𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋, 𝐧𝐞𝐣𝐢 𝐡.

『••15••』

─◌✰್ chapter fifteen ;; college sweethearts?

✧ ೃ༄*ੈ✩ You're jealous, aren't you? ✧ ೃ༄*ੈ✩

"Shikamaru, don't be in such a rush like that." You stopped his hand as he looked up at you, dropping the knife. Shikamaru wanted to take one of the shortest majors so he can finally stop school. Culinary, cooking couldn't be that hard. He wanted to hurry it up even faster by having you teach him.

The both of you snuck in the cafeteria after he paid you to help him. He asked you, but you told him you needed something in exchange. A while back, you forgave him after he apologized in the best way he could.

Back on topic..he was just learning how to cut things. It was a win for you because you were going to take it back with you and use it.

"Sorry. It's just weird sneaking in a cafeteria so late."

"It's not like we're breaking and entering. Now, keep going."

"Alright."

You were sitting on the counter with your legs crossed.

"I'm tired."

"Shikamaru, I said don't be in such a rush—"

He cut his finger, sighing right after.

"Look at you. Idiot, I told you."

"It's just a cut, not like it'll kill me."

"It should."

"Ow? That hurt my feelings more than cutting my finger."

"Good."

"I was being sarcastic."

"I was too. Now, give me your hand."

He groaned, lifting his arm and putting his hand in yours. You knew this would happen, so you brought bandaids. While watching as you put the bandaid on, he realized what he messed up on. There was no coming back from what he did. He was lucky enough you even forgave him. You barely did. You wouldn't have if it wasn't for his 'tears'.

"..Uh— thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, I'm really tired so we can finish this tomorrow." You grabbed the knife from this hand, cutting the rest of what he didn't.

"Alright then."

You put everything in separate bags, jumping off the counter.

"Well, see you." You walked away, putting the bags in your purse you bought. No telling what someone's ex could do, that's why you had your purse specifically.

The lights were so dim when it was nighttime, you could barely see. You had to have your phone flashlight on or else you'd probably trip and fall. For the first couple of days, you'd gone to the wrong dorm.

When you made it, it was dark. The only source of light was Neji's phone and your flashlight. He turned over.

"Hello to you too." You mumbled.

"Hi.."

You bent down, opening the small fridge and putting everything in there.

"You alright? You seem sad."

"I'm completely fine. So..what'd you do?"

"Oh, you know..just..cutting stuff."

"He can't even do that by himself, what a loser." He muttered, laughing to himself.

"Oh, I see what this is about."

"Hm?"

"You're jealous, aren't you?"

"I have no reason to be jealous of him. He can't even cut things properly. I'm not a lazy guy either."

You sat on your bed, taking off your slides that you put on. Shikamaru called you and told you he was ready, which you completely forgot about.

"You talk shit a lot."

"Oh, don't act like you don't either. Those long rants in the car I had to listen to when we were still in high school."

"Shut up, I had a lot to rant about."

"Yeah, yeah. Alright. I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

"Goodnight.."

—

You walked down the halls with your eyes closed. The leg warmers Neji bought you were so cute that you couldn't help but wear them today. Neji thought they looked good on you, but with you hanging with Shikamaru lately, he wasn't going to say anything.

You opened your eyes, seeing Temari and Kankuro walk on the opposite side of you. She locked eyes with you, staring at that intense but tranquil stare. Of course you didn't want her to take it personally, but it seems as if she did.

After your classes, Shikamaru came to your dorm. Neji was on his bed doing homework and so were you. Until he came. You opened the door, stretching out.

"Yes?"

"U-Uh..I have to stop lessons with you."

Neji looked up from his book and at him.

"Oh? Why?"

"Well, Temari—"

You closed the door on him. Neji stifled a laugh. You took a deep breath and opened the door back up.

"Sorry, what were you saying?"

"The way you looked at Temari earlier..she said your intentions might be bad with me."

"And you're just going to listen? I'm not exactly sorry to say, but that's pathetic."

"She threatened to fight you. She doesn't like your attitude."

"I don't speak with her, I'm not exactly scared of her either. If you want your classes to be faster, come to the cafeteria later. If you don't, I understand. Even though there's nothing to be afraid of."

"Okay."

You closed the door after he walked far enough away. Neji couldn't help but laugh at him.

"Neji, what're you laughing at?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm laughing at him."

You sighed. The day went by quickly, so you went to the cafeteria just to see if he would come. It's been a full thirty minutes and he still wasn't there.

You took a look at your watch and decided it was time to go. Jumping off the counter, you opened the door to be greeted by Neji.

"Neji? What're you doing here?"

"Was it not obvious he wasn't coming? Whatever Temari does to him, it makes him piss his pants."

He walked towards you as you backed away from him, stopping at a counter.

"I-It's not like I really care anyway.."

"You always seem so determined when you're leaving, it's kinda annoying when you teach him. He might even play the same trick on you." He grabbed your hands.

"Annoying—? Are you sure you're not jealous..?"

"I have no reason to be jealous."

"T-Then why are you here..?"

He grinned. You could feel his body heat as he got closer to you.

• "For 'cooking lessons'." •