I hated moving. I really did. We'd been moving around my whole life. Throughout my whole childhood and teenage years I hadn't been able to stay at the same school for more than a year and even that only happened twice. I was finally almost done high school. Almost allowed to be free. But in a new school once again. At least it wasn't an especially cleaky school. In fact, it was so small that by the end of the first week I had at least heard of almost everyone there was to know there and they all had their own room no matter how crowded.
Naruto Uzumaki was the first to introduce himself. First thoughts about him were stay as far away as possible at all times. Far too loud, both his voice and his appearance with the bright orange attire and spiky blonde hair, I could tell already that too much of his presence would get tiring. His seemingly dimwitted nature also made him someone I wouldn't want to be around for too long.
Alongside him in that category came Rock Lee. Way too excited for life as far as I was concerned and just an overly energetic pest to have hanging around. Plus, not exactly the most flattering appearance-wise with his greasy black hair and bright green spandex. It was horrifying, actually.
Another similar one to place in this category, though seemed significantly more tolerable, was Kiba Inuzuka. Described just like a dog, he was a little rough around the edges with a shaggy, dog-like appearance but really an all around fun-loving and good guy from what I'd heard. But I couldn't be one to say considering he was one of the ones I hadn't actually met face-to-face yet.
Then there were the quieter guys consisting of Shino Aubrame, Hyuuga Neji and the infamous Sasuke Uchiha.
Though it was commonly believed that Shino was simply very shy, even just seeing him from a distance told me he was just antisocial. He seemed a little strange – stereotypically speaking, a kind of cross between emo and class freak. He dressed in dark colours and kept himself almost completely covered at all times so it wasn't a surprise to notice he seemed out of place here. He probably didn't have much in common with anybody and therefore didn't speak to them unless absolutely necessary.
Neji seemed somewhat similar but in a more arrogant, self-righteous way that got on my nerves the moment I met him. He always carried that 'I'm-above-you-so-I-don't-need-to-speak-to-you' aura about him and it pissed me off. It showed in the way he presented himself too. He was a good-looking guy and he knew it, paying a little bit more attention to his appearance than most other guys wearing tighter, more form-fitting jeans and shirts, though maybe that was just because he actually was a bit older.
Sasuke was very much like Neji but a little younger and a little more moody. Where Neji was neutral and monotone, Sasuke was angry and bitter. He never once smiled but, unlike Neji's simple lack of motivation to smile, it appeared that Sasuke would probably be unable to if he tried. He, too, dressed a little more carefully but still age-appropriate and again, a good-looking guy in casual dark jeans, t-shirts and sneakers.
After that, there were the ones that didn't seem to have a set place anywhere.
The first being Shikamaru Nara. I'd never met him but I've heard he's one of those lazy geniuses: has extraordinary potential but is too lazy and doesn't care enough to use it. Those kinds of people really pissed me off, too. But I still hadn't had the pleasure of meeting him so I couldn't really say anything.
The next being Choji Akamichu. He was a bigger man that always carried snacks with him wherever he went. Not the most attractive of guys, mostly due to his weight, but rumour had it, he's actually the sweetest guy you'll ever meet. I'll take the girls' word for it seeing as, once again, I haven't actually met the guy.
Speaking of girls, I suppose I should introduce them as well.
Sakura Hurano was a bubbly, pink-haired, green-eyed girl who could have given even me a run for my money in a fist fight. She was, and still is, easily the most contradictory girl I have ever met. Despite her pink hair and red attire that made her look like a grinning, giggling Valentine, when she was angry you should seriously consider running for your life. Fortunately, I hadn't experienced the consequences first hand, yet.
Next would be Sakura's best friend, and equally bubbly, Ino Yamanaka. Apparently, they'd had quite a history together, their friendship fluctuating frequently only to leave them as they started: best friends. Aside from presumed differences, they actually seemed quite similar but where Sakura was strong and forceful, Ino was bitchy and annoying. She was also blonde like me with blue eyes like me and loved purple like me. That pissed me off. Needless to say, I hated that one pretty quickly.
Tenten was older, closer to my age, so she was the one I got along with the best. She was a cute looking girl with dark hair tied up in two buns on either side of her head and big, brown eyes. Her personality, on the other hand, was not one to match. She was quite a bit like me actually; with a strong belief in male/female equality in strength, she was a tough girl with an unbelievably strong will-power. I have a lot of respect for the life she lives due to her beliefs.
Last but not least was Hinata Hyuuga, Neji's cousin. Though I would have probably looked at it the other way around with Neji as Hinata's cousin seeing as I liked Hinata infinitely more. She was an incredibly shy girl: very meek. But true, loyal and honest, as well. Unlike Tenten, however, she had the appearance to match. With short bluish-grey hair and very traditional clothing and style, her fidgeting fingers only added to her humble appearance. It was impossible not to love the young girl.
There, of course, were many more students at this school but, in my grade, these were the ones I've either met or heard about. I spent my first couple of days trying to remember their names and faces so I wouldn't look like an idiot for not knowing so few people. Those were the main characteristics going through my head as I remembered them all.
Wednesdays. What's the point of Wednesday? It's not the day after the first day of school nor is it the day before the last day of school. It's just… in between. And I hated the in between. It's like the suburbs or shades of grey. Like monotone, it's just neutral. Bland. Nothing happens on a Wednesday. Last weekend's excitement has died off but it's too early to be looking forward to the approaching one.
In any case, there I was on my way to the street corner I had arranged to meet Tenten and would then proceed to school. At that point she was probably my only real friend and considering her attitude and personality, she didn't really get along with too many girls. It just so happened that her best friend was none other than Neji Hyuuga for reasons still unknown to me. It seemed they were both pretty secretive about their relationship, aside from the fact that they'd known each other since they were toddlers, but rumour had it, they were dating. I must say that I'd learned to see Neji in a kinder light since I'd met Tenten and found myself thinking that if they were, in fact, dating, I couldn't deny that they'd be cute together. But, to be honest, and even to this day, I'll still never understand what she sees in him. But as they say; to each their own.
"Hey, Temari!" she yelled in my direction the moment she saw me turn my last corner. I smiled and waved in return and once I reached her we continued to walk to the school.
"Guess what." She said after a moment of easy silence between us.
"Mmm?" I sounded in response.
"The rest of the guys are back so you can meet them today." She seemed much more thrilled about the new than I was but I tried to act excited. I knew all the girls I'd heard about so it was just some of the guys I had yet to meet in person and so far I haven't had much luck with guy friends here even though they're usually the ones I get along with best.
"Great." I said nonetheless. Unfortunately, it sounded much less enthusiastic than I had hoped and Tenten was definitely intelligent enough to notice.
"Hey, what's up?" she asked with all sincerity in her voice.
"Oh, nothing. Still just trying to memorize my way to school so you don't have to walk me every day." I said and smiled, still looking ahead.
"I don't mind, you know." She said, again, honestly. She really was a nice girl underneath the offensive defence she held up so strongly. I definitely saw this relationship going somewhere.
Once we got to school I immediately tried to scope out my brother with no luck. It was less than two weeks into school and he was already skipping. He'd been like that every year since grade 7 so it came as no surprise to me and I gave up long ago trying to force him to go. It was a fruitless effort really. But, like the responsible, caring, big sister that I was, I looked for him anyway only officially giving up when the bell rang and had to run to first class before I was deemed tardy.
The moment I walked into Biology class, first period, I noticed an undeniable change and promptly remembered what Tenten had said about some people returning from who-knows-where. I looked around the room to find a bigger guy with a bag of potato chips on his desk loudly munching away at them. The crunching noise: that was the difference in the classroom today. I ignored it and walked to my desk waiting for the teacher to begin class. Aside from the noise he seemed harmless.
So, just like every other, that Wednesday moved on rather slowly in my remaining 3 classes before lunch: English, Communications Tech. and Ancient History up to the 16th Century. No other new kids I'd heard about were in my classes and because the school was so small there was, at most, 2 of any one class so many of the same students filled each of my classrooms. And to top it off, because the curriculum was so different at my previous school, I found that I'd already covered most of the material I was now studying even though I was in the appropriate grade level.
Tenten always spent her lunch hour with Neji and considering I didn't really care for him all that much and he probably acted a little differently around Tenten alone than if I was hanging around too, I opted to have lunch on my own. I didn't really mind. I liked the quiet.
By the time classes started up again, however, I was definitely ready to begin learning. I'd long gotten bored of sitting alone behind the school.
My class right after lunch was probably the most interesting class I've ever experienced for a variety of reasons. The first being that it was Art class. The second being that our teacher seriously lacked a back bone. And the third being that the one and only Kiba Inuzuka happened to be in that class, now that he was back. I'd heard he was a fun guy and a bit of a goof but I had no idea the extent. He was definitely a class clown, always making smartass but funny comments all through class but the teacher seemed alright with it. He seemed to gain respect from his undeniable artistic talent. Even in just one day one could see he was easily one of the best in the class. Awesome way to start off after lunch. And I thought that in all honesty.
My next class was boring as ever. World Issues. I'd already been all around the world so, believe me, I knew of all the issues worth knowing.
Things were only going downhill after Art. In the process of switching classes, I got a call from Kankuro at home who'd apparently decided that now was a good time to tell me how sorry he was for not coming to school and beg my forgiveness. He was smart to know that apologizing was a good idea because otherwise I'd just beat him to a bloody pulp when I got home but really stupid to be calling me at this particular moment. He probably just got up from a nap without looking at the time before dialling. I just ignored what he was saying and tried to get him off the phone as soon as possible so I wouldn't be late for class. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side. Just as I hung up, the bell rang. I cursed and rushed up the stairs two at a time to make it to Writer's Craft. Just as I was about to open the door, the handle turned and the door opened causing me to stumble a bit forwards before leaning back to avoid such close proximity with the boy that stood in front of me.
He was a good few inches taller than me with long brown hair tied up in a pony tail. He had deep, dark, chocolate-brown eyes to match but the expression they held screamed of severe boredom.
"You're late." He stated simply. As he made a move to pass me he added, without even looking, "I wouldn't suggest going in now with some lame excuse; I assure you it wont work." And he continued around me down the hall.
I scowled. Shikamaru Nara. I remembered his description. If the long hair didn't give him away, the bored, lazy look definitely did but I must say this was not a good first impression. I'd barely even met the man and he was already trying to give me advice? Ha! He obviously didn't know me. "Oh? And you know this from experience I take it." I retorted with a smirk.
To my delight, that got a reaction. He turned slowly and studied me, my smirk still embedded on my features. I casually took in his appearance as well. He was slouched, leaning one leg with his hands in his pockets: the typical bored position. He was wearing black and white converse sneakers and fairly loose jeans with a hole in the knee. Remembering more of what I'd heard about the Nara, I assumed he was too lazy to fix it or replace the jeans. Working my way up, I noted the t-shirt he was wearing. It was dark green, almost black, with the words 'lazyass' across the front. How appropriate. I scoffed at that. Swear words were against the school's dress code. Rebel, I see. I estimated that, out of its restraints, his hair would easily fall past his shoulders and surround his strong, angular jaw. The last thing I noticed was his ear. A piercing? I squinted only enough to see a little better without him noticing and sure enough a tiny silver hoop hung from a hole in his ear. Nice. I thought, sarcastically. Though, to be honest with myself, I actually found it rather attractive on him.
"What's it to you?" he asked, apparently done his analysis on me with the sudden sound of his voice freeing me of mine on him. Like I hadn't done enough already.
To be honest, I didn't have an answer to that. It really wasn't any of my business whether he was late to class every day or not, though it would suit his description perfectly. Hiding my uncertainty, I decided to leave the question unanswered acting perfectly as though I thought him a waste of my time. At least that would get rid of him for the moment. I rolled my eyes and smirked, turning around and walking into the class.
"Your funeral." I heard him mutter but by the time I turned around to face him again, he had already begun his journey down the hall. Just as I was turning to walk in the class, I was sure I heard a small "troublesome" over my shoulder. I continued in the classroom not looking back.
What I hadn't known and was soon to realize was that that jerk I'd casually insulted before Writer's Craft was undeniably correct. After standing up at the front of the class enduring 30 minutes of humiliation from the teacher about being tardy, I was finally sent to the office to explain my actions. Ugh.
I walked into the tiny room walking right up to the desk without looking at any other occupants on the way. I explained why I was there not bothering to hide the annoyance in my voice. The secretary only stared at me as I spoke and, like me, didn't bother hiding the annoyance in her expression. This must be a regular thing here. When I was clearly finished my explanation, she paused a moment and then told me to take a seat for a minute. I turned and sat in the first empty chair I saw, still avoiding looking at the other students sitting in the room.
I sat for a moment, looking straight ahead, before "Told you." I closed my eyes in aggravation and slowly turned my head down and to my left taking in the converse sneakers, torn jeans, nearly black t-shirt with the offensive language and then the face of a smirking jerk with long, tied-up hair and an attractive ear piercing. I glared at him and sighed audibly before turning back to face the wall straight ahead. He ignored me, placed his ear bud back in his right ear and sat back, leaning his head on the wall behind, still smiling, satisfied and amused. Why me? I complained to myself.
Finally the day was over after Shop class. Thank god. Now all I have to do is go home and beat the shit out of Kankuro for not coming to school and then cook dinner for him and my even younger brother who decided he wasn't even going to enrol. Ugh. Being the oldest was not easy. And on top of all that, the cause for the worst part of my afternoon and a lovely formal warning to never be late again decided to taunt me even further in my thoughts. Goddamnit, he just wouldn't leave! Why the hell was I still thinking about him anyway? This was definitely not a great start.