Author's Note(Please Read): Please forgive me for my absence this few months, I was way too busy with school, and when I'm finally done and log into my account using my brother's computer I have a huge argument with him and he ends up deleting my stories! I was so mad at him! But, after calming myself down and thinking well, I looked at the bright side of things and thought that I should start writing something new, something refreshing – a romantic comedy. So, I hope you enjoy this story very much and can somehow relate to the things that go on in it :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters, just the plot.

The Datables

Single: a person not married or in a romantic relationship

Desperate: involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration

Chapter One

I let out a small and low yawn as I took another look at the clock. Two minutes before lunch, I'm starving, I thought, embracing my stomach, thinking of the delicious food in my bento box.

"Who can tell me why--?" the bell rang. Kurenai sighed, putting one hand on her hip, "Homework for tomorrow" – everyone groaned, I let out a small sigh, I'm totally used to getting work every single day – "I want you to look for information about the first Hokage, read it well because on our next class I'll ask questions. You're dismissed"

I stood up, alongside everyone else, and took out my lime green bento bag from my red shoulder school bag.

"Hey Sakura." I turned to the source of the voice and saw none other than Yamanaka Ino, my childhood best friend, "Can I go to your house after school? My dad got so pissed the other night because I came home like…I don't know, ten minutes after my curfew?" we walked out to the hall.

"Ino, you arrived an hour late." Ino stared at me, as if now realizing that.

"Oh…well, anyways, I just want to use your laptop to look for that information thing, I really need those points."

"Sure thing." I smiled.

"Alright, we'll meet at the curve as always. See you later!" Ino waved her hand and ran off.

I sighed.

Ever since high school, wait no, ever since middle school, Ino and I have had this secret friendship. You see, Ino hangs out with Karin and Kin, who can be bitchy if you come in their way (if not then they don't even acknowledge your existence) and everyone knows who they are – so yeah, they are popular. Ino fears that if they see her with me her whole reputation will be ruined, and she cares quite a lot about it. Pretty idiotic in my opinion, but Ino is my best friend, she has always been, and hopefully she'll always be (BFFN! Best Friend's For Now!)

I stepped inside the cafeteria – a jungle where all the animals are hungry – and spotted my other friends sitting on our usual table.

"It was amazing, I tell you!" my best friend Naruto said.

"What was amazing?" I sat next to Hyuuga Hinata – most people know her as Neji's cousin, and the other people don't know her at all because she's shy, quiet, and reserved, but the truth is that she is a great girl, not to mention pretty as well.

"Driving to school with my Super Jetta." Naruto said proudly, "That's the best car in the world!"

I rolled my eyes as I took out my cute bento box, "Right Naruto. Super Jetta is awesome." – Note the sarcasm please.

"Damn right it is! And you guys have to see it after school! In fact, I'll drive everyone to their house!" He grinned from ear to ear, and started telling everyone how awesome his Jetta was – or how he calls it, Super Jetta – while eating ramen.

Uzumaki Naruto is surely very loud mouthed, he's energetic as hell and rather annoying at times, but you can never miss the fact that he is a total sweetheart who's been there for me ever since our first day in elementary school. Naruto is my best friend, I'd run miles for him – and everyone knows that I'm not the best at sports.

"No thank you Naruto." Sai smiled – he always tries to be friendly, and sometimes he is - "I don't think your piece of crap Jetta is safe.", but sometimes he just isn't.

You see, Sai isn't the best at expressing his emotions and how he feels, reason why when he first came we didn't get along at all. But after months of getting to know and understand each other we've accepted Sai in our little group and is now one of our friends, plus he has also opened up more and has been friendlier – he still isn't so good at it, but we appreciate the effort. Other than that, Sai is a cool guy that can draw amazingly.

"Super Jetta isn't a piece of crap!" Naruto retorted, "It's awesome, amazing! It's – It's…Super Jetta!"

"Mhm…", Sai replied with his gaze on his sketch pad. Naruto growled in frustration, moving his hands through his hair wildly.

"Tell him Sakura-chan! Tell him!"

I sighed, I was the only one who had seen the car inside and out, seeing as Naruto picked me up today.

Supper Jetta is the definition of first car, of high school car. The red 1987 car has a…particular style, strong tape holds the bumper with the hood, two windows can't roll down, a piece of branch maintains the right mirror in its place, it doesn't have a radio – and thus Naruto has his own radio in the backseat – no air conditioning, and you can see the inside of the passenger seat.

"It's umm…" awesome? Amazing? "Well…it's Naruto's first car." I smiled.

"And so it's bound to be awesome!" Naruto said proudly, "You would ride it, right Hinata-chan?"

A red blush covered Hinata's cheeks; she smiled gently and nodded, "Of course Naruto-k-kun." I smiled and ate some rice.

Oh! High school love is so…so…well, I honestly don't know an exact word for it, but it's just…longed for. Many girls imagine they have their ideal boyfriend in high school, someone who will wait for them after school, sit with them and her friends at lunch, and if not, then he would stare at her from her table and when she notices he's starting, he would smile at her from his table and she would smile back, showing that no matter how far apart they are they still feel that way about each other! And then on the night of their prom, they would dance together and-!

"Sakura-chan?" Oh, great, the same thing always happens to me, now Hinata must think I'm crazy.

"Yes?"

"Are you alright?" she asked gently.

"Oh." I blushed and laughed, "I'm fine Hinata-chan, just thinking."

"Oh…" she smiled and kept eating.

I sighed.

At that very moment,

My eyes traveled to him.

He had just walked in, looking as hot as ever in his school uniform, amazing how I had not seen him throughout the morning. Since I was young, I had imagined myself being Uchiha Sasuke's girlfriend – I must confess, I was his fan girl – but as years went by and he did not notice me at all, even when Naruto was practically his best friend, my feelings for him slightly faded away and they vanished when he changed schools. But all of that changed when he came back this year.

"Oiiii!" Naruto waved his hand on my face.

"Huh? What happened?" Not again, I mentally groaned.

"I should be asking you that! You were staring at nothing!"

"Well I was just thinking Naruto." Naruto stared at me suspiciously and swallowed some of his ramen.

"…you think too much Sakura-chan."

I rolled my eyes, Something you don't do much Naruto, I ignored the urge to say that out loud and drank some water.

Sasuke calmly made his way to an empty table with a food tray. He seemed annoyed or mad, what was wrong with him? I wish I was a close friend – more like his close girlfriend – to ask him what was going on and know more about him and help him.

What goes through your mind Sasuke-kun?

The bell rang, and thus, lunch was over.

"Remember, we'll meet up after school because I'm going to drive everyone to their house." Naruto said as we stood up.

Hinata nodded, "H-hai Naruto." she smiled. Sai nodded, willing to try out what he had called an unsafe piece of crap.

"Sorry Naruto." Naruto's smile turned upside down, "I'm walking home with Ino." I smiled.

"You're still friends with her?" Naruto asked as we walked out.

"Of course Naruto."

"But she hangs out with them, the bitchy whores."

I laughed, "So? She can still be my friend. As long as I don't come in their path, they'll never take acknowledge of my existence."

Naruto looked thoughtful for a second, "True, but still Sakura-chan! If she was our true friend, she'd be hanging out with us!"

Well…Naruto did have a point. Whatever happened to 'being with you no matter what'?

I sighed, "But you know how Ino is." Difficult…

We parted ways to go into the locker rooms and change. Our P.E uniform consisted of red regulation shorts (like our pleated skirt), a simple white T-shirt with the school's shield on the left sleeve, white socks and sneakers. Simple, breezy, and perfect for P.E.

Even though I'm not the best at sports, I like P.E.

Why?

Simple…

Because I can see Uchiha Sasuke sweat.

Not only is he smart, and amazingly good looking, he is also a great athlete. I've noted, that he is best at running and doing aerobics, rather than at an exact sport (although he is still good at them). He isn't in any school team, or club, or anything, maybe that's just not his thing but hell, I don't mind that at all!

"Okay everyone gather up!" Anko yelled after blowing her whistle, "I want the guys to do crunches and push-ups." – some guys groaned – "and I want the girls to run." – most girls groaned – Anko blew that loud whistle shutting everyone up, "No go!"

"I dislike running." Hinata walked by me to the starting line.

"Lucky Ten-Ten isn't here, she loves everything about P.E." Hinata giggled, "I reckon she would've nagged to you."

We started stretching waiting for Anko to come to us once she's done giving the instructions to the guys. The day was beautiful, there was hardly a cloud covering the sky, and the Sun shone brightly.

"Okay girls listen up." Everyone turned to her, "I want you to run three laps around the court" – some complained – "It's simple, and you'll be done before you know it. Once you're done, you have the rest of the class free."
"Hai!"

"Alright, ready, set." She blew her whistle and we started running. Some girls were ahead of me, others were behind. Hinata was keeping up with me, and Ino was a little behind with Karin and Kin.

"I really…dislike, running." Hinata said in between breaths.

"Come on, we can finish."

I looked at Sasuke. Naruto was standing on his feet while he did crunches, counting how many he did. Sasuke went up and blew some air and went back down before going back up.

He looked so…hot doing crunches. Wow.

The way his hair moved when he went up, getting off his face, and then getting on his face when he moved down. He did it as if it were a piece of cake, he probably does crunches every day – and push-ups too.

His body must look…amazing. Some abs there, and some muscles over there, but not brawn, perfect.

Just the way I like it.

I opened my eyes widely and my cheeks grew incredibly warm. Haruno Sakura! Stop it with those filthy thoughts!

Hinata gasped and came to a halt before taking hold of my shoulders and stopping me as well.

"S-Sakura-chan, are you alright?"

I nodded breathlessly, still feeling warm around my cheeks.

"You look red, I think you should sit down for a bit." She suggested worriedly.

"Is everything alright girls?" Anko asked approaching. No! everything is not alright Anko! I'm becoming…I'm becoming…Kakashi-sensei!

Girls ran by us, though Ino stopped and looked at me worriedly.

"Haruno-san." Anko called.

"Oi! Is everything alright?!" I heard Naruto yell. I looked at him and I met with Sasuke eyes for the first time today.
"Everything's fine Naruto! Everyone keep doing what I told you to do!" Anko retorted. I let out some air; I can't possibly be like Kakashi-sensei. That will never ever, ever happen!

"I-I'm fine." I finally spoke, relief filled Hinata's face, "Just…" Thinking? I've used that excused so much today, "The sun is just really hot. I forgot to breathe for a second." I laughed nervously, "I guess they have to give us breathing lessons at school!"

…and that was my sad attempt at humor.

How pathetic.

Anko looked at me weirdly, "Right, well, keep running and…don't forget to breathe." – Ino looked at me weirdly before turning her heel to keep running. "Hyuuga, keep an eye on your friend."

"H-Hai." Hinata nodded. Anko ran off with the boys, and Hinata and I started jogging – with her hand pressing against my back gently.

That was…humiliating as hell.

I sighed and closed the small locker for my uwabaki. I slide on my pair of black classic penny loafers before walking out. School has finally finish, Hinata and Sai left with Naruto – though Sai wasn't pleased at all when he saw Naruto's car.

"I was wrong Naruto-kun." He had said, "Your car isn't a piece of crap…it's more like mere shit all put together forming this so called car." And he smiled, probably thinking that honesty is the way to a great friendship (which is)

Naruto growled and Hinata smiled nervously, trying to calm down the blonde.

"TAKE THAT BACK!"

Sai looked at me innocently and confused, "Did I do something wrong Sakura-chan?" I smiled and patted him on the back while Naruto kept yelling at him and Hinata restrained him from killing the confused boy.

I inhaled the afternoon's air and started walking to the school's gate. Once I turned right, holding my school bag with both hands against my lap, and there I saw Ino, sitting on the curve looking rather…

"Why did you take so long Sakura?!"

Irritated.

I laughed nervously, "Gomen Ino, I wanted to see Sai's reaction when he saw Naruto's car." And that's the truth I may add.

"Oh…" Ino's face calmed, she then snorted and rolled her eyes, "Naruto's car sure is something." I laughed and we started walking side by side.

"Give him a break, it's his first car. He's lucky to even have one in my opinion."

"Daddy promised me he'd give me one before I graduate." I saw fire and determination in her eyes – rather scary if you ask me – "And I'll make sure I get it!!" she closed her right hand into a tight fist and air exhaled through her nose like a bull.

I smiled nervously before I started laughing out loud at her strange behavior.

I bet a million dollars that Ino doesn't act this way with the two K's, and I understand actually. People tend to be more outgoing with their close friends, people who they know won't judge them at all for the way they are and the things they say because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind (1)

"I don't think that's funny at all forehead." She said.

I glared at her, "Well I think it is pig!" and I stuck out my tongue. She stuck out her tongue as well before giggling for a few seconds and sighing.

Yes, Ino is my best girl friend.

And the two K's can't do anything about that.

…mainly because they don't know…but they just can't!

"So…" Ino said after a little while, "I saw you staring at Uchiha Sasuke at lunch." I blushed and quickly looked at her with eyes wide open.

"I recent that! I was not staring at Uchiha Sasuke at all!" I said defensively, "I was merely staring at nothingness and he just happened to be there."

"Mhm…and I'm guessing he was also just there during P.E. while we ran." I gasped. What was I going to say to that?

…shit, was I really that obvious?

I closed my mouth tightly.

Ino laughed, "And what the hell was that? I guess they have to give us breathing lessons at school!" she laughed louder and I scowled at her – sure it was a pathetic attempt at humor, but…but…at least I tried! Anko thought that comment was so weird, that she forgot what had happened, so HA! Mission accomplished – "Oh Sakura…" she put her hand around my shoulder pulling me closer to her, "I can't believe you're still crushing on him."

"…I can't believe you aren't…" I said lowly – wait…that's good actually…

"For your information Haruno Sakura, I have my eyes on another guy, and he is perfect for me thank you very much!" she said proudly. I gasped, pushing myself away from her.

"Who?!"

She raised her chin up proudly, "You'll see."

I glared at her and decided to not keep asking her. Once Ino made up her mind about something, nothing would stop her. Ino sighed.

"But Sakura, you've been crushing on him since…wow…"

"Technically, I've only been crushing on him since he arrived this year. I forgot about him when he left, remember?"

"But still, why don't you just tell the guy how you feel like every other girl?"

I snorted, rolling my eyes in the process, "Easier said than done…"

Oh right, it's easy to walk over to the guy you don't talk with much and that you've liked since…well let's be honest here, since forever, and tell him how what you think about him and how you feel about him. Oh yes, piece of cake.

I'm not an expert at this whole love thing, sure I've been on a couple of dates before (only six, and half of them were blind dates made by Ino), but I've never been part of something so serious, I've never actually confessed to someone.

I'm a complete novice at this whole thing, just like half of the high school girl's population. If I'm not mistaken, a lot of girls at my school are single, and have probably been single for their whole lives. They may like a guy right now, but they just don't know what, how, or when to tell them, or even if they should tell them – they are afraid to take such a big step that may end up breaking their hearts into little pieces.

"Ino…"

"Hm?" after a few seconds of silence, she looked at me curiously.

"Have you ever taken notice of how many single girls are at school?"

"What kind of question is that Sa--?"

I came to a halt, and so did her, "I mean, a lot of girls are wondering whether they'll find that guy at school or not…whether they are datable or not." She kept looking at me straight in the eye, "Or – or maybe there are girls at school thinking every minute, every hour, and every day of that one special guy in their class that they like the most. Daydreaming about them, admiring every step they take and every word they say, but wondering whether or not they should tell him how they truly feel about him, because they are afraid he'll reject them. Because some, maybe all of them!" – I gestured my hands in a big circle – "Prefer being friends with him, or maybe just a simple classmate, than being nothing at all, because they think that they have more chances of interacting with him as a classmate than not interacting at all because he rejected them."

"And – A-And, I believe that they need someone to help them through all of that, someone who can give them confidence and just make them…datable." A small smiled formed on Ino's face, "Someone who knows how they feel."

"Someone like you."

My mind went blank; no words could come out of my mouth…

…a bird flew by, chirping calmly through the afternoon sky…

"NANI?!"

What is she THINKING?!

Ino rolled her eyes, "Oh come on Sakura, you know exactly how they feel, so who can help them more than you?"

"HELLO! Earth to Ino, how can someone that needs help with dating help others with that exact-same-problem?! And…how the hell am I suppose to do that? …not saying that I will do it, but how? Care to explain!"

I tapped my foot impatiently while Ino looked thoughtful.

…a group of birds flew by, chirping calmly…

"Well." She finally spoke, "You can always start a school club."

"A school club?!" I retorted a loud as ever, "Oh of course, I'm going to go to Tsunade-sama's office and calmly suggest that we make a school club that will help un-datable high school girls become datable and finally make a move to be with the guy they like. And, we shall put papers all around the school saying that a new club as opened for single girls that are looking for help and advice at the subject of dating, and they will be given by someone who knows LITTLE about dating! …wow…"

Ino poked my forehead, "Jeez, and to think you are one of the smartest at school."

I scowled, rubbing my forehead.

"You are not going to Tsunade's office and say such a stupid thing, instead of suggesting a dating club, suggest something more…normal as a school club, something like archery, or whatever, a book club! There isn't one at school!" she smiled, "And since it's an idea coming from you, Tsunade-sama won't say no. And so, the so called book club is actually your little dating club."

"So…you – you want me to…to lie to our headmistress!" I couldn't do such thing, it's Tsunade! I respect her too much.

"It's a little white lie Sakura." Little white lie?! "It's either lying to Tsunade and starting that club that may help a lot of girls, or deciding not to lie and see how sad a lot of girls get when they see their crush going out with another girl. Which one is better?"

Which one is better?

I lowered my gaze;

It's obvious which is better.

I wouldn't like to see Sasuke with another girl.

"But…I can't be the one to do it Ino – I just can't!"

"Give me one reason why you can't!" I opened my mouth to give her the reason – the same one I've been giving her since this whole idea started – "Excluding that one!" damn it.

"I…well – I." she smiled victoriously, "I have important meetings to attend as a member of the student council!" I said victoriously.

"You're a vocal."

"And I have my job to do."

"They chose you because you complained that you wanted to be part, in other words, you do nothing."

I glared at her.

"Sakura." She placed her hands on my shoulders, "Stop complaining and putting excuses to not do what you believe is the right thing to do. Stop waiting for other people to start making changes, and do them yourself. You know you want to do this, why don't you just do it?"

"…but, what if Tsunade-sama doesn't let me?"

"Then at least you can say you tried."

"But--!"
"No more buts forehead, I'm getting annoyed as hell! Tomorrow you are going to Tsunade's office and you are going to tell her that you would like to start a book club, afterwards, come what may. Hai?"

I licked my lips and slowly nodded, "…hai."

She smiled and started to walk again.

But…

But…

"But Ino!"

"What now?!"

"Are you going to be there when I don't know what to do? Will you help me in all of this? Are you – Will you support me?"

A small smile formed across Ino's face, "No matter what."

I couldn't help but to smile, an unsure and small smile…but a smile nonetheless.

My name?

My name is Haruno Sakura.

I'm a sixteen year old high school girl looking for a lot of answers in her life, but most importantly, looking for a way to her crushes heart. I have an amazing group of friends whom I can always count on. And from this day forward, I'm the president of The Book Club, secretly known as The Dating Club, and its members will be known as

The Datables.

To Be Continued…

(1) Dr. Seuss quote.

Author's Note: Well, what do you think of the first chapter? It took some time to finally finish it, but I have to say that I like the outcome of it and hopefully you too. So please, please review. Your thoughts about this and your opinions are the only thing that will make me continue the story and will pump me up to write another chapter. Again, Please Review.

-Mary.Sweets :)