Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 1: Her Story, Age 12
It was a peaceful day at Konoha as the sun brought warmth to my cheeks. As I walked in the hallway, I went through the lines inside my head for the final time. I was twelve – and naïve – as I nervously stepped inside the classroom.
When I saw the dark figure inside turn towards me, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Who would've thought he'd actually come?
He seemed to take one glance at me, then confirmed, "So it was you," as he held up a small note.
I had put a note in his locker, asking him to come by our homeroom class after school. Typical, I know, but I couldn't think of any better way to tell him; I desperately wanted to express my feelings.
He was standing by the window, light pouring out from behind, shading his figure to darkness. Perhaps it was better this way, to be unable to see his expression… if he were to say the opposite of what I felt.
After a strained moment of awkward silence, he spoke up with a questioning "So?"
The lines I've practiced over and over in my head the past few days – considering how good I was at memorizing and taking in information – melted to a white blankness. I had been coming up with great, romantic exclaims and compliments that would persuade him to see how much I adored him – beyond my usual image as a fangirl. But, they were gone.
I like you, Sasuke.
I didn't want to stutter so I hopelessly let myself be calmed for a second or so when I heard my heart beating faster and faster. My senses heightened sharply as well, as I heard a massive approach of footsteps from far away.
Tok. Tok.
TOK. TOK.
The sound increased as my head felt spinning flood of confused emotions pour inside.
I like you, Sasuke. I always had, and I might have been obvious to you, but I like you beyond a mere fangirl.
I like you.
As the thundering sound of the footsteps and my heartbeat and the sharp intakes of my breath grew louder, I squeezed my fist hard, feeling my nails digging deep inside.
Before I froze up entirely, Sasuke suddenly spoke my name with alert, "Sakura?"
As if his voice was the trigger – the sound of him calling my name repeatedly pounding inside my head – I nearly shouted as I confessed the four words that were playing inside my mind… Just as the class door banged open.
"I LIKE YOU, SASUKE!" seemed to be echoing, playing endlessly inside the minds of the sudden intrusion of the class.
I opened my eyes that I had squeezed shut, and when I looked at Sasuke, the darkness continued to hide whatever expression he was making then.
Probably a smirk.
And I knew. I could not avoid the large presence behind me. I could not picture the entire class not staring wide-eyed at my confession.
When I stole a last look on Sasuke, only silence clung to his lips, his posture unchanged. Burning humiliation building inside me, I turned around to face the class. The silent spell passed just then, as they opened their mouths one by one to begin voicing out their surprise.
"OUT!" I exclaimed in anger, followed by a shrinking embarrassment, "… of my way."
The class made path as I pushed through the crowds and out through the hallway. Without looking back, I ran home.
Stupid Sasuke. Why didn't he say anything?
My cheeks were burning with a deep shade of red and I bit on my lips as I crashed inside my home and quickly took a cold shower to subdue my embarrassment.
. . .
I am so stupid.
How did I ever plan this confession to be on a Wednesday? If I had confessed to him on a Friday, at least I wouldn't have to face anyone for two days.
I sulked endlessly as I reached school.
When I arrived, I tried my best to refrain from standing out, so I quietly slid the classroom door open. My eyes immediately shot up at the annoying blond by the blackboard.
Uzumaki Naruto.
I groaned as he turned to face me with that stupid, silly smile of his that quickly transformed to a helpless snicker. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, who broke to helpless snickers as well, as my eyes widened at the chalkboard.
Naruto and a few other boys had written endless claims like "Sakura loves Sasuke." And "Sakura wants to be an Uchiha when she grows up," which were decorated with varying sizes of hearts.
However, it only got worse as my eyes shifted to the centre: an original Naruto-style drawing of me and Sasuke… Kissing!
Ridiculous! I thought before a pink crept into my cheeks.
The pink was replaced as a red slapped across my face when the class roared out into laughter so I marched to the centre. I pounded my fists as I shouted something I regretted the second after.
"I HATE SASUKE!"
The timing could not have been worse when Sasuke walked in. Immediately grasping the situation, Sasuke took the blackboard eraser and swiped it clean. When he turned to look at me after, I knew I had made a mistake. His fiery red eyes glared at me, which were almost too painful – and frightening – to bear.
Sasuke composed himself the next second, and then let out a smirk.
Eyeing the class this time, he said, "Hn. Who would ever like Haruno Sakura."
It sounded like a statement.
While the class remained silent, a more tangible form of my word of hatred formed in my heart. This, however, could not stop the tears welling in my eyes.
It brought such hot shame to be rejected by the one you like, but in front of such a crowd? Then, mercilessly, the control to stop my tears could not even be granted.
After a second or two, I forced my legs to step out of the class. And, for the first time. I skipped a class.
A/N: … I originally planned to have the first two chapters as a prologue, but I knew, knowing my writing pace, I would not be writing a forever-long story. It sucks that the main plot hasn't even been introduced yet..
