--
After a long day's work, I am finally headed home. This is actually the first time this week that I'm walking home with Ino. She's usually busy, but because we're just preparing for the ball, we get off from work early.
"Ino! Are you seriously taking Sai to the ball?"
I can't believe it.
She nodded her head shyly.
"Oh. My. Gosh."
She buried her head on her hands. "Do we look bad together? Please tell me. I'm getting embarrassed!"
I couldn't help but laugh.
"No, silly. I just never thought you'd invite him. But I think it will work out for both of you."
She looked up. "Seriously? You think so?"
"Yes, yes! Besides, you're both single. You might hit it off after the ball." I joked with a smug smile on my face.
"Shut up!" She exclaimed nervously. "Whatever."
"Well, goodluck." I winked.
"By the way, who are you taking, Sakura?"
"Nobody. I'll go there alone."
"What do you mean? You can't go there alone!"
"Yes I can! Remember last year, a nurse in the surgery department went alone."
She shook her head. "This is different, Sakura. You have to bring someone."
"I promised Naruto I'd take him this year. Since he's not here, I won't go with anyone."
Ino kept quiet. She understood.
"Well, that's reasonable I guess." She gave me a forced smile. "Even if you don't have a date, I hope you'll have fun."
"Of course." I smiled back. "There will be lots of food right?"
She laughed. "You pig."
Talking with Ino felt so short. Seeing as I'm already outside my house.
"Well, then. See you tomorrow."
I waved goodbye at Ino as she disappeared in the night.
I took my house key, placed it in the knob and opened my door.
As usual, the place looks horribly dark. I'm used to it, anyway. I've been living here alone since who-knows-when. I really can't remember how long it has been since Naruto left.
I miss him.
Terribly.
I didn't turn the lights on. I went straight to the sofa, removed my heels and sat on it.
I remember the days when I would watch TV, Naruto would sit beside me and wrap his arm around my shoulders. We would laugh our heads off about the silly commercials we see on TV. Sometimes, we would eat chips, dropping bits of food on the sofa and feeding each other. Other times, we would ignore the TV shows and just kiss each other.
His touch, his laugh, his whispers, his kisses.
I miss all of them.
I miss Naruto so much.
I didn't even notice I was crying already. Tears uncontrollably welled up in my eyes.
The silence in this room feels so loud I can't even bear it.
Someone, please help me.
Somebody, save me.
This darkness, this loneliness, this silence.
It's engulfing me…
Someone—
"Sakura, you forgot to turn on the lights."
I heard a flicker and out came the lights. I turned around to see Sasuke. His expression changed after seeing a glimpse of my face. I quickly looked away.
I hastily rubbed my eyes. I hope he didn't notice me crying. "I just got something in my eyes. Ha-ha…" I laughed nervously.
I could hear his footsteps going closer.
"By the way, how did you get in here? Are you spying on me or something? That's really not nice, you know. Ha-ha. But it's also—"
I know, I must look stupid right now.
I know, I'm not okay.
And I know, that he knows it better than I do.
That's why he had to stop me from talking uncontrollably.
That's why he gently wrapped his arms around my neck.
That's why he embraced me.
"Stupid." I muttered quietly. "You're going to make me cry again." I could feel myself breaking apart once again.
"You don't have to hold back when you're with me." He whispered softly, embracing me tighter.
And that was it.
That was enough to make this fragile self of mine tear itself to pieces and break down.
Without Sasuke's arms around me as I cry, who knows where I would've been right now.
--
Author's note: AWW, SAKURA. I feel really bad for her. Don't you?
