I was twelve. Just a preteen minding her own business. There could be no reason that I had gotten on the clique's bad side, could there? I went over the past few days in my mind. I hadn't gossiped in years. I hadn't spoken to them in weeks and they hadn't noticed me in months. So why were they coming my way? The hall was empty, so there was no one else they could be meaning to approach. It was a dead end by my locker, so they couldn't be going to class or the bathroom. I crossed my arms and glared at them as they walked up to me.

" Hey Ino!" I had no idea why this was happening. I wished I knew what they wanted. I wished they would leave me alone. I wished... I wished Shikamaru was here. Shikamaru? My mind retorted, surprised. Why? I couldn't answer the nagging voice, so instead I replied to Ami.

" Hi Ami. Rin, Botan." Ami stroked her brown waves, her malicious eyes raking over my outfit. Suddenly self conscious, I pulled my cream sweater closer, as if by some sudden magic it could whisk me away, or punch Ami in her stupid face, whichever. Rin leaned over to Botan whispering something in her ear. Botan snickered, her wide brown doe eyes narrowing to slits. These same, once kind eyes were the thing that had caused her to be named Botan by her mother, after the peony flower that exuded serenity and innocence. The kindness in them, however had soon been lost, about the time that Ami had adopted the tall foreign girl. Now she, Rin, and Ami ruled the school.

" Well, Ino, we were just thinking about ... What's that freak's name? You know, the one you always sit next to at lunch."

" Shikamaru?" I said in surprise. Rin smirked at the mention of his name. Something urged me to knock her senseless. Then I would have something to laugh about.

" Yeah, him. Weeeell-" I hated the sound of her voice. " We were just wondering if you like him." I blinked. Once. Twice. I was completely taken aback.

" Excuse me?" I sputtered. My heart was racing. I could just see the problems this would create. I didn't like him, though. So why couldn't I just tell them that? My tongue turned to lead in my mouth, preventing me from saying the words I needed to get out of this mess.

Ami shared a sly smile with Rin and Botan. She had me and she knew it. Now I would be the laughing stock of the school. I could see the headlines now.

" So, do you?" I could feel their breath on my face. I was backed in a corner in every sense of the word. My eyes roved frantically around, looking for an escape route. My eyes caught on something in the shadows, a boy.

It was Shikamaru. He had probably been there the whole time, and he was staying to watch me get humiliated. How could he betray me like that? In a whiplash of fury, I struck out.

" No way. I could never like a coward like him, always hiding in the shadows like he is." Ami nodded, finally satisfied. I stuck my tongue out at Shika over their heads. I would forgive him for watching this later, and he would forgive me for saying the things that I did.

" Well, if you're not going to sit with him anymore, you could sit with us. There's always room at our table." Ami said batting her eyelashes coyly, a bad habit she had developed. I was shocked, but felt it a good bite for Shikamaru. I was still mad at him; what better way to get him ticked than sit with our enemies? His enemies now. Ami linked arms with me, an unhappy Rin and Botan following our tail.

The words coming out of my mouth took seconds to say.

It took me seconds to pass him on my way to snack with Ami.

It took me seconds to realize, on passing him and seeing his face, that he may have had other motives for watching me.

It took me seconds to realize what those motives were.

It took me centuries to forgive myself for hurting him.

We were best friends but he loved me as more.

And I had hurt him.

It was my second lament.

Okay,

So I realize I made Ino a little bit ooc. I apologize for that. I'll try to do better next time! As always, thanks for reading and I don't own Naruto.

Love

Uchihaflower14