Only Fools Fall For You (SasuNaru)

✨ Part 18 ✨

Maybe he was expecting the whole school to know what happened; that or he was expecting to spontaneously combust, which didn't sound so bad at the moment. He made it back in time to meet Shikamaru in front of their history class and he couldn't help but feel as if he had forgotten something.

"Did Kiba tell you the good news?"

Oh yeah.

There were many colorful ways that he wanted to phrase his question, but his stomach was clenching so tightly that he couldn't form any words. Shikamaru raised a concerned brow as they took their seats. "Okay, I didn't think you'd be this upset over it."

"It happened again."

"What happened again?"

"I kissed Sasuke," the answer came out in a single breath that his friend had strained to hear.

"Interesting," Shikamaru stated as if nothing Naruto could ever say would surprise him. "What changed from this morning to right now?"

"That's not what I'm worried about," he replied with a nervous shake of his head. "Sai caught us."

"Oh... Fuck." Naruto was surprised for a moment hearing Shikamaru curse so openly. "You are in for it."

"I don't know what to do to avoid him," he panicked as he clasped his hands together shakily. "Neji's going to know soon, and he's going to brutally murder me! Have you seen this place? He could hide my body just about anywhere!"

"Not if you're never available," Shikamaru added mysteriously.

"I'm not sure I follow this."

"I thought that you needed a distraction big enough to escape from all of this pressure, so I told Kiba to sign you up for the ball. Meetings are held every night, and you're only required to attend twice a week. But..."

"There's nothing to keep me from going every night," the blond finished, suddenly feeling more reassured. Why did he ever doubt this guy? He was nothing short of a miracle! After the bell rang, Naruto was eager to join the crowd of students to use them as camouflage when he made his way to the main building. Gai was alone in his classroom when he entered.

"Naruto? Are you here for the meeting?"

"Yeah..." he mumbled as he set his bad on a nearby table.

"That's great! I'm glad you're trying to be a part of something so magnificent!"

"To be honesty, sir, I don't really get the point of all this."

"Naruto, this school has the sons and daughters of very important people. Many of them will inherit entire empires!"

The image of Hinata flashed in his mind and he sank his head with guilt. "Okay..."

"These students prepare this ball and invite such important people over because it is the first significant social event of many yet to come."

So it prepared them for all the fancy parties they would have in the future. These kids came from a world so different from his, and he couldn't help but feel sorry for them. The public eye was constantly watching them, setting high expectations, and wanting nothing less than perfection. This ball was a part of some big test for them.

"Well, I don't have a monologue prepared," he admitted weakly.

"This is the time to look for one, Naruto. Actors can use these meetings to prepare. You have taken the last slot as well so do your best to impress!"

"I don't know how well I can do this..."

"If you're not feeling in the best of spirits then it is good to choose a monologue that conveys exactly what you feel," Gai explained as he handed Naruto a monologue textbook. "Good luck."