Author's Note: I updated Chapter 7 and tweaked it a bit, I'd like to also explain how my style of writing for this story is much different than usual because I'm writing from Hinata's perspective. It's not so detailed or it doesn't delve into the little things because it's pretty straightforward. Logically speaking, when you're in your thoughts, things aren't always as detailed and I wanted to incorporate that simplicity to add to Hinata's character and personality. Thanks for the reviews and the support, I really appreciate it!

Chapter 8:

my first kiss

I ran to the nurse's office, trying to think of a way to fool the nurse Into sending me home.

She looked up at me with a stoic expression, almost as if she was saying "not another one."

"What's wrong?" She asked, showing little to no concern.

It was time to think fast, so I simply ran straight to the bathroom in her office and pushed a finger down my mouth towards the back of my throat. I made sure to leave the door open so she could hear me throwing up and heaving over the toilet.

"Oh my Lord!" She screamed, coming into the bathroom with wet wipes and hand sanitizer. "Here. What's your name, sweetheart, I'm going to call your parents."

And that's how I got home. Even though my dad did nothing but ask what was wrong during the car ride, I said nothing, pretending to feel more throw up coming up and hearing him say, "Honey, wait! Not in the car!" It made him speed up the ride, to my advantage.

I collapsed on my bed, feeling my throat burning, even after brushing my teeth thoroughly and drinking a whole bottle of water. I didn't even dare look at myself in the mirror, I knew that at the sight of my worn out face, I would break down into a crying mess. For some reason, I tried to avoid crying at all costs, trying to prove to myself how far my strength could go.

I could hear my dad pacing outside my door, talking to my mom on the phone about what to do or if he should feed me; my mother always knew what to do when Hanabi and I got sick. Soon enough, he was knocking gently and poking his head into my room.

"Your mom says you should drink some soup, or you'll get a stomach ache. You want me to go buy you some?" He knew better than to cook, as he was also horrible at that. His concern made me feel even worse, guilty about faking this whole thing but if I simply agreed I knew I would give him some peace of mind.

"Sure. Thanks, dad."

He smiled softly and nodded, closing the door behind him just as gently as he had opened it.

The only thing that came out of me was a sigh. I felt numb, maybe from the overload of stress and unwanted feelings. The I flinched, mother was right, my stomach was killing me.

"Ugh..." I groaned, sluggishly sitting up in my bed and putting on a sweater to feel some, if any, kind of comfort. But just one look up, and my eyes formed a fountain of tears at the sight of the painting I started making for him.

"That bastard..." I cried out in a whisper.

This was probably my best work yet. It was beautiful in every way, it was my love displayed on a canvas, but I bet he didn't care. I can't believe I let him lead me on like this. Now I'm just a puddle of tears and immense regret, and tying it all together with a bow was my depression and constant anxiety about my self worth.

It doesn't matter now, though. I know I'm nothing.

I had turned off my phone, knowing well he would drown me in calls and texts. There was no way I would talk to him, I couldn't. A part of me still loved him and tormented me, telling me to forgive him, give him another chance. My battle was not with him, after all it was Sakura who made the first move, but Naruto broke his promise. If he had protected me, if he had cared for me, this wouldn't have happened in the first place.

My dad had arrived with chicken soup and more water to keep me hydrated. He let me drink the soup in the comfort of my bed and came back once I was finished to pick up the dirty bowl.

"Are you sure there's nothing bothering you, honey?" He looked at me with deep concern in his eyes, and I looked down. The guilt was eating me alive, I hated to lie.

"Yeah. I guess I ate something bad yesterday or something. Remember when my face got randomly swollen? Maybe it's allergies." It was one big fat lie, but he bought it. He nodded one last time and left me to my thoughts, but the peace and quiet didn't last long once I heard knocks on the front door. I knew it wasn't Hanabi or mom, they had keys and would usually just walk in. It wasn't Kiba either because he had after school activities today, so I was extremely curious as to who it was. A slight fear in the back of my head that it might be Naruto urged me to peek from my doorway to see who it was.

I gasped. Dad opened the door, revealing him puffy eyed and with so much worry in his eyes; he looked defeated. Was he really crying?

I felt my heart beat faster once he started speaking, "Good afternoon Mr. Hyuga. I heard Hinata left school early and I wanted to check if she was okay."

Dammit, did Kiba tell him?

"Oh, how nice of you, but sadly she is sick; she threw up this morning and she's been in bed all day."

With each word my dad said, I could see Naruto visibly weaken. He grimaced, his eyebrows furrowed together. Once again, a new side of him that was foreign to me.

"Mr. Hyuga, can I please see her? I'm very worried." He practically begged. It made me blush, and I cursed myself for it.

"I guess a little company would do her good. Come in." My dad, in his never-ending naivety let Naruto in and started walking towards my room.

I closed my door, leaning my back against it in panic. What the hell am I even going to say? The last thing I want is for my dad to know what's going on. He would faint if he did.

"Hinata? Dear, your friend is here to see you." He knocked and I jumped away from the door, my legs were quivering slightly.

"O-okay! Just a second!" I yelled back, frantically putting my sweater on again to cover up my embarrassing pajamas.

I slowly opened the door, taking a deep breath, and saw him standing there, still unable to look at me directly. It was all so foreign to me, he never hesitated to look into my eyes.

"H-hi. Um dad, could you...?" He got the hint and walked off into the living room, pointing a finger at me as if to let me know he was still watching. I shook my head and turned back to Naruto, "what are you doing here?"

He bit his lip and shrugged, leaning against the doorway, "Can I come in?" He pointed at my room and I blushed. This was no time to think lewd thoughts, but it was my first time having a boy enter my room. I gave him a nod and moved out of the way to let him in, then settled down on the bean bags I had spread on the floor.

"You never answered my question." I said, quietly but loud enough for him to hear me.

He sighed, "Hinata I'm so very sorry..." he looked down at his hands, his eyes became glassy and redder, when suddenly a single tear streamed down his cheek. My mouth hung open in a sorry frown, I never imagined seeing Naruto in this state; he was always so strong.

"Please...look at me." I spoke, not even aware of what I was saying. By now, I was going with what my gut told me to do.

"I can't," he shook his head and hearing his voice break, broke my heart too- I couldn't stand to see him like this!

"This isn't you! You're always so much stronger than I am, and I admire that about you. You can't be doing this to me, you'll only hurt me more."

His eyes widened, and his head shot up, finally looking my way, meeting my gaze.

It felt as if forever had passed by without seeing his intense blue orbs, and feeling them on me was always an experience hard to explain.

"You...admire me?" His tears had ceased and his jaw tensed at the anticipation of hearing what I had to say.

I blushed, unknowingly, I had confessed to him something even I had trouble adjusting to. "Of course," I finally spoke, "I...I just..."

I love you, Naruto. I wanted to say it-no, I wanted to scream it, but I couldn't, not after what happened. Still, seeing him here, even after what I said earlier, meant a lot to me. Maybe this was that chance I was looking for. It wasn't exactly what I wanted, or how I wanted things to go, but he was still here. He was sitting before me, crying, and the remorse on his face broke right through my toughest surface.

"Yes?" He asked eagerly, inching closer.

I sighed, "I can't believe I'm saying this but...I forgive you."

Without warning he lunged at me, wrapping his arms around me so tightly, I could feel his racing heartbeat against my own.

"Thank you!" He was beaming, and another surprise came along. The tears that were once full of sadness, now poured with all the happiness and excitement I had ever seen.

I could feel my own expression soften as I gave into the hug, and we stayed that way until he pulled away and held me like he did when we were in his room.

"N-Naruto, you're too close...what if my dad-"

But he didn't let me finish, as he enveloped me in an electrifying kiss.