FRIDAY | 01/10/2020

There was one thing that would never change between any high school and it's that Fridays were always the most lively day of the week. Eve noticed that it was especially apparent here compared to her old school. Students didn't seem as grumpy, teachers were a little less mean, that sort of stuff.

Eve stared at the vending machine, wondering if she should get another drink for once. It was always the same thing, every day. One can of black coffee; she was probably the only buyer. It wasn't exactly common for a high school student to enjoy something so bitter. When she went to grab her beverage, she noticed that two had fallen. Her stomach turned at the thought of what might happen to her body if she drank the both of them. Visions of her shaking uncontrollably and being stuck on the toilet were not something she felt like dealing with on a Friday. She couldn't just keep it in her bag all day though, that would be gross.

She felt like being nice and giving it to one of her new friends, Konan being the first one she thought about. That is until she remembered that the girl called the drink gross to her face. Okay, not Konan. She had a sinking feeling that no one she knew would want it.

Well, except for one person. Someone bitter, someone who radiated the same energy as plain black coffee. Surely Kakuzu liked the stuff? Eve nearly recoiled at the thought of handing him a gift. She sighed, putting it in the pocket of her bag, opening her own afterward. As soon as the cool liquid went past her lips, she felt a little more at ease.

"Hey! Oh...why do you have two of those?" Hidan's voice startled her out of her relaxed skin to her annoyance.

"An extra one fell...do you know anyone who'd want it..?" she asked softly, taking another sip.

"I don't know anyone else who drinks that nasty shit other than you and Kakuzu."

Eve wanted to groan.

"It's kinda weird though, he stopped getting it after he saw you getting it. Heh, he's such a baby," Hidan grinned. He began walking to class, so she decided she'd walk along with him. "He's pretty cranky this morning. He was up at like, two in the fucking morning doing his homework. He could use the caffeine. I can give it to him if you want," the albino suggested.

"I-I can do it myself!" Eve interjected a little too quickly. Hidan raised a brow. "I...I um...would like to get on his good side?" she laughed nervously, looking away. "We both left bad first impressions on each other."

"Hell yeah you did. I think that day might replay in my mind until I graduate. It was comedy gold."

"It was not funny!" she yelled, not really meaning it. She knew that if she witnessed what had happened between the two of them that day, she'd be laughing as well, but it wasn't as funny when you were the one getting embarrassed in front of your whole class.

"Anyway, I think he'll appreciate the drink, maybe not from you though. He might throw it away. Be prepared for the worst."

"No one would deny caffeine in a time of need." Eve smirked, walking up the stairs a bit faster than Hidan.

"Whatever you say, girlie."

Hidan got out of the car a lot faster than Kakuzu did, leaving him in the dust. He didn't care, he only wondered why he was in such a hurry. He locked the car and walked off along with the rest of the students, thinking about how to properly word his impending apology to that girl. He had to be the bigger person, at least, that's what he decided in the morning while he brushed his teeth. The unnecessary drama in the group was the last thing he needed in his already stressful life, so he'd fix the problem. That was it. That's all he cared about. He wouldn't become friends with her, he'd just apologize and they'd both move on with their lives as peers who happened to sit at the same lunch table and shared multiple classes. Kakuzu nodded to himself, right before half bumping into a wall.

Right, there was that problem as well. He got three hours of sleep. Would he even be able to focus in any of his classes today?

He felt for any coins in his bag, which there were none of. No drink for him, he supposed. He'd just have to deal with it. His frown worsened, his glare getting worse. He didn't eat this morning either. He didn't have a lunch with him.

Kakuzu let out a sigh, having a bad feeling about the day.

"Man, was I that fast?" Hidan laughed as Kakuzu wandered into the classroom with a tired expression on his normally stern face. "You're late! I mean, so is Mr. Umino."

"Shut up," was all he could muster. He noticed Eve looking at him for a second, but ignored it...until he realized she kept doing it. What the hell was she doing, trying to annoy him? Because it was working.

Eve rested her head on her arm, waiting for the teacher to come into the classroom. She knew this was her only chance to give the drink to him, but man, it was a lot harder than she anticipated. He looked like he needed it too! He looked bad. Like, really bad. Worse than her somehow.

Hidan was waiting for her to finally do the deed, getting impatient all the while.

"Well?" he whispered. Her face turned a bright shade of red.

"I-I don't...think I can..."

Hidan nearly slammed his face into his desk. She was shy, he forgot. He would have to do a little pushing to get his plan to work.

"Oi, Kakuzu? Sleepyhead!" Hidan called out a bit too loudly, causing other students to look at the trio.

"Will you quit it?" He hissed in reply.

"How many hours of sleep didya get? Or is there just something up your-"

"Hidan!" Eve stopped him, panicking. He laughed. "Geez..." she muttered. Kakuzu looked at the two of them with a suspicious glare. She took a deep breath, then turned to look at him.

Kakuzu wondered if he should just apologize then and there due to the sheer convenience of it. He definitely wasn't going to stop her in the hallway just to say sorry.

"I was wondering-"

"I need-"

They interrupted one another.

Kakuzu stayed quiet just to let her get her sentence out, but she did the same exact thing.

"S-sorry! You can go..." She bashfully averted her gaze.

"I-"

"Hey guys! Sorry I'm late, had to drop off my kid this morning. Let's get started then!" Their teacher had impeccable timing, as always. Kakuzu turned his attention back to the front, wondering what she was about to say. Eve did the same. It seems she'd have no time to do what she wanted.

Eve was disappointed but not surprised-she was too late and too shy. No one wanted lukewarm coffee! Especially in a can! She couldn't just hand it to him later, it might just piss him off more!

"I'm going to hand out these sheets, after you finish the questions, we'll trade and grade. Sound good?" murmurs of agreement filled the room as papers were passed down the rows.

Eve, Kakuzu and a pink-haired girl were the first ones to finish. They silently sat in their seats waiting for their classmates to finish so they could have even a minute of time to speak with friends. Eve looked at her paper, then at Hidan who seemed to be struggling with a question, then glanced over at Kakuzu without him noticing.

The atmosphere seemed warmer than usual, and it made her feel a little better. It was just a normal day, but the possibility of her having friends...filled her with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Sure, she had friends at her old school, but sometimes, they all would only be friends for show. Because their parents told them they should be friends, not because they truly enjoyed each other's presences. But someone like Hidan...she automatically felt less uncomfortable around, somehow. Konan as well. As she side glanced Kakuzu again, his gaze seemed soft, normal and serene. He wasn't putting on a mask in front of someone at that moment, just lazily staring at nothing with a tired expression. The anger-filled expression he always wore was nowhere to be found. Surely there was just something constantly troubling him? Not that it excused his behavior towards those around him, but it could be a reason.

When everyone finished and Umino gave the okay to give each other's tests around, she swallowed and handed Kakuzu her test, which she held with an unopened can of coffee in a single dainty hand. She didn't meet his gaze, that would've been too much for her, but she did manage to say one thing.

"Um...I got an extra...um...coffee..." Her voice diminished with each word, but he understood. He took it with her paper and handed her his own. Hidan blinked, surprised she even managed.

Kakuzu looked at the girl, feeling a little odd. He looked back at her paper, containing neatly written answers. He looked at her one more time.

"Thanks."