So sorry that I'm not updating more often...
It may sound like an excuse, but finals are really close, so I'm basically swimming in a pile of projects and papers to write.
I hope this chapter is interesting enough to compensate for the lack of updates!
Enjoy~
Chapter 7: First Day
"So, you did it?"
Gaara looks a little surprised that we were actually able to convince the Kazekage to letting us go to the Academy.
"How many times am I supposed to repeat it to you?"
"Are you… sure? So… We can attend the Academy?"
"Yes, Gaara! Aren't you happy? We'll be together the whole time while learning cool new moves and we'll become super strong together!"
Gaara's face starts to slowly switch from a surprised look to a wide smile. He then runs towards me and, before I could react, he gives me a huge hug, which makes us both fall on the ground. He doesn't let go, though. I've never seen him so happy, I can't help but laugh out of joy.
"Kiu! Y-You did it! We're going to go the Academy together! You're the best!"
"I'm glad you're happy Gaara, but you're a little heavy!"
I was saying this while giggling. I'm also really happy about this situation, but, at the same time, in the back of my mind, the Kazekage's words echo… Terminated… We just have to be careful! Besides, Gaara won't easily go down, he's way too strong.
"Well, I'm going to leave you two to your celebrations. I have some things I need to attend to."
Temari gets up and heads for the door. I really should thank her for everything. After all, without her, we wouldn't have been able to even consider the possibility of attending the Academy.
"Temari!"
She turns around and looks at me.
"Thank you… for everything…"
Her eyes widen a little bit. Then I hear a little mumbling from behind me. A little mumbling that sounds like a 'thank you'. Temari's eyes widen even more. She heard it too! It was Gaara wasn't it!
"Y… You don't have to thank me! I did it because I wanted to! Anyways, if you ever need anything, just tell me!"
She leaves in a hurry.
"Hey, Kiu?"
I turn around to look at Gaara, who's still smiling.
"Yeah?"
"Well, when are we going to go to the Academy?"
"Next week!"
His smile disappears and panic runs through his face.
"W-What? Next week? Isn't this going too fast? How are we supposed to get ready for this?"
"Stop panicking, we'll just go and see when the time comes."
"How come you're so calm about this? You're not worried?"
"Not really. I'm just really looking forward to it! I mean, we'll learn so many new things, and meet so many new people, and get so many new friends!"
"…Friends? I don't think that'll happen… Not as long as you hang out with me…"
"Well then, it's their loss! I won't ever leave you, even if no one ever talks to me again. As long as you still want me as your friend, I'll always be."
Tears start welling up in Gaara's eyes.
"Kiu… We'll always be together right? No one will ever break us apart right?"
I hold Gaara's shoulders and look him straight in the eyes.
"No one ever will! I promise you, Gaara. I'll always be there!"
A small smile appear on Gaara's face and he nods. I smile back. Gaara, I really will always stay with you. Nothing will ever make me leave you.
It's finally today… The day that Gaara's been worrying about for the past week… Now that it's actually here, I'm a little bit worried myself…
We haven't let go of each other's hands since we left the Kazekage mansion. Now, we're in front of the Academy, standing a little far from all the other kids. It's mostly because the kids and their parents didn't really want to stand too close to Gaara. Now that I think of it, we're the only ones that don't have our parents with us. The Kazekage probably doesn't want to show up… Oh well, we'll just have to deal with everything by ourselves! We don't need to depend on anyone but each other.
My gaze wonders over all the kids that will probably be in the same class as us. I recognize some of them that Mari introduced me to when we were still friends.
"Come on, Mom, Dad! We're going to be late!"
Wait… I recognize that voice… It's coming from behind me. Could it be? This is definitely Mari's voice. I turn my head around and I see her dragging her parents along with her. She doesn't notice Gaara and me, and heads for where all of her friends are. She's still as popular as ever.
"Kiu… Are you alright?"
I turn my head to face Gaara. He's worried… He probably noticed Mari, too.
"Don't worry, I'm over it! I mean, I have a much better friend now, anyway."
That's true, and I do believe in what I just said, but it still hurts to be betrayed by the person you thought was your friend.
"If you say so…"
I turn my gaze back to Mari, who's now engaged in some kind of conversation with her group of friends. I notice how one of them is talking to her and pointing at us. She turns her head towards where the guy pointed at. Our eyes meet. She then almost immediately starts dragging her friends further away so that we don't see them anymore. It's just as I thought. She definitely doesn't think of me as a friend anymore. More than anything, I think that it's the reason behind why she's ignoring me that makes me the most angry. If me being Gaara's friend is making her that way, then she's not worth being friends with.
"Ow, Kiu! You're squeezing my hand a little too much…"
"Oh! Sorry about that, Gaara…"
I loosen my grip on his hand. I guess I unconsciously squeezed his hand a little too much…
"Hey, is that our sensei?"
I turn my gaze to where Gaara is looking. I see a man coming out of the Academy. He's a little tanned, and he's wearing a headband. I think it's what all ninja wear. His hair is brown and very short that it looks like a lot of little spikes are sticking out of his head. He takes out a sheet of paper and clears his throat.
"Hello everyone, I will be one of the sensei of some of the new students. If I call your name, it means that I will be your sensei until you graduate. When I call your name, come to the front."
"Wait, there's more than one class?"
I whisper to Gaara.
"If that's the case, then… we might not be in the same class?"
Gaara looks at me with a worried face.
"No, we'll definitely be together!"
"Ahem… So, the students that will be in my class are…"
He says a few names, from which I recognize only Mari's.
"And… G-Gaara…"
The teacher hesitates at Gaara's name. There are a few whispers of shock. Gaara looks at me with a panicked face.
"Go on, Gaara. It'll be alright, I'll be there when he calls my name."
We finally let go of each other's hand, and he starts walking forward. People immediately got out of his way. It was more like they were running away… I follow him until I at the front of the crowd of kids and parents still waiting. He keeps looking at me with a lot of worry apparent on his face. I just give him a smile, trying to be as positive as possible.
The sensei calls out other names, but mine still doesn't show up. What if we really won't be in the same class? I can't let Gaara be alone in the same class as Mari and her group of friends! Who knows how horrible they'll be to him? I have to protect him from all their evil schemes! I can't just leave him alone!
"Kiu? Is Kiu here?"
Wait, what? Was that my name? Did I not hear it because I was worrying too much? I look up at Gaara and he motions for me to come over. It seems like he's been trying to get my attention from the first time the teacher said my name.
"Is Kiu here?"
"Y-Yes! It's me… Sorry…"
I go up in front and stand next to Gaara.
"W… Well, pay more attention next time."
"Yes, sir…"
He's probably surprised that I chose to stand next to Gaara, since everyone else was at least standing two peoples' length away from him. I'm just glad we're in the same class.
Thanks for reading!
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