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

Warning: OOC Characters

-DenHime

Battling With A Hot Guy

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23

No, it couldn't be from Uchiha Sasuke. Because from what I remember, there was a rose with his chocolates. But then again, I'm not even sure if it was from Gaara either since he isn't answering his phone. I decided to worry about it later when I walk home. However, as I placed my books inside, I found a rose buried underneath a pile of folders. I guess my locker is too messy so I wasn't able to notice it quickly. And because of the presence of the red rose, I'm a bit certain that it's Sasuke who placed it there. I still do not want to assume though.

"Hinata-chan." I heard Sakura suddenly called me. I turned around and she's already behind me. "Look, about earlier, I'm sorry I overreacted. I just told you yesterday that I will be fine if you decide to out with him yet there I was, acting all jealous when there wasn't really anything going on."

Seeing how freaked out Sakura was when she assumed Sasuke and I had something going on earlier, I can't just tell her that these gifts are probably from Sasuke or else she'll definitely get hurt. And being preoccupied by that thought, I just waved my hand dismissively. "That's alright, you don't have to apologize."

As I was talking, I attempted to hide the gifts behind me but Sakura was too keen not to notice. "What's that you're hiding in your back?" She asked as she try to catch a glimpse.

Knowing Sakura will just continue asking, I can't possibly hide it from her anyway so I decided to show it to her and think of an alibi. "These? They're presents from Gaara-kun." I bit my lip since I must have half lied since I'm not sure who it really is from.

"You mean, he really gave something to you? I knew it!" She cheerfully remarked, not even suspecting my alibi. "After you left so quickly during lunch, Gaara explained that the roses he gave Ino were from Sai and he was just the person who delievered it. After that, Sai arrived with another present for Ino."

That is all I needed to hear to feel excited again. Gaara didn't really like Ino! Although I feel a bit guilty since Ino really likes him.

As Sakura and I walk home, we discussed the chances of Gaara liking me. "I really think he likes you, Hina-chan. Think about it, he didn't give anyone else anything. Just you." She reasoned.

Technically, Gaara didn't give me anything yet. It's still hypothesis between him and Sasuke who gave me the chocolates and rose. The probability leans towards Sasuke more. But Gaara did say he's going to give me something so that counted as something. "But we're not really sure if he gave someone else a rose or maybe even jewelry." I tried not to assume or expect too much.

"You are so dense, you know that? How can you not notice when someone likes you?" She giggled, hitting my arm lightly like a friend would.

"I'm not dense." I complained. "I just don't want to jump into conclusions. I don't want to assume he likes me just because he gave me something because that doesn't prove anything."

After that we went our own ways. As I walked home, I couldn't help thinking about Gaara. Why wasn't he answering my call? Could he be mad at me? But it wasn't like I did something bad, right? Maybe I should try calling him again and ask him.

Taking out my cellphone as I enter our house, I noticed I have a new message. Somehow, I already knew it was Gaara. And I was right.

[Gaara: Hey, I'm sorry I wasn't able to answer your call. I was in the middle of something. But I left something in your locker, did you see it?]

Could it be a coincidence that he gave me the exact same gifts Sasuke planned on giving a certain girl? The chocolates and rose is really from him and not Sasuke? I decided to just reply him.

[Yeah, thank you so much. How did you know I love almonds?]

It took a while for Gaara to reply and what he replied really confused me. [Gaara: What do you mean?]

[You gave me a box of chocolate almonds. Did you know I love them or did you just guesed?] I replied, thinking maybe he just needed me to elaborate.

This time, he replied quickly. [Gaara: I think you're confusing me with someone else. I gave you a pink rose like I said I would yesterday.]

From what I remember, the rose in my locker is as red as a rose could be. But I could have been wrong so I checked it again, and undoubtedly, it really is red. [Are you sure you placed it in my locker and not someone else's?] I asked remembering Sasori-sempai mistook my locker too for Dei-san's.

[Gaara: Definitely. I asked Ino to help me with the location and combination.]

[Then did you see other gifts inside when you opened it?] I asked again, this time I formulated a new theory. The chocolates and the rose are indeed from Sasuke, I am sure of it now. And if Sasuke placed them after Gaara placed his rose, then Sasuke probably took it.

[Gaara: No, I just saw how messy your locker is. Why? Is there something wrong?]

Uchiha Sasuke must have really taken Gaara's rose. He is so dead. Right now, I don't have the heart to tell Gaara that I didn't get his rose, especially since he seems eager to know my reaction. And so I just pretended I got it. [No, there's nothing wrong. I just can't believe you went through a lot of trouble just to give me something. I really appreciate it.]

[Gaara: It's nothing, as long as I know it made you smile.] He replied, making my heart flutter.

If I wasn't running out of credits, I would continue exchanging texts with him. Unfortunately, I am running our of credits, so I ended our conversation. [Thank you, really. Good night!]

[Gaara: Alright. Good night, Hinata.]

Now, how would I deal with Sasuke tomorrow? I would have thrown his gifts tomorrow but I can't since I'm savoring the chocolates right now. What? I really love chocolate almonds. Also, if I do that, Sakura will find out Sasuke did gave me gifts and she might misunderstood which will create bigger problems. Therefore, I have no choice but to confirm from him if he stole Gaara's rose and force an apology from him.

The next day I arrived early at school. As expected, there aren't much people yet. And so I decided to look for someone I know who always arrive early, Ino.

She is by her locker as usual. "Ino-chan! How was your Valentine's Day yesterday?" I teased her when I finally reached her.

"Hinata-chan! Why didn't you tell me Gaara likes you?" She exclaimed with a pout, not even answering me but I know how she is so it's okay. "You even got him begging me for your locker combination." She giggled.

"Uhm... I'm not sure if he does like me. And unfortunately, I wasn't able to receive his rose because Sasuke stole it."

"Are you serious? Why would he do something like that?" She said with interest in her eyes as she shut her locker close.

I noticed on her hand is a pure silver bracelet with gold-colored diamond. "Is that what I think it is?" I asked her, forgetting about Sasuke for a moment.

She looked at what I was focused on and then gave me a smile. "If you mean this bracelet is from Sai? Yes, it is." She answered cheerfully.

"Then does this mean you're giving up on Gaara?" I asked, somewhat feeling happy not to have her as a rival on the guy I like. Not that it really bothers me since what we have is just a friendly competition. But I really would feel a lot better if she doesn't like Gaara anymore so I won't feel guilty about having a huge crush on him.

But she shook her head. "Of course not. I'm only wearing this bracelet because Sai claimed it's chosen by Gaara." She remarked.

It was probably just Sai's white lies to get Ino to accept his present like when he asked Gaara to deliver the roses to her. But I didn't dare say it since Ino might take it the wrong way and assume that I'm trying to get her to unlike Gaara. So I decided to just bring back the topic earlier. "Anyway about Sasuke, I'm planning to confront him."

"I don't think you need to do that anymore." She suddenly said, gesturing me to look behind me.

I turned my head and saw what Ino was talking about. Sasuke and Naruto are walking down the hallway, not too far away from us. There's a scowl on Sasuke's face that says he's not amused.

Why do I have a feeling I had something to do with that?