Disclaimer:Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto
Ages:
Naruto: 23
Sasuke: 25
Beat The Odds
Chapter 15: Studying Frustrations
April 20 2011 - 4 years and 7 months together
His textbook was trying (and quite possibly succeeding) to kill him. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably, glancing down at the orange hardcover book that was flipped open to the chapter on inequality.
"The ratio varies between 0 (which is complete equality) and 1 (which is complete inequality). To get this measurement look at the Lorenz curve and use the calculation below.
"A / (A+B)
"Or if the Lorenz curve is represented by the function Y = L (x), the value of B can be found-"
"Hey Naruto!"
Thank the heavens, stars and Buddha for the interruption. He swiveled in his leather chair and turned to look at his roommate, who was standing collectedly at the door, clad only in pyjamas.
"You left your phone in the kitchen," Chouji murmured, holding out the sleek black device. Naruto stared perplexedly at it, he didn't remember going into the kitchen.
"Thanks Chouji, my mind seems to have disappeared on me lately." He impishly told, scratching the back of his head in a trademark gesture. He calmly stood up and walked towards the door, letting his feet drag against the rough carpet. Chouji only smiled knowingly, he too was in his finals week, before passing the iPhone over.
"Don't worry about it." He rolled his shoulders before turning on his heel and walking back into the main hallway. "Good luck."
Naruto gave a soft 'you too' and closed his bedroom door behind the retreating figure. He knew Chouji was also studying for his own exams and Naruto didn't want to disturb him with the upcoming groans and muffled curses.
He made his way, agonizingly slow, back towards his desk and the textbook. It was slowly becoming the bane of his existence.
Whoever said a social science was easy can kiss his ass. The Gini Coefficient was math, complicated math, possibly not even in English.
He resigned his fate to potentially failing, before slouching into the chair again and staring blindly down at his textbook where equations stared innocently back up. Stupid math.
Sighing, he decided he was getting nowhere so a break was in order (and it had been a whole five minutes since he started, it was due time). He picked up his phone and frowned when he saw the magnitude of texts that were occupying his home screen.
Sasuke Uchiha (2)
Sakura Haruno (4)
Kiba Inuzuka (1)
Kakashi (1)
Missed call: Sakura Haruno
1 new voice mail
How long had he left his phone in the kitchen? How did he not notice it was missing?
He glared back down at his textbook, cursing it to the deepest pits of hell where Lucifer could be tortured with it before resigning himself to looking (and responding) to the texts he had received.
He swiped his finger across the screen, keying in his new passcode. He flipped quickly to his text messages and decided to start with Kakashi and work his way to Sasuke's.
I will be by on the 30th at 10am [1:14pm]
The 30th was move-out day and Naruto shrugged, before replying a quick 'okay' and opening up Kiba's message.
When is your final exam again? [12:20pm]
Next Tuesday [10:10pm]
He ignored the voice mail and opened up Sakura's text thread first.
So I had a date yesterday! [1:30pm]
We met at school, he's here on a scholarship for track but his major is nursing. He wants to help rehabilitate sports players who get injured. [1:30pm]
He's definitely not the greatest looking guy, but Naru he's sweet and just weird enough to be interesting. [1:31pm]
Are you even listening?! [1:40pm]
He grimaced, knowing the voice mail was going to be her shrill voice giving him shit for not paying attention but then apologizing because she knows he's probably busy.
Sorry Sakura, was studying. I'm so glad you found someone. Introduce me one day soon! [10:13pm]
Finally he reached Sasuke's new messages. Guilt crushed him for ignoring his boyfriend, but this final was starting to scare him, especially since he has been stuck on the same chapter for a day now.
I have a meeting later today, but maybe we can finally Skype tonight? If you're free. [9:10am]
Since you didn't reply, have to cancel. [4:40pm]
Naruto glared at his screen, suddenly his frustration with the textbook and at Sasuke was bubbling over. Did he think that he was ignoring him?
Sorry I was studying all day. We can talk now if you're free [10:19pm]
He locked his phone, turning his attention back to his book.
"Or if the Lorenz curve is represented by the function Y = L (x), the value of B can be found with integration and the equation below."
Ducks sounded and Naruto turned his attention back to his phone, the name Sasuke Uchiha flashing on his screen showing a new text message.
He picked up the device and opened it up.
It's a bit late now. [10:21pm]
Only 9:30 there [10:21pm]
Not tonight [10:22pm]
Naruto almost growled, temptation to ignore his boyfriend and try to cram as much information as possible into his mind was strong. But if he ignored Sasuke his mood was just going to keep dropping.
We've been trying to talk on Skype for weeks now. Every time we try something comes up. If you're not doing anything why can't we talk now? [10:24pm]
Drop it Naruto, I'm not in the mood. [10:24pm]
He glared at his phone, sputtering before standing up and moving to his bed.
You're not in the mood? [10:25pm]
I have literally been studying all day today, trying to remember this stupid math crap and forgot my phone for the majority of the day, only to read your text messages and find out you're being an asshole. [10:25pm]
You didn't take one break today at all while you were studying? [10:26pm]
Naruto bit his lip, he had. He just didn't think of looking at his phone, it was more of a desperate need to use the washroom or get out of the cramped dorm room and get some fresh air (and coffee at the cafe just down the block).
I did but I didn't look at my phone. [10:27pm]
Whatever. [10:27pm]
He was close to pulling out his hair. Why the heck did Sasuke, out of all days, decide to be difficult today?
I didn't think about my phone! I am stressed about this upcoming exam. So forgive me you're highness, because I was preoccupied. [10:28pm]
Plus last time you didn't talk to me for two straight days, because you forgot to tell me you were going out of town and would have no reception! So don't play this ignored boyfriend card, it doesn't suit you. [10:29pm]
That's low. You know that was an accident. [10:30pm]
Are you saying I purposely ignored you today? [10:31pm]
There was silence for a few minutes before Naruto felt his chest constrict. Did Sasuke really think that he would ignore him for the pleasure of it? They had been trying, really hard, for weeks to connect on Skype but neither had the time, and when one did the other didn't. It was hectic but they both knew it would get better.
No. [10:40pm]
He almost wanted to reply with how much that was a lie but held his tongue. He sighed, glanced at his forgotten book at the desk and closed his eyes. He was just tired and exceptionally frustrated. Why couldn't their relationship be normal where Sasuke would deliver coffee to save him from studying? Why did he have to live so far?
It wasn't fair.
We're both frustrated let's just call it a night. I do need to get back to studying. [10:43pm]
He closed his phone and decided that he should stop studying and maybe sleep. Almost instantly after closing his eyes he was asleep, his thoughts on his boyfriend and their seemingly deteriorating relationship.
He didn't see the message blink on his phone.
Good luck on your exam [10:44pm]