Scented Notes

Chapter 1: Locker 157

It was childish, I know. I mean, how many juniors do you see going around writing, 'Do you want to go out, Yes or No?' letters and stuffing it in people's lockers? Yeah, none. The casual love letter is fine, but not these stupid letter things nobody uses anymore. When HE sees it, I doubt he'd even bat an eye at it. I mean, he is THE Uchiha Itachi. I wouldn't say he's popular because that's just an understatement. The guy has his own fan club, if you reach that level of popularity then... Hell, I don't even know what to say.

So yeah, my chances with this Uchiha Itachi are slimmer than those Slim Jims. No joke. Probably even slimmer... I doubt he even knows who I am...

I'm not in any showy sports activities. My body is all... Stupid and I have all left fingers, hands, toes, feet, arms and legs when it comes down sports. I recall one day in gym when we were playing dodgeball and nobody wanted me on their team. I didn't blame them. Just to make easier for myself, I lied and used the "I'm on my period," excuse. Blatantly. I have no shame.

In conclusion, sports is definitely a no-go. Not going to get any positive attention there.

For that matter, I'm not in any showy, look-at-me clubs in the first place. My acting skills are disappointing so that's a no for the drama club. I can't draw a circle without it looking like an inflated balloon so that's a no, too. I'm not even gonna think about doing anything with instruments unless you want spit flying everywhere and sticks flying towards your face. I'd cry from being yelled at in debate. I can't even cook ramen correctly so that's a definite no for cooking.

No showy, look-at-me clubs to get Itachi's attention either... Unless you count student council. I'll admit, I'm good at that... Seeing as how I'm the only member but that's okay. I also run the newspaper club! So I'm the president―and the only member―of two clubs. That's a job nobody can do. Hopefully he'd be impressed at that. I would be; that's super multitasking! Besides, that's great for a perfect housewife. Hopefully he's thinking of that when circling Y-E-S!

I smiled, forcing the card in the locker. I turned with a smile. Itachi is definitely going to say y―no. He is going to say no. I am a complete IDIOT for putting that stupid letter in that stupid locker. Now I just made a complete fool out of myself.

Hurriedly, I quickly tried to open his locker, thinking that he combination would already be set. Itachi's not an idiot so that definitely wasn't happening so I was doomed.

Well... I'll just write a few goodbye letters to my few good friends and stand in an airplane lane, right were the wheels have a good angle on my brain because obviously, I DIDN'T NEED IT!

I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed.

Nothing good can come out of this.

OOO

Throughout the entire day, I completely dodged HIM. And by HIm, I mean Uchiha Itachi. It may seem like the other way around―which it was―but no, I was dodging him. It was good that I only take two periods with him which was gym, and English. I was sure not to even glance his way, but his bozo of a friend―I forgot his name but he's ugly―kept looking my way. I was beyond creeped and I wanted to punch him.

Oddly enough, he seemed annoyed with me, too...

Oh my god.

What if... What if... No. It can't be and it will not be, no matter how hot it sounds. That freak and Itachi are NOT gay for each other! I refuse to accept it. I refuse to believe that Itachi showed him the note and that's why he's sending me dirty glances. Oh, I'm so screwed. He's definitely going to be aiming those basketballs towards my already average face; I don't need to be ugly when I already have a C- face. Yet hopefully it'll be a C+ when my puberty starts catching up.

For the duration of the class, I focused on writing poems, or short stories. This was English after all, why not practice my English while I was still alive. It didn't bother me that the only thing that was pooping out of my brain was death, and gay themes; I wrote what I felt despite of the odd combination.

"Class dismissed," once sensei stated that one line, I grabbed my notebook and bolted. I don't need a confrontation right now.

Lunch, on the other hand, was ultimately terrifying. I don't remember much because it all happened to fast, but I do remember pulling at my packed lunch―because school food is... School food is school food―and just casually began talking to my good friends Sakura, Tenten, Hinata, and Ino. It was all going great until I heard huge dress shoes clacking near me and saw a big shadow. I assume it was Itachi's weird friend and I just bolted.

After that, I didn't know what happened, but I found myself in the nursery with two Shizune-san's and two Umino-sensei.

"Harumi-chan? Are you alright?"

"... Huh?" I blinked as my vision cleared. Unexpectedly, I flew back but fortunately, I landed on the pillows behind me. I sighed in relief. That could have been my death. "Sorry, Umino-sensei, what did you say?"

"I asked were you okay?" The tan adult repeated. He sent me a worried glance and I could tell he was worried; those dark chocolate eyes of his always told the truth.

"I don't know..." I told him as I felt something pressing against my head. "My head hurts though."

The teacher chuckled and I frowned. There was nothing funny about my pain. "I was heading towards the teachers' lounge when I saw you ROCKETING towards me. I called your name more than once, but you didn't hear me and you... Well you fell and hit your head."

I wanted to smack myself. I was so stupid. Did I seriously run away from that gay creep and run smack into sensei which caused me to hit my head on the floor? Was I seriously THAT stupid? I should really take up on that thought of jumping off the bridge...

"Sorry, Umino-sensei," I quickly apologized with a low bow.

"It's fine, just watch where you're going," he sent me a smile. "We don't need anymore accidents."

I sighed and looked up at the plain, boringly white ceiling. "You can say that again."

"Hope you feel better," sensei called as he left, also saying goodbye to Shizune.

Truth be told, I started to feel better by the end of the school day. Besides, I had a decent excuse to skip gym today. I don't want Itachi to see me like this; I look below average, compared to my occasional C-. And I couldn't face the wrath of Itachi's best friend, either. The guy was beast at gym, easily rivaling with Rock Lee, which was Gai-sensei's disciple. The only burdens I had to face was carrying that stupid gloved hand filled with ice (the schools advisors are obviously cheap, despite this being a prestigious school) atop of my head.

It was the end of the day and I was lucky enough to not counter that bozo again. I opened my locker and my heart nearly dropped as I saw the pink, scented letter right back in my own locker. I quickly grabbed it and stuffed it in my blazer pocket as I saw Sakura approaching.

"I heard you were in the nurse's office," Sakura began, opening her locker which was right beside my own locker. "What happened?"

I blush crept on my face and I shoved my face in my own locker. "Well... You know when I ran out the cafeteria?" I asked her.

The bubblegum haired teen began to chuckle, making my face go darker a few shades, "Yeah," she says, "I was so confused. Say, are you afraid of him?"

"Him...?" I tried to play dumb.

"You know him," but with Sakura, there is no playing dumb, "Hoshigaki Kisame."

So that was his name. Hoshigaki Kisame. Perfect fit for him, too. 'Demon Shark'? Fits his demonic, shark-y, creepy, mutated look. Strangely enough, I like it. I have an odd liking to things that do perfectly and that... Well, that just takes the money.

"N-No..." I stammered. I closed my locker after getting my book for calculus (I seriously don't know how the hell I got in that class in the first place). The first thing I saw was Sakura's I-know-you're-lying face. I deflated, "I... I am."

Sakura snickered, "Well why now?" She asked as we headed down to the entrance and to the parking lot. "Why not last year?"

"I was NEW last year," I told her, rolling my eyes. "I didn't pay attention to anyone... Besides Uchiha Itachi... Yeah. Besides him. He's a God, you know? He's like the God of beautifulness. He is like the God of―"

"Hey, hey, Harumi?"

"Yeah?" I smiled at her.

"I don't care." And the smile went away.

"Figured..." I added, fingering the springs of my notebook. "Well, I'll catch you later, or something..." I awkwardly added.

I fingered the letter in my blazer just as I exited the school parking lot. I had a lot of mixed emotions about the note and I soon regretted putting it in his locker. I felt embarrassed.

When I got home, I closed and locked the door behind myself. I knew nobody was at home because my mother was probably off somewhere in Europe modeling or something. My dad was more than likely doing something illegal with the black market to make his business more successful. And I knew my brother wasn't going to be home until eight.

I quickly ran up to my room and sprawled out on my bed. I looked at the card, almost wanting to just throw it away all together. And that's exactly what I was going to do. I don't care if it says yes, it's going in the garbage. Yet, just has I held it―dangling over the garbage can―I couldn't help but to rip it open. That's right. I can't be tamed.

I closed my eyes as I slid the card out of the envelope. I held it in front of my eyes and slowly reopened them, but only to a crack. My eyes traced the black ink as it sloppily traced over the letters Y-E-S.

Right then and there, I knew there was a God. A God that loved me.

And right then and there, I screamed to the top of my lungs as the same song by Nicole played in my head.

My heart dropped for the nth time that day and the screams died down. That chances of THE Uchiha Itachi going out with an Average Joe―more like C-―is 0.001%. Hell, it may have been even lower than that!

Without a second thought, I whipped out my phone and called a familiar number that was on speed-dial. "Hey, Sakura?"

"Harumi? What is it? You rarely call me, you know," she sounded very irritated and I sheepishly scratched the back of my head.

"Well... Earlier today, I wrote Itachi a note, asking him to go out with me and―"

Chuckled were heard on the other end and I frowned. "W-Wait, you did what now?"

"I said I wrote a note asking―"

Those "chuckles" soon turned into fits of hysterical laughter, making my frown carve itself almost permanently on my face. "I didn't know we still did that anymore, Harumi! How old are you again? Was it sixteen, or was it just six?"

"Can I just finish my story?!" I shouted at her, tapping my foot impatiently against the floor.

"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead, just know I'm recording you." I didn't know whether she was serious or not... That's just the type of person she is.

"Anyway, well I sent him a note―" she giggled, "―and when I came home and opened the note, he circles yes... So now I'm just confused."

Sakura just scoffs, "Well so am I. Why aren't you happy? It's THE Uchiha Itachi. What's got your panties in a twist?"

"EXACTLY! It's THE Uchiha Itachi! Why would he say yes to an Average Joe like me?" I argued.

"Eh... You're more like a C-..."

"SAKURA!"

"Sorry, sorry, sheesh," she sighed. "I don't know... See, if it was me asking Sasuke out and he said yes, I'd be as confused as you are because he... Well he didn't like at all when we were younger."

"Well you at least have a relationship with the person you like. On the other hand, I don't," I tell her.

"Well we'll see tomorrow," she says. "Don't worry about it today. Besides, I have to get back to studying or my mom will be on my case. I guess I'll talk to you later."

"Hai," I replied before closing my phone. I sighed and sprawled out on my bed once more.

"I need to find that bridge..."

OOO

I stood in front of Itachi's locker, nerves rattling inside of me. I wanted to throw up; I wish I had never sent that letter in the first place. I mean, I'm extremely stoked that the Itachi Uchiha answered yes... But also confused? I mean, he could be asexual for all I knew. I don't think he's ever had a girlfriend... Well, not that I know of.

The only person he seems to genuinely care about is that weird brother of his, Sasuke. Personally, I didn't like him and he needs a reality check and fast. But of course, not like I could give it to him even if I could. My life would be on the line from yours truly, Itachi. And I'd hate to anger him.

But at the same time... He'd look pretty hot while angry... It could go either—

"Harumi I swear if you're thinking about Itachi, I'm going to punch your esophagus," Sakura's voice tore through my thoughts.

Knowing how real her threats were, I grabbed my throat in preparation. However, the inhumane force never came. I peeked an eye open and she just stood there with an unsure gleam those emerald eyes of hers. "Hey, Harumi..." She started.

I dusted fear from my person and hummed at her, telling her she had my attention. "That's the locker you put it in, yeah?" Sakura asked.

I looked behind me. Same number as yesterday: 157. I looked back at my friend and nodded. "Yeah, that's Itachi's locker number."

Sakura did this weird giggle she always did when she was nervous about something. It always made me felt uneasy about my decisions and now I REALLY regret putting that stupid letter in his locker yesterday. Outwardly, I groaned, "What is it this time?"

"That's not—"

"Harumi Tanaka?" A gruff, raspy voice sounded throughout the now vacant hallways. I didn't even have to peek over Sakura's wide forehead to see that odd colored guy from behind her. If I recalled correctly, it was Kisame Hoshigaki, the one Sakura spoke of yesterday and the one I was afraid of, apparently. I frowned, wanting to zip off.

"I guess you're not as ugly as I thought you were close up," he jokes, peering down my face as Sakura stepped out of the way.

"Well, uh, I have a class so yeah. Bye." Only a puff of air was left in her place.

... No. No way. Don't tell me... Locker 157 was THIS GUYS LOCKER? But... But how?! I made sure I asked someone who knew Itachi very well so I went to the group he hung out with occasionally which was that boy girl thing. He... He lied to me?! Argh! I don't think I can live anymore!

Without even hesitating, his fingers lifted a few strands of hair of my own and he looked at me and hummed. "Your hair is really soft."

"Ha..." And I fell out. Don't blame me.