Chapter 4
Hinata's lavender eyes were glued to the ground as she maneuvered her way through the hallway. It was only day two of her high school experience, and she was already exhausted from it all. It was tiresome to remain hidden and out of the way when people constantly noticed you. She silently cursed her weird eyes and lack of social skills for bringing so much attention. Hinata walked all the way down the hallway until someone cut her off. All she could clearly see were a pair of scuffed up black leather boots. They reminded her of standard combat boots that you see soldiers wear when in a war. They didn't seem to move at all. Hinata sighed inwardly. 'Please. Don't let this be another person trying to talk to me.'
Her eye trailed slowly from the boots on upwards. This mystery person was also wearing a pair of plaid green pants with a black bottle cap belt. Her eyes landed on the black motorcycle jacket, white tank top, and spiked choker before her eyes met with black outlined emerald green. 'I remember her. It's-'
"Hello. I'm Temari. Remember me." The girl beamed at her with a smile that almost made her cold demeanor thaw. Almost. Hinata nodded in acknowledgement and sidestepped the blonde beauty. She just didn't feel like socializing at the moment. Unfortunately, walking away wasn't an option for her. She heard clunky footsteps coming behind her until Temari had caught up. They were both walking side-by-side to Hinata's locker. They must have looked odd because people were starting to stare more than usual. Hinata could feel her neck heat up from anxiety. Her eyes quickly scanned for the nearest exit routes.
"Naruto told me to walk with you to your first class. He's having a late morning again." Temari chuckled softly. Hinata looked over the blonde's appearance again. How could someone who dressed so gothic be so perky? This girl was an enigma. An enigma that was intruding in to her personal space. "Oh, here's your locker." Hinata silently cursed her life. Why won't people just leave her be? She doesn't want friends. She just wanted to drift along in the background like she always had. The ebony haired girl quickly grabbed the necessary books for first period and nearly sprinted to her class. She didn't mean to be rude, but she wanted her space.
Inside the classroom, the same scene from yesterday was unfolding. There was Sakura and Ino being surrounded by random people as they chattered on. Except this time was a little different. Sakura threw her head back in an obnoxious laugh. At the same time, the door finally closed behind Hinata. Sakura then looked over towards the door and visibly jumped at the sight of Hinata. Her face immediately began to color with the most vibrant red she had ever seen. Ino was still chatting it up when Sakura violently tapped on her arm to signal Hinata's arrival. The ebony haired girl stood glued to the spot as the two queen bees stared straight into her soul. They scowled at her as if she had committed the most heinous crime imaginable. What did she even do?
Hinata snapped out of her stupor and high tailed it to the back of the class. It was just her luck. She ran away from one potential problem only to run right into another. She promised herself to be even more invisible than she was yesterday. She just silently hoped that no one would bother her. She pulled out her diary and began to doodle to pass the time. She had about another ten minutes before the class would actually start, so she had plenty of time to kill. She was putting eyelashes on the giant eye she had sketched when a book slammed onto her desk. Hinata nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Look at me." The words were clipped and hard, and she just couldn't help but obey. Sakura and her crony Ino were staring daggers into her. If looks could kill, she would be dead about ten times over. Sakura then pointed a perfectly manicured nail right into her victim's face, and got down to eye level. "If you don't want a repeat of yesterday, leave Naruto alone. Understand?" Her loud voice boomed. Hinata nodded vigorously. Sakura stood straight up again, but didn't bother moving away from Hinata's desk. "Freak."
As soon as they were back to their desks, Hinata let out a small squeak of terror. She had it all wrong. She never wanted Naruto in the first place. He was the one that wouldn't leave her alone. To top it all off, he even infiltrated her dreams last night.
The boy in question burst through the doors in that moment. The bell for first period rang right after his entrance. He looked around and nodded and waved at various people. He spotted Hinata in the back of the classroom and smiled at her. She didn't bother returning the gesture. She just wanted to go home.
000
It was now the last class of the day and Hinata couldn't be more stressed. She was in Food Science to learn about food, but she couldn't help feeling guilty. All day she had dodged people that only wanted to be nice to her. However, she acted like a rude bitch just to shake off the attention. Especially Naruto. She just didn't want a run in with Sakura any time soon.
Why couldn't they all just leave her alone anyway? Didn't they understand that it's better like this? She's been an outcast with no friends her entire life. She looked weird, didn't utter a word, and never bothered to stand out. She never fit any type of mold that society had, so she never really fit in anywhere. Why would they want to be friends with someone like that? No matter how hard Temari, Tenten, and Naruto pushed for her to be their friend, she knew that she never could. She didn't know how to be a good friend. Besides, nobody ever stuck around her for long.
Hinata closed her eyes at the memory of his husky voice in her head. His scent filled her nostrils even though she hadn't been around him in a whole year. Cinnamon and pine needles just like old times. Her body shivered slightly as she remembered his calloused hands gently rubbing her back and arms. 'NO!' Her eyes snapped open effectively shortening her trip down memory lane. She had promised herself long ago after he left that she wouldn't think about him again. She didn't want to remember how he made her feel no matter how good it was. He had left her in the end anyway.
Hinata felt something light thump her in the head. Mrs. Yuhi was too busy going over the basics of food preparation to notice. Hinata silently prayed that whatever it was wasn't a spit ball. Her hand reached to touch the back of her head, and she felt a piece of paper. It was folded in some intricate way, so obviously it was a note. She put her hands in her lap along with the note and read the front of the triangle shape. "Open me" was scrawled across the front in very child-like handwriting. Curiosity had gotten the best of her.
Sorry, I had to pass you a note, but I don't know your number. -N
Hinata stared confused at the 'N' not really understanding who sent it. She glanced around the room until her lavender eyes met with blue. She sighed silently at his persistence but she couldn't help answering.
Yeah, what is this exactly? 2006?
She quickly tossed the note on his desk right behind her while their teacher etched something on the board. It was only a few seconds when she felt that familiar thump. He didn't even bother folding back up again. Balling it up must have been easier.
Lol whatever. I just wanted to know why you've been avoiding me all day?
Hinata steeled reading that question. She didn't really know how to answer. Somehow, saying that a pink-haired psycho would kill her for talking to him didn't seem like the right choice. She chose to play it off and ignore the subject.
No I'm not. Just weird is all.
Is it about Sakura?
Hinata had no idea how to answer. She just balled up the note and placed it into her bag. She needed to pay attention for the test on Friday anyway.
000
The ebony haired girl walked coolly passed Sakura and her crew as she made her way outside. She noticed the looks they were giving her, but she figured the faster she walked by the better. The heat hit her immediately causing a cool sheen of sweat to bead up on her forehead. She had to walk home again today which made things worse. The weather was only in the 80s and she already felt like stripping down. Hinata trotted down the front steps and took a left to walk through the school parking lot. This was the only way she knew to get home. She just hoped nobody that she knew was out here.
She was just walking past the last few cars in the parking lot when she heard a honk from behind her. She turned around for a second and completely stopped when she found the source. Here was Naruto yet again honking to get her attention. She picked up the pace, but not without giving him a scowl first.
"Hinata, please stop. I thought we were beginning to be friends." Naruto whined the word "friends" for emphasis. His car was matching her pace easily even though he was holding a few cars up. Hinata still continued to walk briskly. "Look. Can I talk to you for a little bit? Sakura and Ino are both in cheer practice right now." The blonde noticed the girl slowed down a little. "Plus, it's really hot out here."
000
Hinata sat in the passenger seat of his Cadillac yet again, but this time they were on the way to his house. She remembered this neighborhood from yesterday when she was lost. The prestigious houses, the park, and the fenced in yards looked slightly different now that she wasn't upset. After a few minutes, they finally pulled up to a huge home at the end of the block. She didn't know if this was a mansion, but it sure was close with a fountain out front and plush grass. Hinata was taken aback by the beautiful architecture of the modern home as she took in the exterior. The house was a off white stucco that had huge bay windows over-looking the palm trees and fountain out front.
Naruto looked over at her and caught her awestruck expression. "Don't treat me any different now that you know my secret." He laughed. She stared at him with a raised eyebrow. "I live with my Uncle Jiraiya. Well, he's not really my uncle, but he's the only family I really have." Hinata's eyes bucked in complete surprise. How in the hell could Jiraiya afford a home like this on a teacher's salary?
As if he read her mind, he replied. "He's an author that has written about twelve New York Times bestsellers. He's like the J.K Rowling of adult romance fiction, but not as rich. He's never gotten one of them turned into a movie after all." Hinata nodded her head dumbly in response. "Let's go inside shall we."
They both stepped inside to the cool embrace of the air conditioned home. Hinata deeply inhaled the smell of apple pie. She looked around the foyer taking in the sprawling stairs, an extravagant chandelier, and a plush area rug. "Follow me." He led her to a room on the right which must have been the living room. There were two couches, a love seat, a glass coffee table, and a huge oriental area rug in the middle. Naruto plopped himself down onto the love seat and heaved a sigh. Hinata watched as he kicked off his shoes as she had no idea what to do with herself. He looked up in time to watch her shuffling awkwardly in the walkway.
"Come have a seat." Hinata gingerly sat on the couch that was closest to him as if she were going to break it. The light from the bay windows caused her to squint when she looked over at him. "Sorry, it's so bright in here. I just love the sun though." Hinata waved him off and stared at her lap. Deep down he knew that she shouldn't be here, but she couldn't help feeling curious about what he wanted to talk about.
"Ow!" Hinata squealed at the pinch she felt on her ankle. She quickly pulled her knees to her chest to get away from whatever that was. It felt like a scorpion or something. She heard chuckling coming from the love seat next to her.
"So you can talk. I assume you just don't want to." Naruto's amused laughter annoyed her. His hand was still outstretched in her direction, so she did what she felt like he deserved. She stomped on the offending appendage making sure to dig the heel of her Converse in. He yelped and snatched back his hand as she smiled triumphantly.
"Ok I deserve that. I didn't mean to hurt you though. I just wanted to test if your vocal chords were completely shot." He shook his hand out before reaching into his backpack. He pulled out an iPad with an orange case on it and offered it to her. "So I can at least read how you're feeling." Hinata reluctantly took the device and opened the notes app.
Why aren't your friends here?
Naruto's eye skimmed the note. He smiled in an odd way before answering. "They all either have clubs or just wanted to be home. I also didn't feel like asking them to be here."
Why?
"I wanted alone time with you." This came as a surprise, but she didn't let it show. "I hope that doesn't freak you out." She shook her head slightly.
What did you want to ask me?
"Why are you avoiding me?" Hinata debated revealing the real reason, but she figured why not. He already knew the answer anyway.
Sakura
"Did she threaten you?"
A little bit.
"Don't pay attention to her. She just comes off a little strong."
Are you guys dating?
"N-no." Hinata's ears perked up at his answer. There was definitely something going on between them that he wasn't letting on. She decided that she wasn't going to press the issue since it wasn't really her business. The two sat in silence for about five minutes until the blonde broke it. "Sorry that I was rude earlier. I didn't bother asking if you wanted something to drink or a snack."
Just a water, please.
"Sure thing." The blonde walked away leaving her alone with her thoughts. She thought about seeing what was all on his iPad, but thought better of it. She didn't want to intrude anymore than she already was. Naruto came back within five minutes with two plates of pie, a sprite, and a water for her. "Here you are."
Hinata nodded to say her thanks. He sat right next to her on the very couch she was on. The heat radiating from his body gave her an all too familiar warmth that she hadn't felt in a while. She shifted an inch away from him, but he didn't seem to notice. She didn't want to remember those times at that moment. He clicked a button on this remote on the coffee table. A huge TV descended from the ceiling. It had to be at least be a 100 inches.
"So, you ever going to tell me why you don't speak at all?" Naruto said between bites of pie. Hinata let the thought tumble in her mind for a bit.
You ever going to tell me what's with you and Sakura?
The blonde nodded then and turned on the television. They both ate in silence while watching a game show on ABC Family.
000
It was around 7:00 when Naruto pulled up in front of the Hyuuga household. Hinata had to admit that the time she spent with him wasn't as bad as she had thought it would be. They just literally sat, watched TV and ate snacks together. It felt comfortable. A warm feeling ignited in her belly making her feel...um. She had no idea how she felt at the moment. Surely she couldn't be happy. At least not with Sakura's man...or whatever he is to her.
"So I was thinking..." Hinata looked at him with curious eyes. What more did he want? They hung out for almost four hours already. "I'm having a small party at my house on Friday. Nothing big. Just me and my friends that you've already met." She already knew where this was going. "Would you like to come?"
Before she knew it, she nodded her agreement. She had nothing else to do on Friday anyway. Besides, he was starting to grow on her a little bit. She just didn't want to admit that fact.
"Good. Now, I just need your number." She quickly gave him her number and grabbed her bag. Just as she opened the door, he called her name. "I had a really good time with you today." She gave a small half smile. "I won't tell Sakura or anyone else about today, alright? I'll even handle her for you. Just please try to get to know my friends. They're really good people."
She nodded her head and fully exited the vehicle. They waved at each other, and just like that he was gone. She made her way over to the front door when she felt her pocket vibrate.
'See ya tomorrow :P'
She smiled as she saved the number. She didn't even have to ask who it was from.
