New Beginnings
Scanning through a pile of records Gaara found the one he was looking for and pulled it out of the pile. Gazing at the artwork on the cover, he flipped it over to see if it was the correct album. Satisfied, he flipped the cover a few times before bringing out the record and placing it in the record player. After a few adjustements to the volume he trudged back over to join the group that was surrounding the counter.
"Dude, it's not cutting."
"How do you figure?"
Naruto and Shikamaru were currently arguing over the specifics of...cutting someone in line.
"If someone is in line in front of you," Naruto began "and they leave to go get something, which requires them to leave the line, and you step up in their place, it's not cutting. I mean what do you expect me to do? Just wait until the lady comes back? She left her place in line and the cashier was ready for me, I'm not gonna wait on her to get back. And besides, it would have held up the line."
"Yea, but she was only leaving the line just long enough to go the next line and get a magazine." He replied back while looking at him with a look that meant to say 'are you serious?'. "It's cutting." He finished.
"Hey, Gaara." Naruto called before smacking him lightly in the arm. "Tell Shikamaru, that what I did isn't considered cutting." Naruto was sitting on the counter next to the place where Gaara was leaning against while Shikamaru was leaning against the outside of a counter that was towards their right. Gaara gave him a look.
"I would consider it cutting."
"What?! Gaara! You're supposed to be on my side dude!" He complained.
Gaara just simply rolled his eyes at him before grabbing his hacky sack and throwing it up in the air to catch it once it came down. Soon after this the bell on the door went off and he turned back once to see the customer. It was Kiba with what looked to be a bag in his hand.
"Hey Kiba!" Naruto greeted loudly as he headed their way towards the counter.
"Hey man, what's up? Had any luck with the ladies?" Kiba teased.
"Don't ask." He replied before groaning, only to perk up in seeing the bags of junk food. Rummaging through it he brought out a pixie stick before ripping the top off and pouring it in his mouth. "Sweet! Pixie sticks!" He said with his mouth fool of powder. Kiba smacked Shikamaru on the arm.
"What about you and Ino, eh?"
Shikamaru sighed deeply. "Girls, they don't ever know what they want."
"That bad, huh? What's the verdict?"
"She threw the flowers I bought her at me and slammed the door in my face, claiming that she need a real man. She said she needed someone who noticed when she did something new to her hair." This recieved a chuckle from the guys.
"She did something new to her hair?" Naruto asked with a confused look.
"If you consider her dying her hair an even lighter blond, then yea, she did something new to her hair." They all burst out laughing at this. "I mean come on, isn't that ridiculous? How am I supposed to notice that? Her hair was blond as it was." He complained as Kiba sighed.
"Girls." He stated simply before his eyes roamed over to Gaara. "What about you, Gaara? Found a new woman yet?" He looked at Kiba as if he was crazy.
"Are you serious? In this town? I don't think there's one girl in this town that knows how to actually care, better yet on how to actually keep a steady relationship. I mean all they do is cheat-"
"Amen!" Naruto interupted, though Gaara continued like he never said anything.
"And blame everything on you. It's always our fault that we're arguing. It's always our fault that we're in this situation."
"Well, girls will be girls." Shikamaru stated in a matter of fact tone as if there was nothing they could do about it.
"Fuck that." Gaara said while looking at Shikamaru. "I refuse to deal with that. I want a real woman." He was so into his speach now that he flailed his hands about, his hacky sack held firm in his right hand. "I don't want a girl who just obsesses over finger nail polish or what they look like. I want a t-shirt and jeans girl, someone who isn't afraid to get dirty-"
"Someone who will actually enjoy stuff with you." Kiba offered.
"Yes! Exactly." He continued while pointing at him. "I want a girl who likes to play video games."
"Someone who actually cares when you're down or upset instead of just focusing on whether or not you notice if they're upset." Naruto said.
"Yes. Yes. Someone who isn't going to cheat on me as soon as I turn around. Someone who will make me feel better when I need it, instead of just making me feel worse, or complaining about what I'm doing wrong."
"How about someone who doesn't freak out on you when they dye their hair lighter and then break up with you because you couldn't see the difference." Shikamaru stated lamely.
"Well I'm not that into blonds," Gaara stated, looking at the ceiling thoughtfully. "But I want a girl who stands out. Someone who makes you take a second look. Someone who is simple but so beautiful at the same time-"
At this his speach was interupted by the bell going off, signaling that someone was entering. Out of habit Gaara glanced at the door then turned back in attempt to finish his speech, only to have his head snap back towards the door. Entering was what seemed to be his dream girl.
Sakura stepped into the record store, glancing around at her surroundings. It wasn't too big, not too small. There was a song that played softly in the background, she wondered who it was. Glancing at the back towards the counter she noticed a few guys hanging around who looked away quickly when her eyes landed on them.
Gaara couldn't stop staring. Somehow he felt as if he'd seen her before. Standing before him looking through CD's was a young woman that looked to be about his age. Her hair was in a ponytail that cascaded down to her waist in waves. She was wearing jeans with a few holes ripped in them with a black band t-shirt. Her wrists were covered in studs and bracelets. Her make-up was noticeable but simple. She had the thickest black eyelashes he's ever seen with soft lips and the most perfect body he's ever seen.
"Good luck with that one." Kiba whispered in his ear before patting him on the back, shaking him a little in the process.
After a few more moments of searching through CD's Sakura headed over to the records. She figured the store wasn't so bad. It had some good quality stuff. She heard some whispering coming from what she guessed to be the back counter. Peeking up over the shelf of records she saw the guys all huddled together whispering furiously together. She wondered which one worked here. She wanted to know what was playing right now. Her eyes fell on the blond sitting on the counter with a bunch of pixie sticks in his hand. Umm, I don't think so. She thought to herself. Although he did look familiar, her eyes roamed over his spiky blond locks and blue eyes, falling to the simple orange t-shirt he was wearing. Is that...Naruto? Holy crap. I haven't seen him since like...middle school. Straightening up Sakura forgot what record she was looking at and headed over to the counter.
"Dude, she's coming over here!" Kiba whispered furiously.
"Oh shit." Gaara panicked before looking around to occupy himself with something to look like he hadn't been staring at her this whole time. Grabbing the first thing he could find he pretended to be engrossed while the others appeared to be busy in something.
"Um, hey." They heard in a soft and unsure voice. They all looked up as if they just now saw her. Noticing her voice was directed towards Naruto they all furrowed their eyebrows. "It's Naruto, right?" Naruto looked like a fish, sitting there with his mouth agape, eyes big and round, pixie sticks in hand. He closed his mouth slowly.
"Um, yea. How'd you know?"
"We went to school together," She said with what seemed like excitement. "In middle school. We used to sit together at lunch, remember?"
"Oh!" He exclaimed as it dawned on him. "Sakura?! I haven't seen you in forever!" He continued before jumping off of the counter and greeting her in a huge hug. After finally being put down by Naruto she took a few breaths.
"Yea, I know. How have you been? Are you going to school right now?"
"Yep, we all go to the same school." He explained while motioning between him and the other guys. "Why are you down here? Weren't you doing school in some other state or something? And where's Sasuke? Is he here right now?"
Sakura had no idea how to answer his questions. Her heart sank at the mention of Sasuke, her mind flashing back to that day. Refusing to think of those thoughts she decided to just try and change the subject as fast as she could.
"No, he's not here right now." She looked at the other guys. "You guys look familiar too, did we go to school together too?"
"Now that I think about it," Kiba spoke up. "I think I do remember seeing you a few times in just passing by. I'm Kiba." He introduced himself and held out his hand to her.
"Nice to meet you." She replied before taking his hand.
"This is Shikamaru," He put a hand on his shoulder as Shikamaru nodded at her while mumbling a 'hey'. "And this, is Gaara." He nodded towards Gaara. He didn't say anything, just gave a small nod. Sakura thought he seemed to be the shy type. She gave a small wave and a tiny smile. There was an awkward sort of silence as they all just stood there, waiting for someone to speak up. Sakura decided to break the silence.
"So, um, which one of you guys work here?"
"Me, I do." Naruto piped up and jumped up on the counter. "What can I help you with?" Sakura didn't get a chance to answer before he flew off the counter by a smack in the head from Kiba.
"No, he doesn't. Don't listen to him." He rolled his eyes. Naruto turned towards him with an angry look on his face.
"Hey! Don't hit me!-"
"Shut up, dude!" He whispered while gritting his teeth as if there was something obvious going on before fending him off with his own hands. Apparently Shikamaru was in the way as the fight started to contain him as well.
"Hey, get off me man! You guys are in my personal space!" He complained before trying to push them off to no avail. Then he continued to push while trying to separate them at the same time. Sakura had no idea what to do, she was too shocked to move. She stood there with wide eyes wondering if she should just leave. All commotion stopped as a small voice spoke up.
"I do."
Sakura averted her eyes towards Gaara. Really taking in his view for the first time, Sakura noticed the black shirt he was wearing. I guess he's into the same music I am. She looked up quickly, hoping she wasn't staring too much. Her eyes fell on the couple of piercings he had.
"Um, I was just wanting to know what you have playing right now." She explained while pointing to the ceiling.
"Oceans Ate Alaska." He stated.
Sakura didn't know what to say next. He had answered so simply in such a voice that Sakura could only describe as uninterest. Sakura thought maybe she was wasting his time. Maybe she had come at a bad time and interrupted their conversation. Or maybe it was just her.
"OK, thanks. Well," She turned to Naruto looking as if she didn't know what to say. "I'm gonna go. I'll see you around."
"Are you sure? I mean you could always stick around, catch up." Naruto offered.
"Rain-check." She said simply before turning around and leaving the store. Leaving them in silence.
"Dude. What was that?!" Kiba exclaimed while smacking Gaara on the arm, making him break his focus from the door.
"What was what?"
"You seemed completely uninterested in her! It's no wonder you don't have a girlfriend!"
"Well what was I supposed to do? I just froze and there wasn't much else to say. She asked a question and I answered it." He argued back.
"How about, oh I don't know, try and start some small conversation with her?" Naruto put in while opening another pixie stick. "How do you even run this store? You're supposed to make your customers feel at home."
Gaara sighed as he leaned back against the counter.
"What was I supposed to talk about? The weather?" He asked icily.
"You could have offered to let her borrow the band CD that she was interested in. I know you have it since you insist on collecting every band on the face of the planet. That could have led to her coming back to giving it to you and that could have led to you guys talking, and that could have led to other things." Kiba explained.
Gaara paused for a minute, thinking about what he could have done. Maybe he should have offered. Maybe Kiba was right. Sighing in frustration he snatched the bag that was next to Naruto and rummaged around to find the candy he told Kiba to pick up. He ripped the bag open and shoved some in his mouth in which seemed to be all in one process.
"Dude, chill out." Shikamaru said. "I'm sure you'll have your chance again."
"Yea, maybe." Kiba sounded unsure. "Well anyways dude, you wanna come over and chill? Play some 360? Destroy some people online?"
"Can't. I gotta watch the store." He spoke through a mouth full of candy.
"Come on man, its 7:30. You close at 8. Just close a little early."
"No." Gaara stated simply. He wasn't really in a bad mood or anything. Just frustrated. And all he really wanted to do right now was to be by himself.
"Alright man, suit yourself." He turned to Naruto and Shikamaru. "You guys comin'?"
"Hell yeah!" Naruto said. "You make the best Ramen!"
Kiba chuckled as he grabbed his bag and started to walk backwards towards the door. "Better luck next time man." He said to Gaara as him and Naruto left.
"Hey, don't worry about it man." Shikamaru said when they were gone. "I'll get information from Naruto and tell him to somehow get her out and I'll let you know where she is. That way you can 'bump into her unexpectedly' and talk."
Gaara didn't look so sure.
Shikamaru patted him on the shoulder before straightening up from the counter.
"Well, I'll see you around. I'm gonna go home, catch up on some homework. Oh, and don't forget about the bonfire tonight, you said you'd be there!"
Gaara paused as he thought back. He did say he'd be there. With everything going on, it had completely slipped his mind. He looked at Shikamaru as he was backing up towards the door, his eyes on him. Gaara did say he'd be there.
"Fine." He said it so quietly yet he knew Shikamaru knew that he'd be there.
Walking home, Sakura thought over what had happened in the record store. She hoped she didn't come off as rude for interrupting their conversation and she hoped that she hadn't done anything to make the guy with the red hair dislike her. She hoped that things would be better here, but she wasn't so sure.
Thinking this last thought, Sasuke popped into her mind. Back to that day. What had been said. What she had done. She wished more than anything that nothing had ever happened and that things were back to normal. She thought back to the conversation with Ino and what she had said about finding better. I hate this. Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this?! She thought angrily before stomping in a puddle she was passing by.
She was angry. Angry at herself for still feeling this way, for not being stronger and being able to just move on. She was angry at being betrayed. Angry at the world. Thinking about the power Sasuke has over her, the power to still make her heart sink whenever she thought about it, made her even angrier. So angry that her eyes started to burn. Wiping away her tears furiously Sakura shook her head with a growl and sped up her walking.
Arriving, she stopped in front of her house on the sidewalk to take it all in. Seeing this place brings back so many memories. Unpleasant memories. Sighing she trudged towards the house.
She wasn't surprised when most of the lights were out except for the dim hall light they had kept on for her entering. They were always sure to go to bed on time. Always sure to get exactly eight hours of sleep; a good night's rest. Just like they were always sure to fold the clothes perfectly straight; wrinkle free. Or to wipe the counters smudge free.
Stepping lightly into the kitchen she didn't bother turning on a light. Her familiarity with this place told her where everything was in the dark, which way to turn and which way not to turn. Opening the fridge she glanced at the contents inside lazily. Of course, no junk food….What's this? She wondered before pulling out a carton of what looked to be yogurt. Fat free….strawberry flavored yogurt? "Ew." She said aloud before putting it back in the fridge. I'm gonna have to be sure to keep a stash up in my room somewhere. She thought before sweeping out of the kitchen and rushing up to her room.
The door closed with a soft click as Sakura flipped on the lights and took a look around her room. Flinging off her shoes, she jumped over to her bed and leaned over the side to reach for her laptop.
Sakura wasn't tired. She wasn't much of a sleeper. She thought back to all of those sleepless nights; her just laying down watching T.V all night, or even playing video games. As she waited for Sasuke to get home.
Just as she was opening her laptop to go to her favorite music website, she heard her phone ringing. Stretching out on her bed she reached to her bedside table and picked up the vibrating device. One look at the screen told her it was Ino.
"Yes, Ino?" She spoke into the phone.
"Tell me you aren't planning to spend your night inside." Her sing song voice spoke through the receiver.
"No, actually I have a date." She replied matter of factly.
"You do?" She sounded so surprise.
"Yea, my butt and my bed." She retorted quickly.
"Ha, ha. You're so funny."
"Yea, I can tell by the never ending laughter coming out of your mouth."
"Look," She said quickly. "Get dressed cause I 'm on my way over right now to pick you up."
"What? For what?" She said incredulously.
"There's a bonfire tonight, and you are totally going!" She sighed loudly.
"Ino, you know my mom's not gonna let me go anywhere."
"Yeah, yeah, cause your curfew's eight. Who cares? Just sneak out the window!"
Part of Sakura wished she could say this wasn't normal or that it has never happened before, but she'd be lying. There were more than enough countless times Sakura had snuck out with her before, it had almost seemed familiar. Taking a breather Sakura stopped to think for a second. Well, this wouldn't be the first time. And it's just a bonfire, it couldn't hurt right? And besides, she'll never know.
Ino was waiting on the other end in silence.
"…Alright. Fine. Text me when you get here." She agreed before hanging up.
Sakura didn't bother checking her phone when she felt it buzz in her back pocket ten minutes later. She knew who it was. Pushing the blinds aside, she could see Ino's car parked in front of her house, the lights turned off. She couldn't see who but she could tell there were other people in the back.
Opening the door to her balcony as quietly as she could she stepped out with soft steps. As she looked down below to the ground Sakura didn't know what she was thinking. If she were to fall she'd be more than just a little hurt. With the tightest grip she could manage, she stepped out onto the balcony ledge near the wall, lowering herself down. Slowly and carefully, Sakura. That's all you gotta remember. Slowly and carefully. She thought to herself.
Taking a quick peek below, Sakura saw the last and final window beneath her. The window ceil was too far away for her to step on, her foot couldn't reach. She was too short. Sakura hung there lifelessly as she thought about what to do. She heard giggling coming from the car. Oh god, I bet they're over there just having a good ole time laughing at me. She thought bitterly.
Sakura saw no other way down then by the pipe that ran down the corner of the house. Scooting over the best she could, she stretched an arm out towards the pipe. The tips of her fingers barely scraped along the cold metal texture. She would have to jump. God, how did I get in this mess? Taking a quick breath for luck she jumped to the pipe, barely grabbing on in enough time to catch herself, she squeaked as she fell a couple inches, scraping her arm on one of the bolts. She began lowering herself little by little to the ground when she heard a faint sound of a car door closing and some giggling.
Oh god, what are they up to now?
It wasn't long before Sakura heard the source of the giggling coming from below her and a warm grip on her ankle, tugging her softly.
"Ino, if that's you, I'm gonna kill you!" She bit out harshly.
The giggling only intensified. Twisting her head the best she could she looked down to see a head full of blond hair and an arm filled with bangles tugging on her ankle.
"Ino, let go of me!" She whispered harshly. "You're gonna make me fall!"
"I'm just trying to help you down!" She laughed some more while pulling her ankle left and right. She wondered how much alcohol Ino had already consumed. "We're gonna miss the party with the rate you're goin!" She giggled.
"I think you've had a little too much to drink already." She mumbled to herself before turning her head back around. "Look, Ino, I've got it from here. You're gonna make me fall."
"Come…ON!" She said with one final tug. Sakura gasped as she came crashing down.
