Chapter 4
Deprived of meaningful work, men and women lose their reason for existence, they go stark, raving mad
- Fyodor Dostoevsky
Dressed in her uniform for the day, she sat on the bus seat, second row and beside the window. She opened her newly acquired poetry book, Lullabies by Lang Leav with earphones in her ears the music playing her favorite band. It was a relaxing scenario before going to school until her phone received a message from Naruto,
Sasuke-chan wants you to have lunch with us! Dattebayo!
She gave a small laugh at his catchphrase. Before she can reply, it was followed by Sasuke's. Her heart skipped a beat and pondered whether to reply fast or not. 'What would he think of me if I replied immediately?' She shook away her thoughts and wondered since when she thought of anyone's opinion.
Never mind the idiot. Just come to lunch.
Mentally, she checked her schedule if she'll be occupied until lunch while fiddling her phone. She stared at the screen first before replying to the both of them the same message,
Sure. Tell me what time and where.
She pressed the 'Send' button on her phone before returning it from the pocket of her uniform. She returned back to her book, yet her thoughts were drifting elsewhere. Her eyes shifted to the window, as they passed by the houses and stores. The forgotten book had been closed on top of her bag that was on her lap. The bus skidded to a stop in front of her university and she realized that it was her cue to head out.
Sakura headed to the garden to pass time. She found the young man of her thoughts in the garden, sitting on the bench alone and aloofly. The garden had many trees of various kinds and colorful radiant flower patches. There were some female students that passed him by, shooting glances with hearts in their eyes. She decided to sit beside him with the book still in her hand.
"Good morning." Her voice warm as summer day greeted the young man who looked bored while flipping his index cards for his Economics subject.
"Aa, good morning." His husky voice greeted back with a small rare smile that she almost missed. It was brief yet stunning. It was a beautiful scene – his rare smile. She blinked a couple of times before she even indulged herself to his smile. She hadn't notice his dark orbs looking right through her. She awoke from her trance and asked the most obvious thing,
"Where's Naruto?" He noticed the light dusting of pink on her cheeks and her jadeite orbs sparkling with innocence.
"Ran off somewhere." He replied, his eyes landed on the book placed on her lap. And he couldn't help but smirk,
"In books unread, We lie between their pages, As they turn us to lovers, like season's changes."
She stared at him with her green eyes wide and pink lips slightly parted into agape. She felt her face reddened when he turned to her, still wearing the dashing smirk that could make any woman swoon.
"Did you just…?"
"It's a good book." He replied the smirk never leaving his pretty lips. She gave a heartily laugh and he watched her with amused eyes. He had seen girls prettier than her, taller, and with better bodies. But none of them radiated warmth, innocence and wonder as she did. She's smarter than all the girls he met.
"She's my favorite author." She replied, agreeing with the bright sweet smile still on her face. He merely grunted In response and turned his eyes to the index card in his hand.
"You know," he heard her added, "I want to experience the kind of love she mentions." He turned his full attention to her once again ignoring the females who shot her a dirty look for sitting beside him and conversing.
"The type that you'll never forget, you'll be scared at the possibility your lover will be gone, those kinds."
"The overwhelming and scary kind?"
"Yes." She replied eyes brimming with wonder, "Don't you want to?"
"It depends." Depends on you. He mentally killed that thought which came out unexpected.
"Oh, okay. I never took you for a poetry-reading kind of guy." She said with that sweet smile that he realized will mark in his mind annoyingly.
"I'm full of surprises, Miss Haruno." He replied and covered his amused smirk with the index card he was reviewing earlier. He heard that heartily laugh again and as cliché as it sounds, it's music to his ears. She blushed again.
"Well, surprise me then." She replied before checking her white wristwatch. Her jadeite orbs widened,
"I'm off to class. I'll see you both later!" She stood up and hurried to the elevator.
XXX
"You were flirting with Sakura-chan!" The blonde pointed accusingly to the dark-haired male few steps ahead of him. The said dark-haired looked over the blonde from his shoulder, not bothering to reply. The blonde ran a hand through his spiky locks and added,
"I watched you both from the second floor! Dattebayo."
"So." Sasuke replied and continued walking. Naruto stood there and never been shocked with his whole life as his best friend did not deny having flirted with their innocent fairy-like friend.
She immediately headed over to Ichiraku, the famous ramen shop nearby the premises of the school. She found them seated on one of the stools, a seat vacant to Sasuke's right side. The blonde knucklehead caught the sight of her and waved pointing at the said vacant seat. Somehow, his smile was a bit teasing. She gave a small smile in return and walked over to them, taking the seat.
"Hi, Sakura-chan. I'd like you to know that this is our favorite place to -"
"Don't count me in, Idiot."
"Bastard, you know you like it." The blonde received a negative grunt from his so-called best friend. The pink haired gave a small laugh at their exchanges. Naruto continued to blabber while his dark-haired best friend completely paid him no mind and mouthed "Ignore him" to Sakura, which in return just laughed it off. It wasn't until later that they decided to order their ramen and waited another three minutes for it to be served.
"You know; I saw you both flirting." Naruto started after slurping his noodles faster than they can. The said pair choked at his comment.
"You got the wrong idea."
"Don't mind us, idiot."
Naruto laughed at them as the replied simultaneously. He took another mouthful of food before adding,
"I actually root for you both!"
"Naruto!" they both went together again.
Dear Readers,
I know, it's nothing much. I'm thinking of some ideas better for the future chapters. Don't worry. I'm still overcoming this author block (and it's very frustrating.) Sorry for the writing style, I can't really ponder things. I'm depressed.
Follow, Favorite and Review. I hope to hear your response soon :)
Signed,
Schneewittchen.
P.S. Please check out the new stories I posted, One Day Three Autumns and Selcouth.
