K, so I haven't been nonchalantly sipping lemonade, basking in the glory of reading such wonderful reviews, and fishing some more reviews before updating
The chapter 2 teaser. It was a bit of a lie. I needed a simpler description. I'm dodging replying to the reason because I don't want this A/N to drag on too long, with so many things to say. And I'm only going to answer the ones that don't need to be answered.
BTW, it's a bit angsty in this chapter. But don't sweat, I'll try to incorporate humor in the other chapters, but it was a bit too necessary for the angst in this one.
In my opinion, All the Good PenNames are Gone, I didn't cop out in this one, because I this it explains who he is in moderation. I need to focus some attention on him because he's not as insignificant as some people probably assumed to the story. He's not a main character, I think, but not so minor his name should be easily forgotten. And thanks for the review and nice compliments!
I'm really sorry to disappoint you, xx-tenshi-xx, and probably all but one person reading this, but there isn't a lemon! I feel terrible for having to say that. A part of me wants to keep the reviewers who were just in it for the smut in the dark so I could have their nice words, but that's not fair. So I thought I would point out now it's M for the cursing, but I've been debating for a lime with myself from the start. So I think I might add a lime during the middle of the story. But don't read it for sex, this is a story based on plot. Thanks for the review!
As for the short chapter thing, CamiUchiha, I just wanted to get the story out there, actually. It depends on how my life is at the moment. If I do a short chapter, and the next one is short, it would be out in a fairly small amount of time. If it takes a long amount of time to update, it's probably longer. Thanks for the kind review!
First, thanks for all the reviews. Me? I was simply freaking astonished. So I love EVERYONE who left a review. For cereal.
Ino stirred her martini indifferently with a faraway look, concern clouding her normally vibrant blue eyes.
I glanced at the drunks passed out onto the counter, seeing as no one needed my assistance, and decided to take my break.
I tossed the black apron (don't you dare question my masculinity on this) into the back of the storage closet, and dragged out the wooden chair and took a seat, folding my arms behind my head.
Tipping my chair back a little, I looked at her troubled face, "What's wrong," I asked nonchalantly.
She turned her head in my direction, and with a tilted head, she gave me a pouty look. I cringed at the sight of it. It reminded me of our grade school days, when she had a childish crush on me.
"You know that guy I've been seeing, the one with the teal eyes?" She asked, melancholy marring her tone.
I narrowed me eyes, "Don't tell me the fucker cheated on you," I stood up, and the chair seemed to groan as it retreated from behind me.
She pursed her lips into a thin line, a sour expression on her face.
"I would've liked it if it were better that way, believe it or not," She laughed cynically.
As an awkward silence passed by, she took a vicious bite out of the olive.
"What do you mean," I asked, my voice agitated. I hated to look so protective; and hell if I was going to show it again. I would be concerned either way, but, I was already wearing an apron for my job, I don't want to be look like some sensitive pussy, thanks.
"He had a girlfriend," she sighed. I could see a touch of remorse on her face, knowing she had destroyed yet another relationship, "And I know that's not anything new," insert bitter laugh here, "but I thought this guy was The One. And, I mean, you know we were together for a long time, right?" she asked me, sadness overwhelming her, now dull, blue orbs.
I couldn't help but snort mentally. While I did feel protective of her (only a little, though… yeah. An insignificant amount, I swear.) I wouldn't count it as together; she usually just had sex with the guys, not even wanting an intimate relationship. Nonetheless, I pretended to buy the (far too repetitive) 'The One' excuse, nodded chastely.
"And so, I, like, ask the guy to make a commitment to me. So one thing led to another, and we got intimate," Hold down your lunch, for the love of God. Hold. It. Down, Sasuke, I mentally begged myself, "and you know what I wake up to? A note on the pillow, saying he was going to visit his girlfriend in college. I mean, I'm the kind of girl guys leave other girls for!" She chided immaturely.
She rambled on, "I mean like if he left me, his girlfriend must be a porn star or something, because there is no way that he would leave me for some… regular girl," she shuddered.
A porn star. In college. Right. Sharp as ever, Ino. And—now that I think of it—that's exactly right.
Her temper seemed to flare by the second as she continuously droned on how she was superior to other girls, and there was no way a guy walked out on her.
She somehow managed to take a shot with a martini glass, her teeth grinding together after she slammed the glass onto the fragile table.
"And I mean have you looked at—Sasuke. Sasuke… SASUKE, FUCKING ANSWER ME YOU MANWHORE," she screeched, and I blinked awake from me silent nap.
"Don't call me a manwhore," I seethed. I'm sure it didn't have as much effect as I had intended, seeing as it came out like I was whining in my sleep.
"You know you liked it. Anyways, it got your attention, didn't it," She chimed musically. Heartbroken that 'The One' lost interest in her, yet still laughing her way through it. No wonder guys don't walk out on you, Ino. I opened my mouth to respond, but she held up her index finger, "Wait. Shh," she whispered.
The bar was quiet, but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary at this hour, what with passed out drunks, and all. The sound of barely audible clicks began to reach my ears.
"Jimmy Choos, stilettos. 5 inches, from the sound of it. Possibly thigh-high boots?" She murmured to herself as the clicking gradually grew more and more prominent.
I gave her a quizzical glance. She's one-of-a-kind, I'll give her that. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ino's mouth drop into a perfect 'o.'
I turned my head, and I choked on air, coughing violently. I saw a girl with… pink hair—oddly enough—and bright, bright green eyes that lit up with dim scenery.
As her eyes flitted toward mine, I tore my lingering gaze away, a little ruefully.
This will not end well… was the first thought that came to mind.
I began to approach her, and let the jaw dropping begin. No matter who it was from, it would always be annoying.
I tried not to smirk as I saw her mouth hung agape. I didn't need to strain on seducing her; her hormones would do all the work.
"Can I take your order," I grunted, hopefully affectively suppressing her gawks.
"Oh, er, I'll… have a drink," She fumbled with her words, red beginning to paint her cheeks.
"Clearly," I remarked dryly. How original, a drink in a bar. Good choice, good choice.
Her lips spread into a thin, even line, and her eyes narrowed, as she replied haughtily, "Just give me your strongest drink,"
Huh. On the rebound, I'm assuming? I began to once her over. A bit short; and her facial features looked too… innocent.
"I'll need some ID," I arched an eyebrow up.
"I'll have you know I'm 19!" She crossed her arms defiantly, holding her chin a little higher than necessary.
"Sure, sure," I smirked. I stared deep in her eyes, and I realized what I was doing.
I was flirting. Uchiha's—the one thing they didn't do (besides laughing—or smiling, no smiling either) was flirt.
I tried to keep the smirk off of my face, but it just kept unconsciously spreading back into place.
I began pouring a—unidentified, might I add—liquid into her glass, and put it down harshly.
Her gaze on me seemed a little playful, yet competitive to prove her point.
She pinched her nose between her index finger and thumb, and held her breath, her cheeks inflating a little… cutely.
She hesitated a bit, until downing the drink in one gulp.
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It was silent, five minutes after she took that gulp. I eyed her cautiously, and poked her doubtfully. Was she still even alive?
Her head snapped up abruptly, and her irises seemed to be a darker shade of green. Her eyelids hung over her eyes as if they were ten pounds, and her lower lip stuck out into a pout. It was a bit hard to believe that the innocent-looking girl that had entered the bar earlier could only be best described as sultry.
She hiccupped, and looked up at me.
"Wow," she breathed out, the odor of alcohol heavy in her breath, yet a sweet scent, much like cherries, drifted along with it. Suddenly, I found her on my chest, crying.
"Why'd you leave me," She sobbed into my chest, sharp, ragged, and uneven breaths parting each word. She cried out loudly, as if she were in some immense pain. The sound strained my ears a bit, even though most of it was muffled by my shirt.
She stayed that way for a bit, until continuing.
"W-W-W-Who," she stuttered uncontrollably, "is she? I-Is she really, really, p-p-p-pretty?" She sniffled, unburying her face from my chest, and beginning to wipe the tears from her eyes.
I didn't know how to respond to a question I couldn't begin to understand. Maybe the alcohol was hazing her mind a bit too much.
She continued on, as if the void of silence never existed, "B-Because if she's gorgeous, th-then I might not feel as bad," she wiped her nose with her sleeve, as if she were still 5 years old, "because then y-y-you would have the kind of girl you deserved,"
As if an X-Ray machine were in front of her chest, I could see she was broken on the inside, yet she made such selfless remarks.
She rested her chin on my chest, and her wide, dark, and red eyes bored into me as she said, "Please be happy."
I couldn't help but soften my eyes. I didn't know who the hell I was pretending to be, but it was hard not to play the role sincerely with those eyes staring into yours.
"I am," I whispered and hugged her back.
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Thanks, guys. I don't think I would've but this chapter out as soon as I did if it were not for your wonderful reviews.
And, thankfully, I actually have an idea of what my next chapter will be!
So yes, once again, having an audience to write for makes me write better than I normally would, and makes me update faster, so please leave one c: