Shikamaru glanced at his phone every minute, he was waiting for someone to text him that day. He's too preoccupied to listen to the discussion in his class. It was during lunch break when he heard a buzzing sound from his phone, he immediately pulled it up to check.
From: Unknown number
Hey idiot, where are you? I'm going to return your jacket. Temari here
He can't help but smirk after seeing that text and immediately replies to her.
No. I'll go there instead, where are you?
~Sent
He waited for her response, it was a little longer than expected and he felt like it takes forever for her to reply. After a couple of minutes, Temari confirmed and he immediately walked to where she is.
From: Temari
Outside the drama club
Shikamaru reached the door of the drama club where he saw Temari standing outside, holding a black paper bag. Every day, he noticed how she changed. There's something about her looks, her attitude, the way she speaks, everything. It was not the same Temari he meets before, well at least for him.
Temari immediately walked towards him and hand the black paper bag.
"Here, thanks for your jacket. Sorry, it takes longer for me to return it. I need to wash it first"
"It's alright, thanks" Shikamaru replied, still trying to hide his emotions "How's your preparation? Have you read the books?"
"I'm still reading it. I'm almost done actually"
"Good, uhm. What college are you planning to apply to?"
"Probably here, or in Sunagakure, and I found one in Kumogakure"
"Uhm, right. Uh-"
"Any school actually, maybe if any of them accepted my application I'm willing to grab it. I just can't wait to go to college, you know"
"Why are you rushing?"
"I just want to start living independently, not being dependent on my father" Her gaze move to the cemented floor, thinking about his father back in Suna.
"Ohh—"
"Then probably get a job and start a family"
"Start Family? You're ridiculous" Shikamaru snorted.
"Excuse me, what?" Temari shrieked
"You need to find someone who can handle you first" Shikamaru tugged his lips, he wasn't able to control what he said earlier, and it was out of his subconscious. Fuck! I sounded like a jerk by saying that, didn't I?
"What do you mean by that?" She was now curious about what he just said, her arms were now crossed to her chest.
"No—no, I mean. You're a little hard to handle sometimes, I think"
"That I'm difficult? Cannot tame? Yeah, you said that before"
"Uhm, well—I guess, yeah"
"Alright"
"Alright?" He looked at her blank face, he could not read what was going on in her mind. What the hell did she mean, Alright?
The thing is, for Temari, it becomes a challenge. She wanted to prove that she could love and be loved by someone. Her minds start wandering about the idea of it, the idea of love.
I'll probably say Yes to the next person who will ask me, just you know, try it.
Everyday Shikamaru and Temari became closer and closer, still denying the fact that something is growing between them. They spent their time doing Saturday work and Shikamaru helped Temari with her college application, which he told to himself that he was just doing it out of guilt. They still convinced their friends and the people around them that they were still enemies, hated each other, or something like that.
On one of the benches outside the school, Temari was having her break. She was reading one of the books that Shikamaru suggested for her college application. She heard the sound of footsteps walking towards her.
"Uhm, Temari"
She turns around and was surprised to see who it was, Kiba.
"What are you doing here?" She asked
"I'd like to congratulate you on your play, you really did a good job" Kiba scratched the back of his head while smirking at her
"Yeah, thanks" She smiled and return her gaze to the book she was reading.
"Uhm, actually I'd like to you ask something"
"What Kiba? Spill it out" Still her eyes focused on the book she was reading
"There's an upcoming senior ball, I'd like to ask if you want to go there with me?"
"Are you sure I'm the one you'd like to ask?" Temari turn her gaze at him and raised one brow, trying to see if he was genuine with his question.
"Uhm yeah"
"Okay" She said dryly
"Okay? Are you not going to torture me first or something?"
"Why would I do that? I said yes already"
"Oh, alright. Thanks, uhmm, I think it's time for me to leave now. See you around" Kiba immediately turned around and walked away from her spot.
"Okay, bye"
In the council room, the five officers were having their weekly meeting. This time, they will assist the school faculty and the other clubs to plan their upcoming senior ball. It is an annual formal dance or gathering for the Senior students, before attending their graduation. It was a big event for them, so a meticulous planning is very much in need. Shikamaru heard a buzzing sound from his phone and checked who texted him.
From: Temari
Hey! tomorrow is the last day of our Saturday work. Finally, I will not be seeing your stupid face every Saturdays :P See you tom! and BTW send me some book names for the exam, I'm done with the last ones.
"Stupid face?" he giggled under his breath. He starts typing the book names that he had on his mind while laughing. The other officers can't help but to notice it.
"Shikamaru? Are you even listening?" Sasuke said
"Ohhhh, we got a loverboy in here. Is that your girlfriend?" Naruto teases
Shikamaru smirked, girlfriend? Pssh "Uhm, no. Cut it off Naruto"
"You better bring her to the ball Shikamaru" Shino said
"Stop it! She's not my girlfriend. Sorry Sasuke, what are you discussing again?" Shikamaru shrugs it off and starts changing the topic
"Senior ball" Sasuke gave him an icy stare.
"Oh-Okay uhm, yeah. Right, I'll do the decoration for the ball" Shikamaru retorted
"Hey, is that mean we're not going to dance with the girls? And be busy managing the ball?" Naruto pouts while asking his question.
"That's not true, you can still dance with them" Sasuke confirmed
"Well, I don't know you guys but I'll be dancing with my date at the ball" Kiba said while chuckling
"You got a date? Who?" Shino curiously asked him while he adjust his shades
"Temari" Kiba proudly announced.
The four boys turned their heads to Kiba, all were shocked about what he just said, especially Shikamaru.
"How does that happen Kiba?" Sasuke said
"Am I need to start worrying now?" Naruto crossed his arms while staring at him.
"Impossible!" Shino exclaimed
"Are you sure this was Temari?" Shikamaru was asking for a real answer, he thought he was just joking.
"Yeah, she said yes. I asked her about the ball"
"Don't lie Kiba, she will not say Yes to that easily" Shikamaru added.
"She's difficult, how did you get her? Naruto asked, still not sure if this was true or not.
"Yeah, I guess we were wrong about it" Kiba said
Shikamaru's hand starts gripping his phone, trying to send her a message, he wanted to ask her a lot of questions. He stared at the Led screen of his phone, waiting for his hands to do the work because his mind was now hazy after what Kiba just said. He went home and tucked himself into bed still asking the same questions in his mind. When he got all the courage, he sends her a message.
Shikamaru: Kiba asked you to the ball?
Temari: Yeah
Shikamaru: You said Yes?
Temari: Yup
Shikamaru: Why?
Temari: Because he asked? What am I supposed to answer?
Shikamaru: You could just say otherwise. It felt like you decided that quickly.
Temari: I thought you said I'm difficult?
He squeezed his eyes shut, he didn't respond after that then put his phone on the side table, and started sulking in his bed.
You're an idiot Shikamaru, why did you say that in the first place?
A/N: Welp, I'll try to upload 4 chapters in one sitting on my next update. Those scenes need to be together, probably around next week. PS: I'm not sure if this will be going to be 15 chapters long, I think it might exceed more than that. Thank you for reading!