Chapter Four
Slightly out of her mind

"I don't know what's wrong with me!" Sakura exclaimed. "I mean, he's a great guy. He's always attentive and thoughtful. And it's amazing when we just hangout and cuddle together. But—"

"But when you make out and it starts getting serious, you freeze like a deer in the headlights," her best friend finished for her.

"Umm...not the way I would phrase it, but yes, exactly!"

Her best friend shrugged. "Well, we've been through this before, Forehead. You have trust issues when it comes to guys. With what happened between your mom and dad—"

Sakura narrowed her green eyes at her, warning her to not finish that sentence. The history of her parents was never to be discussed.

"Ah, sorry…anyways, point is, you need to do it with a guy you trust and know very well. At least for the first time. That way, you don't have to worry about living up to any expectations the guy might have—"

"Ino! Are you saying I should have a one night stand with a random guy!?" Sakura was shocked at the idea. She closed up the purple nail polish she was using and placed her hands in the quick dry machine.

"No, you retard! I said with a guy you trust and know very well," Ino replied and took the purple nail polish to paint her own toes.

Sakura gave her a dumbfounded look. "So…you're saying I should have sex with one of my guy friends?"

"That's right!"

"You must be out of your mind!" Sakura gasped, appalled by the notion.

Ino laughed, "Oh please, just give it an extra thought before you reject the whole idea."

Sakura removed her hands from the quick dry machine and lightly touched one of her nails to see if it was dry. "Do you know how awkward it would be if I slept with one of my guy friends? I would see the guy everyday afterwards, and will always have that moment stuck in my head." Sakura cringed at the thought.

"But that's the thing! It wouldn't be awkward if you just tell the guy the truth—"

"Pig-face! I'm not going to share my sex life issues with any of my guy friends! Oh my god, you're just insane. You must be getting high off all the nail polish smell."

"Ugh! You're not listening! Look, you need to straighten it out. Okay? You either have sex with the guy you trust most, just to get over the first time and not feel any pressure in doing it, or you suck it up and go back to your boyfriend and just do it, or you can just be a nun for the rest of your life," Ino said with a smug look as she blew on her finger nails.

"Just because it worked that way for you doesn't mean I can do it as well," Sakura replied, folding her arms over her chest. "And he's my ex-boyfriend now. I broke up with him just before I came to see you."

"Same old tricks, eh Sakura? You always break up with them when it gets serious." Ino looked up to ceiling, as if in thought. "Hmm… and well, Shikamaru was my best friend and I always cared for him. So I guess it was only natural that after a drunken night together we sort of just stayed together—Ah ha! I got it!"

Sakura rolled her eyes at her best friend. She was jealous of Ino's and Shikamaru's relationship. They've been friends since high school, and hooked up the first year in college, and they still were together. By the way things were going for the two love birds; they will probably end up married soon. Now, why couldn't she find someone she really loved and trusted?

It wasn't that she was dying to have sex; that was the least of her worries. The problem was that she just wasn't interested in having sex with any of her boyfriends. They were all great to her, but after two or three months of dating, it would come down to the night where sex was expected. Not that they demanded it, but it was quite obvious they wanted to. After dating for so long, something was expected from her. She wasn't prude or shy about sex. She just never developed the trusting bond couples have. What if the guy dated her only so he can sleep with her one night and breakup the next day? What if he wasn't sincere in his affections or he had some other girl he was seeing on the side? What if-

"You should sleep with Sasuke!"

The mention of his name broke her train of thought. "Wh-What!?" Sakura stuttered, stunned by the very idea of it.

"Don't give me that look, Forehead. I'm serious. Just think about it. He's the only guy you trust in your entire existence. And I doubt he would mind sleeping with you…I mean, come on, who would turn down free sex?" Ino's sadistic grin gave Sakura the creeps.

"Okay, now I know you're insane! He's my best friend! You think I would ruin my relationship with him just so I can get over my sex problems!?"

"Chill, you're acting as if you're going to take away his purity or something," Ino laughed. "He's your best guy friend. He's been by your side through all you're problems. I'm sure he would understand if you just tell him."

Sakura was shaking her head in disbelief. "That is just—just crazy! "

"Oh my god, will you just be quiet for a moment and think about it? You trust him more than anyone else. You get your sexual experience and he gets an awesome night out of it. It's a win-win situation."

"He's my roommate now, Ino. Do you know how awkward it would be afterwards? I would see him every day and will always remember sleeping with him. I can't simply erase the memory out of my head," Sakura responded as she gathered up all the nail polishes and dropped them in the makeup box.

"That's why you have to be honest in your intentions and see if he agrees to it. If not, then I don't know what to say to you. At least try." Ino closed up the box and headed to the bedroom, leaving Sakura to her thoughts. "Actually, it's quite surprising you two haven't done it yet! I mean, com'on, the sexual tension is definitely there between you two!" Ino yelled from her room.

Sakura's face heated up. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Ino returned to the living room. "Yeah, right! Don't give me that innocent look, Forehead. The whole gang sees it as well. I don't know how you've managed to stay together for so long and not hook up!"

"Um..easy! He always has some girl beside him, and I'm his best friend. So this whole me-sleeping-with- Sasuke-thing is not going to happen," Sakura said as she stood up. "Anyways, it's late. I have to go home. The idiot messed up the furniture order, and probably fell asleep on the sofa already, so now I have to sleep on the floor."

Ino chuckled as she shook her head. Her best friend sure was oblivious to reality. She was wasting her time with random guys when she already has the perfect guy by her side. "How's it like rooming with him, anyways?"

"It's barely been two full days and we've already annoyed each other. But I'm sure once we settle down with everything, it will go more smoothly," Sakura replied as she put on her shoes.

"Ah ha, I see. Well then! Good luck with everything, Forehead. And hopefully you will rethink what I said. But honestly, all jokes aside, if you're feeling pressured to have sex with a guy, then clearly it's not the right relationship so it's good that you broke up with him."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Sakura said as she gave her a hug goodbye before leaving the apartment.

Sasuke couldn't sleep. It was nearly midnight, and Sakura still wasn't home. He glared at the t.v. screen. He flipped through so many channels, and still there was nothing on at this time of night. He drained the last content of his beer and turned the t.v. off. He wondered what the hell she was doing out so late.

All sorts of thoughts came to mind. What if she was drunk at some bar and some douche bag was hitting on her? What if that imbecile boyfriend of hers was treating her badly? Sasuke let out an annoyed groan. He was giving himself a headache for no reason! He had work early tomorrow and needed sleep. What Sakura did with her time was of no concern of his!

He heard the jingle of keys. Ah, the little minx was finally home! He thought with some relief. At least he could go to sleep now and not worry about her. He quickly draped the blanket over his body and closed his eyes.

The crack of the door brought in some light from the hallway. She closed the door and it was pitch black in the room.

"Dammit, Sasuke! You could've at least left one of the lamps on," Sakura grumbled as she groped around the dark, trying to find the switch on the wall. Then she remembered that the lights were automatic, so with a clap of her hands, the lights turned on.

Sasuke didn't move from his spot on the sofa. He pretended to be asleep, but all awhile, he listened as she moved around the living room. He wondered what was taking her so long to go to sleep. He heard a loud thud from behind the sofa and the ripping of a cardboard box.

He was getting frustrated waiting for her to come to sleep. Just when he opened his eyes and sat up, the lights were turned off. Huh? She wasn't going to pester me about sharing the sofa? He was confused. He slowly laid back on the sofa, trying to make as little noise as possible. What's gotten into her? He wondered.

He waited a good hour before he got up again. He turned the lamp beside the sofa on and walked over to where Sakura slept.

Sasuke frowned. He knew how much Sakura hated sleeping bags yet she opted to sleep in one tonight. His hands clenched into fists, knowing that something had happened between her and her boyfriend. He knelt on one knee and lifted the top flap of the sleeping bag off of her. He stilled as she moved in her sleep.

He waited a few minutes before he placed one arm under her back and the other under her legs. Ever so slowly, he picked her up and carried her back to the sofa. He gently laid her down and placed the blanket over her.

Sasuke knelt by the couch and lightly traced the curve of her jaw. She looked so angelic while she slept, definitely the opposite of when she was awake. The little devil, he mused. Shaking his head, he stood up. He let out a small sigh as he returned to the sleeping bag and laid on it. He really hated sleeping on a hard surface. With another tired sigh, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Sakura slowly opened her eyes and yawned. She sat upright and scratched the top of her head. "How'd I get here?" she mumbled. She heard a loud, "Fuck!" come from the kitchen along with a clattering of pans. She smiled lightly. Sometimes that guy was just too much. One day he would aggravate her, the next he would treat her like a princess.

She folded up the blanket and placed it on the arm of the sofa. She spotted the rolled up sleeping bag at the corner of the room. Moments like this, Sakura would have the urge to run up to Sasuke and give him the biggest hug possible, and kiss him—

Wait, kiss him? Where did that come from? "Damn you, Ino," Sakura said as she recalled her chat with Ino last night. She combed her hair with her fingers and made her way to the kitchen.

"Good morning," Sakura said as opened the refrigerator door. Aside from the box of eggs and some vegetables, it was empty.

"What were you doing out so late?" Came his response as he fussed over the omelet he was making.

Sakura rolled her eyes at his back. The idea of trying to be pleasant this morning flew out the kitchen window. "We need to go grocery shopping today," she said, ignoring his question.

"Hn." Sasuke flipped the omelet onto a plate and turned to her. His lips were pressed into a thin line as he handed her the plate. "The furniture will be here in a few. I'm going to work, so we can shop afterwards."

Sakura's brows furrowed in confusion. What's his problem? She wondered. She placed the plate on the counter. "Hey, Sasuke," she called after him.

Sasuke stopped by the kitchen entrance and turned to her. She had a small smile on her lips as she walked to him. His stiff composure melted as she wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks," she said.

"For?" Sasuke questioned as he snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.

"For breakfast and for last night…and for everything really. I'll try to be a more pleasant roommate, I promise!" Sakura replied, her smile widening.

Sasuke wasn't sure if he was falling for another conniving trap or if she was being sincere. Nonetheless, his sour mood had quickly uplifted the moment she smiled at him. "Hn." He grinned. "Sakura, do you typically sleep with no bra on?" he teased.

Sakura blushed ten-fold as she let go of him and shoved him away. She crossed her arms over her chest. "Ugh! You're a molester!"

Sasuke chuckled as he walked into the living room, heading towards the door. "You're the one that always initiates the hugs, sweetheart. Good thing I'm not drunk, or you probably would've taken advantage of me." With a wink, he left the apartment, leaving Sakura to her disgruntled self.

"Stupid jerk, just when I was trying to be nice, he throws it back to my face!"

"Isn't it too cold for skirts?" Sasuke asked as he pushed the shopping cart down the aisle. For nearly an hour, his eyes were glued to her long, naked legs. It was irritating him to see her like this in public, especially when other guys in the store were noticing her legs as well.

"Don't be silly, it's only the second week of September. It's still like seventy five-degrees out," Sakura replied as she walked alongside him. She tied her hair into a ponytail and went back to reading her shopping list.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He grabbed a few bags of chips and dropped them in the cart.

"I think all we have left to get is orange juice and bagels," Sakura said as she crossed off the chips from the list.

"Hn."

Sakura followed Sasuke to the check-out lane and immediately came to a halt. Her boyfriend, well, her ex-boyfriend, as of last night, was waiting on the same line, only a few yards away.

"Hide me!" Sakura pleaded as she ducked behind Sasuke.

"Sakura, what the hell?" Sasuke said, confused at her random behavior.

"It's my ex, Sasuke, I don't want him to see me!" Sakura explained. "Stay still, or he will see me!" She whispered and continued to hide behind him.

Immediately, Sasuke got into a protective mode. "Your ex? Has he hurt you or something?" he demanded an answer as he turned to look at her. Sakura stood as close to him as possible, hoping that his tall frame would hide her from her ex.

"No, no. I broke up with him last night, and I really don't want to see him, it's awkward really," she replied with an innocent shrug. Sasuke's brow arched with interest. It would be cruel of him to move aside and let the guy see her. And Sasuke had a tendency to be cruel. His eyes darkened and Sakura let out a small annoyed groan. "Don't you dare play a game right now."

With a smug look, he leaned down and whispered into her ear, "And what will I get for playing nice?"

"I-uh-I," Sakura was flustered by his sudden closeness. His hot breath tickled her ear. The cologne she had bought for his birthday drowned her senses. "I'll make you a dessert!"

His deep chuckle sent shivers up her spine. "It better be the best dessert I've ever had." He straightened up and turned his back to her. He spotted the guy he assumed was her ex. He looked like any average guy. He had short brown hair and wore black rimmed glasses. He had on a blue t-shirt with some math joke on the back of it. What a geek, he thought. Though he felt sorry for the guy. He had a feeling that to have your heart broken by a girl like Sakura would leave anyone in shattered pieces. Thank god he wasn't in that position.

Sakura sighed in relief as she peaked over his shoulder. Her ex was taking the receipt from the cashier. "Phew," she breathed out as she watched him pick up his grocery bags and exit the store.

A few minutes later, it was their turn to pay for their items. Sakura placed the items from the cart onto the checkout counter. Once done, she stood side by side with Sasuke and waited as the cashier rang up the items. She watched with scrutiny as the blonde cashier kept her eyes on Sasuke.

Sakura rolled her eyes. Every time she was in public with him, there was always some girl trying to get his attention and Sasuke would simply grin at them, encouraging them. Her best friend was such a man-whore.

A small smirk started to form on his face as he watched Sakura stare down the young cashier. He was never quite sure if it was jealousy or annoyance that caused her to glare at any girl whom approached him. His smirk spread as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"He's gay, you know that right?" Sakura informed the girl, whose eyes widened in surprise. "Sorry to burst your fantasy bubble, but you think a guy as hot as him was actually straight?"

Sasuke burst into a laugh. He couldn't contain himself. So the little devil was jealous for once, he thought. Sakura looked up at him with her usual annoyed demeanor, which caused him to laugh some more. She stuck her tongue out at him. She could be so childish some times.

"Careful, sweetheart, I have this urge to bite that tongue of yours," Sasuke warned. Sakura blushed and quickly glanced away. He laughed yet again as he handed his credit card to the confused cashier.

"Have a nice day," the cashier said to him, with a light blush on her cheeks. Sasuke nodded with a grin and pushed the cart away. With a scowl on her face, she followed him out the store.

A week passed since her conversation with Ino. Sakura laid wide awake on her bed. She had trouble sleeping all week. Every night she would contemplate the pros and cons of listening to what Ino said. So far, she had agreed that Ino was definitely wrong. But tonight, Sakura was having different thoughts.

Sasuke was her best friend, so if she explained to him that she would feel more comfortable having sex for the first time with someone she was well acquainted with, and trusted, then he would understand. She would make sure to tell him that there were no emotions involved, so he needn't worry. The next day, everything would be back to normal, as if it never happened. She would make sure to tell him that she didn't expect anything from him, other than a one time use of his body.

Sakura hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. What on earth was she thinking? With how her thoughts were going, she might as well give Sasuke a hundred dollar bill and thank him for a fun night! God, she was insane. And Ino was even worse for putting the idea in her head.

Knowing Sasuke, he would probably just laugh in her face. The last thing she wanted was to be turned away by Sasuke Uchiha. It was one thing to pledge herself to never fall in love with him, and a completely different thing to ask him to sleep with her and expect no emotional attachments.

What's worse? She lived with him! She will forever be reminded of the night with him every day she laid her eyes on him. Yeah, Ino was definitely crazy to think of the idea. And Sakura was out of her mind for giving the whole thing any more thought.

She sighed as she placed a pillow over her face.

She heard some cursing and angry shouts from her roommate.

"Stupid idiot, always taking games so seriously," Sakura growled as she pressed the pillow more to her face. Sasuke and Naruto were addicted to a war-like computer game. All week, Sasuke was up late playing the damn game and it irritated her. He could at least not yell so loud so she could get some sleep. Didn't he have work in a few hours?

Sakura laid there for half hour longer, and suddenly it was quite. She removed the pillow off her face and glanced at the digital clock. It blinked 2:15 a.m. "Ugh!" with a frustrated huff, she kicked the blanket away and got off her bed.

Sakura pressed her ear on Sasuke's door and listened for any movement. Nothing.

She turned the doorknob and peered into the room. The blue light from the computer screen in corner illuminated the room. She lightly tiptoed into the room.

Yes, indeed. She was out of her mind.