When you look in the mirror, wish you were somebody else

Just a perfect reflection, you and no one else

Minutes run into hours, hours run into days.

You're still waiting for someone who never came.

___

Gym was uneventful, although Sakura was shocked by her teacher.

"I didn't think...I didn't think adults behaved like that. I mean, we're almost adults, but he... I mean, he..."

Her teacher, Mr. Gai, was sort of like Naruto after a couple Red Bulls, combined with one of those cheesy quote books. It had never even occurred to Sakura that a person that ridiculous existed.

She didn't spend too much time dwelling on it though, because although she hated to admit it even to herself, she was really excited for History. AP Modern World. History had always been one of her favorite subjects, and Mr. Hatake one of her favorite teachers. In sophomore year, she almost thought she was in love with him. However, she had had a bad experience with a detached, cool senior named Sasuke in her freshman year (it still hurt a little bit to think about him). So she was still feeling pretty jaded about that during 10th grade, and decided to just ignore the nagging little voice in her head in the hopes that it would go away with time.

She wasn't completely sure why she kept denying it so vehemently. It wasn't like she had ever told anyone about it, or even hinted about her feelings. So what was she so afraid of? Maybe Ino was right...maybe she was too risk-averse. She brushed the thought away as she entered the classroom. She could worry about that later.

Mr. Hatake was sitting on a stool in the front of the room. Sakura noticed a seat between Shikamaru and Hinata. She smiled at them and sat down. "So, you guys excited?"

Shikamaru shrugged. "I'm not sure...I've heard this class is pretty hard...I might have to switch down to Honors if it's too much work."

Sakura laughed. Clearly nothing had changed with the lazy genius. He could probably ace this class with little effort, but the idea of exerting any at all undoubtedly kept him up at night. She was about to strike up a conversation with the shy girl on her left when the bell rang. She looked at the front of the room expectantly.

"All right guys, I'm going to keep the introduction short because by now you should all know the drill." The students smiled appreciatively. "I'm Mr. Hatake, as you all know. This is AP, as in "advanced placement" World History, and you will all be expected to take the AP exam in May. I know you've been told it's optional, but let me put it this way: unless you're interested in failing this class, you'll take the test."

Sakura exchanged an amused glance with Shikamaru. Normally Mr. Hatake didn't really care about the tests- he always said it wasn't the rules and tests that were really important, it was the learning that took place. But then, he was a pretty unconventional teacher in general, even in appearance. This was a pretty eccentric school, but even in a hallway full of hipsters, his messy silver hair and the mask that covered most of his face was rather out of place. It contrasted with his well-dressed appearance, and drew attention to him. Nobody knew why he wore the mask, so naturally everybody had a different theory.

Equally amusing was his chronic lateness and nonchalance. As he was speaking, he pulled out a roster. "This is the only day of this class where we aren't going to do anything. I'll take attendance, and then you're free to do what you want for the rest of the time. But starting tomorrow, we're buckling down; nose to the grindstone and whatnot."

He proceeded to take attendance, and then went to his computer and started watching porn. Sakura giggled, Hinata was mortified, and Shikamaru was...asleep. Unfortunately, it was at that moment that Ino's words came back to Sakura. "When have you ever taken a real risk? ...Come on, who do you think you're fooling?"

She turned to ask Hinata her opinion, Ino's accusations ringing in her head. Hinata thought about it for a second, and then responded tactfully.

"W-well, maybe it's not that you're af-afraid of taking a risk. Maybe you've j-just been w-waiting for the right opportunity. M-maybe what you need to d-d-do is take the initiative yourself. That's what I did with Naruto," she added with a blush. They had been going out for a year now, thanks to Hinata finally mustering the courage to ask him out herself.

Sakura stared. "Hinata, that's brilliant! I think you're right!"

Hinata smiled shyly. "S-so now I guess you just have to d-decide what you want to do."

Sakura stared into space for a while. "Well, I have sort of always wanted to play a sport...but the only sports I'm any good at are soccer and tennis. And I don't even like tennis that much..."

Hinata's smile widened. "B-but that's perfect! M-Mr. Hatake seems to like you, and he-he's the soccer coach! So you should talk to him, and s-see what he th-thinks!"

Sakura glanced at him. He was still in the corner in front of the computer, staring at his porn and giggling. A half smile crossed her face. "Yeah...maybe you're right, Hinata. Yeah, that's what I'll do. Soccer. That'll show Ino-pig..."

___

Guster