Alright, here's Chapter Two! I decided to upload it today as well, because why not? This is where the fun actually begins.
This chapter is a little short compared to what chapters one and three are but, there wasn't a good spot to make a chapter break without messing the plot up.
Enjoy!
Oh no, we're not Strangers anymore,
Oh no, I'll keep coming back for more.
- RUNAGROUND
Chapter Two – Funny Coincidences
Even though a couple of hours had passed, Sakura found herself recalling the earlier event of her morning, her leg bobbing up and down in a nervous habit and her gaze staring out the window, her mind flew back to the joyous interaction that made up her morning.
Flashback –
After she had showered and dressed herself in a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and a white top with an accompanying long grey cardigan, Sakura packed up her things, feeling easy and refreshed. The whole, rather embarrassing, ordeal that had taken place just outside the building had been washed down the drain during her shower. She gave a content sigh.
Wet tresses of strawberry blonde stuck to her face, and she took one of the tassels around her wrist and twisted her hair into a messy bun that didn't look too dishevelled. It would do for the day.
The pinkette grabbed her things and threw the strap of the duffel bag over her shoulder and headed out. Just when she thought she had her freedom, however, it turned out that she was utterly mistaken, for behind her she could hear the voice of the stranger calling out to her;
''Finally you have clothes on.'' Sakura halted, coming to an abrupt stop at hearing his comment. Then her face turned a dark shade of red, and she let out a huff, throwing the door open and storming outside, all the while missing the smirk and the amusement that played in the stranger's onyx eyes.
The shuffle of people packing up and walking out of the classroom brought Sakura out of her reverie, and caused her to look around, her mind still slightly hazy from spacing out. Class had ended, which meant Sakura had been zoned out for quite a while. 'Even when he's not here, he manages to somehow frustrate me. At least I don't have to see him ever again,' Sakura thought, bemused. Quickly she packed her things into her bag and rose to follow the flow of students out into the corridor. But before managing to do so, a hand grabbed a hold of her wrist and drew her backwards. Surprised, the pinkette twisted to discover who had taken hold of her arm.
It turned out to be a girl.
Who had a beautiful shade of chestnut brown hair that, upon further scrutiny, had been twisted and pinned up into two identical twin buns on either side, with small bangs framing her face.
Sakura moved her gaze over to the brunette's facial futures, and discovered that her eyes were a striking hazel, which seemed to draw her own emerald orbs in.
'What's with people's eyes at this school silently seducing me? This is the second time in a row already..!'
After taking in her appearance, Sakura shot a quick glance at the vice grip on her arm, figuring that the girl had to be participating in some kind of sport, or fighter's class, for she had a really strong grip. Inwardly, she winced at the tight hold of her forearm, it did kind of hurt a little.
'It's probably going to bruise.'
The girl who she had silently been studying for some time dipped a brow, looking slightly unsure, before speaking,
''You're… Sakura, right?'' The pinkette stood dumbfounded for a while, her eyes widening a fraction. How did this girl know her name?
But regardless, she gave an apprehensive smile before uttering a 'yes', still pondering on just who this girl was.
''Ah, then I was right. I was worried for a second that I might've grabbed the wrong person, but then again, it's hard to miss a girl with pink hair.'' The girl smirked. It made Sakura feel a little more at ease, knowing that the brunette didn't seem to have some kind of evil scheme planned for her. That would've sucked, otherwise.
She let out a laugh, and felt that maybe they would end up good friends in the future, but it was too early to make any assumptions. She barely knew this girl.
''Yeah, I guess so,'' came her reply. The brunette then released her hold on the pinkette and shot her hand forward.
''I'm Tenten by the way. And if you're wondering, I'm actually Hinata's bunk-buddy. Ironically, I'm also friends with her cousin, so I've known her since before. Funny coincidence, right? But yeah, she told me about you and some other girl, Ino, I think her name was, that you two were bunking together…?''
She was right. She and Ino were the two girls that bunked together, but Sakura paid that little mind, for she was too busy mulling over the fact that Hinata knew this girl. It was hard picturing her purplehaired friend socializing with the brunette… Her personality pointed towards outgoing, and Hinata was all but an extrovert. Yet they seemed to have history together. Odd.
Sakura decided to shrug it off for now, and instead took hold of Tenten's hand and shook it.
''It is a funny coincidence, I didn't know, Hinata hasn't mentioned anything. And yes, I am the one bunking with Ino. I would say my name but, you seem to already know that.'' Sakura said, letting a smirk form on her lips. It was easy to converse with this girl, she was so… easy-going. The brunette let out a laugh at her comment.
Yes, this did seem to be a start to what Sakura hoped would be a nice friendship. But maybe a little secretive as well. She knew her name, she knew Hinata, and her cousin apparently, but this was the first time she ever heard of her. Why did she approach her?
It was such a small matter, really, hardly anything worth to get worked up about, but it kept nagging her in the back of her mind, not wanting to be dismissed as coincidence.
''Come on, I'll show you around on campus. The boys and Hinata wanted me to help you and your friends out, so you don't wander around lost. I'll show you around and explain the inner workings of this school, so there's nothing to worry about.''
'The boys?'
Suddenly, the brunette leaned in a little closer to Sakura, with a spark of something inside her hazel eyes that made Sakura feel slightly uneasy.
''I have to warn you though…'' Tenten spoke in a low whisper, catching the pinkette's emerald orbs with her intense hazel ones, dragging her in and chaining her, unable to divert her gaze even if she wanted to.
''KHS is no ordinary school, you should be prepared for anything.'' And then she promptly proceeded to drag Sakura outside, walking towards what probably was the lunch area for the clock had struck lunchtime, leaving the pinkette wondering what she possibly could have meant with 'KHS is no ordinary school', and that she should 'be prepared'. 'But prepare for what? And who are the boys she mentioned…'
Sakura furrowed her brow. Something was in the making.
Tenten seemed to be hiding something, but only let her know a few loose bits of information. Irrelevant, but somehow important, pieces of info.
Could she have possibly meant that because KHS was a school for rich people, they believed they could do anything the wanted, just because they had the money to do so? Even… Criminal things? That she should prepare for that?
'Would they go so far as to break the law…?'
And who were the boys she had mentioned earlier, those that apparently wanted Tenten to find her, along with Hinata? It was as if they had a manila folder full of details about her – her name, how she looked like… They seemed to know it all. It must've been Hinata's doing, but regardless of that, it still made her feel uneasy. And slightly afraid, because she had no idea about whom the boys were, or what they could be capable of. Or why her purplehaired friend never had mentioned anything…
'I seriously hope it's not a planned kidnapping…' Her mind popped up.
'Now I'm going too far, that's just stupid. She probably just meant those big parties that always take place when school starts up again, stop being paranoid.' She scolded herself.
She hated not knowing, to be stuck in the dark with little to no information. It left her guessing, and she would draw up theory after theory, just trying to piece the puzzle together. Because she wanted to know. However, sometimes her mind just went into overdrive, thinking of the most unlikely scenarios in an attempt to cover the blank spaces.
Just like it had done now, mistaking school for some kind of detective agency. Jesus, she was bad.
Sakura and Tenten had gotten lunch together, and now it was time for the last class before the school day was officially over. While walking towards her locker, Sakura recalled the conversation they had during lunch.
Flashback –
''So Sakura, have you signed up for any sport here on campus?'' Tenten asked, giving the pinkette a curious glance and lifting up a piece of lattice to eat.
''I have actually, handball. I was considering lacrosse but… It didn't feel like my type of thing. Besides, handball I've played before, so I know how it works.'' Sakura said, and chewed on her potato while staring at her plate as if stuck in a trance.
''Ah, so you played handball at your previous school then? Well, except that we're in the same calculus and history class, we'll apparently be seeing each other a lot, because I signed up for the handball team as well.'' Tenten replied, and winked at the pinkette who had managed to break the stare competition between her and her vegetables, directing her gaze at the brunette when she had spoken. Her cheeks immediately turned a light shade of pink, because the smile Tenten flashed her meant that there was some kind of double-meaning in between those words. But Sakura didn't ponder on that too much, or she'd become more flustered than she already was.
''I did, and I kind of miss playing it, so that's why I signed up. It's too bad it isn't all too recognized though…''
''I know, right? I think handball is one of the best sports out there, you-''
''-get to see some hot girls playing on a field while throwing a ball around, nothing to complain about!'' Someone butted in. Sakura was stunned into silence and lifted her gaze to the person who had approached and interrupted Tenten.
It was a blondehaired boy, who sported a goofy and rather captivating smile. Sakura furthered her scrutiny, and saw that he had a golden brown complexion, along with a muscular body, though it was hidden behind a pair of loose light blue jeans and a simple white t-shirt. She shifted her gaze further up, and saw that his eyes were one of the most beautiful and intense shades of blue. They were nice to look at - they were likeable.
'Okay Sakura, jump off that train.'
''Perv, of course you'd say that. But you're just desperate, Naruto, and can't succeed in luring a girl to you so you just have to accept that you'll only see one from a distance.'' Tenten turned around and said, all the while shooting the blonde boy whose name apparently was Naruto a devilish smirk. All but Sakura remained oblivious to how the cafeteria had suddenly turned quiet, and that there were a lot of pair of eyes directed towards their table. Some even seemed chocked, while others were curious. Sakura wondered why.
Did it have something to do with the blondehaired boy – With Naruto? It sure seemed like it, because it was only when he entered that all the chatter died down. She chewed on her carrot slowly, her brow furrowed in thought.
There seemed to be quite a few secrets around here, things everyone else knew… Everyone but her, apparently.
Why were these people so shocked to see Naruto walking in here? Did he have some kind of reputation going on? She wanted to know, dammit.
'Just what is going on…? This is getting weird.'
Sakura brought herself back to reality, deciding to let the matter go for now. She wouldn't come to any conclusions anyway, for there was too much that remained unknown. Her mental list of question marks was consistently growing larger, she felt.
Naruto had dramatically placed a hand over his heart and made a facial expression of hurt at Tenten's words.
''You wound me, Ten, having no faith in me. Might as well grab a knife and stab me while you're at it.'' Tenten only rolled her eyes before she turned back to Sakura who had yet to say anything, mostly because she had been lost in thought, and pointed a thumb at the blonde.
''That idiot standing there is Naruto Uzumaki, he's part of the boys' group, and has shits for brains.''
''Hey! I do not, I'm pretty smart when I want to be!''
''Which is never, Naruto, get over it.''
''Why am I even friends with you…'' The blonde muttered, before he glanced over at the other girl sitting opposite Tenten. His ten thousand watt smile returned. Sakura curiously observed him. He seemed to smile a lot.
'Not that his smiles look bad, they're actually pretty nice to look at… Okay Sakura, time to stop. What did I say about the train?' She interrupted her study of him, fearing it would go out of control if she continued. Naruto then spoke up.
''Who's this? You actually have girlfriends, Tenten? Colour me surprised.'' He said and laughed, patting the brunette's shoulder in a good-for-you manner. He was about to continue his teasing when suddenly his eyes widened and a baffled expression overtook his facial futures. Then,
''Your hair is pink.'' Came the abrupt statement. The blonde's gaze held disbelief at what he was seeing. Sakura just blinked, surprised, before raising an eyebrow and smirked.
''And as real as the pink laces on your shoes. Tell me, why do you have pink laces on your shoes, Naruto?'' This time it was Naruto who was looking surprised, but it didn't last very long before he broke into a chuckle. His hand was now on the back of Tenten's seat instead of her shoulder, whiles his other rose and scratched his head, ruffling the blonde locks. Tenten's lips quirked into a smile and amusement played in her eyes at Sakura's unexpected come-back.
''Ah, that. I lost a bet, and Teme forced me to wear pink laces to school for this whole month. Bastard's playing the tough love card on me.''
''I think you mean 'luck', tough luck, Sasuke doesn't love people, remember?'' Tenten quipped.
''Of course he does! He's just an emotionally constipated person with a stick driven up his ass, nothing to worry about.'' Naruto replied, almost too casually. He was insulting this Sasuke-guy while at the same time absurdly defending him. It didn't exactly count as normal… But Naruto had this weird affect and made it seem as if it was, like someone could actually walk around with a stick driven up your behind and not getting impaled by it from the inside…
'Why am I even imagining this?'
Sakura sat still, her cheek resting against her hand while her mind had swivelled away from reality and into her thoughts. Again. She had spaced out more as of late… But the blame was on these people. They dragged her into some sort of mystery, and so, Sakura felt it was her job to solve it.
'Who is this Sasuke? And what did Tenten mean by 'he doesn't love people'?' She mused silently. The name brought forth weird feelings to her - butterfly feelings, like she somehow should recognize the name of the mentioned person. But as far as she knew, she didn't know anyone named 'Sasuke', nor had she met anyone called that either, so the feeling was left unidentified. And why did Naruto call this Sasuke-guy 'Teme'?
'Isn't that an insult…?'
Not being aware of her surroundings, someone suddenly appeared in her line of vision, effectively bringing her out from her mind's world.
''Earth to Sakura, are you there?''
Crouched at her feet and waving a pair of hands in front of her face, was Naruto. The glazed over look in her eyes disappeared and the pinkette blinked.
''Welcome back to the land of the living,'' The blonde said, and shot her a boyish smirk. Sakura tilted her head and smiled at his antics.
''Thank you, it's good to be back.'' She replied. The trio then proceeded to exit the lunchroom, the onlookers following them with their gaze, still looking shocked and curious.
Her previous thoughts about why they seemed so surprised to see the blondehaired boy enter the cafeteria, and who at the moment walking next to her, came back, but she pushed them away and ignored them. Instead, she continued on with her light banter with Naruto while Tenten just pretended she didn't know the two. Before the pinkette took off to her class, however, Naruto pulled her over to the side.
''Hey Sakura, you should hang with me and Tenten tomorrow, we're sitting at the cafeteria then too, so you can meet the rest of the group. And bring your friends. It'll be fun, alright? I promise!'' Sakura felt overwhelmed at what the blonde had said. He was asking her, Ino and Hinata, to come with him to introduce them to his friends. It left her feeling… happy, and content.
Something she rarely felt these days.
She wouldn't have to worry anymore if she would find any friends or not, for here she was just given the opportunity to find them. Tears of happiness filled up her eyes but she quickly pushed them down, not wanting to embarrass herself and cry in front of Naruto. It would look silly. Instead, she opted to smile widely, her own version of his ten thousand watt smile.
''I'd love to.''
''Alright! I knew we would be great friends. Meet us up outside the cafeteria tomorrow when your classes end, see you, Sakura!'' He said, and walked away. Not before bringing her into a hug though, which left Sakura rooted in the spot even after he had taken off. She never pondered over the fact that he knew her name without her ever mentioning it.
