[Modern!GaaraxFEM!Reader] Everyone's beautiful when they smile.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Reader's POV

  Exams were barreling around the corner and I was completely unprepared. I spent an extra hour at least every night to practice what I already knew yet it didn't ease the stress.

  The sound of feet thudding down the stairs woke me. I looked at the clock to see that I woke up a couple minutes early so I dabbled in my phone for a while before reluctantly climbing out.

  Today's outfit is going to be simple and casual. I tossed on a [fav. color] and some back skinny jeans with matching [preferred brand] hightops.

  I slung my bag over my shoulder and grabbed a light coat on the way out.

  It was starting to warm up, thankfully. Little puddles were scattered across the yard and spilled into the drains on the streets.

  I waited a couple minutes but the three siblings didn't show up so I started walking the little distance between our houses.

  Neikku rushed out then, his coat clutched in one hand and his curly green locks sticking up. His other hand furiously combed through his hair with its fingers. He walked over when he saw me.

  "Where ya going?"

  "The Three Musketeers aren't here yet so I'm heading over there."

  Neikku nods his head in agreement before scooping up some snow and forming a snowball.

  "What do you think you're doing?" I eyed him closely.

  "Relax. It's not intended for you. Whoever walks out that door first is gonna get it." Neikku flashed a sadistic grin.

  "But why?"

  "Well...Snows about to melt and it'd be a shame to waste it. Plus, we've been waiting a couple minutes now so this is the penalty." He stated matter-of-factly.

  We stopped at the porch steps just as the door opened.

  Temari was the first out. She already looked as stressed as possible but seeing Neikku's determined expression seemed to have made it worse.

  "Lift that snowball an inch, and you'll get a snowball to the throat."

  "Psh. Don't threaten me with a good ti-"

  Before he could finish, Temari already had a snowball in her hand. Neikku dropped the ball of snow and put his hands up, "Kidding! Just Kidding!"

  Temari also surrendered the snowball and stormed down the sidewalk. "Can't wait to get a break from you idiots tonight."

  "You should have committed," Kankuro snickered as he followed the dirty blonde with Neikku.

  "Good Morning, Gaara~" I smiled at the redhead.

  "Good Morning, Beautiful." He returned with a small smirk.

  I blushed at the unexpected term of endearment. Gaara let out a breath of content before slinging his arm around my shoulders and gently pulling me forward.

  I dragged myself through the rest of the school day as consistent reminders of exams were flying from the teacher's mouths. Rock Properties this, Lord of the Flies that. Age of Enlightenment study guides and radius and diameter pop quizzes. Nachos served for lunch made the suffering subside before it gave me a stomach ache during gym class. Art is probably the class I don't really need to worry about. Everything else only heightened my stress for upcoming exams.

  The dismissal bell finally rang. Neikku and I walked through the school gates along with the other students who are just dying to get out.

  The three were already waiting. Temari seemed relieved as she skipped over and linked my arm with hers.