I'm supposed to be busy with school supplies and wrapping books in clear plastic (I hate doing that!), but I bought time to write this chapter. Hopefully, this story will be done before I have to go to school. I think the ending's approximately 3 chapters away.

Kankuro: Why don't you go back to what you were doing with your school things and… well, spare me the sick story?

Me: -eyes angrily- You know, you piss me a lot but you don't always see me ranting about it, right?

Kankuro: Right.

Me: So what gives you the right to rant louder and more often?

Kankuro: Sorry, already.

Me: By the way, this chapter is actually based somehow on my experiences as a director in my school. No, not the drama club's, but I usually direct or write plays or skits for my class or batch.

Kankuro: So, you were bossy?

Me: Kankuro, I'm still bossy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

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Chapter Nine:

"The Last Play of the Year"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Please do not consume foods and drinks inside the auditorium.

Stick that up your ear.

"Really, Tenten," Sakura whispered to me in the props room as she polished an improvised shield, "If anyone catches you eating or drinking in here, you'll get detention. Only Naruto gets detention days before graduation, you know."

I rolled my eyes at her and took another bite out of my beef jerky. Seriously, I think I'd get more than just detention when a teacher finds out… especially since I have a jug of light beer with me.

As I chewed on the jerky, I mumbled to Sakura, "Oh, come on. Do you think I can handle the stress on an empty stomach? I need my brunch." I had air for breakfast and it was definitely past lunch. My last meal was last night. I swear if Sakura tells on me, I'll tear her and Sasuke apart again. But I guess I can trust her. She owes me, after all.

So, on going is the fourth performance for the day. But, honestly, it felt like the millionth with all the mishaps:

Five actors forgot their lines. One came out without a necessary prop twice. Two fell from the stage (Oh, the horror.). And three had stage fright simultaneously.

I've had worst cases in the past, but this is ridiculous.

After one more scene, this showing will be over. We'll get half an hour before the next and final performance, which is the gala show, commences. The panic and pressure always kills me, but usually, Neji would come by with ice cream and a smile…

…But guess what? Neji isn't here.

He didn't come to the first, second and third showing. And he isn't here to watch the fourth. Lee, on the other hand, hasn't left his seat. Yeah, he bought five tickets so he could watch all five shows. Sweet guy.

But it's Neji I want to see.

He must still hate me for what I did yesterday. Remember how I yelled around about him being DemonFalcon? And he wouldn't admit it, right? Then he tells me to make him. Seriously, does he expect me to kiss him again? Nu-uh. I'd love to, but I wasn't willing yesterday.

So, because I was pissed, I did something unforgivable…

…I slapped him.

Yes, right across the face. It wasn't that hard, but a slap is a slap. I don't know what came over me. After I slapped him, we just stared back at each other. He held his sore cheek with his hand with a shaken look. I ran out of the room, out of the suite and out of the condominium. I wished a piano had fallen on me.

I'm an even bigger idiot than before.

Now, I bet he still hates me for it. Seriously, who wouldn't? Now I'm the jerk. Okay, so fine. I deserve the punishment that he won't come to see my play. Sure, Neji, don't arrive coz you hate me for slapping you… I'll understand…

…Not.

One thing a directress can't accept is having her own best friend not attend the play she herself directed. It hurts.

The other month, I directed a musical for the school festival. It was shown thrice and Neji was there to watch all three shows. And he even bought me a cluster of carnations, which was both nice and embarrassing. More of sweet, though.

It's always like that when I have a play. He's always seated on seat 2C, smiling as he watches and sometimes beaming back at me as I poke my head out from backstage. Then, he'd meet me backstage and congratulate me.

So, technically, it's really disappointing to find Jiraiya-sensei seated on seat 2C instead of Neji. I couldn't help but sigh.

"We got a problem…" Shino burst into the props room with his headphones on. Like always, he's the man behind the sounds, music and sound system. He went on, "The mic of Juliet isn't working. And she's entering a scene right now."

He noticed the jar of jerky and the jug of beer, staring back at it from behind those rust-tinted sunglasses of his. Fine, so I brought food into the auditorium. So sue me!

I heaved a frustrated sigh, "Not a word about the jerky and beer then I'll give you some after the gala showing." I had to make a bargain. Shino nodded in agreement as we walked towards the stage.

Situations like these are so common. I've faced worst, anyway. I took my copy of the script, got a mic and said Juliet's lines when it was her turn to speak. Hey, it works. No one will ever know. Like always, everything is under control. It's a director's life for me.

When fourth performance was finally over, the audience walked out of the auditorium, murmuring and probably talking about how drab the backdrop is (Screw the head of the Settings Committee.). But, Lee stayed on his seat.

I called the whole cast and even the backstage crew onto the stage for a pre-performance meeting. When they were all assembled, I began.

"You guys are doing great!" I lied with a smile. But, really, these guys need encouragement, "But screw the idiot manning the blue spotlight. I'll poke your eyes out later." The guy misaimed thrice and I got absolutely pissed.

I continued, "The next performance will be the gala show, the last for the day and for the year. Let's make it our best." But, seriously, I wanted to scream like a howler monkey, tear my hair off and rant.

I'll be frank: The moron who plays Romeo faked a cheesy accent that sounded like John Travolta with his tie too tight. The lighting of Scene 2.5 was awful. The swords we made broke apart on-stage during the mock fight and the poison let off a scent that smelled like rotten eggs.

I'll never make it to Broadway.

As everyone left for their break till the next show, I just went limp and let myself fall onto the floor. I was sobbing and muttering gibberish. Lee walked to me from his front row seat and tried to comfort me, "Aw, cheer up, Tenten. I'm sure the last performance won't be that screwed up. In fact I thought the last four performances were awesome like King Arthur—…"

"You think anything that has something to do with Shakespeare is awesome!" I bellowed at him in annoyance. Then, my tone changed to what seemed like a sob as I grumbled, "You even think Shakespeare's nose is awesome. It's not! It's like saying Mr. Burns is hot…"

I don't know where that came from, but I must be watching too much of The Simpsons.

He eyed me pitifully as I explained, "Look, Lee, I'm not miserable because of the play. My plays always come apart. It's… Neji I'm thinking of…"

"Why? The slap is over. The deed is done. He'll forgive and forget. Is that what's making you feel this way?"

"Well, yeah. That. And the fact that he hasn't come by to watch any of the performances. He hates me now."

"No! Neji would have to jump into a pit-less ravine filled with omnivorous goldfish before he'd even think of hating you. He's practically your big brother—…"

"I don't want him to be my big brother, damn iiiiiiit!"

Wearily, I sniveled useless and concealed tears as I mumbled, "I know this is a really petty thing to actually sob over, but that's not it. Friends are supposed to be there for each other. Neji and I have always been there for each other. And on this one single moment, his presence means so much."

I mean, if friends are supposed to be there for each other, does that make Neji less than my friend if he isn't here for me anymore?

Still, aren't I taking this too seriously?

As I stood from the floor, I just shook my head and thought, "Hopefully, he'll be here for the last performance. Then, I'll apologize for everything. For the slap, for that one night… everything. If he isn't here by then, I'm going to look for him…

…I am not willing to end this day without giving him that apology."

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O

Now Showing: Act 5, Scene 3. In other words: In ten minutes, this Shakespearean hell is over.

A part of me is glad. A part of me isn't. During this last performance, teachers have started to join us backstage to help out. It's unnecessary, but I can't do anything about it unless I want to end up in the principal's office. I hid the jerky and beer in the cabinet for now.

Since the teachers have been butting into the play, I had to look really stressed, concentrated and serious when in truth I'm just tired and humiliated. So, I had no time to peek from the curtains and check if Neji has arrived.

Only Shino can give me an update, but I still can't face him after the theatre thing.

Once the curtain call is over, I'll have to get on stage, walk to the center, grab the mic and say, "Thank you for watching. May you all have a good night."

Pretty simple, but I hope no one flings a tomato at me.

Nine minutes. This is taking so long.

The actors backstage were already chilling out since they won't have to face the stage anymore for the rest of the play. The actors on-stage, on the other hand, are rushing things. I guess they want this done and over with as soon as possible.

But, seriously, I just wanted to see if Neji even bothered to buy a ticket. So, I cautiously sneaked out of backstage, crawled through the side aisle (I hope no one noticed me.) then burst out of the auditorium. Yes, this was done a la Mission Impossible.

I approached the ticket counter and asked, "Hey, you got a record of those who bought the tickets?"

Shikamaru raised his brows and mumbled, "Yeah. Why'd you ask? Want me to check a name?" Ino was beside him, counting the money we earned. Did I mention that she was a part of the Grad Ball Committee? She eyed me suspiciously, probably concluding that I was flirting with her man.

Fat chance, Ino.

Nodding, I requested, "Can you go check if anyone bought a ticket under Neji Hyuga's name?"

"No prob, Tenten." And there, Shikamaru took out his folder of records and started flipping through the pages. And Ino kept her glare at me.

After a few seconds, Shikamaru said, holding the record labeled 'L', "Neji Hyuga bought four tickets for the last performance. That's all it says here. But I don't know if he went to watch it. Maybe he gave it away or something."

Ugh.

I thanked Shika and reentered the auditorium in silence (to also escape Ino's glares). If I want to get backstage quickly without getting caught, I'll have to crawl again. I wouldn't have the chance to go check the audience if Neji was present.

Five minutes. Wow, I took so long in scurrying from and to backstage.

On stage, I saw the actors portraying the scene where they were already bawling and all in the churchyard where Romeo and Juliet died together. Lee keeps telling me how romantically depressing the scene is, but I always thought that it was pathetic somehow.

I am so eager to end this crap. I listened to the last lines for the whole play. I memorized them, too, so I whispered the words along with the actor saying it.

"A glooming peace this morning with it brings; The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head: Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;"

Three more phrases and it's all over. Finally!

"Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished: For never was a story of more woe…"

Say the last line, damn it!

"…Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

The actors exited. The audience clapped. Lee stood up and screamed in delight. The whole drama club rejoiced backstage. The teachers smiled simultaneously. And me? Well…

I yelled and happened to be the loudest of them all.

You could say it's pretty low to actually rejoice over a successful and minimally screwed up gala performance… but you wouldn't understand if you weren't the one who directed it, I guess. All I know is: This is my last play and it's certainly unforgettable.

As the clapping went on, I walked on stage, grabbed the nearest microphone and cleared my throat. I opened my mouth and spoke:

"Thank you for watching. May you all have a good night."

There, beneath the spotlight, I grinned before everyone else. It's a great feeling and a rather pleasant moment for me. But as I gazed at the audience with my eyes, I was also looking for him. I was looking for Neji.

Once again, he wasn't seated on 2C. Instead of seeing another person seated there, I found an empty seat.

Empty.

And there, I realized something. Somehow, this moment is also empty without my best friend.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O

"Great job, Tenten."

"Awesome play, Tenny!"

"That was great, Tenten! Congrats!"

"I'm proud of you, sweetie. You made me and your dad proud."

Yes, the last compliment was from my mother. She's actually pregnant and she wasn't even supposed to come and watch. But she did, anyway. And my dad? He was busy this morning. Business was gripping his neck but he came and watched, anyway.

Lee has been here in the auditorium since this morning. And he never gets sick of the play. Some remarkable friend he is. Hinata, Hanabi, Mr. Hiashi and Nana were also there to watch, surprisingly. I don't know how they found out of the play, but they watched the gala performance.

Guess what? Kankuro watched it twice. Wow.

All these people have bothered to watch my last play. That means a lot to me. But, really, I can't believe that of all the people, my own best friend didn't come over to watch any of the shows. Not even half of a performance.

Some friend Neji Hyuga is. If this is because of the slap or some other personal reason, then fine! Be that way, Neji! Be that way!

"Tenten. Hey, someone left something for you."

I turned around to find Hinata smiling back at me as she held a bouquet of roses. Not just any kind of rose! Columbian red roses! Can you believe it? These roses are more than 20 dollars each! And the bouquet has a dozen of them! I love these roses! They're my favorite!

"Oh my gawd!" I screamed with happiness, "That's for me? Oh, Hinata, that's so nice of you. Thank you so much. It must've cost you a lot!"

She gazed away and mumbled, "Actually, these aren't from me. They're from Neji."

…

Whut?

"Yes, uh…" Hinata stuttered with her smile still there, "He didn't go to school today because he needed to submit his third quarter report card to Mizu University. He's in town, yes, but you know how complicated document transfer is. He must've spent the whole day in the post office."

Hearing that made me guilty. Neji had a good reason to be absent, after all.

Hinata went on, still carrying the bouquet, "Anyway, he arrived home at 8:15. He called me up and told me to meet him outside the auditorium. He met up with me with these flowers. He says he bought these with his allowance since he thought it's the least he could do for not attending the shows. He says he's sorry."

I can't believe it. Why didn't he tell me? It's pretty forgivable.

And there, I took the bouquet from Hinata and grinned. Gawd, Neji is still the sweetie he is.

"Neji paid for our tickets so we literally bore a hole in his pocket. I feel guilty, but he said it's worth the cost." Hinata explained.

Hell, I'd give Neji a discount anytime! Lee bought his tickets with a 10 percent discount.

I nodded in understanding and muttered, "Oh, I see." Honestly, I was speechless. Hinata beamed back shyly and concluded, "Well, I have to go now. We'll be going to the casino for poker night. But Neji will be home so pass by to see him, Tenten. I'm sure he'd love that."

Yeah, I guess he'd like that. I'd like that, too.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O

When I got home, DemonFalcon was online.

Really, even when I've already caught him Neji still does this? Come on, Neji…

DemonFalcon: congratz on ur play.

1010kunoichi: Hey, thanks. Did you watch it?

DemonFalcon: yep. loved it.

Neji, you didn't watch it. I know. Sheesh.

DemonFalcon: can I tell ya something?

1010kunoichi: What is it?

DemonFalcon: im not stag to the ball anymore. Found a d8.

1010kunoichi: Good for you.

DemonFalcon: hey, did my tip work? Bout asking a close friend for social help?

1010kunoichi: Yeah I guess.

I had to lie, right? And besides, why is Neji talking about this?

DemonFalcon: b honest: u think im neji hyuga don't ya?

What the hell…?

1010kunoichi: Aren't you?

DemonFalcon: ur sick if u think I am.

1010kunoichi: ?!

DemonFalcon: but hey. don't worry. 2morrow's the grad ball. we'll finally get to see each other.

1010kunoichi: Oh, yeah. Haha, time flies so quickly.

DemonFalcon: yah I guess. Heh. had fun with high school?

1010kunoichi: Of course! You?

DemonFalcon: uh dudette, don't mean to break it to ya, but… im not even graduating.

What the heck is he trying to say?! Is he playing around with me again?

1010kunoichi: But you said you were a senior from Konoha High.

DemonFalcon: well im from Konoha high alright. But im currently attending general science class 1.

General Science Class 1? Wait a minute…

But before I had a chance to answer, DemonFalcon logged off. Weird.

I sent a lot of offline messages, but he never went back online. This isn't making any sense. He told me before that he was a senior. Now he tells me that he's attending General Science Class 1?! Gen. Sci. Class 1 is a class for freshmen!

DemonFalcon…

… Are you really Neji Hyuga? Or am I wrong again?

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You know what, guys? The next chapter is the night of the Grad Ball! Psyched!

Kankuro: This'll all be done soon.

Me: Yeah, it sucks. But you guys tell me what you think of this chapter, okay? Leave a review! Thank you!