The age old saying read between the lines wasn't helping her now. There were two pink lines staring her back in the face. She willed it to change. Ino rubbed her eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time. The pink lines still remained. This wasn't a fluke, she had three pregnancy tests to prove it. She was ready to scream, if her mother wasn't on the other side of the door, pounding.
"You've been in there for hours, my bladder is about to explode." hissed through the door. Ino definitely got her temper from her mother. Ino swung the door open, eyebrow raised in irritation. The pregnancy tests stuck uncomfortably in her bra. She wasn't ready to tell anyone, and she wouldn't have to. She knew a place to go. No shame or judgement attached. Not a soul in her prestigious village would know.
"What on earth were you doing in there?" Her mother questioned, lips pursed in a thin line. Ino also got her persistent nosiness from her.
"My mascara kept clumping." Ino answered with a roll of the eyes. Ino was the definition of a perfectionist. Her high ponytail never leaned on one side, her grades in school were superb, her milky skin was flawless, her stylish outfits were picked a night ahead to allow plenty of time in the morning for Ino to groom herself, she was never late, and she had a squeaky clean permanent record. She prided herself on her appearance, so her mother wouldn't question her excuse.
"I'm sure Sai will find you more attractive if you keep yourself natural. Men don't like women all made up you know." Her mother scolded. Ino noted the similarity to that of the advice her best friend gave her. Although Ino was beginning to think best friend wasn't the correct term to use anymore. He betrayed her when she was vulnerable. How could he be her best friend anymore?
Ino gave a grunt of acknowledgment and brushed past. Her mother was a classy woman and passed on all her ways to her daughter, in the most annoying way; a trait only the Yamanakas could get away with.
"I'm going out for awhile mom!" Ino called as she exited the house. Ino didn't care that she wore only black leggings and an oversized pale pink hoodie. Ino couldn't remember buying them. Her wardrobe was bright and artsy, how she described herself. Her usually bright pale hair seemed to dull with Ino's mood. Of course she knew she had a fifty-fifty shot of getting pregnant, so she should have expected the worst.
Ino refused to be a mother. She was only sixteen after all. Her baby would be better off with probably anyone else. But she couldn't let anyone know. The town she lived in was a small one, so gossip spread like wildfire. Ino would forever be stapled as a screw up. A village like hers would never accept her. She could forget about the social life she strived to build. Even the people she stepped on to get to the top would outcast her.
There were a few that would stand by her. Hinata would, probably in secret. Not because she cared about popularity at school, but because her family would never allow it. The Hyugas were the richest family in the town and made sure their title was known. Sakura was debatable, popularity blinded her in the past after all. Choji would gladly stay by her side. They were best friends since the were in diapers. He never took to her heart all the times she ditched him in favor of a party. Choji wasn't exactly popular among their peers. For reasons as superficial as appearances. He had the largest heart to match his appetite. Ino could never understand why Choji was so forgiving of her, she certainly would not forgive so easily if the roles were reversed.
Shikamaru was a different story. Yes he was her dearest friend, and yes he was always the first to stand up for her. There was no doubt he would be there for her. He always took care of his friends- Ino included. The question was if Ino wanted him to be there for her. Ino knew if anyone in their town could make a name for themselves, it would be him. He was the greatest success the village ever knew. His IQ was over 200 and he could master any talent. Ino forced him to try his hand at guitar, baseball, football, photography, and so much more; he was amazing at all of them. The problem was he hated any kind of work or commitment, if only he had ambition. If he ever knew he was going to be a father at sixteen, there was no chance of him achieving anything. Ino couldn't hold him back. So that's why he will never know.
Ino was dating Sai, and even though he wanted something more, Ino was hesitant. Ino had been crushing on Sai since sophomore year when he moved to town. He went to an all boys boarding school so the girl department wasn't his forte. Even so with much effort and time he agreed to a date. Now its junior year and Ino finally believes he's got the hang of romance. She knew when she was ready. Her body was hers and she wouldn't give it away that easily. Sai never pushed the subject too far. He never pushed anything at all. Ino wondered if he felt anything with her at all. Shikamaru makes sure to remind Ino of these concerns. It wasn't his business in the first place anyway!
You know he probably doesn't even know what love is.
Don't you think you deserve something better?
You're so naive Ino.
Sai's fine and all, but is he what you want, really?
He's not so special, he's not special at all.
When he breaks your heart, I'm going to say I told you so.
You're troublesome and emotional. He's emotionless.
Ino found all his constant remarks unnecessary and made sure he knew it. He never had a girlfriend so how on earth does he know how relationships work? Women are too troublesome to him. Everything is troublesome to him. All he does is sleep and whine. If he tried so hard to stay away from drama then why does he always stick his nose in other's personal business. Ino knew the reason. He cares about his friends above all else. He would never touch a pillow again if it would ensure their safety.
Ino figured out most of his complexity. He needs someone to protect, not like the princess in fairytales. In fact he would despise the princess he would have to rescue. His way of protecting is subtle. He makes sure to walk Ino home if it's dark. Ino knows he'd much rather be at home sleeping than walk an extra fifteen minutes. Still he does so even when she assures him she'll be fine.
"If I let you get yourself home alone and you were hurt by some drunk perverts I wouldn't forgive myself," Was his answer whenever she questioned his motives. He spoke with the same bored monotone as always. Of course Ino reminded him of how sheltered their neighborhood was so the chance of "drunk perverts" lurking around wasn't likely. He's a genius so he must know that, if so why does he bother?
Shikamaru isn't one to start a fight, but he makes sure no one wrongs one of his friends. If that means he has to throw a punch or two then he'll do it, but not without several complaints. While Ino could only count on one hand the amounts of fights Choji had gotten into, if that was the correct term for them. He couldn't harm a fly, usually. Ino could triple that amount for her lazy friend. Naturally he shrugged them off and would never count them as fights, troublesome business was his word. Finding out about those two pink lines would be considered troublesome business too.
The place Ino was heading off to was in the next door village. Ino hated to admit that she had failed her driving test twice already. It wasn't her fault Sakura called about a fashion disaster twice, it was Ino's job to fix these things. Ino's mother would never approve of Ino's decision. The idea to ask someone else for a ride was mortifying. She still had to walk to the bus stop and wait. Ino silently prayed no one would spot her. She was slumped forward with her head in her palms. She must've looked miserable. She did feel miserable so why bother hiding it?
The wait for the bus gave her nothing to do but think. Her mind raced with all the knowledge she learned in sex ed. If she had listened to the teacher back then she wouldn't be her problem now. They told her that once a woman gets pregnant they had three options; become a parent, adoption, or abortion. She already dismissed becoming a parent . Ino figured the easy way out was abortion. She was going to an abortion clinic after all. Still she couldn't shake the idea of killing it. But she wouldn't have a mess to clean up after.
Six weeks had gone by already, surely the baby's grown at least a little. Instinctively Ino touched her belly. Naturally there were no signs but Ino could sense it, maternal instinct likely. "Only mothers get maternal instinct. Great now I'm talking to myself." Ino hissed. Ino was so focused on pushing baby thoughts out of her mind that she didn't notice the blue Chevrolet park in front of her. She didn't notice it honking at her until about the fifth honk. Her head sprang up, sending her platinum bangs into her eyes. She made a mental note to fix her ponytail later. Her doll-like eyes landed on her chubby best friend. His eye brow was raised and his auburn eyes filled with concern.
"Something wrong?" He questioned. By then he had already stepped out of his prized vehicle. It was his sweet sixteen present that his entire family chipped in to pay for. As the only one out of their trio that could drive, the car was essentially split three ways. Shikamaru was too lazy to take the test and Ino had failed her last two attempts.
"Nope, nothing at all. Everything's great. Just great, absolutely fantastic!" Ino responded with fake enthusiasm, she knew the nervous laughter gave her away. Choji gave her a puzzled look before gesturing to the passenger side to get out. Shikamaru obliged silently. He stood their stoically, taking in her sloppy hair, drab clothing, and slumped stance. His dark eyes were unreadable until they focused onto his shoes where Ino couldn't see them.
"I didn't know you owned something so...gloomy."he finally said, his monotone heavy. Ino rolled her eyes at his remark. The silence hung in the air until the sound of a car door opening alerted her. Shikamaru was holding the back door open for her with an expression of get in and man your troublesome. Choji seemed to know what his lazy friend was thinking and returned to the driver's seat. Ino could see the patience draining out of Shikamaru as his foot began to tap. With an appreciative smile Ino entered the Chevrolet. Shikamaru closed the door and appeared next to Choji.
"Is your seatbelt on Ino?" Choji questioned. "Yes captain." Ino mocked with a salute even though her friends couldn't see it. Choji turned and frowned at his less prepared friend.
"It's not like we'll get in an accident anyway since you go ten miles an hour." Shikamaru huffed with his arms crossed. "I'm not driving this car until your seatbelt is on." Choji declared. Ino could see both of them smirking at each other through their fake stare off.
"You do know we can't stay parked in front of a bus stop right?" Ino chirped in. She felt better with her two boys, maybe she could put off her plan for the day. There wasn't anything that made her happier than spending time with them. She never got old of Shikamaru's witty commentary or of Choji's exaggerated stories. Still she couldn't help but feel insecure with them sometimes. She never understood why they put up with her antics and her unreliableness at times. They were always there for her, but it was like she was never needed by them. Sure she'd given a black eye or two before because someone insulted Choji's weight. Yes she made Shikamaru's lunch everyday because he was too lazy to pack it. But compare those to all the times Ino poured her heart out on the phone at midnight to Choji or when Shikamaru took on Sasuke Uchiha, star of every single athletic team, because he called her a tease. She was just an extra burden to them, not someone to count on. And if her two best friends couldn't count on her, then how could a baby?
"So what's got you so down today?" Shikamaru questioned. Ino didn't realize they had started driving and had reached their destination, the cinema. It was their signature hot-spot other than the BBQ place at the edge of town.
"Just thinking." She shrugged in response. She blew her bangs out of her pale eyes and strode towards the building. "You know walking alone in a parking lot is one of the leading causes of kidnapping!" Shikamaru called after her. She turned around with her hands planted on her hips, "Why do you always resort back to worst case scenarios?" She questioned.
"Just want you to be aware of these things." He smirked and Choji nodded in agreement. Ino flipped her ponytail and continued towards the building. "What movie are we seeing?" She called back, not waiting for them to match her quick pace.
"Well we were going to pick you up earlier to go see Hocky Horror Picture Show again since you had so much fun last time. The theatre was insane though." Choji replied happily.
"What's the point of having the movie if people intentionally talk over it?" Shikamaru asked.
"It's the funny part about it. The movie itself sucks, it's the experience that everyone goes for. Like listening to Damnit Janet is boring normaly but when everyone calls out 'lets go screw' instead of I love you, the experience is much more entertaining." Ino explained. She loved going to rerun showings of the cult favorite, but dragging along her clueless boys was so much more fun than going alone. Still Ino couldn't help but realize she always made them do things for her. She should do more things for them and she was determined to see this new goal through.
"But, we really don't have to see it. I know you guys would prefer not to. We have plenty of movies at our houses and that way we wouldn't have to spend any money." Ino offered as her fingertips touched the door handle.
"Besides what's the point of buying three tickets for a movie only one person wants to watch." She continued and withdrew her hand.
"We could squeeze in three movies, one for each of us." Choji added taking in the idea. He enjoyed the idea of anything free after all.
"I'm in." Their lazy friend piped in from behind them. Choji and Ino turned towards their friend eagerly, glad he was on board. Ino looped her arms through their's and led them to the car.
"I have the most movies." Choji concluded and that was how it was decided they would go to his house. Ino couldn't remember being in his house since freshman year, usually they hung out around town or at Shikamaru's. It was a very loving environment. Choji's dad stepped up as a father figure to both Ino and Shikamaru after their fathers passed away. They were police partners that did everything together, even die. Choji's mom always had the best sweets for Ino whenever she did come to their home. Choji's mom was out shopping while his dad was working at their diner downtown.
"We can all pick a movie to watch." Choji explained as he led them to the movie cabinet. It was full with every genre of movie. Choji had already chosen his film, Anchorman. Comedies were is favorite movie type and Will Ferrel was one of his favorite actors, making the movie one of his favorites. Shikamaru grabbed his movie quickly, Friday the 13th. Deep down he was a horror movie junkie. Choji frowned at the choice, he didn't enjoy horror films.
"Do you watch any other movies except horrors?" He questioned.
"I watch plenty of types, I only enjoy horrors." The pineapple head shrugged in reply. Ino realized it was her turn. Naturally she'd pick her all time favorite The Notebook, the story and Ryan Gosling made her swoon. Choji and Shikamaru both bought their own copies of the film for when she hung over with them. She remembered to be kinder so instead she searched through the titles. She wanted both of them to be happy with her choice. But comedy and horror don't usually go together. Her ice blue eyes scanned the cabinet again until she found the film she needed. Ino plucked it off the row it was in and placed it with the others.
"Scream?" Both boys asked in unison.
"Yep, it's the perfect horror classic but it's humor makes it stand out." Ino explained with a triumphant grin. Sure she movie wasn't her type, but it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. She took her seat in the middle of the sofa and crossed one leg over the other. Both her friends shot her skeptical looks but said nothing. Choji placed his movie in first.
"It's not movie night without popcorn." Choji announced and headed towards his large kitchen. Shikamaru took a seat beside lno and stretched his arm over the couch behind her. Ino bit her bottom lip nervously hoping for Choji to return. She didn't want to be left alone with him again. He bent his head so their foreheads touched and whispered,"what's wrong?" so softly Ino wasn 't sure if he had actually said it or if she imagined it. Ino shut her eyes and shook her head before pulling away. She couldn't tell him now, not until she knew was between those two pink lines.