Hiding behind a smile

Hiding behind a smile

Chapter 2- Who ever said guys can't be your friends?!

Tenten stared at the person in astonishment, her insides clenching up oddly.

A boy about her age had just stepped onto the bus. He had long brown hair tied in a small ponytail at the end and silver, pupil less eyes.

Oh, my god, Tenten thought nervously. He's..he's…gorgeous!!

"Uh, Tenten?" Sakura said confusedly, snapping her fingers in front of Tenten's face. Following her gaze, she caught sight of the boy. Seeing the dazed look on Tenten's face, she giggled.

"What's so funny?" Tenten said, snapping out of her trance. Sakura giggled again.

" You like Neji Hyuga, don't you?" she said, covering her mouth with one hand to hide her smile.

" Shhhhh!!" Tenten hissed glancing to see if Neji had heard. Sakura giggled again then whispered, "You DO, right? Love at first sight?"

Tenten hesitated a moment, then nodded her head slowly.

"He's looking at us!" Sakura squealed. Tenten turned her head quickly.

He was definently looking at them, an emotionless expression on his face. His gaze flicked between them, resting on Tenten for about three seconds before averting his eyes. He walked a few seats down and sat down four seats away from where Sakura and Tenten were seated. Tenten took a deep breath and released it slowly, closing her eyes.

Just relax...just relax...

Reopening her eyes, she glanced at Sakura, who was staring at Neji, a thoughtful expression on her pretty face.

"Hmmmmm," she said. She shook her head and turned to Tenten. "He's a tough one."

Tenten stared at her blankly. "A tough one? What do you mean...?"

"He's not really talkative, and he keeps mostly to himself," Sakura explained quietly. "VERY mysterious."

Tenten nodded her head slowly, her face now thoughtful. Suddenly the bus stopped, swinging open its doors to admit another student. A very handsome bow with dark blue hair and black eyes walked casually up the steps, followed by an older version of him, except with black hair, and much taller.

"Oh my GOD, oh my GOD!!" Sakura whispered excitedly. She turned to face Tenten, whispering to her, "You see the taller one?" Tenten nodded, listening closely. "That's Itachi Uchiha, and the other one is Sasuke Uchiha, his younger brother. They're, like, the HOTTEST guys in the school!! I have my eyes on Itachi. Don't EVER tell," she threatened in a low voice. Tenten put her hand over her heart.

"I promise!" she whispered. They both burst into loud giggles. The Uchiha brothers sauntered down the aisle, pausing in front of Sakura and Tenten.

"Hey, Sakura," said Itachi in his deep, (sexy, thought Sakura) voice.

"Hey, Itachi," Sakura replied calmly, betraying no hint that she liked him. She gave him a smile. The younger Uchiha looked at Tenten, his face impassive.

" I don't recognize you from around here," he said. "You new?"

"Uh-huh," Tenten replied cheerily. "I'm Tenten. Nice to meet you!"

"Sasuke," the young Uchiha replied, giving her a nod.

"Itachi," said the eldest Uchiha, inclining his head slightly.

Tenten gave them each a smile, then the brothers left to find a seat. The doors shut and the bus began to move again. Suddenly Tenten heard a voice from behind the bus shout, "WAIT FOR ME!!"

The bus driver sighed but smiled, hitting the brakes. The doors swung open, and in stepped a blonde haired boy with baby blue eyes. He was panting slightly.

"That's Naruto Uzumaki," Sakura said dully, groaning.

"What's so bad about him?" Tenten asked, watching Naruto glance around the bus. "I'm gonna go say hi to him." Without waiting for Sakura's reply, Tenten stood up and walked over to Naruto, who had chosen the front seat.

"Hi! I'm Tenten," Tenten said perkily, extending her hand. "I moved here a few weeks ago."

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki!," the boy called Naruto replied, shaking her hand. "Believe it!" Tenten smiled. She liked his attitude.

"You can sit here if you want to," Naruto said breezily, gesturing beside him.

"Okay!" Tenten said happily. "Just let me go tell Sakura..." She walked back to where Sakura was seated.

"Naruto invited me to sit with him," Tenten told her, shrugging. "Is that okay with you?"

Sakura shrugged. "Sure!" she replied. "I'll catch you around later, 'kay? Besides, Ino'll probably wanna sit with me anyway."

Tenten nodded, relieved that Sakura was such a good friend. Grabbing her bag, she walked back over to Naruto and sat down.

"Hold on a sec," Naruto said, standing on his knees in his seat. "Sasuke!! Get up here and sit with us!" Sasuke nodded, and with a single nod from his older brother, sauntered up the aisle, taking a seat behind them.

"This is-" Naruto began, but Tenten and Sasuke cut him off at the same time, saying in unison,"We've met already." Sasuke and Tenten stared at eachother a moment, then all three of them burst out laughing.

"Wait until you meet our other friends," Naruto said after they'd calmed down. "You'll love them. Their names are Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Shino, Kiba, and Gaara. Add me and Sasuke, and we're like, totally inseperable." Naruto looked at her worriedly. "You don't mind having all these GUY friends, do you?"

Tenten stared at him.

"Of course not!" she said, pretending to be offended. "At my old school, all of my friends were guys!!"

Naruto nodded in relief, smiling widely. Then something caught his attention.

"Oh!" Naruto exclaimed. "Speaking of Gaara and Kiba, here they come now..."

Tenten smiled. Today was turning out perfect!

Stay tuned for Chapter 3!! Reviews, people!! Advice, complaints..etc, etc. I'm all ears!! D