World Turned Upside Down
Chapter 7
"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."
-SAKURA HARUNO-
"Ma'am, may I ask your permission for me to take your beloved daughter to the prom with me?" He stated politely. "I'm sorry, I know I may sound very rude, but I asked her earlier today and she declined 'cause she doesn't have anything to wear. I offered to buy her something to wear, and she refused. But I really wanted to go with her."
My eyes widened instantly and my mouth was gaped. What on earth? !
"Oh," My Mom answered, eyeing me meaningfully. "I know my daughter will choose who would she like to have a dance with, sweetheart."
I knew my Mom wanted to pinch me for not behaving so well today and that bastard Uchiha...
I glared at him through my lashes while he just smiled – no, scratch that – while he just smirked at me. My fists clenched tight and I so wanted to punch him badly.
You are so dead, Uchiha.
My Father prepared the table for us and we all sat there like a family. They even bought a cake. Oh, God.
I pursed my lips as my parents smiled at Sasuke like he was their son and like we were together. Oh my God. That sounded ridiculous.
They chatted for half an hour only and I was still amused at the Uchiha because his expression didn't seem bored – or annoyed at all. He was completely relaxed while his face beamed. This is... I know, ridiculous.
-xXxXx-
"Sakura," Mom called out after she finished washing the dishes.
"Hmm?" I turned around to look at her as I sat in front of our small, crappy black and white television.
"I feel sorry for Sasuke," Somehow, Mom and Dad was now used to call him by his name.
"Sorry? For what?" My left brow quirked up as I twisted my torso to fully face her. My Mom's face was haggard and sweaty. I wish I could earn enough money to buy us another electric fan. My Mom and her new baby would need it.
"For being rejected." Mom's lips formed a pout. "You should reconsider his offer, honey. After all, he was the first brave guy to come up to me and ask for my permission for him to ask you to the Prom..."
"He didn't ask you, Mom." I grunted. "He just turned to you because I declined his offer."
"At least be a good girl and reconsider it, dear. He's a good guy."
I almost vomited. A good guy. Yeah. Like he wouldn't buy me just to get out of that filthy engagement. A good guy indeed.
My Mom sighed and patted my back soothingly. "Just give him a chance, dear."
A chance. That's hardly what he needed. Because he would just use me like a toy...
-SASUKE UCHIHA-
I entered Hyuuga's enormous room and found then lounging over the couch with their gadgets. Neji was watching a movie with his DVD Portable and his iPhone on his side, waiting for a message, maybe. Naruto was playing Xbox and I'm surprised that Neji hadn't beat him to a pulp for the noise he was making. But I saw Neji's ears were plucked up with earphones. Oh.
I didn't pay attention to them and plopped myself down to the sofa with a sigh. My head fell back and I closed my eyes shut.
Naruto's laugh echoed through the entire room, making me slightly flinch for he was sitting next to me.
And I remembered the girl. That Sakura girl. How she glared at me under her lashes when I told her mother about the Prom. Her face was flushed with anger and I know, it's only a matter of time before she will accept my deal. She's a smart person, dammit. Why can't she just accept the truth that she needed money?
Maybe she's trying to intimidate me.
I smirked at the thought. That would be impossible. That girl? She would intimidate me? I might as well figure that the world would end, if that's true.
I also recalled her irritation when her Mom mentioned earlier about her Mom's pregnancy thing. I knew it. She needed me. Badly. But she won't give in.
A low chuckle escaped my lips as I remembered her fidgeting in front of me, trying to evade the subject about Prom, because she knew – and I also knew – that her Mom would let her go with me.
"Teme," I heard Naruto's amused voice and I groggily opened my eyes.
"Hmm?" I quirked my brow at him and he just stared at me like I had grown up a third head.
"You're happy," He remarked – his tone wasn't surprised, it was accusing. "You're happy!" He exclaimed with that accusing tone of his.
"Shut up, dobe." I rolled my eyes at him.
"Why you so happy?" Of all the people on earth to bug at this very moment, why me? – Oh, and with that irritating voice mimicking a child's voice is just so... Irritating.
"Who says I am?"
"Teme, you won't smile and laugh when you're not happy..." And then he looked weirdly at me. "... Unless you're some kind of a masochist."
Great. Now I'm a masochist.
"I just remembered something," I mumbled and shrugged, deftly hoping that the dobe would drop the subject.
Unfortunately, he wasn't the person who knows when to stop talking. "About?"
"Stuffs." I snorted.
"Stuffs like?" He pressed the issue and paused his game and watched me with those curious eyes like I was the most engrossing film he'd ever watched.
"Just random stuffs."
"Tell meee!" He whined and even shook my shoulders like a freaking fangirl.
"Stop that, dobe." I glared at him and removed his hands on my shirt.
He dropped his hands but he was grinning like a Cheshire cat and I can't help but scowl at him.
"So who's the lucky girl?"
Bang. You have just been hit dead by Uzumaki Naruto. I wanted to curse.
"I said shut the hell up, dobe." A little too loud and Neji casually removed his earphones.
"What's happening?" He chided. Great. Another person to butt in. Not to mention, my ultimate rival – and my ultimate friend.
"Sasuke's in luuuuurvvveee!" Naruto sang with his sing-song voice and it wasn't pleasing to the ears.
I grimaced and emitted a loud groan. "Dobe,"
"And he won't spill who the lucky girl is!" The Dobe chimed.
"Oh," Neji smirked. "Is it true this time, then?"
For a moment, I was speechless. I don't know what to say. They shouldn't know a thing about my deal – well, not yet officially – with that girl. If they find out...
Naruto broke my reverie.
"Let me guess," The blonde boy propped his pointy finger on his chin like he was submerged in his deep thoughts. "Did she have pink hair? Pink short hair – to be exact? And... From what I've heard, you're always fetching her home... Well, if my sources are true and reliable – and I know my sources are true because I'd seen her ride with you after the class ended today – frankly speaking, my own two eyes were my sources – and..."
"Dobe," I gritted my teeth. "Stop."
This boy have to shut up or else...
Neji instantly chuckled at my reaction and I almost scowled at him. "In denial."
"I am not denying anything." I reminded them.
"Yes, because Sasu-cakes won't tell anything!" And Naruto roared a laugh.
Just then, an idea popped up on my mind and I smirked.
Gotta play with the odds now.
They have to believe that I am in love with her.
"I gotta admit it, you can be smart sometimes, dobe." I chuckled and they both stared at me with that dumbstruck face.
"I know I am, but you won't usually believe me..." And then, his face lightened. "Oh. Then it is... Sakura-chan!"
"Sakura-chan?" I grimaced at the thought of him calling Sakura with that endearment. It just felt wrong.
He laughed a teasing laugh. "She was my partner last time on the report on History!"
"Oh, so that's why you were so prepared that time." I nodded slightly, remembering how shocked I was when he was reporting – complete presentations. I knew it. That that lazy ass didn't do it alone.
"Yes," He slumped back to the couch and grabbed continued playing the game. Neji didn't put back his earphones, though. He was probably prying. "She smacked me when I slacked off and that was when I decided I would never make her angry. Who knows what more could possibly happen? She got made when I fell asleep on the library – because she's working parttime, yeah, and she told me to go ahead and research, but I fell asleep. Seriously! History's so boring! And yeah, I was afraid of her hitting me again because dude, she's just scary... But..." He smiled. "She's kinda cute when she smiles. She smiled at me when we finished our report and I gotta admit it, I had fun with her, too. She wasn't that talkative, but when she opens her mouth, it means she'll say something smart – or knowledgeable – or something."
"it's because you're just dumb." Neji teased and Naruto frowned at him. Neji's smirk grew wider.
Her smile...
And that's when I decided I wanna see her smile. Her true and sincere smile.
I'm just curious. Really curious.
-SAKURA HARUNO-
My head was practically spinning from the turn of events – that Uchiha who would always fetch me home now, and it seemed his routine now, I don't know why, but he didn't mention a thing about the contract again. Well, maybe he decided that I really won't submit to being his prisoner – but I highly doubt it. And my Dad's been pretty psyched up with work that I heard him complain about his back problem. My friends were spending enormous efforts to be with me almost every time – but Uchiha, always... As in always ruins it. To the point that I wanted to punch him full and square.
My life had been pretty normal except for those things. I'd been studying and working and eating chocolates.
But I didn't know we're practically submerged in this big problem. I had just known a while ago when the housekeeper came to our house and whined about the rent. From the looks of my Mom and Dad, they don't have anything right now. I wanted to pay, but I also got nothing on my pockets. I'll be receiving my allowance for school, next week, but that wouldn't even cover both my expenses and the house rent. And my earnings from my part time job was actually for my unpaid miscellaneous fees at school.
I have to stop schooling. My inner mind reprimanded me and I was already feeling guilty and it made me guiltier. I will stop, fine. It's not like I can do anything, anyway. But I have to finish this semester.
But then... Maybe I would enroll on a public school next term.
"Sakura!" I heard my name and I turned around. I saw our neighbor running to me. "Sakura!" He panted.
"Yes?" I politely replied as he panted in front of me.
"Y-Your Mom!"
My eyes widened. "W-What happened?"
-SASUKE UCHIHA-
I was hoping I could greet her this morning with a smile – but to my disappointment, she didn't show up in first period.
It was weird for that grade conscious girl to be absent on first period.
Maybe she woke up late. Maybe.
And it was even weirder. She didn't show up the whole day. What the hell happened to her?
Ignoring all the fan girls that were giving me sultry stares, I wheeled to Sakura's friend's destination.
"Hi." I breathed.
"Oh," They all blinked and was surprised. "Hi."
"Have you got any idea to where Sakura is?" I bluntly asked, hoping that everyone could hear. I heard some muffled gasps from the girls around the room. Yep, they were eavesdropping.
"Sorry. She hadn't called or texted." The blonde shrugged.
"Oh, I see." I nodded and smiled a little at them. "Thanks."
Left with no other choice, I decided to walk to their house. I don't know what had gotten into me to not bring my car.
It was a long walk. It took me fifteen minutes to reach their house. That was already a long walk.
I knocked softly at their door. No response. I knocked again, louder this time.
"Coming!" I heard that familiar voice yelled and someone running to the door. She opened the door and ducked her head out of the door. She was surprised to see me and I smiled at her.
"Hi."
Her eyes had that deep circles like she hadn't got a good night's sleep and her forehead was creased. I could feel the tension around us building up. "You were absent today so I figured I would lend you my notes."
"Oh," She blinked. "Come in."
She opened the door widely for me and my lips carved up a smile at her. She didn't smile back.
I handed her the papers that I had written just for her. I never write notes – unless it's needed. And I needed to write it, to serve as an excuse to stop by at her house.
It was surprising to see that her Mom and Dad wasn't here to greet me with their usual smiles, and the house felt empty. Only her movements can be heard throughout the entire house.
"Thank you," She mumbled and placed the papers on top of the desk near the TV.
"Why were you absent this morning?"
"Oh, something urgent came up and..." A loud knock interrupted her.
"Haruno! Pay up now! You already owed last month's house rent! I need the money now! You said you'd give at lunch, but you never came!"
Her breath hitched and I stared at her. She looked down on embarrassment. "sorry for that... I... uh..." She bit her lip and strolled to the door and whispered something to that door-banger and that someone groaned and I heard that person almost cursed her. She apologized and sighed as she slammed the door shut.
"Sasuke," I turned around to see her looking at me straight into my eyes and I felt something jump from my insides. What the hell was that? Should I get a check up now?
"Give me," She muttered and her hand reached out to me.
"Give you?" I raised my brow and her eyes looked really serious and worried at the same time.
"Give me." She said it like it was an explanation.
I blinked. "Oh,"
Her left hand pulled out a ballpen from her pocket and her other hand waved impatiently at me.
"Oh,"
Finally.
Author's Notes:
I'm very sorry for not updating this for like, what? Two months?
I'm really, terribly sorry. X_X
You see, there was a contest on the other fandom and I had to publish more stories on GA Fandom to help my other team members win the contest. But we only got second place. XD It's okay since I enjoyed it, anyway.
So I'm really sorry.
I hope this chapter will be my bail to get out or your wraths. XD
Trololol.
Hmm. So… Uh… Something new? Umm... Nothing.
But I'm glad to tell you guys that I passed that subject that I was worried about (on the last A/N on Chapter 6) YAAY! :)
And the new semester started. New classmates and new professors. :D
Oh, and thanks for the support.
DO NOT FORGET TO DROP A SHORT LINE ON THE REVIEW SECTION. Thank you very much.
I love you guys.
~ LunarChan (11-22-11)
