Disclaimer: No, seriously. You think I own Naruto?
Seriously! I don't think I got a wink of sleep last night. Whether it be jet-lag like Shikamaru suggested or thoughts of Sasuke-kun keeping me too excited to sleep, it didn't last long enough. I was dead tired in the morning.
"Ino, you look so...unwell..."
"It's nothing, just kinda sleepy"
"Ah Sakura! Morning!"
"Good morning, Ino! So what do you think of the school?"
"Hmm I have lots to tell you...too bad I hardly see you during the school day. Oh, I forgot! Whats your cellphone number? Ohh let's go somewhere after school ok?"
"Sure! I have time today. What's yours?"
I am proud to say that not bother Sasuke-kun even once today. In fact I said nothing to him at all. I acted completely normal, as much as that contradicts Ino-ism, the whole school day. For now, the plan was to not go after Sasuke-kun, but plan the perfect situation for him to notice me and take interest in me instead!
Ok, so I didn't act completely normal all day. I actually spent it scribbling ideas in my notebook. But I took notes as well! Not very many...one or two lines... Whatever, I'll just arrange a study group with Shikamaru before the tests and all will be well!
I stood by the gates and waited. Ha, I went out the right door today.
"Hey, Ino-"
"Sorry, Shikamaru, Chouji! I'm meeting Sakura today so I can't hang out with you guys!"
"Ok, see you tomorrow then."
"Bye."
I waved, then turned back towards the school and spotted Sakura going down the steps. Her pink hair made her so noticeable.
"I'm sorry! Did you wait long?"
"Nope! Where are we going?"
"Hmm, oh I know this cafe with really good dessert! It's not too far, I'll lead the way."
She took a bite of her cherry tart and stirred her rose milk tea, watching the rippling intently.
"You know, I used to admire you so much. And I still think of you as my best friend. Just wanted you to know that."
"Oh. Wow."
Well, I had known that she looked up to me a lot when we were little, but hearing it so bluntly was a little unnerving. I didn't know what to say to reply to her.
"Oh! You know about the Autumn Ball right?"
"What?"
"You don't know? That's the only thing the girls have to look foward to every begining of the school year! It's a super-formal dance, you'd really like it," she answered, looking up from her tea and smiling.
"A dance? When? And here I was thinking that Sakura-chan was looking forward to studying," I teased, "Still getting in the top five as usual?"
"Hey, just because I make good grades doesnt mean all I do is study," she smiled again. Oh! I needed to ask her about Sasuke-kun too! Before I could, she piped up again, "It's in...almost a month. Have anyone in mind that you'd like to go with? Shikamaru maybe?"
I nearly spit out my citrus tea, "Sh-sh-SHIKAMARU? Please, Shikamaru is a friend. I was thinking more of someone like...Sasuke-kun.." I answered with a sly smile.
"...Sasuke? Uchiha Sasuke?" Sakura replied quietly in an unreadable tone, not looking up from her tea.
"Yup! Now, Shikamaru...you should go with him! You're both smart, so I guess you'll be able to talk to each other pretty well...well, no he doesn't talk much I guess. Someone like you is way too good for Shikamaru. He'd be as boring as a log at a dance," I continued.
"You like Sasuke-kun too?" She said finally, staring straight into my eyes. "Are you serious about him, Ino? Or is this just one of your impulsive infatuations again?"
"Mou, Sakura. Don't talk about my crushes like that. You make me sound so...indeceisive. Sasuke-kun is...well, I think, maybe..."
Oh great, even in front of Sakura I could get flustered over Sasuke? Well this might not be such a bad thing, I hardly ever get flustered. It must be love!
"Yes, I'm definately serious about Sasuke-kun," I finally decided, after a moment of quiet contemplating.
Did I say something wrong? Sakura was all quiet again. Really, did she have to worry about me over-liking someone? I really wasn't going to decide I liked someone else a week later or anything like that, and it's not like hes someone I shouldn't like, so I couldn't see what she was so-
"Give up on him."
"What?"
She really HAD become more foward and blunt. Not that it was a bad thing, probably my influence.
"I said, give up on Sasuke-kun," she repeated, not looking at me.
"Why? Sakura-chan, you're not making any sense."
"No, I believe I'm making it perfectly clear that I want you to give up on Sasuke-kun. Because, because..." she started getting a little flustered, but at least she was making eye contact with me now.
"Because what?"
"Because...Sasuke-kun...I-"
I could really see that she was having a hard time with whatever this was...oh my god. No way! Could she-?
"Because I like Sasuke-kun. I really don't want to have to fight with you on this subject, but since you're serious, I guess...it's either Sasuke-kun or our friendship, ne?" she composed herself and said seriously.
"What are you saying, Sakura? Our friendship over a guy? Well, no not just any guy, Sasuke-kun...but still-"
"Good-bye Ino, it's getting a little late so I'll be leaving now. Don't worry I'll be paying; I guess you could consider this a...farewell present or something of the sort."
"Excuse me?" I managed to get out. Unbelievable! "Fine, if you really feel that way, I guess we can no longer be friends like this," I scoffed and gathered my belongings, heading towards the exit.
While walking home alone, I couldn't help but feel empty. Of course there was no way I would lose to Sakura, of all people, for Sasuke-kun's love! She was the one who declared herself competition, and I'm just going along with it! Love rules all, anyway.
So why did I feel sad that we were no longer friends?
Not sad enough to cry over it I guess. And not sad like...my-dog-just-died sad. I never had a dog - I wouldn't know. But, I was just sad! I couldn't understand why I was feeling this way myself, so I doubt anyone else could.
But even so I still felt like talking to someone about it.
At times like this there weren't many people I could confide in...Sakura was one of the few and now she's obviously off the list.
I looked up and saw that I had already reached my house. Unlocking the door and draging myself to my room I tried to gather my thoughts. Maybe I could whine about this to Shikamaru tomorrow while he tries to tune me out or something. I felt so...pitiful.
Ugh, Yamanaka Ino! Get a hold of yourself! Pitiful? Ino? Nooo. There was no way I was going to let this get to me. Washing my face, I made up my mind. I was going to be strong, of course. Love prevails all!
And Sasuke-kun was going to choose me anyway so there was nothing to worry about. Who cares about Sakura?
From today on, I was going to give it my all and make sure that Sasuke-kun choses Me.
I smiled at my reflection and decided that I should begin the preparations immediately.
A/N: Hmm, am I making the story progress a little more now? I guess I'll make the story SasuIno unless further voting changes it. And should Sakura be paired with anyone?