So here's chapter 4! Right on schedule!
I took me some time. I'm having a hard time, but I need to get the story going before I start any drama.
I need to get some ground before anything happens . . .
Enjoy! :]
Hinata rubbed her neck, closing her eyes with a sigh. Her life had gotten so . . . boring. Nothing like the fast pace of modeling. Everything from the parties, the shoots, and especially the fame. One minute, she was the hottest thing out there, her picture plastered all over the screen and billboard with her manicured fingers closed around a bottle of acne-cream, cute pencil case or pomegranate-smelling shampoo.
Falling back into the pastel-colored throw pillows on her queen-sized bed, she massaged her neck, her eyes focused on the mirrors above her bed. Her place was anything but normal. Shy and soft-spoken she may be, but her wardrobe and home décor was anything but. Everything was bright, cheerful, and just fun all around.
With sigh, she rolled onto her stomach, still massaging her neck. When she and Sakura had been in the modeling business, that's how their apartment had looked like. While Sakura was more into shopping and dating cute guys, Hinata had spent her time trying to feel comfortable even though she was never in the same place for a long time. She wasn't like Sakura and dressing "cute casual" because any guy could come and surprise her. No, she had spent her time in brightly colored Juicy sweatpants and flip-flops.
Her eyes drifted towards her camera equipment sitting on the glass coffee table beside her big bed. All of it was ready for tomorrow, when she would go to the studio. For a week, she would do nothing but take pictures of Sakura and Sasuke. While Sasuke was so dark and icy, Sakura was bright, bubbly. They were a perfect match for the camera. Sakura would lighten up Sasuke's darkness and make him seem more welcoming. Sasuke would dampen Sakura's intense nature and make her more approachable.
Rolling onto her side, she dropped her tired arm and reached for her digital alarm clock. The neon blue numbers blinked on and off, their brightness obscuring the darkness of her room. How many times had she lain awake at night, listening to the sound of her roommates snoring or whatever noise they made in their sleep? How many times had she whispered to Sakura all her fears and discomforts about that place?
With another sigh, she pulled her mauve sheets up to her nose. Countless times. Countless times she had clung to Sakura, shaking and trembling. Countless times she had nearly burst into tears for being yelled at for not emoting the right expression on her face. Countless times it had been Sakura who had stood up for her and held her hand.
Sakura had been a good friend. And Hinata had left her in that lonely world. But Sakura wanted to stay. Sakura had wanted to be told that she was pretty and that she had a big future in front of her. Hinata closed her eyes to the darkness, feeling the emotions rolling through her mind. Sakura had been day to Hinata's night. They had been best friends despite their differences.
And Hinata had left her.
"Okay," Hinata murmured softly, sitting up in bed. Climbing from under the sheets and pillows, she bolted towards her bathroom for a hot bath. There was nothing worse than being up late at night trying to figure out her thoughts. Especially since she had convinced herself long ago that Sakura had plenty of chances to call her and she hadn't.
Her throat constricted as she waited for her garden tub to fill up. There had been so many times when she had wanted to pick up the phone and dial Sakura's number. But she hadn't, because she had been too scared Sakura had forgotten about her. Modeling wasn't as glamorous as Sakura had made it seem. She had been too scared Sakura would convince her to come back.
Clumsily, she climbed into the scalding water while using a jaw clip to hold up her hair. Enough thinking. Deep meaningful thoughts always managed to make her past seem so much more evident. She was afraid people could read her expressions, know she was covering her real emotions with fake ones to fool even the best of eye readers. She had grown up in the Hyuga household after all.
Besides, she had a photo shoot in the morning. With Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura, two of the fashion world's most renowned faces. She should be rejoicing that they were doing it for such small paychecks. Not reminiscing over the past because Sakura was back in her life, if only for a week.
And then an idea hit her.
--X--
"Good morning, Hyuga-sama!" Yumi chirped as Hinata walked into the building. "Are you ready-" She stopped as Hinata set down the boxes she was carrying under her arms. "What are those for?"
Hinata smiled sweetly at her, pushing up the long-sleeves of her cream V-neck oversized men's sweater, which barely reached her black-leggings covered knees. "For the shoot."
Yumi opened the first box and Hinata chuckled warmly as her eyes widened. The girl pulled an apricot toy puddle puppy from the blue velvet-lined inside, her eyes sparkling happily. "No way!"
Hinata nodded, opening the next box and holding up a black-and-white Husky puppy. "Yes way, Yumi-chan. Kiba-kun was kind enough to let me borrow four of these cuties." She tucked the dog under her arm and picked up the other, doing the same. "Let's see how well my clients do with dogs."
Yumi lifted the other from the box and cradled them against her chest, her cheeks warm with happiness. "They're so cute! I just want to hug them and squeeze them and love them!"
Hinata laughed softly, her brown leather cowboy boots clomping against the tiled floor. "Good. That's what puppies are supposed to do. If they get Sasuke and Sakura in a good mood, then maybe we'll keep them."
They walked into the studio just off the first level and Hinata set the dogs down, watching as they bolted towards her crew. "Sasuke and Sakura are due to arrive in the next twenty minutes. I want someone to watch after these little guys for me." She pointed towards Yumi as she swept out of the room. "Yumi, make sure you get some food and water for those little guys. And that they stay out of trouble."
Yumi saluted her, her posture ramrod straight. "Yes ma'am! Will do ma'am."
--X--
"Why are there dogs in the studio?"
Sakura blinked as Sasuke gently nudged a Husky puppy out of his way with his foot, only to have the dog attack his sneaker. Before she could slap a hand over her glossed mouth, her giggle caught his attention. He raised an eyebrow at her as she turned away, blushing darkly.
Managing a smile, she nonchalantly adjusted her turquoise halter-top. "I wouldn't know. You'd have to ask Hinata-chan for an answer to that."
Right on cue, Hinata walked back into the studio. She smiled at them, hands on the hips of her sweater. Her glossy auburn was up in an ultra high ponytail, reminding Sakura of a genie. A bright red ribbon sat at the back of her head and somehow tied her whole outfit together. She didn't even have to wear jewelry.
"Good," she said, her voice just as soft as warm bread. "You're here. I was worried you wouldn't make it for a second." She let out a soft chuckle and glided past them, her ponytail swishing. She scooped up the Husky and shoved him into Sasuke's arms. "Today, we'll be working with dogs." Her eyes sparkled as she turned away from them. "Hurry or we'll never finish."
Before she was even two feet away, Sasuke said in an even voice, "What do we need the dogs for?"
Sakura nodded eagerly, picking up a poodle. "Have you ever worked with dogs before, Hinata-chan? I mean, this is the first time I've ever done so . . ."
"I haven't, actually."
Sakura blinked as Hinata smiled softly at her. She had said that so blatantly, as if it were a normal occurrence. Hinata wasn't even afraid that something would go wrong. Instead, she picked up a puppy and cooed to it, walking away to deal with some other stuff. Sakura giggled softly, looking to Sasuke. "Now, that's confidence. I which I had some of that."
"Hn." He held the puppy at eye-level for a moment before setting it on the ground and walking away. Sakura huffed softly, looking to the puppy in her manicured hands. So the rumors were true. Sasuke wasn't an easy person to be around. Tucking the puppy close to her chest, she followed after him. It didn't mean she was going to stop trying though.
I know, it's a little short, but that's how it's gonna be for a while. Until I get the plot going at least.
From there, it's smooth sailing. There's gonna be alot to happen in the next few chapters.
You just have to stick around to see XD
I'm outtie~ CocoaAngel95 :]
