Beautiful People

Chapter 20: Courageous on Thursday.

Beta: strawberries and napkins

"What?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "I said, 'that's my journal'. What's the big deal?" She gives me this pathetic look and takes a deep breath. Then she smirks at me.

"Well? Sakura had to get the idea from someone, didn't she? It was actually only for fun—you know, something to do after Sasuke left." Then her eyes dart from left to right, like she was looking for someone. I do the same, but I'm not sure what's she looking for either.

Then I look down at my hands, where the book is. It's much nicer than mine; a deep navy blue instead of black and it's embroidered with lily patterns. Looking at it made my stomach queasy—to think that my journal could be in the hands of anybody right now. And I had just abandoned it.

I shook my head solemnly. "What did you write about?"

She tapped her chin. "Oh, you know, normal stuff. Sasuke's disappearance, all you guys, Naruto's 'thing'…" She trailed off when my face suddenly contorted at the mention. Cautious, she laughed and waved her hand dismissively. "It was more of a diary than a journal, you know?"

Ino sighed and started twirling her hair around one finger. "I kinda just decided when I found out about Sakura that maybe since it was helping me out, it could help her out too. With…yeah. It's kinda what brought us together." I recognize the starry look in her eye.

"You love her still, don't you?" It wasn't really a question. She nodded and then gathered up her limbs, resting her chin on her knees.

I patted her on shoulder. "I'm really sorry, Ino. Honestly, I am. I came her because I was hoping that I could fix this and somehow—"

"Honestly, Hinata," she said in a flat tone, "haven't you learned to stop meddling in other people's relationships?"

I shrunk back, hurt. She glanced at me through the corner of her eyes and then the boxes that surrounded us, as if she were calculating something. Then she got up like nothing was wrong and led me back into the house, where we begin the task of collecting more boxes. I wasn't mad anymore; because it's certain that my interference in this would've led to more problems. I mean, there's nothing I could've really said, right?

Maybe I should've just stayed home.

"Ino, I think—"

"Oh, shit." She drops her suitcase of clothing on the ground and it pops open, all of her things covering the ground in less than a few seconds. I look around to see what the big deal was, and then I gulped loudly.

Sakura was home.

She looked at the cart, puzzled. "What the hell is this?" I take in her tone, and it sounds cold and distant. She doesn't even need to ask this question, it's already obvious. My number one worry was what's Sakura thinking about me, now that she's caught me red-handed helping move Ino out of her home.

Ino's body shakes violently, and her eyes widen. I'm watching her resolve crumble right before me. In the heat of the moment, I open my mouth to say something, but when I see Sakura's glossy eyes look dead in mine, I watch her crumble too.

"Only idiots try to leave someone when they didn't even know exactly when they were coming back! I can't believe you!"

Then Sakura burst into tears, right there in front of both of us. I glance at Ino, but she doesn't move. Her eyes well up with tears but I can see that she's been permanently rooted to the ground. I move into action, and with a few quick strides I wrap my arms around my friend, and comfort her. She smells like peaches.

I gently stroke her hair. "Shh, shh, Sakura. It's going to be all right, I promise. It's going to be alright." All I can do is feed her everything I have, the belief that I can fix everything.

But honestly, I don't even think I could believe my own words.

We sat on the couch, all three of us, completely unmoving. It was like none of us knew what to say exactly. Sakura just sat there and sniffled, and Ino was extremely focused on her shoes. And I, I sat in the middle, not sure of what to say exactly.

Finally, I coughed out loud.

"Ino?" She looked up shakily. "I think you should say something."

She snapped on me angrily. "Why should I? So forehead can yell at me because I can't turn into you? I don't even know why she's so upset, I was doing her a favor!"

"I never asked you to pack your stuff and leave!" Sakura shouted back over me, reducing my hearing slightly. Then I was caught in a hail of harsh words, shooting back and forth over me. It was suffocating, and I kept having bits and pieces of my own flashbacks, that kept sending me cold shivers.

"I can't keep doing this! Stop taking this out on me!"

"You just don't understand! I have to bring him back!"

I gripped the sides of my head. All too much. "Stop it, just stop it you two!" When I finish shouting, I pant heavily. Even I'm surprising myself.

They both ceased fire, staring at me like they just realized I was still here.

"Hina-chan…?" Sakura gently placed her hand on my thigh in concern, and although her touch was what I had been longing for since I've returned, I slapped her hand away.

"No! Stop doing that! Can't you see? It's bothering her." I motioned to Ino, who looked like she had been slapped.

I sighed. "This whole thing is getting out of control." I looked at Sakura, first, and gathered all my strength.

"I came here honestly because I wanted to see you again. Sakura, you're my friend…my best friend, and I can't stand to see you upset like this." I grasp her hand, forcing her to face me in the eye.

"But I don't want to be in the middle of this. I can't…" I pause, but only for a moment. "Sakura, I can't be with you. No, I won't be with you, because you don't deserve me, and you never did. There's someone who's been waiting for you, and I think it's time you paid good attention to it, don't you think?"

Her face wasn't like the way I had pictured it. I expected it to twist and scrunch up the way it does when she's about to cry, but instead she closes her mouth in a tight line, and a flash of disappointment crosses her face, but only for a moment.

Sakura pushes my hands away. "I know, Hina-chan. I know." A small smile graced her tear-streaked face.

Ino snorts loudly, her arms crossed over her chest. "Stop acting like your dumb rehearsed lines will solve anything!"

"Yes, it does," I say happily, and then I embrace Ino tightly. "You can't be with Sasuke either. We're all stuck." The moment I said it, I was glad I did. Honesty feels good.

"Idiot! T-That's not the point!" Ino stuttered angrily with a red face as she pushes me away. Immediately, I break out into a fit of giggles. Sakura stares at me incredulously, but when I don't stop, she starts laughing too. Before I realize it, we all start laughing.

Because honestly, it really is funny. All of us, fighting over things we're never going to get, when the very thing we deserve has always been sitting right in front of us. For a long time, I thought I was the only one like this, but when I look to my left and right and see two just as equally stressed out girls beside me, and I feel a bit better. A lot better, actually.

We laugh until the happy feeling bubbling in my stomach begins to hurt.

Ino is the first to talk. "So, who's gonna help me unpack?"

My clothes were ruined with dirt and sweat, but I was beaming by the end of the day. The sun was finally starting to set on all three of us, as I helped Ino move back inside. She owns too much stuff, I swear.

But, seeing the two of them actually talking without yelling was so nice that I offered to take the rest of the boxes so that they could actually do some talking where I wasn't around. I kinda of regret it now, seeing as these boxes were extremely heavy. Especially the last one I was having difficulty carrying in.

I sighed and dropped it as carefully on the floor of their living room. I was about to head upstairs, but a few…interesting noises coming from upstairs stopped me from doing so. I winced, and then forced a little laugh.

"Now that's the way it should be." I giggled to myself, stepping over the number of boxes as I made my way outside. But a note and a book on the center table stopped me.

It was Ino's journal. I inhaled sharply, and picked up the ancient book, turning it over in my hand. Then I reached for the note.

It's been with me through it all, so maybe you could learn a thing or two. Thank you for everything.

Ino

I smiled, and tucked the journal underneath my arm, preparing to walk away again. But then…I stopped and gazed at the beautiful journal between my fingers. I wanted it, badly, all full of secrets, advice, and life lessons I could definitely benefit from. But…

I sighed, found a pen, and flipped the note card over.

Thanks, but I think we both know that there's someone who can benefit from your side of the story, much more than I ever could. Take care of her. See you Saturday!

Hinata

Satisfied, I placed both back on the table, and made my exit, fully content on making it home to my own bed.