Chapter 14: U.S. vs. UK, or Coffee vs. Tea? ~ Miku

The only reason Len Kagamine is still alive right now is because I don't want to go to prison.

But then again, it'd be pretty damn worth it.

When I told Luc that Len was proving himself trustworthy by not telling anyone about me, I really meant it. I saw something good and likeable in Len. I saw someone I could trust. Yeah, I didn't like him then, but nonetheless I was just starting to find Len tolerable.

Then that stupid idiot takes all the nice things I said about him and drop kicks it out the window.

I know he saw all my warning glances to keep his mouth shut, not that I thought I actually needed to threaten him to keep quiet. In two little words, that blond bozo just destroyed the trust I actually had in him. Serves me right for trusting. I swear it's taking all of my control right now to not aim my steak knife at the smug teen's throat.

Cool it, Miku, I coach myself. Is a lifetime in prison really worth it?

Yes, answers a little demon in my head. Instead of arguing, I agree immediately. It's when I'm wrapping my fingers around the hilt of my knife when Mom says, "Miku, why don't you take your friends to the living room?"

I let out a strangled breath before smiling in the most sickly sweet way I can manage. "Of course, Mom," I answer through my teeth. I stand to my feet and pick up my, Rin's, and Oliver's empty plates to take to the kitchen. "Just let me put these in the sink first," I say as I walk past Len and don't offer to take his plate.

Once I'm alone in the kitchen I set the plates where I said I would before turning away to glare through the small window between the kitchen and the dining room. Nobody notices me, and I turn away before they can. I wince from a sudden sharp pain in the palms of my hands, and when I inspect them I find blood trailing down to my wrist. I must have, in my anger, dug my nails into my palms and broke the skin. Having delicate skin sucks. As quickly as I can manage, I wash the blood off my hands and cover the crescent cuts with band aids.

After I've finished I parade out of the kitchen and say, "I'll show you guys to the living room."

Rin doesn't hesitate to stand to her feet and move to my side. "You're really a Time Manipulator?" she asks, finally getting the chance to question me about it. "That's amazing! Why didn't you tell me? Can you show me an example?"

I force a smile on my face. "Let's save it for the living room," I manage out, and I see Len snickering.

I'm about to lead Rin and Len - Oliver choosing to stay with his parents - to the family room when Mom stops me by grabbing my shoulder. I have to keep from wincing for a second time as her nails dig into my bare shoulder. Perhaps wearing shirt that exposed both of my shoulders wasn't such a good idea after all. She pulls me down so that she can whisper in my ear and tells me, "You and I are going to have a serious talk later."

"Okay." I answer as if she just gave me a command and not promising me the punishment I'm going to suffer after the Johnsons leave. Except, despite Al, Ann, and Oliver not thinking much about what Mom just told me, the twins give me a look that suggests they heard what I was told. Rin seems pretty sympathetic, but the way Len's smiling suggests that he's trying to keep from laughing. Okay Rin, I think I can give you an example.

I stop time right there, Rin by my side and Len standing only a couple feet away. With everyone else stone still, I stomp towards Len and grab a fistful of his plaid shirt. I pull on the balled fabric, bringing the now moving Len to my face. Before he can so much as react, I spit, "What the actual hell is your problem?"

"Excuse me, but I'm not the one who's stopping time in order to threaten the other," Len says after recomposing himself, keeping his demeanor cool. "I was just bringing to your parents' attention that their daughter is, hmmm, mistake prone I suppose is the most polite way to say it."

"I'm not mistake prone," I hiss. "My shoe was untied so I tripped, hence why I bumped into you the first day."

"Really, an untied shoe?" Len raises his brows in utter disbelief. "That's sad."

"Also I can't control myself when I'm startled," I continue, ignoring his comment. "Other than those little instances, I'm fine. I hardly use my ability anyway, except for now."

"So I was just imagining that scene on the stairs?" Wow, this prick looks more amused than a wide-eyed kid in a toy store. What an asshole.

"What was I supposed to do?" I put on my fakest smile and ask. "Excuse myself, go back to my room, and scream profanities loud enough for even the neighbors to hear?"

"It would be quit amusing," Len answers with a chuckle.

I wipe my smile off my face. "I hate you," I growl through gritted teeth.

"And that's new?" Len snorts.

Pulling the blond in even closer, I sneer, "Up until now I merely tolerated you. Hell, I actually thought we could, I don't know, become friends. Now? Oh, now I really, really hate you." I see something flicker behind Len's eyes, but when he blinks it's gone. It happened so fast that I wonder if I simply imagined it.

"You can't possibly hate me that much if you're pulling me so close?" Len smirks, and then I notice how close we are. We're close enough to kiss, which is a hundred miles too close for my comfort.

I fight my first instinct, which is to push him away, because then he won't be under my power anymore. Instead I take a deep breath and say, "I don't know what your problem with me is, but I will tell you right now that things from here on out won't be pretty."

"Because you're so scary," Len says with sarcasm as he rolls his eyes. I have to keep from going back for my knife and slitting his throat.

"Now if you excuse me," I begin, "I decided that I'm going to show Rin an example."

"What do you-" Len starts, but I let him go before he can finish.

I walk to the table and pick up a large orange from the fruit basket that acts as our centerpiece. After a moment of aiming, I throw the citrus as hard as I can. Of course the orange freezes in midair the second it and I are no longer in contact, but that doesn't matter.

I return to standing by Rin's side, and time begins again. The pleasant sound of the firm fruit connecting with Len's skull rings like music to my ears. Everyone turns to Len as they see him rub the sore spot on the back of his head. I knew playing baseball with Ona when we were little would come in handy someday.

My parents stare in absolute dread and horror. Ann bites the inside of her cheeks in surprise, but shockingly Al looks as if he's biting the inside of his cheeks to keep from laughing. Oliver mumbles a "nice one" before being shushed by his mom. Len glares at me, the intensity intensifying with each passing second. Rin all the while stands stone still, her brain processing what had just occurred. I don't attempt to hide what I did. When everyone turns to look at me, I'm grinning that famous grin that always got the teacher's yelling "Don't even think about it!" All I say is, "An example of what we Time Manipulators can do." Al whistles in amazement only to get slapped in the shoulder by his wife.

All is silent, and then finally Rin gets over her surprise. "That. Was. AWESOME! Miku, do it again!"

"Yeah, and this time you can be the target," Len grumbles as he rubs his sore spot. He's totally going to get a bruise there, but I don't care at all.

"Nah, I think that'll be enough," I spin on my heel and walk forward, Rin sticking close to me. I'm out of the kitchen before my parents can express their disapproval. Hey, at least I didn't kill him.

I discovered I'm a Time Manipulator when I was six years old.

It was my first day of first grade, and I was terrified. The teacher wanted to start off our first day by having every one of us students stand up in front of the class, introduce ourselves, and tell the class what our favorite thing to do was. Some kids liked to ride their bikes, watch T.V., or play games with their friends. My cousin Ona told everyone that her favorite thing to do was be with her twin sister Miku. Of course the teacher knew that Ona and I aren't twins - we don't even have the same last name - but she didn't say anything. At the time Ona and I lived together, shared the same room, watched cartoons together, played together, and later did our homework together. As far as Ona and I were concerned, we really were twins.

When my turn came I wanted to say that my favorite thing to do was be with Ona, but my words were caught in my throat before I could even say my name. Everyone was staring at me, waiting for me to speak. All I remember wanting to do was escape. I didn't care how, I just wanted out. Then I began to feel something different, something that couldn't be seen but touched. I slowly exhaled and mentally reached out to this strange yet calling sensation. I began to pull, but everyone started to slow. The more I pulled the slower they got. I didn't know what was happening, but instead of stopping I kept pulling.

Then the teacher and my classmates were stone still. I panicked, terrified that I did something to hurt them. I tried to let go, but I couldn't. The hold was stronger on me than I was on it. Tugging harder and harder, I eventually broke free from the grip. Everyone was moving again, but I, in my fatigue, collapsed.

Ona would later tell me that she saw me moving super ridiculously fast and couldn't understand how I was doing it. I explained my side of things to her, and with much persuasion she convinced me to do it again. Finding the invisible strings was easier the second time around, and when I pulled gently Ona's movements were turtle-like. Careful not to pull too much, I walked to the other side of the room, Ona much too slowly following me with her eyes. When I let go, this time having better luck than I did the previous event, Ona told me how fast it looked like I was going, but to me I was normal while she was slow.

I didn't know exactly what I was doing right away, but, with Ona's encouragement, I practiced every chance I could get. I felt like a super hero. I would pretend to be some type of Super Girl while Ona was my trusty sidekick. She was never jealous that I could do something she couldn't, and she helped me keep my secret from my parents. I mean, a super hero never tells the people she loves her true identity.

Except they did find out.

The problem with too much control over time is the subconscious desire to use it as a form of escape. Whenever I'm in unpleasant situations, I get this overwhelming desire to freeze time and get out of there. I, more on accident than on purpose, slowed time in order to run away from the dog that attacked me that following summer, and my parents, alongside Ona and her parents, saw what I did until I tripped and lost my hold on time. My dad sprinted to my aid, but not before that dog took out a chunk of my leg.

After I was stitched and bandaged, my parents demanded to know how I made myself run so fast. I told them the truth, leaving out Ona and her keeping secrets as well. Of course Ona fessed up too and we both got into trouble, but in the end my parents couldn't deny that they were impressed that I've managed to hide my abilities so well for so long. Only I still have my problem with escapism.

Like right now, as the entire Monster family talks to me in order to get to know me better.

Before the adults joined us, Rin asked me why I didn't tell her that I'm a Monster. I could see that she was kind of hurt that I didn't trust her enough to tell her, but she does her best to hide it. I lamely reply with "It's never been brought up" despite she and I both knowing damn well that what I said is a lie. I could have said something when she called Sonika a Normie, or perhaps tell her the truth instead of coming up with that whole fat mass story. Though she sits next to me on the loveseat, Rin is keeping a bit of a distance from me. This wouldn't have bothered me so much if not for Rin usually having no belief in personal space. At least then I would know that Rin isn't upset with me, but instead I see that she's not too happy with my having flat out lied to her when I knew I didn't have to hide being a Monster from her.

Len all the while watches in silence. He must be pretty freaking pleased with himself for putting me in such an uncomfortable situation with his sister. Yeah, I know, this is all my fault for making mistakes and lying and stuff, and I shouldn't blame others for my errors, and blah, blah, blah. I will write a letter to Princess Celestia if I have to I'm that aware how badly I screwed up, and it's only going to go downhill for me from there.

"So Miku, you inherited your Time Manipulation from a grandfather, if I recall correctly?" Ann asks me when everyone moves to the living room for coffee. Despite having guests stay for coffee after a meal being proper etiquette in America, this is the first time my parents have ever done this. Normally we eat banana pudding for dessert and talk loudly, but then again these people aren't our extended family so I guess coffee makes more sense.

"Great-grandfather," I correct

"My mother's father, to be exact," Dad adds.

"Except he sped up time, not slowed it," I continue. Smiling, I add, "I used to hear stories about how he used to speed up school days when he was infected with spring fever just so he could go fishing."

"Makes me wish I had that ability when I was a boy," Al says as he sets his mug of coffee on the table. "Heck, I'm a teacher now and I still hate going to school."

"At least this time they pay you to go," I smile, and he laughs in agreement.

Since almost everything they wanted to know about me was covered during dinner, Ann dives into a soft discussion with Mom while Dad and Al talk about their Super Bowl predictions. I lent Oliver my 3DS so he could play Sonic instead of listening to what he would find boring conversation, and the twins, who have moved across the room to have a slightly more private discussion, seem to be in a heated debate over God knows what. As for me, I sit there like a lame duck. Noticing how low the coffee in the pot is, I pick it up and slip into the kitchen before anyone notices that I'm gone. If I'm not doing anything, might as well make myself useful.

After I clean the pot and set a new batch of coffee to brew, I pick up my phone from its place on the kitchen counter and text Luc NVM, the britstick is a blabber mouth. For humorous effect I add Visit me in prison?

I shut off my phone and place it back on the counter, and then I jump three feet into the air at the sight of Rin sitting on the bar stool across the counter. Geez, for having an extremely loud personality, she sure is quiet.

"'Britstick'?" she snorts in amusement, apparently having read over my shoulder when my back was to her. "I sure hope you're referring to that idiot of a brother of mine and not me."

"I would never call you a britstick," I say to her. "Well, unless you tick me off, then I can't make any promises."

"Fair enough," she giggles.

For a minute I don't know what to say. Rin seems perfectly content enough spinning on the stool and watching the coffee drip into the pot, but the awkward silence doesn't sit well enough for me. Deciding that I need to be a grown up, I sigh and say, "Rin." When I have her attention I tell her, "I'm sorry I lied to you." That's it. No excuses, no unnecessary explanations, just "I'm sorry I lied."

To my surprise, she responds with, "It's okay. When I think about it, I would've done the same thing." For a moment it looks as if she's having a conflict inside her head as if she's debating whether or not to tell me something. In the end, she smiles and says, "Yep, totally would have done the same so I'm not really allowed to be mad."

I'm relieved to her Rin say that. "So, we cool?" I ask.

"We cool," she confirms, sounding somewhat ridiculous trying to pull off an American accent. "Sorry," she shrugs, her usual accent spoken again, "I couldn't resist trying."

"It's all right, Dear," I say, my best attempt at a British accent sounding worse than her American. "I have no right to judge." Rin cracks up at my accent fail, causing me to smile at the ease that's between us again. When my phone dings, my heart drops at the message sent to me.

Okay, 1) who's the britstick, and 2) why would you be in prison? Miku, why do I get the feeling there's a story behind this that you haven't told me yet?

Crap. I wasn't paying attention to my phone so I ended up texting Cul instead of Luc. Now she knows that I've been keeping something from her, too. Damn, Karma is on a roll today.

"Something wrong?" Rin asks when she sees my face drop.

"I sent my text to the wrong person," I answer.

Rin leans forward and looks at my screen. "'Snots Fire'?" she questions my contact name while giving me an amused look.

"Inside joke," I explain. I set my phone down and move to the fridge. "Since I know you don't like coffee, how does a milkshake sound?"

"Too good to be true!" Rin exclaims, and I don't have to look at her to know that she's bouncing in her seat. As I begin filling the blender Rin asks, "Why are Americans so obsessed with coffee, anyway? I mean, almost everyone at school takes a Starbucks drink with them every day, even Mr. Hiyama!"

"Probably similar to how the British are obsessed with tea," I snort as I struggle against scooping the ice cream from its container. "I mean, by the looks of things coffee represents America and tea the UK. Heck, with that kind of logic you can use 'coffee versus tea' interchangeably with 'U.S. versus UK.'"

"Joke's on you. I don't like tea," Rin says with a laugh, "but I agree on the 'coffee versus tea' thing."

I spin completely around and give her a look of horror. "A Brit who doesn't like tea?!" I exclaim, a hand over my heart. "It's the end of the world as we know it! Time to get right with the Lord."

Rin laughs at my dramatics. "Very funny."

"You know it, babe," I say with a smile before starting the blender. I move to retrieve a cup from the cupboard to find Rin messing with my phone. "What are you doing?" I frown.

"You don't have my number, and I don't have yours," Rin replies as she sets my phone back down. With a large grin on her face she says, "I added myself for you and sent a text my way so that I can add you when I get home."

"Left your phone?" I question.

Rin snorts. "Do you see any pockets on this dress?"

"That's a pretty dress, by the way," I compliment as I set down the milkshake.

"Thanks," she responds, "but had I known I was going to see you I would have dressed more casual."

"Same," I roll my eyes. As pretty as this black silk blouse is, it's a little too formal for a home cooked dinner I mostly made. The only thing that got complimented was the chicken fried steak Mom made, and she got that in the freezer aisle and heated up in the oven! The least someone could have done was say they liked that sweet potato salad I slaved over for, but I guess that's asking for too much.

"Oh, and thanks for the milkshake," Rin adds after taking a large gulp. "It's good."

"Ancient family recipe," I respond. "AKA, I found it on the Internet about two years ago."

I take the pot of now brewed coffee and walk back to the living room, Rin following behind me with her milkshake. I refill a few mugs before joining Rin back on the loveseat. It takes me a minute to get the point of the conversation, but soon enough I join in with ease. I have a great time talking with Ann and Al, and by the looks of things my parents have forgotten about the thing with Len.

Speaking of Len . . . Where is he?

Author's Note: Y'all know what, just anticipate irregular updates. We try to be faithful, but it's harder than you think. As much as writing a collab is so much more fun than writing solo, it's equally that much harder. Especially since Kate and I tend to fall off the wagon at the same time, so keeping each other accountable is kinda difficult. lol

The both of us have had a lot going on irl, and I have been going through a hard time these past few months so thanks to those of you who left sweet and understanding reviews (this may be Kate's profile, but I read the reviews too!). Hopefully we'll try to find some regularity with this fanfic - we're going to be trying to update biweekly now, but no promises we'll be successful. Thanks for sticking with us this long!

- Raye :)