Based off of the other thing.
I don't own Naruto.
"Of course I'll be there. I keep saying I'll be there and everybody says I won't," she sighed, placing her elbow on the table as she leaned forward. "I'm not going to flake out. I've taken a day off at the hospital and everything for this."
"It's not that I don't believe you, Forehead," her friend returned, an eyebrow quirking upwards as she leaned in as well. "It's just that you keep having things come up at the last second before we go out, or stay in, or have plans to do anything."
"It's not like it's about you," Sakura muttered before she could stop herself, her eyes widening as she registered what she had said.
Ino immediately leaned back in her chair, tilting it back as she looked around for their server.
"Ino, I -"
"Save it, Forehead. I know it's not about me. I'm just worried about you, that's all."
"There's no reason to be worried, Pig! I can handle myself -"
"Handle yourself? Against what?"
Sakura froze, realising her mistake. Nobody outside of her home knew what was really going on. She had worked hard to keep it that way.
"The stress, Pig. I'm stressed out, I keep getting called into these shifts at the hospital, and I'm still recovering from that stomach bug..."
Ino's expression softened as she uttered her excuses and she felt her stomach sink. She was lying to her friend, her best friend, and that best friend was sympathetic. Sakura did not deserve sympathy. She didn't deserve anything kind.
"If you ever need me to cover a shift for you, Sakura, you know you can call me," Ino said with a small smile, reaching out to place her hand on Sakura's forearm. This kindness was another jolt to her stomach.
"I know, Ino. Thank you."