Querencia

Chapter Seven

Just read, enjoy, have a good laugh or two. Have a tear slip here and there. Get mad at cliffhangers or late updates, and review. Even if it's just a one word review~

Sakura had felt his presence next to her locker as she picked out the books for their next class. Readjusting her glasses, she asked without looking up, "Did you study for our calculus exam? I still can't get that one equation right." When he didn't reply, Sakura looked up from her notes and closed her locker, revealing a downcasted Sasuke leaning against the wall. But what took her by surprised the most was the black pair of frames sitting on the bridge of his nose. She was completely shell-shocked.

Sasuke had never worn his glasses in front of her. She knew that he had them, but the all too proud Uchiha had always wore contacts instead. He claimed that, "only one of them could be the dorky, smart one." And thus far, Sakura had rightfully claimed that title. Until now.

Just as she was about to open her mouth, Sasuke beat her to it, "The contacts haven't arrived yet."

Giggling at his obvious embarrassment, Sakura couldn't but squish his face in between the palms of her hands, to which he attempted to swat away. But after a while, Sasuke simply allowed his lovely best friend to do as she pleased. He matched her delighted expression with his signature stoic one.

"Why don't you look ever so dashing." Sakura sang cheerily.

Grumbling, Sasuke gave her pointed look, "Shut up."

"I got to admit, maybe glasses aren't too bad for you." Sakura continued, smiling widely at his scowling face. Waving her hands around, she said, "Kind of gives you a sexy, CEO aura. You should wear glasses more."

"No."

"Oh, why not?" Sakura exclaimed, jutting her bottom lip out into a pout. "You don't look that dorky in them at all. Not to mention, we can match! The dorky glasses duo. It'll be so cute."

"Uchihas don't do cute." Sasuke huffed.

"Well, too bad, because you're cute." Sakura couldn't help but laugh as he rolled his eyes over the comment. She could tell he was slowly getting annoyed, so Sakura decided that it was time to drop the subject. As they turned and entered into their next class, Sasuke slipped in first. Just as he passed her, she couldn't believe what she heard him whisper.

"You're cuter."

Sakura almost had a heart attack.

.

The Uchihas sure had good taste.

That was all that Sakura could think of as she ran her fingers over the satin material of her floor length gown. It was certainly a daring selection as she look back at her reflection in the mirror. A plunging neckline that made her feel a little more exposed that what she had wanted. A thigh high slit that showed off her nice, toned legs. Making a small turn, she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed by the amount of skin that she was showing as the back of her dress didn't even exist. It was completely open and backless from the top of her shoulders to the base of her spine.

But that didn't mean that she didn't love it. The dress was stunning and beautiful in every way possible. The silver tones in the dress surely brought out the greens of her eyes. And it didn't make her look too washed out. If anything, it brightened up her complexion, making it seem as if she was glowing.

Slipping her feet into the matching pair of silver heels, she made her way out the door.

Sasuke didn't look half that bad either. But who was she kidding, he was always a stunner. The boy looked downright sinful in anything and everything that he wore. And a classic black suit was no exception.

He didn't look up from his phone until he heard the sound her heels clicking against the ground, growing louder as she got closer. The moment he slid his phone into his pocket and faced her, Sakura couldn't help but feel a little warm at the sight of the corners of his lips turning upwards. It was his way of smiling anyways. And it had meant the world to her.

.

The gala was in full motion by the time that they had arrived. And Mikoto was the first to spot them as they entered the grand ballroom.

Enveloping Sakura into a warm hug, she gushed at how beautiful she looked. "Sasuke had told me to keep it simple but I couldn't resist dear. And I was correct, you look absolutely breath-taking, sweetie."

"Thank you for the dress, Mrs. Uchiha." Sakura smiled. "I love it alot."

Waving her hands absently, Mikoto shushed her. "Oh, Sakura. Stop calling me that already. Mikoto is perfectly fine. You've been with our family long enough." Urging Sakura to make a turn, so that she can see all of it, Mikoto couldn't help but gush again over at how beautiful she looked.

It had gotten to a point where Sakura was starting to blush at all of her compliments. Taking that as a que, Sasuke slipped in and placed two hands onto her shoulders, pushing her away from his embarrassed best friend. "Alright, Ma. I don't think Sakura can handle anymore gushing."

As the two Uchiha moved away and into the center of the gala, Sakura decided to stick to the outskirts of the ballroom and grabbed a drink from the refreshment bar. But before she could even take a sip of her drink, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she came face to face with a brunette she had never seen before.

Beating her to the question, the brunette asked with a raised eyebrow. "How did you get that dress?"

And with those words, Sakura couldn't help but groan internally. She did not have the patience to deal with stuck up corporate princess right now. And this girl was already rubbing her in all the wrong ways even though she had barely said anything.

Not even letting Sakura answer the initial question, the brunette exclaimed, "It's not even out in stores yet. There's a long waitlist for it. And I would know because I'm on it. " Looking at Sakura up and down, the girl crossed her arms across her chest in a weak attempt to make herself more superior. "Who are you anyways?"

"Someone of the Uchiha Family," a gruffly voice behind them spoke up.

Sakura saw the girl's eyes widen in shock before averting her gaze down to the floor, head bowing. It was then that she decided to turn around to take a look at who could have caused the brunette such a fright. And her heart nearly jumped into her throat at the sight of Fugaku. Following the girl's actions, Sakura also bowed her head.

Sakura listened with her head still bowed as the head of the Uchiha household exchanged a few words with the girl before shooing her away.

"You can lift you head."

Lifting her head to look at him in the eyes, she greeted him politely, "Good evening, Mr. Uchiha."

He nodded in return. Taking a quick glance at her attire, he frowned, "My wife sure was daring in choosing a dress like that for a corporate charity event…"

Not sure how to reply to that, Sakura simply kept quiet. Then it became unbearingly silent. The two didn't exchange any words during those few minutes. Unable to handle his intimidating look any longer, Sakura averted her eyes away from his face. The bright chandeliers look a lot more interesting in that moment.

Then breaking the unbearable silence, Fugaku shocked her out of her stupidor by laughing loudly, catching the attention of a few bystanders. Waving her in, he said, "Oh, come here and give me a hug already."

After returning the hug, Sakura was shocked to see a smile appear on his lips.

"Don't give me that look child. I'm not always intimidating as I'm put to be." Fugaku patted her shoulder sympathetically. "I wouldn't have gotten my wife if I acted like Sasuke all the time."

Sakura couldn't help but laugh at that comment. He wasn't wrong.

"How's school?"

"Oh, great!" Sakura couldn't help but feel excited as he asked that question. "Surprisingly, the last couple weeks aren't too bad."

"That's good to hear," he commented, taking a sip from his wine glass. "I heard you and my son will be attending Konoha University in the fall."

"Yeah, they have a really amazing pharmacy program. And a business program as well. Not to mention it's closer to home."

Fugaku nodded. "That's good." Just as he was about to say something else, Mikoto called out for him. Raising his hand, he told her he would be over in a moment. Facing back to Sakura, he gave her one last reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You'll do great. If you need anything, don't ever hesitate to ask."

.

Not long after his dad had left her, Sasuke appeared again at her side. "What did my dad talk to you about?"

Startling her, Sakura choked on her drink. Coughing a few times, she spluttered, "College."

Eyebrows furrowing at the sight of her body wracking with coughs, Sasuke took the drink out of her hand and placed it on a table nearby. With her face all flushed from the coughs and eyes completely watery, she turned to face him. "You seriously need to stop scaring me like that." Fanning her face, she coughed a couple more times. "Trying to kill me aren't you."

"Hn." Sasuke rubbed her back apologetically. He hadn't meant to give a scare like that. Had he known that, he would have announced his arrival in a different way. Glancing at her overly watered eyes, he reached up with his thumb and carefully wiped away the excess tears, careful not to ruin her makeup.

"Thanks," Sakura accepted the tissue that he had extended out to her. Dabbing her eyes a couple of times, she assured him that she was perfectly fine. Before he could ask her one more time, whether she was okay or not, she grabbed his hand and dragged him out to the dance floor. "I'm fine, I promise! Stop fretting like you're my dad or something, Sasuke."

At that comment, she could already sense the scowl that was making its way onto his handsome face. Giggling, Sakura turned around and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh, come on. Cheer up, Sasuke. This is my favorite song. And I believe you owe me a dance after almost killing me like that."

Rolling his eyes in annoyance at her over exaggeration, Sasuke sighed. But he didn't resist. Instead, he slipped his hands onto her hips and allowed her to lead them into the dance.

{A/N}: Not as how I had imagined it in my head but I hope it's up to your guys' standards. I'll be updating again on Monday~ 'Til then let me know what you think. Let those reviews flow in. Make my 9am shift tomorrow a little more bareable...

Thank you to: Larshapeach, Shannon Rei D. Sumner, Emily da great, xxnikaxx, LuminaJu, ILoveSxS, RansomeNote, FlowSoreto, MademoiselleRED, leiyn, ReinaMoon, and a guest anon.