Lunch Planning {Ino, Sakura, Hinata, open?}

[Amaya]

The blonde sat in her desk her blue eyes trying to pay attention, but they kept on glancing towards the clock. There was under a minuet left of class and she just wanted it to be over. It's not that the class was exactly boring, it was just that lunch was next and she had been waiting for lunch since homeroom had ended. She was meeting up with Sakura and probably Hinata too, they had a few very important things to talk about.

The most important part was the up coming dance, the dance and who they all might go with. That made the blonde think about the note she had in her notebook. From Sai asking her to the school dance, it was still slightly shocking to her. She barely knew him so to her, at least ,she didn't seem like the ideal choice for someone to ask to a dance. So the plan to ask Sakura, who was much closer with Sai, what exactly he was like and what she thought of the situation. They also had to make plans for the weekend.

Finally the bell sounded and Ino grabbed her books and more or less calmly left the classroom. After a short stop at her locker to ditch her books and then she made her way to the cafeteria. On her way there she was stopped by a fellow volleyball member and was reminded, as if she would forget, that practice would be starting soon. Volleyball was one of the most important things to her and she had no intention of missing practice or anything like that.

When she finally arrived to the cafeteria it was getting full, not that she worried about that. She had a bottle of water from her locker and might get an apple or something later. She was not here to eat, she had plans to make. Glancing around she saw that the table she usually sat at was still open, so she made her way over. While she walked she would stop every now and again to say something to a friend or someone she knew. Finally arriving at her table she sat down. Opening her bottle of water she took a drink and looked around waiting for her friends to arrive.

[Elle]

Sitting with her legs tucked underneath her body, Sakura's apple green eyes flickered to the clock, mentally counting down the minutes until lunch was scheduled. The cool, terrazzo flooring of the gym chilled her legs and eased the slight burn she felt after her class work out. If there was a class that Sakura liked more than AP Human Biology (honestly, what was wrong with her? People were supposed to hate that class, not enjoy it), it had to be Gym. Sure her teacher was a little...whacked out, but the pinkette could deal with the rigorous activities with ease. Despite not playing any sports like Ino, Sakura still managed to keep a healthy work out routine between cramming in homework and volunteering at the hospital after school.

On top of this heavy schedule, she still managed to make time for student council meetings; she was what one could call an "overachiever".

The shrill ring of the bell alerted her that class was finally over. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Sakura blew some stray locks that escaped her messy ponytail (because running with your hair down was murder) and trudged over to the cafeteria where Ino was awaiting her. The atmosphere inside the room was noisy and cramped, but she couldn't help but allow a smile to tilt at the corners of her mouth upon seeing her blonde-haired friend.

"Hey Ino. I'm going to get lunch and then I'll be right back, 'kay?" Plopping her pastel bag next to her best friend, Sakura meandered her way into the lunch line and grabbed a salad. Paying for it a couple of minutes later, she took her designated seat next to the blonde bombshell and grinned, opening the plastic container with a quiet 'popping' noise. The lack of food in front of Ino meant that she probably was skipping lunch which caused Sakura's smile to melt into a frown.

Chewing thoughtfully, she swallowed and turned her body at an angle, "Y'know, skipping lunch isn't healthy for you. But I won't get into it because I know you hate it when I nag. So anyways, what's up?" Sakura knew that the subject of Sai was probably going to come up only because, well, they were best friends and best friends shared everything with one another.

[yøsh]

Slightly odd (down right random at some moments) and extremely distracting as school had been, Hinata was having a wonderful day. Wll to be fair, her school days were normally nice to begin with. She was of that rare breed of high school students that actually dared to enjoyed going to school (insert involuntary gasp of horror from the remaining ninty-five percent of the student body here). It was where she had a chances to catch up on her friends and their daily drama (because there was always drama. It was practically synonymous with them and teenagers as a whole). She liked her classes for the most part, and did not mind the course work that went with it even if she had spent the last several hours of the morning mentally pleading with the clock to speed up.

However this day, this bright and sunny day, was special.

Gathering her text book and the spiral bound note book proclaiming the name of the class in bold black letters on the cover, Hinata quickly placed them in her bag, before scuttling out into the hall. Muttering a hushed ”Excuse me,” as a student accidentally ran into her, she couldn’t help but grin staring down at her feet as she crossed the scuffed tile. Were wild life to approach her and the student population burst out in a cheery song, complete with complicated choreography, she would not be surprised, even if she would slightly wonder when Konoha High School turned into a Rodgers and Hammerstein production.

Weaving her way through the lingering crowd of students on their way to lunch of prolonging the inevitable return to class with practiced ease, Hinata entered the cafeteria, wrinkling her nose sub -consciously at the trade mark smell. Typically, she would eat on the front lawn of the school, avoiding the library and it’s younger crowd ever since she left her freshman year, but this was a special occasion. Fairly skipping up to the bright haired duo, she gave the blonde and pinkette a small smile before joining their at the table, even if she was not invited to do so.

”Good afternoon, Ino-chan, Sakura-chan” she greeted, pulling out her packed lunch while casting a weary eye over Ino’s lone bottle of water. Shaking her head slightly, she placed uncovered her meal, placing it slightly between her and the blonde, along with a spare set of chopsticks (Hinata tended to carry a spare pair on a just incase basis that mostly focused on her accidentally dropping the main pair, but this worked just as well). Pushing the eating utensils towards the blonde, but not saying anything--it would not do to 'attack' her eating habits. That was a disaster just waiting to happen-- she asked, "How are you both doing??"

[Amaya]

Thankfully for Ino it seemed that she was not the only who had been looking forward to lunch. Her pink-haired friend stopped by to ditch her bag saying she would be right back after getting food, “okay girl!” was her short cheerful response. It didn't take to terrible long for Forehead to make to through the lines and return with a salad. Before she could respond to her best friends usual comment that was annoying, but not quite nagging, about her lack of eating at lunch. A third person joined the table, Hinata. She too seemed to notice the blondes lack of food and in completely non-verbal was offered to share her lunch. The blonde was tempted to roll her eyes, but at the same time her food did look rather tempting. Later, they had stuff to talk about first!

“I'm doing good Hinata! I am wondering though my dear Forehead, what exactly were you and Sai talking about?” She said with a grin on her face, her body turned to be mostly facing her best friend, who she just knew had some kind of valuable information to spill. As soon as she found out what in the world she had missed in the hall then she had to tell them about what had happened to her. Aside from the fact that she was indeed going to have Naruto as her science partner for most of the semester, which come to think of it she had not yet told her friends that either, but the more important fact being the note from Sai asking her to the dance. This was not think kind of information friends kept for each other.

Taking a sip from her water bottle, the taste of the cool liquid refreshing her and quieting the noise she knew her stomach was bound to start making soon. Her stomach being the last of her worries. She kept her blue eyes on her best friend, she just had that inkling that something interesting had happened. Maybe she should have stayed after class and talked for longer, rather then rushing off to her next class which had been far to boring of a class. That was the past though and a person can not change what has all ready happened. So she would just have to suffice with finding out now, and in the end that would work just fine.

[Elle]

"Hey there, Hinata," greeted Sakura, stabbing the green leafs with gusto. Green eyes flickered over to her quiet friend, drinking in her appearance for a couple of seconds before a small smile lifted at the corners of her lips. Hinata was truly a beautiful girl, inside and out, and the pinkette couldn't help but feel jealously for a few moments. Between Ino and Hinata, Sakura often found herself pondering over her own looks, scrutinizing her flaws in the reflection created by the mirror in her bedroom. As soon as the feeling came it dissipated, leaving her annoyed at herself.

Why did she always have to compare herself to her two friends? Mentally rolling her eyes and giving herself a smack across the face, she turned her attention on Ino, thin eyebrow lifting as the volleyball star voiced her question.

"Oh," Sakura placed her fork inside of her mouth, chewing carefully before swallowing, "that. Well, you know how Sai is a bit socially awkward?" Pausing, she eyed both Hinata and Ino and continued, resting her cheek inside of her open palm, "And he invited me to go to the dance with him, just as friends. I guess I'd make the event less stressful for him or something like that."

That was Sakura's only explanation for what had happened earlier on that day. Inwardly, she knew that she was keeping Naruto's expression to herself if only for Hinata's sake. The pink-haired girl knew of her friend's crush--it was hard not to--and didn't want to bring it up around her. It was kind of like how she didn't talk about Sasuke with Ino anymore; subjects like those were simply taboo.

[yøsh]

Returning Sakura’s greeting with a grin and a simple ”Hello, Sakura-chan”, Hinata absentmindedly poked at her lunch with her chopsticks, wondering if the butterflies in her stomach would settle enough for her to actually eat it. Probably not, she thought less perturbed by the thought then she should be, her grin growing into a small smile. She was an excitable person, for both the good and the bad things, and historically only time was able to settle the far too familiar flutter. Personally, she was just thankful that this time she wouldn’t have to pop some ambien as she hide in the girl’s bathroom trying to have a quiet panic attack rather then the flailing of limbs followed by drug induced “down time”. This was far more pleasant, in her opinion.

Forcing down a bite and hoping that she would not grow to regret it later, Hinata glanced at Ino, eyeing her mischievous grin wearily. Her chewing slowed down, she knew this grin. It was the grin that Ino grinned when she wanted to know something.... or if she already knew something.

Hinata hated to use stereotypes (they hardly ever seemed fair), much less to cast a friend into one but by definition, Ino was a gossip monger, complete with blonde hair and gum popping action. It was hardly a bad thing (if you weren’t the subject in some of the more juicy topics up for discussion) it was simply a fact that anyone who knew said blonde, and some who did not, was aware of. And as a person with news watching Ino grin, Hinata could not help the small spike in her heart rate. For a brief second, she nearly gave into the temptation to simply fold and ask her what, and how, she figured it out. Luckily, her nearly non-existent poker face held out long enough to allow Ino to continue, as Ino rounded not on her, but Sakura.

She then every nearly gave a sigh of relief before a swift flicker of guilt stopped her. It wouldn’t be a bad thing it Ino figured it out, she mentally argue; in fact it really would not be bad if everyone knew. She was fairly excited herself, after all. That being said, however, there was an unmistakable pressure to remain silent, her pale eyes briefly darting towards the pinkette at the table, before she sunk down further in her seat.

Naruto liked Sakura, there was no question about that, no matter how disheartening it was to be aware that she was, at best, a pale substitute for the more vibrant girl; a consolation prize in the form of a silver medal. And Sakura, while perhaps turning him down, at least cared for him on a certain level. What if Sakura did not like the idea of Hinata dating Naruto (if that was even what his invitation was about)? As it was said, it was sisters before misters; how could Hinata not agree to stay away from him if she wanted her to? Short answer, at least in theory, was she could not. She rather doubted that it would come to that, that she would even have to make a choice. She was being, in a word, utterly stupid and she knew it. But the slight fear was enough to keep her quiet for the time being.

Luckily, though perhaps not for her conscience, distraction came. The sound of the dance and invitations automatically perking her ears up in interest before her mind connected it with the first part of the sentence. ”Sai?” she asked, her brow furrowing slightly. ”Really?” Hinata hardly meant it to be condescending towards Sakura’s acceptance, especially knowing that both she and Sai were friends. It was more of a ‘what kind of game is he trying to play’ inflection. Socially awkward, yes, but he was hardly suicidal; death typically being the only sure outcome of asking two girls out. Well, that or assisted homicide, if the two girls forgot logic and reason and actually turned on each other.

But, she rather doubted that, slumping further in her chair at the thought that the dark-haired boy was actually just trying to pull a prank over her. No, she was not going to say yes to him anyway, but that did not stop the negative thoughts from flowing through her head.

[Amaya]

There was something about learning what she had not, so she was a bit of a gossip addict. It was not that she enjoyed spreading gossip, or the kind of rumors that hurt people, it was more like she just likes to know what is going on. So it seemed she would be finding out, her eyes watched Sakura she she talked about Sai and the blonde couldn't help but wonder if she was getting the whole story. Seeing as how it was a rather short story Ino couldn't help but wonder at what he was thinking.

[coloer=ff00cc] “Sai asked you to the dance?” [/color] Well that was a bit of strange news, reaching in her pocket she pulled out the folded note and dropped it on the table. “Well, I mean I know he is a bit off in social situations, but” she paused thinking for a moment on how to word the next part “It seems a bit rude to ask two people to the same dance. Sai asked me too, in that note.” Chewing on her bottom lip the blonde thought for a moment, she wasn't sure what to think. Usually a guy waited until he was turned down before asking someone else. Not that Ino had actually thought to much about saying yes, not that she had been sure she would say no.

Hinata seemed to be as surprised as she was, thinking back Ino happened to remember a bit of information “Say Hinata, doesn't Sai sit in front of you during Homeroom? Did he say anything to you?” Her blue eyes sparked with curiosity, as she turned to face Hinata. While waiting for the answers to her question she took another drink of her water, her stomch giving a quite rumble almost in protest of the lack of food. Not that she cared, food was less important at the moment. There was possible drama at hand, and well Ino needed to figure out what was going on before the end of lunch.

There was just not enough free time in a school day to make sure that she had the necessary know how for tomorrow, at least social know how. Knowing what homework and stuff was less important and a lot easier. Still it was early in the lunch hour and there was much time for her find what she needs. Relaxing into her seat she looked between her friends relaxing for a moment as they talked about what had happened during homeroom earlier that day.

[Elle]

Sakura had a very compulsive urge to hunt down Sai, tie him to a iron rod, and roast him on an open fire all while cackling in the background.

"Are you serious?" Sakura's expression of murder disbelief was written on her face, marring the rather contented look she was previously wearing. Reaching over, she nabbed the note and flipped it open, jade eyes narrowing at the words and handwriting. Oh, Sai, you are so dead. Tossing it back at Ino, Sakura's gaze flickered over to Hinata, lifting an eyebrow in curiosity, "I didn't know that Sai spoke to you this morning....."

A dawning realization smacked Sakura across the face like a wet fish. Even though she didn't have enough proof, she was assuming that Sai had extended his invitation to Hinata as well. It wasn't like he spoke to Ino often, but he had asked her. What exactly was he trying to pull over their heads? Neither of the three girls were stupid and, surely, they were bound to notice that he had invited all of them to be his date to the dance.

Stabbing her fork through her salad, the pinkette thought to herself for a couple of moments and exhaled through her nose. "Oh, he is so getting it after school today," Sakura declared, glancing over at her two friends. Sure, maybe Sai didn't understand the concept of dating but he should have consulted a book before asking all three (for she was still assuming that he had asked Hinata) of them out, during the same period, nonetheless.

"Other then that...event," chewing, Sakura finally swallowed and continued her sentence, "how was the day thus far? I hope it was better than mine, at least."

[yøsh]

Hinata blinked, she couldn’t help it. Well, to be fair no one could really help but blink, it was a natural impulse after all. But this was a very different type of blinking then ‘my eyers are drying’, it was a rather deliberate, incredulous form as she tried to process exactly what she was learning in slightly stunned disbelief. Sai did not. He could not have.... The dark haired teen let out a soft sigh through her nose; he could have, he really could have. But, even if she could see the awkward artist doing this, she was still slightly stunned. It was one thing for him to ask her and some other girl out to the dance, but Sakura and Ino? Best friends they might be, but they were also rivals for nearly just as long, a fact that was as public as their friendship. Forget about being socially inept, this was suicide.

Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, Hinata twisted her fingers together, her pale eyes moving between Sakura, Ino, and the note the blonde had dropped on the table top, not even bothering to chastise herself for poking her digits together. Nodding her head slowly, she admitted, ”Yes, he sits in front of me.” though as they all had the same homeroom, it was hardly a shocking admission. ”And he... we talked, kinda...” the words trailed off as she tilted her head down, frowning at her twisting hands before ceasing the restless motion and tucking the offending limbs beneath the table.

”He did ask me.” Hinata finally murmured, glancing at her pink haired friend blinking some more at her ominous statement, even if part of her (the part she often ignored) was completely agreeing with the vague threat. ”What are you going to do to him?” she asked, probably more curious then she should be at the potential concussion that a peer might be subjected to later that afternoon. ”I’ll hel-...” No... No she wouldn’t be able to help Sakura (and Ino, assuming that the blonde would not take the sidelines; she never did for anything so it stood to reason that the blonde would involve herself even more in the afternoon confrontation). She would be heading out to Ichiraku’s Ramen to meet up with Naruto.

Her face flushed as she slid down in her seat, her hands playing with the edge of her skirt beneath the table. ”Um... I have... um, plans?... Actually” she offered as an excuse, before glancing towards the blonde, latching on to a subject changing excuse as soon as she saw it... or rather as soon as she heard it. Pushing her lunch box towards Ino, she softly ordered ”Try some.... It’s not great, but it’s still good.”