-TWO-

I kept thinking maybe this was some sort of cruel joke. That maybe, if I pinched myself hard enough I might wake up; keep blinking and it would all disappear.

My thoughts couldn't have been more wrong. No matter how many double takes the two of us took, he was still there.

Sasuke.

The boy from across the street.

My best friend.

The one I would have risked everything for .

The asshole who left, without a word.

I could still remember the day, almost a year after the incident, when I received his text after sending so many of my own. The demanding words stating how I should stop and keep myself out of his life, for I was just a stupid, annoying girl sticking my lovesick nose where it didn't belong.

I swear I didn't read it a billion times and sob into my pillow.

Okay, I did.

I know I shouldn't have. Though, I suppose if wouldn't have hurt so much then, if he wasn't my only friend.

Guess old flames die hard.

"Hey teme, over here!" Naruto yelled, frantically waving his arms to Sasuke. I watched as his eyes narrowed in response to his name being called before peeling himself off the wall, hesitantly making his way over. He stopped about arms length away.

"Dobe" he murmured. His voice barely a whisper, but just enough to send it echoing through my mind.

Naruto cried out, "What was that!?"

"I believe he just called you an idiot," Ino regained her composure long before I could, "Sasuke. Long time no see. It's been what, about seven years now?"

Really. That long?

"Aa."

"Huh," Naruto voiced his confusion, "You guys know each other?" Ino grinned, "Yeah. He used to be Forehead's neighbor. What a small world!"

I nodded. I just couldn't find any words to say. Hell, I could barely make eye contact.

"Whoa really!? Then why didn't you guys warn me!" Naruto frowned.

Ino shook her head, "Like we were supposed to know who you were talking about!"

"Honestly Naruto," I found my voice again, "it could have been anyone."

"But..but!"

Sasuke's scorn tore through the bickering, "Is this all?"

The silence that followed was full of nothing but party background noise. Ino inched closer to my ear, whispering "Was he always so bitter?" I shrugged.

"See what I mean," Naruto said finally, filling the awkwardness, "a complete teme!" He glared at Sasuke, who without even blinking, glared back. "I guess. If you don't want to stick aroun.."

"I don't." The coldness of Sasuke's words startled me. Though from the looks of it, it startled Ino and Naruto as well.

Naruto threw his hands up, "Tch. Bastard." Turning to Ino and me, giving us a sympathetic grin Naruto said, "Alright well, I have to show Sasuke the dorms and all that other junk. Call me when you guys get to campus, yeah?"

"Of course Naruto" I smiled. He grinned back. "What else would we do?" Ino replied.

We almost didn't notice Sasuke as he started for the front door.

"Guess we will see you around Sasuke!" Ino shouted. Naruto grinned at us once more before taking long strides to catch up to him, yelling at him to wait up.

I watched Sasuke slow his pace and turn his head slowly before replying, "I wouldn't count on it."

Note: It's been so long since I have written—I even forgot my old account -_-

I know this chapter is really short, I just wanted to get past all of the introduction stuff. It's always the hardest to write for me, bleh! I promise the next couple chapters will be much longer!

With that being said, still feel free to review and let me know what you think.

-A.A