I Am Deaf

Chapter 24

Len POV

Hurt was a good word for the mess I had caused. Rin wouldn't let me near her for the rest of the night, even to kiss her good night. She clambered into the bed, her face scrunched up like she was trying desperately not to cry. I knew better than to reach over and hug her delicate body to mine. Even though I wanted to.

Please, please, tell me what's wrong, Rin... You let me tickle you last time... It was supposed to be a fun game, but it transformed into a nightmare.

I bit my lip and drifted off to sleep.

"Hey, Rin. Wake up!" I shook her. Even as she woke up, she recoiled from my touch and hopped out of the bed. I felt like a deflating balloon.

"M-M-Morning, Len."

"Morning," I muttered, brushing past her. I was going to let her recover from last night on her own and try not to interfere. She stiffly followed me into the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, she grabbed a set of her clothes (Mom had picked them up for her and put them in a guest room; Rin would sleep on her own from now on. This didn't exactly fly with me.) and went to take a shower. I looked after her wistfully.

"Len." Mom yawned. "Is Rin okay?"

"Yeah Mom. She's fine. Why?" I said, feigning confusion.

"She's stiff as a board, stammered like crazy when she said "morning" to me, and I can hear her crying in the shower." Mom folded her arms. "What's wrong?"

Shoot. Mom, you should seriously consider becoming a detective.

"Wait... She's crying?"

"Like crazy. What happened?"

I ran my hand through my hair. "We had a tickle fight last night..."

Mom raised her eyebrows.

"Fine. I tickled her."

"M-hmmm."

"And about halfway through, she was like, crying instead of laughing, and when I stopped, she wouldn't let me near her. She didn't let me lay a finger on her all night, and today morning."

I pressed my ear against the bathroom door, and, sure enough, I could hear her sobbing, trying to be quiet, but to no avail.

"Rin... has been suffering from her stepbrother. It's taking its toll. Do you think this has to do with him?"

"You mean... maybe he hurt her?"

"I don't know, but you should handle her delicately; tread lightly. And NO MORE tickling till she's better."

Rin came out of the shower and sent a brief glance at me, one full of hurt and longing. Then, she smiled lopsidedly at me, and I smiled back, my heart soaring.

"Gomen, Len." She hugged me, her freshly washed hair wet against my skin.

I tilted her face up with my fingers so she could 'hear' me. "It's fine. You can tell me anything. You don't have to, but remember that you can, kay?"

She nodded up at me.

Mom winked at me and disappeared into the shower.

"Rin! RIN!" I made her look at me, and not viciously at Miku. Oh, wait, I was glaring viciously at Miku. Today, I had a surprise planned for her. But it involved slight rule-breaking.

I had already called Rei, Neru, Mom, and Kuo to give her the surprise.

I had already texted Kuo, Rei, and Neru to give her a present, but Mom... I'd have to wait and see.

"Rin, we're taking a break today." I grinned at her.

"What? Why?"

I dragged her (I know, we shouldn't be ditching) to the park, and the ice cream vendor. We got sundaes and walked around the park. Rin looked pleasantly surprised. I kissed her on the lips twice and she kissed me once.

"Why are we ditching? What's going on?"

"You'll see."

Five minutes before school ended, we raced back to school and took our seats. After the teachers filed out, we left, too.

The house was dark. I grinned at Rin, who grinned questioningly back.

I flicked the lights on.

"SURPRISE!"

Rin let out a shriek and everyone burst into song.

"Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Rin...

Happy birthday to you!" She obviously couldn't hear the song, but...

I got an orange cream cake from the freezer that I had made, and cut it into slices. Then I turned to Rin, who was crying.

"Rin?" I asked, alarmed.

"Len...thank you..." she grabbed me into a tight hug. "Thank you so much!"

I laughed softly and tilted her face up towards mine. I took my present and linked it around her wrist.

A charm bracelet, with a little golden heart that said, Rin+Len on it.

She burst into tears again, and Kuo gave her his present- a small purse stuffed with candy. Rei and Neru gave her a book called Hurt Go Happy (Love this book!), and Mom... Mom gave Rin a brochure for the SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF. Rin gave everyone tight hugs and kissed me.

"Oh...Len... I'm so happy..."

"I love you." I whispered. Neru gagged behind Rei, who smirked and shook his head. Kuo grinned at me.

"I love you, too."