Chapter Text
AN OUTCAST. There was not a word more fitting to describe Naruto Uzumaki. A twenty-two year old with eyes that never smiled; a heart that never could seem to ignite and warm up. Never understanding a thing such as kindness, Naruto had made friends with loneliness instead.
Everywhere that life had pushed him to go, Naruto was pushed alone. He, himself was the only one who had stayed; who could absolutely be relied on. Everything else around him seemed to slip through his fingers like the finest grains of sand. He had given up on trying to hold onto anything an eternity ago for that very same reason.
Things change. There was no use in losing his mind over such a simple fact.
And speaking of change; like everything else around him, Naruto had changed as well. With each passing year, he grew taller and stronger, whilst his compassion only fell weaker. His shoulders; now broad with that valiant curve, competed with his patience which only grew thinner; his voice; now deep and ridden of that irritatingly-high pitch, was nothing compared to the change in his already doubtful reasoning for the world.
Naruto didn't see the point anymore.
Was there ever a point? Would there even be a difference if he was... Gone?
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Naruto stared out the window of the partially-empty classroom. The clock above the blackboard steadily ticked 8:55 AM and currently, Naruto was following a droplet of rain cascading down the window. That is, until it connected with its fellow and ventured forward - down the glass until he couldn't see it anymore.
A deep sigh slipped past his plush lips as he tugged onto the sleeves of his grey hoodie. Had this building ever heard of a thing such as heaters?
Moving his eyes back to the window, his mind felt as grey and dull as the weather right on the other side of the glass. When he looked up, the vast skies above him were dark and full of rain. He could see the repeating flash of lightning on the horizon. The downpour showed no mercy whatsoever.
At 9 AM that morning, a chime of a bell sounded throughout the building; signalling the start of lessons. Naruto could only guess that that was its purpose. It was his first day at University, after all. Everyone around him seemed more than giddy to start this new chapter in their lives. Naruto couldn't care less. He was older than the rest of the students for a couple of years, and was late to the whole school thing anyway.
The Uzumaki didn't exactly know why he had decided to go to college in the first place. Perhaps, because of his parents? Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki always did talk about how they wanted an educated son. This building wasn't exactly going to turn him into a lawyer - however, he would be able to attain a more than comfortable enough job, if he finished school.
That is, if he finished.
Chewing on his bottom lip, Naruto felt the soft flesh turning tender and red from the abuse of his teeth. It was a bad enough habit as it was, and his current train of thought was only encouraging it further. Because of this, he barely even felt the light tap to his shoulder. At the touch, his head turned to the side.
Naruto's eyes almost narrowed when they met with the most vivid yellow shade of a raincoat; the colour so very bright compared to the modest ones of others. He didn't know why, but it bothered him. It was too bright, too eye-catching. He didn't like the attention it brought.
When he moved his gaze upward, he spotted a pair of rosy lips which lightly parted with each hurried inhale. Naruto noticed the crimson flush on your cheeks, as well as the thin layer of sweat on your forehead when you pulled the hood off. Clearly you were running all the way here. Luckily for you, the Professor was late as well.
"Yes?", he spoke, his voice empty of emotion. His gaze never seemed to reach your eyes even when he spoke to you.
"Do you mind if I sit here?", you panted, your voice sounding out of breath. He could see your palm press against your chest as you tried to calm down your racing heartbeat. Gosh, never again would you stay up so very late. Surely, you've made an impression on most of the class already.
It took him a short moment to speak - to decide;
"Go ahead...", he motioned you to sit down next to him, his words stoic. As you managed to speak your gratitude, shrugging the raincoat off your shoulders, you noticed that he had turned away from you. Now, he had tucked his arms neatly onto the desk, making them serve as a make-shift pillow. He stared right ahead, his eyes unmoving from the blackboard.
Your brow arched at this. Astonished at how quickly he had just managed to brush you off, you sneaked a hasty glance to study him further;
His eyelids fell heavy onto his eyes, like he hadn't slept well for ages. His nose was cute, the curve sharp and well-defined, exactly like his jawline before he had hidden it from your eyes behind the sleeve of his hoodie. The locks of blonde hair were messy and seemingly untamable; there was even a stray strand of gold falling down onto his forehead.
Naruto could feel your eyes on him. With a deep sigh, he turned his head to the side once more. He could see the slight flinch of your shoulders when he had caught you staring, but he decided to ignore it. He let his eyes trail over your face briefly, making sure to avoid your penetrating stare before he spoke,
"Can I help you...?"
He didn't mean it in a rude sort-of-way. He was only, surprisingly, curious. Now, he looked at you; resting his eyes on the apple of your cheek as he waited for an answer. You stared right back. His eyes were blue and somewhat empty-looking.
"Oh... Yeah! Just wanted to introduce myself properly if we're going to be sitting in this class together,", you spoke lightly before your face broke into a grin, "I'm y/n y/l/n. And you are?"
The flash of your teeth was white and perfect, and it turned Naruto conflicted. He was cautious now as he replied, seemingly shrinking himself away from you; pushing back towards the edge of the desk,
"Naruto Uzumaki."
He didn't smile back.
That didn't stop you from sending him yet another grin, this one equally as warm and friendly as the first one - if not even warmer,
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Naruto.", you spoke, tasting his name for the very first time.
He exhaled deeply, the hum which resonated from his chest low and deep,
"Mhm."
It didn't exactly sound like a 'likewise', but you were more than ready to turn it into one. Your lips parted to say something and keep the conversation going - at least until the Professor finally decided to show up. As soon as your eyes landed on him once more, you were quick to stop yourself, however;
Naruto Uzumaki had turned away from you yet again.