Hinata rubbed her tired eyes. For the past few weeks Neji had been piling work on her. The last couple of weekends she spent mind numbingly working. She knew it was too keep her from going out but she felt her punishment was getting to the point of borderline slavery. She had done so much work that by next month they may have a lull in the office. It was Friday night, and again Hinata would have to pass on girls night. Yet for some reason Ino was being extra pushy about her going tomorrow. Hinata decided just to ignore her and continue working. Yet deep down for the first time ever she felt tinge of defiance in her. She tried to ignore it and keep working.
"Hinata."
Hinata turned to see Neji.
"I was thinking that we take a break. You have been working hard. Why don't you take a three-day weekend? You deserve it. If you want to you can leave a bit earlier today to." Neji turned.
Hinata stammered out "Thank you." She couldn't believe that her punishment was over.
"Well if I let you continue working like this you would have burned out. You need to take better care of yourself and stop being a burden to everyone." Neji walked off.
Hinata internally scolded herself for being such a bother. Yet uncharacteristically she finished her thought with. 'He could have left it as a compliment, jerk.' Hinata snapped herself back and tried to regain her composer.
Hinata left work early and went straight home. At home she started a bath. She wanted to relax and unwind. Hinata sighed and steadied herself. Then in an instant, Hinata remembered about girls night. Oh right now she could go.
She contemplated on sending out the text to ino. She liked hanging out with her friends but she never seemed to really wasn't a club kind of girl. Yet still it was a chance to get out of the house. Hinata took a breath in.
She then sent the text out to ino.
Hinata instantly got a text message in return:
"GREAT! I'm glad, we haven't seen you in a while and we missed our Hinata. Plus, this girls night is going to be different. Just a nice night at my house. We wanna catch up. I'm so glad you will be there. Dress CUTE!"
Hinata blinked a couple of time. She was excited to see she have a night in with friends, but something seemed weird about this whole thing. Ino loved going to bars or clubs. Hinata more of the type to stay in. Hinata shrugged it off and decided to return herself to her bath.
She thought to herself how she had been acting strangely. She felt like in high school she used to be able to describe herself in just a couple of words; shy, sweet, naïve. But recently she felt like as she grew she became more of a one-word person. Bland. She felt her self-worth shrivel especially in comparison to her happy, colorful friends. Yet recently now and again something deep inside Hinata will shout out in the shell of her well behave silent self. It disrupts her thoughts and want her to push forward and move. Hinata wasn't sure and was shocked by it at first but now she feels she should just ignore it. Yet still deep down, she did secretly like it.
It was Saturday night and Hinata got dressed for her night with her friends. Hinata put on a dress with spaghetti straps. She thought that Ino would be pleased with her level of cuteness. Hinata grabbed a cardigan from her closet to help her feel comfortable. Before she set out to Ino's she made a mental check list in her head to see if she had forgotten anything. When she gave herself the OK, she headed out.
Hinata arrived at the house and knocked on the door. The door instantly flung open and Ino beaming face appeared.
"HINATA!" Ino hugged Hinata and pushed her into the house. "Guys Hini here!"
Hinata was surprised to see that she wasn't the first one here. Tenten and Sakura where lying on the couch.
"Hey long time no see."
Hinata nodded and joined them on the couch.
"You look different, Hini." Sakura mentioned.
"Maybe she is in love." Ino giggled as she walked past them into the kitchen to fetch drinks.
"No I think its because I am not use to seeing your shoulders is all" Sakura finished.
Hinata twitched, her eyes instantly darted to her shoulders. She wasn't wearing her cardigan, actually she had left it at home. Hinata felt strange. How could she had left it.
"I think you look cute." Tenten winked.
Hinata felt slightly embarrassed and exposed.
Ino walked back into the room with a few drinks in hand.
"So what's the plan, Ino?" Sakura asked.
"Oh, not all of our guest are here yet." Ino smile crept along her face. Before anyone could comment there was a knocking at the door.
*Knock Knock*
"Speak of the devil." Ino sprang up and ran to the door. Leaving the confused guest on the couch. Hinata was still mostly fixed on her bare shoulders.
The girls heard the door open and Ino squeal.
"Could you be any louder!" A voice called out. Hinata head instantly shot up as she remembered the tone.
"Come in!" Ino squealed again.
Hinata eyes were transfixed on the door way waiting for the guest to appear. Hinata held her breath and then in an instant walked in two guys. Hinata recognized them.
