Author's Note: After seeing so many positive reviews and support from readers, I can't help it but write chapter 5 not long after I updated chapter 4. I hope you guys would like this chapter as well!
Chapter 5: Misunderstanding
Sakura's POV
"Get a hold of yourself, Sakura. You have no rights to act this way."
That was right. I had no rights to be sad, mad or even be pissed off at all. Sasuke didn't belong to me. We weren't anything to begin with. We were just friends. He was just someone I enjoyed being with.
He was just someone I might be in love with.
I wiped away the tear I stupidly allowed to fall as I continued walking to my locker. I never felt so stupid in my whole entire life. I would hate myself even more if I allowed another tear to fall.
Why am I so mad anyway? Sasuke was a rising star, a famous celebrity. And he was dating an actress who was almost as popular as he was. And if I remembered correctly, she was from the same agency as him too. They were a perfect match. I am nothing compared to her.
I'm just a regular girl with a small circle of friends. The only thing that was special about me was my pink hair. And that was due to genetics and nothing to do with my skills or abilities.
I opened my locker with more force than necessary. I was angry at myself for acting like I did. I was so pissed off at myself. But why did I feel so sad at the same time?
The pain in my heart was almost unbearable. Before that day, I didn't know that the term 'heartbroken' could be literal.
When I closed my locker, I realized that the last person I wished to see was walking towards me.
"Can this day get any worse?"
I told myself I should act like usual. I shouldn't be angry because a friend of mine was happily dating a very amazing girl. That didn't make sense at all! It would be ridiculous if I acted that way. Sasuke might even start hating me. We might even end up not being able to be friends.
And I just couldn't imagine living life without him in it. Not after I realized how much he meant for me. Even though I might mean nothing to him, but I couldn't lie to myself and said he meant nothing as well.
"How did you do just now?"
I knew Sasuke was referring to the exams we did earlier. Judging from his confidence around him, he must have done well. That was expected from him though since he studied hard for it.
Then my mind started wandering to the times we reviewed together. I even enjoyed every moment we argued about the most unnecessary things. Even after I left Sasuke's apartment, I wouldn't be able to get rid of his pissed off face from my mind.
"What have you gotten yourself into, Sakura?"
"It was fine." I felt like a failure when I sounded so weak and couldn't even bring out a small smile.
Sasuke gave me an odd look, as if he was trying to analyze the expression I was making.
"You don't look so good. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." I'm perfectly fine, I just felt like sleeping for the rest of the day.
Sasuke obviously didn't believe me. He reached out and placed a hand on my forehead.
"Are you sick? Are you feeling unwell or anything?"
"I hate you. Why must you be so sweet and caring at a time like this? You're making things even more difficult."
At that moment, I just felt like crying. I wanted to let go of the pain in my heart by bursting into tears. But I didn't want to appear weak in front of Sasuke. That was the last thing I want. I didn't want to let him see how pathetically sad I was because I wasn't the one he fell in love with.
I hereby concluded that I was seriously in love with Sasuke Uchiha and it might be the biggest mistake in my life.
I slapped away Sasuke's hand using more force than I wanted. I felt guilty for a moment but then I thought it would be easier to move on if Sasuke hated me. Then he wouldn't show his caring side to me ever again. I wouldn't be heads over heels in love with him again. I wouldn't need to be so unreasonably sad anymore too.
I tried to look normal but I couldn't so I chose to look away. All I wanted to do was run away as far as I could from the man who couldn't love me back. I didn't even look at Sasuke as I walked away.
"I need to go."
With that, I left school without even looking back once.
Sasuke's POV
"What was that about?"
I was surprised at Sakura's weird behavior and stared as she walked away. I had never felt so clueless in my life.
I wasn't sure if she was acting weird because of something I did or it was because of someone else. I wasn't even sure if she was mad or sad. I wasn't able to read her expressions. I never saw her looking like that.
But something was definitely wrong and I had a bad feeling about it.
Just then, my phone rang and my thoughts were disturbed. I looked at the screen of my phone and realized it was my manager, Orochimaru.
"What?"
"You know, Sasuke. I had always told you to be careful whenever you hook up with girls. You're famous so you should learn to be more cautious. There will always be people looking at you."
"What in the world are you talking about?" My manager could be ridiculous and weird sometimes but his words were absolute nonsense this time round.
"The news about you dating Ayumi Fukuda is spreading like wild fire since last night."
"What?" My voice was that of a clueless person who had no idea what was going on with his own life.
"A reporter saw her entering your apartment on Saturday and released an article about it on the night of Sunday. Sasuke, can you please be careful when you bring girls home next time? It doesn't hurt to be a little bit more secretive."
"Wait. That did not happen. I don't even talk to her! That news is full of bullshit."
"Well, the reporter took a picture of you bringing a girl into your apartment. It was for sure your apartment, it was definitely you in the picture and there was certainly a girl with you. You figure it out yourself. As for me, I will handle things regarding the news. I believe I can calm things down within today."
I didn't even bother replying and hung up my phone. My manager might be odd but he works excellently. I knew he could stop all those senseless rumors.
A reporter saw me bringing a girl into my apartment on Saturday and said it was Ayumi Fukuda. But the truth was, the girl who was with me was Sakura. How did that happen?
I leaned against the locker and started thinking harder. The last time I saw Ayumi was a week ago. She had just finished filming a drama and came back to the agency to meet up with the agency's director. I walked pass her in one of the hallways and we exchanged greetings. At that time, I noticed that she had just dyed her long hair pink.
Pink.
Oh my goodness, Ayumi had hair exactly like Sakura's. And the two of them had similar features as well. They were almost the same height and size. No wonder the reporter assumed it was Ayumi who was with me.
I sighed in frustration and ran my fingers through my hair. I hate to admit it but Orochimaru was right about being careful. I would get pissed off whenever Orochimaru found faults in me. It was annoying whenever that odd old man was right.
The only reason why I chose him as my manager was how effective and excellent he worked. I tried to turn a blind eye at the fact that he was a total weirdo.
I took my phone out again and gave Orochimaru a call. I spoke immediately after he picked up.
"The girl the reporter saw is my friend. Her hair and features are almost identical to Ayumi so it was understandable that the reporter made a mistake."
"That makes sense. Sasuke, next time when you bring your friend back to your apartment, be more alert of your surroundings, alright? Don't be too distracted by your friend's presence."
I hung up and groaned at my manager's words. The way he emphasized the word 'friend' was getting onto my nerves.
Now that the whole thing about the news was settled, there was still another unsolved mystery.
What was wrong with Sakura?
Sakura's POV
I felt horrible.
I wanted to cry but my pride didn't let me. I wanted to sleep through the night but my pride didn't let me. I just wanted to curl up into a ball and be pathetic but my pride didn't let me.
It was all my stupid pride's fault.
I really needed to talk to someone. I knew there would be exams tomorrow but I was desperate.
I called Ino and told her I needed to meet her. When she heard my voice, she immediately knew something was wrong. I asked her to contact Tenten and Hinata as well.
"Do you want to meet up in Hinata's house? Her father is not home so it would be perfect."
It sounded like a great plan but Neji lives with Hinata as well. And I knew how close Sasuke and Neji were. Seeing him might remind me of Sasuke. But I couldn't think of a better meeting place.
"Sure. I'm so sorry, Ino. I know there's exam tomorrow but I don't know what to do."
"Oh, please, Sakura. A friend's wellbeing is so much more important than some exam! Plus, the exams tomorrow are the easiest. Even I don't have problems with it so I'm sure Tenten and Hinata are perfectly fine about this meeting. We care about you too much to ignore you over some easy exams."
Ino was a blabbermouth but hearing her sounding so sincere was honestly very touching. I thanked her and immediately went to take a shower before leaving for Hinata's house.
It was 2 PM when I was on my way to Hinata's house. I parked my car beside Ino's and walked into the huge Hyuuga household.
Hinata was waiting by the main door and looked at me with concern.
"You don't look so good."
I managed a small smile and I unsuccessfully assured Hinata I was alright.
Ino and Tenten were already there and definitely saw through my lie.
"Let's go to Hinata's room to talk."
For once, Ino wasn't her usual loud self and looked worried. I felt guilty to have made my friends worry over my problems. But I was depressed and didn't know what to do. I needed them and they assured me that they would be there for me.
When we walked pass the living room, I greeted quickly at Neji and didn't take a long time to look at his way. I had a feeling he must have noticed that something was wrong but I chose to leave it that way. I wasn't capable of pretending I was fine at that moment.
When we were already inside Hinata's room, I finally let my feelings out. I couldn't hold back anymore and broke down. I cried so much as I told my closest friends everything.
I told them how it all started with some handouts. I told them how much fun I had during the reviews with Sasuke. I even confessed that my date with him was probably one of the happiest days in my life.
And I admit how heartbroken I was when I found out he wouldn't love me back.
Sasuke's POV
I had been lying down on my bed and staring at the ceiling for the past hour trying to figure out what was wrong with Sakura.
She was fine in the morning so it must be something which happened in school. But she was still talking like usual with her friends before she left to her locker. Then something definitely happened when she was on her way to her locker.
What could possibly happen in such a short time?
I had never felt so desperate and frustrated. I was dying to know what was wrong. I could just call Sakura and ask but judging from the way she acted earlier, it was clear that she wouldn't want to talk to me.
What in the world did I do?
I must be very desperate to have decided to ask help from my friends. I groaned as I reached for my phone at the night stand. I opened WhatsApp and made a group chat consisting of my some of my closest friends whom I think could help me with my current situation.
Sasuke Uchiha created a group "Help"
Sasuke Uchiha added Neji Hyuuga
Sasuke Uchiha added Shikamaru Nara
Sasuke Uchiha added Kiba Inuzuka
Sasuke Uchiha added Naruto Uzumaki
Naruto: Sasuke-teme, are you kidnapped? Do you need us to save you?
Shikamaru: Don't be stupid, Naruto.
Sasuke: I need help with some girl problem.
Naruto: What girl problem do you have?! You're dating such a hot actress.
Sasuke: That news isn't accurate so ignore it.
Shikamaru: You must be so desperate to have sought help from us.
Kiba: What sort of girl problem are we talking about here?
Naruto: You didn't get a girl pregnant, did you?!
Sasuke Uchiha removed Naruto Uzumaki
Sasuke: I was talking to Sakura after the last exam ended and she was acting weird. But I don't know what I have done. Judging from the look on her face, I am rather sure it was something to do with me.
Kiba: Girls can get angry at the smallest things. I once got my girlfriend pissed off because I didn't notice her new haircut. And all she did was cut a few centimeters of hair.
Shikamaru: Ino got annoyed at me for not noticing her new transparent nail polish.
Kiba: See, it's ridiculous! Anyway, I saw Naruto talking to Sakura after the last exam ended. Try asking him if she was acting strange.
Sasuke Uchiha added Naruto Uzumaki
Naruto: Sasuke-teme! What was that for?!
Sasuke: Naruto, was Sakura acting weird when you spoke to her after the last exam ended?
Naruto: No, she was just like usual.
Neji: Sakura is actually in my house right now.
Shikamaru: What is she doing there?
Neji: She's in Hinata's room right now together with Ino and Tenten. I caught a glimpse of her earlier and it was obvious something was wrong.
Sasuke: So it definitely wasn't my imagination.
Naruto: Why don't we have Neji eavesdrop on their conversation?
Neji: I won't do something as low as that.
Shikamaru: Don't make things more troublesome, Neji.
Kiba: Just do it, Neji. I'm sure you could see how desperate Sasuke is right now. He actually asked help from Naruto!
Naruto: What does that suppose to mean?!
Sasuke: Please?
Naruto: Oh Kami-sama, Sasuke just used the word 'please'.
Kiba: I am sensing a high level of desperation.
Neji: Fine.
Naruto: By the way, did the reporter who made that article about you mistaken Sakura for Ayumi Fukuda? Since Ayumi just dyed her hair pink and the two would look very alike from the back.
Shikamaru: You're using your brains for once, Naruto.
Kiba: Does that mean Sasuke brought Sakura back to his apartment? Dude, you two are dating?!
Sasuke: No.
Naruto: Then what did you guys do inside the apartment?
Sasuke: Dinner.
Kiba: What did you do before dinner?
Sasuke: Went out.
Naruto: Was it a date?
Neji: I'm back.
Sasuke: What did you find out?
Naruto: Sasuke ignored the question!
Neji: Apparently, Sakura is depressed over the fact that you're dating that actress you were rumored with.
Naruto: Does that mean Sakura is in love with Sasuke-teme?
Shikamaru: Things will only make sense if that was the case.
Naruto: And does that mean Sasuke loves Sakura back as well?
Sasuke Uchiha left
Naruto: Sasuke-teme!
Sakura's POV
I felt so much better after letting everything out. And when my friends found out I haven't ate lunch, Hinata asked her maid to prepare something for me.
I was drinking a glass of fresh juice after I finished my meal. I was refreshed even though my eyes felt heavy after all the crying.
Ino came up with a theory to prove that Sasuke wasn't dating Ayumi. She said that the reporter who wrote the article saw Sasuke bringing Ayumi back to his apartment on the evening of Saturday. But we all knew it was actually Sakura. So that meant the reporter had mistaken Sakura for Ayumi because they had the same hair colour.
"But still, the article also said they are close for quite some time. Perhaps they are already dating for quite some time but had always been careful." I didn't even know why I had been trying to prove that Ino's theory was flawed.
"Wouldn't he tell you if he has a girlfriend?! You two are close to each other! And why would he bring you on a date if he has a girlfriend?!" Ino continued defending herself and I must admit she made more sense than usual.
"It was to pay me back for taking care of him and for helping him with reviews."
And I was just a stubborn idiot.
"Oh my goodness, why are some people so stupid and stubborn when they're in love?" Ino slumped onto the floor and sighed.
"Speak for yourself, Ino." Tenten laughed. "Remember that time when you kept on accusing Shikamaru of cheating on you with Temari?"
I laughed alongside Tenten and Hinata. I remembered as if it was just yesterday. Ino was crying and screaming at Shikamaru in the hallways, accusing him of having an affair with Temari. They weren't even dating yet that time but she still called it an 'affair'. Well, at least they got together afterwards.
"It was Shikamaru's fault! I saw him hugging her!"
"Ino. Shikamaru was shaking her hand to congratulate her for winning a tennis tournament." Tenten rolled her eyes as she said that.
"Well, they got too close to each other!" Ino continued being stubborn and I laughed. I must have looked like her right now.
"I think you shouldn't jump to conclusions, Sakura." Hinata held onto my hand as she spoke. "I believe that Sasuke has feelings for you too."
I smiled at Hinata but I didn't know whether I should take her words or not. I was scared that if I believed that Sasuke had feelings for me, I would be devastated when I found out he actually didn't have any.
I was beginning to feel sleepy after crying my eyes out and I was in desperate need of a rest. I stood up and told my friends I wanted to go home.
"I think you need to catch some sleep." Ino said and gave me another hug. She had been hugging me a lot that day and it actually felt nice.
"Thanks a lot, guys."
I was sighing a lot when I was driving home. My thoughts were running wild again but at least I wasn't as depressed as I was. Perhaps I had cried too much and my tear ducts were damaged. I felt really tired.
After I arrived at my house, I caught sight of the person who was the source of my turmoil.
"Sasuke."
My eyes were wide open when I saw Sasuke standing by the door of my house. He was leaning against the walls and turned to look at my way when he heard me.
He walked towards me with an unreadable expression and to be honest, I was starting to get nervous. I didn't know what to expect from him and my mind wasn't in the right state to think.
"I just want to clear up some misunderstanding. If you're upset about the rumor of me dating Ayumi, you should know it isn't true. The reporter had mistaken you for her when you went to my apartment on Saturday. She looked a lot like you, after all. I'm don't even talk to her, let alone date her."
I was surprised at how much Sasuke spoke at one go. Usually, he would find talking so much a pain in the ass.
I began wondering how he found out that I was upset about that. But I chose to leave it be. Sasuke was smart so he had his own ways. Something told me I wasn't imagining things when I felt like someone was outside Hinata's door and eavesdropping on us earlier.
I felt embarrassed to have gotten so upset over a misunderstanding. I officially became the biggest idiot I have ever met.
But I refused to let my embarrassment seen by Sasuke. I tried to look calm as I replied.
"I figured it was a misunderstanding." I'm a huge liar. "And there was no reason for me to get upset over it."
The look on Sasuke's face told me that he saw right through my lies but I tried to remain calm and confident. I had humiliated myself enough for the day.
Sasuke smirked at me and asked me something out of the blue.
"Do you hate me, Sakura?"
I blinked at Sasuke in confusion as I answered.
"No."
"Good."
With that, Sasuke knocked on the door of my house which was soon opened by the Haruno household's butler. Sasuke politely greeted him and asked where my parents were.
I was beyond confused as to why Sasuke wanted to see my parents. Sasuke didn't even bother to wait for me and walked into the house after the butler told him that my parents were in the living room.
"Wait, what are you doing, Sasuke?!"
Sasuke was acting unusually weird and I quickly followed him. When I reached the living room, I heard Sasuke said the most bizarre words I had ever heard him say.
"Kizashi-san, Mebuki-san, may I have your permission to date your daughter?"
And I had no words to describe how speechless I felt.
Author's Note: Finally! It's about time the two of them stop denying their feelings, right? I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I loved writing it! Please leave a review as well! Reading your reviews makes me extremely happy and it also motivates me to write too. Also, I want some opinions from my readers regarding something. I was wondering if you guys would want some mature content in this fanfic or not. It wouldn't be very graphic, of course. And the ratings will be changed accordingly, as well! Kindly share your opinion by dropping a review so I'll know what to do in later chapters. Thank you in advance and have a nice day!
