A/N: Yes I'm changing things. If something is different, it is likely on purpose. I'm proofreading nowadays.
Sumire flinched a little when Deidara elbowed her playfully. He noticed the tiny movement, but didn't dwell on it for the woman walking beside him was still smiling and laughing along with his jests.
"My eyes are going to look puffy all day," she whined while patting the tips of her digits beneath her lower lids.
"I could get you a cold can of something."
"No it's okay, I'll just be puffy face."
He chuckled softly while glancing sideways at her. She was only a couple of inches shorter than him, with narrow shoulders and only slight curves in her waist. Deidara was not impressed by her general person, for he was used to and often more attracted to, women with deep curves, larger busts, and wider hips, but the image of her smile remained in his mind. They entered the room that Sasori was still seated in. He had a stack of completed robes to his right and a bored look on his face. Deidara sat down in an open spot and Sumire followed suit.
"How many more, un?"
"Two after this one."
Deidara immediately got to work. With someone else there, Sumire felt far more comfortable and she took up the fabric she had been working with before. Her fingers worked meticulously to sew it into the right design and after only a few minutes she finished the first one. She found her rhythm and was soon churning out one sash after another, all of which were a uniform size and shape. Deidara finished his first robe and looked at the small stack of sashes piling up. He grinned at her:
"Look at you go, hm."
She smiled but did not look up from her work. Sasori made a quick "che" sound at what he considered to be an unnecessary praise. Deidara suppressed a laugh and began to sew up the next robe. They seem to be getting along well, Sasori thought. He turned his eyes on the woman beside Deidara and watched as she quickly and efficiently produced another sash. Her movements were graceful, not at all like before. A tuft of her dark hair slipped forward over her shoulders and framed her focused face. And now she is an effective worker, Sasori thought while placing his last robe on the top of the stack.
Sumire could feel Sasori's reddish-brown eyes boring into the top of her skull. What did I do now? Why isn't he saying anything? As though he read her mind he spoke:
"I'll leave the last one to you Deidara. Koizumi, come with me."
She looked up with a start, not expecting to be taken away from her task so quickly, she then looked to Deidara with a bit of panic in her gaze, but he gave her a reassuring look. Sumire put down the fabric and followed the red head into the backstage room. She heard a faint clinking sound amidst their soft steps and she noticed a chain hanging from the belt-loops of his pants. The end of the chain disappeared into his pocket. Fashion? Sasori-sama the fashionista. No, don't you dare say that out loud.
In the very far back corner of the backstage room was a shoddy looking file cabinet. Sasori pulled out a box of yellow colored gel sheets, the kind that covers stage lights, and turned to her.
"I'm going to show you how to replace the gel sheets." He said, "Remember they are here, I won't be telling you again."
She nodded. They exited through the backstage door and walked onstage to the low lights on the far left. He reached behind the structure that help up a few sidelights and a loud sound of moving machinery filled the hall. Far above their heads a large, black, mesh structure came down. It moved very slowly and creaked very loudly. Sumire looked back to Sasori who was visibly irritated; he was glaring at the metal structure as though it was consciously aware of how slow it moved. He's pretty impatient huh? She thought. When it finally reached their level, he released his hand from the button. He pulled out a metal sleeve from one of the sidelights then removed the faded yellow gel sheet already inside of it. He replaced it with a newer one and returned the metal sleeve to its place.
"Do the next one," he commanded while holding out the box of sheets to her.
She took it and reached for the metal sleeve below the one he replaced. She mimicked what he had done with only minor amounts of fumbling.
Sasori watched her as she slipped the metal sleeve back into its place and he noticed her hand. She's hurt and said nothing? His hand snapped out to grasp hers, and he yanked her arm back towards his face.
Sumire yelped when she felt her wounded hand clasped in an iron grip and her arm pulled back forcefully. She stumbled as she was forcibly turned around to face him, almost falling against him.
"What is wrong with your hand?" he asked sternly.
"My hand is fine," she tried to say but his grip tightened, and she winced.
"How did you get hurt?"
He had a suspicion that someone had caused this.
"I spilled some coffee on it." She explained. You're not making it any better damn it.
His grip loosened but he didn't let her go. It's been treated, that must be why I didn't notice before. Then is she fine? Is she in pain? His thumb brushed lightly over the red skin.
Sumire's face began to flush at the gentle touch, is he concerned? Just about how well I would work with a damaged hand right? She shook her head and tried to pull her hand out of his.
"I'm fine, Sasori-sama."
His grip weakened. Sasori-sama. He released her hand and turned away.
"Finish the rest of the lights." He ordered and left her alone.
Sumire watched the short red-haired man walk away, a look of disbelief remained on her face. He just does whatever he damn well pleases! Who just grabs someone's hand like that? If it looks hurt, why try to fucking rip it off? She let out a frustrated cry and refocused on her task. As she progressed she found she couldn't reach the highest lights, even on her toes, so she searched and retrieved a stepladder from backstage and used it to complete her task. As she climbed down the first step snapped beneath her foot. Thankfully, she was low to the ground and she landed back safely. Another frustrated sigh left her lips, as she stood there glaring at the broken stool she noticed someone watching her.
"Hoshigaki-sama." She bowed.
"Kisame is fine." He said as he climbed onto the stage.
"Kisame-sama, good morning."
"Good morning. Did the bottom step break?"
"Oh, yes…" a wave of embarrassment enveloped her.
He seemed to notice her nervousness, so he knelt to examine the broken tool. She dropped to her knees beside him.
"We have some tools to fix this."
"Oh good…" her voice took on a lighter tone, but her mood had dropped, and she puffed her cheeks. This sucks.
A large hand patted the top of her head.
"Don't sweat it, little one."
She looked up at him in a bit of awe. The man with a shark-like appearance was looking down at her with a half-grin. Just then the entrance to the hall opened, and a loud shout reverberated through the building.
"Fucking Tobi!"
Said man came prancing into the hall with Hidan and Itachi walking behind him.
"I've made Hidan-senpai angry!" Tobi skipped towards the stage.
"Shut your fucking mouth!"
Hidan looked ready to rush after the masked man. Instead, he reached under the collar of his shirt and pulled out a beaded necklace. He placed an amulet, of what looked like a circle with an upside-down triangle in it, to his lips and seemed to be mumbling something as he walked. Itachi walked ahead of the praying man.
"Tobi, you have yet to fix the ladder you broke last week," Itachi said.
"Ah! My apologies I completely forgot!" he faced Itachi but spun back around and noticed Sumire onstage.
"Sumire-chan!" he darted towards the stage, put one hand on the edge, and leaped up in one graceful motion.
Just as she stood, he threw his arms around her, hugged her hard, and broke into a spin. She screamed, completely shocked by this sudden maneuver, but he stopped abruptly and let her go. Sumire stumbled backwards. She caught a glimpse of Kisame moving to grab her, but she was already tilting backwards off the edge of the stage. Not again. She shut her eyes, waiting for the impact, but she felt a warm body pressed to her side and two arms holding her bridal style. She opened her eyes to see Itachi's face just inches from hers. Her cheeks turned a bright pink and her lips parted to speak.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"I-I-I-I-I" she completely stuttered on the first syllable of his name.
Their gazes were locked. Her hand was pressed to his dark grey v-neck shirt. She could see his features in great detail. He's really handsome, but also looks just like Sasuke or Sasuke looks just like him or… Her thoughts were interrupted as he set her down.
"Oi, are you okay Sumire?" Deidara had come rushing out upon hearing her scream.
Sasori had also emerged but looked less concerned than the blonde.
"I'm fine," she said and bowed to Itachi, thanking him.
"Tobi, you are going to injure Sumire-san if you don't act seriously." Itachi scolded.
"I'm sorry Sumire-chan! I was just really happy to see you!"
At the sound of his voice, Sumire felt anger bubbling inside of her, but she only looked at him. He jumped down in front of her, and she stepped back.
"Are you not happy to see me?"
She wanted to scream at him, but she bit her tongue.
"Leave her alone already, un."
"Sumire-chan, we are friends, aren't we? I didn't upset you, did I?"
"No," she said faintly, hoping that would be the end.
"Huh? Sumire-chan what was that? You should learn to speak up. It's rude to mumble!"
She opened her mouth but said nothing. Her gaze dropped to the floor.
"Sumire-chan! Sumire-chan! You should answer your senpai when he is talking to you. You are being really rude!"
Something seemed to snap.
"Tobi-san."
"Yes, Sumire-chan?"
"You are the one being rude!"
The hall fell silent. She raised her head, her fury clear in her expression. Tobi lifted his hands and placed them behind his head casually.
"You are my senpai," she began, "but please do not assume you can do whatever you please because of it."
Another silence passed over them.
"Hah, she fucking told you!" Hidan laughed loudly.
She glared at him, and he grinned back at her.
"What's wrong short-shit? You pissed at me too?"
"You are worse than him!" she practically screamed it.
"Damn, when did your balls drop short-shit?"
Her frustration exceeded her.
"You are the most-"
Itachi rested a hand on her shoulder, and she froze mid-sentence.
"Sumire-san."
She looked up at him with tears brimming in her eyes.
"Come."
He took her unharmed hand gently and led her away. Hidan cackled, earning a shove from Deidara who followed the pair up to the open sound booth. Sasori started after them but remembered: I make her nervous. Instead, he turned his attention to Tobi.
"You are staying after to sweep the hall, twice." He said.
Kisame shook his head at the grown masked-man whining like a child. Hidan ogled Sumire's body until she was no longer in sight.
Sasori noted Hidan's lecherous gaze:
"Hidan, you are polishing the house lights."
The grey-haired man proceeded to fling a series of curses at Sasori, but he departed to retrieve the polishing equipment nonetheless.
In the Sound Booth
Itachi had her sit in one of the few mental chairs in the open sound booth. He crouched so he was eye level with her. Deidara stood a few feet behind him.
"I'm sorry Itachi-sama. I spoke without thinking…" her voice died away, and she wiped tears from her eyes with the back of her hands.
"Deidara will you go get her something to drink?"
Deidara clicked his tongue at him but obeyed. He glanced back at Sumire's trembling form before descending the stairs.
"I'm sorry." She repeated.
"You have nothing to be sorry for."
Her hands dropped into her lap and she met his eyes. He watched her closely. Is he concerned? Annoyed? Bored? He's so much harder to read than his brother.
"Take some time to calm down. Perhaps you can go on your lunch break?"
"Un."
Deidara returned holding a can of black tea.
"Here," he said.
She thanked him while popping the tab. She took a sip and then sighed, her shoulders dropping.
"Let's go to the dining hall nearby, un."
She stood.
"Sure."
He started to lead her away.
"Oh, Itachi-sama, are you coming?"
Deidara made a displeased face.
"I have to get some more work done before I take my lunch."
"Okay, see you soon."
To the Dining Hall
Stepping out of the space was extremely relieving, but Sumire was aware that they were headed towards the busiest location on campus. Though it was Saturday the many studious individuals remained on campus and frequented the 24-hour dining halls. Sumire finished her can of tea and tossed it in a recycling bin that they passed, then she decided to take this opportunity to get a good look at the man she walked with. Unlike yesterday, part of his blonde hair was up in a ponytail, but the part covering his face was the same and he had a thick amount of black eyeliner around his visible eye. Today he wore a long-sleeved brown shirt with a green scarf wrapped around his neck. The clothing on his upper body was loose and comfortable looking, but the black pants he wore seemed tight. He had on dark brown, squared toed dress shores and his arms were folded over his chest as he walked. Deidara-san is quite a character; I wonder what he does outside of work? Sumire thought.
"Um,"
"Hm?" he looked at her.
"Deidara-san, may I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"What do you do? When you're not at the concert hall?"
His closed mouth suddenly curled into a grin.
"I'm an artist."
"Artist?"
"Ah."
"Did you study art in school or…
"I want to Iwa University for a while, but I quit. The curriculum was too damn stuffy, un."
"I see, did you focus on a particular medium?"
"Sculpture."
"That's really cool, do you have any on display somewhere?"
He chuckled:
"Those are long gone, un."
"Oh no, what happened to them?"
"They've transcended into true art, hm."
Sumire stared at him with both thin eyebrows raised. What is that supposed to mean?
Deidara rubbed his chin. A pensive hum laced with his ever-present confidence drifted out from beneath his lips. His eyes shut as he became absorbed with himself.
Sumire's expression sunk while watching him, she pouted and her eyebrows knitted. But what the hell does that mean? Is he not going to elaborate? And didn't he say he quit? So, he's a dropout? A dropout works at the Akatsuki concert hall…
They entered the bustling dining hall and she trotted closer to the slightly taller male. I hate crowds. They joined the fast-moving line, each grabbing their tray, and snatching plates of food as they traveled down the assembly. Sumire picked a small salad in addition to a plate of beef curry. They quickly reached the cashier and Sumire dipped her hand into her pocket in search of her wallet. Oh crap. Before the panic could set in Deidara said to the cashier:
"Hers too."
Her wide, frightened eyes locked onto him. He flashed his flirtatious gaze at her, then paid without another word. She followed him away from the line to one of the few empty tables.
"Thank you." She said meekly with a short bow before taking a seat.
She thought he would sit across from her, but he placed his tray perpendicular to hers and dragged his chair closer to hers with his foot. He plopped down in the metal chair, beaming at her.
"Don't mention it, un."
Sumire recited her thanks and spooned a bit of rice into her mouth. He was watching her while he ate, a bit of eagerness filled his every movement. Her movements were slower, more careful, as though she was nervous to be eating with someone so close to her.
"So what do you do?"
She swallowed down a bit of rice and glanced at him.
"I don't have any hobbies. I am uninteresting." She said in a monotone voice.
He stared at her.
"I'm sorry, I was trying to be funny."
He raised an eyebrow at her, still waiting for her to take his question seriously.
"I enjoy singing." She started, but felt herself blush, "like in the bath and stuff."
She laughed nervously then returned to pushing pieces of beef around in the thin brown curry sauce.
"Hmm, you'll have to sing for me sometime, un."
Her teeth sunk into her lip while her eyes darted from her plate to his face.
"I'll show you one of my pieces, and you'll sing for me, un."
"I thought those were all gone?"
"I've been working on some new ones."
"Really? What are you working on?"
"My focus has been on the bodily structure of birds recently, but I dabble in all kinds of animal and insect structures, hm."
"Cool," she said softly and took a bite of salad.
"But you have to tell me more about your singing."
Her face colored.
"W-what about it?"
"What genres are you into?"
"…mostly pop, some show tunes, some musicals, a little alternative, I'm not too partial."
"Hmm,"
He noticed her lack of confidence and the anxiety that emanated from her person. Instead of pushing further he made small talk with only the occasional playful exchange. Her nerves eased the longer they spoke, and she forgot that they were so close to one another.
"Give me your phone."
"…why?"
"Give it. I'm putting my number in, hm." He said with a tone of finality.
She handed him her phone and finished off her food while he inputted his contact information.
"You still use minutes?"
He rested his elbow on the back of her chair and braced his chin against a loose fist, while the other tapped at her phone screen.
"Yes." She responded.
"Do you have data?"
"Yes, a couple of gigabytes."
"Here download Line, hm."
"Line?"
She leaned over.
"It's a messaging app. Everyone has it, so you don't have to use up your minutes for work, un."
"Oh cool, thank you!"
"You need a username."
"A username, just my name is fine."
"That's no fun, hm."
Their gazes met briefly, but she immediately looked away.
"I'll make one for you."
"No!" she tried to snatch her phone back, but he raised his arm away. "Don't put anything weird!"
Her lips formed into a pout in response to his mischievous grin and he returned her phone.
"Oh gosh! That's embarrassing! How do I change it?"
"I'm not telling you."
"You bully." She bit her lip to stifle her smile, but to little effect.
Deidara settled into a smirk, his half-lidded eye studying her bashful nature. Satisfied with their lunch, he suggested they head back to the concert hall. Sumire thanked him again for the meal, and they made their way across campus. Together they entered the foyer.
"I'll see you backstage. I'm going to take care of something, un."
"Okay,"
Inside the main hall, she noticed Hidan on stage with his body tangled in the black, metal structure that held the stage lights. Though she expected to enter the backstage and return to work, she noticed Tobi approaching her. Uh oh, is he mad? What do I say?
"Sumire-chan."
She didn't answer.
"Sumire-chan! I didn't realize I was bothering you! I'm very sorry! Please accept my apology."
He bowed his head slightly.
It'd be best just to be friends with everyone, even him.
"It's fine Tobi-san."
"Let's get along really well from now on Sumire-chan!"
"Ah." She smiled at him weakly.
Suddenly his stomached growled.
"Sasori-sama had me running back and forth with the auxiliary cable, so I didn't get to go on my lunch break yet!" he whined.
He crouched while clutching at his stomach:
"I don't have enough time to go get food! Oooh!"
Sumire gazed at the childish display. She pondered his dramatic ways for a few moments before recalling she had prepared a bento that was still in her bag. Should I give him my lunch? I'm not going to eat it so…
"Tobi-san."
He raised his masked face.
"I made bento last night, but I went out to eat today. I don't want it to go to waste so if you are okay with it…"
He grasped her small hand with both his gloved ones and beamed at her beneath his orange mask.
"Really? Really really?"
"Ah, I'll go get it."
She pried herself from his grip to retrieve her bento. No one should work all day with no food, no matter how annoying they are. She handed him her small lunch when she rejoined him near the front of the stage.
"Sumire-chan's handmade bento! I'm so lucky!" he hopped into the air with the ability of someone far younger than he was, then sat on the carpeted floor to begin eating.
Sumire sighed loudly, and the sound of weight landing behind her made her turn.
"Big sigh short-shit, you still pissed?" he asked.
"No…" she flinched. "Wh-why are you not wearing a shirt?"
"It gets fucking hot in there." He said with a showy stretch of his limbs.
His muscles rippled beneath his pale skin.
She faced away from him, huffing so she could do away with any color that might have come to her cheeks.
"You're ridiculous." She scoffed.
"Hmm?"
His presence neared hers, and he leaned down to her ear.
"What's wrong short-shit? You've never seen a man?"
She put her hand in his face:
"Hai, stop! Hidan-san you are invading my personal bubble, please do not come closer."
He stared at her dumbfounded then furrowed his brow:
"Huh? Was that supposed to be some kind of joke?"
"No, it was a warning. Do not come closer."
"Mmmm, Sumire-chan's handmade bento is delicious!" Came the happy but oblivious voice of Tobi from only a few feet away.
"A warning? What'll you do if I come closer huh?" he started to close the space, and she immediately moved away.
"Stop it."
"You gonna run?"
"Seriously, stop it."
"I don't bite." Much.
"Fuck off."
Unfortunately, he was faster than her. He successfully placed a hand on the stage to block her path, and she was forced to back into the edge of the stage. She tried to glare up at him, but her nerves weakened her expression into fear. Why the hell isn't Tobi saying anything? She glanced at him, but he was utterly absorbed by swallowing down the food. Damn it, Tobi.
"Don't you have lights to polish?" she snapped.
A smirk formed across his thin lips and he cupped her chin with one hand, tipping it up an inch. Her body shrunk as much as it could as his mouth neared her ear once again. A shiver rushed down her spine at the feel of his tongue teasing the edge of her earlobe. His breath ghosted over her skin and he smoothly whispered:
"I've got something you could polish."
Did… he just… what the fuck? She used all her strength to shove him. He chuckled, willingly taking a step back and letting her dash away.
Backstage she dropped onto an open spot of the red carpet and lowered her head into her hands. Is all this really worth it? These people are insane. How do they get anything done? Deidara, Itachi, maybe Kisame, I have talked to him much, are the only tolerable people. I still don't know, maybe they are nuts too, and it just takes longer to notice. Am I going to survive this?
"Koizumi."
Oh, and him.
Sasori stood in the door.
"Did something else happen?"
"No, why?"
"…no reason." Because you are sitting alone in a submissive position.
It was not in his nature to pry. They spent the rest of the afternoon carefully but quickly informing her of the various tasks that a stage crew person must be able to perform. As the hours past, she found herself stewing in a deep rage, one that Sasori noticed but made no comment on as long as she paid attention to his directions. Finally, late afternoon came, and he dismissed her. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and strode through the hall.
"Sumire-san."
She stopped and focused her intense gaze on the tall Uchiha walking in the opposite direction.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Her tone was harsh.
"Is your work completed?" his tone was composed.
"Yes."
"I see. Have a good rest."
She stalked away from him. Her anger lessened with each step until she stepped over the threshold of her apartment door and a cold wave of anxiety passed over her. I shouldn't have been so rude to Itachi-sama. She dropped her bag on the floor with a loud, exaggerated sigh.
"Whoa, are you okay?" Sakura asked while peeking out from the main room.
"I feel like everyone has asked me that question today."
"Has it been a long day?"
"You have no idea."
"So we're going out tonight."
"Yes, please."
Sakura began the process of rounding up their friends while Sumire took a short nap in her room.
Later
"I cannot even begin to tell you how stressful that was! These men are insane! Ugh!" she swallowed another shot of sake.
Naruto grinned at her. His arm draped around Hinata's shoulders.
"It's turning out to be tougher than you thought huh?"
Sumire let her face hit the table and grumbled angrily.
"I can't quit. I can't."
"We know." Kiba patted her back.
Sakura asked between sips:
"So what exactly happened today?"
Sumire proceeded to relay the events of the day, or at least what she could remember. Her mind had gone a little hazy from the alcohol. Shino quietly swallowed a shot, listening carefully. Kiba was sitting back in his chair, his face somewhat red. Sakura stopped sipping and picked at the various bar foods on the table. Naruto and Hinata were whispering to one another in hushed voices. Sakura glared at them:
"Would you two get a room?"
"You're just upset that Sasuke didn't come." Kiba laughed.
Sumire punched his arm, not lifting her head from the table.
"Leave her alone."
She turned to Sakura, now resting her cheek against the wood, and saw a sad look upon her soft features.
"Don't worry about it Sakura. I'm sure you'll see him soon. Kiba is just a big old jerk."
"You should slow down, Sumire," Shino advised.
"I will not slow down! I've had a tough day! I'm going to drink!" she said and threw back yet another shot.
"Will you be okay to go back next weekend?" Sakura asked.
"I have to." She groaned, then remembered, "Oh right, I should text Itachi-sama and tell him I'm sorry."
"Wait, Itachi. Uchiha Itachi?" Kiba leaned towards her.
"Um... yes. That one. Yes."
"You are working with Uchiha Itachi?" Naruto asked, finally interested in the conversation.
"Hmmmmmm, yes," Sumire responded and slipped her phone out from her pocket.
"I don't think you should be texting anyone when you're this drunk," Sakura said as she reached over to take Sumire's phone from her.
"I'm not drunk. I'm warm!" Sumire moved away from Sakura and proceeded to open her texting thread.
After a full minute of them watching her tap away at her phone, she pressed send and shut it.
"There!"
"Let me see what you sent." Kiba tried to snatch away her phone.
"No!" Sumire hugged the device to her stomach and let her face hit the table again.
"Is Sumire-san okay?" Hinata asked.
"Yes!" Sumire shouted.
"I think we should go home now." Sakura began, "C'mon Sumire."
"Okay."
Sakura slung Sumire's arm over her shoulder and began the journey back to their apartment.
Morning
Sumire awoke with an enormous migraine. She shielded her eyes from the light pouring through the window. Her body shifted uncomfortably in her shorts and t-shirt. She had fallen asleep atop the bed sheets. She rolled onto her side, groaning in discomfort, and reached for her phone to check the time. When she opened it she was horrified to find her text from last night:
Itachi-samaaaaaa89! I'm sarry that I was soo roood to you ear lier 2day. I was relaly upsett because Sasori-sam was boing a huge jerk! And Hidddann flirtedd real gross with me! It was so gross! D: :) Thanks for beingg so nice to me and not a jjerk like thosee uther gais! :):):):) C youuu on Friday!
Sumire screamed. Sakura came rushing into her room.
"What? Are you okay? What happened?"
Sumire held out her phone to Sakura and covered her face. Sakura took the small device and read the text. She stifled a laugh with her hand and placed the phone on the end of the bed.
"We tried to stop you."
"I can't go back. I can't show my face there ever again!" Sumire cried, then clutched at her head, a numbing pain filled her skull.
"Send him an apology text."
Sumire pulled her legs to her chest and stared at her phone.
"Are you going to class today?"
Sumire shook her head and rested her chin on her knees.
"Okay, well I'm going to head out. I'll see you later. Send that apology text!"
Sumire didn't answer, instead, she continued to stare at the motionless device, as though she was waiting for it to light up with a response. I can never go back, there's no way. If I do, I'd have to avoid Itachi and I can't do that because he's going to be supervising me all of Friday! Should I send an apology like Sakura said? She decided it was her best bet. After spell-checking, rereading, deleting, and rewriting it a few times, she finally decided on the best apology. She shakily hit send and hid her phone in her drawer.
She ate, showered, and did homework. Every once and awhile she would look at her drawer waiting for the sound of a response. Eventually, her nerves got the better of her and she retrieved her phone from the drawer. There was nothing. I'm going to be stressed all week waiting for his response. What if he doesn't respond at all? Do I just assume it didn't bother him? I'm so stupid why do I let myself do things like this? Sumire felt her phone vibrate in her hands and she stared at the screen with wide eyes. A wave of anxiety overwhelmed her and she dropped onto the edge of her bed. With her heart pounding, she clicked on the view button.
It's fine.
Sumire sighed in relief and collapsed backward, stretching her arms out over the crumpled sheets. Thank goodness.
A/N: Please drop a review if you have a moment. Thanks! :)
