? Tell the truth in detail?
"Really? That's all?" Teto asked disappointed.
"Yeah I guess I was just really tired," I said rubbing my eyes.
Later Teto pulled me aside, awaiting a whole explanation.
"What happened? I thought there was really something going between you two," Teto asked frowning.
"I guess too much time has passed since we were childhood friends," I said shrugging.
"Rin I'm sorry," she said hugging me. "I know I put a lot of pressure on you to be with Len. I'm sorry if I tried to force you into something that wasn't there."
It was at this every moment that I wanted nothing more than to tell her the truth. But then I thought about Len. I knew he trusted me. It was the unspoken bond that I knew I had to keep. But I guess I should've known that not everyone would be convinced.
When I got into his car, of course, I knew Kaito would ask, even though I was sure he already heard from Teto.
"Just friends? Really? You expect me to believe that bullshit?" Kaito asked raising his eyebrows.
Growing up as I did, I was a pretty good liar. But I knew Kaito would be a challenge. But since I was barely half-awake I really didn't feel like doing anything too challenging.
"So where are Len and Miku?" I asked. I knew I was changing the subject. A dead give away that I was hiding something but maybe I subconsciously wanted him to know. Or maybe I was just being lazy. It was probably the latter.
"Miku's limo picked them up earlier," Kaito said quickly, still looking at me. Did he want to crash the car?
I knew he was expecting an explanation for his question but tough luck. Finally he turned back around to look at the road. "That's okay you don't have to tell me. I already know you guys are together."
"What? You don't know anything," I told him crossing my arms over my chest.
"Oh but I do," he rebutted.
"You can think what you want but it doesn't make it true."
"Rin, c'mon. I saw you guys," he said finally.
"You saw us?" I asked trying to pretend I didn't know what he was referring to.
"At Teto's house. I saw you guys go into the upstairs bedroom, so I went to go check on you after the light went out," he said and I blushed from the memory.
Pushing it to the back of my mind I said, "I'm sorry I lied but you have to understand. We didn't want anyone knowing. If Miku ever found out-"
"I know," he said. "I'm not mad. Just be careful okay? Miku's especially clingy to Len when she sees you."
"Miku's always clingy," I muttered.
"No it's different. She's definitely more protective of Len when you're around," he said turning the corner and heading for the school parking lot.
"The kiss," I said under my breath. I thought back to Miku kissing Len. She even made the extra effort to do it right in front of me.
"What was that?" Kaito asked as we got out of his car.
"Oh nothing," I said. "And right now the rumor is that I'm in love with Len. Which definitely isn't helping."
"Or the fact that you live with him," he added as we made our way to the school.
"I think we need a strategy change," I said and he nodded in agreement.
At lunch I told everyone about our dilemma.
"What if we change it so that you gave up on Len?" Neru suggested.
"But we just finished telling everyone how in love she was with him," Luki pointed out.
"Yeah we need a good reason for her sudden change of heart," Teto said tapping her head. "But what?"
"They just discovered that they're long lost twins," Dell said in sudden epiphany.
"That's a little extreme," Luki said. "I mean how often does that happen in real life."
"I don't know I like it. I mean it blows all of our other rumors out of the water," Neru said.
"I'd be scandalous," Teto said and then nudged Haku, "What do you think? Would people really buy it?"
"I mean they look enough alike. Same blue eyes and blonde hair. When I first saw her I was sure they were related. On second thought, are you sure they really aren't long lost twins?" Haku asked laughing but I just rolled my eyes.
Great even with Miku out of the picture we couldn't be together in public. We'd have to admit to incest. No worse twincest.
"So it's decided," Teto said. "Now Rin it's your job to shower Len with nothing but brotherly love. And oh yeah you should call him onii-chan from now on. No, even better call him onii-sama. That would attract everyone's attention."
"You didn't even ask Rin if she's okay with it yet," Kaito pointed out.
"Oh sorry Rin," Teto said. "But you don't mind do you? I think this would really help Len out though."
I knew Kaito realized my hesitation. But I didn't have a legitimate reason for saying no, unless I admitted to being more than friends with Len, which I knew I couldn't do. Plus this was a pretty good strategy for getting Miku to back off. She might've suspected there was something between Len and me before but now she couldn't. Most likely she would get bored and find someone else to force to be her boyfriend, the poor sucker. So I did my best to smile and say, "I don't mind at all. I mean in a way he is kinda like a brother to me. But let's get one thing straight. There is no way I'm calling him onii-sama."
"That's too bad. It would've been so kawaii," Teto said frowning.
When the bell rang Teto stood up excited, "Alright people, let's get to spreading."
The rumor did spread and like rapid fire too.
By sixth period three people, I had never seen before, had asked when my birthday was. Confidently, I recited to them Len's birthday. Thankfully I could've never forgotten it even if I wanted to. Other people didn't come up to me directly but I knew they purposely talked loud enough so that I could hear.
"I thought they were related somehow. I mean they're practically identical." I knew it wouldn't be long before Len found out. And when he walked by between periods he dropped a note into my hand.
Meet me in 212 next period –Len
I almost didn't make it though.
"Hey," Neru said when I was making my way to meet Len.
"Hey Neru," I said hoping she'd keep walking.
"Isn't your class the other direction?" she asked. No luck.
"Yeah but I have to meet my teacher," I said trying to walk around her.
"I'll come with you then," she said. No you can't.
"No it's okay really. I'll just make you late."
"Alright," she said sighing. Maybe she knew I was lying to her and, immediately, I felt guilty. "You've been acting weird lately."
"I know I'm sorry. I just have a lot on my mind," I said but still Neru looked worried.
"Right," Neru said starting to turn away.
"Wait," I said. "Are you doing anything later?"
"Huh? No why?" she asked.
"You can come over after school," I said. "If you want."
"Really?" she asked and her whole face light up.
"Yeah it would be fun," I said smiling.
"Alright Rin. Call me later then," she said and then ran off to class.
Finally I had made it to 212. It seemed like the longest walk but here I was. It felt like an eternity since I had spent alone time with Len. Actually the last time was Friday night. Which was way too long. I put my hand on the door handle but someone's hand on my shoulder stopped me.
"Hey," I said brightly, expecting Len. But it wasn't his warm touch I had grown to know too well.
It was an icy touch that made me shiver. And when I turned to see the ice princess my whole body froze. Maybe I was expecting Miku to confront me eventually but definitely not here or now.
Me: Sorry guys I know I said I'd update by Tuesday but the midterms were more time consuming than I thought. Thanks for hanging in there with me. Seriously you guys are awesome. I've gotten a lot of positive feedback and that means a lot. I don't think this chapter was terribly exciting, however, it's setting up for a lot of drama next chapter. So be ready.
Rin: So what does Miku want?
Me: She wants to talk to you . . .
Rin: About what? And where's Len? Isn't he supposed to meet me?
Len: I'm supposed to meet you?
Rin: Only you would forget.
Len: * reads chapter * Oh I don't forget. I-
Me: Shh don't tell her.
Rin: Not fair. Why am I always being left out?
Me: Just wait until next update. I promise you won't be disappointed.