A/N: People are asking if this is finished since I originally posted it in 2008. Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Yes, it's finished, but I have to edit and change a bunch of stuff and freaking re-write every single section with a less-than-three because FF is dumb and hates that symbol for some stupidly unknown reason... I JUST GOT MADDER BECAUSE I TRIED TO DO MY ANGRY FACE BUT IT HAS A LESS-THAN-THREE SO I CAN'T!
Also, like I said, 2008, so there were no smart phones. Or they were too expensive for Sasuke and Naruto |D So they're using old flip-phones. Remember those?! I miss those...
Disclaimer: I was hoping after years of being dormant, Kishimoto Masashi would have forgotten me. No dice. Come on, dude, the manga's over! You don't even NEED Kiba anymore!
The weekend went by much too quickly, in Sasuke's opinion. Never had he had so much fun during the weekend. Usually it was slow, and long, but this time had felt like nothing at all. He felt almost sad saying bye to Rammy on Sunday night, even though the other had insisted he was always around.
It wasn't the same. Sasuke knew that once he went back to school, he would be friendless again. Even if he came home to Rammy, he was alone at school. Surrounded by fakers. Bored during break. He didn't want to go. He wanted to stay and talk to Rammy.
Fuck, now he felt like he was being obsessive, and that worried him. What if he scared Rammy or something? He'd already admitted to the other that he was his first real "I guess" friend.
Rah-rah-ramen: You're really bummed about this, huh? :(
RedEyes: Whatever, it's fine. I'll live.
He shifted in his chair, glancing at the time. He had to head out for school in a few minutes, otherwise he'd be late.
RedEyes: Thanks for coming on this morning to indulge a psycho.
Rah-rah-ramen: You're not a psycho, dude.
Rah-rah-ramen: But...
Rah-rah-ramen: -sigh-
Sasuke frowned at the other's reaction, about to ask him what was wrong when Rammy sent him a series of numbers. His frown deepened as confusion set in.
RedEyes: What's that?
Rah-rah-ramen: Oh come on! Don't tell me you're THAT technologically impaired!
Rah-rah-ramen: It's my PHONE NUMBER!
"Oh... right. Yeah, I should've caught that..." He felt like an idiot. And he wasn't about to let Rammy make him feel like more of one.
RedEyes: I KNOW it's your phone number, dumbass.
**RedEyes has just drop-kicked Rah-rah-ramen across the room!**
RedEyes: I meant what's that, as in, why are you giving it to me?
Rah-rah-ramen: You were making me feel bad.
Rah-rah-ramen: I know what it's like not having friends. I was there, but I've got two or three really solid friends now :) But I know what it's like not to have any.
Rah-rah-ramen: Just figured I'd give you the option of talking to me if you wanted to.
Rah-rah-ramen: You don't have to. Just laying it out there.
RedEyes: Isn't this dangerous?
Rah-rah-ramen: Uh... Well, unless you're a cop, or related to one, I'm pretty sure you can't find me with a phone number, dude.
RedEyes: And if I can?
Rah-rah-ramen: Well, I run really fast :P If you wanna kill me/rape me, you'd have to catch me first.
Rah-rah-ramen: Though I'll tell you right now, I'm not a bottom :P
RedEyes: Duly noted. I better go.
Rah-rah-ramen: Yeah, me too. Text me if you want. If not, don't worry. We'll talk when we get home :)
RedEyes: Right. Thanks. Have a good day.
Rah-rah-ramen: Yeah, have a good one.
**Rah-rah-ramen has logged out**
Quickly pulling out his phone and inputting the number, he stood and grabbed his bag, writing in Rammy's name as he left the room, his computer whirring behind him as it shut down. Rushing down the stairs, he opened the door and was face to face with the paperboy.
"Hey, Mr. Uchiha. You're late."
"I told you that you don't have to call me that, Udon." He ruffled the kid's hair as he rushed past him. "And yeah, I am." He headed quickly for his car, unlocking the door and climbing in.
"Uh, Mr. Uchiha?" Sasuke looked out at him, his door still open. Udon smiled. "I'm glad you're happy."
"What?"
"Are you not happy?" He looked confused, now. "You just seem happier than you usually do."
"Do I?" He smiled a little, not having known one weekend could make such a difference. "I am, I guess. A little. Thanks." He slammed the door, rolling down the window. "Have a good day, Udon. Don't work too hard." He pulled out and turned to head down the street. "And don't be late for school!"
He grinned like an idiot the whole way to school, kind of liking the fact that it was obvious he was happier. And he knew he was only this happy because of the fact that he had a phone number. God, it was ridiculous, but he had a phone number. He could call Rammy up and they could hang out during the weekend or something.
Uh, not yet... first, friendship. Solid friendship. Then we can meet.
Sure, he was certain Rammy was who he said he was, but still. It was too early to commit to real life friendship. He'd wait a while, like... a month or so. See how things went. Then he'd decide what to do.
He parked his car in the first available spot he found, locking the door and running into the school, skidding into his homeroom seconds before the final bell rang. He noticed people staring and whispering, wondering why he was so late when he was usually the first one there, but he didn't care. He smiled slightly, moving to sit at the back of the class, where he usually was.
For once, he thanked his seating arrangement, because it would allow him to text more easily. He turned his head to see Kiba Inuzuka beside him, the brunet with his phone in hand as he texted someone, as well. Sasuke already knew who it would be. The dumb blond at the front.
Naruto and Kiba were troublemakers, but the blond was the worst, so in every class, he was seated at the front, and Kiba at the back, so the two of them wouldn't disrupt everyone. But they were both really stealthy with their texting, so they always did that in class, along with Sakura Haruno. Though she wasn't a troublemaker, she just didn't want to get caught disrupting people, and texting was so much easier.
The three of them spent almost every lessons texting on their phones. It made Sasuke wonder sometimes how they got good grades and always managed to answer questions in class. He hoped it was as easy as it looked, because he was about to join them in the realm of texting.
Pulling out his phone, he clicked on his texts, smiling at the fact that he'd finally have a reason to use it, now. He never spoke to anyone, so his inbox was saddeningly empty.
Not for long, he reminded himself.
To Rammy: Hey, it's Skate. I made it to school on time, you?
It was lame. Really lame. But he didn't know what else to say, and he was a slow texter. It had taken him almost all of homeroom to type that one message. Granted homeroom was only five minutes, but still. That was pathetic.
He stood up when the bell rang to head to his first class, barely halfway down the corridor when his phone trilled loudly. He jumped out of his skin, pulling it out of his pocket and turning it to vibrate. He'd forgotten he'd turned off the sound on his keys and not his phone. That would've been bad if his phone had gone off in class.
From Rammy: Haha, I just got here! Missing me so much already? I'm touched. I programmed your number into my phone, hope you don't mind :)
Smiling, Sasuke sat down in his next class, ignoring the look he got from Kiba when the brunet noticed he had a phone. Frowning, he started typing out his reply, biting his bottom lip.
"Sasuke."
Confused, he turned to look at Kiba as the other whispered to him. The brunet shifted his own phone closer to his body and further under the desk, giving him a look to do the same. He frowned, but complied. Kiba then slouched in his seat, his eyes down, and his fingers flying across the touchpad. He looked back at Sasuke, and the raven understood, smiling and nodding a thanks as he copied the other boy.
He and Kiba never really talked—came with him hating the brunet's best friend—but having the guy look out for him... that was kinda nice. He supposed the rule breakers had to stick together, or something.
To Rammy: That's cool. It'd be hard for you to reply if I forbid you from knowing my number, right? You're not a cop with the ability to find where I live using my number, are you?
That had taken way too long for Sasuke's tastes. He figured, like the typing, he was going to have to get used to it. But this was harder than typing, in his opinion. The phone was small, and obnoxious.
He felt kind of like a loser when his phone vibrated barely a minute later. Rammy was so fast at texting when compared to him. He hoped the other didn't get annoyed with his slowness.
From Rammy: Haha, nope. It'd be useful, though, to be honest. Could think of a few things to do with a machine like that.
His phone vibrated in his hand as he was reading the message, and he checked the main screen, confused, finding another message. It was from Rammy again.
From Rammy: Also, I can tell you're new at texting, so don't worry about being slow. I've had years of practice. I'm not in a hurry :P
Well, that answers that question, Sasuke smiled and started replying.
Class went by quickly, which was surprising. He stopped texting closer to the end, though, not trusting himself to be able to finish the message before the bell rang. When it did, he gathered his things and started to stand when Kiba was beside him, holding out his hand.
"What?" Sasuke was defensive.
"Calm down, yo, I'm just trying to help. Give me your phone."
Looking at Kiba suspiciously, he pulled it out and handed it to him as he stood, looking at what the other did to make sure he didn't mess with his phone. The brunet went into Sasuke's messages, and he was about to protest when he thought he was going to read them, but he instead opened a new message and hit the asterix on the bottom.
"See how up here the alphabet thing changed to T9?" He motioned the corner of the screen. "It's a special way of texting where you hit the number a letter is on just once and it tries to form words with the mixture you give it. Like, check this out." He hit seven, four and three and "the" appeared on his screen.
"Cool." Sasuke frowned.
"You gotta be careful, though. Sometimes it's not the word you're expecting. Like this." He hit four and three, and the word "he" appeared. "I wanted the word 'if,' which it didn't give me. When that happens, hit down, and the word changes to something else." He hit the down button and the word "if" appeared. "If you keep hitting down, and it still can't find the word you want, it'll prompt you to type it in." He motioned the prompt. "Once you type it in, it stays in your phone and it'll remember it next time." He smiled and snapped the phone shut, handing it back to Sasuke.
"Um, thanks." The raven took it. "I appreciate it."
"No worries." He turned and walked away, getting hit across the back of the head by Sakura because she and Naruto had been forced to wait. Sasuke ignored them and started his next text to Rammy, smiling as he found things moving faster this time.
Rah-rah-ramen: So, do you make dinner for your parents every night?
RedEyes: No, not every night. My brother and I alternate, and they make dinner too, sometimes. Usually they don't, though, cause they come home too late.
Rah-rah-ramen: That's kinda cool, though. So you must be a pro at cooking by now.
RedEyes: Yeah, sure, something like that.
RedEyes: I used to love cooking, it gave me something to do.
Rah-rah-ramen: And now? o _ O
RedEyes: You give me something to do.
RedEyes: Don't need the cooking anymore.
**Rah-rah-ramen has just cuddled with RedEyes!**
Rah-rah-ramen: D'awwwu, I feel so loved c:
RedEyes: Shut up.
Sasuke tapped his finger on his mouse, letting out a sigh as he contemplated what to say next. He had a lot to talk about with Rammy, but he never really knew how to start the conversations. Usually, his friend would say something and he would find a way to veer the conversation towards something else. But starting them... different story. There was a reason he was socially inept.
Rah-rah-ramen: Shit...
RedEyes: What?
Rah-rah-ramen: Just this whole Yahoo thing. People can get kind of frustrating on here.
Rah-rah-ramen: They never leave me alone D:
RedEyes: Oh... wouldn't know what that's like...
The Uchiha cursed the second he sent the message. Now he felt like an ass again. He didn't mean to make Rammy feel bad or anything, but it was kind of upsetting knowing he was sitting there waiting for one person to reply, when Rammy probably had thousands of windows open.
Rah-rah-ramen: You don't have MSN do you?
Rah-rah-ramen: What am I saying, you probably don't even know what that is.
Rah-rah-ramen: messenger/im/home/?source=MSNTDLINK
Frowning, Sasuke clicked on the link and was redirected to another page in another window. He read the flashing signs briefly and understood instantly what it was.
"Oh, I get it. That's kinda cool."
He clicked on the download button and was prompted for his e-mail. He had one, but it had his name in it because he used it for University applications. He wasn't all that ready to give Rammy his real name yet. They lived in the same province, and had each other's phone numbers. Names was just a little much right now.
He clicked on the button to make a new e-mail and figured he'd stick with his penname, for the moment. RedEyes at hotmail . com. He was surprised no one had taken it yet, but thankful at the same time. As he waited for MSN to download, he went back to his other window.
Rah-rah-ramen: You click the link?
Rah-rah-ramen: Skate?
RedEyes: Yeah. I created a new e-mail to use.
Rah-rah-ramen: Cool. What is it? I'll add you now so that when MSN pops open, I'll be waitin' for ya :P
RedEyes: RedEyes at hotmail . com
Rah-rah-ramen: Aiight, sweet. I'll be waiting for you C:
**Rah-rah-ramen has logged out**
Following his lead, Sasuke signed out and waited for MSN to finish downloading. He wondered if maybe this wouldn't work and he'd lose the ability to tell Rammy until he remembered he had the other guy programmed into his phone. They weren't going to be able to get rid of one another quite so easily.
He jumped when his doorknob rattled and turned as a knock sounded. "Why's your door locked?"
"Because you're annoying," was the dry reply, the raven turning back to his computer and choosing to ignore his brother.
"Mom said not to stay up too late, it's a school night."
"Thank you, I'm well aware of the date and time." He glanced at the clock as he said this, noting it was almost eleven. He was allowed to go to bed whenever he wanted, for the most part, but he knew past midnight would be stretching it. He was always grouchy when he didn't get a solid eight hours of sleep.
"Your funeral."
Itachi's footsteps faded away down the corridor, the younger Uchiha focussing back on MSN and seeing it was done downloading. He followed the prompts all the way to the main screen, frowning slightly as he read the instructions. Typing in his e-mail and password, he watched as the two MSN men circled one another before he was logged in. His entire list was empty, which was kind of depressing, but he got a prompt saying someone was trying to add him. He didn't even bother looking at the e-mail, he was almost one-hundred percent sure it was Rammy. Who else could it be?
It showed Rammy sign on and then a window popped up, Sasuke smiling despite himself.
Rammy says: Woo, much better. I only have a few people on this MSN and not many of them are ever online.
Rammy says: So it's just you and me tonight, bb :B
Skate says: bb? Is that supposed to mean something?
Rammy says: My way of saying baby o 3o
Skate says: You're just trying to confuse me, aren't you?
Rammy says: Depends.
Skate says: On?
Rammy says: Am I succeeding? 8D
Sasuke snorted despite himself, telling his friend that, yes, he was succeeding on confusing him. Not that it was all that hard. The chatspeak was new to him, he'd never really had a need to talk to anyone else on the internet before.
Rammy says: Oh, hey, cool! You have a cam!
Skate says: I do?
Rammy says: ...
Rammy says: Uh, yeah.
Rammy says: It must be inbuilt if you didn't know.
Skate says: Oh! Hey, I always wondered what that thing above my screen was!
Rammy says: Wow, dude. Seriously. Are you both socially AND technologically inept? :P
Skate says: No! I just don't come on the computer very often.
Rammy says: Whatever you say bb :B
Rammy says: So hey, can I ask you a question?
Skate says: Sure.
Rammy says: You don't have to answer.
Rammy says: Just wondering when you found out.
Skate says: Found out what?
Rammy says: You know...
Skate says: ...
Skate says: That I was gay?
Rammy says: Well, yeah.
Rammy says: I mean, like I told you before, I knew when I turned 12. It was weird and awkward, but at least I knew what I wanted.
Skate says: Hmm... I don't really remember.
Skate says: Recently, though. Maybe two years ago?
Skate says: I went out with some girl in my class, but things were... kind of awkward. It didn't feel right.
Skate says: So I talked to my brother about it (he's gay, too) and he said maybe I needed to change the scenery, so to speak.
Skate says: So I went out with this one guy, and.. It wasn't necessarily GOOD, but better, you know?
Rammy says: Yeah, I know what you mean. It's weird waking up one morning and finding yourself in love with your best friend, heh.
Skate says: You fell in love with your best friend?
He winced at that. He'd never had a friend to compare this with, but he imagined that would cause a strain on the friendship, so to speak. Knowing you were gay and hot for your friend, while they were either straight or gay, but didn't feel the same way.
Rammy says: It was brief, but yeah. I had the hots for him for a while.
Rammy says: ...
Rammy says: Okay, so maybe not brief, because three years definitely isn't brief, but I never told him. He knows I'm gay, but he's very much into the ladies, so...
Rammy says: We're still good friends, which I think might not have been the case if I'd admitted how I felt. I'm glad I didn't. He's someone I really rely on.
Skate says: Must be nice.
Skate says: Having someone, I mean.
Rammy says: Come on, Skate, you can't honestly make me think I'm the only person you've ever opened up to.
The raven thought about that for a few seconds, thinking back on all the years he could remember, and then nodding slowly.
Skate says: You're right.
Skate says: There was my cat.
Skate says: Mr. Snooglepuff.
Skate says: I didn't name him.
Rammy says: ...
Rammy says: Seriously? No one?
Skate says: I told you I have social skills problems, all right.
Rammy says: Yeah, but... Sorry.
Skate says: Why are you sorry?
Rammy says: I don't know.
Rammy says: I guess for not appreciating what I have.
Rammy says: You kind of make me feel bad for complaining about my friends all the time.
Skate says: I don't mind. I'm glad you confide in me. Makes me feel a little less lonely.
Rammy says: Still, kinda feel like an ass = _=
Skate says: Whatever. Don't worry about it.
Rammy says: So... how can you not have ANY friends?
Rammy says: You can't just blame that on being socially inept.
Rammy says: You're doing fine with me.
Skate says: You're patient.
Rammy says: Not THAT patient.
Skate says: I guess it's partly my fault.
Skate says: I don't make it particularly easy to be my friend, but it's because I know what people are after.
Rammy says: Oh? o _O
Rammy says: That being?
Sasuke didn't know how he felt about sharing that particular part of his life with Rammy. He didn't necessarily think it would change things between them, but he didn't like admitting that his money bothered him, especially when he didn't know what kind of lifestyle Rammy lived.
Rammy says: Did I push too much?
Skate says: No, I just feel kind of guilty for it.
Rammy says: Don't. I won't judge you.
Rammy says: I promise.
Rammy says: Scout's honour.
Rammy says: Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. Shake my bottom if I gotta... or stick my... you know, I'll leave that to your imagination.
Laughing as he shook his head, Sasuke quickly typed out a reply, still snickering.
Skate says: Stick your what where, huh?
Skate says: Pervert! I should report you.
Rammy says: D: Don't report me!
Rammy says: I'll be good! Promise! 0:)
Leaning back in his seat, the raven scowled at the screen, wondering if it was really such a good idea to tell Rammy about himself. He figured it wouldn't hurt, and it'd give him an excuse to ask questions later. Ones Rammy wouldn't be able to back out of answering.
Skate says: Don't judge, okay?
Rammy says: Already said I wouldn't.
Skate says: I'm pretty well off...
Skate says: Like, REALLY well off...
Skate says: And most people just like me for my money. They know what they can get being friends with me.
Skate says: And the girls, well... Not to sound conceited, but you know how you called me a heartbreaker? It's pretty true. They're just after my looks, and my money.
Skate says: I'm not down with that. Nobody treats me like a friend. I'm a bank account.
Rammy says: Shit...
Rammy says: Sorry. That's... really not cool.
Skate says: Yeah. Kinda why I try and avoid people as much as possible. Thought the internet would be a good idea cause you don't know what I look like, and you didn't know until just now that I was rich, but we're friends anyway, you know?
Rammy says: Yeah :)
Rammy says: I told you before I only have a few close friends, and that's the truth. I find people shallow and fickle, too. Two of them—including my best friend—go to school with me. The last one is my guardian. He's more a friend than a father figure, to be honest.
Rammy says: They're all I need to stay happy.
Ignoring how much that comment hurt—and more importantly, why it hurt so much—Sasuke forced a smile he knew the other couldn't see, and started typing again.
Skate says: It's nice they're so important to you. They're really lucky.
Rammy says: I feel like I've said something to upset you.
Rammy says: Have I?
Skate says: No.
Rammy says: Are you sure?
Rammy says: It's not that you aren't a friend, Skate. I just don't know you well enough to rely on you as much as I do them.
Rammy says: Give it time and you'll wish you could get rid of me :P
That cheered the Uchiha up slightly, and he smiled, feeling like maybe it was true. Not the wishing he could get rid of Rammy part, but them ending up being good friends. It was weird. Almost five days with this guy and already he was hooked. Now he understood why everyone on Yahoo flailed and jumped on him when he signed on.
Skate says: So, Rammy, got plans for the weekend?
Rammy says: Sort of. Best friend's coming over to play video games. He knows I'm glued to my computer on the weekends, but he likes coming by anyway. I think it's cause he enjoys the contents of my fridge.
Skate says: Haha, some friend.
Rammy says: Hey, now, don't say that.
Rammy says: He's a good one. He's the guy I secretly crushed on for three years.
Rammy says: And it's not his fault he can't cook. His parents are never around, and he's pretty helpless in the kitchen.
Rammy says: He ruined Jell-o.
Rammy says: JELL-O, Skate! Who can ruin Jell-o?!
Skate says: Obviously, your friend XD
Rammy says: Haha, touche.
Rammy says: You got plans for the weekend.
Skate says: Yep.
Rammy says: Oh? What are they?
Skate says: Talking to you.
Skate says: As long as you're game.
Rammy says: Heh, I'll look forward to it -smirk-
Things progressed quickly between Sasuke and his internet friend. By the time Friday rolled around, his mother was actually getting concerned with how much time he was spending on his computer. He found this somewhat odd, considering she never really noticed anything he did before. He supposed she might be worried he was going to get kidnapped.
Personally, the raven was more worried that they'd run out of things to talk about. That, and his phone bill. Whenever they weren't talking online, they were texting. It was almost ridiculous how enjoyable he found the other boy.
Though he'd admit to feeling somewhat bad. He felt like he was depriving him of hanging out with his other friends, but every time he brought it up, Rammy just brushed it off saying this wasn't any different from usual. He still hung out with his friends, he was good at multi-tasking.
As Friday rolled around, Sasuke counted down the end of classes, texting Rammy constantly throughout the day. He didn't want to hope, but he was beginning to feel like he was as important to his friend as the other was to him. It was a nice thought. Having friends—or in his case a friend—was fun.
He was headed for the exit when the final bell rang, his phone in hand as he finished off a text to Rammy. He was heading for his car when he bumped into someone, almost falling backwards and sending the person crashing forward. Looking up, he cursed as he saw who it was.
"Shit. Can't you text and walk at the same time, asshole!"
"You're the one who stopped in the middle of the way," Sasuke snapped, narrowing his eyes as Naruto glared back at him.
"Dude, let it go." Kiba grabbed Naruto's arm and started pulling him, the blond's phone chiming in his pocket.
"You're right. He's not worth my time." Reaching into his pocket, Naruto pulled out his cell phone and flipped it open, Sasuke glaring at his back as Itachi came towards him. The glare melted off his face, replaced by confusion.
"Itachi?"
"Hey Skate." The older Uchiha said as he pushed past Kiba, Naruto and Sakura. Sasuke noticed the blond freeze, but he paid no mind to it.
"What are you doing here?"
"Car wouldn't start on campus." Itachi informed his brother, his hands shoved in his pockets. "I bussed down here looking for a ride home."
"You could've bussed home," Sasuke replied dryly, leading the way to his car.
"I could have, but I preferred this. I don't often get to bother you, Skate."
"Right." Getting behind the wheel, the youngest Uchiha pulled out of the parking lot once his brother was buckled in and drove home as quickly as the speed limit allowed. He didn't want to be in the car with his brother any longer than he had to be.
Once they arrived, he parked in his usual spot and hastened to the door, rushing into the house and up to his room, slamming and locking his door. Once he was safe, he let out a deep sigh and sank to the ground, resting back against his door.
Realizing he was alone again, he quickly pulled his phone from his pocket and opened it, frowning slightly. Rammy hadn't responded.
"Maybe he's waiting for me on MSN." He let out a grunt as he got to his feet, walking to his computer and booting it up, dropping his phone on his desk and falling into his chair. Once the welcome screen dissolved into his background, he opened MSN and logged on.
No Rammy.
"Huh. Maybe he got held up or something. Whatever, that's fine. I can wait." He clicked on the other's name, sending him an offline message.
Skate says: Beat you home :P
He opened his internet browser out of boredom, clicking on a game site Rammy had sent him and playing Solitaire Showdown with a random person. He was winning, for the most part, but his eyes kept shifting down to the MSN window. Rammy still wasn't online.
He quickly got bored with that and logged out, grabbing his phone and checking it again. Still nothing. He flipped it open and went to his messages, clicking on Rammy's name.
To Rammy: Hey, did you get my last text? I'm home now :P Beat you there.
He closed his phone once the message sent and waited. Still nothing. Ten minutes passed. Twenty. Thirty. By that time, he was starting to worry. What had happened to him? Had he maybe gotten hurt on his way home? Even if he was talking to someone, he usually sent Sasuke a quick text to let him know.
"Foxy. She would know." He didn't know if that was true, but he quickly logged onto the Yahoo chatrooms and clicked on the first one he found. Instantly, he became aware of two things. Conversations exploded like they usually do, and amidst all the talking people, a single action caught his eye.
**Rah-rah-ramen has logged out**
Sasuke felt a sharp stab to his heart as he saw that, and he couldn't decide whether he was depressed by it, or insanely angry. Rammy was ignoring him! They'd been fine until Sasuke's last text, and all of a sudden, Rammy was ignoring him! What the fuck was up with that?!
Maybe I did something. A sick feeling of dread worked its way through his chest, and he brought one hand up to clutch the front of his shirt. Had he said something wrong? Taken a joke too far? He couldn't think of anything that he may have done.
So why was Rammy suddenly ignoring him?! That was just way below the damn belt! If he'd upset him, all the other had to do was tell him! Not ignore him and expect him to just move on!
Grabbing his phone angrily off his desk, he jabbed the keys harshly until he got a new message opened, then forced himself to calm down. He didn't want to send an angry message, that wouldn't help.
To Rammy: So I take it I did something wrong. Whatever it is, I'm sorry. I just wish you'd tell me what it was instead of avoiding me... Guess we're not going to be talking this weekend... See you.
He snapped his phone shut once the message sent and went to lie on his bed. This really, really sucked.
Naruto ignored his phone as it went off again, sitting in his desk chair with both hands folded together and pressed against his mouth. He stared at the screen intently, his eyes focussed on a single offline message he'd received from Skate.
... Or Sasuke.
He honestly couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. The person he'd been talking to—happily talking to—for the past week and a half was none other than Sasuke Uchiha. The biggest damn prick in his school.
How had this happened to him?!
He was usually such a good judge of character, able to tell within the first five minutes of a conversation whether he'd get along with the other person or not. And he and Skate... Sasuke... they'd hit it off so well. Almost as if they'd been friends forever.
"Fuck," he whispered to himself, continuing to stare at the other's offline message.
How had he ended up being internet friends with Sasuke Uchiha, of all people? The guy was a stupid, conceited, asshole of a character! So how had he weaseled his way into Naruto's perfectly happy little existence?
The blond frowned as he went over all the names he'd just called Sasuke, trying to attribute them to the Sasuke he talked to online. That Sasuke wasn't an asshole, he was... quiet. Almost shy, even. And lonely. Very lonely. He didn't trust people very much, and he didn't think highly of himself.
His frown deepened as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and thinking more about the vulnerable Sasuke he'd met online. He knew for sure it was Sasuke, it had to be. Kiba had been teaching Sasuke how to text at the beginning of the week, and Skate had just started texting. Naruto's phone had gone off seconds after the Uchiha had bumped into him today, and put away his own phone.
They both lived in Ontario.
They both had dark hair and eyes.
They both had older brothers.
They were both called Skate.
There was absolutely no way in hell it was that much of a coincidence. But then, even knowing it was Sasuke, why did he feel so guilty not talking to Skate? Why did he feel like he was abandoning an obviously very lonely and self-conscious friend?
Because I am...
He ran an annoyed hand through his hair, pushing away from his desk and stalking out of his room. Walking down the small corridor, he knocked on his guardian's door and entered before the other had even prompted him to do so. He was used to it by now.
"I have a question."
"I might have an answer." Iruka Umino lay on his stomach on his bed, surfing through channels on his television with term papers sitting beside him, waiting to be marked. Naruto always applauded his guardian's ability to multi-task to such a level.
"If there's this guy, and he's an asshole, like, completely awful—"
"For argument's sake, let's call him Sasuke."
Naruto ignored his interruption, continuing, "And then one day, you find out that he's also another person. A really lonely and self-conscious, kind of socially inept person—"
"Holy crap!" Naruto sighed, shaking his head at the wide-eyed looked Iruka was giving him, his finger frozen over the remote control, the channel now unchanging. "Is Sasuke Skate?!"
"It's about ninety-nine point nine percent plausible that Sasuke Uchiha and my internet friend Skate are the same person."
"Wow." Iruka sat up, turning off the television as he did so, and turned to face his somewhat-son completely. He frowned a little. "Does this mean you aren't going to speak to him anymore?"
"I don't know. I haven't texted back, and he caught me on Yahoo when I logged on to tell Fox I wouldn't be around this weekend, so he knows I'm avoiding him."
"That's not very nice of you." Iruka sighed, pulling his hairtie from his chocolate hair and running his free hand through it. "I know that you and Sasuke have had your differences in the past, but you seemed to really get along with Skate. He was all I heard about this entire week, Naruto."
"I know," he whispered. "But he's Sasuke. I can't... think of him the same way anymore."
"Even though you now know that the one you see at school isn't the real Sasuke?" Iruka gave him a meaningful look. "Don't you think it's unfair to judge him for how he treats you there, with his defenses up, when you've seen what kind of person he can actually be given the right environment?"
"I don't... know." Naruto sighed, leaning back against the doorframe and slamming his head backwards against the wood, annoyed. "God, this is all so damn complicated. I want to stay friends with Skate, but I can't stand Sasuke."
"You've proven in that same sentence that you can stand Sasuke. You actually really like him."
"That's not the same thing." Naruto growled, rubbing his head with both hands, as if it would help him think better.
"Fine, let's look at it this way, then," Iruka shifted so he was sitting cross-legged on the bed, now. "If you'd never found out Skate was Sasuke, would you have continued talking to him."
"Yeah, probably," he muttered.
"So forget you ever found out." Iruka shrugged. "Or, if you're still unsure, just think about everything you know about the real Sasuke. The lonely, rich kid who just wants to have a friend who likes him for who he is."
The blond grimaced slightly, finding that to be harsh. It was only harsh because it was true. Sasuke was lonely... lonelier than Naruto had ever realized before. He was self-conscious, and shy, and gay—yeah, that had been a new one!
Taking all those things into consideration, could he really leave Sasuke alone like that? Would he pretty much destroy whatever odd quirk had convinced Sasuke to want to seek out a friend? What if he single-handedly caused the raven to be even more anti-social than ever before? So what if he was an asshole at school, he was always really nice to Naruto online, right?
"Fuck."
"Hey, hey, none of that!" Iruka called after Naruto as the blond headed back to his room. He closed his bedroom door, leaning his head against it and closing his eyes. God, he hoped he didn't regret this. Banging his head once against the wooden door, he turned and stalked back over to his computer, changing his MSN status to 'online' instead of 'appear offline,' like it had been for almost an hour.
"Be civil. He doesn't know who you are, and you guys are still friends. Sort of." Sighing, he started typing.
Rammy says: Hey, you totally did kick my ass home. I got stuck in killer traffic, it was insane.
He waited. Two minutes passed with no reply. He grabbed his phone, flipping it open and reading the last text Sasuke had sent him. He winced when he saw it, feeling even more guilty.
From Skate: So I take it I did something wrong. Whatever it is, I'm sorry. I just wish you'd tell me what it was instead of avoiding me... Guess we're not going to be talking this weekend... See you.
To Skate: What? o _O What are you talking about? I was stuck in traffic, and my phone died. I didn't get your last text. Sorry if it seemed like I was avoiding you.
His finger hovered over send, but he figured it would be best to lie. Telling Sasuke who he was right now probably wasn't the best idea in the world. Taking a deep breath and holding it, he sent the text then slammed his phone shut, as if to try and convince himself he never had.
A minute later, a new message popped up on MSN.
Skate says: Liar.
Rammy says: Whaaaat? o _O Dude, I have no idea what you're talking about. What did I do?
Skate says: I saw you on Yahoo.
Rammy says: I just got home...
Rammy says: I'm sorry I didn't reply to your text, my phone died.
Rammy says: And afternoon traffic was heavier than usual today.
Rammy says: Why would I be ignoring you? What could you possibly have done for me to be avoiding you, doofus? :B
Skate says: I saw you log off Yahoo.
Rammy says: Hang for a sec.
Naruto leaned back in his chair, slowly thinking of how many steps it took to get to Iruka's room. He mentally asked him a question, and then answered himself, then slowly returned to his room and mentally sat down. Leaning forward again, he started typing.
Rammy says: My guardian was using the computer. I have it set to automatically log me into the chatrooms when it boots up, so he always logs me right out when it happens. You probably saw that when you went.
Skate says: Really?
Rammy says: Really.
Rammy says: Haha, come on, dude, why would I be avoiding you?
Rammy says: It's not like you did anything -pokes-
Skate says: Sorry.
Rammy says: For what?
Skate says: Calling you a liar.
Skate says: Fuck, I feel like shit.
Rammy says: Don't worry about it. We both know you're socially inept -pat pat-
Skate says: Heh, right :)
Skate says: Thanks for putting up with me.
Naruto winced at that, wondering if he really was going to be able to fake his way through this, but so far, he wasn't having any problems. It was almost like he'd never found out it was Sasuke at all, even though an annoying chibi version of himself was running around near the back of his brain, hitting pots and pans together while yelling Sasuke's name. He chose to ignore it.
Rammy says: Of course. That's what friends are for, right? c:
Skate says: Right :)
Skate says: Wanna know something you'll probably laugh at?
Rammy says: I probably will, but sure :P
Skate says: I felt a huge emptiness in my chest when I thought you'd ditched me.
Guilt washed over Naruto like he was bathing in it. Was Sasuke Uchiha really that lonely? Seriously? Had the blond almost destroyed someone he hated simply because the other boy was misunderstood?
Rammy says: I'm sorry.
Skate says: Why are YOU sorry?
Skate says: Because you're laughing, aren't you? -glares-
Rammy says: Haha, right. You caught me.
It hurt. Naruto didn't know guilt could hurt this much. He felt like shit. Absolute and utter shit. If he could, he would take it all back. How had he never noticed before that Sasuke's attitude at school was just a mask to hide how he really felt?
Skate says: You okay? You're acting a little off...
Skate says: I'm sorry if I upset you.
Rammy says: Asshole -flicks-
Rammy says: Stop saying sorry.
Rammy says: You didn't upset me. I just feel bad that I made you think I was avoiding you.
Rammy says: Blerg
Rammy says: dfkljgldkjg;alrjg;alerjg
Skate says: O_o um... okay...
Rammy says: 8D
Rammy says: Haha.
Skate says: You're weird, lol.
Rammy says: Spank you.
Skate says: -bends over- Promise? -smirk-
"Holy shit, Sasuke is such a pervert." He laughed, shaking his head as he replied.
Rammy says: -pats firm bottom, pinching each cheek lightly to check for ripeness before smacking it hard-
Skate says: HAHAHA! You perv!
Rammy says: It's true Cx And you love me for it o 3o
Skate says: Uh huh. Sure, sure.
Naruto bit his lip, worrying it between his teeth as his fingers tapped lightly on the keys, the pressure not hard enough to actually cause the letters to appear.
Rammy says: Hey?
Skate says: Yeah?
Rammy says: Are you... would you call yourself lonely?
He scowled at the sentence as he re-read it on the screen, feeling like he could have worded it better. Too late now. All he could do was wait.
Skate says: Yeah. I guess. My best friend is someone I've never met and who I talk to through a computer. Wouldn't you consider that kind of lonely?
Skate says: Or just pathetic?
Rammy says: That's not pathetic at all -hard flick-
Rammy says: But yeah... lonely.
Rammy says: Sorry.
Skate says: Why do you keep apologizing? It's confusing me.
Rammy says: Not hard to do, newb 8D
Skate says: Heh, shut up.
"Well, he certainly sounds like Sasuke." Naruto sighed. "Figures I'd get a new best friend and he'd end up being the school asshole." He started typing again when his eyes caught an icon beside the other's name, something clicking in his head.
Rammy says: Can I ask a favour?
Skate says: I guess. Depends what it is, though.
Rammy says: I know you probably won't really want to, but would you mind camming?
Rammy says: It's not really fair because I don't have one, but I think it'd be kinda cool? Maybe?
Rammy says: I'm not very photogenic, but if you let me block out my name, address and picture, I'll send you a scan of my driver's license to prove I'm actually an 18 year old 8D
He waited, seeing no activity from the other side of the conversation. He wondered if maybe he'd pushed too hard. After all, he usually wasn't like this. He was just somewhat desperate to have something confirmed.
Rammy says: Sa
"Oh fuck." Naruto tensed as he exhaled sharply, staring at his cursor as it stayed frozen after the "a," what he'd been about to type still in his own private window, and luckily not having been sent.
He'd almost written "Sasuke."
He quickly erased the "a" and continued with what he'd been trying to say.
Rammy says: Skate?
Skate says: I'm trying to figure out how the cam works.
Rammy says: Haha! Awwu, is that all? Here, I'll do it.
-You have asked to start viewing webcam. Cancel-
Skate says: You have to send me your license.
-Skate has accepted the invitation-
Rammy says: Okay, give me a sec to scan it.
Skate says: Okay.
Naruto reached over and dug his wallet out of his school bag, pulling out his license as he glanced at the screen. The connection was still being established, so he put his license face down on his three-in-one printer and hit the scan button.
Rammy says: I'm gonna minimize your window until it's scanned, just to make things fair for you :P
He did so without bothering to wait for a response. He was too worried he was going to see Sasuke Uchiha's face, even though he was almost one hundred percent sure it was going to be him.
Opening Photoshop, Naruto quickly blocked out his picture, his name, and his address, leaving his birthday and license number. He didn't think the Uchiha would have the means to track him down via that.
Taking a deep breath once the file was saved, he clenched his eyes shut as he hit his mouse button, and then peeked open one eye.
Sure enough, the slightly embarrassed and shy looking person on the other side of the computer was none other than Sasuke Uchiha.
How could this possibly be his life?
Eff you FF and your inability to do what I say -angry-