I sat in a blue chair across from Eric. Saying I was nervous would be the understatement of the year. I was all ready beginning to sweat which I was sure he took note of. When he learned my story would he be mad? Disgusted? Or maybe he would feel compassion for my situation. I knew I didn't deserve it but I don't think I could live with the guilt of being the reason someone I loved killed themselves.
I couldn't stop the shudder that went down my spine. I loved movies, epically scary ones. This reminded me too much of a scene from one. I was in an empty, creepy hospital room with some man I had never met before. I was ready to bolt for any reason or at least scream my head off. I finally met Eric's eyes.
Eric had cold black eyes which reminded me or a certain Uchiha. I used to love those dark eyes before I started to drown in Naruto's blue ones. Now these dark eyes scared me. It was like they were looking deep into my soul. Eric had light brown hair that seemed to constantly shine even in the dim light.
"I know you're nervous", He gave me a warm smile "But just calm down and take your time and everything should be fine.
I was so glad to know looks can be deceiving. I don't think I could've got through this session if he kept looking like a serial killer. I calm down but only a little. Sure, he was being nice to me now but I knew his opinion could change any minute and I could suddenly turn into the bad guy.
"Why don't we say a bit about each other? I like to know my patients. I'll go first?" I nodded my head.
"My name is Eric Stanley. I'm 28 and happily married to my wife Jennifer who is 6 months pregnant today. I decided I wanted to be a therapist when my brother committed suicide when I was 16. I fell into depression until my therapist snapped me out of it. Two years later we got married. I knew then that my job should be to help people. Okay your turn." I breathed in and out before responding.
"My name is Ino Yamanaka. I'm 16 and currently single. My mom and dad run a flower shop which I will take over when I come of age. My job will to run the shop once mom and dad retire but if I weren't going to do that than I would become a model." Eric seemed satisfied with my answer.
"Okay now I know this might seem painful but I want you to start at the beginning. I was told that you were the first person to actually get to know Naruto since we can't find any relatives of him." Eric said.
I understood. I had been Naruto's first friend. With the way things were going Naruto would never have anymore friends again.
"Well it began like this…"
*FLASHBACK!*
I looked over throughout the cafeteria. Couldn't help but laugh to myself. Surely you've watched those typical high school movies. It starts out with some unpopular boy or girl. They meet their crush and they become good friends. By the end of the movie that character has got the love of their life and overthrown the popular crowd. Well here's a message…
THAT IS COMPLETE BULLSHIT! High school is nothing like that! High school is like prison. You're locked away with dangerous people who you don't like and who don't like you. The ones who survive and have power are the ones with loyal friends. Problem is who do you trust?
Popular kids ruled the school. Not like in the movies where the popular people are just jocks and some bitchy cheerleader that plots ways to make you miserable. No, the scary thing was a popular person could be anyone. You only needed to be three things: Semi good looking, funny, and most importantly cruel. The scary thing was that unlike in the movies popular people couldn't just ruin your school life. No, they could ruin your life entirely.
Don't believe me? You must've never been on top of the food chain. When you're there you feel powerful. People like you for no reason whether they know you or not. You can even manipulate people into doing what you want. The thing I realize now though is what goes up must come down. And my friend it is a hard crash down to earth.
I learned that the hard way. Once I was that girl. Sadly to say I was that girl from the movies. I was a bitch and honestly I still am. Just a less popular one. That was a story for another time though.
I spotted an empty table. I made my way to table as quickly as possible. I didn't walk fast enough to not hear the whispers from the girls I walked by or the cat calls the occasional boy made. I finally reached the table I thought had been empty. Then I saw that unmistakable blond hair and blue eyes. Naruto was once again slowly eating lunch by himself. It's funny, I used to call him a loser for sitting alone but now I guess I was in the same boat.
"Are you going to sit down or keep staring at me?" I looked at Naruto who was giving me a big smile.
What did he have to be smiling about? He didn't think we were friends did he? No matter how unpopular you were you were never so unpopular that you needed to start hanging out with Naruto. I sad as far away from him as possible just so nobody got any ideas. I watched his face fall briefly before gaining the same big smile he had before.
"Come on now Ino we've known each other since we were children. I don't bite you know." Naruto teased.
"No thanks fox boy." I said.
I instantly saw Naruto's face contort with anger. Fox boy was the nickname we had given Naruto when we were younger. Nicknames were usually a good thing but kids, me included, would often taunt Naruto because of the scars on his cheek that resembled whiskers. Girls at our school were usually the worst with the taunts. I would never admit it but I always had found them to be kind of cute.
"You know you don't have to act like that." Naruto said suddenly.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Act like what?" I asked but I knew what his answer was going to be. A bitch.
"Fake." Naruto said as he got up and took his tray across the cafeteria.
I could hear the insults being hurled at him with each table he passed. Fake? What did he mean by like that? Naruto didn't show back up for the rest of lunch. I was alone and it was the worst feeling I'd have since Sakura and I stopped being friends. I could feel everybody's eyes on me and it made me nervous. I knew they were whispering things about me.
They were calling me backstabbers and whores. A slut who would do anything for a quick buck. I could never get rid of this reputation. Only one person had my back. Hinata Hyuuga. Today she wasn't here though so it was just me against the world. Well, me against the world against Naruto.
Finally lunch ended. I dumped my tray and went to my locker to get my books for science. I tried my best to ignore the whispers from the girls and lustful grins from the boys. I got to my locked and started to put in my combination. Suddenly two hands slammed on the left and right side of my face. I turned around to see the last person I wanted to see. Kiba.
"Hi there sexy." Kiba said as he grinned at me.
I could smell the cigarettes on his breath. I really wasn't in the mood to play with his bullshit today.
"Kiba back off. I'm late for class already." I said and tried to move.
I tried to move but his arms blocked my path.
"Come on Ino, I got a few bucks and we can skip a class right." Kiba whispered in my ear.
I tried to push him but he grabbed my wrist and pent them against the locker.
"Let me go Kiba. I'm not some whore you can just buy. Now let me go or you'll be sorry." It was an empty threat but it kinda sounded tuff.
Where the hell was a teacher when you needed one? They always seemed to be around in the worst moment but when you're in trouble they were nowhere to be found. Kiba gave a gruff laugh.
"Ha! And what are yo-!" Kiba was cut short and knocked to the ground.
When I looked down I saw the last person I expected. Naruto was on top of Kiba holding him by the collar of his shirt. It could've just been me but I could have sworn I saw Naruto's eyes flash red for a brief second.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Naruto yelled.
For once Kiba actually looked scared but who wouldn't be with a evil looking Naruto on top of you?
"I-I wasn't doing nothing?" Kiba stuttered out.
Naruto snarled at him.
"Oh really? It looked like you were trying to take advantage of Ino over there." Naruto said angrily.
"No no no! You got it wrong we were just talking!" Kiba lied.
I could see Naruto baring his teeth. Weird, wasn't that something animals do?
"I'm only going to say this once, leave her alone. Women aren't some play thing created for your amusement. Next time I see you try something like that you and I are going to have a problem, got it?" Naruto's threat seemed all too real to me.
Kiba shook his head quickly. Naruto got off of him and surprisingly helped him up. Naruto was already back to his go lucky self. That was Naruto for you. Kiba quickly went on his way. I turned to Naruto.
"Wow…I don't what to say Naruto." I said.
Naruto replied with a big smile.
"It's okay you don't have to say anything. Now you better go before someone sees you with me." Naruto said as he laughed.
I could tell his laughter was fake though. No matter who you were knowing someone didn't even want to be seen near you must be a blow to the heart. Now I really felt bad.
"No really Naruto thanks." I said sincerely.
Naruto waved it off though.
"Its okay, Kiba is a jerk. If he keeps bothers you again just tell me and I'll take care of it." Naruto said confidentially.
Before I got to say another word Naruto was off down the hall. I walked after him to tell him I thanks again until I stepped on a piece of paper. I picked up the paper and started to read aloud.
"Major Depression. Characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. Can result in headaches and aches and pain. If you or a friend is suffering from this you should seek immediate help," I gasped as I read the part circled in read "If left unchecked can result in suicide."
Suicide? Could Naruto really be thinking about that? The thought seemed so unreal. No, I was worrying over nothing. This is about depression, not suicide. But depression could lead to that…I couldn't even say the word. Maybe it would be best to sit or talk with Naruto. It wasn't my problem but I had to ask myself, did I really want Naruto's death on my hands?
But maybe it wasn't my problem to get involved.
(Flashback End)
I let out a heavy breath as I finished my little flashback. Eric's concentrated turned into a warm one once my story ended.
"I only have a few questions for you Ino." Eric said,
I nodded my head.
"Was that actually the first time you met Naruto?" He asked.
"Well no. I've known Naruto since first grade. That was the first time I'd actually talked to him without insulting him.
I felt horrible saying that. Oh god I'm a horrible person!
"You said you were alone. Didn't you have any other friends?" Eric asked.
"Besides Hinata, Shikamaru and Choji. But they don't have any classes with me and we eat lunch at different times." I explained.
"One last question Ino. Did you know Naruto was thinking of committing suicide?" Eric asked seriously.
I stood up so fast my chair fell over with a thump. Tears were rapidly pouring down my cheeks.
"You bastard how could you think that? I love Naruto, if I had known he was going to do anything to hurt himself then I would've stopped him!" I yelled at him.
I realized what I was doing and I began to apologize.
"I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me and-and-" I was stopped by Eric.
"It's okay Ino. You are going through many emotions. Actually, I'd be more upset it you hadn't reacted like that," Eric said "Now I want you to go get your friend Hinata. I need to talk to her next."
I nodded my head and left out the door. The same thought went through my mind. Was this my fault?
Okay I would just like to say that I am NOT trying to bash any character. Even though Sasuke will mostly be a jerk I'm not trying to make you hate him or Kiba or Sakura. Honestly I usually hate stories that bash characters. Sadly Sakura and Sasuke are the main victims of this.
And if anyone has any suggestions I would be happy to hear them. I have a little experience with depression but nothing major so any help would be great.
Plz review.