A/N: This is something quick I wrote while listening to "Never Too Late" By Three Days Grace. Really awesome song. And no it's not a songfic, the song just inspired me to write it. Hope you all like it. As always comment/review/flame, it doesn't matter. Just tell me if I should continue as I have the second chapter halfway done.

Disclaimer: None is mine. T^T

Naruto didn't like it. He didn't like any of it. He didn't like the way the way they touched him, spoke to him, and looked at him. Their eyes were filled with pity and relief. Pitying him because of what happened, relief that it didn't happen to them.

He turned his head, cradling it in his arms, his spiky blonde hair tickling his bare arms. Dull, blue eyes stared out into the pouring rain, sky gray and looming over head. He no longer tried to pay attention in class; Naruto figured there was no point, not anymore. His teacher's voice, a , he forgot her name, droned on, like a small buzzing bee next to his ear. That is until she called out his name.

"Mr. Uzumaki. Do you know the answer to number24?"Her high pitched voice caused his headache to worsen.

"No." Naruto answered. His eyes remained fixed on the window, even as 20 pairs of eyes turned to stare at him. He slowly blinked, his shuffling beneath him, slightly nudging his backpack. He wanted to get out of there, but he didn't want to go home either. She dismissed his answer, passing on to the student next to him.

Naruto hated her. Hated everyone as they turned back to their books with pity in their eyes. He didn't have to turn and look to know it was there. He closed his eyes and tried to remember a time when he didn't hate everyone. It was so long ago he could no longer remember.

The bell finally rang, dismissing the entire school. Naruto raised his head, but waited until everyone walked out before he himself slowly trudged out of class. His eyes were cast down, backpack lazily thrown over his shoulder. He avoided eye contact; it only made him hate them even more. Naruto ignored all the whispers and pointed looks aimed at him, knowing full well what they were saying. His body became tense and coiled, ready to spring at whoever came nearest.

Naruto raised his head as he was met with dark, gray skies and the smell of wet fresh air. It was still pouring outside and he had no umbrella, so as he began his walk to his bus stop, his black frayed shirt and old faded gray jeans stuck to his body like a second skin. Naruto stared up at the gray sky, rain drops falling heavily on his face. His eyes were slightly closed, head tipping back in relief. It was Thursday, only one more day of class left of the week. He let a small smile play on his pink, chapped lips.

He jumped when he heard a screeching noise in front of him, a blue, gray bus stopping inches from his face. He waited patiently as the doors slowly opened and people got off, and then dumped some change in the small, metal box next to the driver. He slowly walked to the back of the bus, dripping water in the aisle. Naruto plopped himself in a seat next to the window just as the bus lurched forcibly forward.

He was thankful that only one other person, besides him, was on the bus, no strange stares aimed in his direction. At least until he figured out who the other person was Uchiha Sasuke. Heart throb of the school, most wanted and sought after guy by females and males. And he was riding a bus. Naruto had heard rumors that said he was wealthy so why would he? Naruto shrugged. He didn't give a shit not about him or anyone else for that matter.

He just looked out the windows, fascinated by how fast the trees went by, wondering how it would feel if he jumped off the bus, right at that moment, at the speed it was going. He was becoming sleepy and almost missed his stop if it wasn't for the Uchiha pulling the stop cable. Naruto hopped off the bus, vaguely aware of the steps behind him.

He kept walking forward, eyes cast down, shoulders slumped. His teeth were chattering in the cold, his blonde hair sticking uncomfortably to his face. He kept walking, feet shuffling, arms crossed over his chest and hands stuck under his armpits to retain warmth. Naruto turned right at a dark gray building with black tainted windows, walking straight into the "lobby" they chose to call the shithole where the receptionist got his daily blowjob from the cleaning lady.

Naruto ignored him and walked towards the elevator, repeatedly pressing the up button, impatient to get home. The doors opened with a ding and Naruto entered the empty elevator with the crappy music, hitting the largest button with a careless finger. He leaned back against the metal wall, head resting against it, eyes slightly closed. Naruto's stomach tingled, like it always did, when he reached his floor. He stepped out onto the dirty used-to-be-red carpet and walked towards his apartment door.

He ignored the yelling from his next door neighbor's apartment, having to hear them daily, and slipped his old key into the keyhole, hearing the familiar click of the door unlocking

"I'm home" Naruto called out, and of course, no one answered. No one ever did, not anymore.