There was a time where I had lost all interest in everyone's opinions about me, but today…, today was making me flat out uncomfortable. I can't begin to explain how it felt knowing that every other person I walked past stopped just to look at me.
Kiba had left to go to the gym, and offered if I'd like to come along, but then thought about what he was asking me for a moment. I've never worked out a day in my life. He just chuckled and walked off, waving goodbye. As he walked away I couldn't help but notice how tall he had gotten! I stopped growing in 10th grade at 5'5"(165cm), but he looked about 6'0"(about 185cm). If I recall, we were always about the same height. I felt my face get slightly warm, but before I could react-
"Naruto?" I completely froze up. The voice sounded so calm and familiar; only a bit deeper than what I remember. I waited for them to say anything else, but all I got was a warm hand on my shoulder.
I turned to be face to face with a raven haired teen who was about a whole head taller than me (damn why am I shorter than everyone!). Other than being taller than me now, my old friend looked exactly the same. "Hey Sasuke."
What happened next was the strangest thing that happened to me so far since coming back. He pulled me into a tight embrace which lifted me off of my feet slightly. I couldn't help but notice my heart skip a beat. I returned the hug and took the opportunity to take in Sasukes scent. As strange as it sounds, it made me feel nostalgic and happier to be here. I couldn't help but be slightly disappointed when it was over, but kept such feelings to myself. He seemed to be at a loss for words, and when he finally opened his mouth to speak, the bell signaling we have ten minutes to get to class drowned out all noise. We both laughed. "What class do you have right now?"
I couldn't help but smile at the fact he wasn't mad or questioning me about where I had been. Though I do expect he'll bring it up later. After opening my backpack I pulled a sheet with my course list on it. First period was Advanced Placement English class. "Room 223 with-"
"Mr. Hatake." I looked up at him with a confused look. "I have the same first period. C'mon, let's walk there together.
The entire walk to class we kept talking non-stop. I never heard Sasuke talk this much before, it was kind of strange. Maybe Kiba was right; I must have a staring problem or something as evidenced by me not being able to take my eyes off of my friend here. You can't really blame me though; I once had strong feelings for this guy.
When we arrived to the class we sat right next to each other in the very back row. Mr. Hatake was about ten minutes late, so we, just like the rest of the class, talked excessively.
"So," I began. "Have you ever... y'know, told Sakura how you feel?"
Sasuke finally returned to his quiet demeanor. "No I haven't."
"Oh come on! I've been gone for three years now, how have you not made a move yet!?"
He made an irritated face at how loud I had raised my voice while speaking on the subject. "I'm working on it... I'm waiting for the right time." I couldn't help but laugh at the fact he just said that. After three long years, there must have been about a hundred or 'right times.' Sasuke even managed a chuckle. "In plus, why are you asking me that, don't you like her?"
There was a moment of awkward silence. "Not anymore, not even close," I looked away.
"So you finally realized you're gay?" He responded calmly. Suddenly a swarm of heat pervaded my face, my insides dropped like a rock, and I began to sweat profusely. I had only ever told Jiraiya about my sexuality, how did Sasuke find out!? I looked at him and noticed a faint smirk on his face. That was just a joke! I tried to laugh it off, but that made it even more obvious. The smirk was replaced by a look of shock. "Oh shit."
Before I could say anything, our teacher had walked in and began talking to the class. "Good morning students. Please take your seats. I apologize for being late, there was this cat stuck..." There was no way I could listen to lame ass excuse after Sasuke had just discovered I like men. Why can't I just ever hide what I'm thinking like a normal person? For the next hour our teacher spoke of the year ahead of us, leaving no room for me to explain myself to my friend; or possible ex-friend now. My insides began to churn until a folded paper was dropped on my desk. I picked it up and read it:
'Yo, calm down, you look like you're about to burst. Your secrets safe with me, what else are best friends for right?'
My eyes started to water as I wrote back:
'Thanks. You're the best.'
I tossed it back onto his desk. We only had about ten minutes left in class, so I was surprised when the world's most patient person couldn't fight back the urge to continue writing.
'So, when did you find out?' Well that's an awkward question, seeing as he was my first crush when it comes to other guys.
I tried thinking about a way I could dodge the question. For some reason I thought back to the day when me and Kiba had kissed in elementary. 'When I had my first kiss, when I used to live here before.'
'When you kissed Sakura? I guess that makes sense.' I locked up. I can't lie to Sasuke; I hate lying, but I don't want him to know that Kiba kissed me. He seems like a stereotypical jock.
'Err, not exactly. It happened at the elementary school. It meant nothing though.'
'Is it someone I know?'
'Yeah, but I can't say who it is, I'll feel horrible.'
'I bet it was either Gaara or Kiba.' My mouth flew open when I read that. How would he have guessed right on his first try? Honestly, I have no idea where his guess of Gaara came from, but still, he's amazingly accurate.
Still, I tried to play it off. 'Where did that come from? Gaara is too… Gaara to be anything besides asexual. And Kiba is a jock, he's into cheerleaders and shit. '
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Sasuke smile. 'So it was Kiba?' My stomach sank. 'It was kind of obvious in your reply and on top of that I followed your eyes when you read it. You gave yourself away when you looked at Kibas name. Anyways, Gaara is gay as hell, and jocks are the biggest closeted people out there- everyone knows that.' I laughed to myself at that last part.
'Just pleeeeease, don't tell anyone, or say anything to Kiba.'
'Of course I won't, but if anything, why don't you try talking him about it? There was a rumor going around that Kiba likes guys for a little while, but it died out when some kids tried picking on him for it and he kicked their asses. '
'You think I want to get my ass kicked!? No thank you!'
'Just think about it. I have a feeling that Kiba is a little more on the fruity side anyways.'
The bell rang for our second period, concluding the first. That was the longest class I've ever had to be in, but luckily for me, we walked out of that room talking just like we had before, as if our note-passing had never taken place.