AN: I was so happy for the reviews. Thanks so much! :D

CRAWLING IN MY SKIN

II.

G. I stared at Sakura, shifting ever so slightly in my seat. I didn't know what to do. I have to work with this pink headed girl, or else I fail and that's not acceptable. My eyes narrowed into slits, glaring hatefully at her. This is your entire fault. I knew it really wasn't. She couldn't help that the assignment was group work but still, she was beneath me.

"U-Um…Gaara. When do you want to start the project?" She stammered, looking at the tiles on the ground.

"..." Her eyes slowly drifted to mine. I felt that sereneness again, and I didn't like it.

"Well, we could always start tonight if you want."

"…"

"I'll just come over your-"

"No." My voice was sharper than I intended but I didn't particularly care. There was no way she was coming to my house. I hardly knew this girl. But being the persistent wretch she is, she didn't take no for an answer.

"Why not?" Her emerald orbs lit up, curious.

"…" I looked out the window, not saying a word. Like hell I was going to explain to her that I have a messed up family; that I have two siblings that are afraid of me; that I have a father that hates me. I have a family that is too broken up for you to see, Sakura. It's not something she or anyone would want to get involved in. The feeling of sorrow drowns your heart and soul into a place you can't escape. You wish for death every single day.

"You're going to have to say something here and there, ya know!" She huffed, crossing her arms. Her face scrunched up, and it looked cool? Is that even the right word?

"Because I said no." I turned my baleful eyes back at her, getting up and walking out the door. School was just about over anyway; no need to stay for another hour to talk about something stupid with her.

S. After things settled down a bit, Gaara and I sat back down by his seat. He always stared out that window each day. When I looked out there, it was boring; nothing happening. But he always had something to look at. His shaggy red locks wisped into his face in just the right way and his foam green eyes always held aloofness. I've always admired the way he looked. He was different from everyone else, with no eyebrows and a "love" symbol tattoo above his left eye. I've always known that Gaara was a guarded person. Anyone could tell. He kept distance from everyone, it was apparent in the way he never conversed with his peers; in how held himself. Many students here were afraid of him. But I wasn't. I just couldn't find it in me to be. He never did anything anyways, the guy barely even spoke! I mean talk about a mute! What I wanted to know was why everyone hated him so much. He couldn't have done anything that bad. I have a plan on how to open him up, as long as he cooperates without knowing.

I peered into his eyes, searching there depts. He kept them heavily guarded, a scowl always on his face when looking at people. I had a sudden urge to caress his cheek, smooth out his delicate pale skin. I knew that would get in me in much unwanted trouble though so I calmed myself. I kept staring into his eyes, feeling serenity fill me; until his eyes narrowed and he was glaring intensely at me.

"U-Um…Gaara. When do you want to start the project?" I stuttered, dropping my eyes to the suddenly interesting floor tiles by his feet. He always wore black converses. These were tattered and worn, but it suited him.

"..." I waited in vain for an answer that I realized wouldn't come. I was afraid to look at him, but I knew I needed to know if he heard me or not. And partly because I wanted to look at him.

"Well, we could always start tonight if you want." I tried again.

"…" No answer

"I'll just come over your-"

"No." His answer was so sudden, it caught me off guard. I could feel the surprise showing on my face.

"Why not?" I stared him down, watched as his expression stayed stoic but his eyes held an archaic sorrow that I myself was too afraid to ask about. He was looking out the window again.

"…"

"You're going to have to say something here and there, ya know!" I huffed out a little. As if realizing he was showing emotion, he masked his face again, turning his now guarded eyes towards me. I scrunched my face at him.

"Because I said no." He said harshly, glaring yet again. Just as suddenly, he got up and walked out the door. I was half tempted to follow him. But I didn't.

The last hour dragged on but as soon as the bell rung I was up and out of the door. I quickly got into my black VW and sped away from school. I was in my neighborhood of moderately priced homes. As I was waiting at a stop sign, I saw red in the corner of my eyes. Gaara! Once the first car passed by I stepped on the pedal, cutting the left lane car off. He honked at me and started swearing. I shot him an apologetic look but that only fueled him. Gaara's peered around towards me and I squeaked, ducking under the wheel. What the hell am I doing?! There was lots of honking as I swerved into another lane. I immediately got back up and straightened my car up, nearly hitting another. Do I dare peak at his face? When I looked at him, his eyes were incredulous. He was perched on the steps of a house, staring directly at me. I felt the perspiration sticking to my skin. Should I get out and approach him? I kept on driving, too afraid to stop in front of his house. That was just too blunt. Surprisingly enough, my house 3 doors down, right across the street from his. I never knew he lived that close. You would think I'd have notice sometime in the past 3 years but I never did. I took my time getting my things together. I looked into my mirror and he was walking over! I started sweating. Oh my gosh he thinks I'm a stalker! Not good, not good! But wait I live here. Ohhh what am I suppose to say to him? I slowly opened my door and got out, making an effort to not look at him.

"Haruno." His rough voice said, questioning. I turned around, looking him directly in the eyes. And what met mine was a cold glare. It sent a shiver up my spine.

"Hehe, hey Gaara. Didn't know you lived down here." I clasped my fingers behind me, waiting for his reply.

"So…I see." An awkward silence filled the air for a minute. I looked away, feeling the wind on my skin as a gentle breeze took place.

"Yeah, so I'll see you around." I turned to go, but he stopped me.

"Wait." I shifted my head to the side, not fully turning around.

"Yes?"

G. I stared at her, not knowing what to say. Why did I even tell her to wait? It just came out. I shoved my hands into my pockets, feeling them get clammy. I glared at the cement sidewalks, pondering. With a huff, I held my hand out, really scowling now. It was the only thing I could think of.

"Um, what?" She was fully turned to me at this point. Her pink hair moved with the breeze, her scent playing in my head. She smells of buttercream.

"Do you want to start the project tonight or not?" She looked surprised, but she stepped forward and put her hand in mine. Her cheeks were tinged with pink. My heart raced as her warm skin connected with mine. I felt the blood rushing to my face. I immediately threw her hand away, turning from her. "What do you think you're doing?! I wanted your number!" I nearly yelled, taking a few steps to the street.

"O-Oh! I-I'm sorry. I thought…um h-here." She stammered fiercely, rummaging through her backpack. What was that? That feeling, that intensity? I shrugged it off, not wanting to know. I heard her foot steps approaching, so I turned sideways, still not looking at her, and put my hand out. She delicately placed a piece of paper in my hand. I began walking away, not looking back. That feeling that I felt when our hands touched...I shuddered. I pushed it to the farthest depths of my mind. Once I got to my front door, I quickly opened it and raced up to my room. I was trying to avoid my family and I was successful. I stayed in my room all night, staring at her number. I had my cell phone in my hand, debating on whether to call her. I sat there for on hour, dialing her number and pushing end. I have never in my life felt this indecisive. On the 25th time of dialing her number, I finally pushed send. She's just a mundane human. Nothing to get worked up over. But I knew. I already knew that…

+This is going to be trouble.+

AN: Here's the chapter I promised. :D Hope you liked it. I know it went kind of slow. But things will pick up like they always do. Just wanted to put Sakura's perspective in there. Review for me and I'll update. :P OH btw, I have a new Sakura picture! Other one didn't fit. So check it out.