Hey guys! Here's the next chapter.

I just want to thank all of you who read my first chapter. Shout out to all of you! You guys are great! :D


Chapter 2

I'm Not That Girl

Sakura's life has never been the same since Karin came. It was always the same routine every day except, there was an addition. Karin is always with her and Sasuke. Sasuke now, picks her up every day because he promised to never forget her again. The difference is that, she is now sitting at the back of the car and Karin took her place at the front. She also noticed that Sasuke is always looking at Karin differently, it's like there was something in the way he looks at her.

Karin is now one of the best in their school, being popular in just a few months, and being just as smart as her, Sasuke and Shikamaru. She also managed to steal the attention of her friends. It's like she managed to take away her life with Sasuke, her friends and her school.

She couldn't help but feel sorry for herself because she can't be like her. She's now like a shadow, existing but nobody notices.


"Saku!"

Sakura was startled by Sasuke's voice. She was at the Uchiha's backyard on a swing – just sitting and lost in her thoughts. She was always welcome at the Uchiha's home since she and Sasuke practically grew up together, they're neighbors, and they're family friends, so it's like they are a part of each other's families.

"What? I thought you were reading a book!" she yelled at Sasuke for ruining her moment of silence.

She loves the swing, it is there that she can think or just have peace with herself. It's her sanctuary aside from her room.

"Sorry. I was kinda hoping..."

"What?" she calmed down now.

"Uhm... Uh..." Sasuke looked away.

"Sasuke. Will. You. Please. Stop. Stammering? And get to the point!" She's losing her temper again.

"Uh… I wanna ask you something," he finally said.

"Go on." She gestured with her hand.

"Will you go out with me tonight? I mean, I just want to ask you something important."

Sakura couldn't believe what she just heard. Her world stopped for a minute. Sasuke asked her out? The Sasuke? But –

"Wait, what do you mean ask me something important? Why not ask me now?"

"Secret. I'll tell you later. So, please? Please? Tonight?" Sasuke making the puppy eyes.

Confused at what Sasuke is up to, she said yes. It made her feel giddy and hoped for the best.

Maybe this is it?

"Great! I'll pick you up at 7:00," he said happily and went inside the house.


It made Sakura wonder what Sasuke is up to and why he was so happy when she said yes to him. She just thought about their "date" tonight and it made her giggle like a kindergarten. She labelled it "date" because she thought it was something like that. She meant, why would a guy ask a girl to go out if it wasn't a date, right?

Sasuke asked me out? Kyaaaah! I'm so happy!

She hugged the pillow on her side and looked at their photograph on the bedside table. She laid in bed for 30 minutes and then she got up.

"Time for me to get ready," she said to herself.


Sakura spent a lot of time in picking up her dress because she wanted to be perfect for their "date". She wanted to be perfect for Sasuke.

After she was done picking her dress, she took a shower and after shower she dried herself, put the dress on, did her hair and apply a small amount of make-up to bring out her beauty.

She looked in the mirror.

Yes. You can do it, Sakura. Don't be nervous. You're beautiful.

"Sakura! Get down here now! Sasuke's here!" shouted her mother.

"Okay, mom! Wait!" she yelled back.

She was so nervous that she almost tripped going down the stairs. She didn't notice that her dad is looking at her.

"Wow! You're looking beautiful tonight, Sakura," her father said, impressed.

"Dad, please," she said, a little embarrassed.

"Hey, Saku!" Sasuke was shocked when she saw Sakura that he just stared at her for how many minutes until her mom said something.

"Now, where are you two going?"

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you, Aunt Mebuki. I must've forgotten. I'm taking Sakura out to dinner tonight. Can I?"

"Sure son, just take care of her," her father said approvingly. Their families know each other long enough to trust one another, and her father sure trusts Sasuke.

"I will, Uncle Kizashi. Thank you." He took Sakura's hands and led her to the door.

"Be back before 10:00, okay?" her father added.

"Okay," they both said in unison.


Sakura was so happy right now because it had been a long time since she sat in front of the car next to Sasuke. Her usual seat, not since the day Karin came along. But she would totally forget about her because tonight, she will be all alone with Sasuke.

"Uhm… Sasuke? Where exactly are we going?" she asked him.

"You'll know when we get there," he replied with a smile.


Sasuke took her in a fancy restaurant. She was so happy and nervous at the same time.

"Sasuke, this is an expensive restaurant," she said nervously, even if she was aware of the affluence of the Uchiha family.

"I know. Don't worry, I'll pay for everything," he assured her.

They entered the restaurant together. When they went inside, they asked for a table and they were guided to their table. Sasuke pulled Sakura's chair to let her take a seat, like a gentleman, then he sat opposite her. They were given the menu and then they ordered.

While waiting for their food, Sasuke just kept staring at Sakura and this made Sakura a little conscious of herself.

"What?" she asked, a little blush forming on her cheeks.

"Nothing, it's just that, you're so beautiful tonight, Saku," Sasuke said sincerely.

"T-Thank you." She replied, making her previously little blush into a full blown one.

"Uhm… Saku?"

"Yeah?"

"Uh…" Sasuke uttered a little nervous.

"What is it Uchiha?"

"I just wanna ask you something."

"What? You said that it's important, so what exactly is it?"

"I..." Sasuke breathed deeply.

Sasuke was about to tell her when the food arrived. After the food was in place, Sakura asked again.

Sasuke squeezed Sakura's hand. "Saku, I... I don't know how to say this."

Sakura's heart was pounding really fast. She cannot think straight but she pulled herself together.

She gulped. "W-what is it, Sasuke?"

He was looking away, still squeezing her hand, but then, he looked at her straight in the eyes.

He sighed really deep.

"Okay, here it goes. Sakura Haruno, will you please, please... help me?"

It was not really what she anticipated. It was not something she hoped for, and she was confused.

"What did you just say?"

"Will you help me, please?"

She sighed, exasperated.

"On what? Is that the only reason why you dragged me into this restaurant? You could've at least told me that earlier." Sakura said, pissed but more confused.

"Not 'on what' but 'with whom', and yes, this is really important. I want to ask your help because you're my best friend."

Best Friend? Pffft. That did not hurt, did it?

"Okay... with whom?"

"Will you help me in courting Karin?"

She did not expect what he just said. Did she hear that right? He wants to court Karin and he needed her help?

What? Why?

Sakura wanted to cry because she cannot believe what she just heard. She wanted to smash everything in the restaurant, but, she stayed calm. She was hurt, badly hurt but she refused to cry, especially in front of the man who broke her heart. All her preparations, all her expectations for this night, her excitement, collapsed, replaced by hurt.

Yep. It stung like a bee. I love you Sasuke. but I'm just your best friend, right? Just your best friend.

Even though it hurts her, she faked a smile and asked him the reason why.

"Because I have been in love with her since the day we met."

Her heart broke into a million pieces but she refused to cry even though the tears were threatening to fall.

"Remember when our family took a vacation to Sound when we were seven?" Sasuke started to tell the story.

Yeah. And you left me here all alone. She wanted to answer but she listened to him instead.

"We went to visit them because our Moms were friends. When I saw her, it's like, I cannot explain the feeling. When we played every day I felt happy, we talked and found out each other's secrets, likes, dislikes and everything. And I'm at ease when I'm with her. That was one of the best vacations I've ever had. But, we have to go home to Konoha because it's where we live. I couldn't bear the fact that I was leaving her –

But you bore the fact that you left me back then.

– but we promised each other that we will send letters, but it stopped for reasons I don't know. We never had the time to visit them again. So, I waited for the moment to meet her again and promised myself that if I had the chance, I will make her my girlfriend."

Why didn't you tell me this back then? You suddenly forgot that I existed?

She really wanted to cry now. She couldn't breathe anymore because of holding back her tears. And stupid Uchiha sounded so happy.

"When I found out that their family will move to Konoha and that she will go to our school, I was so happy! It was my dream to see her again and it came true! Being alone with her feels like nobody exists but us. –

Which explains the reason why you forgot about me.

– Being with her feels more than the word happy."

"So, you want me to help you?" her voice cracked, tears escaping her eyes.

"Yes." Sasuke answered enthusiastically. Upon noticing that Sakura was crying, Sasuke became concerned and asked her if she was okay.

"Yeah. I'm fine. I'm just so happy for you," she lied, wiping her tears.

"Yes! I knew I could count on you! Thanks, Saku! You're the best!" Sasuke exclaimed, oblivious to what Sakura was feeling at the moment.

She just smiled at him. The fake smile she mastered since Karin came into the picture. "Let's eat. The food's getting cold."

"Sure."

They ate and Sasuke kept talking about Karin and she just stayed silent pretending to listen. After they've finished eating, Sasuke paid the bills as he promised. Then they drove home, with an Uchiha who's happy as a bee and a Haruno who's as hurt as someone who got stung by the bee but kept the hurt to herself.


"So, how was the date?" asked her father.

"Dad, it was not a date. Oh, and it was okay," she faked her smile to her father, holding back the tears, and then she went straight to her room.


Sakura cried and cried in her room. She cried her heart out albeit silently. She wanted to curse everything. Sasuke broke her heart without even knowing it.

Why did you do this to me? How could you break my heart? I loved you ever since we were kids! I really love you! I love you… until now.

Still crying.

I thought you love me. But I was wrong! You love somebody else! You love her! I'm not like her! She's beautiful, smart; everyone loves her, especially you!

Still crying while hugging her pillow.

But it was also my fault. I'd been a fool, a fool for loving you more than a friend, for treating your kindness as a kind of love that exceeds friendship. It's not your fault that you didn't know how much I love you because I haven't admitted my feelings. I love you Sasuke, and if being your best friend can at least make me love you freely, then I'm okay with it. As long as we remain the best of friends, I will do everything for you. I will help you, even if it hurts.

With her heart still aching and her eyes continued to let the tears fall, she went to sleep and dreamt about what could've been.


Sorry if this chapter is short. hehe.

School's pretty much the reason.

I have a lot of papers, reports, readings, powerpoint presentations, exams, projects.. huhu. :( Help me!

Anyway, there's always a next chapter, so... see ya'll! :D