Forbidden Attraction

Chapter 1: Match Found

"Hinata," Naruto said with a long pause, leaving an uncomfortable silence in the air. He stood there, fidgeting with the back of his neck and avoiding her gaze. "I'm sorry, Hinata, but I don't see us like that. Only as friends." He offered a sad smile to Hinata, who tried to hold back her tears.

She nodded before turning away, not wanting to prolong her embarrassment.

"We can still be friends, right Hinata?" Naruto's voice trailed after her as she walked away.

Hinata halted in her tracks but refrained from turning around. "Y-Yes," she stammered, her efforts to hold back her feelings proving to be in vain. Slowly, the tears began to flow, and she couldn't bear it any longer. She broke into a run, desperately trying to flee from the overwhelming pain that engulfed her.

"Hinata!" Naruto called after her, but it was too late.

She had already reached the sanctuary of the school garden, where she leaned against the cherry blossom tree in the center. She breathed heavily as tears streamed down her face. Why couldn't he like her? She had loved him forever. It felt like her whole world was crumbling down, and she squatted down, trying to calm herself.

"Admiring the flowers again," a voice said, interrupting Hinata's tears.

She quickly wiped them away before turning to see who it was. There stood Sakura Haruno, the girl who had won the heart of Hinata's ex-crush.

Sakura had her hand on her hip, watching Hinata intently. Once she saw Hinata's face, her demeanor changed to concern. "Oh, you told him, didn't you?" she asked.

A few more tears fell from Hinata's eyes, which she quickly wiped away before nodding at Sakura.

Sakura kneeled down beside Hinata, pulling her into a warm hug. "He's just a big idiot," she said before pulling back and looking Hinata in the face. "I mean, who wouldn't want to date Hinata Hyuga? You're the #1 rated hot girl in school."

Hinata couldn't help but giggle at her words. Apparently, all the boys had voted on who was the hottest girl, and Hinata had won with Sakura coming in second.

"Here, give me your phone," Sakura said, grabbing Hinata's phone from her hands.

Hinata watched as her unlocked her phone and downloaded an app. "Tinder!" She stuttered, blushing. "Isn't that for hookups?"

Sakura nodded her head with a hum before opening the app.

"But-"

"No buts! You need a man, Hinata! And if that idiot can't see that you're perfect for him, you just gotta show him that he's missing out."

Hinata hesitated for a moment before giving in to her friend's urging. She observed as Sakura deftly swiped through the potential matches with lightning speed, barely stopping to read their profiles or take note of their pictures. It was as if Sakura had become a seasoned expert at navigating the world of online dating, and she was determined to find the perfect match for Hinata no matter what. Hinata couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by the whole thing. "I don't know, Sakura," Hinata said hesitantly. "This all seems a little...weird."

Sakura just rolled her eyes. "Hinata, you're gorgeous and amazing. Any guy would be lucky to have you. Just give it a chance, okay?"

Feeling a little apprehensive but also curious, Hinata nodded and as her phone was placed back into her hand.

"Just remember to be careful and don't meet up with anyone without letting me know, okay?" Sakura said, giving her a stern look.

Hinata scrolled through the app, her thoughts drifting to Naruto and the rejection she had faced. However, she reminded herself that there were other men out there who would consider themselves fortunate to be with her. Who's to say that one of them wouldn't turn out to be her perfect match after all?