Sleepless night (III)
Tenten shifted in her shower. The hot water was beating on her head and steam was raising from the porcelain tub. She had finished washing herself for what seemed to be only a few minutes ago and now she was just standing there. It was an interesting day… no an interesting week. Ever since her little discussion with Neji, he's been acting odd. Neji usually acts odd but odd in a way that most people see as aloof. He was never aloof to her; Hyuga Neji was the only female he talks to without an attitude. This whole week he just, she glared at her tiled shower wall, stood there next to her-rather closely she may add- and was silent. To top it off, the Uchiha was talking to her more than usual. Did they talk? Tenten blew a raspberry, of course they spoke. She wondered if Sasuke was trying to get to her again. But for what exactly? It was a one time deal and they were friends. Just friends, nothing more than that; besides, he was bouncing between girls anyway, why would he bother to start getting to her? Shutting off the faucet, Tenten wrapped her we curls in a towel and proceeded to dry herself off with another. Her phone was resting on the sink, not a single notification had come in from Neji. Grabbing a sheet mask for her face, the chinese girl unlocked her phone as she walked to her room. Plopping onto the bed, she browsed through everyone's snapchats. Oh, she thought. They were all out tonight. And by "they" she meant the men's track team. Neji was their esteemed captain with Lee as their co-captain. Pressing on Lee's profile, there were clips of the boys sitting at a long dinner table grinning and holding up beers. It then switched to Lee grinning at the camera and holding up a glass of cranberry juice. A chuckle escaped from Tenten's lips as her friend made silly faces at the camera. A bunch of clowns they were. Touching her screen she went back to the menu and clicked on Naruto's profile. The first clip was of the upperclassmen members of the track team hanging out on the bench, drinking water with towels. Naruto is speaking to the camera about being overworked and he zooms in on the Hyuga, who rolls his eyes and flips him off.
"How typical." Tenten laughed as she went back to the menu.
This time she clicked onto Sasuke's profile. Sasuke had his face cam on and was messing around with the filters with Sakura. The pink haired medical student was making cute faces while the Uchiha just sat there and clicked between filters. The the screen switched to a mirror picture with his outfit for the day; black ripped skinny jeans, a navy blue v-neck and a leather jacket. The caption read "Time to spend money to make money". Tenten nodded to herself, fully feeling the struggle of paying for university out of pocket. She, the Hyuga and the Uchiha did not qualify for any financial aid and their scholarships only covered textbooks. Tenten had to take out a loan with the Uchiha while Neji was able to pay for every semester in cash. Lucky rich bastard, she grumbled and rolled her eyes. The next snap was a selfie of himself and Naruto at track practice, only Naruto was holding the phone and Sasuke was mid eyeroll with the water bottle held up to his lips. Once again, she could see Neji in the background.
"Maybe I should text Lee? Just to see how they're going?" Tenten hummed as she poked at her still moist face sheet mask.
Opening her phone, she goes click open her messenger app, but not before pausing at her home screen. It was of her and Neji after their first day of university. It was an off guard picture that Ino snapped when her, Sakura and Hinata met up with them after their senior year classes (of high school). It was a great off guard picture, she was wearing the red and white Konoha University cheer uniform and he was in his matching rack suit. His hair was in a high ponytail and she had a bow handing attached to each of her buns. When people see this picture, the first question is usually if they're together or not. To which she replies with a quick no, and Neji just stands next to her awkwardly. Sighing, she opens Lee's contact and snet a quick greeting. Within seconds, she saw the three dots appear as he was typing his response.
"Good evening, Tenten! What are you still doing awake?" was his reply.
Tenten grinned as she typed back, her fingers quickly clicking away on her phone screen.
"Why yes, it happens to me sometimes as well. I always end up taking a jog around the block whenever I cannot sleep. Perhaps you could try it?"
Tenten chuckled, that was definitely something Lee would do. However, she had already showered and had a face mask on, so going out at the moment wasn't ideal. Besides, it was half past midnight.
"Very well then, Lotus. Is there anything I can do for you since you're awake?"
Rock Lee was super sweet; He was too sweet. Anything she needed, he would be the first to jump up and get it for her or any of their friends. He was a great ray of sunshine in their group. She just wanted someone to talk to in the meantime. She told him that she'd usually text Neji, but he had been very odd to her all week.
"Would you like me to tell him to message you? I haven't noticed him acting oddly."
Tenten chewed on her lip but she sent an affirmative text anyway.
OooooooooooooooOOOooooooooooooooooooooooo
Rock Lee tilted his head to the side slightly as he attempted to send a reply. The blonde that was sitting next to him had noticed his sudden silence and looked over his shoulder. The bowl cut was had looked up and glanced over at the Hyuga sitting at the head of the table. Was he acting oddly? Neji was a quiet person, but for Tenten to believe he was acting odd meant that something was bothering him. He told Tenten everything, and she to him. Lee would always find out later, after the issue was resolved or it was pushed aside. However, if Tenten had no idea what was wrong with him, was it really serious? Naruto, slightly tipsy, asked him why he was messaging Tenten in a very loud tone. Everyone at the table glanced his way.
"She could not sleep and texted me to check in on us." Lee said simply pulling at the collar of his green polo hoodie.
"Ah…" Naruto drawlled. "She should come hang with us!"
"I would invite her, however she has informed me that she has already showered and has on a face mask." Lee replied sipping at his juice. "In fact, I believe she asked me to have Neji text her."
Neji shifted in his seat. All the boys shifted their gaze to the head of the table. Sasuke let loose a smirk and Shikamaru made a humming noise. After a moment, Naruto asked him if he was going to text her. The Hyuga grunted and took a swig if his beer; he'll text her when they leave. The group shared a collective blink at his response. That's when Lee realized what Tenten meant by "odd". He was avoiding her, Rock Lee thought. Sasuke and Shikamaru exchanged glances before nodding to each other. The Uchiha then asked the Hyuga for his phone.
"Why? You have your own." Neji stated.
"It's dead," Sasuke said holding up his blank screen. "Besides, yours is fully charged right?"
"Why do you need it?"
"I need to make a call to check up on someone."
The track team captain sighed and fished his phone out of his pocket. Unlocking it, he hesitantly handed it to the Uchiha. The younger boy cocked an eyebrow at his lock screen; it was of Neji and Tenten in their sports uniforms when they first started university. And by the looks of it, the bun headed cheerleader had locked arms with him and the Hyuga was actually smiling in the photo. He's got it bad, the Uchiha thought. Shikamaru leaned over and watched as Sasuke went through the Hyuga's contact book. Shoot, he couldn't find her name. He didn't want to risk going into his text messages to find her number, Neji would kill him for going through whatever personal conversations he had with the girl. Hmmm, oh wait-he grinned a bit to himself-he memorized her number. But what to do? He wasn't going to simply call her… Opening the facetime App, Sasuke typed in Tenten's number. Shikamaru chuckled as the caller ID popped up for her; it was a red heart emoji and a panda. Pressing the green button, Sasuke held the phone a few inches from his face and adjusted his bangs as it rang.
"They better have an iPhone whoever you're FaceTiming…" Neji growled. "You're gonna use up my data."
"Oh, don't worry… she does." The Uchiha replied as he glanced back at the screen.
C'mon Tenten pick up, he thought. After a moment, the screen flashed. Tenten had propped up her phone onto a tripod in her bathroom. Shikamaru let an audible gasp escape his throat which cause the other boys to turn their attention to him. Sasuke let a loose smile go at the screen as Tenten realized that it wasn't Neji who was calling her. The Hyuga paid no mind as Sasuke winked at the screen.
"Well, I didn't expect you to actually be awake… or just in a towel." The Uchiha cooed at the screen.
That's when all the boys, except for Neji, leaned forward trying to get a glimpse of the screen. Shikamaru leaned over closer and gave a lazy wave to the phone.
"How's the night going? You guys at a bar?" Tenten asked as she brought some tweezers up to her brows.
"I wouldn't say it was a bar, it's more like a restaurant type deal." Sasuke replied.
"Oh, can I see?" The brunette asked.
Sasuke switched the camera settings so Tenten could see through the front camera. It was a nice looking restaurant. The Uchiha waved the camera over to the boys. Naruto grinned and waved, unsure of who exactly he was waving to. Rock Lee shot a bright smile and threw his thumb up. Kiba and Shino gave gentle waves and returned back to their conversation. When the Uchiha shifted the camera to the Hyuga, she hummed.
"He doesn't look too thrilled to be there." She states and proceeded to groom her eyebrows.
"Well, dollface, when is he ever thrilled to be anywhere," he changed the camera back to selfie mode. "Unless of course, if you were here I'm sure he'd act differently."
Tenten rolled her eyes. Her presence at events doesn't always affect her best friend's emotions. At this, Sasuke clicked his tongue. He proceeded to tell her that she made all the difference when it came to him. And with that comment, she laughed awkwardly. That laugh reached the Hyuga's ears and he finally looked over at the Uchiha. Sending a glare over to him, he asked who he was blabbing to.
"Wow, blabbing?" Sasuke blinked and looked back at the phone. "Tenten can you believe his attitude-right now-to me?"
Neji's eyes widened and he could've sworn his heart had stopped beating for a second. How did he find her number in his phone? He didn't put her name in it for a simple fact that he never left his phone unlocked. But the Uchiha was able to find her contact info? How…?
"Hey Hyuga, say hi to your girl at least." Shikamaru grunted.
Neji was unprepared when Sasuke twisted around in his seat so that the view of the Hyuga was now in the camera's range. The track team captain pursed his lips into a thin line as he noticed that his best friend was FaceTiming the Uchiha while sitting in her bathroom with nothing but a towel. Why the hell was she talking to him, on facetime, while she was in a towel? Wait, she thought it was he who called, not Sasuke. She probably thought it was Neji who wanted to talk to her and she was comfortable with talking to him in just a towel. Just like how he was comfortable with facetiming her fresh out of the shower. And yet, why isn't she covered up once she realized it wasn't him? Why the fuck is she sitting in nothing but a towel talking to Sasuke? He reached for his phone with a pained look on his face, but Sasuke twisted around again to show off the guys.
"Oh-so you did call Tenten. Hi, Tenten!" Naruto exclaimed waving his beer bottle in the air.
"Haha. Hi, Naruto. Hey, Kiba. Hey, Shino." Tenten's voice sounded from the phone.
"Tenten you should come out and chill with us" Kiba suggested. "I got no problem buying you a drink."
Tenten merely giggled before Sasuke moved the phone so he was in view again. The Uchiha stated that he shouldn't be buying drink for other people's girlfriends. At this Neji stood and rounded the table. He knew what Sasuke was doing, and he needed it to stop right there before it got out of hand. The Hyuga was behind the younger boy now and reached for his phone. Just as he was about to rip it from the Uchiha's hands, Shikamaru grabbed it and offered a small smile to the very confused brunette on the screen.
"So, Tenten. Tell me," The Nara side glanced at a grinning Sasuke holding back a flustered Neji from grabbing his phone. "You're single right?"
Tenten cocked an eyebrow but nodded as she reached for something in the screen. The three boys near the phone paused. The Chinese girl's towel had slipped a bit and her bosom was beginning to get loose. Neji felt a blush creep onto his cheeks as she apologized and readjusted herself. Shikamaru shook his head and side glanced at his captain, observing how the Hyuga's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink as he blinked a few times at the screen...
"Yeah, I'm single." She said simply. "Why?"
"And you have no feelings for anyone else...like say, Sasuke here?"
Tenten let out a hard laughed. No, she did not like Sasuke in that way. Yes, they had a fling but it was a one time thing and although she did feel something back then for the young Uchiha, she had stronger feeling for someone else. Neji and Sasuke paused; Sasuke was a bit flattered that she actually had feelings for him at some point (it wasn't obvious to the Uchiha and she acted so cool around him) and Neji was waiting for her to spill to Shikamaru who she had feelings for. But Tenten shrugged when Shikamaru asked who it was. At this point the table was quiet and waiting for her to answer. Tenten was in the middle of putting moisturizer on her face when Neji once again reached for his phone. Sasuke pushed him back and stared intensely at the device in the lazy genius' hands. How could they get Tenten to spill who she liked?
"C'mon Ten, give me a hint. I'll see if he's available." Shikamaru took a swig of his beer. "You know I'd never do you wrong."
"He is single. I already know that. But lately he's been avoiding me and I don't know why." She mused in a sad tone as she patted her cheeks lightly with her finger tips. "I appreciate the help, Shikamaru, but there's not much to do."
The boys all looked to Neji. The Hyuga was still trying to reach for his phone but after a moment he gave up and put his face in his hands; they were going to ruin him, he thought. This is not how this was supposed to happen. Shikamaru eyed the Hyuga as he idled nervously. The Nara kid told Tenten to talk to Sasuke as he handed the Uchiha the phone. He rounded the table and put a hand on his captain's shoulder. A groan came from the older boy's throat. He had a chance, the Nara told him. He needed to stop being a total wuss and tell her. Hyuga Neji was no wuss, but when it came to Tenten, just throw him in the corner. The Hyuga watched as Sasuke chatted her up and flirted with her; her giggles echoed in his ears. This annoyed him. The Uchiha has always annoyed him and he was doing it on purpose based on the smirk that was tattooed on his lips. Shrugging off the Nara, he snatched his phone and walked towards the door where it was quieter. Tenten offered a small smile as she watched him pinch the bridge of his nose and inhale before looking at the screen.
"I'm sorry about that." He murmured.
"It's alright. I don't mind." She flashed him a cheeky grin.
She never minded, he thought. Leaning against the door frame, Neji let out an exasperated sigh as he glanced back at the table of his track team staring at him. Rolling his eyes, he flipped them off before bringing his attention back to his phone. Tenten was in the process of shifting to her room, probably to get dressed. He was looking at the ceiling for a few moment and he could hear shuffling from her end. Once she adjusted the camera, she was wearing sweats and a t-shirt. He watched as she adjusted her pillows and propped herself onto her bed.
"I hope they weren't disturbing you…" he said softly. "Especially since you just took a shower."
"No, it's fine. I couldn't sleep anyway. I texted Lee since… well." She looked away from the screen. "It seems like you've been avoiding me all week."
Neji's chest sank. He had a bad habit of distancing himself from potential fears or problems that could raise up; if he could avoid it early, then so be it. What she mean by "avoiding" was not talking to her. He was there physically with her, but he didn't want to say anything. He couldn't think of anything to say to her about the topic of her sleeping with Sasuke and how he felt about it. And there was no way in hell he was going to admit to her that he was a bit jealous that the Uchiha got to her first or that he felt a bit angry that she even had feelings for the young boy in the first place. However, she said she liked someone more, he had a little bit of hope left. When it came to guys, Tenten was very straightforward and blunt if she didn't like what she saw or had no interest. In fact, he was afraid of her rejection and the awkwardness that would potentially sprout after he confessed… if he confessed.
"Tenten…" he pursed his lips together. "I'm sorry I've been acting weird lately."
"Don't be sorry. I just get worried that something's wrong." came her reply. "When you don't keep me in the loop I don't know what to do with myself when you act like this."
Neji inhaled sharply as she averted his gaze from the screen. He apologized for making her worry and not being very vocal about what he was thinking about. There was just somethings he couldn't really figure out at the moment, and didn't want to burden her when it was all on him. Tenten scoffed, promptly telling him that he needed to stop being so hard on himself. She went on talking for another few minutes, but the Hyuga had zoned out...the alcohol was finally hitting him and he was internally panicking. A drunk Hyuga Neji could g one of two ways; first, he could become insanely touchy-feely with whoever interacts with him. Second, he won't stop talking. According to his team, he will talk about everything and anything. If someone threw a random word a him, he'd lecture about the word or a topic related to the word for a long while. Shifting awkwardly in his spot, he snapped his attention back to the screen when he heard his name. Tenten was looking at him curiously.
"Are you alright, Neji?" she asked. "Do you need me to go get you?"
"Get me…" he gulp as he registered that Tenten realized he was now drunk. "Nah… it's fine."
"Are you sure? How are you getting home?" the cheerleader asked.
"Lee's the only one not drinking, so he's been so kind as to-"
"Alright. He's taking you then." Tenten stated before he could drabble on.
"Tenten...I-" he started.
"Neji," she sighed. "I'm going to hang up before you say something you might regret."
And with that, the facetime ended. Neji stared at his phone as the screen went dark. He stood there for a good minute, his mind trying to process what happen within the last few minutes. Pocketing his phone, the track team captain walked back to the table where the rest of his team was seated, loudly chatting to each other. Rounding the table, he ignored the questions from his team and put a hand on Lee's shoulder. Bending down a bit, he whispered something in his ear.