Hinata’s fingers trailed the smooth fabric of the outrageously expensive shirt. Why? Why were things so costly? It was just a shirt! Opal eyes closed, “I’m so broke,” whimpered Hinata, while gripping the beautiful peach blouse. So what? She didn’t even like peach…that much.
That’s it. She was marrying rich–
“Hinata?” A warm hand landed on her shoulder. The Hyuuga spun around to the intruder with narrowed eyes before realizing it was Mikoto.
“Uchiha-san!” Hinata squeaked and deflated. She was hoping for a robber. Maybe they would have pity on her bank account and given her a few extra dollars.
“Oh, it is you!” She pulled the girl into a hug and patted her several times on the back, have a slight squeeze and let go. “Have you been?”
Mikoto Uchiha, as in her ex-boyfriend’s mother. Her smile was beaming, dark hair was shining, skin was still smooth, everything about the woman was graceful. Hinata mentally sighed. How was she envious of a old(er) woman’s figure? She, herself, was still in her early twenties.
“Hinata, how have you been?” asked the woman again.
Hinata blinked, blushed and nearly bowed for forgiveness. “I’m good. Great, actually…” She looked back at the shirt for a moment. “…I’m making it.”
“That’s good to hear!” She took her hands. “You’ve grown so much, Hinata. I can’t believe it’s been so long.”
Hinata nodded. “It’s been…three years,” confirmed Hinata. Yeah, three years since–
“Oh, Hina,” started the Uchiha mother, “You know, Sasuke is back in town.” Her head tilted slightly, waiting for a reaction.
Hinata gave a smile, small smile. What was she supposed to do with this information? Not much. “Oh really?” She asked with pseudo interest.
“Yes,” she squeezed the girl’s hands. “I want you to come over for dinner.”
Hinata tried pulling back slowly because she wanted to yank away. Her heart ached for a split moment. No. Absolutely not. “While that sounds like a wonderful idea… I… I have plans tonight.”
“Oh,” mumbled the woman. It didn’t stop her. “Well, then next time, yes?”
“Y-yes,” stuttered Hinata. “I have to go now.”
Mikoto nodded, pulled her into a hug and patted her back another several times before giving a squeeze and releasing her. “You be safe! Love you, Hina!”
“I will,” waved Hinata. “L-love you too!” She blinked a few times. Love? That was too much too early in the afternoon. She had known about his arrival courtesy of Ino. Hinata shook her head. “Curse that expensive shirt.”
::
Hinata was honestly just trying to live her life. It was a nice one, kind of. She was taking a semester off of college to work…so she could pay for college. Vicious cycle. The job was okay, she liked the atmosphere even if it didn’t pay as much as she “needed.” See because one day, she’ll pick up that peach shirt (or was it coral…now that she was thinking about it again) without even checking the price tag.
She’d officially made it that day.
Her mind was scattered lately, now that she was back home in Konohagakure… Hinata wasn’t trying to get mixed up in Uchiha Family Affairs again. She and Itachi were still pretty good friends, she’d spoken to Mikoto a few sporadic times, Fugaku was always usually absent (probably working, he was always a hard worker) but Sasuke…
She was conflicted about seeing him again. Did he look the same? They were young and dumb three years ago and while that doesn’t seem like a long time…it really was. She spent a lot that time trying to get over him.
Bright side, she didn’t look the same! Better even.
She wasn’t any Miss Konoha but three years… Hinata liked to believe she blossomed in three years (or at least bloomed a bit). She was completely different now. Well, now that puberty is finally over.
She shrugged. “I don’t know.” She’d also picked up talking to herself too. Why did Mikoto want to invite her to dinner? No. Hinata wasn’t dealing the past.