Glasses (A ShikaSaku Fanfic)

Paired Up

Sakura

I sat in my usual seat, second row and next to Ino-Pig. I turned to the seat next to me to see her tapping mercilessly on her phone, ever since she got with Choji she was always tapping away on the screen. I didn't need to turn around to know that Choji was on his phone too.

Of course, being her best friend, I supported them and I loved seeing Ino happy despite our regular disputes. It was a thing with the two of us. Despite all our fights and banters, we still found a way to support each other in any way we can.

Iruka-sensei soon walked in and, from the corner of my eye, I noticed Ino tuck her phone away. Phones weren't really allowed to be used on campus unless the teacher permitted.

I turned around and saw the chair behind me still empty, I chuckled. This day is definitely like many others.

"Don't expect him to arrive early, Billboard brow, he's never early"

My eyebrow twitched at her nickname and I responded, "Can't hurt to hope, Ino-PIG"

Just as we were about to get into one of our daily bouts, Iruka-sensei spoke up and started class. He let us know that he'd simply be reviewing this class as we had a test next meeting.

Class went on for a while until a knock was heard. I turned to my wristwatch just as Iruka-sensei spoke up.

"7:45, Nara. You couldn't have waited to walk in when the bell rang for the second sub?"

I turned to the back door and saw him shrug before saying his retort.

"Sorry, Iruka-sensei, I'll try to be absent next time"

I felt the intensity of Iruka-sensei's glare at him and I could only watch him take his seat behind me. I took notice of how he kept the late slip in his hand.

He just lazily raised his hand as a pathetic attempt at a wave and rested his head on his arms and began to nap. I chuckled at him and turned back to the front, Shikamaru and I aren't that close but he's one of Ino's closest friends which earned him enough respect from me. Tolerating Ino for all these years deserves a lot of respect.

A few more minutes later and the bell rang, signaling the second subject. Asuma-sensei walked in, making a joke at Iruka-sensei that the rest of us couldn't hear, but judging by how the latter could only shake his head in disappointment, it was probably better that we didn't.

He began talking about something he wanted us to do by pairs. At this point I didn't really pay attention as Asuma was the type of teacher who would go with whatever the students wanted so it wouldn't be a surprise if he had us choose our own partners. Not meaning to brag, but I knew a lot of the class would want me as their partner and I'd honestly be fine with whoever it is. 

"However, I will pair up the two smartest students in the class as with or without each other's help they would be able to get higher marks than the majority of you." He laid out as we gave him blank looks. Asuma also had flat humor.

"In that case, Nara and Haruno will be made partners and the rest of you can go do whatever you want that's legal for your age."

From behind me, I heard Shikamaru retorting in a low mumble, "Booo, I was just planning to hack into the government's secrets and check for the possibility of them hoarding aliens" I snickered at that. 

"Okay then, Mr. Conspiracy Theorist, looks like we're partners," I gave him a little smile which he attempted to reciprocate with a smile of his own but only grunted and rubbed his temples, he must have a headache.

"Yeah, I guess we are," he lied on his arms and began to doze off again. He must really need that sleep. I always thought that someone this sleepy could be facing problems. But then again, taking a look at him once more, I don't really know much about him.

Shikamaru was one of the people I rarely interacted with because of how different our interests were. I took to excelling in academics and joining clubs, while he took interest in getting more than enough sleep. Neither of us really seemed to have anything that would set us up at any time. Though I did hear that he was quite the tactician and apparently had great ties with Asuma-sensei, so he must have something under his sleeve that he doesn't bring to the table often.

"Might as well be a sloth rather than a deer like his family roots suggest," I mumbled with a chuckle and shook my head before turning my attention back to Asuma-sensei.

"This pair activity will be your project for this semester, 30% of your grade is in this project so best not to waste your time on whatever other "extra-curricular activities" you all have in mind," I rolled my eyes, understanding exactly what he meant.

"What you're supposed to do is create a story in the span of one month. But there's a twist. You aren't allowed to talk to each other about the type of story you want to make"

My brows furrowed in confusion as he continued, "The procedure is that the first member will write one paragraph, and then they'll give the paragraph to their partner for them to continue. They'll write one paragraph and then return it to the other and so on and so forth," he waved his hand around in the lack of further effort to explain further.

This actually seemed fun, I kind of want to write something romantic. At that thought, a bitter taste appeared on my mouth and the image of a duck's butt came to mind. I grunted at the memory of that ass and decided to think up another idea.

I've always had this thing for writing actually, not many knew that I took to writing short stories when I had nothing else to do. I had a lot of journals filled to the brim with character sketches and scenes. I actually dreamed of writing a novel one day, with a female protagonist. This project might actually be a step in fulfilling that dream.

I turned my head a bit to the side and glanced at my partner's pineapple head, I wonder what Shika had in mind. I didn't know him too well, but from what I heard from Ino is that he liked cloud watching. Maybe he'd want a story with a chill vibe, who knows?

"And what do you call these words, Ms. Haruno?" I jumped in my seat as I turned to face Asuma-sensei as he asked a question, I wasn't paying attention and completely missed the fact that he had started his discussion. I mentally slapped myself as I thought of all the possible notes I could have taken. I looked over at the current slide on the screen and saw Beowulf's name being dissected, showing how it meant 'bear'.

"Those are Kennings" 

Asuma smiled at me before nodding, "Indeed it is, Ms. Haruno, if you could kindly listen to the discussion that would be nice too," I only nodded politely at him. No need to get on anyone's nerves, especially a teacher's.

Having a sly idea I slowly moved to the side of my desk so that Shikamaru's sleepy escapades would be more visible. Asuma-sensei did a once-over of the room as he discussed and it seemed like I succeeded in my small plan as his eyes landed on the student behind me.

"So how would you describe King Hrothgar so far, Mr. Nara?" I giggled as my spiky ponytailed friend lazily lifted his head from the cushion of his arms to answer to being called. He squinted at the screen, a picture of King Hrothgar and a list of ties he had. I bit my lip to stifle a laugh as he sighed.

"Troublesome"