[Aria's pov | One year time skip | The academy]

You know, when I first entered the academy, I didn't think much of the bullying. I brushed off the insults thrown my way, the side glances and whispers, and the pointed fingers. I knew I was different. I thought that maybe, just maybe, they'd leave me alone after a while. That they would get used to my headphone jack and quiet voice. But that never happened. After a year, I came to realize that adults weren't the ones to fear. Children were the cruelest of all. None if them had filters yet. Well, almost none. Those raised by powerful clan were generally more reserved when it came to what they said. That didn't stop the rest of my classmates from wailing on me with their crude words and nasty glares.

It's been a year, and I can feel my defenses weakening. The names they call me are beginning to soak in; I'm beginning to believe them. I'm getting self conscious. Their stares make me nervous, and their laughter makes me flinch. Shades were terrifying, but nothing is worse than this. Canterbury tries to defend me, but I ordered him to stop after someone kicked him, damaging a few of his ribs. I didn't want him getting hurt on my behalf. I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me, and that's why I have this carving in my leg, and that's why I'm taking it. I don't unplug my headphones and bombard them with the sound of a thousand symphonies. I don't blast them with a guitar rift, or with the high-pitched squeal of a violin. I have the power to control myself, an ability they lack. They make me miss Gaara even more.

Now ten years old, I still have no friends. I want friends, companionship, the whole nine yards. I want to laugh at dumb jokes and  have sleepovers, just like the other kids my age. I still haven't told Kakashi about the hatred sent my way, and I don't plan on it either. I've caused enough trouble on the last year. Waking up from nightmares and crawling into his bed. Taking up food, money and space just by existing. He says he doesn't mind. He insists that it's okay.

I don't believe him.

I scuffed lightly at the dirt with the to of my boot as I wandered across the empty training field. It was late now, and the world was asleep. But the forest around me wasn't. Crickets sung their songs, and cicadas buzzed around me. I could hear a few frogs, possibly toads, croaking from the bushes. I had pulled off my headphones to listen, closing my eyes and spinning around. It was peaceful here: untouched by the city and it's rush. I let myself relax and simply twirl. Dancing and singing were two things that were in my blood. Two things I was naturally good at. Hell, they were the only things I was good at. And I was sort of okay with that.

"It's you." I stopped moving, my body going rigid. Slowly, I turned to see who'd called out to me. Standing across the field stood the class heart-throb, Sasuke Uchiha. He'd lost his clan a year before I entered the academy, and was quite stoic for someone his age. He'd clearly been forced to grow up fast, and I could sort of relate, even if I was still a child at heart. I didn't know what to say to him, so all I could really do was nod. He was studying me thoroughly, as though I were a mystery in need of solving. I found myself uncomfortable under his gaze. "Did you need something?" I was shocked out how meek my voice came out. Had I really gone from bold and sarcastic to quiet and shy? Had I really gotten weaker?

"What are you doing here?" His voice wasn't accusing in any way, simply curious. I decided to answer him. "I wanted to get away, that's all." I looked to the moon and stars, the only things illuminating this training field. Somehow they didn't seem as bright as they should have been. I guessed it was the light pollution produced by the village. "Hn. Away from what?" Sasuke was walking towards me, his hands shoved in his pockets. "The people, I guess." I answered simply. There was so much more I wanted to say. That I could've said. But I didn't tell him. I didn't tell anyone.

"I see the way the look at you. And hear the way they talk to you." Sasuke's voice was cool. "I know." I turned to look at him. He was a few feet behind me, staring. "Why don't you say anything back?" That was the golden question, now wasn't it? Why didn't I just defend myself? Blast them into oblivion with the fasted rap or loudest metal song? "I... I don't know. I want to scream at them. I want to tell them to stop..." I trailed off. I don't really have a good reason. "You should defend yourself." Sasuke decided. "I should. But I can't." I looked at the sky again. "Why not?" Sasuke stepped up so he was next to me. I could feel him looking down at my face. I looked him in the eye.

"My voice is just so big. I'm afraid I might blow them all away."

-

This was written on my phone so if it sucks ass-

That's why.

School sucks... Anyway, what do you think about this budding friendship? No way or yes way?

Oh and this was almost 1000 words so props to me