Gaara & Hinata; College
(requested by mindyla)
"Hyuuga Hinata."
It was the first day of Freshman year. Hinata walked up onto the auditorium stage.
"I want you to demonstrate happiness," said Professor Umino.
Hinata hesitated, then forced a quivering smile.
"No, don't be ironic. Give us genuine happiness."
Hinata stretched her smile, but it continued to shake. She could feel the trembles spreading to her knees and shoulders, as she stood there, against the bright lights and her classmates' stares.
She performed Shakespeare to her mirror. She recited Milton for her cat.
But she had little talent for acting under human eyes. Ironically enough, it was the only thing she was good at.
Amongst the small crowd of students in the seating area, ogling her, was sophomore, Uchiha Sasuke, heir to the esteemed Sharingan corporation. His family had founded the famous Sharingan sake, which was monstrously popular amongst college students. In fact, Sasuke was known to do some personal marketing on campus. Despite this, he did not let it interrupt his studies, as he was known for his esteem in all things, including, but not limited to acting.
Two seats away from Sasuke was Uzumaki Naruto, the captain of the football team. He struggled with grades, but his family practically owned the school. A party-boy known for getting into trouble, his family was known for getting him out of it.
Furthest from everyone else sat Sabaku no Gaara, who stared at her more intently than anyone else. Hinata had endured high school under his stare, only his persisted even when she wasn't making a fool of herself. She had not known until that day that they would be attending college together. Worse, they seemed to be sharing a major. Konoha University was the top school in the country, but Hinata would have happily attended a lesser one if just to avoid Gaara's eyes.
After several more minutes of standing there, fake-smiling, in dead silence, except for the sound of Rock Lee's mouth-breathing, professor Umino awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Okay Hyuuga. That's enough."
Hinata shuffled off the stage.
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke's body grazed hers as he walked down the aisle, then he brushed his shoulder off, as though she had left residue of her incompetence on it. He walked up onto the stage and stood his ground under those hot, beaming lights.
"Sadness," said Professor Umino simply.
Sasuke blankly looked at him for a moment, and then looked away, deeply inhaling, and Hinata suddenly wondered if he was all right. Sasuke exhaled, then inhaled again, reaching blindly for something to grasp, but there was nothing. He leaned down, his gaze averted, his eyes wet, and it was – incredible.
"Yes," said Professor Umino, his voice pleased. "Now ease towards anger – angrier – and angrier."
Hinata watched Sasuke transform, his body raising, his back erect, his jaw becoming tighter, and his frown becoming a scowl. He glared straight at professor Umino, and Hinata could not imagine his anger to be anything but authentic. Her lips moved wordlessly.
Wow.
"Thank you, Uchiha. That was – well, that was perfect."
Sasuke's body loosened, and his jaw relaxed. "Hn," was his only response, as he pocketed his hands and walked off. Hinata did not know whether to be afraid or inspired.
"Gaara."
Hinata glanced at the red-head as he stood and walked toward the stage. Like Uchiha Sasuke, he wore an air of indifference, but Hinata had never seen his deviate into anything else. She wondered why someone like him would take up acting in the first place. Gaara seemed to have little patience for expression. Then again, maybe he was just camera-shy, like she was.
"Love." Professor Umino grinned.
Hinata almost groaned. Love was an incredibly obscure emotion. She could not imagine Gaara delivering, but maybe that was the point. It was not unusual for teachers to weed out the weaklings on the first day. She twiddled her thumbs and hoped she would not be demoted to a remedial class herself. Though reluctant, she looked back at the stage, and to her surprise, Gaara's eyes locked on hers.
And he said, "I love you."
It was more than a declaration; stronger than a vow. He branded her with those three words, making her heart stagger, and goose bumps crawl across her arms.
Eternities passed as his gaze held hers, and just when Hinata feared she would be stuck in that moment forever, Professor Umino applauded, and the spell broke. Hinata sunk in her seat.
She was sold.
