'Choji what takes you so long?' Shikamaru adjusted his hat.
'Sorry Shikamaru, I made a typo.'
'If you'll fill in those parking tickets that slow the cars will disappear.' He rolled his eyes and walked towards an expensive looking car standing in front of an tall office building. The parking ticked expired a 15 minutes before. 'They are rich enough to afford a ticked…' He mumbled and started filling in the form. Somehow he disliked all those people who were driving those big, fancy cars and worked in those shiny offices. They were disgusting to him and that's why he particularly enjoyed giving them parking tickets.
'Stop! Mister officer! Please! I'm already leaving!' A woman's voice shouted behind his back and the tapping of heals got louder. He looked back with a bored face expression. How many times have he already experienced that. Some well-stacked chick will try to convince him not to give her a ticket.
'Mister officer…' She was panting.
'Crap…' He whispered.
'I really am…' She looked at him and he could see she was just as surprised. 'Shikamaru…'
'Hi…'He mumbled.
'Hi…' She took a deep breath and focused. 'I'm really leaving right now. I'm just 10 minutes over the time, could you just overlook this?'
He stared at her motionless. Taking a second look at her he liked her even more. She was pretty, very pretty. Dressed formally, holding the keys to this exclusive car. What should he do? Why would he let her go? He has never let anyone go like this.
'I really can't.'
'Come on. 10 minutes…' She straightened herself up.
'Shikamaru, do we have a problem here?' Choji walked up. 'Is the lady causing a problem?'
Temari looked at the chubby man and frowned.
'No problem Choji, I'm finishing filling in the form.'
'Shika…mister officer…' She mumbled.
Choji looked at her closely and gasped.
'That's you!'
'Excuse me?' She tilted her head.
'That's you from the club!' He smiled.
'Choji…' Shikamaru was writing fasted and wished to die.
'Oh…' She blushed. 'Please officers, I really am on my way…'
'Listen…The ticket is invalid.' He looked at her troubled. 'This would be really troublesome…' He wished she would offer him to buy him a coffee if he would change her mind. Anything that would make him change his mind. He was really willing to look away when she'll be driving away but he wanted to have a reason. Why did he want to do that for her? He just thought about how he hated those fancy-pants. How did he end up wishing to let her get away with this?
'Hey Shika, I think we might let her get away with it for once…' Choji smiled happily and winked. 'I mean such a pretty lady…'
She turned her eyes towards the bigger one and the frowning face turned into an adorable smile.
'So you…' He said out loud but stopped himself. 'So you can smile…' He thought and stared at her.
'You think so Officer?' She suddenly seemed sweeter and Shikamaru's alarm bells were ringing dangerously loud. Obviously she tried to fool his friend.
'Yeah. Have a nice day.' Choji smiled and waved at her car encouraging her to get in.
'You're the best.' She took a step and turned around. 'Maybe that's out of place but… Could I get your number?'
Both of the guys stood frozen and looked at each other.
'Shikamaru's?' Choji looked at her puzzled.
'Yours. If that's not a problem.' She looked at the ground and smiled shyly.
'Mine?!' Choji once again looked at the brunette who only shook his shoulders. He was so lost. None of this made sense.
'You don't have to if you don't want to…' She mumbled.
'No…sure…' He grabbed her phone and put his number in it. 'So…I'll hear from you.'
'Bet you will.' She looked at the screen. 'Choji.' She smiled and sat in her car, minutes later, driving away.
'Don't you mind it? I was being nice only because of you Shika…' Choji looked troubled.
'You don't have to be nice because of me. There's nothing going on between the two of us. If she calls you go out with her.' He shrug his arms but a strange feeling was being born in his chest.
'Really? You think I should go out with her? She was way out of my league…'
'She asked for your number. We'll see what will happen…'
'Bro…that's exciting.' His whole face was shining. She really has made his day.
'So she asked him out?'
'Yeah…they're out for dinner tonight.' He sipped his beer slowly.
'That's good I guess, isn't it?' The blonde looked at him curiously.
'Yeah… I think.'
'You don't look enthusiastic.'
'She's a bitch, we know that. She's no good for him…and…'
'and?'
'and…I'm not sure she's honest..'
'What does that mean mr. clever?' Ino sat closer to him.
'I think she might be playing him…'
'Playing? Why would she do that?'
'I Don't know.'
'Maybe you're jealous? Because she asked him not you.'
'Why would I?'
'I don't know. Maybe you got attached.'
'No.' 'Didn't have the chance.' 'We're like complete strangers. Why would I get jealous? That's ridiculous.'
'So why do you think she wants to use him? She's successful from what you said. She's got money, a car, a nice apartment. The only thing missing is a boyfriend.'
'Don' t make me laught…'
'What? Do you think she wouldn't want someone like Choji?'
'That's what you said.'
'So what is it?'
'They don't match.'
'Match? You think Choji is not a match for her because he's fluffy and a bit clumsy, or am I wrong?'
'They just don't match…' He looked at her and blushed. He had just realized that was exactly what he was thinking. He was the worst kind of person. He really though his adorable friend couldn't get a girl like this, just because of his looks and ways. He underestimated him so badly it hurted. Why would he do that? When did he become so bad?
'I think this is exactly what you wanted to say. Pathetic…' Ino hissed and flipped her hair. ' Better think of yourself Nara. You're not that much of a stud you think you are. You might have gotten that chick for a night but remember she was fucked up too. Any girl that drunk would do you so don't think of yourself that highly. You're not special. If you want a girl to notice you you'll either need luck or skills. Your chances are nothing better than Choji's.' She looked at him. 'Better memorize that, idiot.' She stood up. 'Can't really recognize you tonight. Call me when you got your ego down from the pedestal.'
'Ino, I'm sorry…' But she wasn't listening. She left the bar and left him with his thoughts. Another reason to feel bad about himself. That bet somehow ruined his life.