((A/N: This is also supposed to be a message to someone who I hope will read this. If they think about it a bit, they will know who they are. Btw, some details are a bit exaggerated, and/or didn't happen in my situation. This is just something similar to my problem.))

Note: This is an American-Style High School and setting.

Once upon a time, there was a little high school called Konoha. In this high school, there were many teenagers. They fought with each other, laughed with each other, and defended each other from other schools. These students were well known through out their country as the best students when it comes to team work and effort. They were proud of that title, certainly. However, this story brings to light a time when team work was not applied. When one member was singled out, and how he coped with it.

It all started in November. Leaves were falling from trees, and it was chilly out. Naruto pulled his brown jacket over his bright orange jump suit, and bounded out the door. He had a large grin plastered on his face, and a good mood anyone could detect. He had done something that had been unprecedented for him. He was very excited to share it with his best mates, because he knew they'd be surprised.

"Sakura! Sasuke!" Upon seeing his two best friends (and lab partners in biology. Well, all the classes they had together) he shouted their names loudly. He waved at them as they made eye contact. His grin somehow grew wider as he watched them walk over to him.

"What is it now, Naruto," Sasuke sighed, putting his head in his hand. He always acted like he was so tired of Naruto. Well, this was mostly because Naruto called Sasuke over for a lot of stupid things. Like his 'amazing karate technique' which was just him kicking a board that didn't even break. So, yeah, Naruto understood why Sasuke would not be the most eager to hear whatever he had to say. But this time, he'd make Sasuke proud.

"I wrote all of my report for English!" he announced proudly, beaming at Sasuke and the pinkette clinging to his arm. Naruto's smile didn't falter when he saw his friends' astonished faces. They probably needed time to adjust to what he was saying. His face DID fall, however, at Sasuke's comment.

"Really?" he said, voice filled with skepticism. Naruto tried to brush it off, even though it hurt that his hard work was being questioned. Sasuke just needed time to adjust, that was all. Then came Sakura's comment.

"What?! Naruto did work?! I can't believe it! You're too lazy to do that sort of thing!" Now, that stung. He took a deep breath and stuck his smile back on his face. He rummaged through his bag and handed the papers to Sasuke.

"I did do it! All of it, see?" he said, choosing not to get angry at their doubts. Here he was, proving them all wrong. He wasn't a screw up, or an idiot. As soon as they read this, they'd admit he knew what he was doing.

Unfortunately, he didn't get what he expected from his two best friends. The looked it over, and Sakura seemed to be slightly impressed at certain bits, but it was mostly just silence.

"Well, good job," Sakura said, handing it back to him. "It's great to know you'll have one A on your report card this year," she said cheerfully.

"One?! What do you mean, Sakura?" he asked, surprised. "I'm gonna keep doing this!"

Suddenly, they burst into laughter. They were laughing at him. Because he was planning on actually doing work the entire school year. They didn't believe him. They thought he'd give up. No, he wouldn't. He wouldn't give up, he'd show both of them he could be as smart as they were!

"I'll show you!" he shouted, running off. Behind him, his friends glanced at each other. What was up with him today?

This continued for the next couple of months. He'd show them his completed work, and he'd just get surprised responses, and being told that he wouldn't be able to live up to his promise. Naruto was infuriated. Why weren't they saying it was good?! Was it really that sloppy? Or was it that they really thought that low of him? He poured his heart and soul into his work, even though he didn't enjoy it. And for what? To impress them! He did it for them, and they didn't actually care.

Sometimes, when he was alone and Sakura had been particularly brutal, he would cry about it. He locked the door and hid in his room for a couple hours. He slowly to calmed down, taking deep breaths and wiping away his tears. He was going to be the principal of Konoha. He couldn't waste his time crying.

True to his word, Naruto continued doing his work, even though it was difficult, and sometimes things were turned in a little late. He tried his best, and kept showing it to Sakura and Sasuke. Of course, always getting negativity in return for his hard work.

Then one day, he woke up and thought to himself 'Why even bother?' He didn't go to school, because Sasuke would tease him for not having his work done. Sakura would brag about how she always knew he'd fuck up. He wasn't prepared to face them.

He stayed in his room all day, until sometime after school, when his homeroom teacher came into check up on him. Iruka had been worried about him, and was upset that Naruto chose to cope with his feelings by shutting himself in his room.

Eventually, Iruka left Naruto to his own devices and went to go grade papers. About an hour later, Sasuke and Sakura showed up, full of questions.

They acted so innocent. They were the cause of all of this, and didn't even know it. He just blew up at them. He yelled all of his frustration out at them, even though he didn't mean to. It just came tumbling out.

He yelled at Stupid Sasuke for saying he wasn't good enough, and Stupid Sakura for saying he wouldn't keep to his word. He yelled until hr couldn't yell anymore, staring at their shocked faces. He didn't even wait for their responses, he just stormed out. He was done.

He always had to please everyone else.

He was the one who had to take shit for all his hard work.

He was the on who never got praise, no matter how hard he worked for it.

So he was just done. He gave up, threw the whole situation away.

They wanted him to give up? That's what they expected of him? Fine. He'd give that to them.