Fourth Glance
Chapter 7
"What did I do to deserve this?"
-Ino Yamanaka
Reiko was scared.
…Very scared.
She stared at the bottom of the pool and her face paled. Memories of the past flashed in her mind…
Water. She was surrounded by nothing but water. She couldn't see anyone. She wanted to scream for help, but she was slowly drowning. Water was getting into her mouth, her nose, and her eyes. She tried to float, but found that her legs were numb.Tears ran down her cheeks, mixing with the water. She flailed her arms about, but it was no use. Only one thought passed through her mind: I'm going to die.
That was 5 years ago, yet the memory was still vivid in her mind. Fortunately, an adult saw her and rescued her before she could pass out. Her parents weren't there.
Of course.
Reiko slowly inched away from the deep end, 2 meters deep, and quietly sat down. After that incident, she never wanted to swim again. The teacher looked up from the note she gave him, and nodded.
"Hey, Reiko," said Naruto as they ate their lunch. "Why didn't you swi-"
"Shut up, Shika!"
Reiko and Naruto turned to see Ino and Shikamaru arguing. Ino was gesturing wildly around, while Shikamaru shook his head.
"Iobviously won, troublesome woman," Shikamaru drawled. "And my name isn't Shika, it's Shikamaru!" Ino scoffed.
"As if! I won, Shika. Just face it: I'm better at swimming laps. Just stick to chess!"
Reiko rolled her eyes. Why can't they just work together or something?
"My name isn't Shika, you troublesome woman!" before Ino could reply, Reiko's cellphone rang. Reiko looked at the caller and answered the phone.
"Good afternoon, mother." Reiko said. Naruto looked at Shikamaru and raised an eyebrow. Shikamaru shrugged.
"Good afternoon, Reiko" said her mum over the phone. "Did I interrupt you?"
"Not at all," Reiko replied.
"Good. Did the principal talk to you about your enrolment?"
"Yes…She said she wants to meet you and father in person…"
"Well, did you tell them you're living by yourself?"
"No, I didn't tell them …"
"Good. Very good. I'm sure you can handle living by yourself for a couple more weeks, right?"
"Of course."
"Have you heard from your sister?"
"No, not for a while now, mother…Is that all?"
"No...Your father and I expect you to be active in the school activities. I'm sure you won't embarrass us by shying away. After all, we will stay in this town indefinitely."
"Oh? But I'm just-"
"I'm sure you won't embarrass us, Reiko."
"No, of course not, mother."
"Good."
"Reiko," Naruto asked as Reiko finished talking to her mum. "Why all the formality with your mum?" Reiko shrugged.
"They're very strict, I guess." She replied. "Anyway, I have to go. I need to see Mrs. Tsunade."
Reiko sighed as she walked towards the principal's office.
So much for not taking responsibilities.
Reiko approached the principal's office and knocked. Mrs. Tsunade opened the door.
"Reiko!" She said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I changed my mind, Mrs Tsunade. I want to be in the Student Council…on one condition."
"And that is?" Mrs. Tsunade said, grinning. It doesn't matter what the condition was. If Reiko is in the Student Council, Gaara will be her burden no longer!
"Put Shikamaru Nara and Ino Yamanaka in the Student Council as well."
"Consider it done!"
"Okay, class, listen up!"
The class stopped talking. The teacher cleared his throat.
"The 4 main Student Councillors are: Gaara- Chairman, Shikamaru- Deputy, Reiko- Secretary and Ino- Treasurer."
Most of the class cheered. Reiko's in the Student Council! Gaara scoffed; Reiko looked impassive; and Shikamaru and Ino were shocked.
"What?!"
"Okay, I'm here."
Reiko entered the room and sat down in a chair. The council heaved a sigh of relief. Reiko yawned and rested her head on the desk. Gaara glared at her.
"Well," Ino said, smiling nervously. "Let's start the meeting, okay? Does anyone have any suggestions for fundraisers?"
"I do!" said a boy. He stood up and went to the front.
Gaara's eye twitched. If this is how every meeting will go, he'll kill them all. I mean, come on! The kid wants to invite every celebrity for a fundraiser! Gaara eye twitched again. Reiko sensed that Gaara was about to explode.
"Are you sure about this?" Reiko asked the kid, just before Gaara could shout profanities at him. The kid grinned in reply. Reiko shook her head. "Think about it. You'll have to somehow persuade the celebrities to come here. And how would you know if they'll actually come? Then, we're going to have to keep the press off the school grounds and make sure that the celebrities have a good time. Not adding to the fact that no sensible person would pay $1,000 for an autograph. And then, we're going to have to make the stalls ourselves. Do you really think this is such a good ideanow?"
The kid looked like he was about to cry. Reiko didn't seem to notice.
"Well?" she asked again, raising an eyebrow. The boy shook his head before running out of the room.
Woah.
Reiko shrugged and looked around at the Student Councillors.
"Anyone else have any suggestions?"
"That was the scariest Student Council meeting I've ever had in my life."
"Yeah…poor kid…"
The Student Council meeting was finally over, much to the relief of the members. The kid who made the first suggestion didn't come back. Even Gaara was surprised. Reiko delivered her speech straight out to the poor kid, oblivious to the fact that he was crying.
Sometimes, Reiko could be so harsh.
Shikamaru left the room with Ino, who was too shocked to speak. Shikamaru glanced at her and sighed.
"Get over it, Ino," he said, putting his hands behind his head. Ino stared at him.
"Are you okay?" she asked incredulously. "Are you sick or something?"
"What? No! Why would you say that?"
"That was the first time you ever called me Ino!" Shikamaru looked away, trying to hide his blush.
"I did?" he asked. "Maybe you heard me wrong. I'm pretty sure I said 'troublesome woman'."
"No! You definitely said 'Ino'! HA! See? You do know my name!"
"Whatever. It's not like I care."
"Aha! You didn't deny it!" Ino grinned. Shikamaru shook his head.
"I just called you by your name, no need to get over-excited about it."
"But it's a big deal! For me, anyway."
"And why is that?" before Ino could reply, the bell rang, signalling the end of lunchtime.
"Oh no!" Ino said, dashing to the canteen. "I haven't eaten lunch yet!"
Shikamaru's stomach grumbled.
He forgot to eat his lunch, too.
A/N: Thank you for the constructive criticism, Chroz Areving! I have taken it into account and wrote a 5-page chapter for Chapter 7! pats self on the back Check out my profile, because I will clear things up there. Please read and review. Constructive criticism is welcome. Thanks.:D