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Best Friend
He was deeply in love with her; she had no idea.
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Chapter 3: You're Making a Mess, Hyūga
The reality of the situation was that he was waiting for her text. Yep! Another day, another thesis was forgotten, he had the notifications on, and his phone did not leave his side, but he still checked religiously. That was pathetic. He felt a little out of character, but he was still hopeful that he did enough so that she could reach out to him.
Now, why couldn't he reach out to her?
Well, because he did not want to seem desperate. He still had some pride and decorum in staying neutral when his desires were brewing a storm of feelings that just wanted to come out and shout what the reality was. The solicitude of his apartment became claustrophobic, that corner with the succulents he had on his terrace that always gave a nice breeze was dry, and his phone did not ring not even by mistake, and no matter how he looked at it as if conjuring a reaction.
He groaned loudly in frustration.
"This is pointless," he murmured. He got up, stretched a little, and decided to leave the phone, she was going to call when she did, he was not going to obsess over it. He decided to go inside and concentrate on his thesis. A minute almost passed when the ringtone resonated, and he never ran so fast to his electronic device.
"This dumbass!" he exclaimed when he saw it was Naruto. "What?"
"Teme, watcha doin'?"
"Busy," he grunted.
"Doin' what?" he asked.
"You know what, idiot," grumbles walking inside his apartment.
"Ditch that, let's play some hoops," he could his laugh through the phone.
He looked around in contemplation. "An Hour."
He ended the call. His damn self knew that this interaction will not be an hour.
The hour turned into three hours, and he was a little rusty since it's been a while since he engaged in physical activity, plus his competitive strike will not let him lose against Naruto. Both of them are drenched in sweat and while doing their best to outrun each other in this natural competition they seem to have every time.
He shot a three-pointer, and they called it a break. Naruto pushed him mockingly for leaving him behind. While taking the water bottle, he discreetly checked the phone. He had a message from Sakura, he was about to ignore it when Naruto said something about it.
"Aren't you going to answer?" he looked over at the blonde, who had a small towel cleaning the sweat off his neck.
"Oi, since when you are so noisy?" he asked while looking for a towel in his duffel bag.
"Since Sakura always cries to Ino who complaints to me that you aren't taking their relationship to the next level,"
He cringed at that internally. "That's really none of your business," he said.
"Of course, it isn't," Naruto said in an exasperated tone. "But seriously man, you should do something about it, cus I'm the one who has to suffer all of the baggage,"
"Sakura knows I have some priorities,"
"The thesis we know!" the blond took a chug of water. "She expects that after that you take the next step,"
He sighed while sitting beside his friend, looking ahead, without focusing on anything concrete. "I'm not sure if I could give her what she wants,"
"So, you're just tagging her along?" Naruto tried to be understanding. "That's just kinda unfair, dude,"
"I know," he murmured.
They stood quiet for a bit. The truth is that he wanted to give his relationship with Sakura a shot, his plan was after he turned in his thesis, he would be more relaxed, and they would take their relationship more seriously, more boyfriend-girlfriend level. But now he wasn't so sure anymore. Seeing Hinata yesterday, was like reviving something in him, he felt even bad or entertaining a relationship outside of pursuing her even, but he has never been good with his feelings. So, he over-complicated anything that had to do with that, just because it wasn't his forte.
"Where were you yesterday?" Naruto changed the topic. " We came looking for you yesterday,"
"I went home,"
"Konoha?! Man, you should've invited us," his scandalous friend pouted.
He shook his head. "It was a family brunch,"
"Well next time, don't forget about us, you asshole," Naruto said. " You Uchiha's always so secretive," he mumble a little bit annoyed.
"Just saw the family,"
"Yo, I can't believe Itachi-nii is a dad,"
"You idiot, don't call my brother that,"
"You've always been jealous, Sasu-chan," he playfully said while mocking the name Mikoto annoyingly calls him from time to time.
He could feel the vein in his temple pulsating. "You dumb fishcake" he pushed him a little too hard making him land on his bottom.
"HEY! You ass, that hurts!" the Namikaze said while picking himself up and nursing his behind.
"Serves you right," he said taking another chug of his water.
This eternal playful banter with Naruto made him forget what got him in a sour mood all day, he should appreciate this dumb blonde a little bit more, but he doesn't and that's part of their dynamic.
Ok, so he decided to forget about his Hinata dilemma for the rest of the day, he concentrated on finishing his stuff, cleaned the apartment a little, and send a text to Sakura inviting her for a night stroll and to grab a bite to eat. Just the two, without distractions or loud friends that were lowkey pushing them to formalize the relationship. Of course, he did not need it, he wanted to have a good pace and do this right, so he in part took his friend's advice and texted the pink-haired companion.
He felt guilty because he wasn't being fair to this girl who had been nothing but patient, so he kinda owes it to her, but since he did not like to owe people he thought about being fairer and just giving some effort, who knows, maybe he was ignoring something that could be potentially good, just because he was hung up on the past. He also owes it to himself, because pinning over something that was more or less impossible was not giving himself a good opportunity to move on.
He had deep feelings for Hinata, and perhaps he'll always have them, seeing her yesterday was more than confirmation of that. But she did not reciprocate them, and that was ok. He had no chance otherwise, so what was left for him was to move on, try to find something that made him happy, and Sakura was there, since meeting him, has always been there for him. Maybe he should be giving more effort.
He put on some cologne before heading out.
"You look great," he complimented when they met outside.
Her face turned pink. "Thanks you too," she said while taking a stance beside him.
The air was gentle, the afternoon quiet while waiting for the sun to retire till the next day. Their pace wasn't rushed, just content while they discussed little in idle chit-chat.
"So we stopped by yesterday, but I think you weren't home?" the girl asked.
"Went to Konoha for brunch," his jaw was tense, and he prayed Sakura didn't ask more about it, since he wasn't ready to dwell on the fact that he had an encounter with his high school crush.
"Oh..." she hummed. "You have a united family,"
"I guess," he shrugged.
"Must be nice, I hope one day I get to meet them," she expressed.
"Maybe," he let on vaguely. He thought for a moment if his parents would like her, when they formalized, his mom probably, did like everyone, his dad would probably tag along just to please his mother... he shook his head, why was he thinking about all of that mess?
"Let's go..."
They decided on eating some sushi, which was something he had been craving since returning his stomach to a normal schedule of three meals a day.
"I heard about this place," the girl commented. "They have the best Miso soup,"
"We'll see about that then," he commented.
In the end, he could admit he did have a good time with Sakura, he was constantly reminded of why he decided to give her a chance, she was not only pretty but she was smart and he never got bored in their banter. One of the best ways to help was to pass the time was doing this sort of thing. Just hanging out, their relationship was not more than this. This was ok, it felt ok. The food was good, and the moment was good, when he got out he didn't play dumb when Sakura wanted to hold hands; it was a new step in their relationship, and he thought he could indulge; just this time.
Based on her smile, she was happy and he was just content.
On the contrary sidewalk, there was a ruckus of people following what looked like a couple.
"Are they famous?" Sakura asked beside him, her head moving side to side to get a glimpse.
He did not say anything while curious looking at some individuals that looked more or less familiar. Surprisingly, it did not take him long to identify the tallest individual. Even though he saw him once, he could recognize the arrogant face of Neji Hyūga. With the impassive face and the strictness of his stance, there was something about him that really put him on edge, and not in a good way. Once he identified one he was sure he could guess without looking for it who was his companion, and sure enough, he felt his stomach drop, Hinata was there, her arm around Neji's while smiling at the small crowd that was forming around her. The wind was playing in her favor blowing her blue tresses in enchanting waves.
"Isn't that Miss Konoha?" Sakura said beside him breaking him out of the trance. "Wow, she's even prettier in person," he silently agreed; but he also wanted out. Luckily none of the Hyūga had noticed their presence. He tugged at Sakura's hand to make a run for it.
"Didn't Naruto say you guys knew her from school or something?" she kept commenting, while completely ignoring the turmoil he was facing. "Shouldn't we say hi or something?"
"Le't just go, Sakura," he said more emphatically than necessary. He noticed the confusion in the green eyes of her companion; he hadn't entirely understood why he was so mad about the whole thing. Although he thought that dealing with this right now while sorting out his feeling was not the best idea, not while being so closely observed.
"Ok," he heard her companion mumble while following him toward the contrary way to get out of the street.
He checked for a bit towards the Hyūga but it did not seem that their rushed escape grabbed their attention. He breathed a little easier even though his chest was tugging him uncomfortably.
Sakura had a lot of questions, but he wasn't ready to answer yet. Once he left her at her apartment and he walked back to his, with a big knot of thoughts in his head. He was doing ok, he was having a good time, and just once glimpse of the pearled-eyed beauty and he was back to his adolescent years. How come he came from not knowing about Hinata for a while to see her recently?
Everything was fine before.
In a couple of hours he became a little bit insecure about his actions, first by waiting for a text from her, then seeing her and being jealous just because he was close to that guy, who he wasn't sure how his presence came to be so important in Hinata's life. He knew he was looking more into it than necessary but he needed to know what was going on, even if it's just was for his peace of mind.
Finally, in the solicitude of his apartment, he took a shower, got comfortable, and grab his laptop to continue his work. This dilemma was simply ridiculous, and he had made the decision not to entertain it any longer.
'You're making a mess, Hyūga,'
Of what? He did not know for sure. But his feelings were unstable, and that might well mean his sanity. He decided to focus on his document, he was close to finishing the last details and any more distractions were sure to be his damnation.
It was 23:57 pm, and a couple of hours later when his phone chimed with a message.
Hinata: Hi
Sasuke felt his eyes widened. He probably was hallucinating. He decided to ignore it for a bit while finishing typing. Should he answer? Honestly, he didn't really feel like it, after wasting so much energy on distractions and what happened earlier, he felt that it was exhausting and that he had enough. Following the girl of his dreams was so tiring, he rather just not. So he did something that teenage Sasuke would kick him for.
He ignored her; putting his phone face down, and evading more distraction he just focus on what he had in hand, ignoring all thoughts of him responding to the recent text message.
By 0:17 am another message alerted him of its presence.
Hinata: I saw you earlier by the Furikia St.
Since when Hinata became so persistent? He thought a little bit amused, the thought of her making an effort to talk to him stirred something in him. He could say that after having his ego bruised like that it felt like a healing balm.
Sasuke: Yeah, went to grab something to eat.
He sent back his response.
Hinata: That's nice.
He raised his eyebrow at that, he expected a little more for someone that wanted his attention with a double text.
Sasuke: How are you?
Hinata: I've been good, just doing a lot of press appearances.
Sasuke: Must be exhausting.
Hinata: Yeah, but hopefully it won't be for much longer.
He hit a plateau, he did not know what to say, he was content that they were finally talking, however, he had so much to ask, but did not know how to.
Hinata: I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you earlier.
Sasuke: What do you mean? We are talking.
Hinata: Oh, I didn't want to leave you hanging by waiting for my message.
Sasuke: Barely noticed it.
Now, who has not said a lie through text; but really he wasn't about to admit that he did wait for a long time.
Hinata: Oh, still I'm sorry.
Sasuke: S'ok. You're overthinking it.
He surely did not need to reassure her, but he couldn't help it, she probably was so scared, feeling guilty and he never like it when she was feeling bad.
Hinata: Want to grab lunch tomorrow?
He should say no, not to be shown and be so eager to see her again. But isn't this the reason he had been moping around? He felt so pathetic with these contradicting feelings. In his heart, he wanted to see her, right now if it was possible, but he should control better his emotions and not be completely swayed by a little bit of attention. This whole day has been upside down. But it was lunch, o more than two hours, free food, Hinata always paid when she invited him for lunch, surely her manners hadn't changed. But then he was not Naruto, food should not be a good reason. Besides wasn't he protecting his ego?
What should be the best course of action during this scenario? He asked himself while looking intently at his ceiling as if this one could give him the answer to all of his current troubles.
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Message from the Author:
I'm not entirely happy with this chapter, we'll see if I change it soon, or not. It all depends. Hope you enjoy it, let me know your thoughts, please. As always thank you for reading.
Edit: July 7, 2023.
-LaCrazyWriter
