Someone To Run To

chapter eleven: defensive attitude

I snapped my head around at the guy as another piece of damn paper hit me in the face. My poor beautiful face.

"Hey! Answer me! Why are you late dunce?" He demanded. I turned back around to the front with a deadpan.

Unfortunately for our amazing, capable teacher, they went out to do deal with the kids in the hall.

Deadly silence consumed the entire class, the silence that everyone had when they're preparing for a fight. When shits about to go down, the class finally shuts up. For two seconds.

Sasuke POV

Taking my sweet time entering the class room and finding a seat was me of course. The teacher asked me if I was slow, failing to finish the sentence with three simple words 'in the head' so this, was my response. I had my eyes glued to the empty seat across the classroom, right by the window and well away from the door.

As I stared at the seat however, I saw a blond kid gazing at the wall in front of him with a vacuous expression stuck to his face. Silently taking my seat, I couldn't help but eavesdrop on the people around me. What do these idiots talk about anyway? Well whatever it is, it's presumably more interesting than whatever this teacher is droning on about. Resting my chin on my hand I inclined my head to the side just a little and caught a few whispers.

"I told you didn't I? He was the one who beat the crap out of them whoever they are. Its so unfair, they probably didn't stand a chance against that lunatic."

"God, that's mad. He couldn't have actually done it though right? I mean come on, its Naruto!"

Tilting my head to the other side, I saw Naruto had become quite pale. His vacant expression had practically been torn from him as he picked up every last syllable. I'd heard that Naruto was quite turbulent, and god did he look it. He gritted his teeth, which I'm guessing was what prevented him from exploding.

Maybe I should cheer him up.

"Hey Naruto, did I miss anything?" I asked, attempting to start conversation. I guess you could say I was quite the introvert, extremely introverted, some may argue. I don't like talking all that much, and I don't mind not talking to people, but because of that I guess my social skills aren't up to parr.

"Huh? Oh uh evolution and stuff... Something about homo erectus?" He muttered, quite clearly unsure of himself.

Without me even noticing I raised my eyebrows. That's the thing he remembers? Not being able to push back the smirk that was growing on my face, at least I didn't laugh. God I really am immature.

"All right class, work together on the worksheets that have been placed on your desk. I have to go discuss something with a staff member, so please excuse me," our darling teacher so eloquently stated.

Naruto POV

Oh sure, discuss something, more like going to grab some alcohol. Does this teacher ever stop drinking? Mind you when the whispers started up again, I thought maybe I shouldn't blame her, with teaching this class and all.

"N-Naruto!" A timid voice muttered. Ah, Hinata.

For the longest time I'd lived on Hinata's street, of course I stopped associating with her after everything happened, but before that we were pretty close. Before everything, she even had a crush on Kiba!... Something else I ruined.

God this lesson seemed to just be an hour of guilt trip. Regardless, I couldn't ever bring myself to ignore the shy girl.

"N-Naruto, they w-want to talk t-to you," she whispered. Disappointment too huh? How many emotions can a person feel in two hours?! What was I expecting? Of course she made friends with them, I wanted her too. So she'd fit in, and wouldn't be bullied. I can't protect her anymore, if I did she'd be bullied more.

Spinning my head over to these wonderful people who wanted to talk to me, I couldn't help my posture, it looked cowardly.

"There's no need to be scared Naruto, I just want to know who you beat up," they told me in possibly the most patronising voice I've ever heard. I'm not 5!

"I didn't beat up anyone," I lied, fidgeting a little. Though I tried, I couldn't bring myself to look them in the eyes.

"There's no need to lie Narut-" abruptly, they were cut off.

"Just fucking tell us or we'll beat the shit outta you!" Another kid yelled. Ugh, he was one of those wanna be thug kids.

Opening my mouth to reply to him, I found that I couldn't seem to form any words. Gawking at him, I questioned myself. This had happened countless times, why could I not speak now?

Maybe because for once their accusations were true...

Sasuke POV

Mouth hanging open and slowly becoming paler was my classmate and "friend." It was almost irritating. Who am I kidding. I'm pissed.

"So you did do it! Go on then, who was it? We can at long last lock you away in the loony bin Naruto!" One of them offered.

He began to splutter, not quite forming words as his cheeks became pink, contrasting with his now paler skin.

Lashing out was something I normally never do, so why am I loosing it now? He's only a classmate.

A classmate that I can't help but imagine hanging limply from the rope, lifeless and cold.

The more I thought about it the more frustrated I become. The horrified expression glued to his face. The last straw.

"Leave him the fuck alone will you?!" I snapped, giving my best well practised glare. It usually shut people up.

"What's with your attitude new kid? None of your business right?" One mouthy kid at the back called.

That's exactly what I want to know. Why am I so defensive over him?

"For gods sake, he was with me before class!" I blurted out. In an instant all the facial expressions in the room changed. I couldn't quite place the atmosphere here.

Naruto POV

Oh shit Sasuke no...no, no, no! I thought you were smarter than this!