Chapter Two

I couldn't understand what Sasuke made me feel. The guy was practically perfect. He had pale white skin, the blackest hair and matching black eyes. I never even considered being his friend, which was odd for me. I was well liked in most places and didn't really have a problem making friends, but Sasuke I just couldn't be friends with. Rather, I never tried to be his friend. Usually, I would just stare at him through the reflection on the computer monitor on my desk.

It was a computer science class and we had two rows of tables; two to each table. I sat alone and Sasuke sat behind me. All through the lecture, I would just watch him. He rarely smiled and when he did it looked forced or fake. I always wanted to ask my friends what to do about him but since we were all in school, none of us could text. By the time school was out, he wasn't on my mind anymore.

It was only when I saw him that I became distracted. Since I never had a clue what to say to him, I began playing pranks on him. It was usually the same thing over and over since I didn't know how he would react. I would just pull his mouse away from him when he wasn't looking and at first, he just assumed it got pushed back accidentally. Then he caught me once pulling the wire back.

It was awkward. He simply looked me straight in the eyes and smirked, more like a half smirk. But he said nothing, he simply took it back and kept on with his work.

One day, I made sure to be the first one in class and I switched his mouse to the computer next to his and vice versa. So when he and the guy who sat next to him, Lee, showed up, they were both confused as to why their mouses weren't following their movements. I saw Sasuke simply stare at the bottom of his mouse, wondering why it was acting up while the guy beside him was being loud and shouting, "My mouse doesn't work! It's being all crazy!"

I couldn't help but bust out laughing and Sasuke instantly caught my eyes. He stood up casually and glided around to my side of the desk to fix the cables then told Lee, "Someone just switched the wires, they're not broken."

He never confronted me about the little pranks I pulled and honestly, it was frustrating. I didn't really have anything else to pull since, after that day, Kakashi added an alarm so if anything was disconnected from any of the computers, he would know. So, I stopped bugging him and went back to just watching him through my monitor.

After lunch, I had speech, Music Appreciation, Computer Science, and then I was off home. I met this girl who I had for Music Appreciation and Computer Science who had started being really friendly with me. She wasn't good looking at all but I wasn't going to be mean to someone just because they weren't attractive. Music appreciation was a ridiculously easy class. We all just sat around the band hall and every other week we'd get a handout to fill out for an easy hundred. Other than that, we would just chill out and talk. Mostly everyone in that class was a flunky and I didn't really want anything to do with them so I talked to that girl. After maybe 2 weeks of talking to her, she started getting on my nerves, which says a lot since I'm really friendly. She started asking me to go places with her and saying I shouldn't have any other friends but her. What a weirdo. So naturally, I began to avoid her.

I noticed that it was hard to avoid her. She seemed to know my entire schedule and I began seeing her places I normally didn't, at lunch, during passing periods. She started sitting in the empty seat next to mine in CS and I couldn't figure out how to tell her that I'd rather sit alone. Then Sasuke came to my rescue.

We were in music class when there was 5 minutes left until the bell. I asked permission to go to the bathroom knowing I could take my things with me with the bell so close. Instead I just waited outside of Kakashi's class until the bell so I could try and block my seat. Much to my surprise, Sasuke was in there talking to Kakashi. I walked to my desk and sat down, completely forgetting about blocking the seat after I'd seen Sasuke. The rest of the class showed up and we all settled in our seats and I noticed someone sitting next to me. I laid my head between my arms, sulking about having failed in getting her away from me.

That is, until I saw her standing next to me. She looked very confused, as was I.

"Umm...you're in my seat, Sasuke."

"No. You don't sit here."

"Yes, I do. Right, Naruto?"

I opened my mouth to speak up but Sasuke spoke before I could. "Go ask Kakashi."

She walked over to Kakashi's desk and complained about Sasuke's change in desks. The entire class watched as though shocked that she dare go against Sasuke. And as though he were singing to me, Kakashi replied, "No, that's Sasuke's seat. Go sit down."

I felt a weight lift off my chest and I whispered to Sasuke, "Thanks."

He simply gave me that half smirk of his and I felt a wave go through me. I couldn't understand.

I walked home that day on the phone with Kiba telling him everything that had happened.

"That's so gay, man."

"What?! No, it's not. He's probably been annoyed by her too and just didn't want her bugging anyone else."

"Who does something like that for someone they don't even know. It's totally gay."

"It's really, really not!"

"Is this guy one of your new friends or what?"

"No, actually I've never really talked to him before."

"Gay."

Uhg. Whatever, Kiba!

After that incident, that girl stayed completely away from me. There was one day that Kakashi had left a substitute for us. When I got into class the sub was at Kakashi's desk reading a book and not paying attention at all to the class. All the students were hard at work and I was amazed that in this school full of delinquents, kids still did work when they had subs. But as I neared my desk I realized I was wrong. Most of the kids were playing Starcraft and were totally entranced with their monitors. I laughed to myself thinking how I preferred Warcraft to SC.

I went to my desk and didn't bother to ask about joining in since I wasn't interested in SC. Lee tossed a paper ball at me to get my attention and shouted, "Hey, Naruto!"

I turned around irritated. "What's up?"

"You ever play Starcraft?"

"Naw, I'm not into it."

"Oh, so you don't play games?"

"No, I do. I'm just more into Warcraft, really."

To my surprise, Sasuke spoke up beside me. "So, he knows games."

"Haha, yeah. I spend most of my free time playing games."

"PC or console?"

"Both."

We spent the rest of the class talking about what kind of games we liked, our favorite consoles and games. I realized that the entire time we talked, I had a rush going through my body. It was as though I'd never really had a conversation with anyone until now. I found myself slowly forgetting about home and my old friends as I talked to him. Then the bell rang, and sadly, I exited the class to walk home.

On the way home, I thought about that day. How everything had been boring until I talked to Sasuke. I couldn't think of anything except him. It slowly dawned on me that I didn't think of him as a friend at all. I didn't want to think about what that meant.

For the next few days I avoided talking to Sasuke as much as possible. I only had him for CS but I avoided running unto him in the halls and anyone he might be friends with. I didn't speak to him again until a Friday when class was almost over.

"Hey, Naruto."

"Sup?"

"You live near here?"

"Yeah. just down the street actually. About 2 blocks."

"Which way?"

"East."

"I live two blocks away going west."

Why did I care where he lived? "Umm, okay."

"Lee and I were wondering if you wanted to hang out and play some games."

"Oh, yeah. That's no problem guys."

Lee spoke up really enthusiastically, "This is gonna be great guys!" He snuck up between us and squeezed our shoulders in his hands.

After the bell rang, I showed them which way I lived and they nodded as though they'd gone that route millions of times. Sasuke didn't talk much as we walked while Lee was jumping and running around. He ran ahead of us and did cartwheels and tumbled while he waited for us to catch up. I turned to Sasuke and whispered, "Is he always like this?"

"Yeah, you get used to it even though it's annoying sometimes."

Just then, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I saw it was Kiba and answered.

"What's up, loser?"

"Hey, Naruto! How's the closet?"

My lip twitched. "Shut up! What do you want?"

I saw Sasuke watch me through his peripheral.

"Just wondering what you're up to? Did you come out yet?"

"You're an idiot. I'll call you later, I got some friends coming over today." And I hung up without waiting for a reply.

"Friends?"

Sasuke's voice brought me back, "Yeah, from back home."

"Where are you from again?"

"Konoha."

"Ah, that's pretty far."

"Yeah...Ah, there's my complex."

I led Lee and Sasuke into the maze that was the apartment complex until we arrived at our door.

Lee's voice rumbled out loudly, "Wow, Naruto! Your apartment is right in front of the pool! Lucky!"

"Oh. Yeah I hardly ever go in there. Anyway, that's my room over there, I'll be over in a bit."

I went to the kitchen and grabbed three glasses of water before joining them in my room. Lee was looking through all my things excitedly while Sasuke went through my shelves looking through all the games I had. Nothing too exciting happened. We spent the afternoon gaming rather than talking or anything else. They left after Jiraiya came home and announced they didn't want to be too loud for him.

Jiraiya came into my room afterwards and asked if I'd found a girlfriend yet.

"Yeah, right. I just got here. I don't even know any girls yet."

"It takes you this long to make friends?"

"No! But I don't just date anybody."

"Well, those guys seemed nice."

My face went hot. "Yeah, they're pretty cool."

I remembered I had to return my call to Kiba and used that as an excuse to get Jiraiya out of my room. Jiraiya was a cool guy, but he was always in my business and a little too concerned with my love life for my taste. I recalled that day with Kiba before turning in for the night.

After school once, I was waiting for Jiraiya to pick me up since the complex had changed everyone's locks and I hadn't gotten a copy of the key yet. It had started getting cold out and I was sitting shivering on one of the many rocks that double as benches on the school yard. I had been listening to some music by myself since most of the after school crowd had faded; it was almost 2 hours after school was out.

I removed the hood on my jacket after Sasuke came up and sat beside me.

"What are you doing here so late?"

"Waiting for my ride?"

"Why don't you just walk?"

"Don't have a key."

"Ah. What time is he supposed to show up?"

"An hour ago. His phone is off."

"That sucks. I'll wait with you."

"It's cold. You don't have to."

"I have a jacket. I'm fine."

We sat silently until I remembered I had some funny videos on my mp4.

"Wanna see some dumb videos?"

"I don't mind."

I switched to my earphones so we could share and I went hot as I noticed him scoot closer so the earphones wouldn't stretch. Our shoulders bumped into each other and didn't let us sit comfortably. He casually moved his arm behind me and slid even closer until we fit perfectly. I saw him watching the videos and never really laugh at anything that I would have been dying from. He was so handsome. I immediately looked away as I got a strange feeling. It's not normal for me to think a guy is handsome, is it?

We spent a while just sitting there together, he watched videos while I watched him. And as though on cue to ruin a serene moment, Jiraiya pulled up to the school honking loudly. Sasuke removed the earphone and faced me.

"Is that your ride?"

His nose was pink from the cold air and I couldn't stop thinking how amazing this guy looked.

"Yeah."

We stood up simultaneously and he wrapped one arm loosely around me before saying bye. I mumbled a bye in return and rushed to the car, hoping the trees had been enough to block Jiraiya's view of us. After that afternoon, I spent less time talking to my friends from home and most of my time obsessing over how I felt. Maybe I really was gay? Why else would I think Sasuke was so good looking? Why did I flush when he was near me. But he acted so cool about that half hug he gave me, was that just a normal thing here in Suna? Why did I hardly speak around him when back home I was loud and talked to everyone?

Lee and Sasuke coming to my place after school had become a routine thing. They never asked anymore and just walked with me after the bell as though we'd been doing this for years. I didn't ask what was going on until after the bell once when I saw Lee join a different crowd.

"Isn't Lee coming over today?"

"Nah."

His answer frustrated me.

"Well, why not?"

"Do you want him here?"

I went hot. "I don't really care..."

Despite my answer, I was nervous about being alone with Sasuke. At school it was one thing, but in my room? That's something else entirely. But...I'm not gay, right? And neither is he, so there's nothing weird here, right?

When we arrived at my apartment, I only led him into the living instead of my room in hopes of avoiding anything awkward from happening. But while I went to the kitchen for water, he went straight to my room and assumed his usual spot on the edge of my bed.

I set a glass for him on my desk and he stared at it questioningly.

"Only one?"

"It's too cold, I'm not thirsty."

"Get under your blankets."

I turned on the tv and put on a fighting game that we'd been playing last time he came over then pulled the blankets over my head like a hoody and sat on the edge beside him.

"I'm gonna kick your ass today."

He smirked. "Okay."

He took a sip of water and started the first round. After 2 rounds, he'd beaten me mercilessly, I didn't even stand a chance. Frustrated, I threw my control on the ground and whined about him cheating. He simply chuckled, "You wanna play something else?"

I pulled the blanket closer around me, "No, you're a cheater."

"You're still cold?"

"Yeah, I hate the cold."

He didn't reply and instead went and put a different game on and handed me my controller. I took it without even thinking and began playing again.

He beat me over and over and I couldn't stop myself from chucking my control across the room. I pushed him over and yelled at him for always winning. He grabbed my wrist and pushed me back into place as he said, "Calm down, it's just a game."

I struggled against him and whined, "But you always win! It's so unfair."

He knocked me back onto the bed and I shivered at the loss of my blanket. I felt him slightly hover over me to retrieve the blanket and I shuddered from how close he was.

"It really is cold in here."

I swallowed. "Yeah."

He grabbed the blanket in one hand and instead of placing it on me like I thought he would, he moved it over so he held on to it behind him with both hands. He leaned down and let it go above us both. "Are you warm now?"

I nodded, unable to speak. And just as my mind was racing with all the thoughts I'd had about how weird it was that Sasuke made me think differently than anyone else did, I felt his lips on mine. My eyes widened and I saw him rolling over to lay on his side next to me. His eyes were halfway lidded and he wore no expression. In my mind I thought, I guess I really am gay.

I slid closer to him and pressed my lips against his once more. His hand slid over my hip lazily and I felt my body heat up at the closeness. I heard the front door open and cursed Jiraiya for always showing up at the worst times. We both sat back on the edge of the bed and continued playing games as though we hadn't just kissed. Jiraiya never bothered us but after getting up from laying down, it didn't seem right to get back under the blanket like earlier. He left a while later and acted the same as every day.

I plopped back on my bed more confused than ever.He kissed me. What does that mean? He didn't even say anything...

The next day at lunch, I roamed through the pavilion alone thinking about what I would do when I got to CS. Luckily Sasuke had a different lunch period than I did so I didn't worry about bumping into him. I wandered aimlessly until I heard someone shout my name. I looked around until I saw a table crowded with a bunch of kids I didn't know.

"Hey, Naruto. That's your name right?"

I walked over casually. "Yeah, that's me."

"I'm Shikamaru, that's Shino, Neji, and Tenten."

I greeted everyone and sat down across Shikamaru.

"How come you're walking around by yourself?"

"Oh, I was just thinking about stuff. Did you need something?"

"Not really, just thought you looked lonely."

Tenten leaned close to me, "So, are you gay?"

I blushed and stammered before finally answering, "Uh, half, probably."

She laughed, "What do you mean probably?"

"Well I never really thought about it, but I guess I'm not entirely against it."

Shikamaru cut in again, "We don't really care if you are or not. And you can sit with us whenever."

"Haha, thanks guys."

Sitting with them, I let Sasuke slip from my mind as we joked around with each other. They asked me the sort of things everyone always asks the new kid. Where are you from, why'd you move, do you like it here, see anyone you like?

The only one who seemed to continue the conversation was Shikamaru, which I didn't really mind. He walked me to speech and promised to catch up with me later. I went to my desk and sat beside my friend Kankuro. He was one of the first people I had met but we never saw each other outside of class.

By the time last period rolled around, I was a mess of nerves. I worried about what would happen once I saw Sasuke. I kept telling myself,It'll be okay. He started it. You did nothing. This is all on him. Don't worry.

Class started and really, nothing had changed. He was the same old Sasuke. I let myself relax until I thought about how really nothing had changed. What was that kiss about? Was it just a one time thing? The bell rang and I didn't wait for him to catch up to me as I rushed out of class to head home. Before I could even step onto the sidewalk, Sasuke had caught up to me and was walking beside me nonchalantly.

"Does Lee not like me anymore?"

"Why do you ask?"

I avoided looking at him. "He doesn't come over anymore."

"I told him not to."

"Why?"

"No reason."

Bullshit.

We arrived at my apartment and I let him go to my room as I grabbed water for him. I set down the water as usual and got into bed. I wrapped myself in the blanket before announcing, I don't feel like gaming right now, you can do whatever you want.

He didn't reply and I felt the bed lean in from his weight. He crawled over next to me and pulled the blanket enough for him to fit under it.

"Is it still too cold for you?"

Without looking at him, I nodded. He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me to his chest. I wanted to yell at him. What are you doing? Why are you hugging me? Why did you kiss me? What is this?!But I said nothing. I just let him hold me. Soon, he tilted my chin up and kissed me softly. He looked straight into me. His dark eyes pierced me and I felt like he'd sucked the breath out of me. My confusion built up inside me enough to give me the strength to pull away from him.

"What is this?"

He looked at me expressionless, as though I were insane for not knowing. "You're mine."

I smiled dumbly and moved back into his chest. We stayed that way for the longest time. Every now and then he'd kiss me but mainly we just held each other. He watched me and I examined every feature on his face. He really was the most handsome guy I'd ever seen.

We didn't move until I heard my phone go off. I stood and went to it and said to myself, "What number is this?"

I picked it up and dumbly said, "Hello?"

A deep male voice shot into my ear, "Is Sasuke there?"

I held the phone out to Sasuke, "It's for you?"

He took the phone calmly and replied, "Must be my dad."

I left the room to give him some privacy. Later, he came out and said, "I gotta go. Dad wants me home."

"Oh, okay. How did your dad get my number?"

"I called him from your phone once."

"Ah, well I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yeah."

He moved towards the front door but I grabbed his wrist, stopping him. He turned to face me with an eyebrow arched in question.

"What am I?"

"I dunno, what are you?"

I glared at him. "I mean to you."

"My boyfriend." He kissed me lightly before walking out.

I felt like running all over the place. I had never felt this way before. I thought about dating Sakura and how amazing being around Sasuke was compared to her. We were still really good friends, but Sakura had never made me feel the way Sasuke did, and I had only just met him. I decided I'd wait to tell my friends back home about this. Not only did I have to tell them I thought I was gay or bi or whatever, but now I had a boyfriend too.

I went back to my room and lay under the blanket. The smell of Sasuke still lingered around and I inhaled it longingly as I drifted off to sleep.