Lies and Truths.
Four.
My Internet is being unbelievably annoying -_- It only decides to work on certain days. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter ! :D
I guessed I should have rang Karin too but I really didn't want to talk to her. After showering I put on a pair of jeans with a black t-shirt and my navy hoodie. Seeing my guitar sat comfortably in its stand, I decided to put it in its smooth leather case and head out.
Walking to the park was fairly pleasant, there was that soft breeze you only got in summer that blew lightly in the air. I tried not to stare as I passed Sakura's house but curiosity got the better of me. The house was silent compared to the night before. Even so, as I passed I felt myself hold my breath. Then exhale disappointedly as Sakura was nowhere to be seen.
As I neared the entrance to the park I noticed the bench we had sat on the night before also showed no sign of her. I realized suddenly that the park was a lot larger than I had thought, walking to the very far end ten minutes later I sat down near a tree. Unzipping my guitar case, I slid out my one and only object I loved most. Setting the instrument on my lap, my left hands on the frets and my right on the chords, I played.
At first I did my hand warming up exercises, which consisted of playing each fret faster and faster. After that I reached for the black notepad and pen I always kept in the case's front pocket and flipped to a new page. Setting the notepad down next to me, I closed my eyes and concentrated.
Like each time I wanted to write a song, I thought of recent activities to inspire me. But all I saw was those piercing greens eyes swallowed up by smoky black eye shadow. The light pink hair, the tall slim frame. Sakura.
"How do you know my name?" A familiar voice asked surprised.
I opened my eyes, shocked to find Sakura stood in front of me, hands on hips with that constant glare, despite her surprise. Also that I had said her name out loud.
"You're mum, the other night, she was yelling after you. I guessed it was your name." I said casually, strumming a few random chords.
She nodded slowly, remembering. Today she was wearing a simple black tank top with ripped jeans and khaki converse.
"I usually sit here." She said suddenly, "I don't really spy on people."
I smiled, noting her discomfort, "Oh really?"
She frowned, "It's not like I like you anyway." She said coldly.
"You will, eventually." I said picking up my pick and playing a few complicated notes.
She snorted, "You're totally in love with yourself."
She went and sat down a few meters away from me, where she pulled out a cigarette and lit it pensively.
I was very aware of her presence and decided on making a new song some other day, I played some of my favorite songs instead.
I don't know how long we sat there, me playing the guitar, Sakura half led on the soft grass, her eyes closed. At some point I remembered her Metallica t-shirt from yesterday and decided to play Nothing Else Matters. The familiar song leaving my fingertips flawlessly. Without even realizing at first, having listened to the song so many times, I caught on to what Sakura was saying. Well, singing.
"...Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters..." She sang beautifully.
Her voice a soft ring to my ears. Her eyes were still closed and it suddenly came to me that she was unaware of the fact she was singing. Saying nothing I played on, this time putting every single effort I could into the song.
"...Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters
Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters..."
As I concentrated on playing the first chorus I broke off to the sudden sound of people laughing and bike pedaling. There were three guys, about my age, riding around on bikes near the front of the park. Sakura saw them too, and stood up abruptly. I noticed how she stared at them for a few seconds before walking fast, near the edge of the park, the farthest away from them until she exited the park without a single word. I had a feeling she didn't like goodbyes. Not that I hadn't thought of going after her, but the way she looked at those boys, made me want to leave her in peace.
Seeing as I suddenly had unwanted company I packed my things away, shrugging the guitar case over one shoulder and started to leave. All three boys were tall, one had on small dark sunglasses and a thick hoodie despite the heat, he was talking to a skinny dark haired guy whose hair was tied up high on top of his head. The last guy, bright blond with sparkly blue eyes, was staring right at me. It wasn't mean or aggressive, just utterly curious. He didn't bother to hide it.
I passed them casually, minding my own business when the blond called out to me.
"Hey!" He called, pedaling towards me on his bright green bike.
"You must be new." He said as he pulled up in front of me. He was smiling and was scratching the back of his head shyly.
"I am." I said nodding.
He looked over at the gate in the direction Sakura had stormed off. Looking back at me, his eyes were unbelievably sad.
"So you met Sakura?" He asked, trying to cover up the tightness in his voice.
"Yeah." I said slowly. Did this guy know her?
He nodded, as if this were perfectly normal. But with the look in his eye, it obviously wasn't.
"She's really something that girl." The look of longing and sadness vanished and was replaced by some sort of nostalgia.
I couldn't help smiling, "Yeah, definitely."
We both laughed. "My name's Naruto." Grinning he held out his hand.
"I'm Sasuke." I said taking his hand in mine and shaking formally.
"Those two over there," He said pointing behind him towards his friends who were now looking at us curiously, "Are Shino and Shikamaru."
"Right." I said nodding in their direction.
Up close Naruto was not much shorter than I, which was surprising as I had long passed many people my age. His eyes were a shocking bright blue, like sea water on a really sunny day. He was wearing a baggy orange t-shirt and faded large jeans.
"Oh my god, who is that?" A female voice suddenly said.