DOUBLE EDGE
+standard disclaimer applied
Chapter Three
I hummed a small tune to myself as gym period finally ended, concluding the end of the day as I entered the changing rooms since most girls already finished when I stayed after to play mock-basketball with Naruto. Once I reached my locker, I opened it and did a double take.
My clothes weren't there. I peeked all around and had yet to find a clue as to where they were. All the girls were already changed and gone, leaving me in the changing rooms all alone to figure out where my things have gone.
Was it Ino who did this? Knowing that I didn't get a lock for my locker yet since I was a new student?
I slammed the door to my locker shut. Is this what they meant by living hell? That she'd steal my stuff to get back at me? That doesn't make sense! Why would someone do something like that? I'd prefer it she'd just trip me, humiliate me like that, and then leave me and my clothes alone.
My messenger bag was still untouched and hidden under the bathroom's sink so I went over and grabbed my phone, quickly dialling Gaara for his help. Moral support to the rescue!
"Hello?" I recognized Neji's voice over the phone. Geez, did he always have to be with my brother? It feels more like he's a stalker of some sort.
"Neji-san? Where's my brother?"
"No need for the honorific, and he's right here."
"Can you pass me him then?"
"...He's a bit busy at the moment..." You could hear my brother yelling with Tenten in the background about something, "Is it something I can help you with?"
I sighed, stupid prick. No, I don't want your help. I want my brother's. "...No. I'd rather it be my brother."
"What happened?"
"It's nothing important. Forget it."
"Tell me what happened."
I sighed again. He's so persistent! "I'm in the girl's changing room and I can't find my clothes, you happy?"
"Yes." He breathed. I could feel his cocky expression from here, "I'm on my way."
"Okay...wait what?"
But he hung up before I could protest. I scowled at the phone. What was I thinking? Letting him know my situation! Bad Sakura! You're not supposed to let anyone else know but your brother who's supposed to be the only one taking care of you at the moment! ...And won't it be weird to exit the bathroom in guy's clothes? People would understand if it's my brother, but if it's someone else... You can't stop the rumours from spreading that there might be something going on between the two of us...
"Sakura?" I knock resounded at the door of the changing rooms, "Are you in there?"
"Yes!" I called before walking over and opening the door for him. He passed me the set of spare clothes he had in his arms before sitting on the bench outside the door. I felt like inviting him in, but that would be stupid considering that he was a guy and that this was a girl's bathroom.
I quickly returned inside and changed into his clothing, only to find myself tugging at his overly long white hoodie. Why so big dude! Or is it that I'm so small? Seeing as I'm a pop star and all...
"You're taking quite some time, are you alright in there?" His voice asked in worry, or at least, I think it is. The door creaked open and I turned my head to stare at him while he looked me over, a smug expression soon lighting his features.
"Why so smug?"
He smirked, "No reason."
I pouted and returned to staring at myself in mirror, tugging at the end of his long hoodie's sleeves. I heard his footsteps coming closer and ignored him, thinking he just wanted to take advantage of the moment and look inside the sacred girl area. Instead, he grabbed my hand.
I looked up at him questionably when he started pulling me out of the bathroom and into the hall, my bag already slung on his shoulder, "W-what are you doing?"
He didn't answer. I fumed silently.
"Let me go, you girly-man!"
I noticed in contentment that he froze in his kidnapping. I smirked, only to have it whipped off when he pushed me against the lockers, his breath fanning my ear as he leaned in, way to close for comfort. It was my turn to freeze and his to smirk.
"Now, in what way am I girly..." He leaned back, staring arrogantly back into my green eyes as he spoke slowly and sexily, "...Sakura-chan?"
I gulped and reached for my phone so that I could call for help, only to have him snatch it away.
"Give it!"
"Not until you answer my question."
"No! It's my phone, give it!"
Said phone started ringing. He still didn't give it back.
"It could be important! Let me answer it!" I cried, getting desperate.
"Only if you agree to spend the rest of today with me."
I glared but nodded furiously, wanting my phone back, "Fine! Fine! Just gimme my phone!"
He dropped the phone in my hands and I hurriedly answered the call, "Hello?"
"Sakura, where are you? Gaara said you were with Neji. You need to work on your part for the Halloween episode on Sweet Clouds, remember?"
"Sorry mom, I'm busy today. Can't I do that tomorrow?"
"What can be more important than perfecting your role as the Vampire Princess, hmm?"
The phone was snatched away from my hands and I turned to Neji in shock as he talked with my mom, "Hello Ms. Haruno, this is Neji Hyuuga. I'm kidnapping your daughter for the rest of the day so if you would please refrain from calling her, that would be great. Bye."
He hung up my phone and turned it off, dropping it in my bag afterwards.
"H-hey!" I cried, reaching for my phone, "G-gently!"
He grabbed my outstretched hand and smiled sweetly at me, "Sure. I'll be gentle."
I blushed and looked away. Stupid prick.
I let him drag me outside to his fancy silver car, watching as the others swooned over him and glared at me. Oh jeez, I feel so special. He opened the door to his car for me and I slid in before he closed the door on me. He quickly joined me on the driver's side as I leaned my head back on the fluffy head-rest, closing my eyes happily as breathed in the scent of forest pine. Maybe this wasn't so bad... Whoever said chivalry was dead?
"Is there any place special you might want to go?" He asked as he started the car.
I raised an eyebrow at him, "Your being considerate? What happened to the guy who just kidnapped me?"
He smirked and leaned closer, brushing his nose against mine, "He's still here."
I pouted angrily at him as he chuckled and started driving us out of the school grounds. Stupid, stupid girly man! How can he make me feel so humiliated and violated like that? Stupid smexy prick.
During the whole ride I stuck my ground and refused to talk to him, only staring out the window as he shook his head amusedly at my childishness. Finally, after what felt like an hour for me when it really was only half that time, he stopped the car somewhere. I looked at him in confusion.
"Why'd you bring me to the beach?"
He laughed, "So now you'll talk to me?"
Realizing my mistake, I huffed and looked away. Stupid him. Stupid meanie head.
After a few more minutes of him teasing me, I finally gave in.
"Okay fine. I'll talk to you. Why did you bring me to the beach?"
He rolled his eyes at me but smiled, exciting his car as I followed his example, "You don't like the beach?"
I flushed, "I-I do! I'm just asking why you brought me here!"
"No reason." He drawled out, grabbing my hand and pulling me closer to him.
And that's when his phone started ringing.
He scowled and fished out his phone from his pocket with his free hand, "Yes?"
"DON'T YOU DARE BE MOLESTING MY SISTER, YOU BACKSTABBING FIEND!" Gaara's frantic voice yelled through the phone and I winced at how loud he was yelling. Neji had to hold the phone away from his ear or else we both knew he'd be death from hearing.
"And if I was?" Neji retorted as he caught my incredulous gaze.
I scowled at him, tease the lion much?
"Not telling you." He said to the phone again, "No."
He snapped the phone shut before he led me to the grainy golden rocks getting washed in the light sea foam waves of the beach. I gasped in awe as the sun was ever so slowly lowering in the sky, the clouds starting to glow a faint orange.
"Look! It's starting to set!"
I felt him smirk next to me.
I rolled my eyes before my stomach rumbled, stating that it needed food.
"Is there food around here?" I asked, looking up at him. He nodded, pointing to the ice-cream stand. I grinned, knowing very well that I wasn't really allowed to have some sweets until my debut on screen was done with. I tugged him along to the stand and ordered my favourite kind of ice cream, chocolate chip mint. Nothing can top that.
I searched my pockets for my wallet, only to remember that it was still in my school bag that was in Neji's car. I mentally cursed while my inner Airi laughed and pointed out that I was on a date, and that on dates, the guy pays for everything.
"Don't worry, I got it." Neji said, giving the needed amount of money to the nice ice-cream making guy. I frowned at him but let him pay, knowing full-on well that I couldn't really argue with him without having my money to back me up.
"This time only." I told him, grabbing my ice-cream cone and starting my licking assault on it. That ice cream doesn't stand a chance!
"Is it good?"
I blinked up at him before nodding my head and continuing licking the sweetness to death. It's been way too long since I had some! I have to get some for Temari, I'm sure she'd love it too!
I felt the warmth of Neji's hand on mine and paused mid-lick, wondering what he was doing before he leaned forward and took a bite from my cone. I flushed ten shades of pink at the indirect kiss while he leaned back and smirked at me.
"Heh, not bad."
"W-w-w-what—!"
He raised an eyebrow in amusement as he watched me freak out. I obviously was thinking about it too much.
"I wonder if you're just as sweet..." He wondered aloud, teasing yet serious. His hand was still on mine so with that he pulled me forward again, only this time his face came close to mine and he kissed me briefly on the lips, leaving me dazed and speechless.
"Mm. Yes, much sweeter."
He intertwined my free hand with his and watched me as I flushed and went back to eating my ice-cream cone in an embarrassed (for me) silence. Stupid smexy Neji. So confusing that guy was.
"You're so cute."
"Sh-shut up!"