Waiting for a Yes [Modern!Neji x Reader]

PART 34

As the school day rolls to a close, [Name] limps to the entrance doors. It's where Neji said he'll pick Tenten and her up. Students and teachers avoid running into her, fearing that she'll topple over if they do. As lovely as that is, she wouldn't mind a shoulder to lean on as she hobbles down the stairs.

All day long, she couldn't stop thinking of Neji. Gaara tried his hardest to be gentle with her, but too many times, he caused her more pain. The bitter feelings from the weekend still linger as no proper apologies come from either of their lips. Yes, Gaara apologized, but his jealousy and anger towards Neji remain. This is something [Name] doesn't like.

Neji; kind and caring. How can he possibly garner so much hate from one person? If [Name] sees what Gaara sees, maybe she'll understand, but until then, she remains on Neji's side.

[Name] drops to sit on the front steps and extends her hurt leg. The irritation from Gaara didn't help her condition, so she feels like she's back at square one again. She only has to wait five minutes before Neji shows up.

"Hey, c'mon," he says, extending his hand. "I'll walk you to the car, and Tenten will catch up. She has to do a little studying with Lee first."

[Name] smiles, takes his hand, and hoists her up. As she leans on him, she dangles her foot millimeters above the ground to keep the pressure off it.

"We should get you a wheelchair," he jokes, helping her cross the parking lot to his car.

She hums. "How long will the study session be?"

Neji pauses to think as he searches for his keys. "She said thirty minutes to an hour or something like that."

The beat of her heart increases. An hour of just alone time with Neji. She doesn't know why the idea causes such joy within her, but she also doesn't mind that joy. She needs a little happiness with the way Gaara is acting.

Neji opens the passenger door to her surprise. As she slides in, she asks, "Isn't this spot reserved for your girlfriend?"

Neji shrugs. "It's designated for whoever comes first." He shuts the door.

Neji slides into the driver's seat and starts his car.

"Why are you starting your---"

"I'm hungry," Neji says, reaching over to click in her seatbelt before doing his own. "There's a boba tea place just down the street. I'm sure we'll be back before they finish."

"But." [Name] squirms in her seat, feeling uneasy and yet excited. "Isn't it weird for us to hang out?"

Neji chuckles, backing out from his parking space. "We're friends, right? Friends hang out together. Plus, I've slept inside your house for like three days."

As true as it may be, [Name] still feels a weird tingle in her gut. This doesn't feel like an ordinary hang-out. It's too spontaneous, but also, like Neji planned this out beforehand. With just the two of them, a boy and a girl, it feels like...

A date, she thinks of these words and has to swallow the butterflies. From the corner of her eye, she watches Neji drive, a smirk on his face the whole ride there.

...

Although this 'hang out' was relatively uneventful, [Name] still feels the jitters throughout her body. As of late, Neji continues to give her these feelings, some she can't even identify. She's excited, but for what? To be around him? For why?

She can't come to know that right now. It's too much for her brain to process as they round the corner back into the empty school lot. Neji parks in the closest spot to the front door. Switching off his car, he leans back in his seat and sips on his drink.