Sakura's day wasn't getting any better. In history class, she had to sit at her desk for 25 minutes doing nothing. When she was walking to her next class, everyone would point and snicker at her. And to make matters worse, she had to tell her parents about getting detention. She just wanted this day to end as quick as possible.

Her next class was English and she was glad. Two of her best friends were in it. Tenten and Hinata. At least she would have someone to talk to about her miserable day.

Sakura quickly rushed over to Tenten and Hinata. They were engaged in a quiet, little conversation.

"Hey guys...", Sakura greeted.

"Hey, you don't look so good Haruno, what's up with you?", asked Tenten.

"Nothing, it's just the worse day of my life, that's all"

"S-Sakura, it can't be the worst day of your life.", said Hinata.

"Unfortunately it is."

"Well, my pink haired friend, care to tell us what happened?"

"First, Hinata abandoned me after lunch.", she said looking towards the shy girl.

"I-I'm sorry Sakura! I didn't mean t-to abandon you! Is it my fault that you're having a bad day? If it is I promise I'll make it up to you. And I'm really sorry again and-"

"Whoa, whoa! Hinata! I'm sure it wasn't any of your fault! Right Sakura?"

"Hinata, don't worry about, I'm sure you didn't mean to make my life miserable on purpose!"

"Oh my god! I'm really sorry Sakura! I didn't mean to-"

"Hinata, I was only kidding. Calm down, it was just a joke."

"Oh... Right! Sorry Sakura."

Sakura went on telling her two friends about having to sit next to Gaara and how weird he was. Also, how she ran into him again and how she was late and got detention after school. Of course, she didn't say a word about listening to Hinata's and Sasuke's conversation.

"Wow girl, that is a bad day..."

"Sakura, I hope the rest of your day gets better."

"I hope so Hinata, I really do."

The rest of English class lugged on. Their teacher talked on about a novel they were reading, To Kill A Mockingbird.

"Now class, if you read the chapters I instructed you to read last night, tell me, why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird? Also, who were the characters that defended the mockingbird?"

Sakura's hand was the first to shoot in the air.

"Yes Sakura?"

"It is a sin to kill a mockingbird because it never ruins our gardens and just sings lovely songs for us all day. Also, Miss Maudie and Atticus Finch were the ones who defended the bird."

"Well done Sakura."

"Thank you ma'am."

"Who else can tell me, why were they discussing about mockingbirds? Anyone besides Sakura? Shikamaru!"

"Wha?" Shikamaru had apparently fallen asleep during their discussion about the novel and was woken up by the teacher.

"Shikamaru, can you tell me why Miss Maudie and Atticus were discussing about mockingbirds? Also, can you tell me why you have fallen asleep during my English class?"

"Um, well, they were talking about the bird because Jem got a gun for a present and Atticus told him not to shoot any mockingbirds. I also fell asleep because this class is such a drag...", he said yawning at the end.

"Well, Mr. Nara, if this class is such a 'drag', as you say, you can read two more extra chapters tonight and tell me about them tomorrow. I expect a perfect summary of the chapters too."

"Aw man...", he said lowering his head onto his desk.

"Now class I want you to study your vocabulary words tonight and read two more chapters in the book. Just remember you have a vocab test on Friday."

Everyone just groaned and gathered up all of their things. Sakura waved goodbye to Tenten and Hinata and went her separate way. She didn't like the thought that detention was only a class period away and the next class was gym. How she hated gym.

In the locker room, she found Ino, talking up a storm to the other girls as usual.

"Hey Ino, so what did Sasuke say when you asked him to the dance?" Sakura knew he wasn't going to the dance with Ino, so she decided to rub it in her face.

"So Ino, did Sasuke say yes or did he reject your face again?" Ino wasn't happy when she heard Sakura say that.

"As a matter of fact, forehead, he said he'd think about it." Of course this was a no.

"Well, it doesn't matter what he said to you because I'm going to go to the dance with him."

"That's what you think, Haruno, but he'll change his mind, You'll see..."

"Pf!", with that Sakura went into the stall to change in her gym uniform.

"All right you maggots! Today we will be running laps around the track field for fifteen minutes!"

Everybody groaned. "You should be glad that this school is giving a proper gym class! For some of you this is the only amount of exercise you're getting and if it wasn't for gym, you'd be 20 pounds overweight! Now don't just stand there, start running!"

Everybody quickly straightened up and hurriedly went on to the track field.

"Hey! Billboard- brow! I bet I can run more laps than you in fifteen minutes."

"Is that a challenge I hear, Ino?"

"You bet your giant forehead it is!"

"Shut up Ino, you're probably going to loose because pigs aren't meant to run!"

"That's it! Let's make this race more interesting. Whoever runs more laps in the time of fifteen minutes will be able to win Sasuke's heart."

"But Ino, Sasuke already rejected your face, no need to do it again!"

"Augh! That's it we're starting now!" Ino and Sakura got into position a the starting line.

"Ready, set,"

"Go!"

Ino and Sakura shot off from the finish line and in no time, they were already half way around the track. They were both in track and field last school year so they both had some experience with the intense heat and the field.

"Give it up forehead! You're going to loose!"

"Not in your life porkchop! I'm going to win!'

"Hah! Yeah, why don't advertise your loss on that billboard of yours, I'm sure it will make a big statement!"

'Shut up, Ino! Why don't you oink on out of here!" The two girls sped up even more.

Ten minutes passed and they were still speeding around the track. The other students watched in amazement as the two girls kept running.

"Wow, I never thought Ino and Sakura could run this long.", said Naruto.

"Well, there's 2 minutes left before class actually begins, I wonder who would win?", asked Kiba

"I don't know, but I wish two pretty girls like that would run around the track for me."

The two boys looked to their left and saw Sasuke watching the two girls sprint around the track.

"Dumb Sasuke, he gets all the girls attention. It's not fair! He doesn't even want it!"

"Well, what are you gonna do?"

There was only a couple seconds left on the clock and both girls were getting really tired and running out of energy.

"huff I'm going huff to huff win Haruno."

"Yeah huff right, Yama- huff naka huff."

Only a couple meters away, Ino and Sakura were about to feel faint. Only a meter away, Ino had lost consciousness and fell onto the gravel. Sakura couldn't help but stop and stare at her. She was about faint, but wanted to cross the finish line too. Sluggishly, she stepped over the finish line and toppled over onto the ground. The two juniors passed out from the heat and the sun wasn't helping.

All the students rushed over to find them breathing heavily. Everyone was talking in whisper, not knowing what to do.

Naruto couldn't help getting mad and blaming Sasuke for this. His friends were currently passed out on the ground because they wanted Sasuke's attention so badly.

"Hey, Uchiha!" He looked over at Naruto.

"What, Uzamaki?"

"You better apologize to them after they wake up!"

"What for?"

"They were running around the track field like crazy in this heat and it's all because of you!"

"Because of me? I didn't ask for them to run around the field like lunatics, Uzamaki. So I suggest you shut up and stop acting like one yourself."

"Augh! That's it!" Naruto was about to attack Sasuke when the gym teacher had arrived just in time.

"All right! All right! What the hell is going on?"

"Well, because of Sasuke here, Sakura and Ino passed out."

"Why, what does Sasuke have to do with them passing out?"

"They bet each other, whoever could run most laps in fifteen minutes can have Sasuke."

"Did Sasuke agree to any of this?"

"Well, um, no..."

"So it's not exactly Sasuke's fault, Uzamaki. Now everyone! While I get Haruno and Yamanaka to the infirmary, I want all of you to actually run around the track! Not sit and watch others beat themselves up while they were actually running. Also I want you to take breaks every 3 laps. This way you wont end up like these two. Now, what are you waiting for? Get Started!"

Another gym teacher came to help carry Ino and Sakura to the infirmary. Naruto watched them carry Sakura and Ino away.

"I still say it's that Uchiha's fault."

"Whatever you say Naruto."

In the infirmary, Sakura and Ino were laying in beds and still panting softly. Sakura was the first one to wake up.

"Ugh... my head... God, I feel like I got run over by truck...", she spotted ino in the bed next to her.

"Ugh...Ow...My head... Um, Ino, are you awake?" Ino flickered her eyes and turned her head to face Sakura.

"Heh, the bigger the forehead, the bigger the pain- ow...", her whole body was aching.

"Shush Ino... Like I said before, pigs weren't meant to run..." The two girls laughed softly.

"That was really stupid of us to run around like, huh Ino?"

"For once you're right, Sakura..."

"But I say Sasuke is worth a thousand laps."

"Yeah... maybe even two thousand."

"Yup, Ino."

The nurse came in to find Ino and Sakura awake and laughing.

"I'm glad that you two are awake and cheerful. Now, are you two okay to go home by yourselves or do I need to call some parents?"

"Um, I think I'll manage. And plus school's over for today."

"Yeah, and I have to go take a test so I'm okay too."

"Well, okay girls, just take it easy!"

"Thank you!", the two girls said in unison.

Ino and Sakura both went into the locker room to find it empty.

"Everyone's probably at the bus stop right now, Ino."

"Yeah, well I better hurry up and get changed. I don't want to be late for the bus!" Ino hurriedly changed back into her regular clothes and scurried out of the locker room. Sakura soon followed but went to into the detention room instead.

There was no one there, but to her surprise, Gaara was sitting in the far corner of the room.

"G-Gaara?"

"Ah, you must be Sakura Haruno, I heard you missed your test today." Sakura saw Gaara looking up at her.

"Y-yes sir."

Well here's you test and you can have a seat anywhere you like."

"Thank you sir.", she bowed politely and took a seat a row away from Gaara.

"Now, I'll be back in ten minutes to make a phone call, I don't want to hear a peep out of any of you two.", the teacher said as he left the room.

Sakura opened her test booklet and started to write her answers down furiously. She only had an hour the finish the test and she didn't want to waste any time.

Ten minutes turned to fifteen minutes and fifteen minutes turned to 25 minutes. Sakura was nearly finished her test and thought to herself, 'I guess the teacher's not coming back.' She turned to see what Gaara was doing. He had his arms folded and was leaning back in his chair. He stared back at Sakura. Sakura just quickly turned around and blushed. She didn't want Gaara to think she was spying on him or anything.

The total of forty five minutes passed and the teacher was definitely not coming back. Sakura had finished her test and all she had to do was wait for the fifteen minutes to tick by.

She wondered why Gaara was in detention. He didn't seem like a guy who would do a lot of bad things to get in trouble, or at least get caught.

"H-hey Gaara."

"Um, hey..."

"So why are you stuck in detention?"

"I got caught skipping gym."

"Oh...", Sakura just stopped the conversation there. She figured Gaara didn't want to talk more and she didn't want to be nosy.

"So, why are you in detention Sakura?"

'Oh my god! He's actually talking to me? Maybe's he's starting to open up.' , Sakura thought.

"Well, I was 23 minutes late for my history class and we had a test that period so I had to take it in detention."

"Hn..."

'He doesn't seem like he wants to talk to you.'

'Obviously, he never wants to talk to anybody.'

'Yeah, but he started this conversation, he should at least end it properly.'

'Maybe he just ran out of things to say.'

'Or maybe he's just a rude, selfish, hottie.'

'D-did you just say hottie?'

'Well he is, isn't he?'

'I refuse to answer that question.'

'Okay, but you never know what you're really missing out on until you really miss it...'

'Yeah, whatever.'

After talking with her inner, Sakura noticed that she forgot to call her parents to tell them she had detention after school. She started to rummage in her purse to find that she must've left her cell phone in the locker room.

"Oh my...", she looked over at Gaara, he was gazing out the window. 'Maybe he has a cell phone.', she thought.

"H-hey Gaara?"

"Hn?", he looked up at Sakura.

"Do you have a cell phone I can borrow?"

"Yeah, sure", he said throwing her his phone.

"Do you think he'll come back while I'm calling my parents?"

"No, he never comes back. He always leaves and 'making a phone call' is always his excuse."

"Why don't you just leave detention then when he leaves?"

"Because, that would be the wrong thing to do. Plus, I'd rather be here than at home."

"Do you not like going home?"

"Never, hell is better than home."

This shocked Sakura. How could he say such a thing? Home is where you spend time with your relatives and care for each other. Why would Gaara not want to go home?

"If you don't mind me asking, but why would you think that?"

"Simple, drunken father, beats up his wife, and I'm blamed for making his life miserable."

"G-Gaara..."

"Don't say it Sakura. Pitying me is like pitying a street rat, so don't ever do it."

Sakura stared at Gaara for a while. She couldn't help but feeling sorry for him. She got up to make her phone call. As she stood outside her door and entered her home Phone number, she thought of a great idea.

"Hello? Mom?"

"Where are you? You're an hour late and you should've been home by now!"

"I know mom, and I'm really sorry but-"

"No, sorry won't cut it. Tell me, why are you not home yet?"

"Mom, I'll tell you later, but can I ask for a favor?"

"A favor? You won't even tell me where you are!"

"Mom, I'm at school and I wanted to ask if I could invite a friend over for dinner."

"I suppose it would be okay, but I want an answer from you when you get home okay?"

"Okay, bye!", she said as she hung up.

Sakura burst in the door, "Hey Gaara!"

"Hn?", he looked up at her.

"I-I was wondering if..."

"Whatever it is just say Sakura."

"If you wanted to come to my house for dinner."

Gaara just stared at her. He wondered if he should accept the invite or reject it. If he accepted it he would actually make a friend and wouldn't be so lonely all the time. But on the other hand, he would be letting his guard down around a person her just met. And he never lets his guard down.

"So, is that a yes?"

"No, it's not a yes."

"B-but, why?"

"Like I said before Sakura, I don't want or need your pity."

"But Gaara!"

"Sakura, I'm going home now. Also, I want you to stop talking to me and hanging around me."

"Gaara!"

"Sakura, you're nothing but a big pest to me. Just stop talking!"

Sakura watched Gaara walk out of the room. She felt rejected and alone. Is this how Gaara felt all the time? She wondered. She wanted to be beside Gaara and cheer him up. But how? All he told her was that she was a big pest to him. She ran after him.

She spotted Gaara walking out of the school gates.

"Gaara wait up!"

He was getting annoyed now. Did she not get the message? What was wrong with this girl?

"Sakura, I said-", he was interrupted by Sakura's words.

"Gaara! I'm really sorry that I offended you in any way! I was just trying to help."

"S-Sakura..."

"Gaara I don't want to but in, in any of your business, but I just want to be your friend! Is that so hard to ask?"

"Sakura, you just don't understand. I can't just open up to anybody just like that."

"Well, am I just anybody Gaara? Am I?"

"No Sakura, you're not...", he said in a faint whisper.

"What? I'm sorry I didn't catch that."

"I said that you're not just anybody Sakura!"

"Gaara..."

"Sakura don't you get it? Don't you get any of this? Ever since I met you in middle school, you've been driving me insane!"

"So I am just a big pest to you...", she said in a sad tone.

"Sakura! Oh jeez... You still don't get it don't you?

"Get what? That you hate me?"

'This is why I don't talk to people. They're too dense and interpret everything wrong...', Gaara thought.

"No Sakura, I'm saying the opposite."

"So you're saying,"

"That I love you."