Chapter Four: Because it's You
Her
"Sasuke's kind of cute." Sakura took a sip of her orange juice as soon as the bell rang. It was lunch time now, and every day the girls would pick who's the cutest guy in the whole school. Tenten never did participate in this game of theirs, but somehow she enjoyed watching her friends spurt out random names. "Don't forget Naruto." Hinata whispered. Ino and Sakura laughed as soon as she mentioned the name. "Naruto's… okay, I guess."
"I can't believe you guys." Tenten interrupted, looking from the comic book she was reading. "Isn't there something else we could do?" She asked. Ino looked at her rather sinisterly. That was the thing about Ino, whenever she gave you the look, it was too late to back out on her questions.
"And what, may I ask, are you reading?" She asked. Tenten held unto the comic book tightly. Hinata leaned closer. "This…"
Tenten suddenly remembered how Hinata and Neji were cousins. She pulled the comic away from the girl. "Just something I borrowed from a friend. Batman. Comic book." She said causally as ever. Ino didn't seem interested. Sakura shrugged. Hinata still looked curious. "I think my cousin has those as well!"
The mere mentioning of Hinata's cousin grabbed the other two girls' attentions.
"You mean Neji?"
"Yes."
"The Hyuuga Neji?"
Hinata nodded. "Who else?"
Ino turned to Tenten. "Say, how about you go borrow his comic books, Tenten?"
Tenten could've sworn she had gotten pale. "Uh, sure?"
"Oh no, you can't. Those are practically his treasure. He loves reading. He loves his books so much he refuses to let anyone borrow it, even his guy friends."
"What about his girl friends?"
"I… don't think he sees those girls as friends."
"Too bad, Tenten. Imagine how many you could read if Neji could lend you some of his comic books."
"Y-yeah."
She laughed. They all did.
When English was over Tenten found herself walking along the hallway, passing by the other classrooms. She stopped when she reached the advanced class, the class where all the smartasses ended up in, she took a quick peek inside. But it was already too late, a couple of guys had already seen her. "Are you looking for somebody?" They asked. She didn't really want to call anybody. She just wanted to know if Hyuuga Neji was inside.
The thought of him inside class made her shiver. She was so used to seeing him every day on the train that she couldn't picture him in class, listening to the teacher, taking down notes or whatever. I-Is Hyuuga Neji from this class?"
The group of guys sighed in unison. (wow) and called him out.
Although the way they called him out disturbed her.
"Neji! Another girl's here to see you. Another confession, perhaps?"
She felt her blood boil. But she held it in. She couldn't and wouldn't lash out in this school, she promised. Neji came out with a rather irritated expression that somehow changed after seeing the brunette. "Oh."
"Hi."
"Hey."
"…"
"…"
"Do you… think we could talk somewhere… private?"
He nodded. The two of them moved outside, in the garden. Now Tentne really did feel like she was going to confess to him or something. She held out the paper bag to him. "I… realized I can't take this." She said.
Neji looked at the paper bag she held out, still not taking it. "And I can't take it back unless you're done with them."
"But."
"Are you done reading them?"
"Well, no."
"Then don't give it back. Seriously, take all the time you need."
"But your cousin said…"
She stopped. As if she was going to say something absurd. Something personal.
"Your cousin said you never really lend your comic books to anyone."
Tenten hadn't realized how flustered Neji was. "I… I don't mind if it's you."
She couldn't feel her whole body.
Him
He in fact, didn't really lend his comics to anybody. Even his other stuff. He never did like how people treated their stuff, let alone his comic books. To him, his books were his everything. He always kept them clean, no folds and no wrinkles. Always in proper storage, alphabetized. But with her, he thought, it was okay. He gave her his comic books without realizing it, and when she gave it back, it was all still in its perfect condition. He felt like he could trust her. But more importantly, he did it just so he could have a reason to talk to her.
He felt his whole body heat up when he realized what he had just said to her.
She wasn't moving, and neither was he. They both were looking on the ground, trying to find the right words to say. It wasn't a confession, Neji thought. It's not like I'm in love with her. So I should at least say something.
He said the first thing that came into his mind.
"Would you like to go home together?"
She nodded.
He felt like an idiot.
Neji Hyuuga has never been this happy to go home before.
He had never been this happy whenever he went out with a girl.
The two of there were awkwardly sitting next to each other. He watched as she fiddled with her fingers nervously, a trait he recognized as his cousin Hinata always did. He never did get a chance to get a good look at her face so close. He never noticed that her brown hair was actually darker than brown. He never noticed how small her nose actually was. And how big and soft her eyes looked like. He never noticed how tall she was compared to other girls, or the fact that her buns were so neatly done.
He never noticed.
But now he knew.
"How long", he began, just as soon as Tenten looked up to him. "How long have you worn your hair like that?"
Her eyes widened, her expression softer than he'd expected it to be. As if he was expecting her to get mad at such a personal question. But maybe to her, it wasn't as personal as he'd thought it would be.
"What?"
"Nobody has asked me such a question before. I mean… you're weird."
"You're weird-er. Now tell me."
"Around the age of twelve, I guess? My grandma always did my hair in braids, and when I reached my 12th birthday party, I asked her to change it. I got bored, I guess? And Braids don't exactly suit me."
"I bet they do."
She laughed.
"I bet your hair is longer than mine."
He frowned. "I never chose to have it this long, you know. It's just something in the family."
"I could cut it for you. I've been cutting my hair ever since I've gotten hold of the scissors in the house."
"I'd appreciate that."
"I bet you do."
"What about the comic books?"
"What about the comic books?"
"I've never met a girl who's so into them. Especially stuff involving fighting and crime and whatever."
"I… like action, I guess. I've got like three brothers at home. The only thing stopping me from becoming a full-fledged manly man is my grandma."
He laughed.
That was a first.
[Author's notes]
last chapter for the week.
...or for now.
