Disclaimer: The lyrics used in this chapter belong to their rightful owner. I don't own anything nor do I make any profit and I will take down this chapter if asked.
Chapter eight: Confused feelings
Shit.
I look to my right and see Sasuke looking at me from the corner of his eye. To my left, Karin, surprisingly, doesn't pay me the slightest attention. And she's the only person in class that doesn't look at me.
Sing. How the hell am I supposed to sing?!
Anko might as well go and smoke in a room full of gas, that would cause a smaller uproar. I knew from the moment this woman stepped in the classroom nothing good will happen. And I had such a nice day too.
"Are you deaf or something?" Anko asks, making Karin's pets laugh.
I shake my head and stand up. Only then do I realize my legs are shaking, I'm about to panick. Anko will definitely tell Headmistress Tsunade that I'm Cleopatra, not to mention everyone in school will find out.
As if having Uchiha Itachi knowing wasn't enough for the day.
Anko slams her hand on the desk. "Then fucking sing! Don't make me come to you Pinkie, I'm not in the best mood."
When is she in 'the best mood'?
I won't sing, so I might as well start writing my testament. When I decide that I could run out of the classroom and think of an excuse later, a hand raises. My eyes find the owner of the hand—Ino, my savior.
"Anko-sensei, may I suggest someone else?" Anko glares and opens her mouth to, most probably, object and end my life but Ino continues. "Sakura's voice would probably break the windows and I believe Tsubade-sama wouldn't enjoy that, so why not listen to someone more talented?"
I don't know if I should be angry or grateful to Ino, but I decide for the second.
Anko looks at me for a moment weighting the possibilities. I nod my head furiously and point to Ino, desperately trying to make her believe.
"Fine, someone just come here and freaking sing already."
THANK YOU GOD, BUDDHA, ZEUS, EVERYONE IN THE SKY!
I sit down fast and exhale. Ino happily walks to the instruments kept next to the blackboard and takes out an acoustic guitar. She looks at our classmates.
"Come and sing, Sasuke." She says putting her hand on her shoulder impatiently.
I instantly look to my right and see an expression I never, not even in the deepest corners of my unlimited imagination, thought I would see on Sasuke's face. I almost burst out laughing, but that would definitely make Anko think about me singing so no-no. Summing it in a phrase, Sasuke has a What-for-the-name-of-God-did-you-just-say? face.
"You want me to what?" He asks, his arms crossed. He glares at Ino in a way that would make anyone freeze, but not her.
She casually replies, "Sing, get here already."
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"Sasukeeee." Ino says in a sweet voice.
"No, not in a million years."
"Are we getting there again?"
"I don't care, I won't do that."
"I'm sorry for interrupting your so very important conversation but IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T SING RIGHT NOW YOU ALL WORMS FAIL THIS SEMESTER!" Anko yells getting up, which only means trouble.
All the students gulp and look at me, probably knowing as well as me that Sasuke won't sing no matter what. I get up feeling as if I'm about to prepare my grave, but there's no other way. My eyes move to Sasuke one last time before I step forward.
Suddenly, I feel something warm grabbing my wrist and stopping me. I look behind me and see Sasuke getting up. He gently pulls me behind him. He steps forward and lets go of my hand. Ino prepares him a seat and hands him the guitar as he sits down. His—perfect—hands move and he starts playing as if he was born to do it.
What he did next left us all mouth-dropped. He started singing—with his voice, I mean.
I'll be right here now
to hold you when the sky falls down
I will always
be the one who took your place
When the rain falls
I won't let go
I'll be right here
I can only look at him and listen to him. I could do this all day. My heart races uncontrollably in my chest and I have this strange but good feeling in my stomach.
His singing only lasts for a minute, but swear it was the most beautiful minute in my life.
When he finishes and Naruto and Sasuke's other friends begin to whistle, earning a glare from him, I'm left believing for real that he's perfect.
When he stops singing, three things happen: (1) The bell rings, (2) He looks right at me and (3) I run out of the classroom as fast as I can.
Not caring about the glances I receive as I make my way between the students, I hurry to the bathroom. Luckily enough, it's empty. I go in a toilet cabin, close it and rest again a wall.
Why, would you ask. I don't know. I freaking have no idea why I ran like that. I'm 100% sure that my face is as red as a tomato—and the last time Sasuke saw me like that laughed—and my heart is beating like crazy. This happened a lot lately, but now I feel as if it's about to burst out of my chest.
What's wrong with me?
When I finally calm down, the bell for the next class already rang. I get out of the toilet and look at myself in the mirror. My face is still red and when I think about him, it gets even redder.
Just how am I supposed to go back to class now?
Golden Phoenix's Blog
Date: Saturday, May 15th
Mood: Excited
Place: Somewheere over the rainboooow
Subject: It's been quiet for too long
First of all, I know I wasn't very active this week. Aside from the posts where I curse Scarecrow and ask for black magic or voodoo advice. I'm past that now, I'm a mature woman and I understood that she's just something that will bring me and Knight closer. Easy come, easy go. Hard come, hard go. Right? I'm ready to fight and get my happy ever after with Knight.
I was busy these days and you'll find out why later.
On with what you all want—gossip.
I. Love triangle year: Know what I mean by this? We have three love triangles this year. Three—I always knew this number is magic. To be honest, if I wouldn't read you comments and take notice of them, there would only be two, but for now let's say there are three. Not for long though.
After making a poll based on your comments, I decided on a top of popularity.
3rd place: Scarecrow-Knight-Myfabulousself
Don't worry, I'm only on the third place because half of you didn't think of this as a love triangle since Scarecrow obviously stands no chance. I think so too, but for the sake of the magic number, let's keep it this way. Not much to say about this, it's obviously who I support. Or is it not?
2nd place: Blonde Prince-Princess-Wolfie
As you figured out, this is a two-boys-one-girl love triangle. One would think that a two-girls-one-boy love triangle is more interesting since girls are braver fighters than boys—go ahead boys, curse me and everything—but those boys surely are something. You can actually see the tension between them. And I don't blame them—that girl is gorgeous. Did I mention this before? Oh, I did. I'm quite jealous.
As for my choice, I'd bet on Blonde Prince.
Now, dum-dum-dum—drum sounds, for the intelligent people who didn't figure out what I mean by 'dum-dum'.
1st place: Little Uchiha-Cherry-chan-Sexy Uchiha
After two more encounters between Sexy Uchiha and Cherry-chan—one of which definitely wasn't by accident—I can call it a love triangle. I won't say anything else, let's just wait and see what will happen.
II. A broken heart: What I noticed the past days is that it's been silent. Way too silent. Didn't you all notice? I'm sure you did. No more loud, annoying laughing at the cafeteria, no more 'fabulous entrances' by someone we know well.
You think what I think? Yeah, Little Karin probably got sick. Of the syndrome called broken heart. Since she and Little Uchiha broke up, she isn't very lively. She probably has a heart too..
Wait, did I just write that? Forget it. She probably just got her ego hurt a little.
III. Big event tonight: We all know the surprise event Headmistress Tsunade announced Thursday morning, the charity event. As you all know, there will be a concert. As you don't know, students from our school will sing. One will be our beloved senpais' band—Akatsuki, and the other is supposed to be a surprise, but I will ruin the surprise and tell you—it will be Cleopatra!
I'm currently helping with the preparations, so see you tonight. You better not lose tonight's event, I can feel something will happen.
See you then—but you won't see me.
-I
"Are you nervous?"
"Me, nervous?" I laugh. "Be serious."
"Then stop biting your nails, they almost bleed."
Ok, maybe I am a little nervous.
In less than ten minutes I will sing in front of everyone in school again, but that's not what makes me so nervous. It's not Headmistress Tsunade—who probably won't take her eyes off me until I finish and then she'll jump on me with masked men in black suits and monopolize me, it's not Uchiha Itachi—who promised to not take his eyes off me for the whole night, it's not even those important and rich people who came and are sitting on a special place in the first row.
It's Sasuke.
Since that day when he sang, I've avoided him like crazy. Not that he made any effort to talk with me, but we were already at the say-hello-in-the-morning-and-bye-at-night level. I cut that off. Just how am I supposed to face him when my head begins spinning just thinking about him? I have to go to a doctor after this night, definitely.
He'll definitely be here tonight, everyone knows Cleopatra will sing thanks to Ino.
"Remember, I'll be in charge of the lights. Just follow the light that will shine on you and you'll know where and how to move not to be boring." Ino says as she puts her hands on my shoulders. "Here." She hands me my mask. "Make them kiss your feet!" She says with a blinding smile and leaves.
Yeah, I'm sure Karin would kiss my feet if she hears me singing. Or Headmistress Tsunade.
Now that I think about it, I accepted to sing now to tell Sasuke the truth and—maybe,just maybe—have a chance with him, but I've avoided him for the past days so is this really a good time?
I have no time to think further since I hear the beginning of the song. I take a deep breath and get on the stage.
This event takes place in the gym too, but the scene is different. Kinda like the one in Camp Rock. Seats are put on the left and right side of the scene. At first I'm blinded by the lights, but then I find it surprisingly easy to sing.
Eyes make their peace in difficulties
With wounded lips and salted cheeks
And finally we step to leave
To the departure lounge of disbelief
I step forward and sing, an overwhelming happiness embracing me. I've worked so hard for the past week, practicing with Ino, sleeping only three or four hours every night. And here are the results—everyone looks at me with surprise and excitement. They all enjoy this.
And I don't know where I'm going
But I know it's gonna be a long time
And I'll be leaving in the morning
Come the white wine bitter sunlight
My feet keep moving as I follow the lights as Ino told me, I had a problem with the movement during practices. Ino said I was like a puppet and that would bore people.
The song's about to end and I have a weird feeling in my stomach. Sasuke didn't come. Am I.. disappointed?
Wanna hear your beating heart tonight
Just as I spin, I see Sasuke at the edge of the stage. My voice stops for a moment, but no one observes as I continue. I head towards the other edge of the stage.
Before the bleeding sun comes alive
I want to make the best of what is left, hold tight
And hear my beating heart one last time
Before daylight
I'm smiling like an idiot.
The light suddenly disappears and I see it heading back—back to Sasuke. I can't help but follow it, the room is dark and people won't see me if the light's not on me. He's still there—he has the same look on his face as earlier. My heart begins beating faster again, just why is he looking at me like that? And how am I supposed not to melt like an ice-cream in the middle of summer?
I want to make the best of what is left, hold tight
And hear my beating heart one last time
Wanna hear your beating heart tonight
I put my hand to my heart and look Sasuke straight in the eye.
That's when I realize—this is what I've waited for. This moment. I suddenly feel that even if I don't tell him the truth about Cleopatra, it's ok. This moment is worth working hard for months.
I sing two more songs and Sasuke is still there, listening to me until the end. Almost. He disappears on the last ten seconds of the last song. Ino welcomes me in the backstage and hugs me.
"You were the best!"
I hug her back as I see Shikamaru behind her.
"Well, where are your praises?" I ask letting go of Ino.
"You faked at some point at the first song and you moved your hands too much."
"If this is how you praise people, I don't want to know how you scold them." I reply.
He smiles from the corner of his mouth—and I swear Ino almost let out a squeal—and comes next to me. He pats my shoulder.
"Good job."
"I knew you will—"
"You should hurry and change, Tsunade-sama can show up any second." He cuts me off.
Right.
"Ok, I'll change and meet you in the crowd."
"I wouldn't miss Itachi Uchiha for the world." Ino replies.
We thought about everything beforehand—I will exit through the back of the gym and change in the warehouse. You know, the place we keep all gardening stuff and other useless things. Then I'll hide the costume there, I'll take it back when the lights are off, and go in the crowd where I'll meet with Ino, Shikamaru, Hinata and Kiba.
That was the plan. It was supposed to go smoothly—at least, so I hoped—but all my hopes were erased when I saw Sasuke leaning against the warehouse's door.
He looks up and sees me. His eyes pierce right through me, I swear that sexy look will kill me one day. He doesn't say a word, obviously neither do I because if I would, it would either be 'go away' or 'kiss me'.
Finally, he makes a step forward and I make a step back. He makes another them and so do I, so that distance between us is still the same.
"Don't run away."
"Ok."
Wait. WHAT THE HECK SAKURA?!
I cover my mouth with my hand. He smiles, one corner of his mouth pulling up. It's not a smirk, it's a smile.
"I.."
Wait. I was supposed to tell him in another way. I was supposed to meet him as myself—not as Cleopatra—after Akatsuki's concert, talk a bit about the night, then Ino would somehow make it so that the will walk me to the girls' dorm. And that's where I was supposed to tell him, but how am I supposed to get away now?
Maybe I should just run, I was faster than him last time and—
"Don't go." His hand grabs my wrist and he holds it tight, but not forceful.
When did he come so close?
I avert my eyes. He can't figure out it's me now and here, it's definitely not the moment.
"Who are you?"
Well, this was quick.
I shake my head furiously. No way I'm telling you, pretty boy.
"You won't talk with me?"
I shake my head again.
"Then I won't let go." He say casually, holding my hand up.
It takes a moment for him to let go of my wrist and grab my hand instead, his fingers intertwining mine. I look at him furious, how can he do this to me?
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like it. I like it too much actually, this will only make things more complicated.
When I look him in the eye, I understand. I don't want him to talk or think about Cleopatra anymore, I don't want to give them any memories together. I want him to look at me.
I can't move, I can't say anything. All I can do is hope he'll understand what I think if I blink many times.
He can't keep me here all night until I talk, right?
"I'll stay all night if you don't talk."
Oh, great.
"Tell me who you are." He says more like an order. I flash him a glare. "Please." His voice softens suddenly.
"Not now." I whisper, looking at the ground.
"Then when?" I don't say anything, I just look at him and hope he understands I can't take this anymore. I have to leave now. "Will we meet again?" I nod even though I just decided I definitely won't dress as Cleopatra anymore. "Take this and I'll let you go."
I look and see a small, white piece of paper. Without thinking too much I take it and he hesitates letting go of my hand. I look at him and expect him to keep his promise.
"Ok, I get the message." He says and releases my hand.
I turn around and hurry in school, I need to find another place to change. I don't have the courage to look back at Sasuke because I know I won't have the strength not to run back to him.
From: CherryPie
To: SugarSweet
Subject: Please answer, please answer
Ino ,where are you? This place is way too crowded. I'm at the entrance and I can't find anyone. God, I have to talk with you right now. I met with Sasuke.
From: SugarSweet
To: CherryPie
Subject: Of course I do
Ok, calm down. Which entrance? The back one?
From: CherryPie
To: SugarSweet
Subject: Thank God
No, the other one. I met with Sasuke and I'm trembling like crazy.
From: SugarSweet
To: CherryPie
Subject: You better thank me, not God
Seriously?! Ugh, there goes my perfect plan!
It's more serious than I thought. Wait, I'll be there in a second.
From: CherryPie
To: SugarSweet
Subject: A second you say
As if I can go somewhere, I can barely breathe here.
"I'm here, I'm here." Ino says as she breaths heavily.
"A second." I quote her.
"Well excuse me, I didn't want to ruin this." She says pointing to her outfit and hair. I roll my eyes. "The others are on the other side, let's go."
Just as we are about to get past some people, we bump into Sasuke. More like Ino does and I bump into Ino.
Splendid.
Ino glares at him and he raises an eyebrow.
"What's your problem?" He asks, his hands crawled in his pockets.
"Nothing." She says and grabs my hand, pulling me past Sasuke.
I can't help but look at him—he looks back at me. My heart does a flip.
"Why did you glare at him?" I ask Ino as we head to the others, I can see them already.
"He ruined my plan."
Hinata comes to me first, her cheeks a little red, eyes big and shiny and her fists held up like an excited kid.
"Sakura, you were the best!" She praises me.
And of course I get all shy and embarrassed, being praised by a girl as cute as Hinata isn't something you get everyday.
"It wasn't that great.." I try to say, but in reality I'm pretty proud of myself too.
"Of course it was!" Hinata says.
"What was the urgency?" Shikamaru asks.
"Sasuke ruined the plan." Ino says as she crosses her arms up her chest, a scowl on her face.
Shikamaru sighs.
"What a drag,"
I glare at him, this insensitive lazy-ass!
He looks at me worried. Wow, that's something he hasn't done in a while.
"I think it's better this way. You should just stop dressing as Cleopatra and everything will be fine—Tsunade-sama won't find out and you can just try talking with Sasuke as yourself. Did you think about this?"
"I did but.."
But what?
"I.."
I look at the floor, I'm confused. Why didn't I try that before? I just have to be myself.
"Sakura?" Ino asks and I look up to see her, Shikamaru, Hinata and even Kiba looking at me worried.
"I decided. I won't dress as Cleopatra anymore."
Shikamaru smiles while Ino and Hinata look at each other worried. Kiba keeps staring at Hinata. I'll definitely have to ask him about this later.
"I.. Lately, I've been worrying a lot, but I'm just wasting away time doing that. I'll just be myself and try to get to know Sasuke better this way." I say, surprising even myself of how easy this was.
"And what if he doesn't like you?" Kiba asks, making Ino and Hinata glare at him and Shikamaru facepalm.
Before I could start thinking about it I hear a familiar voice.
"We'd like to dedicate this song to the beautiful girl who enchanted us with her voice before, you're awesome." It's Itachi talking on the microphone.
Everyone agrees with him, whistling and screaming.
"Don't worry, Sasuke must be gay not to like you." Ino says, putting an arm around my shoulder.
"Well, that would explain the screams I hear once in a while from his and Naruto's room." Kiba says casually.
We all look at him petrified.
"Though I think they are fighting. I hope so, at least." He completes and we all laugh. I fold the piece of paper Sasuke gave me in my pocket—it's his phone number.
We enjoy the rest of the night together, drinking soda, joking and listening to the band.
Dear Mom,
Remember how many times you told me to enjoy life and not worry over every small thing? I suppose is time I thank you, so thank you Mom.
Guess what? I sang in front of everyone again. They liked it again and I'm starting to like singing more and more. But I won't do it anymore, not masked at least.
About Sasuke, I don't like him. I think. I mean, he's handsome—very handsome, has amazing eyes, this arrogance that makes him even sexier and I just found out he's talented too but I don't like him.
Maybe just a bit.
My first holiday will be next month, we have a few days off because it's teacher's day or something like this. You'll come and pick me up, right?
Your confident daughter, Sakura.
First of all, thank you for all your reviews! Seriously guys, you're amazing. I didn't write any author notes lately because I got a part-time job and I barely have time to write. Anyway, I decided to update when I can since I don't have any more chapter written and I'll just try my best to write fast now. I'll update once a week or faster.
By the way, did anyone read Anna and The French Kiss? I just finished it and fell in love with Etienne. Can somebody give me an Etienne? He's freaking perfect. If you like this fanfic you'll love Anna and The French Kiss, trust me.
Again, thank you for the reviews. I love them and I love you, readers. Please keep reading and reviewing!
Lots of love.
