Pairing: Sasuhina
Highschool AU
Disclaimer: Because I clearly don't own Naruto and am just some lame college student writing lame fanfiction.
Ch. 1: Cafeteria Kerfuffle
The entire lunchroom was booming with noise. Faces were contorted into wide smiles as fits of laughter and giggles escaped nearly every student present.
A joyous sight?
Seemed like it.
So why wasn't she laughing?
Oh right. She was who the laughing was directed towards.
The scene played out like an average school day, really.
Students were chatting amongst friends, talking about this and that: What was on the test? Who's dating who?
While others were finding seats or shoveling up meals. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of hungry teenagers, a single clatter of a lunch tray echoed dramatically throughout the cafeteria, catching the attention of many.
"Watch where you're going, Hyuuga." That was directed at her.
But she wasn't listening.
She was too busy staring at her jacket; a mortified expression graced her features.
Her jacket, the one she loved dearly, given to her by her deceased mother (bless her soul), now sported a fabulous splotch of today's tuna surprise on it.
"Hyuuga. I'm talking to you."
She finally looked up at him. Him being THE Sasuke Uchiha.
Upon meeting his gaze, she couldn't help but feel her insides churn with disdain.
How could such a handsome face bring upon so much malice?
Perhaps it was the way he smirked deviously upon her time of utter failure. Or the fact that this was one upon many of times that this happened. Inflicted by the same person, at that.
Yes.
That was probably it.
Because, for some reason, she just couldn't get a break.
Because, for some reason, her whole high school career up to this point resided in hell.
Because, for some reason, the most popular guy at school just had to target her.
Only one question surrounded her mind at this point: Why?
She never bothered him.
Hell, they never even talked.
So what provoked him?
She just couldn't understand this guy…
She glared at him.
"Are you going to move or just sit there until lunch is over?" Sasuke asked, deciding to break the silence. "Come on. It's just a jacket."
But it wasn't just a jacket. It was her FAVORITE jacket. Given to her by her mom! She wanted to cry. To scream. To tell this jerk off!
But she didn't. As horrible as it was, the deed was done. Crying would do nothing to fix the problem and she really wasn't in the mood for dealing with the potential backlash. So Hinata mentally huffed and stood, grabbing her fallen tray in the process.
Giving the Uchiha one more hard stare, she left.
Without a word.
Like always.
After having gone back to grab another tray of food, Hinata attempted to make her way to the table that her friends sat at. Her jacket accumulated a lot of unwanted attention as the stain practically yelled out "LOOK AT THIS!". The stares she received pierced through her like daggers and she couldn't help but grow more nervous with each passing bystander. As if the unwanted gazes weren't enough, the poor girl also had to block out all forms of conversation that formed with regards to her mishap.
"…Did you see her jacket?"
"…What a klutz…"
"… Needs to stay away from Uchiha…"
All of which were passed through whispers. As if she couldn't hear them.
Having finally reached her table, Hinata noticed the stares she was receiving from her friends.
Both held the same look: incredulous.
They must not have witnessed the atrocity that took place.
"H-Hinata what happened?" Her blonde friend gasped, standing up to assess the damage.
Tenten scoffed. "As if you wouldn't know… It was him again, wasn't it?"
Hinata nodded in response.
Neither were surprised.
At this point, both girls learned of the Uchiha's unhealthy obsession with making the poor Hyuuga's life miserable.
"You need to do something about this, Hinata…" Worry was evident in Ino's voice.
However the petit teen shook her head no.
"Ino's right, Hina, This has been going on for much too long," Tenten protested.
Hinata finally decided to speak. Though it was practically inaudible, both girls managed to hear her.
"If I try and retaliate, it'll just cause more problems. You know how many girls he has backing him up…"
Both Tenten and Ino frowned.
Everyone in their school knew.
Over the years, the Uchiha managed to obtain an unnaturally large amount of fans. At this point it wasn't just admiration, but obsession. The whole fan club had the mindset that they were to get themselves involved in practically anything the boy had going on. So when someone tried to speak against Sasuke, well they were better off just writing their will at that point.
Tenten let out a furious roar catching the attention of other students as they passed, looking rather scared at the sudden outburst.
"T-Tenten please! Calm down!" Hinata motioned to her friend nervously, she had enough attention for one day.
Tenten grasped her temples and heaved a sigh, "I'm sorry it's just… Damn how messed up is it that that jerk can practically get away with murder and you can only sit there and take it?!"
Hinata frowned and looked down at her lunch. The statement was so true that it hurt.
Noticing the distraught look of her friend, Ino placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder, "Hina… Don't worry… I'm sure you'll get your chance to get back at that idiot someday…"
All Hinata could do in response was nod even though she didn't believe what Ino said, herself.
Breaking all three friends out of their conversation, the loudspeakers in the cafeteria fizzled, being brought to life as a woman's voice sounded from them. "Attention, students. We've finally decided the theme for this year's homecoming dance. We're happy to announce that this year's dance will be…"
"A MASQUERADE!" The energetic young blonde piped. After learning what the theme for this year's homecoming was going to be, Ino couldn't help but squeal excitedly. She'd been the one to recommend the theme and having it chosen, her ego soared. Both Tenten and Hinata would be spending the rest of their lunch listening to Ino gush about how amazing this year's dance will be.
"Hinata we MUST go!" Ino turned to face Hinata, determination in her eyes as both girls continued walking towards their next class.
"I-I don't see the point in going…" This earned a pout of disapproval.
"You never do! Every single year it's the same thing! You spend every dance cooped up in your room doing God knows what!" Ino flailed her arms dramatically in the air. "You really need to get out more! Don't you ever get bored?"
"I-I prefer staying a-at home. I find it quite c-comfortable," Hinata responded thoughtfully.
"No!"
"N-No?"
"No."
"W-Why..?"
Ino suddenly stepped in front of her meek friend staring the girl down with a firm look. Hinata quickly shrunk under the blonde's powerful gaze.
"I'm not letting you miss one more dance, Hina!" The blonde crossed her arms, huffing. "Especially considering the student body FINALLY took my advice on what theme to choose this year! You have to be there!"
"I… I don't know…"
"C'mon, Hinata, for me?" Hinata inwardly cringed. Not the puppy dog eyes!
Clearly it was the oldest trick in the book but that didn't stop Ino from using it every time she wanted something to go her way! And with Hinata possibly being the biggest pushover in the world, the tactic was practically deadly.
The young girl sighed. "Alright… I-I'll go…"
Ino pumped her fist in the air.
Victory!
"You won't regret it, Hinata! It'll be so much fun! And you don't have to worry about feeling self-conscious considering you'll be wearing a mask the whole time!"
Hinata nodded, following behind her excited friend. Only to bump into her a few minutes later as Ino halted and gasped in realization.
Turning back to her timid friend, the girl smiled widely, a glint evident in her eyes. It was THAT look, again.
Hinata gulped.
This isn't going to end well.
Grabbing onto her friend's shoulders, Ino voiced what was on her mind, "I heard Naruto's going to homecoming this year in the cafeteria!"
Oh no.
Hinata could feel herself break out into a cold sweat at the mention of her crushes name.
Ino continued, "This gives you the perfect chance to dance with him!"
"B-But Ino y-you said w-we'd be wearing masks. H-How would I be able t-to find him?"
"Oh Psshaw! The boy's practically a loud speaker! You'll be able to peg him right when he enters the room!"
As sad as it was, Hinata had to agree with that sentiment.
Her attention, however, was redirected to Ino's earlier statement about the opportunity of confronting Naruto. Finally the chance to confess her feelings presented itself in what couldn't be a more perfect scenario. Maybe this was the universe finally giving her the push that she really needed! She could just see it now: The image of her dressed up in a fabulous dress being held by none other than the man that she'd been pining for for years.
Hinata's face lit up as she became entranced by her own daydreaming.
"I-I'll do it!"
Bull's-eye. Ino always did have a way of pinning the female Hyuuga's weakness.
"Great! I'll swing by your house this Saturday to help you get ready," and with that, the blonde skipped off, humming an upbeat tune.
Hinata stood still for a moment as reality suddenly crashed back into her. Her dazed smile dropped when she realized what she had just agreed to do.
"I… Have a bad feeling about this…" She sighed before finally walking off into class.
I have had this story sitting in my files for YEARS. Finally decided to give it another look recently and thought "What the heck, I'll upload and see what other people think". So here it is!
Any sort of critique and review is super appreciated!