Attention, readers!
I will be on hiatus for a few days.
But don't worry, I need it to brainstorm.
Also, I've been running out of ideas so I've taken some things from novels to keep my storyline flowing.
Novels I'm using:
Queen of Camelot by Nancy McKenzie
An Acquaintance with Darkness by Ann Rinaldi
'Twas a new day.
The sunlight seeped through silk curtains; wind chimes rang and danced with the wind, and the warmth of the room awakened Hinata.
That was the beauty of morning.
But to her, it was the same old day: getting dressed, waking up to a boring breakfast, and walking twenty minutes to school.
It had been a month since she arrived at Taisei and everything progressed quickly.
In the right direction, of course.
Her grades were excellent, friendship with Naruto, Kiba, and Shikamaru was strong (though it was weird sitting with a bunch of boys at lunch), and the best thing was that Sakura's threesome stopped their attacks.
Not their glares, but the nonverbal abuse.
That was good enough for Hinata.
But, if everything moved smoothly, then why was she depressed?
It was Gaara:
That red headed rebel with the fatal smirk.
She was still bothered by him.
By his actions, his thoughts.
And the day he took her home.
I guess my opinions haven't completely changed…Now, why would some socially inept delinquent with a detestation for skinny, weak girls want to do a favor for Hinata, who was a skinny, weak girl?
He must want something from me.
She thought about it for a while and it clicked.
That's it, because he knows my family is rich.
Gaara must have thought that if did me a favor, I would award him with a large sum of money or a car…
But, he might also be one of those boys that enjoy taking advantage of fragile, young girls.
Hmmm…
Perhaps I should discuss this over with Hanabi during breakfast.
Naturally, her younger sister started freaking out.
"Ehhhh? You mean the ginger head that brought you back here? I had no idea--"
"Hanabi," her sister interrupted. "Keep it down or I won't tell you anything."
"Sorry, sorry…Okay, so what's his name again?"
"S-Sabaku Gaara."
"How did you meet Gaara?"
"I share a chemistry and music class with him."
Hanabi nodded and nibbled at her toast.
"Any others?"
"No."
"That's fascinating."
"How come?"
She wiped the crumbs off her mouth with a sleeve and gave Hinata a 'duh' look.
"Think about it: Chemistry and Music, they're your favorite classes."
"And…"
"And your grades are also the highest there."
"Oh, you think I'm—"
"Yep, it's so obvious that YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH HIM!"
Hinata blushed fifteen shades of red and nearly choked on her milk.
She had to spit it back into her cup to prevent it from rushing out her nose.
"W-what?!"
Her sister chuckled at Hinata's shaken expression.
"The only reason you're doing so well in both is because you get to see him every single day in those classes!"
"N-no…"
"You're obsessed with him, don't lie. You wanna have his babies!"
"Hanabi!"
"I feel for you, honestly, I do."
"I-I do-don't ne-need y-your s-sympathy…"
"See, you're the rich, cultured girl that no one likes; and he's the mutinous, dodgy guy that everybody likes!"
"J-just b-because w-we c-contrast e-each o-other d-doesn't m-mean t-that—"
"Hee..hee… I was just joking around. I'm sure a lot of people like you."
"Oi, you're no help at all."
"Then tell me why this is bothering you."
"I don't kn-know why. I-I thought you c-could help me."
Hanabi paused and raised an eyebrow.
"How do I help you?"
"Ano…I-I'm not sure. I...just..."
She lowered her head in distress and whimpered.
"I…can't take it anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that this is too much for me to handle. This past week I've been experiencing emotions that I can't comprehend…"
"Like what? Are you in love?"
"No, Hanabi, I'm not in love."
"Are you positive?"
"Yeah…I…I'm positive."
Am I?
Yes, I am!
Absolutely positive!
Hinata still wasn't sure on how to organize her conflicting feelings:
Gaara wasn't bad.
But most men were bad.
Gaara was a (young) man.
Was he like most men?
Arrggghh!
Her mind was basically eating itself.
Every day she thought about him.
But why?
Why, why, why?
Hinata made her way out the front gate and towards the back road, head drooping.
But…I don't understand.
Well, how can I?Ugh. I'm so ashamed of myself.
I am supposed to be a sophisticated, refined young woman with class and brains.
Yet here I am, with my head about to explode!
All because I care so much for some stranger and---
Hinata quickly slapped her hand over her mouth and stared at her shoes in disbelief.
Oh my goodness, did I just…I care for him?
The girl, who was now flushed and shaking, decided to ignore what she said and continued walking.
The date was December 18. Frost had blanketed the ground and its crystals shimmered in the sunlight as the wind chased the leaves. It had been like this for a month: cold, blistering, and windy…
Not to mention that finals were arriving.
That was not a problem for Hinata, but it was for some other people.
"Gaahhh!"
A blonde lad held a crinkled piece of paper and stared down with wide eyes.
"I have to make a 97 to get an 'A' for this semester! That's virtually impossible!"
Another boy began ripping his sheet and put his head back on the desk, yawning.
"I know. I mean, you're like the dumbest human being I know."
"You ain't helpin', Shikamaru! Damn, I'm gonna die!"
A boy in the corner was trying to hide a dog in his giant, furry overcoat.
"How are you going to pass?" he asked.
Naruto scratched his head, trying to come up with solutions.
"Hey, Nara, you think you can---"
"I don't think so…" He interrupted.
"Kiba, could you---"
"Nope."
"Well, who's gonna help me?"
Shikamaru yawned again and replied.
"Get Shino."
"Uh uh." Naruto shook his head vigorously.
"Chouji."
"Nada."
"Kin."
"Negative."
"Sakura?"
"Who?"
"Haruno…"
"Oh, hell no. She'll bite my head off."
"Gaara? He's pretty good. The only reason he's failing is because he skips."
"No way. I'm not comin' near his home. His sister's on to me…besides, he's changed way too much."
The three pondered about it for a few more minutes until Naruto jumped up.
"Hey, Lee's comin' back to this school, right?"
"Yeah, so…?"
"He can get me to pass! Rock Lee's a genius."
Kiba chuckled at that remark.
"Lee can't help you, retard. I doubt he'll even be taking this semester's final."
Naruto laid his head on the desk and moaned in despair.
What am I gonna doooo?On that thought, Hinata walked in.
I'm saved!The blonde immediately leaped across the desk and right into the pale girl's face.
"Hey, Hinata-chan!"
"O-ohayo…Uzumaki-kun."
Wow…that gave me a heart attack…"Can I-I help you?"
Naruto inhaled deeply with his hands behind his back and said
"Yes, you can…."
The seventh period bell rang and the students raced out of the orchestra hall.
They shoved and pushed, but it was a natural, everyday thing.
Hinata sighed.
Another day gone by.
Earlier this morning, Naruto had gotten on his knees and begged Hinata for extra tutoring.
She agreed, of course, but now carried more weight on her shoulders.
Gaara did not show up for 1st or 7th period.
And Sakura still shot her one of those killer glares.
I hate to say this, but… I'm actually sadder than before.
And for once, Hinata knew the reason.
The burning reason which tore her hot, beating heart open.
It was not her mother, sister, cousin, or friends that troubled her.
It was Gaara.
A month after his favor, she began to actually feel for him.
Her feelings were buried under layers and layers of thick grief and doubt for that entire 4-week period.
But she was finally beginning to uncover those emotions, and realized that she couldn't break free of them.
Everyday I anticipate his arrival to class.
Everyday I sit blissfully knowing he's near.
And everyday I…I think of him.
Today he wasn't by my side so I felt sorrow.
Demo…why do I adore him so much?
Perhaps it was his style:
Rebellious, yet charming.
See, Gaara wasn't like the 99 of the total male population in the school.
No, he was unique:
His smile, which exhibited a deadly, wicked aura.
That bright, fiery red hair, which matched his personality.
Or those large, green eyes, which showed inner features that no one else could see: benevolence and willpower.
True, Hinata was scared of him, but it was a different kind of fear.
It was horrified fascination, like excitement, and she wanted more.
That boy, with his matchless allure, made her instantly sick.
Almost as if he infected her.
But it was a fever she wanted to rage on forever.
I…have to see him.
Today…I must.
And she would.
