Chapter 2: Heaven and Hell
There he was, standing right in front of me. His deep dark eyes pierced right through me. Wasn't he aware that it wasn't polite to stare down at people?
I lowered my head and tried to avoid his ice cold stare that sent shivers to my spine. I was so nervous that I couldn't think straight. What's with his weird behaviour (or has he always been like this)?
My heart beat faster and faster. He was so close to me. Uchiha Sasuke, the handsome teen star while me, Haruno Sakura, ordinary student, not-so-popular girl. I felt so little.
"Get out of my way." I coldly said.
That caused me to look back at him. I… I didn't expect him to say that. I thought--
"W-What?" I asked, just to be sure.
"Get out of my way." He repeated.
I moved a little bit, allowing him to pass.
I was stunned, I had to admit. I never expected that he'll be so mean. My competitive side rose from its deep slumber, giving me an optimistic attitude. There's no way I'd give up on him. I was determined to uncover his deep side.
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"All I could say is wow!" Ino said as we walked to our classrooms. "That Uchiha guy is really hot..."
I nodded. She continued telling me things about Sasuke-- how she admired him, the way he looked today--I couldn't remember every detail. I pretended to be listening.
I was lost in my own world, thinking of Sasuke.
I never imagined that he'd be so cold. I remembered watching a TV program about a person's feelings: why a person suddenly changes from being an angel to a demon and the likes. I remembered the psychologist saying that a person changes from being a cheerful one to a cold loner mainly because of his past experiences, the problems he's currently facing or he just needs to..
Whatever his reason might be, I'd certainly like to know.
"Sakura?" I heard Ino say. That was enough to bring my attention back to her.
"H-Huh?" I replied.
"A-Are you ok?" She asked me.
I didn't have a chance to answer her because the bell rang, signalling the start of classes. I sure didn't want to be late and give my sensei a bad impression, and so did Ino. She bade me farewell before heading straight to her classroom.
And then I was alone. I took a deep breath and hurried to my classroom.
I was running quite fast. I suddenly remembered my admission card that was in my pocket. Every student needed it before he or she could enter the classroom for the first day.
I looked down to my pocket and reached my hand in it. I was having a hard time getting that card.
I was still running, trying to get that piece of crap from my pocket, but to no avail. Then suddenly…
"Ouch!" I exclaimed. I bumped onto something—rather someone. "Watch wher--" I said while I was nursing my forehead. But I wasn't able to finish my sentence for when I looked up…
"Gaara..."
He was staring at me and it sent shivers to my spine. His eyes, almost the same color as mine, were piercing.
At first Sasuke and now Gaara? I knew I was in a big trouble.
Gaara. As far as I'm concerned, he was the most feared guy at school. Just look at his eyes and you'll know how scary he was. No one came close or even messed up with him, not even Ino and I! I haven't even heard his voice.
One time I heard a group of female junior high school students talking about him. One of the girls said, 'I used to go at the same school he's been studying when I was in the sixth grade. While I was walking back home, I saw a boy, a year older than him who accidentally bumped into him. The guy was shaking, he kept apologizing to him but Gaara remained silent, glaring at him. The next day the news spread in the whole campus. I heard that the guy dropped out fearing that Gaara might do something terrible to him.'
He stood there, in front of me.. Glaring at me.. I couldn't even get my eyes off his! It's as if something inside me is telling me that I shouldn't..
Seconds felt like minutes. Minutes felt like hours.. So long..
Finally after some minutes of agony.. of torment.. he left me in there.. Just like that.
My hands were cold and sweaty.. My legs felt numb, I collapsed on the floor. I found myself staring at his walking figure. What the heck?!
Well, I'll be honest with you.. After that encounter with him, I felt that I want to know him more.. Why people fear him.. Why I fear him.. I desperately want to know..
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I'd be lying to you if I tell you that the classes went well.. Especially with Gaara in there.. He's so quiet.. My classmates sat faraway from him. I'm sure the teachers could understand them because they, themselves were afraid of him.. I found myself observing him from time to time. There's just something about him.. I really don't know.
Besides, my fear in him still continues to dwell at me.. It won't even leave! I easily get distracted, thanks to him..
Another reason would be Naruto.. He passes me a note timely and I feel so irritated! Especially when the notes contain messages like 'Sakura, would you like to go eat ramen with me?' or 'Sakura, I like you.. Don't you feel the same?' or 'I think you look rather pretty today.'
Pretty today? I've always been pretty. I like it when people praise me.. But if it is Naruto, never mind..
But I'd also be lying to you if I tell you that this day really sucks. Well, there's a reason why I should be happy.. And that's because of Sasuke, of course!
I enjoy looking at his raven hair, his jet black eyes.. His beautiful face. Sasuke writing, Sasuke reading, Sasuke sighing.. He's really handsome! Just seeing him in TV satisfies me.. Well, that was before. Now that he's my classmate I have a better chance of knowing him. And that would make poor Ino jealous..
"Well class, I've grouped you into three. You will work with each other and make your own romantic play. You will present that play two weeks from now. That will serve as your project.." Kakashi-sensei, who will be teaching us about literature, said.
I heared my classmates groan.
"What?!" Naruto said. "This is the first day of classes, Kakashi-sensei! We already have a project?!"
"Time is gold, Mr. Uzumaki, therefore we shouldn't be wasting time." Kakashi-sensei answered. I'm quite impressed that he knew Naruto when we didn't even introduce ourselves to him.
Yeah, time is gold.. Whatever..
I sighed.
I saw Sasuke yawn. Oh, he's so cute! His face.. So peaceful. He doesn't seem bothered about our project. Oh yeah.. Why should he, anyway? He's an award-winning artist. His groupmates are sure lucky..
"Haruno Sakura" I heared Kakashi-sensei say.
I thought he will scold me for not paying attention. Or worse, he might have noticed that I was staring at Sasuke..
But I was wrong. He continued.
"Your groupmates will be.." He looked at the piece of paper he was holding. "Uchiha Sasuke.."
Oh yes, yes! I guess this is my lucky day. We'll surely have high grades and receive super, duper thunder of applause! I'm a lucky, lucky girl!
".. and Gaara." Kakashi-sensei continued.
What the?! Gaara.. I thought this was my lucky day. Gaara as my groupmate? What will happen to me.. To me and Sasuke?
I was slightly shaking. My hands started to sweat and feel cold.
"To bad I'm not in Sakura's group. Damn it!" I heared Naruto say.
Yeah, I'd rather have him as a groupmate than that weird, most feared guy Gaara..
I rested my chin in my palm. But come to think of it, that group work thingy could help me in my 'mission' of knowing them better.
Well, I'm quite interested with my groupmates..
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That's it for now. Thank you for those who reviewed! Your reviews gave me strength to write another chapter. I thought no one would mind reading this fic so thank you all! I love you!
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