Hello guys!
I apologize for the late update. ^_^"
So sorry.
Chapter 8
Remind Me To Forget You
Sakura had been avoiding Sasuke ever since that night. Sasuke never bothered her also. Her father had been the one who's taking her to school. She and Lee became friends. More like best friends. Lee had been making her happy and she made it clear to him that they were just friends, because in reality, she was still in love with Sasuke even though she had been denying it to herself. But you know, what you feel can never lie to you.
It had been weeks and still, both Sasuke and Sakura haven't talked to each other like before. They just stole glances at each other; say hi, hello, and just that. They were civil. Sakura just tried to hide that there was something wrong about the both of them to her other friends. Both still hang out together, just as long as it's with their friends. Maybe the reason why their friends don't notice their awkwardness is that, they knew that Sasuke has a girlfriend now.
"Hey there, Sakura-chan!"
"Oh, Itachi-nii. Hi," Sakura smiled at him. She was at their front yard reading a book. It was a good Saturday morning.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Okay, sure," Sakura laid down the book and listened to Itachi. He was now sitting beside her.
"Did you remember Izumi-chan?" he asked, kinda blushing.
"Yeah, I remember her. Your beloved 'Izumi-chan~'," she teased him.
"Hey, Stop it! Anyway, I just wanna ask if you could, maybe, help me in winning her heart?" he said, blushing and a little nervous.
Why do the Uchiha brothers need my help in all these things? I should ask them for a fee next time.
Sakura sighed, "Why don't you ask, Sasuke? I'm sure he's an expert in these things."
"I don't want to disturb him. So, please, Sakura-chan?"
"And you have the audacity to disturb me?" Sakura replied, frustrated. In the end, she agreed because she couldn't resist the Uchiha charm – not with Itachi-nii's stupid puppy dog eyes.
Itachi was relieved when Sakura agreed.
"Okay, now that that's settled, I want to ask you why you aren't hanging out in our house anymore. Mom misses you. She's wondering too! She asked Aunt Mebuki about it but she also didn't know why. So, what's up?" Itachi asked.
"I was just so busy with school, Itachi-nii. That's all there is to it. Sorry about that. Please extend my apologies to Aunt Mikoto," she lied but her apology was sincere.
The truth is that she doesn't go to the Uchihas anymore so that she can avoid Sasuke. Avoid him so that she can forget him. Being in that house reminds her so much of all the happy memories they had when they were little. She was avoiding an encounter with Sasuke being together with Karin and she doesn't want to feel sorry for herself. She knew that her insecurities will feed her if that happens.
Itachi smirked. "I know that you're lying. Come on! I have known you since you were a baby! Both of you! I know the reason, Sakura-chan. I'm not you're nii-chan for nothing. I know both of you will realize it in the end," he smiled. "Anyway, be at our house tomorrow! We're going to plan my proposal to Izumi-chan, okay?" he said goodbye and went away before she can speak.
She had no choice but to go to the Uchiha's because Itachi didn't let her refuse. She was about to knock but the door opened and Itachi was standing in front of her.
"Oh, Sakura-chan! I was about to go to your house to drag you here, but here you are, can't resist me, can you?" he joked.
"Haha! You're so funny!" she pouted.
"Aw... look at you! You're so cute!" he pinched her cheek so hard.
She screamed.
"What was that, Itachi?!" someone called, it was Aunt Mikoto. "Oh, Sakura dear! I missed you!" she hugged her tight.
"Uh... me too, Aunt Mikoto." Sakura replied, trying to breathe.
Sakura and Itachi were busy planning for his proposal when Sasuke and Karin entered the living room. Both of them stopped in what they were doing.
"Hey, Itachi-nii! Uh, S-Saku?" he acknowledged them both.
"Hi," Karin greeted them.
"Hello to both of you!" Itachi greeted back.
"Hey!" Sakura said energetically, and gave her fakest smile to date. She saw their hands holding each other and she felt a tinge of pain in her heart. She wanted to cry right there and then but she fought the urge not to. Just as what she wanted to avoid. Of all the time, why now?
Sasuke and Karin both went to the backyard. Sakura was not aware that Itachi was staring at her because she was still looking at the couples' direction.
"Sakura-chan, are you okay?" Itachi asked, worried about her.
"What? Yeah! Sure!" she made the fake smile again.
"Don't try to hide your feelings because I know something is up. Both of you are stupid enough not to notice it."
She was dumbfounded when she heard that. She remained astounded until he said "Let's continue. Where were we?"
Sasuke and Karin were in their backyard eating cakes and just talking to each other but Sasuke couldn't help but look at the direction where Sakura and her big brother were. He saw them through the glass door to their backyard and he couldn't help but feel... jealous?
No way. He said to himself. But he couldn't help it.
"Sasuke? Are you listening?" Karin suddenly interrupted.
"What?"
"Is there something wrong?"
"N-nothing. Just continue to where you left off," he smiled assuredly at her.
"Bye Itachi-nii! I'm going home now!" Sakura said goodbye to Itachi. It was a tiring day of balancing her mind from helping Itachi to the thought of Sasuke and Karin in the same vicinity.
Sakura was about to exit when Aunt Mikoto called her. "Oh, dear, just stay here for dinner. Karin will be here for dinner too."
"Sorry, Aunt Mikoto, I have something to do. Maybe next time," she said as an excuse. She didn't want to have dinner with them, let alone with Karin. She didn't want to feel awkward and be filled with jealousy. She couldn't take it.
"Mom, let Sakura go," Itachi said to her mom then nodded at her. Then she mouthed Thank You to him and went off.
"Good Morning!" Lee greeted her.
"Good Morning!" she greeted back.
I miss Sasuke's greetings. Sigh.
"So, how was your weekend?" Lee sat beside Sakura. They were in their classroom for their first period.
"It was fine. I'm helping Itachi-nii on something," she said to him. "So, how was yours?"
"It was fine too. Hanged out with my cousins," Lee smiled.
"Can you accompany me at a restaurant this afternoon?" Sakura asked.
"Sure, Sakura. No problem."
"Good Morning." They suddenly stopped talking and looked at the person who said the monotonous greeting.
"Oh, good morning, Sasuke!" Lee smiled at him as he was standing up because he was sitting in Sasuke's chair. "Bye, Sakura, see you later. Guess I'm going to return to my seat now."
"Okay, Lee. See you," she smiled at him.
"Hi," Sasuke greeted Sakura with the same monotonous tone.
"Hello," she greeted back with the same energy.
It was like they didn't know each other for years. It was like, they were strangers.
Sigh. I miss him! I really miss him! But I can't be with him just like before. She has a girlfriend now and I got to keep a low profile so that I can't... ugh! I can't take this anymore! But I must try to avoid them so that I can't feel the pain. I... can do this.
"Which restaurant was that again?"
Lee and Sakura are now on the way to the restaurant that Itachi requested.
"Georgia's"
"Oh, yeah! I know where that is."
They were now heading to Georgia's Restaurant. They were on Lee's motorcycle.
I miss his car and the safety of it. Lee's a good and careful driver tho, so being in a motorcycle is fine just as long as the one driving is Lee.
"Why are we going there again? Sorry if I'm being nosy. Just tell me all about it, so that I can't keep asking you questions."
"Fine! Did you remember what I told you about helping Itachi-nii on something? Well, this is it! I'm helping him set up a date so that he can propose to this girl he likes," she said to him.
"Well, why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Maybe I assumed that you already knew?"
They were silent for a moment, then laughter filled the air. Sakura never laughed like that for the past months. She missed it – laughing like there was nothing to worry about, no problems, just laugh. She laughed, and all her problems and worries, heartaches maybe, went to the back of her mind.
"Thanks, Lee," she sincerely said.
"For what?"
"For being my friend. For always being here. For helping me. You know what? From all of my friends, you were the only one who understood me, listened to me, took time to wait and just, you know, listen to my problems. Sasuke didn't even do all those things to me. Well, some time he did, but it just suddenly stopped. I kinda miss the old him. The one who was always there for me, the one who was ready to protect me, but that kid grew up and maybe he forgot about me when he met the girl of his dreams."
"Someday he'll realize that, that the girl of his dreams is right there in front of him. Give him time," Lee advised Sakura.
"Well, here we are," Lee said as they already arrived at the restaurant.
They went inside and did the reason why they went there in the first place. They reserved a table for two and everything. After that, they went home.
It had been a very busy week for Sakura. Her studies plus her helping with Itachi made her as busy as life could be. She silently rejoiced because tomorrow was the big day that she had been waiting for. She just wanted everything to get over with. Itachi was so excited and nervous at the same time, she couldn't help but smile. She had been hanging out with him for a week now and she totally forgot about Sasuke.
She wanted to know how Itachi was doing so she made an effort to go to the Uchiha's. Since she forgot about Sasuke, she went straight to their house. When she knocked on the door, she did not expect that Sasuke was the one who opened the door. She was shocked and all of her memories about him came flooding back to her mind.
"Is Itachi-nii home yet?" Sakura asked nervously, still staring at Sasuke.
"He's not here yet," Sasuke replied, surprised also written in his face.
"O-okay, I'll come back later then," Sakura still stuttered.
When Sakura was about to go back home, Sasuke grabbed her by the forearm.
"Wait. I want to talk to you about something."
Unable to get out if his hold, she agreed. They were now at the Uchiha backyard, on the swing. There was a long silence but then Sakura broke it.
"What are we going to talk about?"
Sasuke was still silent, deep in thought.
"Sasuke, if you dragged me here to talk about nothing, then please let me go. I want to get out of here now," she said, a little angry and disappointed.
Sakura was about to get up when he started to talk.
"Sakura, I was just wondering why you were avoiding me this past month. Why are you not talking to me anymore?"
It's because I don't want to be hurt! Seeing you with that girl is very painful to me. I don't want to feel this pain anymore, that's why!
"I was just so busy, Sasuke. There was a lot going on in my mind lately and I want to clear it all out," she flatly said.
"You know that's not the answer I want. I want the truth, Sakura! And why are you always hanging out with Itachi-nii? Do you like him? Huh?" he yelled. "Do you have a secret relationship with him? Tell me!" he continued. "And what about Lee? Are you cheating on Itachi-nii with him? because you always hang out too!"
She had had enough of Sasuke's ridiculous outbursts. She couldn't contain her tears anymore so she let it flow freely; anger and frustration were written in her face. She just couldn't believe his accusations, the way he said all those things. She wanted to yell at him, she wanted to put up a fight but she chose to be calm and answered his questions as calmly as possible.
"That's the truth Sasuke, there was a lot going on in my mind," tears still flowing from her eyes. "You know, if you were more of a brother to Itachi, you'll know the reason why. But I'll tell you so that you'll stop thinking maliciously about us. Itachi-nii asked me to help him to get the girl that he loves. I've been busy helping him with his proposal that's why I've been hanging out with him," she said, wiping her tears away.
Sasuke couldn't believe what he just heard and he stayed dumbfounded until Sakura got up and started to walk away.
"Wait, Saku! I-I... what about Lee?" he asked instead of saying sorry, still holding Sakura's wrist.
Sakura turned around then said, "He became more of my best friend than you ever were in the past months."
With that, Sakura went away leaving Sasuke stricken.
"Hey, guys!" Ino shouted.
"Jeez, what is it Ino?" Tenten asked while her finger was on her ear. They were at the school cafeteria.
"Look!" Ino showed them a poster.
"So, prom's in about a month from now," Hinata said as she read the poster.
"Yes! Yes! So, is everyone excited?" Ino asked excitedly as she settled beside Sai.
"Uh, sure. I guess," Lee said.
"So, who's everyone going with?" Ino asked intently. "Of course I'm going with my Sai," she continued as she held Sai's arm. "And of course, Sasuke's going with Karin, right Sasuke?"
"O-of course," answered Sasuke then looked at Karin and smiled.
"How about you guys?" Ino insisted.
Everyone looked at opposite directions looking like they don't know what she was talking about.
"I'll go to the prom!" Lee said suddenly raising his right hand. Everyone looked at him.
"Sakura, will you go with me?" Lee asked Sakura, all smiles.
Without any hesitation, Sakura answered "Sure!"
Silence.
"Well, how about the others?" Ino said as she broke the silence.
"I'm not going to that stupid prom. Pfft. So troublesome." Shikamaru suddenly answered.
Thanks for reading! :)
Till next time! :D
