CHAPTER TWO: EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED
The first time Misaki had heard that Rin was back she felt nauseated. They had been talking about him, saying how different he seemed. How sad and angry he seemed- how he wasn't the old Rin they were used to. Misaki was supposed to be finishing up some homework before they all went out to eat but suddenly she couldn't breathe. The worst part was that she could feel his green eyes on her the whole time, as if he knew what she must be thinking. Because he knew what she felt for Rin and he knew what this could do to them.
They ignored it at first, going on with their relationship as if nothing had changed. Because nothing really had changed. She still sat next to him in class. They still held hands everywhere. He still softly kissed her and whispered 'I love you' in her ear but as time passed by Misaki stopped saying 'I love you too'. Her mind became preoccupied with thoughts of the past. Her eyes became glued to that pink bracelet that still clung to her wrist. 'Why do you still wear that?' he once asked as if telling her to take it off. She was with him now. Rin hadn't talked to her in over four years. He'd left her. She broke the promise. But she couldn't take it off and Makoto never asked her about it again. Just like he never asked her to come to any swim tournaments.
Makoto wasn't dumb and Misaki knew that fact very well. She knew that he was purposely not inviting her because there was a chance Rin would be there. As long as she didn't see him things would be fine right? That's what Misaki hoped, so she stayed away only picking up information about Rin from the few sentences she caught the swim team saying. Rin went to Samezuka now, and no- he hadn't asked about her. Or at least that's what Nagisa said and that enough made Misaki's heart sink deeper into her chest.
Misaki figured Rin wanted nothing to do with her, just like she now wanted nothing to do with him though she couldn't deny that she wanted to know what he would think of her after all these years. Would he even remember her? Would he remember how during that first year when he was away he'd sign all his letters I love you, Rin. Or maybe he chose to forget all that the day he stopped replying to her letters.
The hardest part was seeing how much Haruka, Nagisa, and Makoto wanted to be friends with Rin again. They wanted him around, even Makoto pretended like it wouldn't change anything. He thought she was over Rin. She wasn't. And after regionals things got even harder. Rin was friends with them now; he had even managed to become friends with Rei. Rin had managed to work his way back into his old friend group, a group that Misaki was now very much a part of.
It hadn't always been like that though. She never used to spend so much time with Makoto and Haruka. It wasn't until Makoto asked her out ten months ago that she started hanging out with them and once Nagisa and Rei were around Misaki became friends with them too. She'd even managed to get over her anger and frustration with Rin to become friends with Gou. Now that Rin was in the picture it became a game of avoidance. Misaki didn't go out with the boys when she knew Rin would be there. She didn't go to watch swim practice if Samezuka would be practicing with them. It had been three weeks since then, three weeks since the boys had their reunion with Rin and Misaki was still trying to avoid him. But the game would have to end eventually.
"You gonna go watch your boooooyfriend?" the question came from a petite blonde named Azami- aka Misaki's best friend since middle school. Azami was short and curvy with a head full of crazy blonde curls that were usually straightened down to her shoulders. Looks wise she was the opposite of Misaki- who was a head taller and had a slender body shape rather than Azami's womanly curves.
"Yup," Misaki nodded her head, black locks falling over her shoulders as she stuffed papers into her messenger bag, "And the boys are probably gonna want to go eat afterwards, you wanna come?"
"Can't, I'm watching the child tonight." 'The child' was Azami's term for her six year old younger sister Kiko who had a knack for making messes and ruining Azami's life, "I'll walk you to the pool though."
Iwatobi High School tended to empty out once the school day was over. The only students that remained were those in sports, or like Misaki- those who watched sports. Granted Misaki had other things she could be doing every day after school but she knew that it made Makoto happy to have her there and if there was one thing Misaki liked doing it was making Makoto happy.
"So finals are coming up-"
"Don't remind me," Misaki sighed, turning the corner with her friend as they walked towards the pool.
"You have any plans for summer break?"
"No, unless you count worrying about having to go to summer school."
"For what?"
"Math," the brunette grumbled, "Unless I get a really really good grade on the final I'll be in summer school."
"You worry too much," Azami said as she ran her fingers through her hair, "You'll be fine. Aren't your parents going out of town for the break?"
"Yeah they are doing some grand European tour, I was invited but I think I'd kill myself if I had to be around them for six weeks straight."
Misaki's parents were young, a solid ten years younger than her peers parents. Not only were they young but they were eccentric. They loved trying new and random things and in Misaki's lifetime she had seen her parents with more jobs than she could count. Her parents believed in risk taking and making the most out of life. One of the only reasons they even had a child was to see what it would be like. Misaki started out as a new experience for them but ended up as their pride and joy only child- a fact that Azami was very jealous of.
"So you'll have the whole house to yourself?" Azami's tone of voice and wink let Misaki know where this was going and all the brunette could do was roll her eyes, "Maybe something can happen between you and Makoto?"
"Even if something does happen- which I'm not saying anything will- I won't be telling you about it."
"Lame!" Azami whined, latching onto Misaki's shoulder and shaking her violently.
"Love you too," Misaki laughed, taking Azami's hands off of her and moving towards the door that would lead her outside and to the pool, "See ya tomorrow."
Misaki faintly heard Azami yelling a goodbye as she walked out the door to feel the hot summer air surround her instantly. As she walked Misaki slipped off her black sweater and scooped her hair up into a high ponytail. It had definitely been a hot start to summer and Misaki figured it'd only get hotter as the months went on. The sound of splashing and boys talking reached her ears as she neared the pool and she couldn't help but notice that the voices sounded louder and unrecognizable.
Misaki slowed her speed as she took a step onto the concrete around the pool and her eyes widened at all the strange males standing around. She was usually informed when another team would be practicing with Iwatobi, but she had heard nothing about this.
"Misaki!" Her name rung out around the pool from the ever excited Nagisa. Misaki followed the sound of his voice as she turned her head to see the boy waving at her. She was about to wave back until her eyes fell onto Makoto who looked nervous, who looked as if something was wrong.
Her next exhale became caught in her throat as her eyes moved a few inches to the left and there he was. He was different, but the same. He was much taller and muscular but he still had those sharp teeth and bright maroon hair. His attention had been elsewhere until Nagisa called her name again. That's when he turned and his red orbs widened as they landed on her.
Misaki couldn't believe it. After all these years Rin's gaze still felt the same and she watched as his eyes scanned her up and down before snagging on her left wrist. Misaki followed his gaze, eyes looking down on the pink bracelet before she moved her arm behind her back in an attempt to hide what had already been seen. Her steps were slow and shaky as she moved towards the Iwatobi team and she could feel Makoto's gaze.
"Long time no see."
Misaki snapped her head up and although she tried not to glare she couldn't help it. Those would be Rin's first words to her in four years? 'Long time no see'? It almost made her sick to see him trying to sweep their past under the rug and act as if he hadn't basically abandoned her. "Yeah," she said slowly as if speaking slower would have the same effect on her heartbeat.
"You two know each other?" Rei asked, eyes switching between Rin and Misaki the latter who was staring off to the side rather than looking directly at Rin.
"We went to elementary school together," Misaki said, making it seem like that was their only connection because now maybe it was.
"Well!" the sound of Makoto's hands clapping together broke the awkward silence that had formed around the group, "We should start practice." A gentle smile came to his face, one which was directed at Misaki and told her that everything would be alright. Misaki tried to return the smile but it felt forced and wrong.
Makoto took the lead to the pool and the other boys followed suit, except for Rin who didn't move an inch. "What's with the face?"
"I'm not making a face," Misaki protested, watching as Makoto stretched as if trying to ignore the fact that Rin was still standing with her.
"You're making this awkward."
At that Misaki turned to look up at Rin, though it had been a mistake. All these years Misaki selfishly wished that maybe Rin would grow up to be less attractive. That he'd lose his charm but as she met his gaze she could feel herself shamelessly staring at how unfairly hot he was. This thought had caused her to lose sight of Rin's eyes, which had drifted down and away from her face. "Stop that!" she scolded, taking a step backwards and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Stop what?"
"You're checking me out," she said under her breath and soon a rough laugh left Rin's lips.
"You were doing the same," he pointed out, his hands on his hips as his eyes once again traveled up and down Misaki's body, "You haven't changed much."
Misaki's cheeks had begun to burn and she couldn't believe that this was their first conversation in years. Here she thought that when she saw Rin again, if she ever saw Rin again, that she'd have so much to say. That she'd be angry, that Rin would be a stranger to her- but that didn't happen. Yes, Misaki was angry. She was furious that he was back, that she had run into him like this. That the first words out of his mouth weren't 'I'm sorry' but he certainly didn't feel like a stranger. And if anything at seeing him Misaki felt oddly elated as if something she'd been missing in her life was now back.
"You're tall," Misaki muttered, beginning to feel self-conscious which made her feel guilty. Why should she care what Rin thought of her appearance? It wasn't like she had to impress him, though deep down she wanted to.
"You let your hair grow out," Rin stated as he leaned slightly to the left to see the long black hair that was tied up in a ponytail, "And you're eyes changed color."
When Misaki was younger her eyes had been a vibrant green. As the years went on they dulled and now she was left with a muted hazel color which matched her father's eyes.
"And you're wearing the bracelet," Rin's voice had softened a small smile coming to his face as he focused on the pink bracelet he had given her so long ago.
"Yeah," Misaki placed her right hand over her left wrist, hiding the bracelet from Rin's view as she let out a long sigh, "Shouldn't you be practicing?"
"You goin out with us to eat after this?"
Misaki's eyes narrowed as she wondered who had invited Rin to dinner. Probably Nagisa considering he had no idea of her and Rin's past besides that they went to school together. He wouldn't see any issue with it and Makoto was too kind hearted to take the invitation away. "Yeah I am."
"Great!" a smile that made Misaki's heart flutter came to Rin's face as he took a side step towards the pool, "Then we can catch up then."
Misaki could clearly see that Rin was happy to see her, that he was elated to see her still wearing the bracelet. As he ran off towards the pool she could see a skip in his step and Misaki felt sick. Misaki wanted to be happy to see him. She wanted to hug him and tell him how much she missed him. But she couldn't, because things had changed and Misaki knew that once Rin knew about the changes that smile would be wiped off his face.
Author's Note: I'm pretty sure I can find Taylor Swift lyrics for every chapter (challenge accepted!). I'd love to hear what your guys thoughts on this chapter and the story so far! They help motivate me plus I just like knowing what you think of the story. And in case you couldn't tell- this story is taking place after the events of the show thus Rin being friends with everyone again. Also just food for thought this story is inspired by movies like The Notebook and The Great Gatsby- take from that what you will.