This is me, Sabaku no Temari, the young Arabic-American girl studying fine arts without knowing what I'm doing with my life. I've loved dancing since I was a little girl, at the age of three I was already winning competitions and my parents always supported me, but I don't know what to do.
I love my course, but I don't know if I'm going to get anywhere in life with this. I can't imagine traveling the world with a big ballet company, specially because ballet isn't my forte, but I have faith that I'll discover what I'm looking for this next year and a half.
– Tem, hurry up! We're going to be late.
– I'm on my way!- I answer my housemate and faithful friend TenTen while I finish getting ready in record time and open the car door to make the little trip.
– Please tell me you're going to Kiba's party later. His parties are always the best and you rarely go.- she says extremely excited, it doesn't even seem like she goes to a party every weekend.
– Ten, I have to study for next week's exams.
– Oh no Temari, it's always the same. Not studying for one night won't ruin your GPA and I guarantee you can get into the master's you want so much next year- clearly she wants me to go to this party.
– I'll think about it.- I say while I get my things and close the car door.
– Think carefully, please. I haven't seen you having fun in months. You know you're going to have to get over it.- she says as she opens the locker door and I know perfectly well what she means.
My last relationship. Daimaru, the great future computer scientist. At first it was all roses and rainbows, but after a few months he started to change, he wouldn't let me go out with my friends, I couldn't wear clothes he called "revealing" and I couldn't go to parties even though he was free to do whatever he pleased. He said it was for my own good, and that one day I would thank him for protecting me. And I was blinded by love. The problem with abusive relationships is that we only become aware of them when it's too late.
With the help of my faithful friends, I got rid of the son of satan and I am in a learning process. And I can tell you, that's why I won't go again. I no longer believe in love after so many misfortunes in my life.
– I'm over it girls. - I answer more for myself than to them. By this time Ino had joined us and even without paying attention to half of the conversation she understood the whole thing.
– Then why don't you want to go to the party? You say that you're learning to love yourself and there's nothing better than getting ready and seeing all the boys drooling over us.- ok, maybe she's right, but I don't want to be with anyone, is it that hard to understand?
– Ino, I'm not in the mood for men right now, I know it's been a few months, but love isn't for me.
– And who said it was love, just go and have fun my friend. If you want to kiss someone, kiss, but it's about you. You will be the queen of the party.
-– I still haven't said if I was going or not.- this girl is persistent.
– Oh darling, but I know you will!- she says as she starts to walk – Besides, the hotties from the football team will be there.- she says while fanning herself with her hand as if it's warm despite the February chill.
– Of course Ino, what I most want right now is to see Mr. Uzumaki and his friends on the team drugged and drunk at a party – I say while looking at her – Maybe one of them will drug me too to take me to bed with him – I say with ironic glee.
– Don't be like that!- she says and then gives me a look I know well– And your friend Sasuke will be there, and I know how much you look at him- I knew, I knew the "I know it's going to go turn for the best" look.
– Ino, Sasuke has been my friend since I was 12 years old and he already has his eyes on someone else. So you can calm down because I won't be seeing someone again for a while, even if it's "casual" as you say.- I say while making quotation marks with my fingers.
– As you wish, but you're still going to see I was right sooner or later. Well this is where we part ways.- she says with a wave of her hand which TenTen and I respond to.
Ino is studying Business, as she and her cousin will inherit the large Yamanaka/Nara company, one of the most important here in Konoha. Only Rin studies with me, and this one I imagine traveling the world with ballet companies, her elasticity is frightening. TenTen studies markting and management, something I don't think is really her future. She loves dancing, but her parents encouraged her to pursue her second passion, management. Who knows if one day I don't hire her at my world-renowned dance studio.
– Good morning! – says Rin, happy as always, despite being like the black sheep of the family for not following the same path as her brothers, medicine, she is loved by everyone and her family certainly supports her.
– Good Morning! How was breakfast with Obito?- I ask smiling, already infected by her morning joy.
– Incredible, he took me to a beautiful coffee shop nearby and asked me if I was going to Kiba's party because he expected to see me there!- she responds extremely excited as if it was the best dating request ever when it was just a breakfast , I miss believing in love – I confirmed I was going instantly and said I was looking forward to seeing him too!- she sighs in love and, involuntarily, I smile because, despite my misfortune, I am happy for my friend
– You're going too right?- what's about my friends and this party?
– I still don't know I have to think, you know that parties are not for me and I have exams to study.
– They were before Daimaru.- she says with a pissed off face for the fact that I don't accept the truth. I loved parties. I still do, but I'm afraid, what if he was right and was just protecting me? No! I shake my head as I think to myself, he was a horrible boyfriend and I deserve to be happy on my own.
– You know what Rin, you're right, I'm going to that party and like Ino said I'm going to be the queen.- I said firmly with a smile on my face.
– That's right! - Rin said smiling.
– Good morning students!- says Mr. Hatake, our history of arts professor, as he walks in – Who's ready for two hours on renaissance painters?- clearly nobody Mr. Hatake, but even though we don't like the subject we love the professor he really makes it classes more fun.
The two hours go by quickly, and as I head to my geometry class, Kiba appears in front of me.
– Good morning my beautiful princess. Do you already have the answer to my invitation?- he asks in a cordial way referring to the party.
– Believe it or not, I do, my dear, and it's a yes.- I say whit a playful formality.
– Wait, wait, wait!- he says completely amazed - You're going to the party, who convinced you? Was it Uchiha?
– You all and Uchiha, you're spending a lot of time with Ino, Kiba. But no, it wasn't him, I'm going to start putting my mantra into practice and loving myself above all else, I'm going to be the queen of your party- I replie firmly and with a shy but sincere smile.
– Sure, remind me to buy you a crown- he says really happy and I feel lucky for the friends I have – Lunch as usual?
– You already know it.- I say when I go back to walking and I blow him a kiss, which he takes and keeps in his heart, the act makes me go down the corridors smiling.
– And who was the one to put that beautiful smile on my friend's lips?- Sasuke asks when I sit at the table behind him.
– Good morning to you too.- I say and bite an apple I took out of my wallet
– And for your information it was my other best friend Kiba, you don't need to be jealous – I reply after swallowing another piece of apple.
– Me jealous of you? You ugly one.- he says with a fake disgusted face that makes me laugh – I just had false hopes of a new love on the way.
– you should already know that that will not happen in the future. But I can surprise you by saying that I'm going to Kiba's party on Friday.- I say and his eyes wide in surprise.
– Are you really going to a party after almost a year and a half without going to one?- that's right, my relationship lasted more than a year and since the end four months ago I still haven't been to any party that wasn't celebrating the birthday of a friend of mine.
– Why are you all so surprised? I said I'd get over it and here I am.
– It's not exactly kissing another guy, but going to a party is already a big step and I'm proud.- after the statement Sasuke gives one of his beautiful smiles that makes my heart warm.
– Thank you, I think.- I say as I get up to put the apple core in the trash and when I sit down again the professor comes in and starts the class.
Sasuke and I have been friends for almost ten years and we never thought about being more than that despite what everyone says, especially after a kiss in truth or dare that was very awkward. Furthermore, his heart belongs to Rin's sweet sister and team captain's twin, Sakura, who doesn't even seem to see him, or pretends not to, but even my icy heart has faith in those two.
He is studying architecture so he is the same class as me in geometry, sinse my course studies fine arts and musical arts, only next year I can focus on dance 100% with my master's degree.
We are almost halfway through the school year, but I have a feeling this one will be different, after the high adventures of my not-so-friendly breakup, I feel like there is still more to come.
The class ends and we walk together to the canteen and to the usual table where our friends are waiting for us, but Sasuke doesn't sit down.
– Sorry guys, I have a meeting with the football team, so I won't have lunch with you.
– It's okay, have fun and put up with my brother and his nonsense about sports. - says Rin who was already waiting for us with Kiba.
– They are not nonsense, they are necessary tactics to defeat the opponents. See you later - Sasuke said as he waves goodbye.
"Goodbye," the three of us say in unison.
When Ino and TenTen arrive, I tell them the news about the party and Ino gives a scream that can be heard throughout the university.
– Calm down, do you want to get everyone's attention?- I ask quietly.
– I'm sorry but it's been so long since you had fun.- she says with a smile that takes up her whole face.
– I amuse myself in other ways.
– I know!- says Kiba with a wicked smile.
– I was referring to studying and going out with friends.- I reply to his unwanted comment.
– Wow what fun to spend the afternoon with your face buried in books - says TenTen ironically.
After lunch, I had the afternoon free so I went home to get my bag to spend the afternoon doing what I really like, dancing. I fed Ten's cat and headed to Karui's dance studio, which, thankfully, is close to the college.
– Good morning, my angel - I'm received as soon as I arrive.
– Jeez Karui, you look like an old lady.
– Keep your respect , I'm only four years older than you - she replies upset.
– All right, all right. I'm going to the studio.
– Go on then. I'll be there in 15 minutes, I have to wait for Konan to arrive so she can stay at the reception. Today will be more daring, let's dance side to side.
– Exactly what I need. I'm finally going to be free again and I'm going to a party on Friday.- I say extremely proud- I'm brave, I'm bruised. I am who I'm meant to be, this is me, the real me, without a toxic boyfriend to keep me from being happy.
– Ahhhh- what's going on with my friends and the screams – I'm so happy for you. Come on, I've got a lot of moves to drive men crazy.
– Calm down, I don't want to fall face first on a penis on the first night.
– That's what we'll see. Come on, Konan has arrived. See you.- I didn't even have time to digest the information and I was already being dragged to the changing rooms to put down the bag and go to class where the rest of the girls were already waiting for us, everyone from my group of friends go here, along with others that I also get along with like Hinata and Sakura.
It looks like today is going to pay off well, tomorrow I won't be able to stand up but I really hope to learn some very sensual steps. After all, you never know, I'm here to be who I really am and a little boldness never killed anyone.
A lot of characters are very out of character because this story was originally written for another fandom, but I hope it still makes sense. now on a serious note:Abusive/toxic relationships are a very serious reality. My goal will never be to romanticize or make it seem like a positive thing. If you support any stories that glorify abusive relationships, please stop reading mine.
Kisses, see you soon❤️