A/N: It really is an amazing feeling to know that you guys like our story. We appreciate it. And the reviews you wrote were awesome! Thanks. Here's the next chapter.
Previously on Teaching Me-
"Since when did you become such a pessimist?" I asked her. She laughed.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to come off like that. But I might be wrong. Maybe your teacher didn't look at you like that. But he did look at you," Tenten said.
But he did look at you.
He looked at me. I'm not invisible to him. I felt a smile forming on my lips. Everyday I feel like we're closer to being something. Something...undescribable.
Chapter Three
On Monday morning I took a huge step. I abandoned my comfort zone and sat at the front of the class. I don't know who usually occupies this seat, but no one said anything. Although someone did ask me if I was new to the class. Seriously.
Mr. Uchiha was busy writing on the chalkboard. I can't believe I didn't notice this before, but he's left-handed. This new fact astonished me. I wonder what else he can do that I don't know. He likes poetry, black coffee...I'm craving to know more about him. He's a mystery waiting to be figured out.
"Yo Sakura, why are you sitting here?" Naruto asked. "You usually sit in the back with me."
"I thought a change would be good for me. You don't have to sit in the front if you don't want to," I replied.
"Are you kidding? I'm sitting next to you. Who the heck am I going to talk to in the back? Definitely not that weird guy who picks his nose every five minutes and flicks the snot off his fingers. It almost hit me once, but luckily I dodged it with my cool spidey skills."
"Yeah Naruto, I remember. I was there," I said. Mr. Uchiha's shirt today is a light green. The sleeves, like always, are rolled up to his elbows and now he's looking at the class...or more specifically, he's looking at me. He's a little surprised to see me at the front but he gives me a smalll, encouraging smile before addressing the class.
"Good morning class. How was your weekend?" Mr. Uchiha asked. There were murmurs from everyone, mostly saying that their weekend was good. "Well, I had a good weekend as well. I got a lot of stuff done, even this pop quiz for you guys," he said. We all groaned.
"Please Mr. Uchiha, don't be like that!"
"Yeah, it's Monday."
"I am perfectly aware what day of the week it is. But you're still taking this pop quiz," he said, passing the small tests out. "I assure you that if you did all your homework, then it should be easy. Okay, you may begin now."
The quiz really was easy. I finished in five minutes. While I was waiting for everyone else to finish, I doodled in my notebook. I glanced up only once and saw Mr. Uchiha typing on his computer. He was staring at the screen as his fingers touched the keyboard buttons. The room was silent except for the clickety-clicks coming from him. He was typing fast and urgently.
He collected the quizzes back once everyone was done. "Okay, today we are going to read a short story aloud as a class. It's 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allen Poe. I want you all to look out for irony, foreshadowing, and symbols. Turn to page 328 in your book please," he said.
I've already read this story before. I don't like it much because it's so obvious what happens in the end. It's still a good story though. The guy was mad and full of vengeance because his friend insulted him.
"Sakura, why don't you start reading," Mr. Uchiha said. I obliuged. I read four paragraphs before he chose someone else to read. I would rather have had Mr. Uchiha read so I could hear his deep, rich voice. That voice filled my stomach with fireflies, lighting me up inside.
Time passed and the bell rang. Everyone started to leave, except for me. "Sakura, you coming?" Naruto asked, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
"Yeah. I'll just be a minute," I said. There were still a few people left, lingering to talk with their friends before their next class started. Mr. Uchiha was sitting at his desk, writing something down in his small, black plan book. Once Naruto left (probably going with Hinata for a hallway kiss) I approached him. I fake coughed, making my prescence known. He looked up, questioning me with his eyebrows.
"Hi Mr. Uchiha." Sasuke, my mind was saying. "I just wanted to come and say that I started reading that one book you recommended to me. I'm only about a third way into it, but so far it's really good," I said.
"And do you comprehend it?" he asked.
"Kinda. Well, the way the author wrote it, it's hard to figure out what's real and what's not. I mean, in the story it is real. But in real life, a lot of things that he wrote about could never happen." Mr. Uchiha nodded his head in understanding.
"Yes, the story does make you wonder," he said. "Are you a realist?" That question caught me off guard.
"Um...I...," I began.
"Oh, shoot. The bell is going to ring soon and my next class is going to arrive. Sakura, get to class and we can continue our discussion later. Okay?" he said, already standing up.
"Okay," I said, happy for later. I left his room, feeling like I accomplished something.
--
"What are you so giddy about?" Hinata asked me as we walked to our science class.
"Me? I'm not giddy. What are you talking about?" I said, trying not to smile. I didn't want to be so obvious that I was excited about something. That "something" involved me talking with Mr. Uchiha later. Although he was very vague, I think he wants me to come to his classroom afterschool. Yes, that must be it.
"Sakura, could it be?" Hinata said. I turned to look at her.
"What?" I said. Does she somehow know?
"You like Gaara, don't you? Are you excited about seeing him in science class?" she asked. Oh no. She's got it all wrong.
"Hinata, no, I don't like Gaara. Honestly, I don't," I said, trying to convince her.
"Are you sure? I saw the two of you getting cozy at the beach," Hinata said, nudging me with her elbow. I involuntarily blushed. Gaara and I were not getting cozy. it was Mr. Uchiha whom I was thinking about when Gaara put his arm around me. But it's not like I can exactly tell that to Hinata.
"Think what you want to think, but I do not like Gaara," I said, entering our science classroom.
"Riiiight," Hinata said, sitting down next to me since we are science partners.
"Honestly," I said.
"Then it has to be someone else. Are you going to tell me?"
"Hinata, there's nothing to tell. Can't someone just be happy?"
"Yes, but not without a reason," Hinata said. "Fine, don't tell me. But I'll find out, who ever it is." I sighed, knowing she would never understand.
Classes went by fast and before I knew it, the last bell rang. Everyone quickly packed their things, anxious to go home or hang out with friends. I was anxious too, but for a completely different reason.
I went to the girls' bathroom to take a look at myself in the mirror. I checked my teeth, grateful I didn't have any food stuck in there. My face was free of any blemishes and today was a good hair day for me. I looked down at my blouse and unbuttoned the first three buttons. Then I buttoned them up again. What was I thinking- seducing Mr. Uchiha with my feminine charms?
I left the bathroom and made my way to Mr. Uchiha's classroom. The door was slightly open; a hesitating invitation. Should I knock? What if I just walked in? No, that would be too rude.
"Is someone there?" Mr. Uchiha asked in that deep voice of his. I could hear his footsteps. Quick Sakura, do something!
"Yeah, it's me, Sakura," I said, opening the door all the way and stepping into the empty classroom. Mr. Uchiha was standing a few feet away from me, a tired expression on his face. "I didn't mean to bother you or anything."
"It's okay. I was just grading the quizzes from today," he said.
I should leave. I know I should leave, but... "Maybe I can help you. Grade the papers, I mean," I offered.
"It's a boring task. I don't know why anyone would want to grade papers," he said, walking back to his desk. I followed him, not wanting to create a distance between us. He handed me a red pen, a stack of quizzes, and the answer key. I sat down at the desk closest to him.
"Actually, I came here because I wanted to answer your question," I said.
"So are you a realist?" Mr. Uchiha asked, looking up from the paper he was grading.
"Well, if I said yes, I'd be lying. Just because I don't believe in something it's not like it doesn't exist. There's a world out there, and I've only seen a small part of it. If I venture out and discover new things, only then do those things exist to me," I said.
"I thought that you said that a lot of things that happened in the book could never happen in real life," he said.
"I did say that, but then I thought about it. Things only become real to me if I experience them, and that's my problem. I'm too narrow-minded, but-."
"But you want to believe in unrealistic things because it lets you escape from your troubles. Am I right?" Mr. Uchiha said. I nodded my head slowly, amazed that he took the words from my mouth. In that moment I wanted to tell him everything; about my mom, her death, and how I was beginning to like him more that a teacher.
"We all have troubles, believe me," he said, more to himself than to me. "Everyone has a past. Some are more pleasant than others, but the truth is, we all wish we could go back and fix things even though they're broken beyond repair."
"Exactly," I said, getting a mental picture of my mother in a hospital bed. She was so pale and she looked fragile.
"Sakura, are you okay?" Mr. Uchiha asked, concerned. I realized I was in a daze, remembering.
"I'm fine," I said, looking down at the quiz I was suppose to be grading.
"Maybe this wasn't the best topic to be discussing," he said.
"Oh man, your third period class is horrible," I said, writing another D.
"Yeah, third period is my worst class. They're just not interested in English," Mr. Uchiha said.
"But your class is so interesting. Our old teacher, Mrs. Hiroshi, was just plain boring. She didn't put any life into her teaching and sometimes she would go all psycho on us and start yelling like a lunatic," I said. That made him chuckle a little.
"Students! Students, settle down! Stop throwing those blasted paper airplanes!" I said, imitating Mrs. Hiroshi's shrill voice. "I want order in this classroom! Do you hear me? Order! Who threw what spitball at me? Where are my pills? Class, be quiet!" Mr. Uchiha was laughing now, no longer grading papers. He was looking at me with an amused expression.
"I didn't know you were a comedic," he said, obviously impressed.
"It's one of the many hidden talents that I have," I said.
"It's just that you don't act like this in class. You're kind of quiet and reserved."
"Well, I do have to play the part of a nerd."
"Sakura, you are not a nerd."
"Yes I am. Can't you tell?" I said in a snorting voice (just like how nerds talk in T.V. shows). Both Mr. Uchiha and I burst into laughter. The moment passed and we calmed down, getting back to the quizzes. To pass the time, we talked about anything interesting that came into our minds: politics, foreign food, literature, and over dramatic soap operas.
"Don't they all end the same? They leave you in suspense and then the episode ends," Mr. Uchiha said.
"Yeah, but people want to know what happens next. A climatic ending keeps the audience watching," I answered. "I'm finish with my stack."
"So am I," he said. Actually, we were both finished like ten minutes ago but we were busy talking. "Thanks for your help Sakura."
"No prob," I said, standing up and putting on my backpack. Mr. Uchiha stood up as well and met me by the doorway. "Well, goodbye Mr. Uchiha. See you tomorrow."
"Likewise," he said. We just stood there idly for a few seconds until he stuck out his hand. I awkwardly shook it, his big hand engulfing my small one. "Bye," he said, letting go. I turned around and left, a small smile on my face.
--
"That's horrible," I said at the dinner table. My dad was just explaining to mw his new case. A mother is being tried as the main suspect of drowning her two little kids. "Are you defending this woman?"
"Yes. She's paying lots of money to prove her innocence," he said.
"And do you think she could have done it?" I asked.
"Honestly, I don't know. Her husband, who is prosecuting against her, doesn't have sufficient evidence," dad said. Some of my dad's cases are just awful. "Anything interesting happen to you today?"
"Not really," I replied, taking a sip of my iced tea. "The schoolyear is almost halfway over and I'll have to start applying to colleges soon." Even though my dad is super proud of me, I know once I go away to college he'll be lonely. It'll be just him in this house. I'm worried about him.
"How fast the years go by. It seems like just yesterday you would pounce on me when I came home from work, begging me to read you a story. We had to be quiet because your mom was resting in bed. Do you remember that?" he said.
"Yeah. You would read aloud to me, talking in wacky voices, just like the characters in the story," I said, laughing. "I actually thought you were the Big Bad Wolf." Dad had to smile at that.
"So what are you painting tonight? The stars again?" he asked.
"Constellations," I corrected him. "I've been working on it for two weeks now and I still have a lot of white canvas."
"Sakura, you are a perfectionist. You like to get in every single, little detail," dad said. Which would clearly explain why I memorize every single thing Mr. Uchiha does. It's not like what he does is interesting, but it fascinates me nonetheless. He fascinates me.
I want so badly to call him Sasuke and not feel like it's a bad thing. He did tell me his first name, but it's not like I can actually use it. How weird would that be?
"...kura. Sakura, dear, it's not polite to stare blankly," dad said.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't realize I was doing that," I said, spreading a gracious amount of butter on my bread. Crap. Why did I do that? Now I have to eat it like that.
--
"So I spent twenty minutes copying some documents that weren't even useful," Hinata said. She had work yesterday at her dad's office building.
"Sucks for you," Naruto said. "Hey, Sakura, you gonna eat that?" He pointed to my chocolate pudding cup. I shook my head no and gave it to him. "Score!" he said, digging into it. My mouth hung open in sheer horror at the sight of Naruto eating. He doesn't chew, no, he gulps food down at an amazing speed. He should be in a World Record book.
"Umm...," I said, distracted by Naruto's incredible intake of chocolate pudding. "What was I saying?"
"You wanted to watch that new movie coming out next week," Hinata said.
"Oh right. I heard it was going to be scary," I said.
"Sounds interesting," Naruto said. "Let's go watch it this weekend."
"I don't know, do you think you can handle it Naruto?" Hinata asked.
"Yeah," he said.
"You had nightmares the last time we saw The Ring," I pointed out.
"Well, that girl was freaky looking," Naruto said. "If you're dead, then you should stay dead. That's all I have to say."
The bell rang and lunch ended. As I walked to my next class, I caught a glimpse of Mr. Uchiha in the teacher's lounge. He was throwing away his lunch which consisted of the remains of a sandwich, potato chips, and a water bottle. Ha! So that's the kind of stuff he eats. It's all healthy, except for the potato chips. I smile, then quickly walk away before he can look up and know I was watching him.
History class was pretty uneventful, except for the small fact that Gaara kept staring at me from across the room. I didn't notice until I looked at the clock (which is also in his direction) and saw that he was staring at me. And quite obviously too. Then...he winked at me! He actually winked. I was so embarrassed and prayed that no one else that. oh God, why me? I didn't ask for this. I don't want Gaara to like me.
I never should have accepted to go on a date with him. Because of that he thinks I'm interested in him. And I'm not.
After class ended, I was the first out the door, not wanting to face Gaara. I thought I was home free until I heard him call my name. Loudly. A few people turned around in the hallway to look at me. If only I could shrink in size...
"Sakura! Yo, Sakura, wait up!" Gaara called out. I stopped.
"Oh, Gaara, was that you calling me? I didn't hear you," I said. Total lie.
"It's ok. So, whatcha doing afterschool?" he asked, walking beside me.
"I have to work," I said, not lying this time. Thank God.
"Oh," he said, sounding disappointed. "Well, I was thinking if you wer-."
"Would you look at the time?" I said, looking at my invisible watch. "Sorry Gaara, but I have to go. my boss can be grumpy if I show up late. Bye."
"Bye," he said, pulling me into a quick embrace. I blushed.
"Bye," I said again, walking to the school parking lot. He did not just hug me.
I drove to the Chocolatte Cafe and parked in the employees section. I saw Tenten's car so I knew she was already here. I entered through the back and put on my apron with my nametag on it. I pulled my short hair into a ponytail, tying it with an elastic. "Hey," I greeted Tenten.
"Hey to you too," she said, cutting out a piece of carrot cake for a customer. "I'm busy right now, but talk to you later, ok?"
"Yeah," I said, making a fresh pot of coffee. Lee, another guy who works here, came to talk to me since he wasn't busy. He's the same age as Tenten.
"Sakura, umm...your apron has a stain on it," Lee said.
"Shit. Where is it?" I said, looking down at me. Mr. Takahiro has this policy about hygiene and personal appearance, as in NO dirty clothes. Which includes aprons as well. That is why I wash mine every week.
"Right there," Lee said, pointing to my stomach area.
"How did that happen?" I said, looking at the bluish stain. It contrasted against the white of my apron.
"It looks like it could be blueberry," Lee said on closer inspection. I groaned.
"That's because it is. On Sunday I served some customers blueberry pie and I must've gotten some of it on me. What do I do? Lee, help me out."
"It's not even that noticeable," he said, trying to make the situation better.
"It's okay. Just as long as Mr. Takahiro doesn't see me, I'll be fine," I said.
"Yeah, and if you do see him just duck and hide," Lee said. I rolled my eyes.
"Well, I gotta go and do my job," I said, spotting a group of friends sitting down in my section, being unattended to. "Hello. What can I get you guys?" I asked. The girls wanted iced coffees with lemon cake and the boys ordered vanilla mochas. I wrote everything down with a smile and went back behind the counter. Once I gave them their order seven minutes later I saw Tenten at the counter, not busy.
"Sakura, guess who I just saw?" she said excitedly.
"I don't know. The pope?" I said, washing my hands in the sink.
"No. Your insanely hot English teacher," Tenten said.
"Mr. Uchiha?" I said, turning around. I saw him. He was here. He was sitting at a table near the windows. Right now he was looking outside, admiring the flowers. "When did he come in?"
"While you were serving those people," Tenten said. "He must sure like coffee a lot. Oh look, those girls are ogling him." I narrowed my eyes at those girls. Don't they know it's rude to stare at people like that? Sasuke was oblivious to it all.
"Guess I better get his order," I said, starting to walk towards him, but Tenten stopped me.
"Sakura, you can't. That's Lee's and Kuri's section. They'll take care of it," she said.
"Right," I said smiling, trying to cover up my disappointment. I saw Kuri go over to Sasuke and...is she flirting with him? She is! I just saw her flip her hair oh-so-casually. How many seconds would it take for me to go where she is and rip off all those dead proteins on her head. But what right do I have to be jealous? He's just my teacher.
And I might actually be falling (deeply) for him. Is there no end to this bottomless hole that I'm falling into? I don't want to hit the ground and have to face reality; Mr. Uchiha is my teacher and I am his student. That's it. There's nothing more. But I just can't leave it at that. I don't know where I'm going with all this, but for once, I've met someone who makes my legs go weak and my stomach flip-flop.
"Kuri is just making a fool out of herself. Can't she tell that he's not interested?" Tenten said. "Besides, I bet he already has a girlfriend."
"He's just annoyed," I said.
"Hm? How do you know?"
"Because he comes here alone for a reason. Mr. Uchiha likes the quiet, but Kuri's non-stop flirting and talking isn't helping him enjoy it. Also, he wants his coffee now and Kuri is just standing there, yakking away," I explained.
"Wow. I never would have guessed," Tenten said. "Are you sure you're not doing a research paper on Mr. Uchiha?"
"No. Why?"
"You're really observant."
"No I'm not. I'm just stating the obvious."
"It wasn't obvious to me," Tenten said.
"I need to go to the bathroom," I said, changing subjects. I didn't really need to go so I just stayed there for two minutes before coming out.
"Sakura," I heard Mr. Uchiha say. "Can you come here?" I nodded my head as I walked to his table. Kuri was gone.
"Hi Mr. Uchiha," I said, dazzling him with my smile.
"Hello. I was wondering if you could give me another cup of coffee, if you don't mind. The other girl put sugar in mine and I, well, I don't like my coffee sweet," he said.
"Yeah, sure," I said, grabbing the still full mug. "I'll be back in a second." I went to the back of the counter and grabbed a new mug, pouring just coffee and nothing else. I decided to give Mr. Uchiha a muffin. A muffin isn't sweet. I ignored Tenten as she gave me a look of disapproval. "Here you go," I said to Mr. Uchiha.
"Thanks, but I didn't ask for a muffin," he said, slightly confused.
"It's okay. It's on the house," I said, placing the muffin next to his coffee. "Or do you not like muffins as well?"
"No, I do," Mr. Uchiha said. "See?" Then he picked up the muffin and bit a chunk off it, chewing. He smiled at me when he was done swallowing.
"Okay, I believe you," I said, leaving to attend other people. I came back to his table to refill his cup. Mr. Uchiha was writing a letter it seemed. "Who are you writing to?" I asked, not thinking. I mentally slapped myself for being nosy.
"My brother," he replied, not mending my nosiness. "He lives in Osaka with his fiance. I like to keep in touch with him as much as I can."
"Oh," I said. I had no idea he even had a brother. Then realization hit me. Hard. I practically don't know anything about Mr. Uchiha. "What does your brother do?" I asked.
"He works in construction," he said.
"So he builds houses?" I said, making sure.
"No, he's a landscaper."
"Wow," I said. They make a lot of money. (I know this because one of my dad's friends is a landscaper.) Then I felt kinda bad because Mr. Uchiha's job as an English teacher in a prestigious high school doesn't sound as interesting as being a landscaper. I decided it was time to change the subject. "I went to India during the Fall Break. Did you know that the people there believe in reincarnation? I think It'd be cool to live again in a different body. But I would want to rebirth as a bird."
"Why?" Mr. Uchiha said, looking at me with inquisitive eyes. He was unduly curious to hear my response.
"So I can fly," I answered, spreading my arms on either side of me. He stared at me for the longest time, a smile slowly forming on his lips. I put my arms down to my side.
"That was the most meaningful thing I've ever heard," Mr. Uchiha said. "You're not even done with this life and you're already thinking about the next. A bird, what a beautiful choice."
"Thanks," I said, trying not to blush. "I've never really told anyone that, but it's been in my mind for a long time. I thought it was just a stupid idea, but I held onto it."
"Well, I'm gla-."
"Sakura!" Tenten yelled. "I need your help! The coffee machine doesn't work."
"Umm...I have to go," I said to Mr. Uchiha.
"Yeah," he said, "I didn't mean to stop you from working."
"No, it's okay," I said, walking to Tenten. "The coffee machine doesn't work? That's odd." I looked at it then noticed it wasn't plugged into the outlet. "Who unplugged it?" I said, plugging it in.
"I don't know," she said. "Weird, huh?"
"Tenten.."
"Hm?"
"Did you unplug it?"
"Me? No. Why would I?"
"I don't know," I said, looking at Mr. Uchiha. He was stuffing his letter into a white envelope. The sight of his tongue licking the sticky part of the envelope sent shivers up and down my body. His tongue looked wet and wonderfully pink. Does it feel soft?
"Lee, go give that guy his check," Tenten said. "I think he's ready to leave now."
"OK," he said, walking to Sasuke and handing him his check.
"Sakura, I think you're overworking yourself. Maybe you should take the weekend off," Tenten suggested.
"Tenten, I'm perfectly fine," I said, waving at Mr. Uchiha as he walked out the door to his car.
--
I mixed my indigo and violet to create a darker shade that was almost black, but not completely. I painted the night sky, trying to make it look endless. I already finished painting a couple of constellations, like the Big Dipper, but my canvas was still incomplete. I stood up from my stool and concentrated.
The air was cool and I could hear the music of crickets chirping, their song settling me to ease. The overall mood was calm. I dipped my brush again into the paint. Where shall I put this painting in my studio? I'll worry about that later. Right now, this is what matters. Me, my brush, and the stars.
My thoughts drifted to many things. Mr. Uchiha in particular. Another week has gone by and I'm still excited everytime I see him. This isn't normal. I'm not even trying to fight my feelings. You know why? I'm falling in love with Mr. Uchiha and I'm not going to hold back. This sounds crazy...but, I think he might like me too. I'm not stupid. I can sense it. He's just trying to fight it, but it's not working. He may be scared to make the first move, but I'm ready. I want him to know that.
--End of Chapter Three--
A/N: Please review because we want to get at least 20 reviews before updating again. This story is quite interesting to write. We've never written a story like this before and we have NO idea how it's going to turn out. We're just as curious as you are.
DarkAngelz99
P.S. Thanks again for actually reading this story and enjoying it so much. We were kinda a bit discouraged when we first thought of this because, quite frankly, we thought it was going to suck bad.
P.P.S. Beware of trains. One of our classmates died by getting hit by a train. Not to gross you out with details, but the police are still trying to find the rest of his body. It's a tragic way to die, really.