Hello everyone! This is my first time writing a story and publishing it here. Please read and review! This is my first story so any kind of help and critique will be appreciated. But please refrain from writing negative comments that aren't helpful. I really want to get some feedback from you guys. I hope you enjoy reading it!

The story is going to start off slow but there will be some time-jumps later on so just bear with me.

Chapter 1

It was the last day of school at Konoha High, and all the student were gathered in the hallways or around their friends lockers discussing plans about summer. Among these students was a pale-eyed girl named Hinata who was eagerly waiting for her crush, Naruto. She was waiting by the exit behind the school because she knew that Naruto always took this path home. Gathering up all her courage, Hinata had made a decision that day to confess her feelings for Naruto, and she was not about to back down from it now.

She had always liked Naruto from the beginning, when they first met. It started as admiration for his courage and bravery when he saved her from her bullies. Even though he got beaten up pretty badly, he still did not back down from helping people who needed it. He had a kind heart, and was never afraid to do what he believed in, and that was what attracted Hinata towards him. After years of watching him grow up and go against life's adversities with a smile on his face, Hinata began to realize that she wanted to be just like him. She began following his footsteps in hope that she could gain a fraction of self-confidence. After starting high school, Hinata started to see Naruto in a different light. She always knew that she liked him but she never imagined that it would develop into a romantic kind of attraction. She began blushing and stuttering even more than usual around Naruto, and he was none the wiser in figuring out the change in her actions around him. He always thought that she was kind of weird and emo, but he never let that stop him from being her friend. When Hinata finally figured out that she was falling head-over-heels for Naruto, and it was not changing anytime soon, she decided to confess her feelings to him in hopes of becoming closer to him. She wanted nothing more than to be noticed by him, which is why she always strived to do her best in everything she did. Her motivation had not been her father who always scolded her for her weaknesses and shortcomings, it was Naruto who had always inspired her to do her best.

When Hinata finally saw a blonde headed boy approach the school exit she was waiting by, her hands immediately began sweating and her nervousness threatened her to clam up. She pushed aside any self-doubt and anxiety, because she had made a decision and she was not about to back out now.

"Hello Naruto," Hinata said as he approached her with a smile on his face.

"Hey Hinata! What are you doing here? Don't you always leave from the front." asked Naruto.

"Um, yes I do but I just wanted to see you before we left school and started our summer vacations."

"Oh that's right! You're going away on that trip with your family, and I'm gonna go with my godfather to train for that martial arts tournament at the end of summer. You're gonna be here for that, right? I heard there's gonna be a lot of competition from different cities, and since it'll be in Konoha this year all of you guys can come and watch me beat everyone's ass!" Naruto pumped his fist in the air and laughed as he imagined winning the tournament.

Hinata giggled at Naruto's enthusiasm. She always found it endearing when he talked about the things he loved doing. "Yes, Naruto. I'll be back by then so I will definitely come to watch. Also, my cousin, Neji, will be competing this year too."

"Really? No offense, but that guy always freaks me out. He's just like Sasuke who's always quiet and thinks he's better than anyone, but your cousin can be very rude at times too."

"I know, he's just not good with people." replied Hinata. What Naruto didn't know was that the reason why Neji was so rude to him was not only because he thought he was a loser, but also because he thought he was a loser who didn't deserve Hinata's affection, she was too good for him. Yes, Neji knew about Hinata's crush and did not approve of it one bit which is why he hated Naruto more than he hated anyone else. He thought of it as his duty as her older cousin, but more like her older brother, to keep Naruto away from Hinata.

"Yeah, I know. Don't worry, I don't really pay much attention to him and his death glares. He can think of me however he wants because I don't care. Hmph!... So do you wanna walk with me? I can walk with you halfway to your house so we can talk even more before you leave." Naruto suggested

"Sure Naruto." Hinata began walking side-by-side with Naruto as they talked about their plans for the summer. When they reached the halfway point to her house, they stopped walking. Naruto was about to say his farewell to Hinata when she cut him off.

"Um, Naruto, there's something I want to tell you." Hinata looked up to Naruto to see if he was listening. He nodded his head to beckon her to continue. "I've been thinking about it for a while, trying to figure out how to say it properly, and today I just decided that I should do it. So,…" Hinata took a deep breath in before she continued. "I like you, Naruto. I've liked you for a while, but I never had the courage to tell you, until now." Hinata mentally patted herself on the back. She was proud that she did not stutter, or break eye contact with Naruto through out her entire confession.

Naruto stood there for a while staring at the girl in front of him. He was shocked to say the least because he never knew that she liked him like that… Unless, he thought, I'm taking it the wrong way. I mean why would she like me as more than a friend. She's rich and practically like royalty, and I'm just a poor orphan with a pervy godfather! Plus, I'm in love with Sakura and she knows that so why would she tell me that she likes me, unless she just means that she likes me as a friend. Right? I mean that is the only explanation that makes sense. Naruto contemplated this in his mind while Hinata stood there waiting anxiously for him to say something.

"Uhhh…thanks…?...ummm…I'm flattered that you like me… I like you too. In fact you're one of my precious friends. I mean you've been to almost all my martial arts competitions and you always cheer me on. It means a lot to me to know that I have a friend who believes in me so much. So, thank you." Naruto smiled as he tried to bring Hinata at ease because he could see how anxious she was. She's probably anxious because she thought I took it the wrong way. I know better than to think something impossible like that, thought Naruto.

Hinata didn't know what to say. To her it seemed like Naruto tried to evade her confession on purpose. He doesn't like me, thought Hinata. Why would he? I'm not as pretty as Sakura or outgoing or fun like any of the other girls in school. He probably thinks that I'm too weird and doesn't want to hurt my feelings so he said all those things to make me feel better. But I know now. I should've known all along. Naruto is too kind and I mistook that. He always appreciates my support for him and his ambitions but he would feel the same if it were any of his other friends. I shouldn't make this any more awkward than it I've already done.

"No problem Naruto." Hinata tried to smile her most convincing smile. She didn't want him to think that she was hurt. She was hurting inside because she thought Naruto downplayed her confession on purpose, but she wasn't going to let him know that. I'll just have to move on because it's obvious that he could never want to be more than friends with a girl like me. But I'll always be there for you, Naruto. Even if you don't want to be with me, you've already helped become a better person. So, thank you. She wanted to say all that to him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it so instead she waved her goodbye to Naruto and turned around to head home. She walked as normally as she could so as not to seem that she was trying to run away from him. She wouldn't let him see how much he affected her, because she knew that he was too kind and would never let her go until he was sure that she was okay. But that would've made it worse since he was the cause and she didn't want to see him at the moment.

Naruto watched Hinata's receding form as she walked away. He had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach as if telling him that things were never going to be the same from now on, but he brushed that feeling away as he walked the opposite direction from Hinata's and headed home.