Girl Next Door
I have so many people asking about what was Sakura's wearing! If you don't like what she's wearing later, you can just imagine her in other clothes. Haha. Be sure to read my new fic, Pink Avenger!
Chapter 11: Beautifully Screwed Up
I did it. I'm on my way to the beach restaurant. But I'm so… nervous. What if he laughs at me? What if my outfit doesn't match? Argh, I shouldn't have gone in the first place. Haruno Sakura or Yamanaka Sakura, this is going to be your first shot at teenage love. Enjoy it to the fullest!
Sakura paused and studied the foreign environment, drinking in and memorizing every detail to be seen. Here she was, surrounded by sand, the soothing waves and… the glamorous beach restaurant. She smiled lightly and looked down at her body to reassure herself that what she was wearing was appropriate for these sort of occasions. A white halter top and a short black skirt. Is this formal enough? She had decided to wear black high heels to accentuate the feminine-look she was trying to achieve. Make-up consisted of a little foundation, eye shadow, mascara and lip gloss.
She held her breath and gathered up all her courage as she walked nervously into the restaurant. Everyone stopped eating to look up at the young woman who had just entered. Sakura felt a cold shiver run down her spine and wished everyone would stop staring. She was resolved into dashing out of the restaurant when she felt someone's cold hand wrapping around her waist. Her mind became blank and she turned around to be face to face with a raven-haired boy.
He looks so stunning! Okay, relax girl…let see what he's wearing… Sakura's eyes twitched a bit and tried her best to look unobvious as she managed to look down quickly. … Catch me before I fall, he's wearing black. Of course, black is the new color. But I didn't expect to see him in a tuxedo when he's supposed to be in beachwear? I'm just kidding there but… I hope he's pleased with me…
"I didn't expect you… to turn up at this time let alone turn up at all. You looked like you were running back there," He deduced as he looked into her sea-green eyes. He raised a hand and ran it gently through Sakura's short pink hair. Sakura's eyes shot wide open, her heart beating faster and faster every passing second. Sasuke felt her tensing under his touch and smirked, "What? Oh, this is normal. I bet you didn't know that, virgin."
As soon as the derogatory word escaped his lips, Sakura's heartbeat resumed its original state and she demanded sharply through gritted teeth, "Show me where we are sitting." Sasuke gave her a charming smile as he removed his hand and pointed to the last table where there were scented candles and rose petals scattered over the table cloth. Sakura walked slowly behind Sasuke, careful not to trip especially with the high heels.
She was about to pull out the dining chair but Sasuke, out of pure chivalry was faster and beat her to it. "Virgin," He chuckled. Sakura glared at him and sat down quickly. Now she did not know what to say, it was awkward. She decided to focus her attention on the plants situated beside Sasuke. She noticed that they were awfully big and there were three of them? Funny, they look like Christmas trees.
"Sakura, you look gorgeous today," Sasuke said seductively and these words caught her attention instantly. Sakura stopped admiring the plants and stared at Sasuke instead with a confused look. He was somewhat different today and he seemed… closer to her.
"You're supposed to say thank you, virgin," Sasuke said in mock annoyance and leaned in closer to her face. There was unidentified laughter in the background but Sakura ignored this. The pink-haired girl moved forward so that their faces were mere inches apart. She hissed quietly, "Don't call me a virgin, people might think it's my real name!"
"Finally, finally…" Came a muffled voice. Sakura found that the voice sounded oddly familiar and her head shot up at once to find a face to the voice. "Who's there?" She demanded, her words were audible enough for the other occupants in the restaurant to hear. Everyone put down their eating utensils and stared at Sakura. Finding that all eyes were on her, she blushed madly and concentrated her eyes on the table.
"Making a fool out of yourself again? I pity you, virgin," Sasuke laughed and shook his head in amusement. Sakura quickly glanced up at him angrily but didn't retaliate lest she really made a fool out of herself again.
Sasuke ceased his deriding laughter and moved insanely closer to mutter softly, "Sakura, you have something in your hair…" She looked at him unbelievingly and at his innocent-looking eyes, but she could tell with her intuition that he was faking. But rather than causing additional unwanted commotion, she moved forward unwillingly and allowed him to remove the said thing.
"I want to see! I want to see!" Came earnest hisses. Sakura forced herself to fall under the belief that her ears were malfunctioning. I need to catch up on my sleep.
"Don't move, baka! You're blocking my view!" Gaara? Nah, couldn't be.
"Done yet?" Sakura asked hesitantly, eyes fixed on the scented candles. Why can't Sasuke hurry up and remove the thing? What is it anyway? "Soon, just wait a while," came Sasuke's reply as he inclined his head closer to her own.
"I've got my camera out! Move it!" Are the people here shooting a movie? Sakura thought as she played with the rose petals on the table.
"Quiet, you two. They will suspect sooner or later!" A replica of Neji?
"It's Naruto's fault!" Naruto? Uzumaki Naruto!
Without a second thought, Sakura's head shot up in a split second and this in turn came into contact with Sasuke's face. The raven-haired boy winced as he rubbed his sore nose. Sakura did not have a care for Sasuke now as she found three childish boys spying on them. One with a camera, the other with a magnifying glass and the another one with a video camera. They had been hiding behind the three large pot plants that resembled Christmas trees all along. She knew there was something fishy about them.
Sakura stood up from her seat and crossed her arms, eyeing each of the boys with even stares. She could care less about making a fool out of herself now. "I can explain, Sakura," Naruto said quickly and smiled widely, "You look really nice today."
Sakura smiled lightly at the compliment but her expression changed immediately into that of a mad woman. She screamed her head off as all heads turned to their table, "Can someone tell me what's going on here! What are you guys doing!"
Sasuke smiled at the three like they were partners in crime. Payback time, he thought. He leaned back comfortably into his chair and surveyed the interesting predicament with open eyes.
All four boys could tell Sakura had blown a fuse. "Actually, it's all Naruto's fault," Neji said convincingly. "Yeah, yeah," Gaara nodded his head furiously and both of them simultaneously pushed Naruto in front.
"What? Me?" Naruto glared at them, mouthing vulgar words at the two traitors as he began begging and pleading with his sapphire eyes. Discovering that he was going to be the only one in trouble regardless of his pleas, he turned in front slowly to face Sakura. He laughed nervously and stuttered, "I'll tell you the truth. Um, remember that time when you came to the studios in search for Sasuke? Well, I thought it would be fun to have a bet with Sasuke," He gulped and knew he was going to regret the final words, "And that bet was… to kiss you."
Sakura was speechless. His words hit her like someone had just poured a bucket of water over her head and they pounded mercilessly through her mind as she stared in disbelief at Sasuke then Neji then Gaara and lastly Naruto. She was fuming, her face becoming hot from anger as she tried very hard to stop herself from slapping all of them in the faces. She had been cheated and she was hurting somewhere.
"It's just a bet?" She demanded angrily and tried very hard to stop her emotions from taking charge of her. Everyone was staring but what did it matter, she was a fool even without trying, especially being the subject of a bet and not once suspecting. Tumultuous waves of anger seethed through her as she seized a glass of water from the table and held it precariously above Naruto's blonde head. With one last glare the water came pouring down, splashing at her feet.
The water trickled slowly from his drenched hair as she dropped the glass in satisfaction to the floor. Before the falling glass hit the ground, shattering, Sakura was gone.
-
I should have known, what kind of guy would possibly want to ask me out? Just for this date, I actually defied Ino indirectly. I guess this is my punishment for being a prude or rather a virgin. I'm still the same as last spring. Hopeless. Where's someone when I need that person most?
"Sakura," A male voice said softly. The contemplating girl did not look behind and remained seated on the log, throwing rocks into the sea as far and as hard as possible, trying to stop herself from being overcome by shameful emotions.
Naruto pleaded, "I'm sorry. You see, I'm already drenched. Please forgive me?" He sat next to her on the log and stared out into the ocean.
Sakura was still raging with fire but remained silent and removed her shoes. She carefully examined her feet and winced as she felt the bruise that the damn shoes had given her.
Naruto leant back on both hands and said softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you would be so… into this date," He grinned and glanced at her quickly, "You're so cute and such a virgin."
Sakura gazed up from her feet and glared at him angrily, wishing stares could kill at that moment. This guy is impossible. He messes with my heart and now he wants forgiveness so soon. Get real. Naruto shook his head, "I mean it in a good way. Really Sakura, you look fabulous today. A complete change, I didn't think it was you."
Sakura scoffed and rolled her eyes, not bothering to heed his words. "And even Sasuke drools, you should be proud of yourself for making such a big accomplishment," Naruto smiled.
"Hello? Being used as a joke is not a big accomplishment," Sakura said evenly and looked back at the waves, rolling in and out of the shore in a soothing rhythm. She felt it slowly calming the storm of emotions in her mind.
"So you'll forgive me now?" Naruto asked happily, jumping up and down.
There was something about him that couldn't make you stay angry at him for long. She smiled slightly, "I never said that I wouldn't…" Sakura continued staring at the waves.
"Yeah!" Naruto yelled then sat next to her quietly and mumbled, "Thanks for that."
Sakura smirked, her anger ebbing away with the waves, "Not so easy though. Drive me home, piggyback me and carry my shoes until we reach the gates!"
Naruto laughed and bundled her up in his arms. "Hey! I'll fall!" Sakura yelled and burst into giggles.
-
Sakura thanked Naruto in a tired voice and he drove away into the distance. With shoes in hand she walked slowly towards her dilapidated hut. To her surprise, she found that the door was locked with numerous locks and all her belongings were packed up neatly outside. The perplexed Sakura detached a note from the door.
Sakura,
I don't know where you went but I know that you must be up to some mischief. Anyway, Yamanaka house does not want an improper girl like you!
Ino.
I've been screwed on a date and now I'm homeless. Where should I go?
A/n: What a long chapter! Must review and tell me your views!
