Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I'm closing the poll because I've figured it out! And you'll get to see who won in this! Um actually... the person who won... isn't the one I chose... Sorry!!

All week after Adrian's little outburst he had yet to speak to his parents. He wasn't planning on speaking to them until they apologized. And they had yet to do so. He stayed locked up in his room. The only time he left his room was for school, food, and the bathroom. But it wasn't just at home that Adrian was acting different.

He was different at school as well. He was sick of being a quiet mouse who took the verbal abuse everyone gave him. He was pissed off every day and was not going to hide it. He snapped at anyone who dared tease him. Luckily for him, they back off after his first few times of snapping. About damn time. But poor Naruto... He took the front of Adrian's temper too.

It was just like every other Wednesday, atleast to the blonde it was. Lunch time had rolled around and he had heard about Adrian's outbursts. He was actually happy that the boy was finally standing up for himself. Naruto ignored his best friend's protests as he wondered over to Adrian's table.

"Hi Adrian!" Naruto grinned at him as he sat across from him.

The raven haired boy was writing and as soon as he heard the blonde's voice the point of his pencil snapped. He grumbled and ignored the blonde. He really didn't want to snap at Naruto. He really didn't.

Naruto tilted his head slightly at Adrian. "I heard about you telling off Dosu. Good for you. He deserved it."

Adrian growled softly in the back of his throat as Naruto continued talking. He tried to ignore him, he really did. But he was failing. After about five minutes he finally snapped. He slammed his hand down and jumped to his feet, startling Naruto.

"Damnit Naruto! Stop trying to be my friend. It won't work." He glared at the blonde. "You'll hate me once you get to know me anyway so there's no point. You're just annoying so leave me the fuck alone." He gathered his things and quickly left.

Naruto stared at the space Adrian once occupied with wide eyes. Sasuke and Gaara were already at the blonde's side, having heard the boy's outburst.

"Don't worry about him Naruto." Sasuke said softly, placing a hand on his best friends shoulder. Gaara was staring at where Adrian left.

Naruto shook his head and got to his feet. "Something must have happened... He' not normally like that." He turned and grinned at his friend. "But I'm still not giving up!" He grinned and skipped back to their table. Sasuke sighed, shaking his head and followed after the hyper blonde.

Gaara glanced at his friends before looking back at where Adrian left. The redhead had a theory. 'You'll hate me once you get to know me'. What could that have meant? Gaara already knew, or atleast he had a hunch. He felt the exact same way until Naruto came along. He bit his bottom lip before going after Adrian. He might be mistaking but he was willing to take that risk.

It took Gaara a while to actually find Adrian. The boy was already in his next class, waiting. Gaara had the same class so it wouldn't seem too weird for him to be in there. The small redhead took a deep breath before entering the classroom. He sat behind Adrian anyway so maybe he could make this seem more casual then what it really was.

He glanced around the room and found they were alone. Perfect. Adrian didn't even look up when Gaara pasted him. The redhead put his books down and turned to the raven haired boy. Adrian was trying his best not to notice Gaara. The redhead was one person he could tolerate. He was quiet and kept to himself. But he was still Naruto's friend and there was no doubt that the redhead had seen his outburst.

"Naruto will never judge you, you know." Gaara told him softly.

Adrian blinked in surprise and turned to face the redhead. Their almost identical green eyes locked and both blushed lightly. "What are you talking about?"

Gaara pulled his gaze from Adrian's and tried to focus on getting his books out. "No matter your past... or what you are. Naruto will never push you away. He's a true friend and you should seriously consider what he has to offer."

Adrian rolled his eyes, turning back to his notebook. "He's made you soft Gaara."

The redhead stiffened a bit. His green eyes snapped to Adrian's figure. So the boy knew. He was quiet but smarter than most everyone in this school. Of course he knew. It wasn't that hard to figure out. "No. He's made me human."

"I have a friend."

"And what's wrong with a few more? If you know what I think you know... Then if they can accept me there's no doubt they can accept you."

"It's different."

"Because you like guys?" Gaara asked causing the boy to stiffen. "So what? You're not the only one you know."

It took a minute for Adrian to register what Gaara just said. He blinked and spun around, staring at the redhead. "W-What?"

"Naruto's not the type to be predigest against someone like you. You need to understand that."

Adrian narrowed his eyes slightly. "What do you know?"

"I know a lot. He accepted me for it. He's the only one who knows... Well, now you too." Gaara blinked realizing he just outed himself to the boy. That was not planned.

"So you...?"

Gaara's pale cheeks flushed and he moved his gaze to the ground. "Tell anyone and I'll snap you neck."

Adrian held up his hands in defense. "Hey... you know my secret. So I'll keep yours if you keep mine."

"Deal. As long as you consider what Naruto is offering. He can be annoying sometimes... But he's a really good guy."

"I'll think about it..."

"Good." Gaara nodded and sat in his seat, searching for his homework.

"Hey Gaara?"

"Hm?" The redhead raised his eyes and blinked. Adrian was staring at him oddly.

"Do you like someone?"

Those green eyes widened quite a bit in surprise. He had never actually talked to anyone about his sexuality before let alone who he liked. Naruto figured out he was gay in passing. It was a surprise since the blonde was so damn oblivious. But they talked about it again. Gaara could tell that Adrian had never openly talked about it either. Perhaps this was best for both of them.

"Yes... I do." He spoke softly, a light blush on his cheeks.

"Me too... Does he know?"

Gaara shook his head. "He has no idea."

"Is he...?"

"No. I don't think so."

"I'm sorry..."

Gaara sighed softly. "What about you? Is the guy you like... too?"

Adrian sighed and ran a pale hand through his black hair. Gaara's green eyes followed his movements. "I don't know really... I think he might be... but I have no idea. And I can't just come right out and ask..."

Gaara thought for a moment. "Are you two friends?"

"Yea..."

"He doesn't go here then." It wasn't a question but Adrian nodded at him. "Who is he?"

Adrian pursed his lips together, a soft smirk on them. "I'll tell you if you tell me."

"Never."

Adrian chuckled softly and shrugged. "Alright. But I think I already know. I'm more observant than people think."

"Guess and I'll tell you if you're right." Gaara crossed his arms over his chest, trying to look confidant. But deep down he was worried. If Adrian could see it than that meant others could too. He thought he was better at hiding his emotions than that.

"Sasuke." Gaara blinked in surprise and his heart sank. Adrian knew. Gaara didn't say word. "So I'm right." Adrian smiled at him. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

Gaara let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Your turn."

Adrian smiled. "His name's Kiba."

Gaara tilted his head cutely. "Kiba? Who's he?"

"This guy I met when I went to feed the homeless."

"You... feed the homeless?" Gaara asked, surprised.

Adrian shrugged. "I did it to get my parents off my back. I know, I don't seem like the type but I still go. Mainly just to see him though..."

"Does he know? About you?"

He shakes his head. "No... Atleast I don't think so. It's too soon to really tell anyway. We've only known each other for about four weeks."

"You're secret's safe with me."

Adrian grinned at him. "Maybe you're right... one more friend won't hurt."

Gaara looked at him confused for a moment before he realized what he meant. "Oh! You mean me."

"Of course. We can talk about... stuff we can't really talk about with anyone else."

Gaara nodded, smiling softly. "I'd like that."

Adrian nodded and returned the smile. "Me too."

I didn't plan for this part to happen at all! But it did! And YAY! It gives me an even number of chapters! (By the end anyway... eh you'll see).

So, Neji won the poll... But I'm such a recent fan of SasukeXGaara that I couldn't help it! And again, I'm not promising any SasukeXGaara action. I haven't even decided yet if Gaara's crush is going to be returned. It might just be one-sided... I'm not sure yet.

But anyway! The next part I promise will be much longer. Because... Well, the extent of Adrian's bulling at school gets to its worse. Things get a wittle bad for our Adrian. But you have to review to find out! (I know I said that last chapter but that was before I came up with this!)

PLEASE REVIEW!!

Thanks!

+Matt+