The sun shone through my bedroom window. I glanced over to my clock, with two minutes to spare before my alarm would go off. My body always did this, five or ten, sometimes fifteen minutes before my alarm is set to go off I wake up. For once I would like that not to happen. I pull myself out of bed, stuff my feet into my slippers and sit for a moment on the edge of my bed. I do not want to go to class, and I especially do not want to ask those guys the question I promised Hinata and Sakura I'd ask. It's too late to back out now, if I do it would be rude. I already agreed, I wish I never did. Putting myself into these kinds of positions, I'm great at it. Truth be told, it's probably my least favorite things to do. Despite the show I put on in front of others, when it actually comes to having to complete the task, I always wish I never put myself in that position in the first place. I guess it's because you feel like if you challenge, people will back down and they won't accept. Every so often though, people challenge back. I don't want to seem weak, so I agree even though my body and mind are rebelling intensely against my mouth, fighting for the dominance of actions. I lift myself off from the side of my bed, and quietly make my way to the bathroom to have a shower. I so should have showered last night, it would have avoided having to get up early, and we all know that feels like hell.
Morning classes flew by despite my groggy state. In some classes we watched films, in other it was still in orientation mode so not a lot of work was completed. Fridays always seem the longest for me, it seems to be a favorite for most, but for me it's not all that special. The thing with Fridays is that you still have to work for the majority of the day, and when you get home you have the same amount of time you would've any other day of the week. The only special thing about it is that the weekend is the next day, but I'm more happy for Saturday then having to wait and be excited for Saturday to come. I have economics after lunch. I'm not looking forward that. I know I'll have to deal with drama queen Kiba for another hour and thirty minutes. Like yesterday wasn't bad enough! Why can't economics ever be forty minutes? Why does it always have to be and hour and a bit? I surprisingly have a couple of classes with both Hinata and Sakura. I'm happy about that because it means I won't be completely alone all the time. No one around this place seems to even like me. I think it is 'cause I told more than half of them they were annoying. Oh well, the more people I don't have to deal with, the better. At least that's what I tell myself. Soon enough it was time to break for lunch, we decided to go out to eat, mainly because the cafeteria food did not look too appealing. The three of us walk out of the front entrance of the girls' school. It also happened to be the exact time as the boys' school starts to flood onto the field in front of the schools to meet up with the girls. Like wild animals at a watering hole, coming together from different ends of the jungle. Kiba and his friends weren't in this sea of boys though, Sakura made that very clear.
As we returned back to the school, the sea of the two sexes had diminished; it was almost time for class to begin again. So Hinata and I continued walking towards our economics class, waiting for the sea of girls waiting at the door. Upon arriving, the hall is surprisingly less crowded than last time. Maybe my bitch-off actually got through to people. Yet again maybe not, maybe they just got used to the idea of having boys in a nearby class.
"Hinata!" a boy yelled from down the hall.
"You know a boy?" I ask surprised, making sure to keep my voice from yelling "Good for you!" I exclaim, nudging her shoulder.
"He's my cousin." She responds flatly.
"Oh," I pause "well that completely sucks. I take back what I said."
"Just be nice, but he's traditional." She responds. "My dad's like that too." She tells me.
"So getting together with Naruto is like a way to defy them?" I ask.
"Well not really. I like Naruto. It has nothing to do with it defying my family's expectations. He's nice to everyone, he doesn't care about your background, and he treats everyone equally. I'm not used to that. I'm use to my family judging and thinking they are above other people. I like the thought of being normal, and I think that's something I could have if I ever got in a relationship with him. But I doubt it will ever happen. It just seems so exciting, a life like that, I would love to be apart of it." her eyes show a glint of freedom, but is masked by the panic of rebellion.
"Hinata!" the boy said again, this time, he was standing in front of us instead of down the hall. I liked him better when he was down the hall. Just saying.
"Neji." Hinata acknowledged the boy with respect. A respect which I think is way too high in status to be talking with someone your age. If they are the same age as you they are your equal, and if they are only a year older than that rule still applies.
"Your father told me to inform you that you will be coming home for the long weekend." The boy standing in front of Hinata and I states.
"Very well." The boy left, and here I thought I was about to interrupt a family conversation with my presence.
"There's a long weekend?" I ask in astonishment, having no prior knowledge of this.
"In about a week or two, yes." She replies kindly.
"Cut the crap girly, I'm your friend. I don't need all this politeness." She rolled her eyes at me "What!" she walks into the economics room "What?" I say again as I run to catch up to her. "And how could you NOT tell me there's a long weekend! Hinata! Hinata?" I quietly yell after her. The classroom was the same as yesterday. The same faded yellow walls and the black and white tile flooring and the teacher still nowhere in sight. Leaving the students to talk amongst themselves. Hinata sat quietly at her desk. I walk up to her and put my books alongside me, attempting to strike up a conversation with her so she isn't the odd one out. As I have been many times in the past; the one sitting alone, with no one to talk to. I don't think it's fair for her to have to go through the same things I was forced to go through. I don't think that's something anyone should ever have to go thorough. The sad reality is that too many people do go through it, day in and day out.
"Kanae!" Naruto yelled. Giving me the hand motion to come over and talk with him and the rest of the gang, which yes, includes Kiba. I was really hoping that wouldn't happen! That, what happened yesterday would have just stayed in the past. But it's not like I can't talk to him. It's rude. I get up out of my chair and pick up my books. If I'm going to my desk I might as well take them later rather than later. Right? Hinata stays sitting in her chair.
"Well?" I say looking at Hinata "You coming or not?" she smiled at me and got up out of her chair. Leaving her books where they are.
"Hey Naruto," I say kindly with a smile, "Shika, Sasuke," I acknowledge their presence with a friendly nod. "Idiot." I dropped my books on my desk. The 'idiot' gave me a snarl (he happened to be in the way of getting to the flat surface of my desk, so the books may have sort of slightly landed on his fingers.) "This is Hinata by the way." I say bringing Hinata to stand next to me. The four of them shake her hand.
"Is she new like you?" Naruto asks innocently.
"No you dobe, she went to elementary with us." Sasuke corrected him, hitting him upside the head. Man, I feel bad for Hinata, the guy she likes never even noticed her. That must be difficult to deal with.
"So why do you hang out with this demon?" Kiba asks her, completely ignoring the 'demon' aka me. Yeah, I'm so not impressed. He is very gentle when he talks to her; his behavior is a lot more welcoming than when he directs things to me.
"To be truthful I don't really have a choice." She joked, smiling slightly.
"Hey! That was mean." I said as she laughed quietly at me.
"Hey, do you two want to go somewhere with the three of us this weekend?" Naruto asks lightheartedly. If only he know about the trouble I've been dealing with about coming to terms of having to deal with asking them.
"How about we add one more girl?" I suggest, remembering Sakura's very lengthy plea to make sure she's included.
"Sure why not? What's her name?" Naruto asks.
"That's a secret." I tell him.
"Wait, three? There are four of you here." Hinata notices Naruto's mistake.
"Shika here is going out with his girlfriend." Naruto told her, in the end she was the one mistaken.
"She's a friend who happens to be a girl. She's not my girlfriend. She's too bossy." He whines lazily.
"Sure, whatever you say lover boy." Kiba says, rolling his eyes.
"Class" the booming voice of the teacher reached our ears "take your seats." Every student in the class quickly scurried to their seats. This is the one teacher we don't want to get on the bad side off. As soon as class began, everything went back to normal. Learning random things about economics that I will probably never need, besides, economics never really interested me that much. It's not my thing. Before we knew it, class was over and everyone took their books, getting their pencils together getting ready to leave. "One more thing class," The teacher says, getting up from her chair. "You will all be doing a partner project. Your partners are on the board. You are only to do this project in class when it is given to you. Which won't be much time at all in the long run. You are to copy down your topic from the board and start getting prepared." The teacher unveiled the topics and the partners by lifting up the world map that had previously covered them. Hinata was paired up with Sasuke; I don't think she's overly thrilled about that. Naruto is working with Neji. I feel bad for the boy. Naruto I mean, Neji is going to be a pain in the ass to work with. And with my perfectly amazing luck, I got stuck with Kiba. Of all the people! Why! WHY! Why does the world hate me? Or is it just the teacher? Both ways I'm stuck working with Kiba for this project. What's worse is that I have to meet him outside of school to work on it. Alone. With him. I just can't wait. Asking to change partners would not look good either, so now I have to live through this. I get up to ring the bell and head to my next class.
"Sakura!" I yell down the hall, her pink hair is noticeable anywhere. She's quick to turn around and wave, running closer to me.
"Well? Did you invite them? Did they say yes? Is Sasuke going? Well?" she says quickly, wanting to know every detail.
"Well they kind of invited us. We said yes, and invited you. Yes, he's going. Is that a good enough answer?" she squeals and jumps up and down. A coffee mug in hand.
"Yes! Thank you thank you thank you!" she takes a sip from the mug.
"Is that coffee?" I ask. She nods happily.
"Coffee isn't good for someone our age. It stains your teeth. And there is way too much caffeine in it for a teenage body." I say, okay so it might not be completely true, but it is based on truth.
"Yeah yeah, tell me something I don't know." She says rolling her eyes and taking a sip from her coffee mug.
"Sasuke hates the smell and taste." I lie. I honestly don't know what his opinions on coffee are, but if she can kick this bad habit before it gets really bad then I can live with the small lie.
"Consider coffee out of my life." She took one final sip. I looked over at the clock. Class is about to begin. History is next. Finally! A topic that I actually enjoy, besides Sakura is in that class too, which makes things significantly better. Though, by now she's likely at a sugar low. But I doubt she even kept her oath with no longer drinking coffee just because of Sasuke. Sadly history was done and before I knew it and it was the end of the day. As I was on my way back to the dorm, my phone buzzes. Notifying I have a text message.
Naruto: Hey, it's me, Naruto.
Hey Naruto. What do you want? I ask him.
Naruto: You didn't seem too happy today.
Yeah, well I haven't been that great. I admit to him.
Naruto: Wanna meet up?
No, I have homework to do.
Naruto: C'mon you can leave it for a couple of hours.
But then I won't get anything done!
Naruto: You already have like straight A's!
But I have to keep on top of my school work!
Naruto: Okay. See you soon!
Naruto! Naruto!
He's not responding. Great.
"Hey there." A voice says behind me, giving me a shock.
"Naruto! You scared me! How'd you get here so fast?" I ask, taking a look around. The boy appeared out of nowhere.
"I was behind you the whole time." He admits.
"That's kinda creepy." I say.
"Hurry up and drop your stuff off at your dorm." He tells me. I give him a quizzical look, "Kiba told me to tell you that you two are going to meet up and work on your project."
"Couldn't he have told me this himself?" I ask angrily.
"He doesn't have your number. And even if he did I doubt neither of you would text, or reply to each other." He tells me "I'll wait here." He says leaning on the wall. I tell him that I'd be as fast as I could. I quickly come down, we begin to walk down.
"Naruto." I say.
"Yeah? What is it Kanae?" he asks, taking a bite of a snack he had brought with him.
"Why are you talking to me? I mean, you could have ignored me after we first meet. So, why?" I ask cautiously.
"It's kinda refreshing that you don't care what or who we are. That you see me and the rest of the guys in the band, how do I say this? You see us for us. Unlike most of the girls at this school who just like us for our music and looks, you see us as people and not things. That's why." He tells me, smiling gently.
"I chose my friends for their personality. Not if they're famous or good looking." I shrug. As we reach near the library doors, Naruto quickly tries to slip away, I notice before he is able to slip away "Wait! Naruto! You're leaving me alone with this thing!" I snarl at the mere mention of the boy.
"Hey!" Kiba growled from behind me.
"Don't deny you're thinking the same thing Kiba!" I snap, shoving past him to enter the library. "You're ditching me, aren't you?" I ask frustrated towards Naruto, it's all in his face. He nods and says goodbye. "You're mean. Bye." I say reluctantly as I sit in the back of the school library with Kiba. Oh how I hate this! I hear Naruto leaving, though his exit isn't silent as girls chase after him.
"So." Kiba says as he taps the table with his index finger.
"Yeah, okay we have a lot of work to do." I say, shuffling some papers around and organizing things.
"I'm well aware of the fact." Kiba hisses.
"Idiot! I didn't mean it like that! I just meant there's a shit load of work to get done and we should spilt up the work so we don't have to keep on meeting like this. It'll be faster and we wouldn't have to suffer having to be around each other for more than an hour outside of school." I snap at him. This is not going well, and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better anytime soon.
"Fine, let's do that then." He continues tapping his finger.
"Will you stop that!" I hiss, placing my hand on his, to make his finger from tapping, and tapping and tapping. "It's irritating!" He quickly slips his hand out from under mine. Hiding them under the table, was I that rude? "Here, you take this," I say handing him a piece of paper of jobs he has to do for the project. "I'll do the rest."
"You half is bigger." He says as he takes the sheet.
"I'm leaving." I say, not even giving him recognition that I received his complaint.
"Wait!" his voice rises, loud enough for me to hear, but quite enough for only me to hear.
"What?" I turn around, annoyed that he has the nerve to try and stop me from leaving.
"Can you get something out of the storage closet by the pool?" he asks me
"Why out of all the people would you ask me? Really, why?" I ask.
"I have practice, and really it seems as though you'd be the only girl that can be trusted to get it back to me, well the band. It's for the band. If you don't do it for me, at least do it to help out the band." He pleads.
"Naruto didn't mention that." I snarl.
"Well he forgets." He says with a shrug.
"Fine, but only this once. And I'm only doing it 'cause it means I can away from you." I snarl towards him.
"You're the devil." He says with a smirk. I roll my eyes in response, leaving him behind at the table in the library. I can't believe this boy influenced me to do something for him! Of all the people! Why the hell did I even say I would? I'm such an idiot! I make my way to the pools storage room, trying opening it to enter the dimly lit area. Damn door is stuck! Just my luck! I tug on it before it finally releases, and with its release comes an ice cold and wet feeling. As if iceberg water came over me like a waterfall falling off of a cliff. What idiot put that prank there? I'd like to give that person my two cents about their little trick. But hey, I got the door open! Wow, I'm way too excited about that. I walk into the room, all types of sport equipment is in here. Basketballs, volleyballs, baseball bats, I never even knew we had this much sports stuff.
Click
"Shit! That was the door! Someone locked it! What idiot would lock it! Kiba! I'm going to kill that boy! Window, window, there has to be a window somewhere here! Ah! There's one. It's gonna be a tight fit to get through that window though. I am so going to kill that boy when I get my hands on him! The window is smaller than I thought. Ohh I am so going to kill him! If I don't then I won't get out of here for hours. So I have to choose. Get in a shit load of trouble from the principal for not making the curfew 'cause I was locked in a freaking closet! Or climb out of a window and avoid that all together. Window it is then." I should really stop talking to myself out loud. But the fact remains; Kiba is going to get into a shit load of trouble from me. Ah! Ow! Okay, that fall was a little further than I thought. Not to mention the damn bush that was there. That boy. Ugh! He is so dead when I get my hands on him!
"HAHAH oh man! This is awesome!" That's Kiba's voice! He is so dead.
"KIBA!" I growl as I walk to the front of the storage room. Kiba's right there, laughing his head off. "You are such a jackass! How dare you lock that door! You put that water in there didn't you! I'm freezing and drenched, to top it off I have frigging twigs stuck to me! You don't care about anyone but yourself do you! You just think you can do whatever you want because you're famous. Newsflash Kiba, you can't do whatever you want to other people! You are such an idiot to think you'll be able to get away with this!" I yell at him, anger clearly evident in my voice. I push him back with every few words, taking my anger out on him.
"Oh, girly you have that all wrong." He smiles cockily. He walks closer to me, then, he slightly leans closer to me, trying to intimidate me. I'm going to stand my ground. I'm not about to let this damn boy get away with whatever he wants! He smiles again. Our faces aren't really that far apart. I really want to move away, but that would be giving him what he wants. And I'm not about to let him win. "Your shirt is see-through when water is spilt on it." I can feel my face heat up. By now my face would be beet red, and he would be able to see the embarrassment that I have over that one small comment, and he'll use it against me. If what he's saying is true, then… But I'm not going to look to see if he's telling the truth. That would be him winning. "You're blushing." He says, biting the bottom of his lip gently.
"I know that you idiot!" I hiss.
"Oh?" he leans even closer. His eyes move from our stare down, his eyes lower. I don't want to know what he's looking at. He bites the corner of his lower lip seductively. "You're gusty my girl."
"I'm not your girl!" I hiss at him again. Closing my eyes for just a second in ager, only one second, trying to regain my composure. The next thing I know, I feel soft, warm lips on mine. A rush of warmth flows through my body, a shiver down my spine and an unknown type of excitement that surged through my body. His hand took hold the back of my neck, pressing our bodies pressed together. Although he is in great shape, his body felt soft on mine. We both pressed our bodies closer to each other, trying to get as close to each other as possible. My knees began to feel week, my pulse going at a rapid, uncontrollable rate. I involuntarily moaned in delight. This is so wrong! I know Kiba's kissing me, and I want to get away, but I just can't seem to pull away. No one has ever evoked this much excitement in me before. I slowly gain control of my senses and of my actions, I bite his lip hard; hurting him, hell it even drew some blood. In no way was it playful, and I never intended it to be. I quickly push him away. My face is as red as it could be.
"That hurt!" he brings his long, gentle looking fingers to his bottom lip, scowling at me for what I've done, but it's nothing compared to what he's done to me.
"Idiot! How dare you!" I go to slap him; his hand smoothly and easily catches my wrist you have no idea how much that pisses me off!. "Kiba! Let go!" I growl. He brings me close to his body, so close I can feel his abs though both of our shirts. I hate this! I know I can get away. But against all of my will, my body is denying me the strength, and the willpower to pull away from his body. His other hand moves from his side and travels down my back. His fingers walking down to my lower back, and then bringing my shirt up off of my lower back, allowing the air at my cold, yet very warm body. He blows in my ear, giving me a weird sensation, causing a shiver to rush through my spine. Then he nips at my ear. Sending a shiver of excitement down my spine, just like he had before, this is so very wrong, and we both know it. He's only doing this to piss me off, but it's not like I'm saying no. If I did, maybe he wouldn't be doing this, it's a tango with fate. I hate this boy! He's quick to bite my ear quite hard seconds later, his own little way for him to get back at me. The next thing I know I'm in his arms; bridal style. So not cool. "Kiba let me down! Let me down!" I thrash.
"Stupid girl!" he laughs carefree. I don't like where this is going.
"I'm serious Kiba, stop, please stop. I don't like this, please put me down!" I plea with him, my heart is racing for an entirely different reason now.
"Stop thrashing you idiot I could slip!" He says, swaying slightly.
"Good! Maybe you'll get hurt!" I scowl. Regretting my words as soon as they leave my mouth, I really don't want that to happen, because I could get hurt in the process.
"Kanae!" Kiba slips. Amongst everything I was hoping for, to not fall in the pool. The two of us fall. Splashing right into the frigid water. Kiba lets go of me and swims to the edge; quick to get out. But I, I can't. My chest tightens, and tears swell.
"Kiba! Help!" I call out, my arms thrashing in the water.
"Good try, I'm not stupid." He says towards me.
"Kiba! I can't swim!" my arms thrashing, I keep on getting mouthfuls of water. If this continues, well I don't want to know what's going to happen if it does.
"Stop kidding around!" Kiba hisses, but he lingers.
"I'm not!" I yell. My voice pleading for help, even if it comes from him. I can't die here! Not now! Not after everything I did to get to this point!
"Whatever, I'm out of here." I see Kiba's figure as he walks away. My arms tire. I can't keep this up any longer. I'm too tired. My body sinks down under the water's surface. My life doesn't flash before my eyes like everyone says it does when you're close to death. Instead I think about what I'll be missing. About my friends I'm leaving behind. About the jackass that I keep fighting with, the same one that I kissed; and when my body just melted because of that kiss and what would ever become of that. I close my eyes as my lungs fill with water and I black out.
"One, two, three, four." I feel my chest being pushed on. Lips on mine, giving me air. I cough up water. I feel sick to my stomach. I open my eyes with hot tears preparing to fall, I hold them at bay best I can.
"Thank god!" He sighs.
"Kiba!" I hiss. If I thought I hated him before, you can be sure that I hate him even more now.
"What?" he responds softly, knowing that he's treading on thin ice.
"Why are you on top of me?" I question eyeing his position. He's on top of me, sitting with his legs parted.
"You drowned."
"Yeah, no duh." I bring myself up. Making Kiba get off of me. You'd think he'd get off when I first questioned his position.
"Why didn't you tell me that you couldn't swim?" he asks annoyed.
"I did!" I hiss "You just didn't listen!" I scream at him.
"Well how was I supposed to know?" he exclaimed.
"I don't know. Maybe the 'I can't swim' part that I yelled." I huff "This proves that you don't care! I could have lost my life and all because you were too dense and to high on that damn high horse of yours to care of anyone else other than yourself!" the tears begin to fall, they mix with the water dripping off of me from the pool. This is the side that I really would like for him not to see. I'm not weak, I don't cry. Especially in front of people "I hate you the most!" I yell, my emotions getting the best of me as I allow my voice to express sadness. I quickly make my way to the back of the storage room to get my books. Trying to control my emotions the ones of anger, of pain, of sadness. I want to cry openly so badly right now. But I can feel Kiba's gaze as he watches me leave. Crying would only give him the satisfaction of winning. One single lonesome tear streaks down my cheeks as I walk further and further away.
I push my way through the dorm, hiding in my room. I don't like what happened, I've had to go through this before, and I hoped I'd never experience it again. After calming down a bit, I exit my room, to see Sakura at my door. "You look pissed." She comments. I look at her, my eyes expressing all the anger pent up from the meeting. Hinata looked concerned, cautiously trying to make words escape from her lips. She finally manages, quietly asking me if everything is okay, and what exactly happened to make me so upset. "Come sit." Sakura patted the spot next to her on the couch. Turning the TV off. Trying to comfort me probably." So what happened?" she asks as I sit down. My anger grew, eventually I couldn't contain my anger anymore. Spitting out curse words under my breath before finally voicing actual words, mind you they weren't kind.
"The idiot-" I exclaim, the anger surging through my body, stressing me to the extent that I could feel every inch inside of me tense up, building up the stress in my body that will be hard to expel when the time eventually comes.
"Kiba." Sakura corrected. I rolled my eyes to show her my dissatisfaction with her correction.
"Yeah the idiot," I scowl "I have to work on a project with him, can you believe that?! Anyway, we met in the library to spilt the work. Kiba asked me to get him something. So, to get away I agreed. The next thing I know I'm locked in the storage room and then I'm being kissed by Kiba.— "
"Hold up girly" Sakura stopped me "he what?!" she exclaimed. With another dissatisfied look I continue "He picked me up; I fell in the water, kinda drowned. He kinda saved me—" she interrupts me again.
"You drowned!" they both screeched. I nod my head to confirm that, yes, it actually happened."Did you go to the hospital? Are you okay? Who saved you?" Hinata asks worried.
"You should really learn how to swim" Sakura adds.
"No. Yes, I feel kinda sick though, probably swallowed too much water. And Kiba, after he left me to drown." I take a deep breath, trying to calm down.
"Bitch move." Sakura says as she leans against the back of the couch.
"Yeah. Completely! You can see why I'm pissed at that thing!" I scowl. Damn boy! I could literally kill him right now, probably could too, with the martial arts training I've received over the years. "Oh! Did Hinata tell you about us meeting up with them? By them, I mean like, the guys." I ask Sakura to try and divert from the topic at hand.
"Yeah, she mentioned it. We have to go shopping by the way. I need a new outfit for this meeting! And by seeing your wardrobe" she says as she eyes me from head to toe "so do you." I roll my eyes at her, showing a slight grin before I walk to my room to change into more comfortable clothes, and out of this stupid, restrictive uniform. I look into my full length mirror, which has become a habit of mine. To see how unflattering this uniform looks on me, every day I do this. Today's different though. I see something I don't like seeing, my white shirt, soaked through. That's right, my t-shirt was see-though, and I'm guessing the idiot saw me like this too. Great. Just great. This is incredibly embarrassing! High school at a private school wasn't supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be different. Better. So why is it everything has just become so much worse than when I was back home? Here, I'm being ridiculed by the boy I hate the most. I promised my parents, I promised to stay out of trouble. But no matter where I go, trouble always seems to find me. This time, it embodies an egomaniac teenage boy that doesn't know any manners just because he thinks he's so great because he's famous! I need to get him back for everything he's done to me. And it has to be ten times worse than what he's done to me.
"Hey Kanae you almost done changing? Sakura wants to go shopping. She even said she'd pay for some of your clothes. You know, if you refuse she'll buy some clothes for you and then give it to you." Hinata tells me through the door. "Don't take her up on the offer, it's a warning. She'll make you pay her back later, trust me, I know." She warns me.
Naruto:Hey again. Sorry for ditching earlier.
Hey Naruto.
Naruto: Can't you talk a little more than that?
Naruto, not now. I'm pissed off.
Naruto: Why?
Kiba.
Naruto: What he do?
Not now Naruto. Our friendship isn't at that level just yet.
"Who you talking to?" Sakura asks as she keeps her eyes fixed on the road.
"A friend." I respond flatly.
"Oh? Well it's going to be awhile before we get to the mall. Hinata's asleep, so do you mind if I put the radio on?" She asks as she reaches for the stero.
"No, go right ahead."
Naruto: Oh! Almost forgot! We were planning on meeting you guys tomorrow at like, say noon? That okay with you guys?
"Noon tomorrow okay for the meet up with the guys?" I ask Sakura as she makes a right turn at the lights.
"What guys?" she asks, half concentrating on my question, and the other half on the road.
"Sakura? Really, what guys do you think I'm talking about?" I ask sarcastically.
"Oh! Yeah! That's perfect! Good thing we decided to go shopping today instead of tomorrow. Ask what we should wear!" she says, tapping my arm like it's the most important question that could be asked.
Yeah, that time's great. The secret person wants to know what we should wear.
Naruto: I really want to know who this secret girl is! Wear a dress.
Fine. But I won't be happy doing it! Know that now! Bye.
Naruto: Didn't think you would! Haha! Bye!
A dress. Of all the things I could wear I have to wear a dress. So far this isn't looking so great.
Line break
"I don't know Sakura. I don't shop much. I don't think this is a good idea." I rub the back of my neck, nervous about being in public. How can they go into stores so willingly? I feel so out of place.
"Oh c'mon Kanae! It's fine! All you have to do is try on the clothes." She says looking through a rack of clothing.
"But—" I try to protest.
"No, don't even thinking about saying that word. You're doing this. Right Hinata?" Sakura asks, turning her attention to the dark haired girl who looks as uncomfortable in this setting as I do.
"Don't worry, you get used to it. I'm just like you in this way. Hate shopping for clothes. She literally forces you to shop." Hinata says calmly.
"It's that bad?" I ask worried.
"Yeah. It's that bad." She nods.
"You guys make it seem like I'm some sort of demon." She says as she flips through shirts on another rack. She is just like a demon though. "Here, try these on. And this and this." She piles clothes on my arms. "Well what are you standing around here for? Go try on those clothes!" Sakura ordered. I enter the changing room. Trying a couple things on and deciding not to show them because they are absolutely horrendous on me. I finally manage to try something on that doesn't look half bad, so I decide to show them.
"Oh my god Kanae! You are definitely going to buy that and wear it tomorrow!" Sakura exclaims.
"But it's a dress." I point out with displeasure.
"Why? You look hot!" a male voice comments.
"Kankuro!" I almost yell in surprise.
"Shh! Don't give away my cover! It isn't easy for famous people to be in public without a bazillion cameras in their face!" He scolds.
"What are you doing here?" I hiss. His eyes travel from mine down my body and back up again, lingering in certain places. "Don't Kankuro, unless you want to leave in a cast I suggest you stop that this instant." I say bravely. I'm used to dealing with guys, this is what having guy friends does to you.
"Aw! I was only joking! Besides, I'm sure your friends would love to meet me!" He says, even though it wasn't true. He turns his attention to Sakura and Hinata, who don't look all too pleased with me for withholding this bit of information from them.
"Now's not the time. Just go away already." I say, annoyed with his presence.
"I didn't have you pegged out for the shopping, dress type." He says, completely ignoring my last request.
"I'm not. I'm being forced to do this by Sakura. She's the pink haired girl before you ask." I point her out.
"She isn't half bad." He says looking in her direction with a flirtatious tone.
"Go away already." I tell him annoyed at his attempt to flirt with my friend. That's just, no.
"Why?" he asks.
"'Cause you're annoying me and I don't like you." I say flatly.
"Harsh girly." He goes to put his arm around me.
"Don't even think about putting that arm around my shoulders or I swear I'm going to break it and you won't be able to play your precious guitar." I threaten.
"Cool your jets girly! I'll leave." He says with a smile. I know it's all in jest, and I think he does too. It's just how our really weird friendship works. If you can even call it that.
"Are you sure it looks okay? I'd rather wear jeans." I ask Hinata, trying to get out of wearing a dress.
"That blue colour really compliments you. It fits your body really well too!" Sakura interrupts Hinata before she can even let a word escape through her mouth. "You have all the luck and all you want to do is nothing." She sulks looking back at Kankuro who is in waiting just outside of the store.
"Right, you think I have luck. That will be the day." I say sarcastically.
"Hey Kanae, do you have any high heels?" Sakura asks through the changing room door as I put my normal clothes back on.
"High heels! Are you kidding me! No way! I can barely walk on flat surfaces, let alone in heels!" I exclaim.
"Well I don't have any that would match your new dress, and neither does Hinata. You'll have to figure something out." This is why I hate dresses.
Naruto:You said you take pictures right? Bring one of your cameras with you.
"Who was that?" Sakura asks as she puts on her right high heal shoe.
"Nauto."
"You have his number?" Hinata asks intently as she waits by the door.
"He kinda stole my phone and put his number in it." I admit as we walk out the doors to the meeting point Naruto told me.
"So much for keeping a low profile." Naruto said as he looked at the three of us.
"Sorry Naruto. You said dresses." I state.
"I did. But I didn't expect you to listen." That little rat! He did that on purpose! He is going to pay for this later. I look over to Naruto, his gaze fell upon Sakura and lingered there, but as he did this, her eyes traveled to Sasuke.
"So how are we getting to this place?" Sakura asks.
"We're going on our motorcycles." Naruto answered Sakura's question as he motioned to the motorcycles.
"In dresses?" she asks, raising her eyebrow.
"Yeah. It's not like we're going on a highway. It's not that bad." Sasuke says as he leans on his motorcycle.
"But you aren't a girl in a dress and high heels." Sakura says, as she motions to her rather shot dress.
"Neither am I." I say. That didn't come out the way I meant it, I was regarding to the whole high heels thing.
"You got that right." Kiba snorts.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I hiss angrily.
"C'mon you guys. Try to get along." Naruto begs.
"Let's just get going already." Sakura intervenes. Good thing to, I almost shot Naruto a comment that may not have gone over so smoothly.
"Here." Sasuke throws Hinata a helmet. She'd been standing silent next to him the whole time. Taking in all of the chaos.
"T-thanks." She manages to mutter. He gets up and helps her fascine it, their faces close as he fixes with the chinstrap.
"It suits you." Naruto said smiling his goofy smile as she put his spare helmet on, she evidently spent hours on perfecting her hair just to have it ruined.
"You got to be kidding me!" Kiba and I say as our eyes meet each other's. We've ended up together again. I swear this is one of Naruto's tactics to get us to get along. Fat chance that'll happen though. As our eyes meet, all I can recall when looking at his face is the kiss. The fear of it all, the temptations, the excitement that surged though my body as I lost control of me senses and the disgust that lingered in the back of my head. How he left me there in the pool, how he locked me in that room and pulled a prank. Yet despite all of that he somehow managed to make me lose control, it's not supposed to work that way. I shouldn't feel the excitement that I feel when I just look at him. I shouldn't. I can't go on this ride with him, I can't. But it's already too late. Both Sakura and Hinata have already mounted onto the motorcycles of Sasuke and Naruto, I have no other choice unless I want to walk. "Here." Kiba hands me the spare helmet. His protective plastic already hit down. He's avoiding talking to me, or even looking at me for that matter. I don't mind, but I kind of like the way we send remakes at each other. Even if we hate each other, it's still fun to tease each other. I put my camera in the small pouch that the spare helmet normally goes. I slip the helmet on and mount the motorcycle. I slide my arms around his waist as the roar of the motorcycle rings through my ears. Being this close to his body, I don't know if I like it or hate it. It's like my heart is being torn in separate directions. One of hate, and one of acceptance, like even. His breaths are even, but sometimes he takes a sharp breath. His body stays glued to the seat, he doesn't move an inch, even when the motorcycle ebbs to a stop. My body is pressed against his, my arms wrapped around his waist to steady myself and keep myself from falling off. The motorcycle slows down, bringing my focus back to reality as it jerks to a stop. What would my parents think about me riding a motorcycle with someone I barely know, and am almost sure, hate? They've always discouraged the use or voluntary will of riding a motorcycle. I'm already a disappointment as a daughter to them, I'm sure this wouldn't make it any worse. I'm beginning not to care; they can't keep my in chains forever. "I hear you bumped into Kankuro." Kiba says as we wait for the light to turn green.
"I'm surprised you're talking to me." I comment.
"Fine, I'll be quiet then. I just thought you'd want to talk with someone." He says anger seeping through his words. "Even if it is someone you claim to hate." He added, his voice soft, and possibly slightly, pained. It was almost a whisper, as if I wasn't supposed to hear it in the first place.
"I do hate you. Don't ever think otherwise." Jab his back with my index finger, slightly joking, only slightly. My lips curl into a smile; I like having our remarks at each other back. "And yes, I did bump into him." I add.
"While shopping?" he snorted.
"If I knew you were going to be like this I wouldn't have replied." I snarled "Besides, Sakura forced me to go." I admit, tightening my arms around his waist as he prepared to for the light to turn.
"How?" he asks as light turns green and the motorcycle turns around the corner.
"She pulled me into the car. She even got Hinata to stand behind me to make sure I didn't run away. She may look weak, but damn that girl is strong." I say with a carefree laugh.
"So are you." He says with a kind voice. I so did not expect that.
"What?" I ask, making sure I heard him correctly.
"Most girls, normal ones at least, wouldn't be able to handle the amount of teasing and ridiculing you're enduring." He shrugs.
"You mean the teasing and ridiculing you're putting on me?" I ask with slight annoyance.
"Some, but I'm talking more from the rest of the school." He responds with the same kind tone.
"Well, I have the practice when it comes to that kind of stuff. I don't let it bother me much anymore." Another red light, how far away is this place?
"You were bullied too, huh?" he deduces.
"Too?" I ask.
"Yeah, Naruto was bullied when he was younger. People would call him an idiot. What did they call you?" he asks.
"I'm not going to tell you that. You'd use it against me. I'm not stupid." I say annoyed.
"Debatable."
"Kiba." I say.
"Yeah?" he answers.
"Feel free to shut up now." My words laced with annoyance. He didn't say anything else after that. The motorcycle finally came to a stop behind a large building. Where the heck are we going?
"What are we doing here?" Sakura asks as she takes the helmet off and fixes her hair.
"Surprise." Naruto told her as he took the helmet off of her hands.
"What is this place?" Sakura asks.
"It's a concert hall. We'll be performing here tonight. And we kind of need your help." Naruto said as he spun around, giving us puppy dog eyes.
"What? Really?" Sakura squeals happily.
"Naruto," I begin "why did you tell me to bring my camera?" I ask, not understanding what any of us have to do with a concert.
"Pictures obviously." He says like I was stupid.
"Of what?" I ask, there's nothing but us and a couple thousand wires here.
"Of all of us!" he smiles goofily "Artistic ones." He adds seriously as he points at me.
"But-"I go to protest as we walk though the main doors and turn down a hallway.
"You don't have to if you don't want to. We just thought it would be a good way for you to possibly get some exposure." Kiba says as he walks up behind me.
"Actually, to be truthfully honest, it was Kiba's idea to let you take the pictures for modeling that we'll be doing." Naruto said. Shock hit Hinata's face. I'm not sure if it's due to the modeling comment (which I'm not overly comfortable with, thankfully I'll be the one taking the pictures!) or if it was because of something completely different.
"That's very uncharacteristically kind of you Kiba." I said; looking at him though he poorly lit, grey room. He didn't bother to look my way, or even shoot a comment back at me. He kept looking at the same place. The light seeped through the different curtains surrounding the stage as we finally reached it. The light hit his face, all of his features highlighted. Almost airbrushed, yet at the same time, natural and longing. I raise my camera to my eye, catching the moment on the slim memory card. The sound of the shutter caused him to look towards me. A small smile at the corner of his mouth surfaced. The shutter sounded again.
"Like what you see?" he teased.
"Not in the least" a slight lie, though, the majority of it wasn't "I'm just doing the job I was given."
"We should get going to hair and makeup." Naruto said as he led Sakura into a darker area, holding onto her hand as he let her through the dimly lit hall.
"You coming?" Kiba asks as he pivots in order to face me. Again, the shutter sounded.
"Yeah, I'm coming." I ran forward, joining the rest of the small group.
"Everyone is in hair and makeup, right?" a voice sounded through a walk-e-talkie that rests on the table.
"Yes, is the other girl to be in hair and makeup? The one with the camera?" someone asked through the walk-e-talkie.
"Yes! Has she not gone through it yet?" the voice asked, stern with a hint of panic. The next thing I know, I'm being swept up from my seat and a couple of people surrounding me. Touching my hair; putting makeup on. Everything I never do. So not in my comfort zone right now.
"She's done. We're sending the band and the female models and the other photographer out." Someone said into the talkie. We were being pushed out again. We walk nearby; we all step onto the stage. The seats empty, the lights shining onto the stage. Sakura and Hinata take a seat on the stairs. I make my way to the floor in front of it. The boys took their positions to practice their songs for the concert they are to put on later today. Kiba had his electric guitar in hand, Naruto with his drum sticks in hand, hitting Sasuke and Kiba. A perfect picture, I click the button, capturing the moments of Naruto hitting the boys, and the revenge they take on him. A loud, booming voice coughs. Making the boys become silent. They stood, waiting intently. Another picture.
"We will begin modeling. The young lady with the camera will be taking pictures of you boys. Then another photographer will come in. This is when the three of you girls will join the boys. We will inform you from that point on." A crowd of people spilled into the empty concert hall. Machines began to get hooked up. Through all the chaos Naruto had gone and sat with Sakura, Saskuke with Hinata, and Kiba, once again alone, sitting in the middle of the stage while the others at the small stairs. Another picture.
"Wait, you can't take pictures yet, we haven't hooked up, or have gotten the lighting right." The person said.
"Yes, but" I say, cutting the person off "moments like these pass and fade quickly. At the proper angle a picture can tell a thousand words. Without the help of man and their machines, if it means I have to move in order to get the picture with the right light then I will. Natural is key when I take pictures." My time for taking pictures has long past. The boys have gotten their makeup touched up. The special marks they wear to make them stand from the rest. Hinata had been given pale ivory contracts to wear with her purple hair, Sakura was left as is; she has pink hair for god's sake! They explained the concept earlier, but I wasn't really paying attention so I have absolutely no idea why Hinata has contacts in. Sakura, Hinata, and I had to become models. And pose. With them. Posing. Models. This so isn't what I do! I don't model; I don't do the makeup, or the hair or the whole appearance thing! And I definitely do not model!
"You there in the blue, move closer to Kiba." The photographer says. Right now, we're modeling. I don't like this, and I certainly do not recall agreeing to be a model for their stupid promotion of a new single, or was it their album? Both ways, I don't want to have to be this close to Kiba unless it's on a motorcycle for five minutes! Even then that's a bit much to ask. To make everything worse, the 'pose' is one of the intimate type. As in faces close together, hands touching each other's' bodies. Bodies close. Everything I don't want. The world is conspiring against me! And I am so not liking it! Of all the people it could have been, why did I get sucked into this madness?
"Okay, thank you for all your hard work everyone, we're all done!" the photographer says. I try to quickly get away from Kiba, he grabs on to my wrist.
Click
That was a camera.
"Great, do a couple more like that!" the photographer says, getting into place again. No! No, this isn't a time for photo's it's time for me to leave! I try again to get my wrist out of his grasp.
Click
The next thing I know he's brought me close to his body. Similar to the time when he kissed me by the pool, what is he doing? Why is he doing this?
Click.
I push Kiba away forcefully.
Click.
He looks at me, not in anger or annoyance. His eyes are glazed with guilt, and possibly that of apology.
Click.
I shake my head. I can't, can't deal with all of this. This isn't what I wanted; this isn't what was supposed to happen.
Click.
I can't be here, with him, next to him like this. I turn around, slowly creeping further away from him. His grip loosens, and lingers.
Click.
And walk away.
Click.
Leaving him alone. Leaving him behind.
"Perfect! That was perfect!" the photographer says in joy. I go close to Sakura and Hinata, encasing my body with my arms wrapped tightly against my waist, as my body grows small.
"Here," Sakura says handing me my camera "You okay?" she asks as she rubs my back in reassurance.
"Yeah, I guess." I lie.
Twilight broke and seats in the theater were beginning to fill with ecstatic fans. The boys had to get their make-up touched up, and to warm up before going out on stage. "Is the opening band out of makeup yet?" Someone in black not far from me asked in his walk-e-talkie.
"Yes, and Shikamaru is in make up now." The other end of the walkie-talkie replied.
"Good, be prepared to send the opening group out in five." The woman behind me responded, checking her papers.
"I never thought there was this much chaos before a show back stage." Sakura comments to me as we are pushed aside by the busy employees setting up the concert.
"Yeah, there's a lot more than what we're shown." I respond to Sakura.
"The opening band is making their way to the stage." The person on the other side of the walkie-talkie says.
"I wonder who the band is." Hinata says. Three figures come from the shadows. And boy do they look familiar.
"Hey Girlie!" a voice says from afar.
"Kankuro. Great." This is exactly what I need right now. Of all the possible people did it really have to be him?
"Nice dress." Kankuro says as he walks onto the stage. "Hello everyone! We are the Suna boys and I guess you could say girl," he says sneaking a peak at his highly annoyed older sister. "or how you all know us; Infinity Hour, and you all know we're opening for your Konoha boys; Falling in Disguise!" he continues on talking, the fans scream loudly in response. Minutes later music starts. Gaara begins to sing. His voice silences the room. The song calm and quite: a love song. I hear the cries from the girls in the audience squealing his name. Gaara's voice may seem course when you speak with him, but his voice is seriously amazing. It wasn't long before Kiba and the boys took center stage.
"Okay, for our next song" Kiba began; they've been singing and performing for a good hour or so, honestly I don't even know. "We are going to sing you a special song. We wrote it for all of you, for supporting us through everything and being so great." Screams of girls filled the room "The four of us had a photo shoot today. For our new album that will be releasing on the long weekend!" more screams "We had special guests help us. A talented young lady took many pictures of the four of us." Kiba says proudly. That's the first time he's ever said 'young' and 'lady' when it concerns me, what the hell is he up to? "I hope you'll continue to support us!" the four of them sang the last song; again a love song. Seriously, what is it with these kinds of songs? I walked closer to the curtains that separated the backstage and the stage, took my camera and clicked on the button. It's not like I really have much else to do. Kiba looks in my direction. Smiles cockily and shakes his head. "I have someone I want you all to meet." His voice boomed through the concert hall. The girls scream asking who, before the large room quickly grew silent. He swiftly takes his electric guitar and sets it aside, walking to the side of the stage I was at.
"Is this in the plans?" I ask a backstage crewmember, freaking out about not knowing what is going on. I don't like not being able to have power, to have control in my life.
"No," she looks though papers "this is most definitely not in the plans! What? Did I lose a page?" she asks herself as she goes to another member. What is Kiba doing?
"Well?" he asks covering his mike "Wanna see what the other side is like?"
"Not at all. What are you doing Kiba? People are frantic back here!" I lecture.
"Blah, blah, blah! Gotta break the rules sometimes!" he pokes my forehead.
"Not at a time like this!" I inform him. I don't break rules; it's not something I do.
"This coming from the girl who didn't want to come in the first place." He takes my wrist and drags me to the stage. Thousands of screaming girls go silent. The camera follows Kiba, who is pulling me along. So, this means I'm on a huge screen for thousands of people to see. Great. Get me out of here!
"Who is she?" a loud fan asks.
"Who is she you ask?" he smiles cockily again, biting the corner of his lip. It's just like before. The same facial expressions, what is he planning? He lets go of my wrist, but before I'm able to run off stage his arm wraps around my waist. Bringing me close to his body, my pulse quickens again. Just like before.
"She" he says looking at me "is my toy."