All credits to Yves_Liong (writer from Wattpad) and Masashi Kishimoto (maker of Naruto).

Warning: OOC characters

-DenHime

Battling With A Hot Guy

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18

Everyone's eyes turned to me upon hearing what Sasuke said while I froze where I was standing. Somehow, because of that, I finally realized why Sasuke had that glint in his eyes earlier. He wants me to be in this situation where I couldn't think of what to say or do. I do not believe that he likes me even if he said so himself. Because let's face it, why and how on earth would heartthrob Uchiha Sasuke like plain Hyuuga Hinata? I know he's just trying to mess with me.

Sure enough, his plan worked. I really don't know how and what to respond to Sasuke's confession. I absolutely cannot react happily because that would make me look like I actually want him to like me. Yet I couldn't act mad either because Karin and her troops are present. Luckily, Gaara seemed to sense my problem and came to my aid.

"What's your point in saying that?" He asked, turning to Sasuke with a not-so-happy expression plastered on his face. Sasuke shrugged probably thinking Gaara isn't serious. "No, seriously, Uchiha. I don't see why you had to say it in front of so many students."

Upon hearing the seriousness in Gaara's voice, Sasuke too, turned serious. "What's wrong with finally revealing that I like Hinata?" He asked Gaara, like daring him to do or say something.

"Actually, there's nothing wrong with confessing to someone if you really mean it." Gaara shot back at him.

Obviously, that really got to Sasuke because it feels like a dark aura is emanating from him but so is Gaara. "Who are you to judge me? How can you be sure that I don't mean it?" It doesn't sound like a question though because of how deadly his tone sounds.

Knowing that Gaara will only get in trouble more but I do not want him to be any longer, so I decided to answer instead. "You're right, he may not be sure if you mean it or not. But I do. I know you're lying." I remarked bravely, despite the fact that everyone's eyes are still on me. "You're waiting for my reaction, right? So here it is. I know that's not true so leave me alone because I'll hate you no matter what."

I can say that I'm not the type of person who doesn't talk bad to or about other people. I know I am polite and I have manners. I always consider other people's feelings before I say something to them. But somehow I couldn't stop myself from saying those words to him. Knowing that everyone must have negative reactions since they're fans of Sasuke, I grabbed Gaara and pulled him out of there not giving everyone time to react from what I said. I looked back one last time to Sasuke, and I don't know why but he kinda looked disappointed. Then I looked forward to continue pulling Gaara somewhere. I couldn't help but also think about how Gaara and Sasuke exchange banters and deadly glares to each other. And it is because of me. What am I thinking? The Uchiha just wants to mess with me. I shook my head to clear that thought.

When we reached a deserted classroom, I walked inside and Gaara followed me. I took my seat and looked at him with seriousness. "Do I sound too harsh towards Sasuke?"

One of the things I like about Gaara is that he's always honest to me. "You were. That would probably leave a scar on him. But he definitely deserve that because he wants you to get in trouble with his fangirls."

"Yeah, he probably wants me to be attacked by his fanclub since they're present there." I agreed, finally smiling up to him. "Thank you for helping me."

He smiled back at me although it was just a small smile. "Of course I have to. I promised not to doubt you anymore, didn't I? And I also want to defend you from now on." He stared at me as I stared back.

I felt my cheeks started heating up at the intensity of his staring but then Gaara's phone suddenly rings. He looks like he's hesitating to answer it so I insisted, trying to shake off the blush. "Pick it up, it might be important."

He nodded and took his cellphone from his pocket." Hello?" He answered the caller, sounding a bit irritated. "What? Why?"

As Gaara talked I'm just sitting there wondering who could it be so I mouthed the words at him, "Who is it?"

But by the time I did, the conversation is finished so Gaara put his phone back to his pocket and answered me. "It's Sai. He wants me to go to the cafeteria right now for something urgent."

I checked my watch and frowned at him. "Don't we have class which started three minutes ago?" I asked, standing up.

"Yeah, but we're late anyway so why don't we just skip class and be free from punishment?" He suggested with a smirk.

"But if we get caught, we'll be in bigger trouble." I pointed out as I head out of the room. Then I turned to him. "So are you coming with me or not?"

He nodded. "Wait, I'll just tell Sai that I'll meet him during lunch instead."

After a short phone call, Gaara gently grabbed my hand and we started walking to class. When we got to class he let my hand go and we were scolded by our teacher, and were asked to stand at the back of the room for the rest of the period. But it didn't really feel like a punishment because Gaara keeps on joking about the teacher's looks. I tried to hold back my laughter so by the end of the period, I finaly started giggling as the teacher went out of the room.

"You know what, I actually thought you're a serious type." I said with a smile.

He smirked. "I am a serious type, when I have to be. Why? Do you like me better when I'm serious?"

My eyes slightly widened as I started feeling the blush creeping in my cheeks again. I rememdered how coldly he treated me during our first few meetings. So I shook my head not wanting him to be like that to me again and also to shake the blush away. "You're better this way." I answered, patting him in his shoulder lightly. "So I guess you're meeting Sai now, right?"

He nodded. "Come with me?"

"No, thanks. I don't want to intrude in something personal." I answered. "Besides I have to reconcile with Sakura since I doubted her."

"Please?" He insisted. "You can just talk to Sakura on the phone while I can only talk to you in school."

I don't know why but I really find him cute even if he's actually handsome not just cute. "Okay then. You are so lucky I'm easy to persuade." He smirked at me and then we headed towards the cafeteria. We easily spotted Sai and Ino when we got there.

"What was the urgent stuff you were talking about earlier?" Gaara asked Sai as he and I sat down across from them.

Ino seems surprised to see me but then her surprise turned to worry. "Hinata-chan, what happened earlier? Do you believe what Sasuke said?" She asked.

I shook my head. "No, of course not. Wait a minute, you're not mad at me?" I asked back, recalling what happened in the girls' comfort room earlier. "I was going to catch up with you when you ran out of the comfort room but I ended up bumping into Karin."

"Yeah, I saw everything. While I walk away from there, I noticed the people going to the opposite direction so I asked what the commotion was all about then checked for myself." She explained. "But no, I wasn't mad at you, I was just trying to make you see my point."

Sai suddenly nudged Ino causing her to look at him questioningly. When she fully turned to him, she seemed to understood what Sai was trying to imply because she smiled and nodded at him before she faced me again.

"You haven't told me what the urgent matter is yet." Gaara suddenly spoke.

Sai then looked at his watch and stood up frantically. "Oh, yeah! I forgot I need to do my Physics assignment but Ino needs help with her math. So can you help her instead?"

I am already sure that something is up when Sai said that because Ino is smart and she's really good at every subjects so I tried my luck. "I'll help her then." Then they shared a look and suddenly Sai turned to me.

"No, because I need your help in Physics so come on." He remarked pulling me away from the table as he waved at Ino and Gaara. "We'll see you later!"

Gaara even gave me a look of confusion but then nodded at me so I smiled at him then Sai lead me somewhere else. When I'm sure we're out of sight, I decided to ask what's going on. "Okay, what's up with that?" I looked at him suspiciously. When he grinned creepily and sheepishly, I finally put the pieces together. "You're setting Ino up with Gaara!"

He didn't answer or give any reaction but he doesn't need to because it is obvious now. But I feel myself a little bit disappointed because I admit to myself that I'm starting to like Gaara. So as we walk, I decided to ask him.

"Why? I thought you like Ino. Why are you setting her up with another guy?"

"Because I can't force her to like me, so I might as well just make her happy." He replied.

I admire Sai for what he did even if it will hurt him. "Wow, that's so sweet of you." I couldn't help blurting out.

He smiled proudly. "You know, Sasuke is a sweet guy too." He suddenly said.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Oh, c'mon, if he's a sweet guy then all of the other guys are angels. He's always bothering me and I just hate it."

"Well... Has it ever occurred to you that he's doing that so you'll notice him?"

19

Upon hearing Sai's words, I want to react by saying Sasuke couldn't possibly be looking for attention from me when everyone, especially his fangirls, are already giving him that. But I stopped myself, not wanting to start an argument with Sai. So I decided to say something else. "You seem to know Sasuke well."

He looks like he took that as a compliment. "Cool guys know each other well." He answered with a smirk.

That actually sounded conceited if Sasuke is the one who said that but since it's Sai, it just sounds like he's trying to make me laugh even though I know he means it.

"Sai, Hinata."

Sai and I turned around in surprise that Gaara suddenly appeared. I looked at Sai questioningly and so he decided to put our curiosity into words. "What are you doing here? Where's Ino?" Sai asked Gaara.

"Well, it turns out she knows more about Calculus than I do so I got out of there before I humiliate myself any further." That actually sounds funny.

"Wait, are you saying you left Ino alone?" Sai asked not sounding pleased at all.

"She said it's okay for me to leave since I couldn't help her." Gaara replied. "I invited her to go find you two but she refused, saying she'll just try to figure out her calculus by herself."

Sai didn't even say good bye and suddenly rushed towards the cafeteria. Of course it's obvious that he's concerned about Ino but Gaara didn't say or ask anything.

After lunch we went back to class together and talked about different things until the teacher arrived. The class went by smoothly with Gaara's occasional drawings again. When the dismissal bell rang, I gathered my things and was about to stand up when Gaara stopped me.

I looked at him with raised brow. "Gaara?"

"Let me carry your books." He said and didn't wait for my reply, instead he took my books from my arms. "Let's go." Then he said motioning for me to head out first.

Even though a bit confused, but admittedly swooning, I just went out until he's walking beside me towards my locker. After putting the books I won't need, I turned to him and curiously looked at him. "I didn't know you are such a perfect gentleman." I joked as I chuckled a bit.

"The books are heavy so I might as well help you." He smirked. Then he turned serious so I got even more curious. "Anyway, is it okay for me to ask for your number?"

I raised a brow again. "That's it? Here I thought you were going to say something serious." I took out a piece of paper from the notebook I'm carrying and scribbled my number in it. "Here you go."

I handed it to him and he smirked when he took it. Then he bid good bye, turning away from me and lazily raised his hand as he walk way. I giggled at his actions. I also decided to look for Sakura and try to patch things up with her.

As I walk along the hallway, I noticed people putting up pink posters on the walls. That was when it hit me. Tomorrow is Valentine's day. And based on my experience, it is one of the most celebrated events in our school. It's always exciting what the guys will do for the girls they like. The guys can do the serenading or whatever they think of even if classes are ongoing because the teachers allow disruptions in class for the special event, as long as it's for the name of LOVE.

I shrugged those thoughts away as I neared Sakura's locker. I have to finish this first before I start thinking of other things.

"Hey." I greeted as Sakura closes her locker door.

"Hey." She greeted back as she faced me.

"I'm sorry for not believing you when you said you weren't siding with Karin. I guess I was just too frustrated with all my plans backfiring at me." I said in my most sincere tone. "I hope you can forgive me."

Sakura-chan smiled. "Of course I forgive you! But forgive me too, okay? I know I should have tried harder to convince you about Karin. But you know me, I get mad easily." She admitted. "I should have told you about Sasuke too but... I was afraid that if I do that, you might start liking him back..."

I smiled back at her. "Are you crazy? Why would I start liking my bestfriend's ex-boyfriend? Especially when he only dated you because you like him. He's still a total jerk in my eyes and that wouldn't change even if he told me he liked me." I responded honestly. "So are we back to being bestfriends?"

"What?" She replied chuckling. "We never stopped being bestfriends! But I have a request for you." She paused to see whether I'd accept and so I nodded for her to go on. "Now that I've told you about Sasuke, can we stop talking about him? At least not unless you start liking him."

"I told you, didn't I? I'm never going to like a jerk. Besides, I thought you don't want me to like him?"

She shook her head. "You're right, I don't but if it can't be helped, I guess I can accept it for you and your happiness." She answered then I rolled my eyes but she slapped my arm but not hard.

"Fine." I replied just to end the matter.

After that, things are normal between us again. "So I see you're getting a bit too close with Sabaku Gaara." She said teasingly as we walk out of school. "What do you think? Will he do something for you tomorrow?"

I feel my cheeks heating up as I heard that. Will Gaara really do something for me tomorrow? What am I thinking? We're just friends so why would he? I shouldn't expect anything. "No, it's nothing like that. Gaara is just a good friend. What about you and Naruto-kun? Are you starting to go out with him?" I asked, nudging her to tease her too.

Now it's her turn to feel embarrassed and I chuckled at her reaction. "T-That's not true! He just said he likes me to protect Sasuke's secret. Besides, I just want to stay single for now." She said with a smile. I giggled knowing she's shy when she stutter ehich is very rare.

"Well, this is where we have to separate ways so I'll just see you tomorrow." I said.

"Okay! See you tomorrow!" She chirped in reply and we waved at each other then started walking towards our own ways.

Everything felt so good now that I have my bestfriend back and gaining a new friend. What added more to my high spirits is the excitement I feel for tomorrow. Even if I'm not that girly, I am still a girl. I can't help but hope that someone will give me something tomorrow. Will it be Sasuke or Gaara?

I shook my head violently. Gaara wouldn't, and especially not Sasuke. When I got home I received a message that made me smile.

[Gaara: Hey, this is Gaara. I forgot to give you my number so I sent you a message to let you know.]

I replied him asking in a joke if that's really the only reason for him to send me a message.

It took a minute for him to reply.

[Gaara: Actually, no. I want to ask you if a pink rose is inappropriate to give to a girl I like but doesn't seem to know me well.]

When I read that, I already knew it wasn't me because he said the girl didn't know him. And so, I opted to ask who it is. But he might think I'm too nosy so I just replied that if the girl doesn't know him then why don't he just give him a yellow rose.

[Gaara: Are you mad?]

I didn't know I sounded mad in my message but I wasn't really angry. I was just being rational about it. Maybe it was because I added an exclamation point in my text.

[No. Why would I be mad? I'm not.]

I replied. And somehow, I kinda don't want to receive a reply from him now.

[Gaara: Oh, okay then. Thanks for your help. See you tomorrow then.]

Seeing that message made me feel a bit annoyed. I don't know why, I just do. One thing is for sure though, I wouldn't be the one who will receive a rose from Gaara. So much for getting a Valentine this year.