T h e P e n T a l k
B a n d i t - W i t h - A - B r o o m
P A R T 1
I L i k e M y C o f f e e B l a c k
Summary: This school is more like a funny farm, a loony bin! I thought I was coming here to avoid prison; this place is the exact replica. Now I'm stuck in a hell with group counseling and a really hot cellmate! AU SasuNaru
' If you're missing
I will run away
I will build a path to you
If you're missing
I will run away
Because I find myself in you… '
You ask me if this is where I thought I would end up when I was 14. I smile, and answer no. I want to say that I thought I'd end up in junior high with loving parents and good grades, a social life and a girlfriend. But I don't. You smile and push a piece of hair behind your ear. You do that when you're trying to control your temper. Your shoulders quiver under your judge robe. I find this hilarious. I must have really made you mad. You ask me if I'm paying attention. I shake my head. I hardly even noticed you were talking to me! Your smile threatens to fall at my comment. Oh well, I'm not here to make you happy. You can stop reading me my rights now, I understand.
Oh, what's this you say? Iruka? Huh? Who's he? I guess I should have been paying attention. You repeat yourself. Oh. A foster father. I guess I can handle that. You keep talking as I stare at my worn-out converse shoes. I need a new pair, these won't last that much longer. Maybe Iruka will get me some. He sounds nice. You stop talking and I look up. Is that him? That scar makes him look weird, but his eyes are nice. Warm. I think I won't mind being his foster son. If he doesn't mind being my foster dad, that is. Pretty soon we're walking out the door together. He smiled and introduces himself fully on the way out. I smile a small, quiet smile. Iruka ruffles my spiky blonde hair and says we'll be great friends. For once, I believe him.
I like this new foster father. I can adapt to this. I slip my portable CD player out of my black Fox hoodie, and attach the headphones to my ears. Iruka says nothing on our way to… I forgot to ask where exactly we're going. But that's okay. I manage two whole songs before I notice the car stopping. We're parked out in front of the mall. I turn to 'dad.' Why are we here? A smile slips onto his face. We're going to buy me some new clothes. Wow, he's generous. But I'm still confused… Didn't they just ship my old stuff to your house? I find myself asking. Boarding school? Why? I thought I'd be living with you! Iruka frowns. Hmm… Boarding school or prison. Iruka tells me that they were the only options. While I'm at this Kurohoshii Boarding School for Troublesome Boys, he'll still be my legal guardian, though.
Troublesome boys? I'm not troublesome. I'm just…odd. I guess it's better than having a cellmate and eating gruel for dinner. Iruka makes this place out to be nice. For once, I listen to him intently. I have a roommate? Who? Sasuke Uchiha? What a weird name. That's all they'd tell you? Stingy bastards. Iruka shrugs sheepishly but keeps smiling. I wish I could smile all the time. But I think that switch farted out a long time ago when I hit puberty. And seventeen is such a typical age to go through phases. How do I know that my actions weren't just part of one of those phases? If they were, then this is one hell of a phase. Maybe next year I'll turn old school and go streaking in the neighborhood at two in the morning.
I guess I'll just meet… Oh, what's his name again? Sasuke Uchiha, Iruka tells me. We're already up and walking into the mall. I ask for a pen. Iruka hands me a blue one. I have such a bad memory. Maybe I'm older than I look. Heh. I scribble the name down on my hand. Wow, I've really gotten tan. And my palms are really rough. No girl would ever want to hold my hand. Not only am I short and scrawny, I've got hands like sandpaper. I must have drowned in the shallow end of the gene pool. I'd probably drown in any pool. Even with floaties. Where was I again?
I ask Iruka if we can go into Hot Topic. He smiles and nods his head. I guess I don't really mind his presence. It feels a tad bit like I'm being baby-sat though.
We walk into the store. I immediately spot a couple of things that I like. Unlike other guys, I have a superb fashion sense. But you would never catch me saying that out loud. I turn to Iruka. Is there a price range? He shakes his head. Wow. This guy really is generous. I smile my small smile again, because I'm afraid that anything larger will hurt my split lip. I think he understands. I grab a couple T-shirts, mostly orange, black, and red; a white wife-beater; and two pairs of black jeans.
Iruka tells me that these will be my free-time clothes. I guess he understands my confused look. He explains. During the day, I have three classes and one period for group counseling. Gee, sounds fun. Breakfast is at eight o'clock, and then I have a class until lunch, which is at 12:05 sharp. After that I have a class at 1:10; another at 4:10; then, at last, my counseling period at 7:10. Dinner is served in the cafeteria at 8, and it is mandatory, except on weekends. On weekends, I have the choice of whether I'd like cup noodles in my room, or nasty cafeteria food. How lovely. I can do whatever I want between these classes, and classes are only four days a week. The rest is free time. Curfew is at ten o'clock, which sucks. I can understand it though, with a bunch psycho kids running around. Someone has to keep them in line and out of trouble. But for basically most of the day, it's a uniform for me.
I nod when he's done explaining, it seems like the right thing to do. I ask when I leave. Might as well get it over with, right? Iruka lets out a low, "Tomorrow." I blink. That quickly? I shrug as Iruka pays for my clothes. I say thank you, but I don't know if he hears me or not. What about the uniform? Oh, he has it at his house. Now I can only pray that it isn't green. And spandex. I had a friend named Lee once who wore a uniform like that. But it was for the gymnastics team, after all. That kid was weird, but nice… I can't image how ironic would be if I saw him at this school for troublesome boys. Nah… Lee was a good kid, from what I remember about him. I doubt any of my 'friends' will be there. Ever since mom and dad were murdered, I haven't had much time to make friends. Always on the run. I clench my fist. Iruka notices.
What's wrong, he asks. Everything, I want to say. But I don't. And that's my problem, I suppose. I'm always pursing my lips and narrating myself, as if what I do is important. Like every action counts. Ever since I was little, I've written this big long story inside of my head. I blink at my thoughts. Well this feels weird. Thinking about my thinking? I know there's a word for that. Heh. Maybe someday, when I grow old, I'll do a data dump. Record everything into a book and give it to the one I love. Ah, Ned Vizzini is a genius. There I go again. I lose track easily. Maybe if I quit writing this book, I can quit listening to myself. I don't exactly have the best ideas. This is probably why I ended up in a courtroom anyway.
I'm surprised. This is a little bit deep, even for me. Iruka is walking slowly to the car again, probably so I can catch up. When I get deep, I get slow, too. I quicken my pace and reach the car before Iruka does anyway. I wish I could tell this to someone. Everything that I'm thinking right now. I wish I could tell someone, anyone. Let all of these thoughts go. I read in a book once that talking to a friend should be like thinking aloud. Maybe at this school, maybe I'll meet someone like that. Someone who will care that I watch the cooking channel on a stolen TV, even though I can't cook at all, or how I love the rain. Maybe it's better this way. After all, before I could hardly afford rent anyway. The only things I could pay for were those instant cups of ramen noodles. But they were pretty damn good, anyhow.
Oh shoot, we're already here and I didn't have anytime to listen to my headphones. It's a nice looking two-story house, with red brick and blue shutters. It's not tacky, but homey. I wonder if Iruka lives alone. We walk in, with me carrying two bags of clothes. The inside is nice, beige walls and deep blue carpeting and I think I see some tile in the bathroom on my right, and the kitchen in front of me. I haven't been in a place this warm since I was child. My apartment's heater was always broken, anyway. I sigh. I wish I could stay here. Have a dad, be a part of a real family. Iruka brings me into a room with the walls painted a light blue with the same deep blue carpeting, and white woodwork on the edges and door. There's an oak desk that looks like its seen better days, a comfy looking bed and a dresser full of drawers with a mirror.
Iruka tells me that this will be my room for tonight. He walks over to the bed and reaches under, pulling out a very large suitcase. He then walks over to the dresser and opens the top drawer on the right, pulling out my uniform and some other stuff. The uniform's black, a good color on me. You can put your clothes, uniform, and other stuff that they sent over in here. If there's anything that you don't have, just tell me, he says. I smile again, and say thank you. This time he hears me. He smiles back and leaves the room, closing the door behind him. I put my clothes, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush, gel, deodorant, pajamas, underwear, and everything else in the suitcase. I take off my clothes, and slip on the uniform. I move to stand in front of the full-length mirror in the corner of the room.
How…boring. A traditional white button-up long-sleeved shirt under a black blazer with a black tie. I smirk and walk to the suitcase. I pull out my orange tie and exchange it with the black one. There, perfect. Simple black slacks and black combat boots look good on me. I think this uniform suits me. I remove it, and I'm glad it fits. I throw my normal clothes back on, and dig into the warmth of my hoodie. I wish I didn't have to leave tomorrow. I glance at my watch. It's already ten thirty. Good thing I ate before I had my court meeting. I sit on the bed. It's comfier than it looks. I pull out my worn headphones and slide them on, the peaceful music of Dashboard Confessional humming in my ears. I close my eyes.
T h e P e n T a l k
P A R T 1
I L i k e M y C o f f e e B l a c k
I grimace as warm sunlight pours into my eyes from the window. I roll over. Oh, I left my clothes on. Like I said, I have a bad memory. I must have forgotten to put my pajamas on. Silly Naruto. I run my hand through my messy blonde hair. I need to take a shower. I hope Iruka doesn't mind, I mutter to myself. The door opens to my room as I jump at Iruka's voice. You won't mind? Thanks! I really need a shower. I get up and follow Iruka to the bathroom. He shows me to the towels and everything. He smiles at me before closing the door. Oh yeah. I'm leaving today.
I turn on the shower and wait for the water to warm up. I take off my clothes and shower quickly, scrubbing strawberry shampoo into my scalp. I dry off and put on the clothes I brought with me. Not the nicest ones, but I'll be okay. I look down. A tight black Nirvana shirt and ripped jeans. I rub my hair dry. I smirk. My hair is awesome like that. All I have to do is towel it and it looks perfect. I grin at myself in the mirror, my black eye and split lip haven't healed yet, but I look good. I mutter a 'Hey Foxy,' as I leave the bathroom. What time is it? I meander back to my own room. Do we have a time limit to be at the school? Do I have any orientation? Probably not, since the school year's already started… Ugh. Iruka said that the school was a high school type of thing, except that it doesn't hold freshmen or sophomore. I guess they only supply counseling for those who are almost out of their hair.
Iruka comes into the room, bright and cheery. I wonder how old he is. But it'd be impolite to ask. But I'm Naruto Uzumaki, the King of Impoliteness. Iruka, how old are you? Wow, you're only 22! That surprises me. I mean, he doesn't look old or anything, but he just has an air of maturity. Must come from his job, being a schoolteacher and all. You've gotta have guts to have a job like that. I'm seventeen and a junior this year…He must have been in school early or something. I don't know. Now I'm confusing myself. Oh, Iruka is talking again… Ready? Me? Hell yeah! I was born ready, Iruka.
This may seem kind of weird, but I have an odd love for long car rides. I just love sitting there, staring out the window and seeing things I've never seen before and hearing the music in my headphones. It just gives me a sense of security, you know? Before mom and dad were murdered, they used to tell me stories about when I was a baby. Whenever I was having a tantrum or spazzed out, one of them would take me on a car ride until I calmed down. Maybe it's a psychological thing. Whoops! Wow, this is it? This is Kurohoshii Boarding School for Troublesome Boys? It almost looks… normal.
Iruka offers to walk me in, but I smile my small smile and shake my head. All the paper work is filled out and I've caused this guy enough trouble. He writes his phone number on a post-it and hands it to me. I look up at him. If you ever need money or anything, he says. I say thank you. He really is a good guy. Even though I've only known him for a day or so, he's a good father figure. I'm lucky. Iruka gets into his car and pulls out of the parking lot, and he waves. I wave back. Now what? Right! I turn toward the front building and walk up the many steps. I open a door, and smack dab, there's the office. Opening the glass door gently and quietly, a secretary spots me. Oh my god, Becky, LOOK at her butt. Well, not really. But man, is this lady ugly! I want to tell her to get plastic surgery. But I don't.
I nearly snicker at her as she gives me the blandest glare I have ever seen. Name? Naruto Uzumaki. I'm here to get my schedule and dorm number. It's a Saturday, so I guess everyone has free day. They must all be out or in their dorms. I didn't see anyone in the hallway. The lady gives me an ugly stare and hands me a sheet of paper, a key, and a post-it with a number on it. I wonder if I should ask her for the directions to dorm…#307. But I don't. That lady already looks like she's got enough problems on her face. I mean hands.
So I'm left to wander around the entire building on my own. With no clue whatsoever as to where my dorm is. So, I'm stalling. I walk around the entire school, checking out each classroom to match my schedule. But first, the Cafeteria! Damn. It's not very big. Probably because only two grades are held here… Oh well, onto my first classroom. Class one covers English and Literature. Number two covers Algebra, Calculus, Science, and Biology. Class number three educates me on History, Health, and Family Living. I frown. Family Living? What in the seven! I wonder if someone forgot to mention that this is an all-boys school. Ohhh. I notice the note printed neatly at the bottom of my schedule. It says… All boys with Class 3-H, Family Living, will take this course with one of the female volunteers from the public school Kurohoshii Public High school across the road. Oh well, that works.
Okay, so I'm ready to check 6-N, my maths and sciences classroom. I move slowly down the corridor, counting the number next to each room. 12-N, 8-N, 3-N… I backtrack. There! Classroom 6-N with Miss Kurenai. I then notice that most teachers here are called by their first names… That's cool. Even the counselor is called by his first name. I'm still looking at my schedule as I open the door to the large room. The room is humongous, split into two different areas. One side has normal desks and a chalkboard, the other has vials everywhere and lab tables. I yelp as a vial breaks across the room. Then I see you. Were you the one who broke that? You nod. Why? Oh, I'm sorry I startled you. Wow, you're really pale. I stroll over to where you are. I like your green eyes, I say. You turn almost the same color as you're your hair. I laugh lightly, smiling big despite my split lip.
I'm new here, I say. My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I'm here because I… I bite my lip. I want to tell you, because you look nice and threatening and open. But I don't. You might think that I'm weird. Gaara. Gaara? I like that name. It suits you. You don't smile, but your eyes glow a little. Need some help, you ask. I nod. I need to find dorm number 307, is all that I say. You nod…I guess I should say Gaara now that I know your name. Gaara nods firmly and gets up from his desk. What he was toying with in the bio part of the room, I'll never know. Gaara walks slow for me, waiting for me to stop daydreaming and climb the stairs. The sounds of my combat boots hitting each step are the only sounds in the hallway. Gaara stops at a door that isn't marked three zero seven, but instead one twenty six. Is my face that easy to read? You sense confusion.
This is my dorm, you say. I want you to come here sometime. You and I will be close, Gaara says firmly. I nod. You're a little odd, aren't you? I can't keep myself from asking. One thing about Naruto Uzumaki is that he can never keep his big mouth shut. Gaara smirks at me, leading me up another set of steps, then another. We finally reach the three hundreds, and Gaara takes me to a black door. The only black door of all of the dorms, he says. He smirks a tiny smirk. I tell him my thanks and wave. He wanders off. Oh! I forgot that I have a roommate. Heh. I wonder… Is he here right now? Or is he gone… I put my ear to the Black Door, which requires capital letters (in my opinion), and listen. Hm. I don't hear anything at all. But these doors are awfully thick.
I put my sandpaper hand on the doorknob, and put my key in it, twisting it. It's still locked! I should have known that stupid lady would give me a faulty key. I growl low to myself. How do I get in now! …I must have gotten even more stupid on the walk up here. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, Lock Pick of the Century. There's no lock that I can't break into. Gee, I must be getting pretty old if I can't even recall my own mad skills. I cackle loudly to myself, searching the pockets of my open camo jacket for my 'supplies.' I grab the tiny utensil. I crouch down to eye-level with the evil knob. This takes careful concentration… I jam the stick into the lock ungracefully. I don't have the time for concentration.
I listen for the click. Aha! Finally, something goes right. I pick up my suitcase that I laid by the door, and turn the knob. WOAH! Is that my roommate! Sasuke Uchibutt! Now THAT is an eyeful. Oh my god, oh my god…Now that is an image I can appreciate. Pale skin, dark hair and eyes, and water dripping off him as he holds the towel around his waist. Holy shi-at. Well, well, well, this complicates things. I'm stuck in a boarding school that resembles hell and my cellmate is a pretty boy. And DAMN, believe me when I say pretty. 'Pretty?' Sasuke asks. I blink. OOPS. 'I did NOT just say that out loud,' I whisper out meekly. Why is my throat closing up! I can't breathe! 'I think you did…,' the hot boy taunts. Smug bastard.
I look up at him, seemingly lost in those dark eyes… They hold superior amusement and somehow… What the hell? He's pointing to my face. What! I puff out irritably. He just smirks wider, and points again. What are you pointing at! Oh. OH. I'm having a nosebleed.
Well, at least I didn't faint this time.
Strike that thought.
And the floor (Such a kind and thoughtful floor!) rises up to meet me on my way down.
Authors Note: Just trying something new. I'll continue if I get at least 10 reviews this month. Or at least until February. Hell, even if I don't, I'll probably continue. I wanted to try out a new type of writing. Does it suck? I thought it'd be a cool plot. Naruto goes to a delinquent school to avoid jail and his roommate's a sourpuss and a hottie. (shrugs) You'll find out what everyone did soon. I tried my hand at doing present tense. I might go back and forth on every other chapter with present tense and narrators POV. I don't know. Please read and review! I love you all!