Sasuke's eyelids fluttered open, only to be met with a blinding burst of light that caused him to quickly shut his eyes again. He turned away from the intense brightness, seeking respite, but instead found the warmth of another body next to him. His eyes shot open once more, his gaze fixated on the cascade of dark hair obscuring his view, along with the sight of a bare back.
Startled, Sasuke sat up abruptly, the bedsheets pooling around his waist. His head throbbed, and he instinctively reached up to cradle his temples, feeling the dull ache that pulsed within. He muttered a curse under his breath, his mind trying to piece together the fragmented memories of the night before.
Running his hand through his tousled hair, Sasuke took a moment to collect himself before once again turning his attention to the naked figure lying beside him.
A low groan escaped Hinata's lips as she shifted in her sleep, seeking comfort in the warmth emanating from the other side of the bed. However, her eyes flew open in surprise as her skin made contact with another person's. Startled, she looked up, meeting Sasuke's gaze, his expression inscrutable. "Oh no," she muttered under her breath, quickly moving away from him.
Sasuke's eyes remained fixed on Hinata, his face devoid of any discernible emotion. The room fell into an uneasy silence, both of them acutely aware of the weight of the situation. Hinata held the sheets tightly to her chest, sitting up alongside him, her mind racing to comprehend the implications of their shared proximity.
Sasuke released a weary sigh, his words heavy with resignation. "Let's just pretend this didn't happen," he muttered, swinging his legs off the bed and proceeding to gather his scattered clothing.
Hinata's gaze remained fixed on the bed, too ashamed to meet his eyes. The room felt suffocating, the weight of their encounter pressing down on her.
Clutching the sheets tightly in her trembling hands, Hinata could feel her heartache intensify with every word that escaped Sasuke's lips.
"It was a mistake," he reiterated, sliding his shirt on as he made his way towards the door. He stole one last glance at her, his eyes filled with a complex blend of emotions. "I had a good time though. See you in psychology," he admitted softly before exiting the room, leaving Hinata alone with her shattered emotions.
Tears streamed down Hinata's face, each droplet a manifestation of her shattered expectations and broken heart. The memory of last night's encounter flooded her mind, intertwining with the painful reality that had unfolded in the morning. The realization that it wasn't Naruto she had shared that intimate moment with, but Sasuke, pierced her with an overwhelming sense of betrayal.
Closing her eyes, Hinata had blindly trusted the knock on the bathroom door, believing it to be Naruto on the other side. In her longing for connection and the rush of emotions coursing through her veins, she had thrown caution to the wind, surrendering herself to the embrace of the person she believed to be her lifelong crush. However, the cruel revelation at dawn shattered her illusions, leaving her feeling exposed and emotionally ravaged.
As she moved through the motions of getting dressed, the events of the day replayed in her mind like a cruel and unrelenting loop. It felt as if the walls were closing in on her, and the weight of disappointment and humiliation bore down upon her shoulders. This was undoubtedly one of the worst days of her life.
Stepping into the living room, Hinata couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense that all eyes were fixated on her, particularly those of her brother's and Naruto's. A pang of inner cringe coursed through her, intensifying her discomfort. In an attempt to regain some semblance of control, she reached down and retrieved her abandoned phone from the floor, clutching it tightly in her hand.
Drawing herself towards Neji, she approached him with a soft, barely audible voice. "Hey, um, I'll meet you at home," she murmured, her tone laced with a mixture of vulnerability and exhaustion.
Ino, always one to voice her opinions, started to whine upon hearing Hinata's words. "But, Hinata! We were all planning to have breakfast together," she protested.
Hinata turned to face Ino, her gaze filled with genuine remorse. "I'm sorry, Ino. I'm not feeling well, and I just want to go home," she explained, her voice carrying a subtle plea for understanding. With a heavy heart, she made her way towards the door, each step laden with a deep sense of disappointment and the weight of unspoken words.
Ino muttered a reluctant "fine," their disappointment palpable in the air, as they watched Hinata depart from the house.
The heavy silence hung in the wake of her departure, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease and an unspoken longing for resolution. As Hinata stepped out into the outside world, she couldn't help but carry the weight of her emotions with her, longing for solace and a respite from the overwhelming pain that had consumed her.
The following weeks proved to be rather peculiar for Sasuke and Hinata. Any attempt to be in the same room together resulted in an awkward atmosphere, an unspoken tension that hung in the air like an invisible barrier. They found themselves tiptoeing around each other, unsure of how to navigate this new dynamic.
One day, as the professor addressed the class, a new assignment was announced, adding another layer of complexity to their already complicated situation. "Class, I want each of you to write a 15-page essay on the topic of psychological behavior," the professor declared, his voice resonating through the room. "Once you have completed your essays, I expect you to have your partner review it for feedback before submitting it. Collaboration is encouraged, but I strictly forbid any form of plagiarism."
Sasuke and Hinata exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the challenge that lay ahead. They knew they had to work together, but the lingering tension made it difficult to imagine a seamless collaboration. Nevertheless, they both understood the importance of maintaining professionalism and delivering quality work.
The professor continued, shifting the topic to the upcoming haunted house project. "Additionally, I expect the haunted house to be ready by the time this assignment is completed. Let's showcase the superior skills and creativity of college students to the high schoolers!"
Hinata's heart ached with the weight of her guilt and the pain of Naruto's disappointment. Avoiding his gaze had become her shield, a feeble attempt to hide the truth she bore. But Naruto, persistent as ever, reached out to her, grasping her wrist gently yet firmly, his touch pleading for her to open up.
"Talk to me, Hinata," Naruto implored, his voice soft and filled with genuine concern. Desperation etched into his features, he gently lifted her chin, trying to meet her eyes. But she couldn't bear to face him, to witness the raw hurt that her actions had caused.
"Hinata," Naruto called out to her once more, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and sadness. "Are you mad at me? What did I do?" His vulnerability pierced through her defenses, coaxing her to share her burden. With a wavering voice, she finally spoke, her gaze still evading his.
"It's not you, Naruto," she murmured, her words barely audible. She could sense his frustration, his own confusion about her sudden withdrawal. His laughter, laced with nerves, broke the silence, a manifestation of his mounting concern.
"Hinata, I don't understand why you're shutting me out. Please, tell me what's wrong," Naruto pleaded, leaning closer, his hand resting gently beside her head. The hallway remained empty, providing a rare moment of privacy for their heartfelt conversation.
Hinata summoned her courage, her eyes scanning the surroundings before meeting Naruto's searching gaze. With a heavy sigh, she felt compelled to reveal the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
"I... I slept with Sasuke," she confessed, her voice trembling. Naruto's eyes widened in shock, his body instinctively retreating from her. The world seemed to stand still in that moment, the weight of her confession casting a shadow over their bond.
"What?" Naruto's voice cracked, his disbelief evident in his tone.
Hinata's outstretched hand, a gesture of seeking comfort, was met with his deliberate withdrawal. The hurt in her eyes mirrored the guilt that consumed her. "I thought it was you," Hinata continued, her words laced with regret and remorse. "You told me to meet at the bathroom, and I waited... and waited." Her voice wavered, desperately attempting to explain her misguided actions.
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, unable to meet her gaze. The hurt in his eyes resonated deeply within her. She yearned for forgiveness, for understanding, and yet the weight of their fractured trust seemed insurmountable.
"I need time," Naruto finally spoke, his voice laden with a mix of pain and uncertainty. With those words, he turned his back on her, retreating into his own thoughts and emotions. Hinata's whispered apology trailed after him, her voice heavy with remorse. As Naruto walked away, Hinata stood there, her heart heavy with regret.
"Trouble in paradise?" Sasuke's voice cut through the air, catching Hinata off guard. She turned to face him, her expression guarded as she tried to comprehend his sudden presence.
"Shouldn't you be in class?" She retorted, her attempt to dismiss him evident in her voice as she took a step away.
Sasuke, unfazed by her response, mirrored her movement, closing the distance between them. "Shouldn't you?" He taunted, causing Hinata to halt her steps and turn to face him again. His nonchalant demeanor only served to fuel her frustration.
Fueled by a mix of anger and confusion, Hinata marched up to him, determination gleaming in her eyes. "Why? Why did you go to the bathroom that night?" She demanded, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and resentment. Sasuke, seemingly uninterested, glanced at her with a bored expression and shrugged.
"Because I needed to use the bathroom," he replied casually, his tone lacking any sense of remorse or understanding. "I didn't expect to be pulled in and... engaged in such activities." Hinata's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Sasuke's words cut through her like a knife. She turned her gaze away, feeling exposed and vulnerable.
"What was that all about?" Sasuke pressed on, his tone edged with curiosity. "Hoping it was someone else?"
Hinata's embarrassment transformed into frustration as she locked eyes with him once more. "That's none of your business," she answered, her voice laced with defiance.
Sasuke leaned in slightly, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes. "Well, to me, you were waiting for Naruto," he stated matter-of-factly.
Hinata's breath caught in her throat, a mix of emotions swirling within her. The weight of his words struck her, making her question her own desires and motivations.
Their intense gaze held for a moment, the air thick with unspoken tension. Hinata's mind raced, struggling to make sense of her conflicting emotions. She had always held a deep affection for Naruto, but the unexpected encounter with Sasuke had stirred something within her—a confusing mix of curiosity, attraction, and guilt.
Taking a deep breath, Hinata steadied herself, determined to find her own truth amidst the chaos. "Sasuke, you don't understand," she began, her voice tinged with a blend of vulnerability and conviction. "I've cared for Naruto for as long as I can remember, but that night... it was a mistake, a misunderstanding."
Sasuke's face hardened slightly, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "So, you mistook me for Naruto," he mused, his tone laced with a hint of anger.
"Yes," Hinata replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sasuke's gaze held hers for a moment, his eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and disappointment. "Hn," he grunted, ready to walk away, but something made him pause.
"Deep down, I've never felt worthy of his love. I thought that night would be a chance to finally bridge the gap between us, to become closer to him."
Sasuke turned back, his expression emotionless. His next words held a harsh truth that pierced through the air. "If he really wanted to be with you, he would have asked a long time ago," he stated bluntly.
