#9 – Phonecall

Didn't realise I didn't publish this after I uploaded it...

After he could no longer ignore and endure the phone's endless ringing, he blindly groped around the bedside table, and ended up knocking the device down the floor.

"Give me a break…"

"Hello?" The impact must have activated the speaker function; he knew he was being uncharacteristically lazy but after a sleepless night of tossing and finally falling asleep, only to be pestered awake?

"…Who's speaking?" He answered grumpily.

"Sorry, did I call at the wrong time?" At the familiar feminine cadence, his eyes snapped apart, and he immediately sat up.

"Sakura?"

"Hooray you recognise my voice," She false cheered.

Even though he was squinting, no light was peeking through the curtains, and his room remained blanketed in pitch black.

"It's slightly over five." There was a long pause. "Itachi-san, I think I won't be quitting my job." Sensing that this would take some time, he closed his eyes and leaned against the headboard.

"What's wrong, did something happen?"

"Nothing, I just feel indebted to the manager for letting me work there."

"Sakura, I don't need to see your eyes to know you're lying," He lightly admonished.

"I-I'm not…"

"Sakura."

"D-Do you know that Ino has a boyfriend?" She rushed out the question that he nearly missed it if not for the absolute silence of the bedroom.

"What?" He recalled that was the name of the girl who kissed her against his will yesterday. "What has that got to do with-"

"…And yet you two still kissed? Just answer me!" He racked his fingers through his hair, wondering if there was another rumour circulating out there about that fateful incident, and ruining his reputation. After the way Ino reacted, it seemed unlikely for her to discuss this with her.

"…Would you believe me if I told you there's an explanation to this?"

"There always is, isn't there?"

"Long story short, your friend was quarrelling with another man, I was lucky enough to be nearby, and was forced to provide lip service... And to answer your earlier question, yes I do know she has a boyfriend," He rattled off in a breath, wishing to never relive that memory again.

"Wow… I knew Ino has a screw loose, but who knew she would go as far as randomly assaulting a guy's lips on the streets?"

"At least we're on the same page on this matter..." He trailed off when he realised something was not adding up. "Wait, how do you know about this anyway?"

"Well… I saw it, just the kissing par though. I was sitting by the café nearby when everything went down."

"Well, now you know I'm actually a victim in this assault. Do you feel better?" There was a heartbeat of silence, before both of them cracked without restrain into the speakers.

"Yes, much better, and Itachi-san?"

"Hmm?"

"Sorry for waking you up at such weird hour. I… I just needed to be sure." Itachi could almost feel her blush. "Thanks for indulging me. Goodnight then, or should I say good morning?"

"I highly doubt I can go back to sleep now. Wanna talk for a bit?" Wait, what?

"You wanna chat at this time?"

"Since you woke me up, might as well take some responsibility." He could not believe he just said that; he should be rushing to catch some sleep and not trying to flirt at this ungodly hour!

"…Alright. Hold on, let me get onto my bed." He could hear some rapid shuffling of footsteps and the swishing of cloths. Why did she have to mention bed of all things? And just what was he imagining?

"Something must be wrong with my head…"

"I'm back! What shall we talk about, Itachi-san?"

"Maybe you can start with your relationship with Ino? Sounds like you guys are good friends."

"Good friends? She's my sworn enemy! But compared to last time, I guess I don't dislike her as much…" Their bedroom conversation carried well into the breaking of dawn, which ended with Sakura eventually dozing off on the line.

"Goodnight Sakura, it was fun talking to you."

Forget Sakura, my eyes are literally closed as I was typing these last words, but a challenge is a challenge, for the sake of you guys, I shall press through! Hope I didn't make Itachi sound like a player – I was kinda drawing references from past phone calls with my exs...