"Here" He holds his open palm. I lift a brow. Does he want to hold hands?! My face can't help but morph in question. He sighs, "Your phone. Give me your phone."
"What for? This is the only one I have. You can't have it." I step away from him. He sighs once more and rubs his forehead with his other hand.
"I'm going to save my number, and I need yours too."
"Why?"
"Listen, things are going to change, and I'll need you to answer your phone when I call." he takes the phone from my hand, presses a few buttons, and then his phone plays a familiar ringtone, after the second he swiftly hangs up and hands back my phone. All in a rapid motion, as if he's done it before. "Make sure you answer before the third ring."
I glance up and meet his incandescent eyes,
"What if I answer after the third?" The azure in his eyes lingers for a moment before turning shades darker.
"There won't be a third ring."
We walk home for the next ten minutes without either of us uttering a word. The awkwardness suffocates me, tightening my throat. I evade his eyes, looking anywhere else. I turn and see Han's convenience store around the corner, suddenly remembering what I had to buy for the Student Council. It's the same store I always visit when I need a last-minute purchase. The wooden building is old, has a creaking door and a faint smell of age, but it holds almost anything I've needed since I got here. I should hurry and buy the posters for next week before I forget again.
"I need to stop here." I grab Naruto's sweater, tugging at him to stop.
He looks up groggily and squints at the towards the convenience store.
"No, go another time, I have something to do after this." his hand pulls mine away, and he continues to walk away.
"I can't!" I cross my arms, "I have a meeting in the morning, and I'll have to wake up even earlier if I come in tomorrow." he hesitates for a bit, before heading the same way he was going.
"Wait!" I fiercely lock his arm with mine, "I still owe you." I glance up and see the scowl on his face. "From last year's trip. You helped me buy drinks and carry them back." his tense expression softens.
"When?"
"During last year's trip, when we went to the mountains for the cabins and hot spring." he kept the same confused gaze. "We went a few miles down, and then it started to snow crazy bad, so we had to stay in the store for hours. That's when-" I stop myself before blurting out something I'd regret. Though it's too late, he seems to recall as a grin appears across his smug face.
"I think I can almost remember now...maybe reenacting what happened will enlighten my memory~?" I blush immensely and turn my back to him.
"Whatever. I don't care anymore. Come if you want. Stay here or leave, I don't care anymore." I swing the door open, jingling the bells above.
"Welcome!" a friendly voice calls out from behind the counter. I glance at the store owner and smile in reply. From behind, the bells ring once more. "Welcome in!" the owner greets once more, and without turning I know who stands behind me.
"I want some Ramen Noodles. The deluxe ones, the same from that night a year ago. Remember?" he grins slyly, and I can't help but blush once more.
"Don't…don't keep…mentioning that." I feel my face getting hot, and quickly face the other way. "I…remember." My voice suddenly feels so small. When I can't handle the heat anymore, I walk towards a different aisle, away from the harassment. Easing my mind on the task at hand, I examine the posters and choose a packet of five for each field trip location. After that, I search for a few more things and head for the register.
Once I check out, I search for Naruto, only to find him sitting outside, both cups of noodles already waiting to be eaten. Looks like he already bought them, and even prepared them while I looked and checked out.
He's on the phone, speaking with a serious expression, but immediately hangs up once he sees me exit the store.
"I was supposed to buy it for you, and now you got me another one. I'll end up indebted to you." I take a seat across from him and gently place the materials down.
"I don't mind." His words catch me off guard. "I mean it makes no difference." I pause and stare at him confusedly. "You belong to me regardless, so being in debt will make no difference." He takes my noodles and places a piece of meat from his onto mine. "I'll buy you as many things as you want. So, you'll never think of paying me back." My chest feels heavy, and my head pulses.
"I don't understand. Why did you suddenly…" I hesitate for the right words. "Disrupt my peaceful life?" His change in expression makes him look taken aback.
"You think it was peaceful?" he laughs under his breath. "I've kept a close eye on you, Hinata. And your life is anything but. Or would you like you to remind you? Of your beautiful secret? The reason why you can't avoid me? Even if you look away?"