A/N: Good heavens... How long has it been? O.o So first semester is over. (Thank God! StruggledsomuchHnnnngghhh!) and now I can finally write a bit before second sem starts (Which I hear is the WORST semester in my course/program. 4 SCIENCE SUBJECTS-IZEEEE!) Here's another installment to BTW. ^_^
Note: Let me just explain to you guys that I never experienced middle school (I jumped straight to high school after elementary school. Not because I was a genius though. Hahaha! The schooling system here used to be that way) so I might have gotten some things wrong in this chapter. :p But nonetheless, I'm assuming the experience was more or less the same. I guess it was more of an age thing rather than a school level thing soooo yeah.
Also, just wanted to let you know that I don't bash on Sakura. I'm not being sarcastic. Years ago, I probably would have. She was so annoying before! But she turned out to be pretty okay in the end. :D
*DISCLAIMER APPLIES*
BEFORE THE WORST
Team Seven
Middle school could possibly rival high school in the awkward scale. Just imagine it: a whole building full of not-quite teenagers searching for an identity and having a first go at this "fitting in" business. This was the stage where cliques slowly formed; the establishment of who were worth knowing and who weren't worth two cents. This was the time to make new bonds and to test relationships; when friendships reach a make or break. Where one finds out who is actually worth being loyal to and who are true.
"Are you gonna eat that?" A thirteen year-old blooming heartthrob eyed the slice of tomato his companion was taking out of a sandwich.
"Heh. Go right ahead. I ain't stopping you." The fruit-slash-vegetable was still in between the tips of her thumb and index finger when her best friend devoured the sweet delicious food. The boy silently chewed on the tomato all the while looking at the blonde in an exasperated fashion. She was struggling to dissect the sandwich (she really just wanted to eat the meat and the bread) and rid it of its greens (and reds). Sasuke sighed at the other's attempts of 'improving' the snack. At this rate, Naruto would definitely make a mess of her uniform even before they reached school grounds. The lass looked uncomfortable in her black sweater vest over a white-button down as she flailed around with her sandwich. The morning winds would sometimes thrash her blonde spikes and knee-length skirt about, making the task of sandwich-dissection infinitely harder than it should. The only article that kept in position was the cute green bow that was neatly tied around her collar.
"Aha! Finally! A good old-fashioned meat sandwich!" She raised the food in victory. The action caused Sasuke to smirk in amusement at the girl. Miraculously, the blonde hadn't gotten any stains on her pristine white shirt.
"I shall now partake of this glorious meal!" She excitedly exclaimed. The added enthusiasm in her strides led to her not noticing a protruding crack on the pavement.
One second she was happily opening her mouth to eat, and in the next, her face was planted on the concrete with the dismantled sandwich laying a few feet away from her fallen form.
"Owww..."
Sasuke could only sigh at the normal klutzy display. "Hn. Such a blockhead." He offered the girl a hand up which the latter took without batting an eyelash.
"Tch. Of all the stinking luck..." Naruto ranted as she brushed off the dust and dirt from her person. The young Uchiha teen pulled a neat handkerchief from one of the pockets of his black dress pants and proceeded to assist cleaning the grime Naruto managed to get on her face.
"Thanks, S'uke." She said in passing. The girl sorrowfully eyed the sandwich that lay uneaten on the street. What a waste...
"Hey so if you're done mourning your loss, we should really get moving. I don't want to be late for the first day of school." Sasuke pocketed his hands while he stared unemotionally at the food Naruto was mourning over. Hn. It was just a sandwich; she'd get over it soon.
A tick formed on top of Naruto's head and she glared at her companion. "Insensitive jerk. This is a sad time for me! At least try to sympathize!"
"...Boohoo. Now let's go." Sasuke continued his pace as he preened himself. He tried to straighten out the small creases that had formed on his deep green sleeveless sweater. The twelve-year-old girl harrumphed at the brunet's cold-hearted tendencies. She'd make him buy her ramen to make up for that!
Not long after, the duo arrived at Konohogakure's Middle School Department. The pair hadn't even made three steps on school grounds when a flurry of girly screams greeted them. Naruto rolled her pretty blue eyes. Here we go again...
"Ahhh! Sasuke!"
"Hi Sasuke!"
"OhEmGee! I hope we end up on the same MS team, Sasukekins!"
"I love you!"
And as always, Sasuke ignored the horde of girls he attracted.
Naruto involuntarily ended up twitching in annoyance. Cripes! It was always like this! What was the big deal?! It was just Sasuke! Normal Sasuke with his big ego and his holier-than-thou demeanour. There wasn't anything overtly spectacular about the guy. He was just ... just Sasuke! Sure, he could be pretty cool and the bestest best bud ever; but other than that, there was nothing extremely grand. Nothing to hyperventilate over! ... which by the way was happening that very moment.
Oh.
The girl fainted...
Well.
"Hey, if we don't end up on the same team, you think we're allowed to switch?" Sasuke mused aloud for Naruto to hear over the sound of the rampaging little ladies. She shrugged as a response. Hopefully they could. It would suck if they ended up separated. One rule of thumb: Sasuke and Naruto could never EVER be away from each other. "At least we're in the same class. That's the next best thing if ever we can't switch out, right?"
"Hn."
Middle School Teams, more popularly known as MS teams, were the school's solution to help promote camaraderie and healthy competition on campus. It was also devised to aid students into adapting to the new school environment. Each homeroom class would be divided into groups of three. These groups would then be able to participate in individual class events or even department-wide activities. MS teams remained a block unit until graduation (unless, of course, there was a dire necessity to change the constituents of a certain team) and become obsolete after which. In all actuality, the best part about the teams were the fact that kids studying at Konoha Middle School were sure to go to Konoha High after graduation; so being part of a team guaranteed friends come the dangerous years of high school.
"Hey moron, I found our room." Sasuke called out from across the hallway. Naruto swiftly made her way to where Sasuke stood. The boy snickered at the way the blonde's backpack awkwardly swayed around as she ran.
"What's so funny?" She pouted once she was situated by the boy's side.
Another snort of humour from the Uchiha. "Nothing, Sunshine."
She shot a glare that was almost as threatening as a puppy's bark before she entered the classroom. Sasuke followed suit and, immediately, they were greeted by a roomful of familiar faces.
"Hi Sasuke!" A pale-blonde and a pink-haired child adoringly welcomed. The other girls in the room followed the trend and started to gather around the young Uchiha teen. Luckily, Naruto managed to slip away from the crowd before she was doomed to be trapped in the commotion.
"What up blondie!" Kiba shouted in time with the small yip from Akamaru.
"Hey Kiba." Naruto shot the lad a bright grin before taking a seat by his side. Just as she sat down, another voice made itself known to address her. "Hi N-N-Naruto." Hinata, obviously still having not overgrown her stuttering, shyly said. The smile on Naruto's face only intensified as she offered it to the dark-haired young lady.
"Sasuke, sit beside me!"
"No, he sits with me!"
"Get away from him you overgrown turkey!"
Kiba sighed at the raging noise coming from the room's entrance. "It gets worse every year, huh?". His little white pup whimpered in agreement. Naruto silently agreed and remained unresponsive as she observed the occurrence. It was true. It was getting worse every year and she feared it would continue to worsen as the years passed.
"Class, settle down!" It was about the time the homeroom adviser arrived. The girls were starting to get rowdier by the second. "I expect everyone to have their seats by the time I count to three." Before he could even begin his count, the horde of girls dispersed in a flash. Naruto giggled at the look on Sasuke's face. He looked about ready to gouge anyone's eyes out.
"Please take your seat." The teacher ordered in a gentle tone, knowing that the boy wasn't in stable condition at the moment.
"Hn." Charcoal black eyes immediately scanned the room for a particular set of wild blond hair. When he noticed that none of the seats surrounding the girl were vacant, he released a low growl.
"Kyaa!" Suddenly, from the back of the room, a blushing lass squealed. Before the teacher could question the random outburst, he caught sight of the empty seat just beside the girl. Sigh. Figures.
"What's your name, son?", the adviser whispered to the Uchiha.
"Sasuke." He answered quickly.
"Sasuke, may I ask you to have your seat please?" The exasperated look Sasuke shot the teacher was enough for the latter to understand. "I know. But just for today." The young Uchiha simply glared at the last vacant chair by the ecstatic little girl.
No way in hell!
He strode as if with purpose towards his blond best friend. "Sasuke?" She confusedly eyed the brunet boy. The imposing figure of the Uchiha stood in front of one Kiba Inuzuka, death glare equipped and all. "Move, Inuzuka", he growled.
"Uhh, Sasuke." The educator in front of the class worriedly called out.
"Hells to the no! I was here first!"Kiba defended. Trust Kiba to use inappropriate language in the presence of a teacher; and at such a young age too!
"I'm saying this one last time, Inuzuka." The temperature of the room seemed to have dropped. The room's occupants seemed to have stressed the impending danger. The kids, excluding the ever oblivious Naruto and the 'asking-for-a-death-wish' Kiba, shuffled uncomfortably in their places "It's either you move or I fling you to that empty seat. Your pick." Sauke harshly whispered so that only Kiba could hear.
"Bring it, prick." Kiba was ready to face his demise, it would seem.
"Boys! Enough!" The man handling the class made eye contact with the wild-looking Inuzuka boy. "Son, it would be beneficial for everyone if you move seats. I'd like to start orientation now, please." Cue triumphant smirk from Uchiha Sasuke. Kiba made a face and begrudgingly followed the teacher's instructions.
When everyone was settled, the instructor finally began. He shot a bright smile to his class before greeting them. "Good morning, students! My name is Umino Iruka. You may call me Mr. Umino or Mr. Iruka, whatever floats your boat; and I will be your homeroom adviser this year. I'd like to formally welcome everyone on their first..."
"What was that all about, S'uke?" Naruto directed the question to her new seatmate. She had officially drowned out the teacher's introductory remarks and was now giving Sasuke her attention.
"Didn't want to sit anywhere else, s'all." The boy straightforwardly answered the query.
"Were you bullying, Kiba?" She glared at the other.
"I was not bullying him." He defended. "I was simply asserting myself. Being assertive is important, Naruto."
"Assertive... Yeah. Right." The blonde rolled her eyes; she knew better than!
"Now, I'm sure you're all very excited to know your MS teams." Mr. Umino face lit up as the class erupted with cheers. The man began to chuckle at his students' enthusiasm. "Okay, okay! Calm down. I won't keep the information from you any further."
Sasuke's and Naruto's hearts began to quicken their pace. No doubt the whole class were experiencing the same anxiety-slash-excitement.
"Let me remind you all one last time that this class is Grade 7 Section K. Are we clear?" As Iruka expected, none of the kids answered since they were all caught up in their unease. "Alright, MS-7K Team 1..."
And he began.
For the next few minutes, Naruto waited with bated breath. So far, her name or Sasuke's name hadn't been called yet. This was crazy! Absolutely insane! How could something so trivial cause so much discomfort! She hmph-ed as she slacked her body on her seat. She decided to just not care about this anymore! So what if she and Sasuke weren't on the same team? She'd do just fine without him. Like a little grouping would change their relationship so much. Besides, she needed a little time off Sasuke anyway. The blonde grinned as if to challenge the teacher. Even without Sasuke, Naruto was independent, strong, confident! She was...
"Team 7: Uchiha Sasuke"
Holy-smokes-mother-of-pearl-batman! She needed to be on this team! She had to be on this team!
"Haruno Sakura."
Suddenly, the mentioned girl shot out of her seat and raised a fist into the air as she screamed in triumph. "Hell yeah!". It was hard to neglect the disappointed grumbles of all the other girls in the class.
"Tch" Sasuke reacted with evident disapproval. Naruto began sweating like a sinner in church.
There was one spot left.
One more.
For all things holy! She needed that spot!
"and Uzumaki Naruto."
"What?!" A certain pink-haired child griped.
Pretty blue eyes widened simultaneously as the rest of female population in the class protested. She couldn't help but let a smile of relief show on her face. "Heh. No big deal." She said as she crossed her arms behind her head and leaned herself against her seatback.
"Hn. Considering how much you were sweating just back then, I'd say it really was a big deal, blockhead." The mirth on Sasuke's eyes was clear and unobstructed. No doubt he was feeling the same relief the blonde was experiencing as of the moment.
"Whatever, Uchiha. You're seeing things. Get your eyes checked." Ahh, playful banter. A day would never be complete without it.
"Try saying that after you wipe all that sweat from your forehead, lug nut."
Twitch.
"Shut up, Sasuke."
"Hn. Love you too, bud."
"You better, jerk."
The two quickly faced opposite directions in attempt to hide their respective smiles. The day was officially complete.
"For Team 10 we have: Nara Shikamaru ..."
llllllllllllllllllll
The bell chimed fifteen times which signaled the end of the first day of school. All the students in Section K were excitedly chattering away as they packed up all their belongings. Well. Save for one boy,
"Hey, I need to pass by the admin for a second. I'll meet you at the foyer?" Sasuke hastily kept all his belongings in his sling bag.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure. Whatcha need in admin?" The girl asked as she comfortably sat on top of her desk. She nonchalantly swung her legs in a slow pace, all the while looking at the rushing Uchiha by her side.
"Mr. Sarutobi wanted to have a chat." That old man sure went a long way from being their Pre-school adviser to their Middle School Principal. Good for him. Good. For. Him.
Naruto nodded her head at the information that was given to her. "Oh. K. See you later then." She gave a wink just as Sasuke had finished packing. Before long, the brunet was out the door. The blonde took her time collecting her school materials. She was in no rush; after all, Sasuke would be in the office. Old man Sarutobi probably wanted to talk about his impressive class standing and whatnot. That was Uchiha Sasuke for ya! A nerd of sorts.
By the time she finished, everyone had left the classroom. She had politely turned down Kiba's and Hinata's offer to accompany her to the school gates. Just before Naruto could reach the building foyer, she spotted Sakura who had just exited from the girls' washroom. "Sakura!" the blond-and-blue-eyed ball of sunshine called. The desired result of getting Sakura's attention was achieved; although the grimace that had shown on the pinkette's pretty features was definitely not what Naruto expected.
"Hey, Sakura" Her voice wavered slightly but she still pushed on. "It's great that we're on the same team, eh? I gotta tell you, I bet we are gonna be such good friends by the time we –"
"Shut up!" Sakura hissed.
Blue eyes widened before furrowing with confusion. "...Sakura?"
"I said shut it, Naruto! You just have to ruin everything, don't you?!" The older girl's voice sounded like it was drenched with venom. She meant for those words to poison. Her words were designed to hurt.
Naruto, although a bit sorrowfully, puffed out her chest and stood her ground. "What's up with you? What are you going on about?"
"Being teammates with Sasuke was my shot! It was my shot to get him to notice me! Now that you're in the picture, my plans all went down the drain!" Sakura, in turn, straightened up her posture. She attempted to use the small height difference to intimidate the blonde. To her chagrin, Naruto wasn't intimidated in the least. It wasn't in the blonde's nature to get into fights with other girls so she reasoned with the other lass.
"Hey, I'm sorry but I wasn't the one who arranged the groupings. The school did." Naruto placed her arms across her chest.
The glare Sakura shot Naruto was chilling to say the least. It felt hateful. It was unforgiving. Suddenly, memories of 'the unlucky child' resurfaced. "You're always in the way. You're a nuisance, Naruto."
Ouch.
That hurt.
To think after all this time...
She was still so unwanted.
Sakura walked away, leaving a dazed Naruto behind. The poor blonde's posture was rigid. As if the lively girl was replaced by a stone cold statue.
"Hi Sasuke! Let's walk together!" Sakura's voice reverberated down the hall; as if her voice hadn't just uttered such unkind words.
Breaking out of her trance, Naruto renewed her resolve. With Sasuke as her witness years ago, she had vowed to herself that she wouldn't be such a whimpering mess anymore. This wasn't the first time this happened to her and it for sure wouldn't be the last. If people wouldn't change their ways on their own... well, she'd just have to instigate that change.
She grinned as she fixed the way her backpack hung against her back. "I'll make her acknowledge me eventually. Heck, I'll make everyone acknowledge me!" She wasn't just some snotty, good-for-nothing, bad luck kid! She was Uzumaki-freakin'-Naruto! She sprinted down the hall just as she screamed,
"Sakura! Sasuke! Wait up!"