Hey everybody! Thanks for reviewing, and thanks once again to the people who've stuck with this story for so long. I bet you guys thought I was going to make you wait a year for another chapter right?...lol No, I won't do that to you guys. Besides the story's about to get juicy. Side note: this chapter contains flashbacks which will be denoted with a '! #' symbol and the entire flashback will be in italics. So with that clarified, here we go!
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"I told him maybe, after midterms and everything. I didn't make any guarantees. Besides why do you care?" I rolled my eyes for what was probably the eighth time since I had gotten on the phone with Shika.
"Because he blew my phone up last night with like fifteen texts asking me different shit about you. It's fucking weird," came the smart assed reply from the other end.
"He just wants take me out to eat or something. He said something about coming over to smoke," I was sitting on my bed pulling up one of my uniform's stockings.
"Do you want to?" he asked.
"I don't know. Maybe a dinner but I don't really know if I feel comfortable smoking with him," I slipped my shoes on.
He sighed, "Besides what would you even talk about? The guy's got like four brain cells."
"I never really thought about us spending much time talking," I trailed off.
"I'll see you at the front gate," was all I heard before a 'click' signaled him hanging up.
'Heh heh heh' I laughed at him being uncomfortable. Served him right for freaking out about the situation. He didn't necessarily need to know that I didn't plan on throwing myself at Kiba. I knew the reputation he had, and I wanted to see how serious he actually was about being with me. Besides if I wanted an easy "good time" I could always just find someone at Kanpai that I didn't have to see everyday at school.
I grabbed my school bag and slung it over my shoulder before leaving my house and heading down to meet Ino.
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"I'm not ready for this! There's no way I'm gonna pass," Ino screeched from my left. We were approaching the gate of the school. I could see Choji and Shika up ahead. Shika was finishing a cigarette right outside of the entrance, probably so Mr. Shimura didn't give his ass detention.
"Did you imagine a cute boy reciting flash cards to you like I told you?" I reminded her of the study aid I came up with to help her concentrate. To be honest it sounded like something she'd come up with.
"Yeah, but then I imagined him talking about taking me on a European cruise so…." she held her cheeks in embarrassment.
I thought my eyes were going to roll all the way to the back of my head. Leave it to Ino to sabotage herself. As we walked up to the guys, Choji crumpled up his now empty chip bag and Shikamaru stepped on his cigarette butt before putting it in his pocket. We exchanged 'hellos' and began walking inside towards our classroom. As Choji and Ino swapped complaints Shikamaru and I traded pensive glances. As we entered the classroom we didn't escape each other's presence, our seats were right beside each other.
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Our English midterm was the first one scheduled for this week. I alternated between staring at the '3B' sign over the door and looking back down to the paper where I had translated most of a paragraph into English. I had breezed through the grammar portion and the section where you read passages and answers questions on each. I listened to a lot of American music and honestly in some weird way I think it helped me understand some of the words and sentence structure. This was the last section of the exam and I only had about five sentences left.
I seemed to be doing okay as far as midterms went so far. English was one of my best subjects and I knew I wouldn't have to study too much for this one. I thought about the other subjects though. What would happen if I absolutely tanked one? I mean it's not like I didn't have a semester and a half to make it up, but the thought of it freaked me out. I wasn't really interested in attending a university, but I didn't want to fail and repeat my last year of high school while all my friends went on to bigger and better adventures.
I looked over at Shikamaru's paper. He had written more than me already and was just finishing up. I turned my eyes back on my own paper before Mr. Ogata got suspicious. I returned my focus to the words and began to translate them into English in my head and then reorder them on the paper. When I had finally finished I closed my test folder. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Shika had laid his head down on his crossed arms. I gazed out the window until Mr. Ogata told us the testing time was over. As we passed our folders to the front Shika gave me a 'how did you do?' look, to which I responded with a half smile and the 'victory' sign with my fingers.
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The rest of the week and midterms went by in a flash and I was confident that I would escape the first exams of my last year of high school unscathed. It didn't go downhill until Friday when we were presented with our Chemistry exam. I opened the folder and pulled out the test situating it on my desk. My eyes practically crossed when I actually looked at the material on the paper. Chemical formulas, balancing equations, and damn math. It was bad enough that I had had to take a whole exam on advanced math, but here it was showing up in Chemistry too. And what's worse is that I had forgotten what several components of some of the compounds were that I was supposed to be balancing. I blamed Mr. Tojiro's teaching style and the fact that he never wanted to slow down and explain things to us.
I should have studied more but when I got home from Kanpai the night before I was both mentally and physically exhausted. Not being used to working late at night had taken its toll. I had laid in bed with my chemistry notes in my lap but had awoken with a flash cards stuck to my face. Obito had met me in the kitchen with a bento box for lunch. The only time he was adamant about providing me with food for school was during exam weeks. I had scarfed it down for breakfast on the way to school instead, determined to give my brain some kind of fuel so we could make it through the day.
I finished the exam and shoved it back into the folder. I pushed it to the top right corner of my desk, as if disgusted, wanting it as far away from me as possible. I sighed and looked out the window to my left as I often did when I was bored in class. I definitely hadn't done as well as I had with the other subjects. I didn't think that I had failed but I knew it wasn't going to be an 'A'. I silently wondered how bad Obito was going to ream my ass if I did in fact get an 'F'. Ino was talking about throwing a celebratory sleepover once midterms were done. Even though the 'celebration' was that the midterms were over, I had still wanted to celebrate my hopefully good grades. Speaking of, I tried looking around the room discretely by pretending I was looking at the clock, I found Ino two seats to my right and a row back. I had to fight a sympathetic laugh from escaping. Her eyes were glazed over and I could have sworn I saw a bit of drool leaking from the corner of her mouth.
About fifteen minutes later, Ol' Snakeface as I loved to call him, called time on the exam. I breathed a sigh of relief as I passed my folder up to the front. First semester midterms were officially over. We would get our results sometime next week, but what was done was done. Now I could focus my energy on the Top Canine completion coming up. I had one more practice tomorrow morning with Kiba and Akamaru then I would have to work my shift and then wake up early Sunday for the competition. Literally just thinking about it made me sleepy. 'Damnit now I sound like Shikamaru.' As the little electronic bell sounded, class ended and lunch began. I jumped out of my chair and followed Ino towards the door, Hinata and Sakura not far behind me.
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"So when is this sleepover?" I asked with a bite of rice in my mouth.
"Well don't you have that date with Kiba this weekend?" She asked me.
"It's definitely just a dog competition, but go on," I corrected her lazily before popping another bite into my mouth.
She gave me side eye, "Well what about next Saturday night?"
"Sounds good. I'll see if I can switch shifts and work a different day," I grabbed a bite of vegetables.
"And tell Haru I said 'Hiiiiiiii'," she gushed.
"I'll say it just like that," I rolled my eyes and laughed. She had wanted me to take a picture of him to show her since I had told the girls on Monday that I had gotten the job and completed my first weekend there.
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"So what were you up to this weekend? You were M.I.A.!" Ino plopped down in her seat and leaned forward accusingly.
"I was trying out my first weekend as a waitress at Kanpai," I grinned.
Hinata and Sakura, who had also sat down at our table in the cafeteria, joined Ino in squealing in excitement.
"What's it like working at a club? Do you get free drinks? What about your co-workers?" Sakura rapid-fired questions at me.
"Forget all that! What about the BOYS? Any cuties? How old? I need details girl!" Ino began shaking me by the shoulders.
"Ino maybe you should take it easy," Hinata tried to pull Ino off me.
She released me and I readjusted my uniform tie as I sat back down. I told them that the job essentially wasn't very hard, it just kept you on your feet the whole time. I told them about Yoko, Nanami, and Baki and what a bitch she had been. That she was twice as bad as Mitsuri and that sooner or later we'd probably get into it. I told them about Kubo and Ayane and watching her dance as Ichigo. When I talked about Haru and our interaction and the free drink I could see the gears in Ino's head turning.
"Nevermind the others, get me a picture of him. We may just need a new pla-," she began.
"Forget it Ino. He's a bigger flirt than you. It's all fun and games with him," I rolled my eyes.
Ino asked what my brother thought and I filled them in on the cover story I had told Obito in case he got bold and interrogated one of them. I informed them of the days and hours I would be working so we could try and coordinate future social events, but I told them I didn't want the guys to know. They had big mouths, especially Naruto, and I knew it would end up getting back to Sasuke and then my brother.
To appease Ino for refusing the idea of dating Haru, I told her about entering the Top Canine competition with Kiba and Akamaru, and our subsequent training session. I also took note to let her know about Kakashi's reactions when finding out I was hanging out with Kiba and after observing what I had come home looking like after said competition practice. She clapped her hands in delight, letting out an aggressive giggle and I knew that my offering of gossip had satisfied her for now. She most likely wouldn't pester me about out little love triangle experiment until after the competition.
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"Let's go outside so I can smoke," once we had finished eating I stood up and began walking towards the hallway so I could exit the school.
We walked until we got towards the street. I saw Shika and the guys sitting on their usual bench- the one closest to the gate. As we walked up Naruto and Choji waved 'Hi'. I walked over to stand in front of Shikamaru who was sitting on the far edge of the bench, half way through a cigarette. When I got in front of him he nodded-his way of saying hello in front of the guys. I kicked his knee.
"How'd you do? Think you even missed a question?" I blew out a puff of mango flavored smoke.
"No, what about you? You looked like your soul left your body when you looked at the test," he shrugged 'So what he was checking up on me?'
"I'm hoping for anything above a 'D'," I winced.
His facial expression turned into a real 'ick' face, even stuck out his tongue for a second, "No way! We studied last week!"
"I've been tired," I scratched the back of my head and sighed, "No, I think I passed but I'm definitely not bringing home an 'A'."
He sighed, "Well if your brother gets in your ass tell him I'll tutor you."
I nodded. That usually got Obito off my back. If Shika came over and Ito saw us studying for real he might not go too hard on me. I took a few more puffs off my vape while Shikamaru finished his cigarette. We heard the warning bell and began walking back into school to finish up our day. The fact that, due to exam week, we had no homework was the only thing that excited me. Most of the group was walking in front of me so it surprised me when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"You ready for this weekend?" Kiba's deep voice was close enough to my ear to give me shivers.
I turned and looked at him, "Irogawa and that cotton ball won't know what hit 'em!"
He laughed and I grinned. When I turned back forward Shikamaru was looking back at us with a scowl. 'What the hell's his problem?' I rolled my eyes. He was getting moodier than Ino.
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We had worked our asses off Saturday to get our run perfect. I sweated so much I think I lost five pounds in water weight. Kiba and I had gone out for ramen when we got through, after him finding out that I never got my ramen bowl last week. I still had some coupons for Ramen Ichiraku courtesy of Naruto's birthday present to me, so I offered to treat us. After that I went home and took a shower before getting ready to head in for work.
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When I got to Kanpai, after putting my stuff in the locker, I sought out Kubo. I would need to clear it with her in order to be off Saturday for Ino's party. When I found her in the office Ayane was sitting on the desk talking to her. I internally squealed wondering if I had interrupted something.
"Hey Kubo-senpai, Aya-chan! Kubo-senpai I was wondering if I could switch shifts so that I could be off on Saturday for a friend's party? I can work one or two extra night this coming week…if that's acceptable," I bowed low as I asked.
I noticed Ayane cover her mouth in a giggle and nudge Kubo who then spoke, "You guys just got done with midterms right?"
"Uh yes ma'am," I nodded, head still bowed.
"Why don't you just take Saturday off kid?"
My head shot up, "Really? Are you sure?"
"On one condition," she crossed her arms as I looked at her expectedly, "don't ever call me 'ma'am' again."
"Deal!" I fought the urge to hug her, deciding she probably was not the touchy-feely type.
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Not having to worry about working extra days had taken alot of stress off me and I was free to focus on what I came here to do: beat Irogawa. It was the big day, and surprisingly I was pretty excited despite having woken up extra early. I had met Kiba over at his house and his mom had ferried him, I, and Akamaru downtown to the convention center where the competition was being held. She dropped us off under a large banner that read 'Contestants Sign In Here'. Kiba helped Akamaru and I sign up and get our contestant's material packet. We walked over to a small bench between a few trees to inspect our packet. I caught myself walking over to a large husky with blue eyes that had a tail too fluffy not to pet. Kiba had to pull me back over and back on task.
I blushed sheepishly admitting that I couldn't control myself around this many cute dogs. He laughed handing me a contestant number printed on a large sticker. I noticed his blush when I asked him if he would help me stick it to my back. He hooked a tag with the same number '23' onto Akamaru's collar.
"Hey boy! We match!" I grinned when Akamaru responded with a bark.
Kiba went over the itinerary. First we would head to the inspection area where they would give Akamaru something akin to a physical. He would be graded on several things and his score there would come into play when it was time to calculate who was to win best in show. Then we would head over to the appropriate competition area where we would wait until it was our turn to run. The dogs were divided into three categories: small, medium, and large breeds. Akamaru was undeniably in the large breed category and as a result we would be competing in the biggest of the three arena areas. I sighed knowing I was definitely about to get some steps in.
We made our way inside and over to the inspection area. We were the third in line and while we were waiting I was watching the inspector lift the hind leg of a labrador retriever. I shot Kiba a shocked look and after a chuckle he explained to me that they look for how balanced the dog is, the length of their legs, and many other things. I smiled at him while we watched the inspection, him teaching me as we observed. I couldn't help but think how cute he was when he was sharing something he was truly excited about.
When it was Akamaru's turn I laughed as they produced a ramp for him to walk up onto the table. The smaller dogs had just been lifted up there, but I think the man wanted to prevent as many back problems as he could. I felt bad for poor Akamaru as the man poked and prodded and manipulated appendages, but he took it like a champ.
Once finished we headed over to our designated arena to get the list of the order we would run in. Each dog got two runs, the judges taking the better time of the two. There were seven dogs in the large category and each dog would go once before anyone got their shot at a second attempt. We would be here for awhile but this was something completely new to me and kinda exciting. Plus there were adorable dogs everywhere and I was here with an undeniably cute guy.
The only thing that could ruin it, did so by deciding to show her face as we headed towards the resting area for the large breed competitors.
"I'm surprised you actually showed up Uchiha," Mitsuri spawned from the depths of hell and appeared in my face.
"Wouldn't miss a chance to make you eat your words Irogawa," I crossed my arms and glared.
"Yeah right. Fluffy and I are gonna come out on top," she readjusted said puffball in her arms.
"Speaking of, shouldn't you and that q-tip be over there with the snack size dogs," I stepped forward silently thanking whatever deity was watching when Akamaru let out a well-timed growl.
Looking alarmed, she headed off towards the other side of the building in a huff. Kiba snorted in laughter after watching our display.
"I didn't think anyone was as competitive as me," he muttered to himself with a smile, but I had heard it.
"Don't worry about them boy. We'll leave 'em in our dust," I began stretching and getting ready for the physical activity that was to come.
We were the third pair to run. I nervously exhaled as I went to step out and lead Akamaru into the arena.
I felt a familiar hand on my shoulder, "Relax. You got this. It's set up exactly like my backyard."
"Thanks coach," I turned and gave him a smile.
When I stepped onto the astroturf, I looked around as I approached our starting mark. He was right. It was set up exactly like his back yard had been. The obstacles were just spaced out further apart. I knew exactly where to go and was ready to do it fast as possible. When the starting pistol fired we launched ourselves off the mark and headed towards the first tunnel. I kept going as Akamaru disappeared into the tunnel getting myself to where I needed to be.
Akamaru ran, jumped bars, and weaved in and out of poles as I wound my way around the center of the area. When we crossed over the finish mark I slowed my run down to a stop. I paused to catch my breath as Kiba came out and helped usher me back to a bench. I plopped down unceremoniously in the seat as I waited for the judges to reveal our time.
"You guys did great! I'm pretty sure we're just competing with ourselves next time around. Way to go boy!" Kiba mussed the fur on his canine friend's head.
I cheered when our time was revealed. We had beaten the other dogs that had already gone by a full five seconds. I knew there was a good chance that Akamaru would be the winner of the large breed division. We held the fastest time for three more runs. The last contestant in the large division, an English breed dog- a greyhound, ended up with a time three seconds less than ours. To be fair to Akamaru though, that was officially the fastest dog I had ever seen. If Kotaro had been one of those I'd never outrun him. I think he was pretty much unbeatable.
We patiently waited for our turn at a second attempt. Not wanting to admit defeat, I jumped up and pumped Akamaru up with cries of 'we got this' and 'we're gonna win right boy'. He began jumping, riled up. They called our name and we headed through the gate to the starting mark.
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All dogs had finished running and the scores had been tallied. Everyone had gathered in front of the main podium. As we waited for the judges to announce the winners I shuffled nervously back and forth. Kiba, standing behind me, clapped his hands on my shoulders and ran them up and down my arms a few times. 'Calm down will you? You're starting to make me nervous' he whispered at me as an older man in an expensive looking suit stepped up to the microphone.
"Thank you all for coming to this year's Top Canine Competition! We will be begin by announcing the winners of each size category and then we will name the three overall winners,". He pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it.
They named the three winners of the individual groups, a scottish terrier, a collie, and the greyhound won the small, medium, and large categories respectively. Then it was time for the overall winners. Third place ended up being the labrador retriever that was in front of us in the inspection line. My stomach fluttered. It was one position that Irogawa hadn't gotten but we were also running out of chances to place. Then my ears perked up, they had called second place.
"Akamaru and his trainer Uchiha Kumaraki!" I stood frozen, shell shocked for a moment until Kiba nudged me.
"Let's get up there!"
"Second place really?!" I stared at him as he nodded cheerfully. Reality sank in as we climbed the stairs. Akamaru stepped up onto the second place platform while I stepped up beside him. Kiba walked to stand behind me. They put silver medals around mine and, to my delight, Akamaru's necks. Then the man handed me the silver trophy that had occupied his other hand. I turned around and grinned at Kiba, who returned it with a grin of his own and a thumbs up.
I looked back forward. Towards the crowd. I searched out Irogawa and found her, unsurprisingly at the front of the crowd. This was it, either she took first, which would admittedly infuriate me, or hadn't placed at all and I had decimated her. I wanted to see the look on her face either way. The man stepped back up to the microphone and cleared his throat as if the suspense wasn't already killing me.
"First Place and Best In Show goes to….Kotaro, Yamada Kenji," I think my jaw dropped as far open as Mitsuri's did. I stared wide-eyed as the dog that I had ran from countless times stepped up on the higher platform to my left.
"K-Kotaro?! You've been here the whole time?" I pointed at him. He turned to look at me almost as if he understood what I was saying he let out a yip.
"Well I guess you got me this time buddy," I laughed to myself, wishing Shikamaru were here to see this. Even though I knew he would never let me live it down if he had been here.
As the ceremony ended I realized that I had done it. Irogawa hadn't even placed. I searched for her again in the crowd and when I didn't see her, I presumed she had already slunk away in defeat. In my ecstasy of reveling in my victory, I lost control of myself a touch and launched myself into Kiba's arms while my lips found his cheek.
"Oh thank you, thank you for helping me win! Did you see her face?" I pecked his cheek twice more.
His arms had found their way around me and so when I had to pull away to gather myself and apologize his face was as red as a tomato. 'Huhmph, kinda looks like Hinata when Naruto's around.' I mused delightfully.
"Sorry, sometimes I get a little too excited," I said sheepishly.
"It's ok," he looked away, embarrassed about how red his face was. "Let's go out front and see if my mom's here."
We walked with Akamaru to the front entrance. I had given Kiba the trophy to hold and he told me that he wanted me to keep the medal. I gushed and thanked him, excited to show Obito when I got home. He chuckled and pulled me in the direction of his mom's minivan that was pulling over to the curb.
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When I had come home later that night, Obito was honestly shocked to see the silver medal around my neck. I had even given him a hug after telling him the story of beating Irogawa, I had been so excited. He chuckled and asked me if I had eaten anything since breakfast. When I shook my head, he handed me half of the sandwich that he had been eating.
In between bites I told him about Ino's sleepover that upcoming Saturday and told him that I had worked out my schedule with my job so that I could go. He nodded and told me that was fine. I finished the sandwich and considered it my dinner since it had gotten late. I had school the next day and loved future me enough to know I needed to crash soon, or I would be miserable come time to wake up. In a rare display of affection, I kissed Obito's forehead and told him goodnight, and thanked him for the half a sandwich before going to my room. I jumped in the shower washing the sweat and essence of dog that I had collected throughout the day. I got out and threw on an old oversized band t-shirt of Kakashi's that I had taken from the laundry one time. I didn't know if he knew that I had it, but if he did, he had never asked for it back. I climbed into bed, not bothering to set out my school uniform. After plugging in my phone, I let the sounds of an American crime documentary lull me to sleep.
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My good mood only lasted until Tuesday during homeroom when we got our midterm results back. While Shikamaru stretched with his arms behind his head, smirking with satisfaction, I looked at my paper and resisted the urge to bang my head on the desk.
English: A
History and Cultural Studies: A
Calculus: B
Japanese: A
Economics: B
Chemistry: C
Physical Education: B
'Damnit! I bet Sasuke, Sakura, and Hinata did better than me. Shika got all 'A's' that's a given. I expected the calculus and chemistry grades, but the 'B' in phys ed. is bullshit! I can't believe Mr. Maito gave me a 'B'…that ass!' I pouted. I had come in fifth in the imaginary contest I had subjected me and my group of friends to. I could maybe smooth over the 'B's' with Obito-there were more of them than I wanted though-but that 'C'…Obito would literally flip his shit if he saw it. The good news is that he didn't know when we were supposed to be getting our results, and because it wasn't a failing grade, my guardian wouldn't be notified.
Shikamaru grabbed my paper and scanned the grades, "You didn't do that bad Raki."
"Says you," I said in a weepy voice, my head laying sideways on the desk facing him. "You got all A's didn't you?"
"Eh…well…," he trailed off, not wanting to make me feel worse.
"Yeah that's what I thought," I huffed. I sat up and leaned forward to grab my paper out of Shika's hands.
Instead, he pulled my paper away and as I fell forward my chin fell into his open hand, "What a drag. Don't pout. It's not that bad."
I looked up at him, he was always the more level-headed of the two of us. When we made eye contact, he smiled briefly before tilting my chin up as he pulled his hand away. He handed me back my paper and paused for a moment before ruffling up the hair on the top of my head, "I'll help you through summer school, and I won't even charge you."
I growled and swung, landing a blow to his gut. He had to go ruining a nice moment, "I can't believe you!"
"Damn! I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself," he grunted, holding his stomach and laughing at the same time.
"Hope it was worth it," I folded my paper and shoved it in my bag. I crossed my arms and faced forward while waiting for Ms. Senju to come in for Calculus, ignoring Shika's chuckling from my right.
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When I got home Wednesday after school the metaphorical shit hit the fan. I announced my arrival, not expecting an answer, and took off my school shoes and put on my house slippers. I walked through to my bedroom, threw my school bag down, and began changing into casual clothes.
I had just fastened the last button on my high waist shorts when a forceful knock shook my door. It caused me to jump, "Obito?"
"Open the door Kumaraki," I heard my brother's voice on the other side of the door. 'Aaaaannnnd he used the full name, great.'
"Hang on! I've got to put a shirt on!" I looked around my room for something to cover my chest.
"NOW!" he yelled as I pulled open my drawer and grabbed the light pink halter top that was sitting on top of the folded pile.
"OKAYYY!" I screamed back as I yanked my door open.
He was standing there with a paper in his hand, "Did you think I wouldn't find out about this?"
I squinted my eyes trying to see the words on the other side of the paper. When I saw the school's logo in the corner I knew it was my report card. I saw red, "Why were you in my room?!"
"I brought your headphones to put back in your nightstand," he stepped passed the doorway into my room.
"And so then you just thought it was okay to go through it?" I yelled as I pointed to it. I had dumped it out of my school bag yesterday when I got home and tossed it in my nightstand drawer.
"I saw the logo and got curious. A 'C' Kumaraki?! What's grandfather going to say if he finds out? He could take your inheritance. It'll be hard to make an argument to have you in management at Uchiha Corp.," he shook the paper at me.
"I told you already I'M NOT WORKING FOR UCHIHA CORP.!" I screamed at him, kicking off my slippers and shoving my feet into a pair of white tennis shoes.
"We both know you're little serving job won't last! You gonna be a waitress your whole life? No, and I'm not so sure I'll be able to talk them into taking you once you come crawling back! And if you think you're going to Ino's party you're wrong," He crossed his arms.
'Fuck this. I'm out.'
"That's FINE! I may not spend the rest of my life as a waitress, but you won't have to worry about me 'crawling back!" I grabbed the backpack I used for a purse and slung it onto my shoulders.
Obito yelled my name, but I ignored him and flipped him off as I ran out the front door.
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The more steps I took and the more I thought about Obito's words, the more upset I became. I got down to the end of the street before the tears started to fall. Where the fuck did he think he got off? It was only one 'C' and it wasn't even a failing grade. I had a few 'B's' but those could easily get raised and if I really devoted some time to chemistry I could turn it around before the end of the year. And no, did he actually think I was planning on working in a cafe for the rest of my life? You didn't have to go to college to get a decent job. I should be allowed to decide my own path and not be judged for how I did it.
I got to the end of the block and the sky opened up. Japan's rainy season was coming to an end, but we still fell victim to the occasional afternoon shower. Now I was sad and wet, and beginning to get cold. It made me cry harder as I ran the rest of the way to Shika's house. His parent's were still at work but I knew that he had gone home after school rather than hanging out at Choji's or somewhere else.
I was halfway thankful that it was raining so hard. At this point I was completely soaked and it camouflaged the fact that I had been crying. I banged on the door for what felt like forever, but I wasn't going to stop until his lazy ass got up and answered it. Finally I heard footsteps and the doorknob rattle. The door swung open with annoyance, but when he saw me his eyes widened in shock.
"Take me somewhere, anywhere Shika. I have to get out of here," I cut him off before he had the chance to say anything.
He stared at me for another moment, before grabbing his jacket and umbrella, "Okay."
It was all he said before he grabbed my hand and we headed back out into the rain.
Bonus Scene
'What a drag. Can't whoever it is give me time to answer the damn door?!' I walked back into the entryway from the kitchen. I had changed clothes and came downstairs to put my shoes on. I was planning to go to Choji's and was about to head out when someone started banging on the door.
I twisted the door handle and yanked the door open, hoping the person on the other side could sense my annoyance. I forgot the rest of my thoughts as my eyes fell on her. 'Fuck.' Of course the first thing I noticed was that she had been crying. I could always tell, no matter how good she thought she was at hiding it. Something had happened. I was about to ask what but she cut me off.
"Take me somewhere, anywhere Shika. I have to get out of here," she pleaded.
It was worse than I thought. She was on the verge of breaking down. Her saying my name was all it took for me to fold. I took a good look at her. She was soaked from head to toe and admittedly, looking like that, I would have done just about anything she asked me to. If I told her 'no' she would just leave and there's no telling what trouble she'd get into. I couldn't let her go back out there alone like that.
I grabbed my jacket and an umbrella, "Okay."
I grabbed her hand and popped the umbrella open as we walked out into the downpour.
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Okay y'all like I said it's about to start getting juicy. It's going to be easier for me to get the chapters out faster because I'm really excited to finally write out some of the very first scenes I planned out. Not to spoil the surprise but in the next few chapters we'll get some love triangle drama and...y'all know our girl's job can't stay a secret forever right? But who's going to find out and will there be consequences? Keep reading to find out! Let me know what you guys think!
