Breaking The Habit

CHAPTER 2

Sakura wasn't happy at all. This wasn't something she would like to do, so instead of choosing clothes for the party in few hours she would much rather be doing homework. It was Friday night and she liked the idea of doing her homework rather today than on Saturday or Sunday, because that way she didn't have to worry for them anymore and they wouldn't distract her. She could have the whole weekend to herself... but no.

The world was against her tonight. She had promised Tenten that she would attend the next party with her and the brunette had not forgotten that promise like Sakura had wished for. Maybe she could knock Tenten out and lock her in a closet until the party was over so she didn't have to go. Or she could fall down the stairs and break her leg which means they need to go to the emergency. But none of that could work, because Tenten was watching her like a hawk.

"This will look good on you." Tenten turned away from the closet holding a dress full of sequins that made the piece of clothing look like a glitter jar. It was obviously short in length wise and had thin straps, not to mention it licked its users body.

Sakura's eyes widened in horror, "Absolutely not!" she got up from the bed covered with purple cover.

"Oh, come on. I wore this to the last party and it would suit you well. We're the same height and body built."

"No," Sakura glared, "I told you already; I won't wear a dress. I'm going there in my jeans and shirt."

"Unfortunately, you're not leaving this room in those." Tenten pointed at Sakura's clothes.

"What's wrong with these? They're comfortable and doesn't show too much like that," she motioned for the dress, "thing."

"It's not a thing." Tenten placed the dress carefully on the bed. "It's a dress and I won't allow even a foot of yours out of that door without something more appropriate for a party. Those jeans and shirt are okay in school but not in a party. Ino would rip my eyeballs out if she was to know that I allowed you there in those."

Sakura crossed her arms, "Since when have you befriended her?"

"I haven't befriended her." Tenten took an defensive stance. "She's in the cheerleading squat like I am and you know, like everybody, that looks are important to her. She buys a new bag every week so do you honestly think she'll allow you there dressed in those. She has a reputation to keep up"

"Which brings us to the subject of me not going there. As you can see," she motioned for her own clothes, "this is my style. Nothing major, just skinny jeans and a plain white shirt. I would die of embarrassment if I wore that to public so obviously I'm not suitable to go there."

"You're not going to be embarrassed. I'll be dressed like you; in a short dress." Tenten went for her closet and took a hanger which had a black one shoulder, mid-thigh length dress.

"I'll be wearing this and you that."

"No."

"Quit being so stubborn."

"You quit making me wear a damn dress."

"Fine." Tenten took the dress from the bed and threw it haphazardly into the closet. "But I'm still not going to let you wear those." She began rummaging through the closet once again muttering to herself. It took a while until she took a pair of jeans and threw them on Sakura. "Put those on."

Sakura allowed the jeans to unfold and her mouth dropped. "I can't wear these!"

"Of course, you can. They're skinny jeans just like you like them, except they're much more suitable for a party. It's either the ripped jeans or the dress." the brunette said while taking her blue shirt off and stripping from rest of her clothes. Her room was a mess, for clothes were thrown every corner of the room. It was a real miracle Tenten could even find anything in the room. Her table was covered in papers and school books and bed sheets were crumbled from last night.

As Tenten stood in her room only clad in her white underwear Sakura couldn't help herself, "It must be a miracle you're not changing even your underwear. You know," she shrugged her shoulders, "wear a thong or something."

"Thongs are overrated. Who wants a string all they way up in your ass." Sakura gave her friend a disapproving look.

"And I prefer hipsters like you so stop complaining or I'll make you wear thongs. And before you say anything, I'm not palnning on hooking up tonight at all." Tenten said while slipping the black dress over her head and down her body. It fit her perfectly. The usual tomboy turned into a girl. It was an odd match, for Sakura was so used to seeing Tenten wearing boyish clothes such as shorts and t-shirts, but something happened within her when she went for a party.

"Not even with Neji?"Sakura raised her eyebrow in challenge. She knew the long haired boy was her friend's weakness.

"Not even with him, and it's not like he's even interested."

"How do you know that?"

"We haven't talked since that day." There was a slight touch of longing in her voice. Sakura was well aware that Tenten has a huge crush on the Hyuga boy, but een though she's a cheerleader and a tomboy she can't confront him and tell him how she feels.

Sakura felt sorry for Tenten, because it must be hard not to be able to confess. Since freshman year Tenten's been head over heels for Neji. Her feelings have only increased as the time has went by for it seems that her reaction just strengthens every time she sees him.

During freshman year Tenten was having trouble with one of their classmates. Akira was his name. He bullied Tenten every time he could and few times caused Tenten to spill her food over her clothes. It was frustrating and even Sakura tried to make him stop but nothing helped except one time in the hall when Sakura and Tenten were walking to class Akira came and slapped Tenten's books on the floor. But as he started to sprint away in the crowded hall he was stopped like he had hit a wall.

He had bumped into Neji while trying to get away from the girls. Without a further apology to Neji he tried to side step him and continue his way but Neji grabbed his forearm.

"Where do you think you're going?" his voice was calm as ever. Even though, he was a freshman then like Sakura and Tenten, he had already gained some reputation in side the school walls. First of all he was a Hyuga and they own many museums and art galleries around the country. And of course, he's good friends with Uchiha Sasuke, the heir to Uchiha Inc. which is one of the leading construction and technology companies in the whole world.

Both of them have very known backgrounds so it's only inevitable for them to receive so much attention within the school walls.

And not only there's those two but then there's many other known people in their group of friends. Uzumaki Naruto and Akimichi Choji are both the son of famous restaurant owners; Yamanaka Ino's mother is a famous fashion designer; Nara Shikamaru is the son of the prime minister. But not all of their friends are rich and famous. There are few individuals that separate from them in that aspect; for instance, Inuzuka Kiba and few others. All of them have known each other long since childhood.

Sakura and Tenten had only known the group of friends since high school started and never have they interacted together before, for they have been on different classes. But this was the first time that Neji even looked their way. There was a small crease between his brows as he gazed at the boy who looked baffled for the taller boy was acting strange. Never has Neji bothered with him before.

"W-what?" he stammered blinking several times.

"I said;" Neji lowered his voice pulling the boy closer, "What do you think you're doing?"

Both Sakura and Tenten could only do what everyone else did; look at the scene unfold, and everyone looked as shocked as them.

"Going to class." Akira said getting out of the fog that had momentarily confused him.

"Apologize." It wasn't a request.

Akira looked the Hyuga straight in his eyes, "Sorr-"

"Not from me." Neji started to looked more and more pissed by the second. "From Tenten." And if Tenten was the kind of girl to faint she probably would have. Never would have she expected this kind of behavior from the Hyuga. It was utterly surreal. And that's when her crush started, when Neji pulled Akira to Tenten and made him apologize and pick up her stuff in front of everyone. And let's not forget how he asked if she was alright.

At that moment, something clicked inside her like a light pulp. She fell hard. That was two years ago.

"Why aren't you putting those on?" Tenten asked pointing the jeans in Sakura's hands. Sakura shook her head and placed the jeans on the only chair in the room. Quickly she took off her own jeans and replaced them with Tenten's. She wasn't even sure could they be called jeans for they were more like completely open from the front.

"They look good on you."

Sakura thanked the God that they were the same size with her friend. If the brunette was even a one size smaller than the jeans would make her look like a hooker trying to look thin in too small clothes. And that's definitely something she doesn't want, but she would still wear the jeans if there was no other option because she wasn't going to be seen in that skimpy dress.

"White is your color."

"You've said that before." Sakura commented dryly.

"I know, but still you don't seem to remember it. You seriously need more white clothes. You look like an angel when wearing them." Tenten said while she applied a little bit of mascara and a touch of lip gloss. When she was done she turned to Sakura, "Now you." she took steps closer to the pinkette, who backed away.

"No way! I'm already wearing these jeans that should be enough."

"It's either make-up or a shirt of my choice." Tenten smirked mischievously.

"I'll take the shirt."

"Good!" she hopped back into her closet and pulled a short top that would definitely show Sakura's stomach.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Sakura exclaimed as she looked at the short black t-shirt with a picture of a silhouette of Manhattan and a street name printed on it. "This isn't a shirt!"

"It's either this," she motioned for the shirt, "or this." she offered her make-up for Sakura.

Sakura gave a glare at Tenten and took the shirt from her hands. She was never going to go back to school after this night. Tomorrow when she went back home she would lock herself in her room and never come out. Her mother could leave her food on the floor next to her door and when she leaves she would take the dish and eat it, then put it back where she got it from.

Life would be easy that way. She would never talk to her mother again because she should have told no when Tenten came asking if Sakura could come over for a sleepover. And of course, the person Mebuki is she agreed and said it would be a good idea. And that's why Sakura is there right now, getting dressed up at Friday night for a party. Maybe she should have told her mom that Tenten intended to take her to a party. That way she might have been able to stay at home.

"Can I at least wear a top underneath?"

"No." her tone was final as she opened her hair from the two buns she usually wears.

"Fine." Begrudgingly Sakura which into Tenten's short and decided to avoid any mirrors through the night.

Sakura knew she has a body many would kill for, but she didn't like to show it off like some people in her school.

When their taxi pulled in front of Ino's manor Sakura felt like throwing up and run away as soon ass he can. This was not her place. She could easily see people dancing around the house through the windows and few people were almost eating each other up in the front lawn. Two girls walked or wobbled in through the gate meant for people, towards the house, which was located in the middle of the property, in their high heels.

The taxi driver had stopped in front of the gates that were closed and needed to be buzzed to be opened. Sakura felt slightly relieved of the fact that there wouldn't be any gatecrashers if everything went well.

"Are you sure we're gonna get in?" Sakura gave a skeptical look.

"Ino knows we're coming so of course." she pressed the buzzer and in few seconds a man answered asking for Tenten's name and just like that the gates were opened for them.

As they stepped into the property Sakura took hold of Tenten's hand who tried her best to not start laughing. But she can't help it. This is not her place to be and there was nothing more appealing right now than turn around and leave. However, Tenten was holding her hand back, her grip never wavering. There was no getting out of this promise.

Unconsciously pulling the short shirt lower Sakura stepped inside the front doors after Tenten. Latest hit music blasted all around the huge modern house and everywhere Sakura could look was filled with students she has seen at school dancing and mingling around. Some of them had plastic cups that had something bluish liquid in them. Tenten noticed Sakura's look, "It's punch."

"Non-alcoholic?"

"I don't know." Tenten smirked at the horrified look on Sakura's face. It was so amusing to watch.

"Sometimes it is and sometimes not." the brunette shrugged and pulled Sakura after her. They went to the left and through the living room in a huge dining room and finally reaching the kitchen. The kitchen was less crowded than any other room, for people were only allowed to come there to take their drinks.

Inuzuka Kiba was standing behind the kitchen island looking out for the kitchen as Tenten walked to him.

"What can I get for you ladies?" he smirked.

"Give us some punch." Tenten had to raise her voice to be heard over the loud music.

"Your wish is my command."

As Kiba filled two cups he looked questioningly at Sakura, "I thought that you're the bookworm type rather than a party animal?"

Sakura was stunned for a moment because of Kiba's question. They both knew each other from English class but neither had talked with each other much so it was odd that the football player would talk to her out of school. Luckily Tenten was the one to answer.

"She is, but she promised to come here."

"Let's hope this won't be her last one."

The approving look Kiba gave Sakura didn't go unnoticed by her and she had to fight against he blush that wanted to take over her face. She wasn't good with complements especially when one was coming from a boy her age.

She had known that there would be people who gave her the kind of looks Kiba was giving her but mentally preparing is not the same thing as the real thing, which is million times more embarrassing. The two brunettes joked with each other for a moment as Tenten handed Sakura her cup. She gave a small sniff to try and assess whether or not the punch had alcohol in it.

Tenten was too busy talking with Kiba that she didn't notice the small gesture and Sakura sighed in relief for now she didn't need to hear Tenten tease her of being so careful. And that thought aggravated her. She wasn't that careful. She could do risque thing like everyone else. So without a further ado Sakura tilted the cup and took a small taste of it.

And it tasted bad. And there was definitely alcohol in it. Sakura had to swallow hard not to start coughing her lungs out. Yep, partying wasn't for her.

Tenten's laugh got her attention and she turned to her friend who was bidding goodbyes with Kiba. She had already drank half of her cup and Sakura thought to herself that Tenten had to be used to drinking. It wasn't a thought that made her sad it just showed that they had different lives, but that didn't affect the way Sakura saw her. She was still her best friend.

"Let's go." Tenten mouthed to her and they left the room.

They conversed a while until a boy Sakura didn't know came to Tenten for a dance which she accepted. But before she was fully dragged further away in the living room she shouted at Sakura to have fun. It was the total opposite of what she had originally planned on doing. She planned on staying in a dim corner where no one could see her and hopefully in few hours she would be able to leave with Tenten.

But right now she needed air. The room was getting warmer by the minute as people danced everywhere. She saw a sliding door to the back yard in the kitchen and headed for it. Kiba instantly saw her in the kitchen and gave a smirk at her. She brushed it away and made her way after a couple through the sliding doors.

The backyard was covered with flagstones and a huge pool. There were few people in it but none of them seemed to be too warm in it for they soon got out. People were sitting on deck chair surrounding the pool. Few couples were kissing, but nonetheless it was less crowded in there and that gave a sense of calmness to Sakura as she took another sip from her drink.

She was still drinking her first and had only drank half of the drink while everyone else seemed to go for more. But it didn't matter if she tried her hardest to drink it slowly because it wasn't getting any better tasting. She amused in her head that she needed to probably wash her mouth with vinegar to get the taste out of her mouth.

Sakura took a notice of a guy wobbling her way. It was obvious that he was drunk; his eyes ere half-lidded and he smelled like one. She closed her eyes and wished he would just walk pass her and not give her any attention, but like most of the time it didn't work. He stopped next to her clumsily putting his hands into his pockets while trying to look good. And that wasn't working at all. It made him look even more drunk.

"Hey~"

"Hi."

"Would you-"

"No, so please go away." his breath smelled horrible and it took her entire will to not twist her face in disgust. He had apparently even thrown up at some point because the stinging smell made Sakura's stomach turn upside down.

"You haven't ev-"

"And I don't need to. Go away because I'm not interested."

"Don't be such a bitch." he emphasized the ending.

"I'm as much a bitch as I want and if you don't leave in the next ten seconds I'm gonna wipe your ass." Sakura was getting more and more annoyed by the minute. She wasn't interested in him and neither was she looking for a one night thing, and even less she wanted to be seen with the guy. To put it bluntly, if he didn't leave her alone soon then heads will fall off.

Sakura has never been the kind of girl to surrender easily. Well, she might have been when she was six or seven but then she met Tenten, the tomboy. She showed her that crying wasn't taking her anywhere and soon they became best friends. Also her parents made her attend self-defense class two years ago. She was ready to kick ass if needed.

Drinking the rest of her drink with one go Sakura praised herself for that. It still tasted bad and she didn't puke all over the place like she had thought.

She was done with the guy. He was still hovering next to her maybe trying to look her properly because of the way he squinted his eyes. Something flashed in his eyes as he saw the way she drank her cup empty. As she was stretching her arm to put the cup on a table filled with similar ones to guy grabbed her arm and forcefully pulled her to his chest.

Sakura was so in shock that she couldn't even scream when her side hit his chest. Unfortunately the move he pulled seemed too forceful for him, too, and he lost his balance bringing Sakura on the ground with him. Her head and back collided painfully with the flagstone as the guy somehow got them twisted and he fell on top of her.

Sakura's air was knocked out of her and she had to cough to get her lungs to work properly. The guy on top of her didn't help the situation at all since he couldn't even hold himself upright and was plain lying on top of Sakura. She felt horrified because she knew things about man's body and she had a very good idea what was poking her thigh. Never has she experiences anything as revolting as this.

"If you wanted to do it right here, you should have told me."

Saying she was nauseated was an understatement. The way his stunk all over almost made Sakura's eyes water. She needed to get out under him because this was definitely not going in the direction she wanted. His other hand had somehow found its way to her waist and was clumsily caressing her skin. Now she regretted wearing Tenten's clothes more than ever.

She tried pushing his away but he was taller than her and had a bigger body mass which wasn't helping.

"Let me go!" Sakura tried to yell, but it came as a quiet rasp. She continued to push his chest but he wasn't wavering on top of her and instead was tightening his grip on her. And then suddenly he was gone.

A shadow cast upon her made her flinch for a moment she thought that the guy was coming back.

"What's going on?" Kiba's familiar voice mused as he held the guy from the back of his t-shirt. The boy hanged like a ragdoll making no movements to try and escape.

"Kiba?" another voice came closer and as Sakura got up she noticed Uzumaki Naruto scratching his head confused. "You do know Ino's gonna kick your ass if you beat someone?" Naruto sounded displeased as he gave a small glare at his brown haired friend.

"I ain't kicking anyone's ass. I'm saving a damsel in distress." Naruto looked pass Kiba and the boy to Sakura who looked flushed.

"Oi!" a recognition flashed in his face, "You're Tenten's friend from school, right? We're in the same math class."

"Yeah, I am."

He scratched his head again. "Hmm, what your name was again? It started with an s and I've heard Kakashi-sensei say it before."

"It's Sakura, you idiot." Kiba growled annoyed and threw the guy on the ground but not before telling him to piss off, which he did relatively quickly if you thought in what condition he was.

"Who are you calling an idiot!"

"Isn't it obvious!"

"Well if I'm an idiot then are you!"

Kiba was just starting to answer, "Hey!" Sakura yelled instead glaring both of them. "Do you honestly have to, right now?"

Sakura wasn't happy. First of all she was in a place in which she definitely didn't want be in the whole universe and second guys seemed to surround her everywhere she went. All she wants is a little time alone. Is that too much to ask? Apparently, so inevitably she was getting annoyed and angry by the second. Being a drool tree for men wasn't something she enjoyed. She would rather hit her head on a stone wall.

And let's not forget the fact that she hit her head on the flagstones and was now suffering from a small headache. This wasn't her day.

"Sorry." Naruto quickly mumbled and lowered his head.

A small moment of silence fell upon them until Naruto suddenly looks like he remembered something and Sakura was just able to hear him curse under his breath before he left in a hurry leaving Sakura and Kiba dumbfounded alone.

"What the.."

A brisk wind blew across the back yard giving goosebumps to Sakura. She shivered and rubbed her arms to get the cold feeling out of her body. Deciding that she no longer needed the fresh air without a further notice to Kiba she walked pass him to the direction Naruto left. Planning on finding Tenten and negotiate the idea of leaving the party Sakura stepped inside the how Kiba following closely behind.

Kiba closed the door after them and before Sakura reached the door of the kitchen he stopped her.

"Do you want another drink?" Sakura thought for a moment of plainly ignoring him but that would be mean and KIba is known for being persistent. He would probably still come after her and offer a drink.

Her arms crossed over her chest she turned around to see Kiba offering a plastic cup in her way. She took it and took a sip from it - to show him that she wasn't going to throw it away, for he had a glint of doubt in his eyes - before turning to leave the kitchen. She didn't feel comfortable in a boy's presence right now and for a good reason, even though the boy was someone she knew. Well, not as a friend but more like a acquaintance. Tenten was still the one who knew all the football players in their school and that was fine by her. She didn't need anymore friends except Tenten.

"Wait a minute!" Kiba stopped her once again and she pursed her lips in annoyance while giving a glare. "Why in such a hurry?"

"I just want to find Tenten so leave me be." she made another attempt in leaving but this time Kiba came in front of her.

"Can I at least have a dance?" the was a glint in his eyes that made Sakura restless. She wasn't sure what it was but something in her mind was telling her to quickly find Tenten and get out this guy's sight.

"I'm not interested." she snapped and tried to get out of the kitchen. But as she took a step to the side her world tilted. At first she wasn't aware of it because Kiba grabbed her hand making her want to yell at him but when the motion towards the ground continued she was sure it had nothing to do with the brown haired boy. Slowly her sight became more blurry and her she was sure that she had dropped the cup somewhere.

Her muscles felt heavier as she tried to get out of Kiba's hold which was the only thing keeping her standing and not collapsing on the ground.

Kiba was talking to her. She wasn't completely sure what he was saying but it sounded something like calm down, but she couldn't say for sure. A panic bubbled from somewhere deep inside her as she realized that this was completely abnormal. She wasn't that drunk! She hadn't even have that much to drink and now she felt like she was wasted. This shouldn't be possible!

But as she tried to get in contact with the part of her brain that made the thinking part it was hard, even impossible. Just as her world became blurrier also her mind seemed to be in a similar haze. Nothing worked like it used to and the only thing she was aware was the way that Kiba had draped her arm over his shoulders and was leading her somewhere.

A very quick update as you can see. I hope you like this on as much as you liked the first one. I'm trying no to let this story stretch forever so my goal is to update this and Immortal Death at least once a week from now on.

Sakura was a bit angry in this but I don't blame her. I would too if someone was to drag me to a party. And not to forget that there would be boys harassing me everywhere.

Thanks for everyone who reviewed:

dino

ElevatedJewel

savemechocolate

sakuracute13

Yamora Love n Friendship

EmberChance

and one guest.

I promise that I will post the next one at its latest next Sunday.

Please review and tell me what are your thoughts of what will happen to Sakura? I would really like to know.

- Jakura