CHAPTER 11: WE'RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS
The art exhibit was packed with people, mostly young adults. Hinata trailed behind Sasuke and Shikamaru as they entered the place, walking two steps at a time to keep up with the tall men in front of her.
Hinata felt nauseated just by looking around the place, she somehow felt like she didn't belong by the way she was dressed. Most of them were wearing glitter gowns, bodycon dresses, little black dresses, and here she was, in contrast with everyone. Some girls gave her disgusted looks but she had no time to process it, as she had to keep up with Sasuke and Shikamaru.
When she looked back to the men she was following, they were already gone. How would she be able to find them with all these people? She felt panic surge into her body, she wanted to throw up, she felt like she could not handle it anymore. She doesn't know anybody here, so she thought the best option was to wait outside, than be crushed inside with no one to help her. She then slowly walked back looking for the entrance when she felt a hand grab her arm, she looked back and was met by a familiar pair of onyx eyes. "Where are you going?" He angrily muttered. Hinata wasn't able to answer but she didn't mind the scornful look on his face , she was just relieved he found her and she just let him grab her wherever his destination was.
—-
"Sasuke, you haven't introduced your fiance." A black haired girl in a tight little dress beamed as she stood beside Sasuke at the table and looked at Hinata with judgy eyes. Hinata avoided her leer as she watched the girl caress the man she came with. She was not jealous, not even a little, just a little uncomfortable since she was supposed to be Sasuke's fiance, but she doesn't know how to act like one. Sasuke gave a little to no reaction and Hinata wondered, with a face like his, he must be so used to the attention.
Hinata waited for Sasuke to speak up, but he never did. She slowly looked up at Sasuke who downed a glass of sake, pretending not to hear what the black-haired girl had said.
"Did you get this party confused for a children's party? A girl with dark makeup, and long brown hair eyed Hinata up and down, "Sasuke, you must be ashamed." she added. Both of the girls looked at each other and burst out laughing. This shouldn't affect Hinata, she was bullied in middle school, this was not new to her. What made her upset though was that she was wearing something that is of her mother's and she thought it was a really beautiful dress.
"Why don't both of you go find someone to bother that is not engaged." A beautiful blonde girl snapped as she forced herself and a pale, handsome man who Hinata remembers as Yamanaka Sai,the one who owns the exhibit, to stand between the girls and Sasuke. Both girls groaned in unison and left the table.
"Sasuke, it's nice to see you here." the blonde girl chimed.
"Hn."
"Well?" She looked at him, waiting for Sasuke to say something.
"What?" He muttered, drinking another glass of sake.
The blonde girl gestured at Hinata, waiting for Sasuke to introduce her to them, but Sasuke ignored them and continued pouring himself some more sake.
"Whatever, Sasuke." The blonde girl rolled her eyes, unclutched her arm from her boyfriend(?) she guessed, and dragged Hinata away from the men.
"Hi! I'm Yamanaka Ino!" She enthusiastically introduced herself. Hinata then wondered why he had the same last name as Sai. Yamanaka Ino? Yamanaka Sai? Are they siblings? She looked down at her hand and she was wearing a ring. Oh! They're both married, and Hinata could tell they were probably the same age as her. She doesn't know why but it somehow made her glad. Maybe getting married at a young age isn't so bad after all? 'Yeah, but that only applies to people who actually love each other.' Hinata's conscience argued back.
"Hello! I'm Hina-"
"Hyuga Hinata, I already know your name, it was all over the tabloids yesterday." She giggled. "I'm sorry about Sasuke, he has always been like that." Ino continued.
"You know Sasuke?" Hinata asked nonchalantly. Of Course she does, what were you thinking Hinata? They wouldn't invite him here if they don't know each other.
"Well yes… and you're probably not going to like the reason behind it, but I'll tell you anyway." Ino laughed as she grabbed Hinata away from the crowd and they both sat at an empty table at the corner.
"How long have you and Sasuke dated?" Ino queried, Hinata remained silent as she didn't really know what to answer. For a week? That would be weird, and she doesn't even know anything about him. Ino felt Hinata's discomfort and so she continued talking.
"Sasuke and I used to date in middle school,"Ino admitted. Hinata looked at her perplexed. How can she coolly invite her ex to her husband's party? "Didn't last long, though, since he admitted he wasn't really into me and that he was more interested with my other friend." She scoffed. "Well, anyway, we remained friends because nothing really happened, we kissed twice? Thrice? I don't really remember." she laughed. "So, how about you? How did you meet?" she teased.
What was Hinata supposed to say? 'Oh, I spilled coffee on his expensive suit and I realized I wanted to marry him'
"I-, well… w-we…" she stuttered but Ino figured out her situation right away.
"Oh, you're in an arranged marriage." She said it so casually, it made Hinata want to slap herself for making it so obvious. "No, it's not like that…" she tried to reason out, but no words came out.
"If it makes you feel better, I'm in a kinda similar situation." she muttered.
"What do you mean?" Hinata was suddenly interested in the conversation.
"We can talk about that some other time, in the meantime, let's talk about what you're wearing…" Hinata laughed at Ino's remark and told her how she never really had someone who could help her with girl stuff since her mother died when she was still young.
Both girls enjoyed each other's company, and Hinata had never been this happy and talkative before. So happy that Hinata forgot that she was supposed to feel bad about being here at a party while her dear sister was mad at her.
"You know what, we should totally hang out!" Ino cheered. "A-a-re you sure?" Hinata asked, unsure since no one has ever invited her to hang out anywhere, well, she doesn't have friends for starters.. "What do you mean? Of Course I'm sure! We can go shopping, maybe add a little flavor to your style, you know! Some girl stuff." Hinata felt herself tear up upon hearing Ino excitedly giggle like a schoolgirl. "I would love to." She grinned.
—-
As soon as Ino dragged Hinata away from the table, Sasuke immediately left the table, not really wanting to start a conversation with Sai. It's not that he doesn't like him, they were just not that close. The reason Sasuke was even invited to the party is because Shikamaru and Ino are childhood friends, not to mention Sasuke and Ino dated for 3 months in middle school. Ever since Shikamaru became Sasuke's assistant, he would always let Sasuke tag along to any party he was invited to. Sasuke then became friends with all of Shikamaru's friends.
Sasuke searched for Shikamaru, and saw him talking closely with some girl he knew he would bring to his apartment tonight, Sasuke wasn't going to intervene and so he left and went out to the balcony to get some fresh air.
"You moved on pretty fast." someone whispered behind him. Sasuke knew who it was but just kept ignoring her.
"Don't ignore me, Sasuke. I know you missed me." the woman teased as she wrapped her arms around Sasuke's waist. Sasuke, however, quickly removed her arms from him and took a step back away from her.
"What do you want, Karin?" he snapped.
"I'm offended, Sasuke, after all the nights I filled your voids, you then asked me what I want?" the red head smirked and walked closer to Sasuke, tugging his tie, forcing him to look at her. "You never once reciprocated my feelings and it's driving me mad." she whispered in a breathy voice.
"Hn." Sasuke croaked, pushing her lightly away from him, "Karin, there was nothing going on between us,I just want to clarify that… and after you tried to get yourself pregnant by drugging me, you think I would still want anything to do with you?" he grunted.
Karin glared at Sasuke as she tried to reach for his face, but Sasuke being the tall man that he is, gave her no access at all.
"You're gonna regret this, Sasuke." Karin stomped back inside.
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Thank you so much for reading my story 3
Also, would you still read it if I put it in a first person's point of view? This was actually the first time I made a fanfic in a 3rd person, and I know you can tell how I'm very bad at it lol. But I'm also not the best at using a 1st person's pov, I'm just more used to it. Again, thank you for still reading my fanfic 3