Hinata's POV

I should've known that I'd be stuck in the back with Naruto. I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!

He was awkwardly shifting when Sai stopped at a red light. I could feel him steal a few glances at me, but didn't know why. Sai changed into a black baseball hoodie and dark jeans. Naruto had on a orange and black t shirt with a black hoodie of his own, New York spelled out across his chest. He completed his outfit with black skinny jeans and white adidas high shoes.

Ino doesn't know I'm neglecting Naruto. I feel kind of bad for not letting any of the girls know but they're smart, they'll figure it out. And possibly tell me I'm making a huge mistake by listening to my father instead of following my own way. You know, stuff like that.

"So Sasuke is taking them where again?" Ino asked.

Sai looked at his girlfriend in the passenger seat, "Bowling."

"But Sasuke-kun sucks at bowling," I added.

I could see our driver shrugged, "They're heading to Leaf Lanes and last I check, drinking was still illegal for sixteen year olds."

"Maybe we could also sneak a date in," Ino nudged Sai.

Sai, being a helpless romantic since he tends to read teen fiction romance books on his free time, kissed her on the head, "I'll make that a promise."

I heard a snicker from Naruto and I glanced out the window at the car waiting beside us. It was filled with some girls at school. When the girl with black hair sitting in the backseat caught me staring, a giant grin spread her face and she started waving at me, rolling down the window in the process.

I also rolled mines down as she shouted, quite happily, at me, "Hinata-chan! Where are you heading?!"

"Just bowling with the crew!" I answered. "Did you start the English essay yet?"

She made a dying sound, "Of course not! I'm probably not going to start until Sunday!"

"Hinata who are you talking to? Oh, it's Nakamara-san." I suddenly felt Naruto's chest against my back as he poked his head out the window above mines. Heat from both his body and the car heaters must be getting to me since my cheeks are literally on fire!

Usagi Nakamura's chestnut eyes widen when Naruto appeared. Her mouth dropped in utter disbelief.

"You and him! On date?! Yes?!" Wow, did we surprise her that much?

"No-"

"Yeah we are!" Naruto yelled.

Why the hell is this red light so long?

Usagi did a fangirl squeal, "I SO CALLED IT!!!"

I glared up at Naruto but the dork was grinning like he just saved the world.

"Sit back!" Ino called, causing Naruto and I to retreat into the car.

Sai shot forward after what seemed like forever.

"What the heck was that, Naruto-kun?" I hissed. "You know Usagi is the top gossiper at school!"

Naruto's grin never left his face.

"Naruto-kun!"

Still no answer.

"Ugh! You're frustrating!" I crossed my arms.

"You guys are too cute, period," Ino laughed, causing my cheeks to warm up again and a smile twiching at my lips.

~~~~~

"Strike! Beat that jerks!" Ino jumped up in down. As she made her way back to the gaping guys, I gave her a high five.

Naruto and Sai exchange a look. Ha! We just got a turkey taking turns! Ino and I, best bowling team of the century.

It was Naruto's turn to bowl for the guys' team. He rubbed his hands together before standing up, "That was a lucky shot, Blondie."

Ino crossed her arms and gave him a wide smirk, "Yeah luck is what's getting your asses whooped at bowling."

Sai smiled and leaned forward to talk to me, "What about stalking Sakura and Sasuke?"

At the mention of the two, my eyes zeroed in on them about eight lanes away or in other words, the very last lane in the bowling alley. The whole alley was filled with Konoha High students as they played their own games.

Sasuke was teaching Sakura how to bowl it seems like and we've been here for more than forty five minutes. Ino suggested we played a game of our own while they two were on their date.

Sakura blushed as Sasuke pressed his body against her, demonstrating the procedures to roll the ball. Heh, those two sure know how to pretend. Sasuke can't bowl to save his life while Sakura can be Ino's and my third teammate.

Was I and Naruto that close to each other when...?

No it's not going to do me any good thinking about it. No matter what happened, after tonight I stay away from Naruto.

"Alright!" Naruto exclaimed, throwing his fists in the air. "Got that spare!"

Sai looked relieved, "We got to keep at it."

"Your turn, Hina," Naruto grinned.

Not letting his smile melt me any further than it already did, I walked up to the plate.

Grabbing my lavender purple ball, I took a few steps back, my eyes glued to the dots directing the direction in which the balls should roll. Taking a deep breathe, I followed through the steps, quite perfectly if I must add.

Everybody watched the ball in anticipation. I just smiled.

"How is that even possible?!" Naruto exclaimed as the ball kissed the first three pins and knocked down the last seven.

Sai was wordlessly amazed as our luck continued, Ino looked like she couldn't be any prouder.

"There isn't even a word for anpther strike anymore!" Naruto continued.

I walked passed him, flipping my hair in the process. I could feel his blue eyes watching me as Ino gave me a hug.

"We're through," Sai laughed, nervously. "So who's entree do you want to pay for, Naruto?"

Yep, loser has to pay for dinner.

Naruto said, adding a little hope in his voice, "We still have three gos left."

"There isn't a single way to beat the three spares and four strikes in counting," Sai explained.

Naruto groaned, "Fine. I'll pay for Hinata's."

His crystal blue eyes met mines. I didn't look away, instead I just returned his gaze.

"What did you want, Ino?" Sai asked, ignoring the stare down.

Ino smiled, "I'll go with you to see," Then to Naruto and I, "Why don't you two stay here and watch the stuff?"

Uh-oh...

But Ino was already hugging Sai's arm as they made their way to the cashier to get the food.

I sat down quietly and looked at the score screen. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Naruto scratch the back of his head as he sat on the opposite red booth.

He finally spoke, "Why are you being like this, Hina?"

"Being like what?" I blinked.

"Like," Naruto took a deep breath. "Like everyone else."

I blinked, "What?"

"Everyone... in America treated me like you are now."

My throat choked a bit as I saw his shoulders starting to shake a bit.

"Like I'm not wanted. Like I'm some kind of monster they don't want around," he said. "Because of a mere rumor, everybody avoided me... Here, everyone accepts me because they know the truth before the lie."

"Naruto-"

"No," his eyes shoot up, intensity so high that I nearly looked away, "I want to finish."

Biting my lip, I nodded and took a sip of my soda.

"I... I can't live without you in it, Hinata," he continued. "I don't know why but... it seems like I think whenever you're with me."

I choked. Naruto needs me!

"So I'm sorry about whatever I did this morning," he continued. "Can you forgive me and become my friend again?"

He still only wants me as a friend, I thought. Well, what exactly was I expecting anyway? Him to be asking me out? Ha, yeah right. No way that's going to happen. But he's being so sincere... can I secretly be his friend again? Wait, Naruto and secrets don't really go well together.

I looked away and didn't answer. What should I do? Naruto... or Father?

"Hinata?" He called me after a while. I just watched the couple in the next lane continue to play.

Suddenly, his body was in front of me but I didn't avert my gaze. I couldn't.

"Are you ignoring me, again?" asked Naruto.

I shook my head without saying anything.

He leaned down a bit, causing my breathing to be ragged and my heart to race against time. His cologne making my whole body warm up.

"It sure seems like it," he whispered against my ear. Chills ran through my arms and I could feel my ear turn pink.

God...someone help me please...

Without warning, he dug his fingers into my sides. The whole nervousness within my body, gone like that. Now, I'm struggled to keep my laughter under control as this hot bad boy ran his fingers up and down my sides.

"N-Naruto-kun! Stop it!" I laughed, my tiny fists barely hitting his broad shoulders as he continued.

Naruto laughed along with me, "Like hell I would!"

My embarrassing giggles nearly filled the whole bowling ally as he increased his speed. My hands finally moved down his muscular biceps and clamped on hard. Surprised filled his blue eyes at my action, causing him to stop immediately.

As I caught my breath, a small smile crept on the bad boy's whiskered face.

"What's so funny?" I raised an eyebrow, "Watching me suffer?"

He shook his head slowly, "No."

"Then what?"

His beautiful face leaned down a little more, like he was going to kiss me...Hold on! Naruto's going to kiss me!!! Slow down, slow down... I need to think!

"I love watching you laugh," he murmured, soothingly. "It hurts seeing you so upset."

I gasped at his words. Naruto is being truthful.

"I-"

"What do we have here?"

Uh-oh...busted...