A New Semester
The sun shines brightly in the blue clear sky. It showers the city below with its heat. It's a sign of summer beginning to start along with a new semester.
There are new students excited to start highschool and there are current students who can't wait to continue their school life. Sadly, there is always a few who don't feel that way. One is living in an apartment complex on the third floor.
His alarm clock goes on at the right time he set it. 7:10. The siren noise travels through his apartment which has a kitchen connected with his living room. There is one bathroom and two bed rooms. The noise continues until the young man places his hand on the top of his clock. A click is heard turning off the alarm. He yawns and gets up from his bed. He walks toward his blinds and looks through them to see if it is really morning. His eyes are shadowed by his blond hair.
He dresses up in his uniform consists of a black blazer and white dress shirt underneath it. He is allowed to wear any type of pants so he picked his black ones. He leaves his room with his bed done. He heads to the kitchen and turns on his coffee maker. He opens the bag where his sliced bread is in and takes one out. He pours his coffee in a mug and begins to drink it then taking a bite of his bread. He smiles enjoying the mixture of the coffee and bread. His eyes shift to his bag that is on the couch.
He picks his bag up and walks out the door.
OOO
Naruto Uzumaki,
2nd year
Age: 16
Every morning since school began, he had to go through the same routine. He use to be annoyed by it, waking up early and remembering to eat before school. If he didnt, he would be grumpy all day. Surprisingly, his routine became a habit.
He leaves his apartment building and takes the route he always walks on, to school. Usually takes him about 10 minutes to get there. He is lucky that he found a place near his school or he had to take a bus or a taxi. Which means, his pocket will be less heavier than it already is. He turns his head to the sound of the bus passing by him with loads of students. That's also another good reason to walk to school. He didn't have to be squished to death. He can see the building now which means, the other walkers reveal themselves. His peaceful walk has ended now and chatter begins.
He tries to ignore their conversations but they get louder the more people that joins them. It isn't long until he is crowded by groups of chatter. He isn't too much of a talker himself, he's more on being in a relax and a soundless environment. Which highschool isn't.
He stands right in front of the school that has four floors. There is a fence out lining how much land the school has. Naruto didn't fully explore the school grounds to really know what there is. He just knows the entrance, his class and the cafeteria and yet knows more since his hears keeps absorbing the chatter around him.
Naruto enters the building and is met with a hallway full of students that are walking to class or talking in front of their locker. This is always a struggle. Getting pass them isn't to simple. He trained himself to pass even the tightest of gaps. He grips his back strap and starts to walk while shifting his eyes for possible entrances. He turns to the left and slips in between two people then to the right seeing a gap between two groups. When he feels like he won, he is met with a tough obstacle. A certain group that is consists of layers and layers of students. The popular group.
At the center of this huge group is the popular students who are admired and loved by the whole school. The four students who make up this group are, Neji, Sai, Sakura and Ino. Most of the chatter Naruto hears are all about them. Its creepy since the things he hears are random facts about them. An example would be, how Sai washes himself in the shower or how Neji braids his hair. Even the type of places Sakura and Ino go to.
Naruto spots a small opening that would lead him to his class. He walks through and turns into his class which has two exits and a window view of the outside track and field area. He walks to his seat which is at the back corner near the window. He places his bag at the side of his table and turns his head to the window. In all his time at this school, he made no friends or interacted with anyone except his teachers and guidance counselor. He didn't mind being alone. He likes solitude. Makes him think deeply about things. One would be that spending your time with others and talking about the same thing over and over won't take you anywhere.
He looks around his room and sees the rest of his class coming in. Some were still talking and others are on their mobile devices. When he sees them laugh or chatter about things like gaming or drama, he doesn't understand why they are. Its like there is no point in talking about that kind of stuff. He wonders if its the fact that he doesn't have friends or he's mature for his age. The teacher makes his entrance causing everyone to shut their mouth and take their seats.
Teacher: Irula
Class: A-1
"Alright everyone..seems like we have each other again" Iruka said with a smile. "I hope this semester we all excel and have a fun year together"
"Didn't he say something like this the first time" Naruto thought feeling deja vu. No matter, to him he feels nothing will be different from last year. His eyes shift to the students in his class. Some he knew from his last class but there is new faces. One being, Sakura who is seating on the last column on the 2nd row near the first exit. The pink haired girl with the big forehead. She has a fan base of boys. Cute, friendly and kind. That's what most of the chatter is all about. She is also athletic and the best friend of the popular girl in the school. Who is sitting right next to him. The other blonde in his class with the ponytail. Ino Yamanaka, nicknamed the queen of hearts. She catches the hearts of both girls and boys. Has the quality of a queen yet acts like a normal high schooler. Her presence alone can make anyone faint. Except for Naruto. Ino is actually the water to his fire. Being popular isn't in Naruto's interest. He does not want the attention.
"Well the introductions are over so let's begin this semester with a pop quiz!" Iruka said with excitement.
Most of the class didn't like the idea. Others didn't care thinking that its something simple or something they learned last year. Iruke began writing on the chalkboard with his long white chalk he is excited to use. It was a math problem.
2x^3-10[4(a+b^4)]
"I'm going to go easy on you guys…" Iruka tells them. "A refresher from last semester"
Sakura's mind went blank seeing the question. The long break she had from school really messed up her memory. She isn't sure what to do first. She takes out her note book and rewrites the question on it. Using whatever idea comes to mind about possibly solving this problem, she writes down. Which most of the students have been doing.
"Hmm..what was it...is it this way or this...ugh!...alright calm down Sakura" she thought and exhales. She stares at the question and does it in steps. "So i need to follow bedmas for this..so b are brackets...e..is..?..so d is division.." She writes.
2x^3-10[4a+b^4]
Sakura thinks she has the answer but feels like something is missing. She looks at her fellow students and notice some are still writing and others are done. She looks over her shoulder to see Ino. She wished they both sat next to each other but sadly not. Her eyes shift to the other blond who is actually sleeping on his desk with his head facing the window. "Delinquent alert...I hope he doesn't bother Ino" she thought and turns to the board.
"Ok!...so does anyone have the answer?" Iruka asked.
He sees some students raise their hands while others look away from his view. He has been a teacher for a while and gotten use to this. Even the sleeping Naruto. He spoke to him only a few times about participating more in class. None of his nagging worked. He shifts his eyes to Sakura Haruno who has her hand up.
"Sakura..do you have the answer?" He asked.
"Yes...its 2x^3-10[4a+b^4]" she answers.
"Close but incorrect….anyone else" Iruka said seeing Sakura frown.
"Me sir" Ino said with her hand up.
The instant she stands up, everyone eyes turned to her except for one pair. She reads off her notes she made.
"Its 2x^3+40a+4b^4" Ino answers.
"Hmm..a little closer but there is a similar issue in your answer along with Sakura that you two are forgetting" Iruka states.
Ino sits back down and looks at the question again. It's been sometime working on a math problem so it will take her awhile to remember everything she learned from last year. Still, she is irritated at herself for not getting it right. "What am I missing" she thought tapping the end of her pencil against her notebook.
Her eyes shift to the side of her, curious to see someone else's work but sees a sleeping student or so she thought. It is faint but she can hear a faint sound of lead rubbing against paper. Her attention moves after another student raised her hand.
"Sir, I have the answer!" Tenten said raising her hand high.
Tenten
2nd year
Age: 16
Class: A-1
"Go ahead...tell us your answer" Iruka tells her calmly.
"2x^3-40a-40b^4" Tenten answers with a smile.
"Thats correct...nice work" Iruka tells her with a smile. "Seems like someone remembered the distributive property"
"Thats right..can't believe I forgot that…" Ino said to herself feeling like an idiot forgetting something so simple to her.
She rested her head on her hand. She shifts her eyes to her left again and sees Naruto looking at the window, awake. She notices he had a notebook in front of him but his arm was in the way so she couldn't tell if anything is written on it. He looked unworried like the problem wasn't hard for him. Unless he didn't do it. Anyways, Ino wonders what will happen this year other than what she already knows.
A small smirk appears on her face and her eyes sparkle from the light coming through the window. She twirls her pencil with her fingers, can't wait for the class to end. She isn't sure what will happen but does know one thing that will change in her life.
The class officially begins and a lesson is taught.
OOO
The first bell rings, causing Iruka to cut his lesson. Lunch begins and the classroom is full of chatter. Groups are formed that are heading out to the cafeteria or to a spot on school grounds to eat. Sakura makes her way to Ino.
"Guess its lunch time...why dont we go to the cafeteria...the guys are waiting for us" Sakura tells Ino.
"Sure.." Ino said standing up. "its been awhile since we all talk together….the guys probably have some funny stories"
"Possibly" Sakura said shrugging her shoulders.
"Lets go but I'm going to take a little detour" Ino said walking past her to the second exit. Sakura follows with a confused expression.
"What detour?" she said.
The classroom became silent with only one student in it. Naruto still sits in the back. He wanted to be the last student out of the class so he didn't have to squeeze through people or get pulled into a random conversation.
Naruto rises from his seat and takes his bag. He walks out the second exit and looks at both sides of the hallway. There isn't many students, Naruto smiles at that and turns to his left. He begins walking down the hallway with an empty stomach.
He goes through a bridge with huge windows on either side of it viewing the lunch area below. Many of the students were at the tables enjoying their food and talking. Naruto kept on walking.
He enters another part of the building and sees stairs in front of him which leads to the last floor of the building. Before he steps one foot on the staircase, he notice the guidance counselor office. He pulls out his phone and views a message he recently received during class.
OOO
"All the paperwork is done" Anko said behind her desk.
"Thank you" Ino said, viewing the papers.
"I am surprised you decided to do something like this" Anko tells her folding her arms.
"Well, I've done a lot of thinking during the break…" Ino states, looking up. "And this idea just interested me…"
"Well, this idea of yours will go off with a hit since your in it" Anko said with a grin.
"Uhm.." Ino replies. "I want this idea of mine to be kept a secret from the student body"
"What?" Anko said confused.
Ino pulls the papers against her chest and breathes in. She puts on a smile and turns around. Anko didn't understand what is going on in her head.
"Don't worry...this will still go off with a hit...I plan on it" Ino said, opening the door and leaves the room.
She holds the paper close to her while she walks out. She can feel a warm breeze rub against her skin. She stops and turns to the left of her. She thought she saw something yellow at the corner of her eye but there isn't anything yellow in her view. Just the guidance counselors door.
"Uh, must be my imagination" Ino said to herself and feels her pocket buzz.
She pulls her phone out and smiles. She swipes to the left and puts the phone near her ear.
"We got approved...did you get everyone" Ino spoke in the phone. "...hmm...not yet uh, well we will figure it out when we all meet...you do remember where we meet right?"
Ino starts to walk still on her phone.
OOO
Anko raises her head noticing Naruto entering her room. She smiles that he followed her instructions. It may be some time since she last saw him but he still looks the same.
"Alright, I'm here….what was so important that you needed to text me?" Naruto asked her.
"Its about your future" Anko replies, leaning back on her chair. "Its in deep trouble if you don't listen to my words of wisdom"
"Olds hags would know some wisdom" Naruto mumbles looking at the ceiling.
In a flash, a stapler is through to Naruto's left cheek leaving a red mark on it. Naruto screams in pain and rubs his cheek with a glare at Anko acting innocent.
"Alright listen here boy…" Anko said placing her right forearm on her desk, with her eyebrow twitching a little not getting over his last comment. "You better change your attitude...or you won't be graduating"
"Wait what...what are you talking about?" Naruto said with a little panic in his expression.
"Seems like I got your attention now" Anko said with a slight smirk causing Naruto to growl at her a bit. "This is quite a special school you are in that has some requirements for the students in order for them to graduate….other than grades, its extracurricular activities….either a sports team or a club...they need to do one of the two in order to graduate...and knowing you from last year, you never thought of joining one have you"
"No, I didn't think it matter" Naruto tells her.
"Which is why..I called you here and told you this...you need to join a club or sports team" Anko said in a serious tone then giving him a sheet of paper. "There is a shortlist on it of available clubs….see which one you like"
Naruto takes the sheet and scans the paper. He didn't want to join a club. Anko can see that in his expression. If he were to join one, he has no choice but to interact with the club members about something off topic most of the time. Instead of focusing on the club. He can picture it now. The foolishness happening around him causing his brain to explode.
He shakes his head, getting rid of the thought. He looks at the listed clubs closely trying to figure out which one would have the least people and less interaction. "The gardening club..probably will do lots of movement...the manga club...lots of discussions...card club.."he thought and a picture of a red cover card appears in his head.
"You need to pick one until tomorrow.." Anko said, interrupting his thoughts.
"Hmm..do I have too" Naruto said, looking at her.
"Yes..come here again once you found something to join" Anko said turning her chair.
Naruto turns to the door and leaves the room.
OOO
Naruto slides the paper in his pants pocket and starts walking down the empty hallway. He didn't look happy. Just when he thought there wouldn't be anything to ruin his lonesomeness Anko had to slam him with this information. He begins walking the bridge and is able to view the lunch area through the windows next to him. He didn't pay much attention to the students down below but at the corner of his eye, the flash of yellow appears.
Outside, in one of the tables next to a fully grown tree that shadows the table, Ino and Sakura are seen sitting next to each other while Sai and Neji sat on the opposite side. The four gathered for lunch.
"Ino, where did you go?" Sakura asked curious why she didn't come with her to the lunch area together.
"Just had to take care of something" Ino states eating her bento.
"Hmm sounds interesting..what is it that you needed to take care of, if i may ask" Sai asked kindly.
"Time will tell" Ino tells him.
"Hmph...something changed in you hasn't it" Neji exclaims looking at her intently.
"Oh…" Ino said taking her last bite. "What has changed"
"Hmm..your more mysterious" Neji said crossing his arms.
"Maybe...let's just say the break I had gave me inspiration" Ino said with a wide smile.
"What kind?" Sakura asked surprised seeing a new side of Ino.
" .tell" Ino said hitting her lips with her index finger gently.
The bell rings telling everyone that lunch is over and class is about to begin in five minutes.
OOO
The day slowly ends. Entering the final lesson of the class. Naruto has been thinking about what Anko had told him. He hasn't stop tapping his finger on his desk. He didn't want to join anything but there is more to that. He knows it deep down but he keeps it hidden from himself. He stops tapping when he sees a group of students surrounding one other student. There is three tall guys who seem to be bullying the black haired teen.
"There is no reason to make friends if they only bring you down" Naruto thought shifting his eyes to the teacher. A picture of his younger self appears in his memory along with three other people. Their faces were shadowed.
"Well class, it's almost time for you all to go home" Iruka tells them. "So please review what we learned for tomorrow"
The final bell rings causing everyone to put their notebooks either in their bag or purses. Ino notice Naruto not doing anything but stare into space. She picks up her bag and her attentions moves when Sakura touches her shoulder.
"Wanna walk home together" Sakura asked her with a cheerful tone.
"Sorry, Sakura...I'm busy after school" Ino said with a small frown. "Raincheck?"
"Alright.." Sakura said in disappointment. "What are you doing after school?"
"Uhh...something you don't need to worry about" Ino said with a soft chuckle.
"Well alright then...see you tomorrow" Sakura said walking away from her.
Ino nods feeling a little sad that she couldn't walk with Sakura. They hardly spoke to each other during the break. Ino might need to make some time for her friends. However, right now there is somewhere she needs to be. She walks through the nearest exit.
When the final student left, Naruto leaves his seat and walks out. The halls were empty and quiet. Naruto likes this feeling. He can just close his eyes and not worry about bumping into someone. He just follows the memory of the hallway in his brain. He walks and walks only hearing footsteps echoing around him. Which he thought was only his but there is another set of footsteps.
He opens his eyes quickly after realizing he is falling after bumping into someone. He hears a small groan underneath him. Thankfully, he is quick enough to catch himself by having his arms stretched forward in a push up position. He notices the person he bumped into underneath him with a scared expression. It is a red haired girl unfamiliar to him. Her eyes were violet which caused him to blush a little seeing them shine. He admits that she's beautiful and stunning but how come he never seen her before. His thoughts get interrupted by her voice.
"Can you get off me?" she spoke in a low tone voice.
Naruto blinks rapidly realizing that he is still on top of her. He pushes himself off her with a huge blush. He can feel his heart beat fast. The girl sits up and looks at Naruto, with a normal expression showing no embarrassment or anger. Naruto would think she would be a little hostile toward him but she looks calm.
"Sorry for that, I didn't see where I was going" Naruto said bowing his head.
"Its alright, I wasn't paying to much attention myself" Sara said with a smile.
"No its mine.." Naruto said feeling nervous toward her.
It's been a long time since he ever talked to a girl his age that he didn't know how to act normal around them. However, what surprises him more is that how easy his wall he put up is easily broken. With one glance of her, that's all it takes for him to become one of the guys who get flustered when around a pretty girl. Naruto calms down his nerves and enters his normal state. He gets up and hears sound of paper crumpling. His eyes shift to the girl who picked up his paper from Anko that fell out of his pocket during the fall.
"You must be Naruto" she spoke reading the paper.
"Ya" he responds with a nod and sees her stand up.
"It says here you're looking for a club to join" She states with a smile.
"Hmm.." Naruto said looking away wondering what she is going with this. "Possibly"
"I might have a club in mind that is in need for a member" she said staring at him, deeply.
"Oh you do..well, thanks but-" Naruto said until getting pulled by the wrist by her.
"Actually its a new club...I promise you this will be a fun one to be in..oh and by the way" she said letting go of him and spins around to him.
Her long red hair gracefully moves. The sunlight passes through the window next to her causing her to shine a little. Naruto couldn't get his eyes off her. "Who is this girl!?" she thought frustrated but can't ask her name. Since, once you know their name thats the first step to friendship.
"My name is Sara..from class C-1" Sara said with a warm smile.
Sara
Age: 16
2nd year
Class: C-1
"Sara.." Naruto said softly. "Where are you taking me?"
"To the club room of course" Sara answers him and looks at the flights of stairs behind her. "Up those stairs is where our club room is"
"Those stairs...there hardly ever use...since it leads to the roof" Naruto thought already knowing where those stairs go since he has been going to the roof to eat his lunch. He isn't sure if there was ever a club room there once. Sara begins walking up the stairs and he follows.
Once they reach the top, there is a door exiting to the roof but there is also a dark hallway to the left of it. Naruto is surprised he didn't notice before. He looks up and notice the flickering light. Thinking back at it, he's usually focused on going to the roof than anywhere else.
"We need to fix that one day" Sara said noticing the light and walks through the dark hallway.
Naruto follows her and can feel a cool breeze. He notices a window at the end of it that is slightly open. His eyes shift to the door on his right and a sign that look like it was recently made with marker.
The Card Club
His eyes widen a little reading the name. He remember reading this club at the bottom of the list. However, he never knew that this club exist.
"You probably didn't know that this club was ever here..thats because its new this year" Sara tells him.
"Why?" Naruto asked.
"Why not ask the club leader...she can give you that answer" Sara said opening the door.
"She?.." he thought and gets a first glance of the room.
"I'm here...and found the last member by pure luck" Sara said in a cheerful tone. "Now we can move along with this club"
"That's great...Sara.." said the blond girl wiping the window. "Didn't really know how dusty this club room is but..since we have another pair of hands..we can finish cleaning quickly..so who did you find"
The blond turns around with her long hair wiping the air. Her eyes meets with Naruto's whose expression looks shocked. Her expression soon changes to that as well.
"His name is...Naruto" Sara answers her and looks at Naruto. "Don't think I have to introduce her to you...but, our leader is...Ino Yamanaka"
Ino
Age: 16
Class A-1
Naruto stands with his eyes locked on Ino. He never thought he would ever get into this situation. "The slacker" Ino thought. "the queen of hearts" Naruto thought.