I'm not a huge fan of high school fics, but I'll make an exception with this one since this was inspired by my own experience. Most of the events, especially important scenes happened to me back in high school, though I can't say the same for the ending.

I do hope you'll like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Only this story.

Chapter One

Introductions

It was the second day of school. Students were scattered around their classroom and in the hallway. Those who were not present the day before were currently searching for their assigned sections.

Haruno Sakura stared blankly at the blackboard in front of her, nodding occasionally at her best friend-since-birth Yamanaka Ino as she recounts one of her summer adventures.

Both of them, together with their friends, Tenten, Hinata and Sai are inside the classroom along with their other classmates. They were waiting for their infamous adviser, Hatake Kakashi, who seems to be "lost again on the road of life" (did he really think they were stupid enough to buy that pathetic excuse?).

"Wow, Kakashi-sensei really has a knack for being late. I wonder how he hasn't gotten fired yet." Tenten mused while browsing on her phone.

"Well, when one's girlfriend happens to be an HR Officer, attendance can be easily fixed," Ino answered meaningfully, her eyebrows moving up and down for effect.

Sakura snorted. "And where the hell did you get that bull, Pig?"

Her blonde best friend's grin was worth that of a devil. "From a reliable source, Forehead, whom I cannot divulge."

"In short, yourself," the pinkette answered, rolling her eyes.

Ino stuck her tongue out at Sakura. "Well, it's true. I saw them yesterday after class eating dango outside of school."

Sai, who was sketching on his pad, joined the conversation. "And because of that, you've formed your conclusion that Kakashi-sensei and Anko-san are lovers."

"Guys, they were sharing."

We girls went wide-eyed for moment before bursting out laughing, while Sai shook his head in amusement. Just the thought of people as old as them doing cheesy things like that in public was enough to make us howl with laughter. They were acting like a freaking high school couple, for Kami's sake!

As they continued making fun of their teacher's love life, Sakura's green orbs spotted the three guys sitting at the back corner of their classroom, talking to themselves.

Her eyebrow twitched.

Until now, she still can't believe she's in the same class as these guys. They are part of a popular guy group on their batch whose fangirls had populated half the school. Thankfully, she wasn't one of those dumb idiots. Quite the opposite, she hated those boys for their huge egos that made them overconfident and egotistical as if they had the best faces in the world.

Okay, yes, she admits, they are attractive. She even had a crush on one of them back in grade school (he was a sweet, kind boy back then). But it was only for a year and he had changed. Now, he was, like, the leader of said group.

Morino Idate.

That prick.

Can't imagine he was the same gentle and considerate guy she once knew.

And now, their class held three of his most trusted friends.

Uzumaki Naruto is a blonde loudmouth (no, he's not Ino's twin brother, though, it wouldn't be surprising) with soft azure eyes. For Sakura, he was all right since he's friendly and sincere, though sometimes, he can be such an idiot. And a weirdo. He worships ramen like a god and favors orange as his color.

Hyuuga Neji is Hinata's cousin. His lavender eyes and smooth brown hair complements his pale aristocratic face. He's quiet, a bit reserved, though he can be very protective of Hinata. They aren't that close, but the fact that they were cousins was enough for Neji to take responsibility for her. Still, he can be a jerk sometimes.

And lastly, Uchiha Sasuke.

Ugh.

Well, no need to beat around the bush; she really doesn't like the guy. He's oozing with arrogance every time he walks along the corridor of the school. He has ebony eyes that seem to intimidate you whenever he looks at you. His dark hair in contrast with his pale complexion and soft face. Sakura believes he has the most number of girl followers among their group. Which irks her more. Seriously, what happened to "Being beautiful is within"? Yes, he maybe gorgeous (bleugh!) but other than that, there's nothing likeable about him. He's stoic, emotionless, cold and just...irritating!

Except for Naruto, she wasn't on talking terms with any of their group. Which was okay for her since she wants to remain below their radar and appreciates being invisible. She loves her low profile, thank you very much. And it's not like she's dying to have a chat with them. She wants to be a living proof that not everyone is hooked with their charm.

She eyed them scornfully. One was bad enough to ruin her day, but three?

It was just too much.

"Oy, Sakura!"

Said girl snapped her attention away from the boys and glanced curiously at her best friend. She didn't even noticed they had stopped talking and were all focused on her.

"Nani?"

"Why were you looking at them?"

"Who?"

"Oh, cut it out, Sakura. You know who I'm talking about." Ino said impatiently.

Sakura sighed deeply. "Nothing. I guess I'm still dealing with the aftershock."

Tenten chuckled. "Well, you just have to get over it because they will be our classmate for an entire year."

"Tenten is right. Just look at the bright side: we'll be seeing Sasuke-kun's pretty face every day!" Ino advised her, excitement evident on her face. Unfortunately, her best friend once caught the Uchiha fever back in grade school. She even thought she was in love with human ice cube. Eventually, she got over it, though sometimes, she still show some signs. Just appreciating God's gifts, she says. Yeah, right.

"And that's supposed to cheer me up?" Sakura retorted flatly. Ino nodded at her, eyes wide and innocent.

Hinata smiled at her friend's antics. "Well, we can take this opportunity to know them a bit more. Who knows, their proud image might just be some kind of facade to keep the real them hidden."

"Hinata, no offense, but I think you're only saying that either in defense for Neji since he's your cousin or because you like one of them."

Hinata's face flushed with embarrassment. "A-anou...eh...S-Sakura-chan..."

Ino laughed at their reddening friend. "Look, you stammering again! Ne, Hina-chan, he's really bad for you." Tenten and Sakura nodded, sniggering at Hinata's flustered face

Before anyone could say a word, Sai cut them off. "Shut up, you four. Our adviser's here."

She and the rest of her class suddenly got up and quickly arranged their chairs orderly and sat again, facing the blackboard in front.

"Yo."

Standing by the door was their silver-haired man proctor in his maroon collared polo and black necktie. He was smiling, (though she can't decide if it's because he was guilty for being late or he was just annoying the shit out of his class) as he walked inside the room and towards his desk and chair in front of the class. After a simultaneous mumbling of "he's late again," his students stood up from their seats in respect of their professor's arrival.

After a quick prayer, Mr. Hatake gestures for them to sit.

"As you know, introductions were made yesterday. But for those who weren't present, and please be advised that I'll collect your excuse letters after class," some of his students groaned. He smirked, "my name is Hatake Kakashi. I'll be this section's adviser for the whole year, and at the same time, your English Lit proctor."

Sakura was about to yawn from boredom, when Sai nudged her side with his elbow, preventing her breath to come out of her mouth and frustrating her. She shot him a glare that promises an earful later after class while he ignored her and resumed listening to their teacher. She just wants to yawn, goddamnit!

"Now, for the remaining 20 minutes of our Homeroom, I want you to arrange you chairs into four rows with two seats each column. We'll be having your seating arrangement."

tbc

Yep, that's it for now. I know there isn't much but I promise a Sasu-Saku convo on the next chappie. Just FYI, Sai is gay, though not the cross-dressing kind of gay. Coz I had a "sort of" gay friend back then, and a chatty one much like Ino.

Neway, thanks for your time reading this fic and reviews will be very much appreciated. God Bless…