The next morning…
TEMARI
She walked down the steps of her dorm, spotting a spiky-haired head standing at the entrance.
"You actually came," Temari greeted.
Shikamaru Nara was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. "It's all part and parcel of Konoha hospitality," he told her, standing upright. He blinked his eyes open and didn't even try to stifle his yawn. He took one look at Temari and with a furrowed brow, "It's not possible for someone to look so good this early in the morning."
Temari could feel her cheeks flush. Feeling the need to change the subject she asked, "So who's escorting my brothers today?"
"Mhmm," he went, rubbing his eyes awake. "Why our very own President, of course," he said nonchalantly, blinking his dark eyes down at her.
"So I'm stuck with just the Vice President?" she teased. She noticed the was a small pull at the side of his lips.
"Well, there are two of them," he admitted. "But if it's any consolation, I think I am much more digestible in the morning. Naruto is a morning person. He's the kind of guy that goes for a run after waking up."
"So do I," she told him plainly.
She caught the look of disgust he threw at her. "A run? Every morning!?" he almost shrieked, shaking his head. Temari heard him mutter under his breath, "Of course, she does... unbelievable woman." Then in the middle of the quiet path, there was a loud growl from Shikamaru's stomach.
"Did you skip breakfast?"
"I'm not a morning person," he admitted unashamed.
Temari threw a hand over her mouth, unable to hide the laughter.
She had a very strict schedule. Run before the sun. Breakfast as she read over the day's class materials and then start the day. She was raised to be an instrument of precision. And then right here was a boy so brazenly telling her all of his weaknesses. It was so ironic that she couldn't help but laugh.
"You've got a great laugh."
The statement caught her off guard that she didn't realise she stopped in her tracks.
"What?" Shikamaru asked, looking back at her. "Nobody ever tell you that before?"
Temari just shook her head and continued walking. Actually, nobody had. Ever.
Babies laugh. Fools laugh. She couldn't lose sight of the prize, regardless of who was beside her. She needed to stay in control.
They were close to the building their class was in and Temari decided now was time to assert herself. "I am embarrassed to admit, but I will need some help in this class."
"Oh yeah?" he asked, a smug look taking over his face. Men were so easy. Temari stopped herself from rolling her eyes.
She put a hand on his chest to stop him outside the classroom doors. "You're familiar with this class and its professor, right?"
He stood up a little straighter, "Certainly. I-I have the exact same schedule as you." His eyes were on her fingers, which traced the edge of his coat.
"This will be my first Advanced Criminology class with Professor Kakashi. So I'm worried it might be a little out of my league...Maybe you can assist me," she suggested.
"Yes," he stated.
"But oh- I'm sure you're preoccupied with student council duties and your girlfriend…" Temari let the end of that sentence linger, hoping he'd answer the question she was avoiding asking.
"The student council has a committee full of reliable members," he answered perfectly, "And, I don't have a girlfriend. So please, take up my time."
No all-consuming student council obligations, no girlfriends and going by how enamored he was, she concluded there was an attraction. She could work with this. But enough with this damsel in distress facade.
To her pleasant surprise, he continued speaking, "I-I mean… this teacher is a little unpredictable so don't believe anything he says when we walk in. He likes to joke around that he's never seen me before. But you can trust I'll assist you where I can."
She looked into his eyes and smiled. "That's nice. But now is actually Professor Kurenai's Advanced Psychology Class. Advanced Criminology is tomorrow with Professor Tsunade. Professor Kakashi teaches Trigonometry."
He stared at her blankly as she plucked a stray piece of lint from his coat.
"Just thought you should know what you're getting into," she looked right into his eyes.
She liked that he flinched as she tugged on his coat. She flashed a grin at him before walking into the classroom,"If you're still awake by the end of class, we can get breakfast."