Expressions
By LoveAnimeForever
She stands opposite me, shy and awkward, so unlike her usual confident self. But nothing else has changed – her physique, her hair, her face, they're all as if she'd been frozen in time. And especially her expressions – they bring back so many memories…
On her cheeks is a light flush, and she murmurs something inaudible. It reminds me of our first meeting, in Kindergarten, so long ago.
A girl, smaller than the other children surrounding her, was pushed roughly into the sandpit. The rest of the children laughed at their victory over the outcast, the pink-haired Big-Forehead Girl. But their laughter only lasted for a moment, until she started crying. Then, they ran away, fearing reprimand, leaving her tearful in the sand.
One of the boys broke away from the fleeing crows, hesitating for a split second before running back to the girl and helping her up.
"Hey, are you alright?"
"…"
"My name's Naruto, what's yours?"
The girl whispered something between her sobs.
"Come on, you have to say it louder!"
"S-Sakura. Haruno Sakura."
"Nice to meet you, Sakura-chan! Let's be friends, ne?"
A small smile flitted onto the girl's face as she nodded.
"Come on, you have to say it louder!"
It appears she hasn't forgotten our childhood days either. She laughs at the familiar line, and the tension fades away for a while. The bright, happy sound of her laugh brings back another memory.
"We've finally graduated, ne, Naru-kun? On to high school!"
The twelve-year-old cherry blossom flew down the stages steps to her best friend. Laughing with mirth, she enveloped him in a joyful hug.
"Oh, I'll miss you, but we can always meet up during the holidays, right?"
"Yeah, of course we can!"
"Promise?"
"Promise."
And she pecked him on the cheek before skipping away to her parents.
That was the first time I ever thought of her as more than a friend. Of course, I hadn't realized it then.
"Naruto…"
Her soft whisper jerks me out of my reverie, and tension builds again. Her eyes are now wistful, her smile sad… It reminds me…
"Sakura-chan, I…" the teenager, awkward in his honesty, hesitated. Then, "I love you."
The girl sitting opposite him burst out laughing, although even to herself it sounded strained.
"You make the funniest jokes, Naru-kun!"
"Y-yeah. Happy belated April Fools'!"
The teenager's smile was strained, too, but he hoped she wouldn't notice.
That was then. It had hurt. But now…
"I love you."
I should have known…
"I'm sorry…" She may be the same as before, but –
"I changed."