Hearts or Tales [Naruhina]

Chapter 1

Princes and princesses. Dungeons and dragons. Kings and Queens. Heroes and villains. True loves and mortal enemies. 

I love all of that. It keeps me dreaming, keeps me believing that one day, that I'll win victoriously over the bad guy, find my true love and marry him, the prince. These thoughts are not only dreams but the truth. I will find true love because I believe it exists. I will be the princess of my own story.  

Everyone who I know, family and friends alike, have long since given up on me, calling me deluded, crazy, not in my right mind. 

But I know that I am right. I know I am...I have to be...

It started when I was young when my mother was still alive: she always called me princess whenever she tucked me into bed, after reading some of my favorite fairytales. She told me that all stories derive from some sort of truth, so why can't fairytales be true too? Then she passed away but on her death bed, she reassured a crying me, that this wasn't the end to my story: 

'Every hero needs a sad story to grow strong from, and Hinata you are the champion of your life.'

Those words, I honestly took to heart and since then I have never put down a book in my life. They were my life, the tales they told were comforting in my otherwise sad life. It hurt, sometimes it really did when people broke me down, again and again: at times I would cry and never stop. I lost my appetite and locked myself in my room, hugging my books for hours. 

Yes, I had depression. I often thought that perhaps depression is my mortal enemy, but one day I'll have an epic battle and come out victorious. That's what will happen, that's what should happen. 

I hope...

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Looking at the time, I hurried to get ready: I had stayed up late last night reading again. Yet, I couldn't help it, the book was just that good. I quickly picked out a lilac t-shirt and put on ripped overalls, finishing the outfit with my boots. Dismissing my hair as a lost cause, I swung my satchel over my shoulder and ran out of my dorm room. 

Yes, I was in a college dorm. I was only eighteen and in my first year at university, and I already had my own dorm room: courtesy of my father who paid extra so that I didn't have to share with anyone. He feared that I would be bullied, but he doesn't know the half of it. 

As I ran to class, I passed a few stragglers who were late as well for the first lecture of the day. I entered my class and made my way without anyone noticing me to the very back of the lecture hall. I sat down just when the teacher entered the hall, causing everyone to quiet down, except for a few whispers escaping their lips. 

"Alright, listen up class, because today's topic will result in a paper due in two weeks," Tsunade said, causing everyone to groan except for me, who was only half-listening, as I was already engrossed in another book.  

Today's lesson passed without being picked on, which was a huge relief to me. I hated speaking in front of everyone. And before I knew it, Tsunade had dismissed the class. I packed away my books but kept on reading the story. I had my nose buried in the book before I had even left the classroom, that's when Tsunade called for me. 

"Hinata? Could you come to see me please?" She asked kindly. 

I reluctantly put down my book and turned to face her. "Yes?" I inquired. 

"Were you reading during my lecture again?" Tsunade crossed her arms in front of her chest. 

I lowered my head in guilt as to being caught, "Yes."