Nostalgia

Rin POV

Walking on into the car, I could feel my head fill with fear, my heart pounding in a nervous break-down. Closing my eyes, I tried to think of something, anything.

"hey~ how's your ankle?" the boy looked over his desk, peering back at me. I laughed a bit.

"it's fine, as long as I don't walk on it too much" I assured him, he smiled at me. Unaware of the feeling in my chest, I smiled back and sat on my desk, ready for class.

Oh, that memory, a sad smile flicked on my lips and the same nostalgic feeling hit me. Fifth grade, the day after the fieldtrip to a park, also the day where I twisted my ankle. That boy was Len, he was one of my best friends.

"faaaiiillll" I sang, he gave a good natured chuckle and stood up.

"of course you would say that, Rin" he told me, I stuck out my tongue, but eventually laughed with him. Along with Mikuo, Kaito, and Miku, we ran up the ramp to class

I watched the trees go by, trying to smother that aching feeling. The smile on lips still continued though, and I continued humming as the memories became more recent.

After school, I waved goodbye to Len and Mikuo, joining Miki, and Sai. Wrapping my arms around their shoulders, I dragged them to the after school program. Piko, and Dell were already at the table, hand-wrestling. We, the girls, sat down, betting. Laughing as the tie continued, that is, until Meiko-sensei spotted them and told them to stop.

I laughed aloud at this, those two were always competing, always. Over food, over strength, over soccer, it was really funny.

Spin, spin, spin.

"aw crap!" down went Luka, her strength and height weighed over mine, and she pulled me down with her. One-by-one, all of our arms didn't break and the circle of friends collapsed as we all tumbled.

"my head!" wailed Miki playfully, and we all laughed, helping each other up. Luka held one of my hands, and Iroha held the other, they yank me up in sync, shooting me up. I screamed as I flew in the air for a moment, and fell on my side. Although slightly winded, I was giggling, asking for another go.

My laughing continued, but I rubbed my neck. After that fall, my whole right side hurt for a week, but it was so worth it.

"soooo, who do you like, Rin?" Sai, Miki, and Miku scooted even closer to me, making me sweat drop. But still, I had an evident blush on my cheeks.

"no one!" I scoffed defiantly

"liar, is it Piko?" Miki kept getting closer to me.

"no"

"come on!~" begged Sai

"I-it's Len"

Even now, a blush spread on my cheeks, the laugh fading. That wasn't my most happiest moment. I remember their efforts after that, they went to him constantly, talking to him. They even told Lola. LOLA! That girl always asked between me or Miku to Len, and boy, was it embarrassing. I sighed. Miku…..she used to be my best friend but….

"oh! Miku! Are you ok?" my laughing faded and I got up quickly. We were spinning, just the two of us, but I fell and accidentally slapped her cheek when I fell. She stayed quiet, rubbing her cheek, her bangs covering her face. The bell rang, signaling the end of recess, she left quickly, not even looking at me. I just watched her in confusion. She didn't talk to me all day.

Miku was very sensitive, she acted strong, brave, funny, and always hit everyone. Literally, hit. But, if you hit her back, she will end up upset, crying, and not talk to you in a while. Yet, she was my best friend, I was unaware on how she used me. But Miku didn't know it herself, it was her personality, she was oblivious to her commanding attitude.

"aw, I want to play soccer!" I looked at Miku in excitement, pointing at the field. She frowned slightly.

"come on, Rinny" she took my arm, "let's just talk"

"but we always talk!" I whined, tugging away, "I want to run!" She sighed, and looked at me with pleading eyes.

"ppplllleeeaaasssee?"

"fine" I mumbled, and followed her to the hill instead, looking over my shoulder wistfully at Piko and Dell running towards the goal. Noticing my eagerness, she sighed.

"alright, you can play" she told me, and I ran towards them. I played for the time we had outside. Once inside, I trotted back to the tealette, she wasn't looking at me.

"Miku?"

"what" she retorted, I flinched at her rudeness.

"are you ok?"

"I can't believe you, didn't even come back to check on me" she whispered angrily, and walked ahead. Leaving me hurt, and confused again.

I didn't hate her, I couldn't truly hate Miku, she was kind to me despite her times like these. The car stopped and my head grew lighter. But that didn't stop the next memory.

"Akaku, Akaku, Akaku…" my voice trailed off and I blushed in embarrassment, and looked away from him. "my voice sucks!"

"it isn't that bad!" he protested, out of the corner of my eye I could see the game of Tag get closer to us. Len was smiling brightly, I forced the blush to go away.

"lies~" I hissed, but returned the playful grin. I felt a hand thud on my back.

"tag!" snorted Mikuo, and he ran away from me. Len sped away, knowing he was my prime victim. I chased after him, even though I was smaller, I still caught up.

"don't ditch me!" I hit his shoulder, "tag!"

My smile, that had faded in the nervousness, returned again. Len was such a good friend, and he was such a huge supporter in everything I did. I bravely walked into the gates, trying to ignore the looks I was getting.

"damn, did you sleep at all!" Miku ran up to me, looking at my tired face.

"couldn't too excited" I murmured, leaning on her shoulder. It was the day we went to Catalina Island, and I didn't sleep in the few hours before. I looked over Miku's shoulder, catching a glimpse of Teto.

"TTTEEETTOOOO!" I squealed, and tackled her, much to her annoyance, and hung onto her.

"Rin!" she sighed exasperated and tried to pry me away but failed.

"Raiders suck" I whispered in her ear.

"YOU SUCK!" she fumed, I laughed. She rolled her eyes at me, muttering about why I was so stupid.

"hey Rin" yawned Piko, he walked up to us, I hugged him next.

"Piiikoooo" I sang, "why are you so short?" he was shorter than me, but we used to be the same size.

"shut up" he mumbled.

I held in a chuckle, I was so annoying when with friends. I loved teasing them, Teto was one of my main victims when it came to teasing. I don't remember the bus ride to the dock because I had slept through it. Carefully, I went to the classroom, my heart thudding painfully with each step into the unfamiliar place.

Yawning, I sat on the bench, squished between Miku and Sai. I had taken a picture with both, and the long line of others stretched from the boat we were loading onto.

~time skip~ on the boat

"no!" Len shielded his face, but Kaito put on a bright smile. I clicked the camera, and laughed at the photo. Len had his face covered, Kaito looking bright, and Mikuo in the background smirking at Len's pose. The three peered at it, and laughed too. The boat lurched, and I leaned heavily on the table. Together, the four of us went onto the highest deck, and I stood next to Miku who was watching the dock grow smaller.

"look!" I turned at Lola's voice, and followed her finger. Dolphins!

The class went in, and I trailed behind, feeling like an outcast. They filled in the desks next to friends, and I stood apart, choosing the seat in the middle next to no one.

"don't touch the stinger!" warned our supervisor. It was at Catalina now, and it was a touch tank filled with stingrays, sea urchins, and other cool animals. I bravely patted the head of the ray, but quickly pulled out my hand as the base of it's tail came close.

"it's so squishy!" squealed Luka, I looked at her in amazement. Luka hardly ever squealed. Curious, I walked over to her, she was patting some weird sea creature. I patted it, and squealed too, it was like jelly.

Shaking, I flinched every time someone passed me, my stomach doing backflips. I closed my eyes momentarily.

"Bye Miku" I whispered, unshed tears in my eyes. She hugged me.

"bye Rin, I hope to see you soon" she was crying too. Miku was moving to a new school, and moving in with her step-father.

"h-hope you do well" I smiled at her, and waved back, my tears still unshed. They didn't fall.

I didn't shed a single tear that day. As much as I hated to admit it, I was relieved. Miku controlled most of my life, and now that she was moving, I was free, but…. She was still my best friend, she understood me best. I can't believe how sick I am. Sighing inaudibly, I tried to find a happier memory.

"argh! PIKO!" I screamed as the water sprayed my clothes. I looked at the boy who ran away, but I chased him. "YOU BASTARD!" I uncapped my water bottle and flung it. It splashed the back of his jeans, he yelped.

"ah! Rin!" he twisted his back to see the mark.

"PIKO MADE AN ACCIDENT!" I screamed, everyone around looked at me, then at him. Snickering.

"nice~" Teto and I high-fived. It was a marathon run, we had to see how many miles we ran in an hour, my parents gave a donation of 25 cents a mile. All this money went to our class-store (we earned fake money) raffles, and fieldtrips. We held back a bit, and joined Luka, Sai, and Miki. Together, we laughed at a flustered Piko.

Opening my eyes, I found that class has started, and the teacher was taking roll.

"Kagamine, Rin?"

"here" my voice cracked lightly,

"Rin on top!"

"yeah she is the smallest!"

"gee, thanks Teto" I hit her lightly. She smiled at me, and winked.

"alright!" the teacher went on one knee, holding up the camera. "Time for the pyramid!" Luka, Prima, and Lily went on their hands and knees. Teto, and Tei went ontop. The three girls on the bottom groaned at the weight. Now here's the problem. How to get at the top. I took off my shoes so that I won't step on any fingers, I stepped on Lily's back, muttering an apology, and kneeled on the top two's backs.

"you're so fat Rin" whined Teto, and I purposely leaned more onto her half.

"really now?" I laughed, as she began to wail.

"sorry! Sorry!" she cringed, so I let off most of the weight. She straightened growling, but she ended up laughing with me.

"ok girls! Smile!" the teacher grinned at us, and I looked at the lens, smiling honestly, "this is going to the yearbook!" there was a faint click, and the bottom girls finally had enough. They loosened their arms, causing us all to fall. ow. It hurt to land on a knee.

I took the pen and carefully wrote my name on the piece of paper, I looked at the questions. Mostly about what I expected to do in school, what I did for fun, my favorite color, and other questions like that. I heard discussions from other people and a pang of loneliness struck my heart painfully.

"BEACH DAY!" Teto and I screamed, linking arms. By now, we were hardly seen apart. I set down my boogie board, and together we ran to the bathroom. I choose one stall and changed into my bathing suit. As soon as I came out, she took my place. I left her in there, and as I came back to the lunch area, I nearly collided into Miki.

"ey! Rin watch it!" Miki backed away, I giggled sheepishly, she smiled at me, and went to the bathroom to change too. You see, today we were taking a fieldtrip to the beach. BUT NO LEARNING! WOOT! Just a chill day at the beach with my friends.

~down at the beach~

Being led by Suzone-sempai (A/N: I needed another female girl, and Ring was the first one in mind) I let my ankles just touch the icy waters. Instead of the usual smooth, soaked sand of the beach. The sand was filled with pebbles, and it pierced the sole of my barefeet. I heard a crash. I turned just in time to see Len and Mikuo dive into a wave.

"Idiots! You'll fall behind!" I screamed at them, they turned at my voice, grinning like idiots. Len ran up to me, threatening to push me over, I dodged in time, but his fall caused water to splash my shorts.

"Hey! These are jeans!" I sighed tiredly, he shrugged smiling, adjusting his glasses.

"take them off! It's the beach!"

"pfft, yeah right, we're not even allowed to go in the water yet" I snorted, he shrugged. We were supposed to be hiking to a lagoon, but most of the boys had tackled the large waves with energy and-

"tag!" he smirked, and ran away from me. Was I mature? No. I ran after him.

"No fair!" I whined, but got him back, he turned but I was already gone, hiding behind Teto.

This time, I was close to crying, but I held a brave face and looked at my schedule, wondering if I could remember where each class was.

"ready? Here's a big one!" Luka held her grip on me tighter, and on my other side, Lily tensed her long legs. The wave crashed into us, and I screamed as I felt my legs give way, but with the help of the taller girls, I was pulled back up, laughing.

"you're too short!" Teto called at me from the shore. I turned around giving her a glare, she smirked.

"shut up!" I retorted, my legs gave way again. I didn't see the incoming wave, and Luka wasn't prepared. I fell, much to Teto's and Sai's amusement. "jerks"

I got up quickly and practically ran to the next class, which was conviently next door. I sat down in the front where no one was. I remember that I used to sit in the middle though….

On our way home, on the bus, back from the beach. I sat next to Len, because Teto wanted to be next to Miki. It was ok though.

"it was tiring, huh?" Len smiled at me, I nodded.

"but it was fun~"

"remember when you beat Mikuo at Uno?"

"that was funny! Plus his mom and sister were there" we both laughed, remembering his flushed face.

"Rin! Len! SHUT UP!" Mikuo's voice traveled from two seats behind where he sat with Kaito. We laughed harder. The bus jolted forwards, and the bus ride started. I watched the sun sink behind ocean before it disappeared behind the trees.

~minor time skip~

"is she awake?"

"no"

"guys, shut up!" Len's voice came from next to me…kind of close…I woke up, at first I was confused. I was lying on something soft. It was dark, night time, and when I got up, I realized why I was sleeping so easily. I had slept on Len.

"oh shit, sorry Len!" thank god no one could see me blush.

"hm? Oh you're awake" Len sounded relieved. "hey, Ann"

"yeah?" the girl's voice traveled from in front.

"flash your camera, I can't see in here" he hissed.

"alright" there was a slight pause then….. FLASH! It was blinding and painful. My eyes were blurred afterwards.

"LEN! YOU IDIOT!" I hit the lump next to me, and was only answered by a groan.

"didn't know it would be that bad…" he mumbled sheepishly. The whole bus was screaming at him, everyone was waken up by the blinding flash.

2nd period wasn't any easier, in fact, it was harder. I was forced to talk.

"hi, I'm Rin" I mumbled to the male. He nodded. I prayed it would end soon.

"GOOD BYE!" we all cheered, waving to our teachers. Once they were out of sight. We lost it. Tears streaked down Teto's face as she embraced me, I felt tears prick my eyes.

"I will miss you!" she sobbed, I nodded wordlessly, afraid of talking. "you have my number right?"

"y-yeah" I smiled at her, and she hugged me tighter, then she let go and left. Hugging Luka. I was taken into another hug. Mikuo. I hugged the guy back.

"thanks for being one of my first friends" I told him, he let go, smiling.

"are you crying?"

"am not!" I scoffed defiantly, but my defense fell, "w-well not yet" he chuckled good naturedly, and I left him. I snuck behind Piko and gave him a hug.

"RIn!" he smiled and gave me a strong hug. Nearly cracked my ribs. "keep in touch!" I had his phone number. Plus, I lived sort of close to him. I wasn't afraid of not seeing him.

"see you soon, Piko!" I waved at him as he left. Only to be hugged again.

"Sai! Miki!" I gasped at their tear-stained faces. They only cried harder, that made my tears finally fall. The three of us just hugged each other, crying.

"RIINN!" Sai sobbed, I would miss them. "I have to g-go" she sniffed, and left me and Miki.

"bye Sai!" I choked as she left. Miki held me again.

"I don't want to leave!" she wailed, I agreed with her. Together, we cried for a good five minutes before she had to leave too.

"bye Rin, I'll miss you!" she sniffed and left, I was red eyed. But I was still able to distinguish Len.

"Rin!" he hugged me lightly, I returned it. My heart fluttered, but I was so depressed.

"Len" I mumbled, and he pulled away.

"don't cry, 'kay?" he smiled encouragingly, and I smiled softly back.

"a-alright" I replied. He laughed.

"that's the Rin I know!" he smiled encouragingly, but a little sadly. I was going to miss him so much.

"I'll see you soon, right?"

"of course!" he laughed again, and I giggled. His laugh was always so contagious. "ok, bye Rin!" he gave me another hug and left.

I didn't confess that day, I wasn't brave enough, but if he could here me now, I want to say I like him, and I want to see him one more time. Packing up my stuff I moved to the next class.

"hi!" chirped a voice, I turned, she had pigtails and a cheery smile. "I'm Yuki" I smiled back.

"Rin" I greeted, I found that we had the same class next. I walked next to her, a little lost, but she was kind. I smiled back, my mind drifting back to my old friends.

Thank you