I sat down in the chair across from Eric. I knew he would want to talk to me eventually but I thought it would be later. Ino coming out of the room with red puffy eyes didn't exactly calm my nerves either.
"Do you want to get something to drink? Water perhaps?" Eric asked.
I shook my head. My mouth was dry but I was afraid if I left this room I wouldn't have the courage to come back in.
"Okay I listened to Ino's part so far. It goes against the rules to revel what someone else said just in case you were to lie about your part in this-not that I think you would lie." Eric added when he saw my mouth open.
"Okay, I want you to begin from the start of when you and Naruto started to become friends." Eric said.
I gave a big sigh.
"It began like this…"
I could already hear the whispers. I felt horrible saying this but I was glad they were directed at Ino and not me. Before you label me as a bitch I wouldn't wish this on anyone. To be the object of anger and hatred by girls and constant lust by boys. It's just that Ino was strong, at least stronger than me.
Many of my friends would ask why I stood by Ino. Why would you want to hang with such a loser? Or why would you want to be linked with such a slut? I always answered the same way. Ino's not like that and she is my friend. It's hard to believe at one point Sakura and Ino were both my best friends.
We were a trio for most of our lives. Sakura was the smart one, Ino was the popular one, and I was the shy one. I was always very hard to notice when I wasn't with those two. So I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised when I was left behind by those two. I doubt they did it on purpose, I just wasn't outgoing enough.
Over time people started forgetting about me. The only time I talked during a school day was when I answer a question by the teacher or asked a question. It was like I was a ghost that nobody noticed. Everyone except Naruto of course. I wish I could be more like him.
Just a simple hi and smile. That's what he would give me every day and it always made my day. We rarely spoke because of my shyness I could never build up enough nerve to start or keep up a conversation. This is the one trait my father hated about me, among other things. I know I'm making his greetings a bigger deal than they are but if you were me you'd feel the same way.
One thing people did know about me was my obvious crush on Naruto. Well, everyone except Naruto. People thought Naruto was stupid for not noticing my crush but how could you know someone liked you if they couldn't even complete a sentence to you. People wondered what I saw in him or why I wouldn't go out with the dozens of other guys who asked me out. Whether people know it or not I'm a smart girl so it isn't exactly hard to figure out what those guys want from me and it isn't a relationship.
I guessed I like Naruto because he seemed real. Ha, I know it sounds boring but let me explain. All my female friends want this fairytale boyfriend. A guy with short black and a emo look and attitude but one that will put them above everything else and who will listen and wait on them hand and foot. That man doesn't exist at our school but almost every girl thinks Sasuke is like that. I have nothing against Sasuke personally but he's not exactly sane.
The way he shifts from brooding to anger scares me. My cousin Neji said he is the exact definition of crazy. Honestly, I think he's just a hurt child. With no family the only support he got was from lustful girls. Nobody actually cared about his family being murdered by his older brother. Nobody except Naruto. Naruto stood by his Sasuke and tried his hardest to comfort him in his time of need. Sadly instead of bringing them closer together as friends Naruto's attempts to understand Sasuke's feelings only resulted in them being pushed apart.
And once they were pushed apart, Naruto lost his best and only friend. It tore my heart apart to watch him wonder the halls of elementary, middle school, and now high school by himself. I wanted to talk to him. No, I needed to talk to him! His life mirrored mine. Wait, that was selfish to say. I had a family. Granted I didn't like any of them except my little sister they were still my family. Something Naruto didn't have.
Each day I told myself I would build up the courage to have an actual conversation with him. But whenever I saw him walking towards me my courage would instantly disappear. But today I swore to myself I would.
I looked at the sea of kids eating in the cafeteria. I could already feel eyes looking in my direction. Of course they were looking at Ino not me. I instantly began to scan the cafeteria for Naruto. I found him easily, his blonde hair, blue eyes, and whisker like scars tended to make him stand out. I slowly made my way towards him with Ino walking behind me.
"Hinata, we're not really going to sit next to that…Naruto are we?" Ino said as we drew closer to Naruto who was unaware of our incoming presence.
I already knew what she wanted to say. "Are we really gonna sit next to the loser?" I could imagine Ino saying.
"Y-Y-Yes we are." I hated when I stuttered! I really need to break that habit.
Finally we reached Naruto and sat down across from him. The sound of our lunch trays on the table seems to bring him from his thoughts.
"Oh, hey!" Naruto said excitedly.
I could tell without looking that Ino was already rolling her eyes. Apparently being too excited or happy wasn't cool. According to Ino that is.
"H-Hi N-Naruto." I stuttered out.
"Hey Naruto." Ino said in her stuck up voice.
I could already feel Naruto's happy mood dying down.
"You know, no one asked you to sit near me Ino. I rather it is just me and Hinata. At least she's nice to me." Naruto snapped.
I sighed. Let the verbal fight begin.
"Trust me Naruto I rather be anywhere else then sitting with you." Ino said coldly.
"The feeling is mutual. I'd go friendless for the rest of than have to resort to talking to you." Naruto fired back.
"Come on you two. Can't we get along?" I said as loud as I could which ironically came out as a whisper.
"Listen you loser you should feel lucky I'm even within 50 feet of you." Ino said.
"Oh yes let me count myself lucky that Ino has graced me with her presence. Sorry Ino but I'm not like you, I actually have some dignity unlike you." Naruto said grinning.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Ino yelled.
"It means that I don't have to be popular to be happy. All people like you do is step on other people to make yourselves feel better about yourself. You bully people, talk about people, and have no concern for anybody else's feelings. You popular people are self centered children who think the whole damn world revolves around them. The sad thing is you can't even ban together because you're trying to overtake each other in this weird imaginary popularity contest you have going with each other. Then when one of you loses your popularity you sulk around and try to find someone to feel sorry for you till you can claw your way back into the in crowd again. So don't act like you're doing me some type of favor Ino just by sitting next to me. People like you are not worth my time." I could've sworn I saw Naruto's eyes turn red through his rant.
For the first time in my life Ino was speechless. I was too for that matter.
"Here's a tip Ino. The harder you try to be cool, the harder you'll fall. If people like you because you act like a bitch to everyone else then it's safe to say they're not your friends. I've known you for years and I know you can be a good person. If you weren't then Hinata wouldn't hang around you. Just for once, try acting like yourself." Naruto said, reverting back into his usual happy self.
With that Naruto left the lunch table and out into the halls. I looked at Ino whose mouth was wide open and staring into the spot where Naruto had once been. I waved a hand in front of Ino's face. No response. I made a decision and decided to chase after Naruto.
I spotted him slowly walking down the hallway.
"Naruto!" I was surprised I could actually make my voice so loud. I was improving!
Naruto turned around and gave me that beautiful smile.
"Yes Hinata?" Naruto asked curiously.
"I uh, I…thank you." I said meekly.
Naruto laughed and walked towards me.
"Thank you? Well you're welcome but what exactly did I do?" Naruto asked.
I could already feel my face heating up just from the attention he was giving me.
"For what you said to Ino. I've been wanting to tell her to just be herself and she would be happy but I couldn't find the courage to do. I don't have the courage you do." I said quietly.
I looked away in shame. I called myself a friend. I couldn't even say the words that needed to be said when they needed to be said. I felt a hand on top of my head and looked at Naruto with a heavy blush.
"No courage? Hinata you stand by Ino everyday through thick and thin. No matter what people say about her you never listen and you continue to support Ino. That takes courage. You talk to me every day and talking to me has been a taboo among kids since the end of elementary school. That takes courage. Ino is lucky to have a great best friend like you. You should have more confidence in yourself Hinata." Naruto said lightly ruffling up my dark blue hair.
Naruto gave me one more smile before walking away. I was so happy I don't think any news could wipe the smile off my face.
"Ya know Hinata, I like people like you." Naruto said before turning a corner.
My world went black.
"You fainted?" Eric said slowly.
My face turned red as a cherry.
"Yes." I said quietly.
I saw Eric crack a smile. Then it turned into soft laughter. Which turned into full blown laughter. After a while I couldn't help it and I began to laugh too.
"Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Anyway this is when your friendship with Naruto began?" Eric asked.
"Yes. That was the first time Naruto and I had a conversation that was more than fifteen words." I said, somewhat proud of myself.
"Okay, is there anything important that happened between you or Naruto the next day?" Eric asked.
I thought back. Did anything important happen? Oh yeah, now I remember.
"Actually yes. Shikamaru talked next. Choji and Shikamaru were the first ones to see and talk to Naruto the next day I think." I said.
"Would you mind calling them in for me Miss Hyuuga?" Eric asked.
"Of course." He was nice enough but I was just happy to get out of there. I want to spend every possible moment with Naruto. Any moment could be his last.
"One more thing before you go. Did you know Naruto was thinking about committing suicide?" Eric asked seriously.
I could already feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I knew I needed to be strong for Naruto. But I couldn't help it! The love of my life was teetering on the line between life and death.
"I had no idea! I didn't know he was hurting so much! I love him but I couldn't do anything to help him when he needed me the most. I didn't even get to say any last words. I only got a call from Ino explaining how she found him. I swear I didn't know, I didn't know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." I continued to mumble to myself, even as Eric hugged me and tried to calm me down.
Oh god, please Naruto, wake up! If not for your own sake but for mine! If you die… what will I do without you?
I'm sorry anybody who has been wanted me to update. Lol Ironically while writing about depression I've been having a hard time dealing with my own personal depression. But now I've been having a easier time dealing with it so I should be able to update a lot more. Plz review and don't be afraid to give pointers. I can use all the help I can get.