Thankfully, class starts during the afternoon, so I slam the alarm that went off at 8 A.M. until it fell down and clank on the carpet. I snuggle a little longer. I realise sleep does not want to carry me back to Candyland. So I lean at the board and rub my eyes.
The plan was to sleep at 9 last night, but since Kiba called and deliver me a nightmare, I had to stay up till midnight since he came over to hear my explanation. At first, I thought he was real mad at me because I swapped names, but we ended up laughing and watched through some Netflix. We apparently watched a few episodes of Quantico and lastly, Kiba decided to sleep over at Shikamaru's. I snuffed my face into the pillow near midnight.
Now that things are blown up, I consider myself lucky Sasuke hasn't texted me. So I consider the issue done. But I'm not a hundred percent sure about it. Check some news and fresh articles, then I'll be satisfied. After all, there'll be a scandal of Sasuke seeing a man named Kiba in Konoha West. Hey, I'm actually pretty surprised that dude's gay. I dig on chicks, so I'm pretty sure this won't be too bothering.
In the shower, I pulled the bandage off my forehead and saw a bump over the left temple, but the red color is gone, so I assume I'm fine. I got into my casual attire; tee and a pair of jeans with matching Vans and I was ready. Before I went into the bathroom, Sakura invited me for brunch with the rest of our friends, and the spot is at the cafe near the end of the town, so there'll be where I'm going.
I tipped the Uber driver, a middle-aged man, and got out from the car. The rest of the group is already hovering around the table, all seated. One chair was empty and I pull it out. Lee greeted me and I nod.
"So there's this party going on tonight at Sai's place," Sakura said.
Tenten, who hasn't swallowed her spoonful of mashed potatoes, nearly choked and Neji helped patting her back. Afterwards, she croaked, "No kidding. Sai Masa? Isn't he, like, close buds with Sasuke Uchiha?"
A few nods of agreement greeted her question. Sakura joined in unison. "Yeah, there's a rumor he's gonna be at the party, but we'll just have to see."
I glanced at Hinata to see her blushing madly. Oh boy. "I still can't believe that Sasuke's gay, though. I mean, there's news around that Sasuke is gay, but that was three years ago," Tenten said. A few yeah's were heard, but then Sakura shook her gigantic head vigorous, almost slapping her hair on my direction.
"What? That Kiba guy? It's just a small deal. It's not like it's Kiba, maybe it's someone else." Sakura said confidently. Kiba, who was sitting at the corner of the table, slowly bites his toast. He rolled his eyes at me and ignored the stares and purposely say out loud, "Maybe it's not."
Sakura glared at Kiba's direction with narrowed eyes that can kill. Kiba shrugged and proceed on the pancakes. As I pass my order at the waiter, I hear Sakura talking nonsense about how great that Uchiha guy is and I was pretty skeptical when she said he'll be there.
"And I'll be meeting him at the party, maybe throw some shots. If I'm lucky, I might as well get his phone number." "But you know he's not really the extrovert. He don't do parties, we all know that," Tenten said across the room. Sakura smack her lips and wipe her hands with a paper napkin.
She strongly disagree. "Oh, shut up Tenten. If he shows up, I demand my twenty dollar bet." I eat my toaster and had one hand on my lap, where I can feel the shape of my phone in the pocket of my jeans. The picture needs to be hidden from her if I want to keep my head. As soon as my food arrived, I devoured every tiny pit served on the plate as ordered as I hear Sakura'd constant whining about how lame class is and how little time she got to visit the salon. I bet she'll bald me at night if I say her hair is a stack of straw glued all over her head.
When everyone was done with their breakfast, we went our separate ways. Sakura and Tenten adjourned for three series of class from 10 to 2 P.M. straight while Kiba, Hinata and Shino went to the other side of the town to slack off. Choji decided it's best for him to go back home and face his girlfriend, who refused to allow him skip healthy food. So now it's just me with Neji walking by the streets in our thick jackets, battling with the nigh winter cold. I finally gave up the silence by asking, "You got invited to the party?"
He looked at me by his left shoulder and nod. "Yeah, everyone's invited."
"But I didn't receive an invitation." I said.
"That's because it's unnecessary. The whole campus is invited. You know how massive his house is. He's showing off and making sure everybody knows he makes the party of the year. You going?"
"Sounds cool. As long as there's free food."
Neji chuckled and we strolled across the street when the road was clear. Afterwards, he went east and I just walked the same direction until I see the roof of home sweet home.
It seems like everyone has forgotten about the Kiba Scandal, or that's what they call it. When I got into the hall, everything was as normal. Like whatever happened yesterday was ages ago. Surprisingly, I'm curious to know why. I sat next to Hinata, who had put her files aside to read the chemistry book. When I notice my presence was unawknowledged, I poke her shoulder and all she did was smile.
"Oh, hey Naruto." She said in her unusual cracked voice.
"Hey. Why'd you sound tired?"
"Not tired. Exhausted. I got a lot of assignments from Professor Kakashi and I have no time shopping for tonight's party. Sasuke's gonna be there and I need to look my best."
Right. It's always him. Always. "Class ends on two hours, so I guess we can go and choose some clothes for you." I'm trying to play hero here. If I can't win her heart, her attention might do it.
"I wish so. But I got a lot of things to settle with. Thanks, Naruto, by the way. That's very thoughtful."
I want to offer her a ride to the party, so maybe I might have a chance to be her company, side by side, but damn right now I just wish I own a car. Renting one would sound fabulous, that is if I have 200 bucks in my wallet. Borrowing Kiba's truck isn't a good idea, especially when he got a bunch of dogs sleeping on the seats. I gulped and thought of any possible ways I can try to get her to say yes. But right now, I can feel my chance is slipping away. She didn't even look at me when she talked, and sound like she doesn't wants to be bothered.
When the professor entered in the hall, the tension between us finally fade and I drifted to the long and boring lecture.
Kiba agreed to drive me to Sai Masa's manor at the end of the town. When he arrived at the parking lot in front of my apartment, I was already dressed in my long-sleeve cotton shirt and baby blue jeans with a pair of sneakers. On the road, we listened to the radio while Akamaru, at the back seat, was barking and making cute doggy noise. I was surprised! He's grown so big. Not to mention, he used to be ad big as my stomach, but now, he's as massive as Choji's.
Although I was never invited to one of Sai Masa's awesome parties, his house was as big beyond my expectation. There were people everywhere. West wing. East wing. Lights dimmed but nowhere was dark. We parked slightly further since the rest of the space was taken by the earlies, and had to walk around five minutes to get to the front yard.
It was grosteque. I've heard about how Sai Masa had hang out with celebrities in this house, not to mention, Sasuke too. There were a lot of people I don't recognise, but they were dressed in designer's closet for party themes. Pingpong tables were hogging at the chimney room and balls are neon. Cups are transparent will filled neon Mountain Dews. Kiba and I were both struck. We ended up not knowing what to do, since finding our friends is impossible in this type of massive crowd and grab a pizza. Animals aren't allowed to enter, but Akamaru sure was good at being quiet. Good thing is, despite his large features, no one paid attention. No one cared. The music was smashing our ear drums.
"Yo, Naruto!" Kiba's voice was barely there in the loud crowd, but I managed to hear it. "I think I saw Gaara over there!"
"What!?" I shouted to get his ears catching my words.
"Gaara! There!" He points a finger at the corner of the room and I turned around to see Gaara over the bar island, sipping a glass of another neon soda. This isn't a party. This is nearly a club. I wanted to go over there, but these people are dancing their ass off that made me squeezed in between random people. Some guy touched my butt and some girl's chest was pressed against my arm. I can feel my hair pulled back as I try to shout out for Kiba, who was already at the bar, until a guy noticed Akamaru and he approached him. I gulped. This is getting too much. I'm stucked!
I try to push these girls off, but the music was controlling them. I barely succeed on making any movements and was forced to stand in the middle of the crowd with my ass groped, my arm brushed and my shoulder bumped. I winced. Am I ever gonna die here? So this is how it feels like to go to a Sai Masa's party. How exciting.
In a blink of an eye, I felt my hand grabbed as the stranger pulled me aside from the crowd. I can't see much of him, but he was a few steps ahead, leading me somewhere. I wanted to snatch my hand and track my way back to Kiba, but with a space like this, this person seems to know where he's going while I was trying to speak to him. I see a cap worn on his head and he's muscularly build, but he's holding my hand too strong.
After a few narrow hallways, a few rooms passed, we finally got into a garden as a backyard, which is twice quieter and emptier than it is inside. A group of girls was passing by and I was about to take my hand back, but this tall stranger suddenly pushed me against the wall and slam his lips on my neck with one hand cupping my mouth. I muffled. The girls noticed us, and giggled all the way to the entrance door. When the coast was back to clear, he let go off me and pulled away, bringing his cap lower to hide his face as he looks around.
I'm speechless. What the heck did just happened?
"Well, well." The stranger said, and I see a sinister smile underneath the shadow.
This stranger looked up and I see shining orbs. A pair of familiar eyes. Speaking of which, I think I've met this dude. And I don't think I like him. "I don't believe on coincidences, but I do believe this is our destiny."
He cast a wicked smile and took off his cap, showing a beautiful face with an evil grin and that ever so tantalizing black eyes, and I immediately know him.
"Do you miss me, Kiba?"