Just Call Me Cinderella
Chapter Five
Monday rolled around and Sakura was grateful that she had made it through the weekend and that now she could focus on school and work. She sat at her normal table and was soon accompanied by Tenten and Ino.
"What a great weekend that ended up being. I'd say one of our best sleepovers yet." Ino took a drink from the juice in front of her before digging into her pizza.
"No kidding! We were in a freaking palace and we got to cuddle some cute boys." Tenten's eyes were twinkling as Neji, Naruto, and Hinata sat down.
"Speak for yourself. All I got was an awkward shoulder rub from someone who didn't remember I existed until Saturday." Sakura grumbled as she took a bite of her sandwich and realized that she had grabbed her mom's instead. It wasn't all that different except it had tomatoes on it and she wasn't in the mood. "Does anyone want these?" Sakura pulled them out and looked at everyone who shook their heads.
"He probably does. They're his favorite."
Sakura turned to see who Naruto was pointing at and almost jumped when she recognized Sasuke sitting next to Sai at the end of the table. When did they get here and since when did Sasuke sit with them?
"Oh, Sasuke, do you want my tomatoes?"
"Hn." He stretched out his tray for her to place them on and then went back to eating his food. What an odd duck he was.
"Guys, I've decided something. We should all hang out more. I had a great time this weekend and I know everyone agrees." Ino looked like she was holding court as she made her statement. There were nods of agreement and a 'heck yeah' from Naruto. Sakura giggled as she watched everyone.
"Fine Ino-pig but you know I can't really hang out except on Wednesday nights and Saturday nights after seven. That is unless you want to watch me clean the Uchiha mansion. Which I'm sure grumpy over there would not appreciate." Sakura motioned to Sasuke who looked up for half a second from his food.
"I really wouldn't mind all that much."
Everyone stared at him for a few seconds. Had he really just said that? Not only was he speaking but he was also saying he'd be okay with hanging out with these girls that were not really on the top of the school food chain.
"Well, okay, who drugged the Prince this morning? Sakura, we can work around your schedule." Tenten elbowed her as she turned to Neji who was asking a question about their science assignment. The bell rang and everyone grudgingly made their way back to their classes.
Sakura had her history class with Kakashi next and so did Ino, Sai, and Sasuke. Ino went on ahead to catch up to Sai as Sakura trailed behind a little.
"Can I walk with you?" Sakura almost froze in the middle of the hallway but didn't. She still had her dignity.
"I'm sorry what?"
"Can I walk with you to class? You're in my history class right?" Sasuke stared straight ahead as he kept pace with her.
"Uh. . . yeah. . . I just. . . how do I put this? I've been invisible to you since freshman year and I find it a little impossible that overnight you've noticed me."
"I admit, I was a little oblivious but we have the same friends and I was bound to notice you at some point. Plus, I feel bad that I had no idea you were dealing with something so hard."
"Ah, that's it then." Sakura turned her gaze from him to Ino and Sai in front of her. He only really noticed because he felt guilty. Guilty that his brother saw her hurting and he had no knowledge that anything had even happened to her. She hadn't left any sort of impression on him at all. No, in fact, all he knew was that her father died and she needed pity. Suddenly, Sakura's stomach felt sick. She didn't need pity. Especially not from a stuck up brat like him.
"Well thanks for walking with me. I hope I didn't take too much time from your make-out schedule." Sakura sneered at him as she entered the room and practically ran to her seat. Sasuke was shocked but hid it well. What just happened? Did he say something wrong? Girls never ran away from him.
The rest of school proceeded without any incidents with the youngest Uchiha and Sakura could not be more grateful. She made her way out the doors with Ino. Ino was giving her a ride to work today.
"He really said that? He really said that you suddenly weren't invisible because he felt pity for you? Dang, that's almost worse." Ino grimaced as she pulled up to the mansion. "Well, let me know if you manage to do any harm to him and say hi to Itachi for me!" With that Ino sped away and Sakura made her way inside to work.
It only took five minutes before she was ambushed by Mikoto. "Sakura, dear, Sasuke is studying for his history test and he said he needed someone to quiz him. Can you be a dear and do that? Thanks a million. Tell him I'm sorry but I have an urgent meeting." Mikoto waved as she headed to the garage. Great. I have to quiz him.
Sakura grudgingly headed up the stairs after informing Mei that she was to be helping him study. She paused at his door, took a deep breath, and then knocked twice. "Come in."
Sakura bowed a little. "Your mother said you needed someone to quiz you?" He looked up at her from his couch.
"Where is she?"
"She said she had an urgent meeting and that she's sorry."
"Figures." There was a pause as he looked down to the book in his lap and the flashcards in his hand. "Well, at least you're actually in my class so this shouldn't be too bad. Come here."
He moved over a little and motioned for her to sit on the couch. She complied and made sure to sit ladylike so he wouldn't get any unsavory views. "All right, hand me the cards and close the book. You ready?" He nodded.
Slowly Sakura read through each card waiting for him to answer. When he would get a little hung up or falter she would give him clues. She even gave him helpful hints about ways he could remember some of the harder portions. Sakura was one of the smartest people in the class even if she was quiet. History came like a no brainer to her most of the time. Actually, studying with him was helping her retain the information better and it was a little fun.
"Ugh, I need to take a break." Sasuke leaned his head against the back of the couch and closed his eyes. "You know, you're really smart."
"Thanks." Sakura didn't know what else to say. She was just supposed to help him study and then get back to work. They had already been studying for an hour and a half. She was pretty behind. "Well, if you're tired I can get back to work." She stood up but Sasuke grabbed her wrist.
"I really don't want you to go, but, thank you." He opened his eyes and held her gaze for a few seconds before he let go. There was a slight blush on her cheeks. Yeah right! All he meant was that he wanted more help. Sakura nodded and headed out the door just as Karin bounded in.
"OHHH my Sasukins! I've missed you so much. Good thing that tramp is leaving." She slammed the door in Sakura's face and she could hear a few words from Sasuke before he was cut off. Sakura rolled her eyes and made her way to the cleaning closet.
"Better late than never." She grumbled as she opened the door.
"Ah! Sakura, glad to see you're feeling better." Itachi was just opening his door and was smiling the biggest smile she had ever seen.
"Thank you, and you look happy. Good day with Izumi?" He smiled bigger. If that was even possible.
"The best." Sakura laughed as he went into his room and started cleaning. Because of the study session Sakura spent the rest of the time furiously cleaning the bathrooms. Sasuke and Karin were, ahem, busy and she was told to just skip his room for now. Fine by her. At eight fifteen she finally finished and headed home.
There was a note from her mom saying that she hoped everything was going well and wished her luck at school and at work. Sakura smiled and left a little reply. Then she showered and did a small amount of homework before crashing.
At the Uchiha mansion Sasuke sat on his couch eating dinner. It was cold from him being too busy when it arrived but it still tasted good. He was just wearing his boxers as he stared at the sleeping girl in his bed. What was he doing? He didn't feel anything with Karin. She was just a pretty face and a good time. Everyone thought they would eventually get together because if he was The King of the school she was certainly the Queen.
But he thought she was actually a terrible person. Sure, he was aloof and mysterious and constantly rude to everyone, especially his best friend, but Karin was a whole different thing. She liked people to feel small. Something about it made her feel better. She knew she was wealthy and hot and she used that to her advantage. She was nothing like someone he actually wanted to date.
Sasuke took another bite of his food and shifted his gaze to the ceiling. His mother had asked all about Itachi's new love interest at Sunday dinner and Sasuke couldn't help but be jealous. Jealous of the way that Itachi's whole face seemed to light up when he spoke of her. Jealous of the way this girl seemed to be everything to him. Jealous of the way that even though Itachi was attracted to her he still respected her and took it slow.
Sasuke wanted that. As much as he didn't want to admit that he had feelings that ran deep he really did. He wanted to get butterflies when a girl smiled at him or when she accidentally touched his arm. He wanted to feel like there was no one better in the world. He wanted to have someone next to him to really listen to his thoughts and ideas. Not some girl that just wanted one wild night or two.
He wanted someone. . . someone like Sakura. Sasuke's thoughts shifted to studying with her. She was so sweet to him even though they never talked. He could tell she was unwilling to help him but once she was comfortable she was so accommodating. Not to mention really pretty. With her oddly colored pink hair and her bright green eyes that were so large she almost looked like a Disney princess.
She also had a heart. Something that most of the girls he dated didn't. Sakura genuinely cared about lots of things. She invested time in Itachi's relationship, in her friend's lives, and anyone around her. Sakura was just genuinely a good person. Sasuke shook his head and stood up to crawl into bed. She would never want to date someone like him. That was a fact. She was cold to him at school today and honestly he deserved it. Why had it taken him so many years to truly see her?