2016 Update: I'm reviewing this chapter and editing some things to make it work with the overall storyline and plot. Enjoy.
(7:00 pm)
I grab a scarf as well as a sweater, then wrap myself up within their soft material. I ask Kiba if he is ready to head out into the chilly night air. He nods, so I unlock the door and we head on out. Akamaru pads up to me and snuggles his head into my side, and in response I pet his white fur. "Ya ready, Akamaru?" Kiba asks. The dog barks in response and we take our late night stroll.
We walk the dark streets for a few silent minutes. Unlike most people, I don't mind the silence, but Kiba is not that way. He clears his throat and puts his hands in his pockets, and I tense up slightly. Knowing how he normally reacts to Naruto Uzumaki makes me shiver and I start to rub my arms.
"So, uhm..why did you want to go on a walk tonight, Kiba?" I turn slightly to look at his face. His brown, shaggy hair is even messier than usual, and I can't help but feel like he isn't taking care of himself. His wild eyes also look a little more tired than they normally do. At my words, though, his eyes light up with excitement.
"Oh, right! I wanted you to know that I Hana and Shino are engaged! I don't know how our bug freak of a friend got with my sister, but she's crazy for him. And of course I'll be the best man." His cheeky smile makes me smile, too. "That's great, Kiba. Tell her I'm happy for her." He nods in acknowledgement of my words.
"I haven't seen Shino in awhile, myself. But Hana sure has." He smirks to himself. I clear my throat and look down the street. "I haven't seen him since high school. Even though we graduated in May, it feels like a long time ago..." My mind rushes back to the night of graduation.
"Hyuuga Hinata!" My blood rushes to my face as I take the stage and walk to receive my diploma. I make eye contact with our school principal, and give him a small smile as I shake his wrinkly hand. As I grab my diploma, we turn to a photographer and take a quick photograph, then I continue off the stage.
Once seated again, I stare blankly at the other graduating seniors who come across the stage. Their faces start to blur as I realize I am tearing up. I sniffle, then see a tissue in front of my face. I look to the person handing it to me to see none other than Sakura Haruno, the class valedictorian. Also the girl who I have been jealous of my whole entire life.
She gives me an encouraging smile and I hesitantly take the tissue from her small hands. Her green eyes are slightly puffy from what I assume are her own tears, and I realize that even she must have personal problems. "Thank you, Sakura-san." I murmur. She nods and gives me another smile. "My boyfriend has lost his parents, too. I know it's must be hard not having her here today, Hinata."
I nod, knowing that I could never relay the tight feeling inside of my chest today. The feeling of my mother never seeing my graduation, of never seeing me succeed. I wipe the tears from my eyes and look back up to the stage in time to see my best friend grabbing tightly onto his own diploma. I chuckle lightly at Kiba's untamable spirit.
A few minutes later, I hear the U section start to be called. My heart starts to beat faster and soon I am watching my crush and old friend, Naruto Uzumaki, high five the principal and strike a victory pose. The cameraman quickly captures the moment, and then Naruto is rushed off the stage.
"Go get him, Hinata." Sakura whispers as we stand up to finish the ceremony. My cheeks heat up and I give her a wide eyed expression. How did she know? She winks at me and then proceeds to go up to the stage for her speech. I watch her, and a pit sinks down into my stomach. I could never be as outgoing as Sakura Haruno is the only thought that floods my mind as I take a quick glance in the blond's direction.
"See you tomorrow, Kiba and Akamaru!" I wave goodbye to the two of them and quickly shut my front door. I sigh to myself, thinking now about tomorrow and what lies ahead. I feel a blush creep onto my chilled face as I ponder the tutoring session tomorrow.
I am glad Kiba didn't bring it up anymore, I think to myself. I decide to take a quick shower, then dress in warm pajamas and brush my teeth. Once I am finished, I settle on saying a quick goodnight to my roommate. I peek past her slightly ajar door to see her furiously typing away on her laptop. Either she has a paper due tomorrow, or she is sending my cousin another long email. I knock on her door to grab her attention.
Tenten's long brown hair falls loosely behind her and she turns to give me a very tired expression. "I knew I shouldn't have procrastinated on this paper!" She says as she leans her forehead down into her arms. "Goodnight, Tenten. Don't stay up too late." She mumbles an exasperated reply, and I walk back into my own bedroom.
A few minutes later, I am dreaming of the upcoming day. And of a certain blond haired, blue eyed boy.
(7:45 am)
BEEP! BEEP! I hit my alarm and groggily turn to look at the time. Oh no! My first class is in fifteen minutes! I jump out of bed and grab a clean uniform. After getting dressed, I brush my hair and then my teeth.
I guess I'm skipping breakfast. I grab my bag and a sweater, then head out the door. I check my watch—eight o' clock. I sigh, then jump onto my bicycle. Going as fast as I can, I make it there in record time. Only eight minutes late. I brace myself for stares and possibly being called out by the professor.
When I open the door, everyone ignores me as I rush over to my seat and sit down. Except Naruto, who had the expression of someone that was overly stressed but now greatly relieved. Was he worried about me? I blush as I avoid his gaze. Throughout the rest of class I try to pay attention to the history lesson, but can't shake his image out of my mind.
When the bell rings, I stand up and collect my books. "Hey, Hinata-chan." I turn around to see Naruto giving me a concerned look. "Uhmm hi, Naruto-kun."
"Are you okay? I was worried. You're never late to class." I feel my dreaded blush creeping up my face. He was worried about me.
"I uhh...just woke up late. I'm okay." He lets out a sigh of relief. "Hahha, that's good. I'm glad I don't get to perform my plan. I was thinking about going to your dorm as soon as I could check on you, but I didn't know which dorm you're in." He scratches his cheek as a tinge of pink fills it.
I the heat continues to go to my head at the thought of him in my dorm room. Then I start to feel lightheaded and dizzy. The last thing I see before fainting is Naruto's surprised expression.
(9:55am)
I wake up to the sound of a knock on a door. "Whaa? What?" I murmur, barely awake. Suddenly I realize I'm in the nurse's room—again. I sit up as Kiba barges in.
"This is the third time this semester, Hinata-chan. What's up with you?" My mind wanders back to the last time. Naruto had been my lab partner and I had gotten something on my face. Without warning me, he got his sleeve and rubbed it off. He had been so close to my face. My cheeks burn at the memory.
I leave the past and come back to the present where Kiba is still waiting on my answer. "Um...um..I—I don't know..." Kiba sighs. "Don't worry though! I—I'm fine!" I plead. He shakes his head.
"Besides Akamaru, you are my closest friend. I have to worry." He sits down in a chair across from the bed and sighs.
"Thanks. For everything, Kiba. But it's okay, you don't have to worry about it." I smile. He studies my face, then fakes a smile back. "Hah. Why is it no one can worry about you, but you worry about everyone?" He opens the door and leaves before I can reply. Sometimes he is so stubborn.
I sit there in the bed for a minute, then yawn. I should be getting back to my classes, but...Just thenI see a colorful object in my peripherals. I turn towards it and am faced with a bouquet of multicolored daisies in a vase. Although I am not like the Yamanaka family, I do understand that the meaning of daisies is to get well. I hadn't noticed it before, but now the gift has my attention. Who is this from? There is a small piece of paper setting beside it, and I pick it up. "It says..." I say softly.
Hinata-chan,
I hope you feel better. It's okay if you can't tutor me today, just get some rest. DATTEBAYO!
—Naruto
My heart beats faster as I realize it's from the spiky haired blond. I read it over and over again before finally tucking it into my pocket. I then resolve that I will not miss out on tutoring him today for anything.
(12:06pm)
It's lunch time. I've been out of the nurse's station for an hour, but still feel like I should just skip the rest of my classes and go back to the warm bed. I will not quit on Naruto-kun today! I inwardly cheer myself on as I find mine and Kiba's table. He and I have been friends since we were barely in school, and he knows me better than anyone else.
During high school, he became good friends with Naruto, and of course Naruto-kun has been my crush since elementary school. The three of us hung out some during our sophomore and junior years, and we became pretty close friends. They always had some sort of a rivalry going on, whether it was who could catch the most candy with their mouth in a minute or who had the better looks.
But then our senior year came around, and something happened to them. They suddenly stopped talking and even hanging out. I questioned Kiba multiple times, but he would become hostile and wouldn't let the conversation go any farther. Everyday of our senior year left an aching feeling in my chest, and I would never want to repeat it ever again.
Now, months later, we are freshmen in college. Many of our classmates went to the city and attended larger colleges, but the three of us coincidentally stayed in town and go to the community college. My cousin, Neji, on the other hand, moved away last year and is studying at one of the top schools in our land.
Naruto couldn't have dreamed of going away to college due to his family's low income. His father has a hard time keeping a job, and Naruto has a hard time keeping one himself.
"Oi! Hinata-chan!" Kiba waves at me with a grin on his face. I give a small smile back as I walk to our table. "I guess you've been out for a while, huh?" I nod my head. I was still pondering what he had said earlier. "...Why is it no one can worry about you, but you worry about everyone?"
"Hellooo? Earth to Hina?" He playfully knocks on my head. "Anyone in there?" I look at him, then apologize. "Sorry. I was just..thinking.." I again give him a smile, but worry never leaves his eyes. He moves on.
"You know what time of the year it is, right?" I can see the excitement in his face. "Hmm..Oh! It's almost Christmas, isn't it?" He rolls his eyes. "And almost your birthday." I nod again. "That,too..." He rolls his eyes in response.
2016 Update: PLEASE REVIEW. I added the small night walk with Kiba as well as the graduation flashback. Let me know what you guys think of it!
