Ok! I know I tookforever to update this! And I'm sorry- I really am! I was buried in school work, and I'm a lazy slob and a procrastinator. What a great combination, huh? So, because it's Christmas, I finished this chapter especially for you guys. Out of all your gifts, I hope you enjoy this one the most! Hehe.

Disclaimer: don't own.

Warning: language

Gaara's POV

"Hey, Gaara?"

I raised my head from my desk to look tiredly at the person in front of me; some guy with long brown hair and expensive looking clothes. He looked vaguely familiar.

"Do I know you?" I asked in a bored manner.

"Uh, not exactly," he said, smiling sheepishly. "But I'm on the student council."

Realization dawned. "Neji Hyuuga?" I asked.

"Yup, that's me." He held out a piece of paper. "Could you sign this?"

"What for?"

"Nothing much, just something for the council. Like a petition."

I threaded my fingers together and rested my chin on them. "Oh really? For what?"

I could tell I was making the Hyuuga uncomfortable with my questions. His perfect smile was starting to waver.

"Look, could you just sign it?"
"Of course. If I know what it's for."

Neji Hyuuga; top student, ideal son, and best soccer player in the entire school wanted me to sign a piece of paper for some dodgy reason. Now I was curious… Besides I was the type of person who never signed or agreed to anything unless I knew every detail. It was one of my little OCD traits.

"C'mon, you really can't just tell me?" I asked amusedly.

Neji sighed heavily in annoyance as if I was burdening him. "Are you really that thick? It's an autograph!"

My eyes widened in mild surprise. Autograph?

"Why? What do want my autograph for?" I asked in confusion.

Now the Hyuuga looked really uncomfortable. In fact, he was beginning to blush….

"Oh god," I said suddenly, instinctively drawing away….the magazine…"You're one of the obsessed readers, aren't you?"

The other boy looked like he had just been hit by a freight train. "What? Hell no! Besides, I would hardly call it reading!"

I scowled in annoyance and stood quickly. A couple other people had wandered into the classroom, and although they weren't paying us any attention, there wasn't a chance that it wouldn't happen. I grabbed the brunette's arm and dragged him out into the hallway. I pulled him around the corner making sure there was no one within ear shot. I turned to him furiously.

"Ok, what do you want?" I asked.

His face was blank. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't give me that!" I snapped. "You want my autograph? That's a complete lie-"

"Woah! Wait a sec- It's not for me, it's for a friend!" he said, putting up his hands.

I raised an eyebrow; a very thin eyebrow, thank you, and drew away slightly. "For a friend," I repeated flatly.

Hyuuga boy looked uncomfortable. I didn't blame him.

I shook my head. "That's just weird."

"That's what I told him," The Hyuuga said defensively.

I smirked to myself. "Nice friends, Hyuuga."

Neji blinked his pale eyes. "So…I'm guessing the autograph is a 'no'?"

"Of course it's a 'no'."

I pointed a finger at his chest.

"Where did you even find it?"

He blinked. "It?"

I grimaced. "The…magazine?"

His face flushed a light pink and he broke eye contact. "Oh, that. Umm, it was lying around at my friend's."

"Lying around," I muttered through gritted teeth.

So that anyone, even the spoiled Hyuuga ponce could find it.

"Listen," I said harshly. "You don't talk to anyone about this. Got it?"

"Why would I tell anyone?" he asked.

I sighed heavily and resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "I don't know, Hyuuga. I'm not in your brain. But if people find out, I'm royally fucked. So please don't tell, alright?"

"My lips are sealed."

I snorted.

"Is that good enough?" he questioned.

I folded my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes a little at him. "Honestly? I don't trust you."

Neji looked taken aback. "Well I don't-"

"Just stop. And we never speak of this again."

The Hyuuga nodded. "Got it."

I looked into his eyes searching for the slightest trace of a lie. He had some pretty good dirt on me. And I was raised to not trust those I didn't know. Sometimes those who were close. But as I stared into his lilac pupils, I saw something within them, something that made me uncomfortable. But it wasn't deceitful. I looked away.

"Good. Well, I'll see you around…Hyuuga."

I turned to walk back to class, when he suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Wait!"

I tensed before turning back to him. "What?"

He hesitated. "Why…why do you do it?"

Oh, no he did not. He hit the nerve.

"Unlike you,Hyuuga," I let the name roll off my tongue like something vile, "most of us don't get everything handed to us on a silver platter. I do it for money."

"But there are other ways-"

I yanked my hand out of his grip, which had tightened, however subtly. "How would you know? How many days of your life have you spent working?"

His jaw was set tight and he looked conflicted, but I couldn't care less. I was right.

"I don't expect a guy with a personal ass-wiper to understand."

Neji stiffened visibly, and as words left my mouth, I realized I might be backing myself into a corner. He might get pissed and blackmail me. Neji seemed like the prideful type. But so was I.

"Hyuuga Corp, right?" I continued.

Neji looked away.

"I heard you're taking over once you're out of college. Lucky you," I said bitterly. "I suppose that'll be your way of making money. And I have mine. Alright?"

His eyes locked with my own, and I saw it again. That look…

Uneasiness crawled up my spine.

"Remember, don't tell," I said shortly, turning and walking away.

Later in the day

"Gaara, will you stay behind for a moment?"

I sighed to myself at the teacher's request, standing to the side as the other students shuffled out of class.

"Pull up a seat please," Mr. Demenski said, motioning to a desk. I did so, and dropped my backpack by my feet.

"Yes?" I asked.

Mr. Demenski took off his glasses and briefly rubbed his eyes. "Gaara, I know you're not fond of chemistry…"

"I hate it, in fact," I corrected. "Despise it. No offence to you, of course."

Mr. Demenski sighed. "I know. Your grades haven't always been the highest in this class; mostly Bs and Cs, the occasional A-. But your grades have been slipping lately."

I cringed inwardly, jadedly.

"Slipping how much exactly?" I asked.

"As in failing."

I cringed outwardly.

"And I know you're a bright kid," Mr. Demenski continued. "So I don't know if your grades are falling because you simply don't care about chemistry, or because something else is going on."

He put his glasses back on and leaned forward. "Is something going on, Gaara? Family problems? Overload on work? You can tell me."

Right. I don't think so, Dr. Phil.

I ventured a tiny smile. "No, nothing. I guess…I just haven't been getting enough sleep."

Mr. Demenski nodded, though I noted the subtle and lightning fast narrowing of his eyes. I blinked, and wondered if I had even seen it. 'I haven't been getting enough sleep' is almost as bad as 'the dog ate my homework'. There's no way he bought it. But, to my relief, he didn't push matters either. He sat back in his chair.

"Alright Gaara. But unfortunately, you're still failing. So I have assigned you a tutor."

My pride boiled with insult. "A tutor?"

"Yes, yes, I know. But it's for your own good. Trust me."

There was a knock at the door.

"Mr. Demenski, you wanted to see about tutoring?"

"Ah, yes, perfect timing actually."

That voice…

I turned my head slowly, my sight greeted with non other than the Hyuuga. My brain took exactly 3 seconds to process.

No.

Nope.

Nuh uh.

I don't think so.

I would not be tutored by Mr. Perfect. Maybe someone else… But not me.

"You," I said, with a little bite in my voice.

His eyes landed on me and widened in surprise. "Gaara?"

"Oh so you two know each other," Mr. Demenski deemed.

"Hardly," I replied, looking away from the pale-eyed brunette.

"Well, at any rate, it's good that you guys know each other a bit."

"Sir, is there anyone else?" I asked quickly.

I noticed how Neji tensed a little out of the corner of my eye. Mr. Demenski looked a little surprised. I knew I was being rude. But the awkward relationship that Hyuuga and I shared was desperately unwanted. In general, we hardly ever saw each other. And if things just went on that way, he'd probably forget about me and I wouldn't have to worry about the brunette spilling about my private life. A world of problems and pain lies over that cliff.

"Well, Gaara," Mr. Demenski started. "Neji is one of our top students."

Oh really? Thanks Einstein; I didn't know that.

"And right now, he's the only one available for chemistry."

My nostrils flared and I breathed out of them loudly. I pondered a moment, weighing my options-or rather, my lack of them. I didn't need the stress, but there seemed to be no solution other than simply putting up with the tutoring.

I sighed in defeat.

"Fine."

Mr. Demenski briefly pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright. So until your grades improve enough, Gaara, Neji will be your tutor for at least 7 hours a week. So you two will have to figure out a schedule and get it to me soon. Ok?"

"No problem," the Hyuuga boy said smoothly.

I grunted noncommittally.

"May I suggest you two start working tonight?"

"Will do," Neji said immediately.

I felt a swell of indignation. Wait! What if I already had to do something? Did the bastard even pause to consider my plans?...

Of course not.

"Alright, then it's settled," Mr. Demenski said, satisfied. "You two get cracking right away."

"Yes sir," we said simultaneously.

I stood and pushed the desk back into place, grabbing my backpack off the floor.

"And don't forget that sleep, Gaara," Mr. Demenski added.

I turned my head and looked him right in the eyes. I gave a formal smile. "Will do. Thanks."

"So Hyuuga…" I drawled and we walked down the hallway.

"Neji."

"Hmm?"

"You can call me Neji," he said, not looking at my face.

What was his problem?

"SoHyuuga, you tutor too? Huh, I guess there are no limits for Mr. Perfect. Right?"

He didn't reply.

"Soo…" I continued, feeling comfortable and pissy at the same time. "Where are we studying?"

"I was thinking that we could go to my house."

"Ah. Which one?"

The Hyuuga boy grumbled in the back of his throat.

"Well, if we're going to your house, you have to drop me at home afterwards."

"Fine. Where do you wanna meet?"

"Gee, I dunno. Theparking lot sounds good."

Neji sighed at my sarcasm. I smirked.

"The parking lot it is, your royal highness."

"Why are you referring to yourself in third-person?" I asked innocently.

Neji growled. "I'll see you after class!"

I bit the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing as he stomped off. So maybe tutoring wouldn't be that bad. There was only one problem-besides him knowing about my job- it was the way he looked at me earlier. That emotion in his eyes that made me feel uncomfortable, vulnerable, alone…

It was pity.

Yay! Chapter 2 is done! I know, it was a little sad, sorry guys.

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