Chapter 2: First Impressions

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You know what they say. First impressions are important. Really important. Like life-changing important. Yeah, you get the idea. Wait- like, you'll-get-the-job-or-not life changing important, well that's what the teachers say and they're right. I already said that though.

But like I said. I was going to finally introduce myself to her. And that was the beginning of Senior year. I kept getting nervous when trying to say it, of course that was so unlike me that I didn't say it at all Junior year. Sasuke on the other hand had already introduced himself the next day after that fateful rainy day that I noticed her. And they were hitting it off pretty well. He had never smiled so much just by talking to one person. She probably had magical powers that I called people-skillz, but it took me the whole Freshman year just to jitter him up and that was by starting a stupid fight with him.

Anyway, I introduced myself to her in during band rehearsal. Marching season had early summer practice sessions before the start of the school and as a dedicated quad player, I had to show up. It was music, you have to love it, believe me. But like I said, I introduced myself then, we both had that class all four years. She tried out for Drum Major and made it, but she didn't want it at the last minute. She gave it to the Drum Major Assistant. That was really modest. She was really good too.

"Hi, I'm Naruto. I know we haven't talked much and that it's kind of late, but I'd like to know you more as a person. I think you're a really cool and honest person."

That line took me the whole day to say. It was already the final field show practice when I said it during break. She honestly looked surprised. Like I would have never talked to her or something. And maybe I wouldn't have if I never heard her laughter last year.

She blinked and gave me that really adorable, unprepared smile. I was fuzzy inside. It must have been all that running up and down the stairs.

"Hi Naruto. I'm Hinata. Nice to finally meet you. I think you're a really cool and honest person too."

I laughed and scratched the back of my head. It wasn't even that hard. Thank goodness. Oh, and she called me cool and honest... AwEsOmE. Total WIN.

She looked like she wanted to say something more and I would have listened whole heartedly if Sasuke didn't show up and said that percussion needed to go and practice the cadence again. She looked really pretty in the dark until the football stadium lights flashed on. We both jumped.

"What the-!"

"Oh my God!"

We bumped into each other and ended up rolling on the football grass. I had one big white streak on my cheek and she had one big white streak on her forehead, hair, and ponytail. I started laughing like crazy.

"That was so a FAIL." I yelled in between laughters.

"I know!" She laughed with me.

And somehow, through my musical brain, I thought that the combination of her laughter with mine was some real music. I liked it a lot.

"Hey Naruto, you idiot. Get your butt back over here. We need your whack playing."

I shot a meaningless glare at Sasuke.

"Hey! I made the Quad solo alright? It's pretty sweet too!" I yelled back.

He smirked at me and then turned to Hinata.

"Hey there Hinata. How's it going?"

She smiled back and it nearly pierced my heart. She was so pretty.

"I'm doing well. How's the cadence? Are we going to hear it soon?"

I pitched into the conversation.

"Yeah, one more go and we're ready for the show!"

She giggled before saying something that blew me away.

"That's what she said! ...And cool, I wished I was back in percussion."

I knew she was sweet and nice and caring and smart and popular and all that other cool stuff, but man, you can't get any better than someone who knew how to laugh and tell a good, stupid, perverted joke. I was nearly in tears.

"Hahahahahaha! My goodness! That was good Hinata, really good."

I looked at her for a really long time, which was pretty short since Sasuke dragged me up and off the ground.

"Alright, time to play some real beats and stop talking. Let's go idiot."

I smiled at Sasuke and gave Hinata a wink while waving as Sasuke dragged me away.

"Hey! Hinata! I really like your laugh!" I yelled as we made it halfway through the football field. She waved and gave me two thumbs up. I think that meant she agreed.

I turned around and pulled Sasuke into a head lock, laughing.

"Hey hey! I feel pretty good today! Maybe we'll catch some ramen after this."

Sasuke got out of the headlock punched me lightly on the shoulder.

"Sure. But hey Naruto, I want to ask you something."

I smiled at him, giving him a thumbs up. He just raised an eyebrow at me.

"Ask away Chicken Butt!"

He just waved it away, which was pretty serious. He didn't like that nickname.

"What do you think of Hinata?"

I almost stopped in my tracks. Sasuke was asking about a girl? WHAT?

"Erm, ah, ahem. Wait, Hinata?" I repeated.

"No shiz, blockhead. I don't repeat myself." He said rather irritated. His ears were turning red. I laughed and waggled my eyebrows at him. He pushed me and I laughed.

"What? You like her?"

He shrugged, which was pretty much a "Yes" in Sasuke language.

And that got me really thinking. Of course at that moment, I really didn't have anything I really liked about her since all that first impression stuff is crap to me. I just liked her because she was herself. She had a really nice smile, her laughter rang jingle bells, and she was really pretty. Lots of people liked her, she was popular, she was smart, she was cool, and a whole lot more. So I guess she was good in my book. I finally answered him after a long, dramatic pause.

"She's cool."

He seemed to relaxed and walked straighter, which was a really good sign.

"I think so too. I think she's the only girl I could really talk to. And she makes me want to smile a lot for no damn reason."

Now that was NOT weird. Sasuke smiled whenever he wanted to. He just didn't think he wanted to. Maybe he became more conscious of smiling when he was around her.

"Wow. Dude, I think you really like her."

I got pushed again and that was a for-sure sign to shut up.

But even though I was really glad that he finally liked someone, I had an uneasy feeling that I could lose something too.

But whatever that was, it just didn't click for me.

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BK: It's starting to rooooooooolllllll. And get better. :)