So here's my 3rd attempt at a music story, however as opposed to the previous stories I've tried, where the music is a main plot point, it's more of a plot device to show the differences in characters. I expand on that idea in this chapter especially.
I got a gig doing music reviews for a website called (I unfortunately don't get paid, but I do enjoy it), and doing that reminded me of how much I loved writing. With the recent death of my grandfather (I've been on an awareness campaign, telling everyone who's worked at the steel mills to please get screened for asbestos related illnesses as mesothelioma was cause), I have some issues and I feel that somehow writing something creative would be a great catalyst for what I've got happening in my life. I've also got another chapter of Assassin's Creed planned out, and while it's in the early stages of writing, I'm hoping that it comes out soon.
So, hopefully this works.
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Sakura POV
It was the biggest game of the season.
Everyone from school was there, as well as most members of the community. I was having the time of my life. My best friend, Ino, and I were the head cheerleaders this year, even though we were only juniors. The school colors of red and black were proudly displayed on our bodies, and we were having the time of our lives. Our rival high school, Iwa, was currently giving us a run for our money. The score was tied at 12 to 12. We were in the last quarter and our team had possession of the ball. Sasuke, our quarterback, was huddled with the team to give them some final plays.
Right next to us cheerleaders was the marching band. I always felt bad for them. Some of them were really talented, but they never got any respect from people, especially Naruto Namikaze. I always thought he was a really nice guy, but it seemed like no one would give him the time of day. I heard the ref blow the whistle and I turned back towards the game to watch the last plays.
Sasuke could be heard yelling out the play numbers and hiking the ball. Neji, our wide receiver, ran forward and caught the ball, dodging two tacklers. He was able to scrape by another one, before running twenty more yards to reach the end zone. Everyone went wild.
The band played, the players celebrated, and the spectators were out of their seats. As we danced the school song that the musicians had started on (as was customary after a touchdown), the coach called in the players to discuss what would happen next. We knew that we had won. With 30 seconds left in the game, there was no real chance that Iwa was going to get another chance to score.
As I predicted, half a minute later the score was ended at 19-12. That left us with a 10-0 win lose streak so far this year. We were almost guaranteed a spot at state this year, our best year yet.
"Sakura!" I turned and saw Ino and a bunch of other girls running towards me. "Sakura! We're going to go to Sasuke's house for an after party to celebrate. Do you wanna join us?"
"I can't, Ino. You know I've got that test tomorrow morning." I said. I did have SATs the next day, and unless I wanted to fail them, but that was only part of the reason. Last time I went to one of Sasuke's parties, he tried to get me really drunk and I didn't feel good about going there this time.
"So? You've got at least two more chances for those. Come on. How many times do you get to celebrate a big win?" This time it was Tenten.
"I really can't guys. I'm gonna go help Kurenai sensei put stuff away, and then I'm gonna go home. Maybe next time."
"Fine. Whatever." I could tell Ino was disappointed, but just because we won tonight didn't mean I could slack off all weekend.
-Naruto POV-
I trudged back to the band room with everyone else. Along the way we had to deal with the usual taunts. "Losers." "Weirdos." "Faggots." You know, the usual. As we got into the room, we immediately began taking off our attire. Peeling the tiny jacket and pants off (it seems everyone who had been in band the year they ordered these uniforms was midget sized) I felt so much better to be out of them. I hung my uniform back up and started putting away my trumpet. As I was doing this, my best friends came up to me.
"Naruto, do you wanna go get some dinner." Kiba asked, his arm around his girlfriend, Hinata.
I shrugged. "Sure. Where are we going?"
"Ichiraku's. You gonna stay to get your stuff?" Shikamaru asked.
"Yeah. I'll meet you guys there." I went down to my locker, and grabbed out my guitar. I had been playing for 6 years at that point, and I was really getting good. Me, Shikamaru, and Kiba were currently playing in a band, and we have been getting a few gigs. We want to add a couple more players, specifically a lead guitarist and a keyboard player, to go for a Dream Theater/ Linkin Park/ Trivium/ Metallica sound. (AN: that's actually the best way to describe what my band and I do. We're hoping to release an album soon, so stay tuned.)
I pulled out my keys and walked out the door to go to my car.
-Sakura POV-
I walked out to my brand new car and turned pressed unlock. My parents bought me one for my 16th birthday last year. As I sat down in it, I put the key in the ignition and turned it. The car wouldn't start. I noticed that there were other cars in the parking lot, and that I could ask them for some help. I got on the phone to call my parents.
As the line began to ring, I saw Naruto walking out to his car. I hung up the phone and opened the door yelling his name.
-Naruto POV-
I felt the crisp October air as I strolled outside. I enjoyed cooler weather. Maybe it was because I was born in October. As I was in my own thoughts, I heard a voice yelling out to me.
"Naruto!" I looked forward and saw a head of pink hair framing a beautiful face attached to gorgeous body. I picked up the pace and reached her brand new looking SUV.
"Hi, Sakura. What's up?"
"My car isn't working. Would you mind take a look at it?" I knew it. She wouldn't actually talk to me. She needs something from me. She's probably trying to get to Sasuke's party, where she'll have the time of her life while me and my "loser" friends go to a ramen bar.
"Yeah, let me put my stuff in my car first."
I opened up to trunk of my tiny sedan and set in my backpack and guitar. Closing it, I turned to her. "Open up your hood." She reached down and pulled the lever to the front of her car and I walked around and opened it up the rest of the way. Setting the hood-prop up, I peered into the engine compartment. I asked her to try to start her car up. It didn't even turn over.
"Yep, you've got a dead battery." I had that problem not too recently, when I was fixing up my car to be able to get to work with it.
"But I just got this last month. How can the battery be dead already?"
"It was probably a bad one to begin with. I have SATs tomorrow but I can help you later. All you need to do is take your old battery over to the dealership, and they should give you a new one no problem."
"Actually, I have SATs tomorrow, too" I could see the wheels in her head turning. "How bout you come get me tomorrow morning and then you can help me right after we're done?"
"Yeah. Do you want a ride home tonight?" I knew this was probably the only time I would get to spend with the girl of my dreams in my car, so I had to take it while I could.
"I was going to call ,my parents, but yeah if you want to."
"Yeah. Why don't you lock up your car and we'll get going." I said.
She did and then hopped in my little POS and we took off.
She was the first one to break the silence. "So what are your plans for tonight?"
"Oh, I'm gonna go meet my friends for dinner and then go home and crash." It was kind of awkward talking to someone I hadn't spoken to since I shared my graham crackers in kindergarten with her.
"I'm going to go home and fall asleep. I don't want to be tired for tomorrow morning." She said back.
"I figured you'd be going to Sasuke's party. Isn't that where everyone is?"
"Yeah, but last time I went, I didn't really enjoy myself last time, so I'm not going to risk a hangover this time." I would have. If I had been invited, you'd bet your ass that I would have been there.
"Well, your welcome to join us if you want." I knew she would say no, but there was always the off chance that she wouldn't.
"Are you sure? I don't want to seem like I'm intruding. You're already doing so much for me." I was stunned. Never in a million years did I think that she would say yes.
"Yeah if you want. Kiba and Shikamaru are going to have their girlfriends there, so it'll give me someone to talk to while they make out."
"Ok, yeah, I'd like that a lot."
-Sakura POV-
I couldn't believe what I was saying. I was going to hang out with Naruto and his friends who I barely even know. I had blown off my friends for this?
We continued the drive in relative silence, the only noise was the music playing in his car. I always knew he was a rocker. There was something about the way he carried himself that said that, but I actually was enjoying the song. It was kind of alternative with a good blend of folk in there.
"Who is this playing?" I looked at him.
"Coheed and Cambria. They just released a new album and I've been listening to it a lot. I could let you borrow it if you like." I nodded and we were quiet again until we got to the restaurant, a dingy looking place.
Naruto got out of the car and opened up the door for me.
"Thank you." I was taken aback. I've been on a few dates but never had one actually been kind enough to open the door for me.
"It's not a problem. I was raised with chivalry." He pushed it off.
"And here I thought it was dead." I said giving him a playful smile.
"Not dead, just severely wounded."
As I walked into the dilapidated building, I caught wind of a wonderful smell. It was like home almost.
"This place has the best ramen ever."
I never had ramen. My parents were big health nuts, and they never let me have anything that wasn't low in fat and sodium. If I remember right, ramen ticked neither of the boxes.
I looked to the corner of the room and saw Shikamaru and Kiba sitting at a table with two girls, one of whom I recognized as Hinata Hyuuga from my AP classes. Naruto went right to the table taking the spot on the outside next to Kiba, while I sat across from him next to Shikamaru.
"Naruto, what took you so long?" Shikamaru seemed bored as always. I once had homeroom with him, and when he wasn't sleeping, he was laid back talking to Choji Akamichi in the same manner that he was talking to Naruto in now.
"I had to help Sakura with her car. She needed a ride home and I offered for her to join us here."
"Well, hello Sakura." I looked at Kiba. He looked wild as always. From the tattoos on his cheeks to the messy brown hair, he looked more like a caveman from the commercials than a boy in high school.
A sharp smack was heard throughout the place as Hinata hit her boyfriend. "Kiba, first of all, be nice. Second of all, I should do much worse, seeing as how you're hitting on other girls right in front of me." I was surprised. Hinata was always so quiet during class. I never expected her to actually hit someone.
"Come on, Hinata, you know I only have eyes for you." He leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek. The dark haired girl blushed at that.
Out of nowhere a soft chuckle could be heard.
"What are you laughing at Temari? Just because Shikamaru is too lazy doesn't mean that we can't express how we feel." I thought it was a little sweet the whole exchange between Kiba and Hinata. It was like they were really in tune to each other.
The other girl, Temari, was very different from her boyfriend. Maybe that's why they were so good for each other. I could tell that she was a much more domineering person than he was, and maybe she was willing to give him the kick he needed.
The pretty waitress arrived, and Naruto quickly ordered a large miso ramen with roasted pork, while everyone else asked for their own dish of choice. I looked at the menu a little more.
"Are you having trouble deciding?" I looked up at the brunette's kind face, and nodded.
"The vegetarian ramen is very good, and it's not that bad for you." I once again nodded and she took off with our orders.
As we waited for our meals to come, we had pleasant chats, particularly between Naruto Kiba and Shikamaru about finding a guitar player and a keyboard player.
"Listen, I can ask Temari's brother to play guitar for us. I've seen him and he's pretty good. Next time I'm over at her house I'll ask." Shikamaru said.
"And I think Hinata's cousin plays piano. I'm sure we could all put together some money for a decent used keyboard for him."
"So it's settled. We'll try to get them in the band, and if not, then back to square one."
Our food arrived not long after, and picking up my chopsticks, I looked at my bowl. In between all the noodles, was many vibrant colored vegetables that looked quite delicious. I reached in and picked up a piece of broccoli and popped it in my mouth. I never had broccoli this well done before. I went for a carrot the next time, and it too was cooked to perfection, not losing the flavor, but not tasting bland either. This time I grabbed some noodles and slurped them into my mouth, tasting the delicious broth and green onions mixed in among the various greens and mushrooms. Naruto seemed to be in heaven and pulled out a piece of roasted pork and bit into it. He savored every bite and closed his eyes.
Soon our meals were finished, and my stomach had a happy warmth to it, that only came with a good meal. The waitress brought our checks to us, and Naruto grabbed it.
"I offered to bring you here, it's only right that I pay." He pulled out a couple bills and set them on the table.
"alright guys, well it's been real and it's been fun, but it hasn't been real fun. I gotta get going to take her home and be on time for SATs in the morning."
Everyone said their goodbyes, and with that we left the shop, leaving me a little surprised by what a great time I had had that night.
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I could be wrong, but I think this is the longest chapter I've ever written in my life. Well, keep checking for new updates. I'll try to post at least once a week. I have to write a new review every other week, and I'd like to keep on this one at least. As I stated earlier, I'll be bringing back Assassin's Creed, and have actually started on the next chapter, so that should be out later this week, probably Wednesday or so.
Until next time.