paper petals | naruhina

paper petals #1

The following day was expected. Hinata had just excused herself for work as she felt burning hot. She can barely even move herself from her bed.

'Hold up. I'm coming over ur apartment and take care of u baby boo.' A text from her friend lit her phone up. Hinata rolled her eyes, which seemed to take all of her energy to do so.

She got up from her bed and headed towards her tiny kitchen. She looked at the umbrella hanging on a hook, the corner of her lips tugged upwards.

Giving an umbrella towards a stranger can be considered as a bare minimum act, but to her, it was something needed to be treasured. In this cruel world, kindness is something that shouldn't be underestimated. This was a mentality she got from her late mother.

She heaved a deep sigh before stretching her arms, trying to reach for the countertop to grasp for her fever medications.

She took one tablet in and drank water afterwards. She walked to the living room couch and let herself crash on the soft surface. Her hand grabbed on the remote not too far away from her and turned the tv on solely for the purpose of making some noise in her apartment as the silence was surely deafening.

After a few minutes, the girl heard harsh knocks on her door. "Hina!" A voice too familiar shouted behind it.

She weakly stood up from her couch and headed to the door to unlock it.

"Oh my girl—You look sick!"

"It's because I am!"

"Rest up, Hina. I'll take care of you today. In exchange for the shifts you've covered for me at work." She winked at the weakened girl before her.

"Suit yourself, Tenten."

The brown haired girl stayed with Hinata for the rest of the day, helping her with the chores and cooked porridge for her. Hinata slowly felt better, thanks to her best friend's care.

TenTen bid Hinata goodbye by the time it was already dark outside.

She was, once again, all on her own. Tomorrow would be another day of work for her as the horrors of the beginning of the new school year is also fast approaching.

THREE DAYS BEFORE school starts, Hinata finished prepping herself for work. She went outside wearing a pastel colored dress, complimenting her pale skin.

Her hand grasped the orange umbrella, just in case she'd stumble on the owner again.

She walked the usual route heading towards the place she's working in. Before she knew it, she was already facing a big glass-dominated shop. The place was of a classic victorian style—so elegant.

Besides her love for writing and flower arrangements, one of the reasons she applied there for a summer job was the interior itself. Though, she knows the work on the shop itself was boring.

As she entered the place, the earthy smell filled her nose.

"Hinata, I missed you!" A blonde girl came running to her and gave her a big hug.

Tenten jumped from the counter and joined the hug between the two.

"I was only out for one day, Ino." She said and gave a chuckle.

Fun fact. Yamanaka Ino's family owned the flower shop, but for extra pocket money purposes, she worked there the whole summer. Also, fun fact. The ages of everyone who worked there ranged from seventeen to eighteen year-olds, which are Hinata, Ino and Tenten. There were only two adults working there.

School will be starting so soon and they'll start being just part-timers of the shop. Time feels like it's going too fast.

The girl's pale lavender eyes roamed around the flower shop, thinking about how she'll miss being in the place for a whole day.

"Time passes by like a blink of an eye," Hinata said, thinking about how just last month, she moved from the Hyūga residence to live independently in a completely new environment.

"Right? I don't wanna go back to school yet." Ino said while faking a cry. "Are you excited for school, Hina? You're going to be the new girl of the class!"

"Tell us if someone's making you uncomfortable there," Tenten said as she munched on an apple. "I'm a senior and I will beat them up anytime." She added, throwing punches in the air.

The chatter between the three continued until the bell on the entrance door chimed, signaling someone is coming inside the shop.

The girls stood straight and greeted the costumer a "Good Morning." at the same time.

The blonde caught a glimpse of pink hair and immediately hid under the counter. Tenten and Hinata looked at her, "That's my classmate." Ino whispered.

The pink haired costumer walked around the shop, checking the flowers out. After she was done doing so, she went up to the counter where two smiling girls stood.

"Senior Tenten?" She asked.

"Yeah—Hello, Sakura. What can we do for you?" Tenten grinned at the girl before them.

"Well, this is embarrassing but I can't find any other flower shops around," Sakura chuckled nervously. "Please write letters on my behalf—for Naruto."

Tenten looked at her with wide eyes, she wanted to ask 'didn't you liked that boy—Sasuke?'

"I know. I know. You must be thinking why him? I kind of gave up on Sasuke. So I've been thinking of giving Naruto a chance." Sakura said, giving them a faint smile. "But I just can't find the right words to express to him—Make letters for him on my behalf, please."

She turned to the dark blue haired girl. "Wait—I haven't seen you around. Are you new in Konoha?"

"Y—Yes." Hinata said.

"Hope you're having a great time here so far."

Meanwhile, the girl under the counter furrowed her brows in confusion. She wanted to go up and scold the pink haired girl, but she wanted to hear more of what she'll say without knowing she was listening the whole time.

"Everyday for five days starting the first day of class. With flowers attached on the letters. Don't write my name or drop hints about me on them. I'll tell him on the fifth day. Also, the delivery to his house. Please take care of it." Sakura left a large amount of money on the counter. She turned to the dark blue haired girl, "I want you to do all the job." She said, smiling, before heading out of the shop, not even bothering to get the change.

Ino stood up from her awkward position under the counter with disbelief written on her face.

"Being someone's second option—Don't you think it's worse than just being in an unrequited love?" Hinata asked. "She seems like a sweet girl, though."

Ino and Tenten looked at her.

"She requested you—only you to do the job, think that's sweet?"

"It's nothing." Hinata said, shrugging her shoulder.

"I'm just worried at how Naruto will take this. He's a fool and he likes Sakura—I think? They're pretty close." Tenten said, pity visible on her face.

"Of course he'll accept her. Let's just say Sakura will eventually fall in love with him too—she will fall out of love with Sasuke the whole time she'll be with Naruto blah blah," Ino said while rolling her eyes.

"That's possible." Hinata said, "I'll write the letters for her—You two, help me understand the situation between them."