Odds & Ends (RinxLen) Vocaloid

Chapter 3: Wait a Minute

I felt my face completely drain as he said that. But as soon as Len said those words, his face fell. "You dumbass! Is that how you greet people?" Teto scolded. She looked up at me and offered a familiar smile. "Sorry about him Rin. How have you been?" I looked to Len, who was uncomfortably quiet now. "Can't complain. You?" She smiled and scrunched her nose. "I've been great, honestly! Aside from failing most of my classes." She muttered the last part, looking down. I shook my head. "No need to be worried. School can be difficult, especially for us." Her eyes lit up. "That's where I know you from! Primary school! I thought you were just someone whose face and name I knew! We had those special classes together as kids!" She said, definitely over sharing some information. I smiled politely and blushed.

"Would you like to sit down?" Miku asked. I looked over to her and felt myself get all anxious and worked up again. This entire situation felt so comical and superficial it was hard to trust. And I know I've been spouting about how I've got nothing to lose, but I could always be wrong. Things can always get worse, especially for me. I adjusted the sleeve on my cardigan, covering my rubber band and reddened wrist and sat down, a decent 2 feet from them, but as close as my anxiety would allow. The conversations all continued, with the exception of Kaito sitting directly behind Miku and resting his chin on her head, which resulted in a chorus of "awes" from the group. I noticed Len hadn't said anything, and I was the closest to him. I tapped the ground where he was looking, causing him to look up.
"You okay?" I asked in a timid voice. He shot me a confident grin. "I'm alright, just a bit tired! Thank you though, Rin."

The way he said my name made my heart stop. As odd as it sounds, I wouldn't mind hearing him say my name a hundred more times.

Wait, what?! Rin, you just met this guy! Sure he's everything you aren't; funny, charming, polite, social, pretty- but that's no excuse to be thinking such things about a guy you don't even know! For all I know, he has a girlfriend!

And as if on clockwork, Gumi Megpoid walked down the stairs of the school. "Sorry I was late, I had to stay behind for some studying!" She explained, plopping right between me and Len before I even had the chance to respond. She took off her orange jacket, tossing it carelessly, where it landed right in my lap, and began snuggling into Len's shoulder. I swear, I should take up being a psychic. I watched as they continue talking, hands intertwined. Len had a huge smile on his face and seemed so much happier than he was moments ago when Gumi wasn't here. It didn't take a genius to see they were dating. What do I have to be disappointed for? Why do I feel so crushed and upset right now? Rin, you don't have any reason to be feeling this way, so stop!!

I felt myself getting pushed further and further from the conversation as the afternoon went on. The sun began to set, and as I decided I had better head home, Meiko's red van pulled up. "Hey gang!" She greeted as she rolled down the window, pushing her black sunglasses into her short brown hair. Everyone greeted her and got up, but I stayed sitting, handing Gumi her jacket as she stood to leave. As everyone gathered into the van, I began walking home, the sounds and liveliness of them becoming more and more illegible. As I hit the road, a loud honk startled me. Again?! I spun around angrily to see none other than Meiko in the van, motioning for me to come over.

"Hey hon, do you have a ride home?" She asked. I looked around as if a random car was going to pull up and take me home, and finally shook my head. With that, a button was pressed and the next thing I know, I'm squished against Len in the back of this very very small van. Under my feet was Teto, lying across the floor in some attempt to hide from police since this van only had 10 seats, and those 10 seats filled incredibly fast.
Meiko driving, Piko next to her.
Miku, Kaito and Gumi
Neru, Luka and Haku
Len and I.
And Teto on the ground.

If only I hadn't been on the van, then everyone could have sat. I just felt like such a burden. My legs were firmly pressed against Len's, which only made matters worse. He was typing quickly on his phone, mainly just responding to the dozens of messages blowing it up. I just stared at my hands like an idiot. I felt so out of place still. Something just felt off about this entire car ride. This entire day. I started the day barely knowing these people, with Aoki and Merli. And now I'm next to Len, who I also didn't know even existed, and he has a girlfriend, Rin, who you also think highly of! Get it together, girl!