The next morning is the same routine. Timika and I both wear jeans and a long sleeved shirt. After putting on our tennis shoes and checking our backpacks, we leave for school. I drop Timika off and watch her walk inside. Once she's inside, safe and sound, I head for my school. As I'm getting out, Naruto comes running up to me. "I heard what happened. Are you alright?" I nod, smiling. I show him by moving my ankle. "Still a little sore, but I'll be good today. Just need to be careful." With that, we go inside to the cafeteria. Tenten and Sakura had already grabbed us a table. We talk for a while, grab breakfast, and eat.

As I threw my trash away, Gaara walks in and sits at his same table. Our eyes lock, and he beckons me over. I give a quick nod, and go back to grab my backpack. "Where are you going?" Tenten asks as I walk away from the table. I stop and turn to her. "Gaara said he had something to ask me. I want to know what he wants." My friends nod. I turn and walk toward Gaara, and over my shoulder I heard the girls giggle. When I reach Gaara's table, I sit down and place my backpack on the seat next to me so no one could sit on the other side of me. Gaara did the same.

I turn to him. "So, what did you want to ask me?" Gaara seems a little nervous. "Since we both like each other and you told me to be direct, I was wondering if.......uhhh.........you'd want to......" It was kinda funny watching him stumble over his words like that. Obvious isn't it? Trying to stay calm while asking out a crush. Ha ha! Doesn't really work out so well. I twirl some hair around my finger in a nervous habit. "Gaara, are you, trying to ask me to go out with you? Like as your girlfriend?" Gaara blushes, his mouth slightly open like he wants to say something but can't get it to come out.

I laugh out loud, earning a glare from him. "No, not you. Your expression is funny." Gaara shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yes, as my girlfriend. You don't have to say yes, I'll understand if you don't." We look at each other, fear and curiosity shining in our eyes. A small blush covers my cheeks and I look down at the table. I'd never had a boyfriend before, so I didn't really have experience in that area of life. What was the harm in trying something new? I smile timidly before I speak, still looking at the table. "Yes. I'd love to go out with you."

Gaara gently takes hold of my chin in his hand and makes me look at him. He looks a bit concerned. "You're telling the truth? Not pulling one over me or twisting my arm?" Both of my hands take hold of his hand on my chin and tug it off, holding his hand in mine. "I'm not joking with you. I really want to date you." With that I lean forward, and am met half way. The kiss is awkward at first, but we soon become comfortable with it. The kiss felt like a true, passionate kiss. We pull apart for air a minute later, intertwining our hands together.

The first warning bell rings, so we get up and leave for class. Gaara walks me to the office. As a sweet way of saying goodbye, he kisses the back of my hand and heads off to Chemistry. I wave to him as he disappears around the corner, up the stairs. I walk in, dazed and light hearted. My stomach felt like a million butterflies were fluttering inside of me. A big smile crossed my face as I sat down to get to work. "You seem very happy," Shizune comments as she gives me a stack of papers to sort. I tell her about Gaara and I. She gives me some tips and pointers on the rights and wrongs of dating, it being my first time. I listen carefully, soaking in every word.

Principal Tsunade came out of her office as vice principal Shizune finished up. The bell had already rang. A handful of the papers were already sorted, and Tsunade gives me some more advice as I continue. "By the way, Walter Kingston came in yesterday with a bloody broken nose and said Gaara had done it. Were you there when it happened?" I nod and explain what had happened before that. Tsunade frowns once I finish. "He was protecting you." Tsunade had a look of deep thought on her face as she walked back to her office.

I went back to the papers. Today seemed to be starting off wonderfully.