In the row below Saarah stared at her paper. She was extremely nervous. She was sitting next to Sasuke-kun, and taking a quiz where she had no idea what the answers were.
Sasuke glanced over at her, seeing how nervous she was. He wanted to laugh, but he continued on his quiz.
"Damn!" Saarah cursed quietly to herself, "It's my own fault for not paying close attention this unit! I should've seen this coming! Baka, baka, baka!" She punched herself repeatedly in the forehead.
"What's the matter Saarah-chan?" Hinata whispered, sitting next to her.
"Hinata-chan! I'm a major baka! I have no clue what any of these answers are!"
"Sorry," Hinata replied, "There's nothing I can do for you."
"Maybe there is, Hinata-chan!" Saarah thought in her mind. A devious smile crept upon her face. Saarah threw her pen near Hinata.
Hinata went to pick it up.
Saarah glanced at her paper, copying down answers at the same time.
"Here, Saarah-chan," Hinata said, "It seems like you dropped your pen."
Saarah smiled un-genuinely. "Arigato, Hinata chan."
As Hinata went back to her work, Saarah's smile quickly faded.
"Fair enough. I got the first sixteen out of the way. Four more to go!" Saarah thought.
"Ten more minutes class." Iruka sensei informed.
"Who were the first explorers to sail the sea of…" Saarah stopped. She knew that answer. She quickly finished her quiz and set her pen down.
"Times up!"
Everyone dropped their pen.
…
It was Thursday now.
Sakura waited outside for Naruto, who was conferencing with Iruka about his below average quiz grade.
Saarah stopped outside of the school on her way out. She made sure she had everything. She checked her watch. 3:15. She started walking. A hand touched her shoulder to stop her.
Sasuke. Sasuke Uchiha. Dammit.
"Sasuke-kun…" She said twisting her hair, "what do you need?"
"Saarah, I have something you need to see." He said, very serious.
Saarah put her hand down and frowned. "What is it?"
"Follow me."
Saarah and Sasuke walked.
As they were walking, Sasuke explained, "It's about Lee. Got a clue why he was absent today?"
"No…I'm worried."
"See for yourself." Sasuke said opening the door to the Konoha Hospital.
Saarah walked in. The pit of her stomach was screaming.
"Rock Lee." Sasuke said to the woman at the desk. He leaned on the ledge of the desk.
"Room 14B." she said.
They walked up the hallway.
"Lee?" Saarah said opening the door.
Lee sat up. "Saarah! And…Sasuke?"
"That's right, Henjin."
"Lee…what happened to you?"
Lee was in a hospital bed. His left leg was held upwards and was casted. His right arm was covered in bandages and his left arm was casted. "I…Uh…"
"He was hit by a car. A very small car. His injuries aren't that severe. He'll be out in twenty days." Sasuke informed.
"What? Twenty? The competition's in…"
"Nineteen days. You're out a partner."
"But…does that mean if I can't find another one…I'll have to…"
"Forfeit."
"I am sorry, Saarah! I really am!" Lee exclaimed.
"It's not your fault Lee. It's not like you can recover faster."
"Look, I know you're hurt now, but this doesn't mean you have to give up, Saarah." Lee said, nearly crying.
"Lee, I will. I'll find another one…I promise. And I never break promises, Lee."
"Such determination…kinda like…Naruto…" Sasuke thought.
Saarah hugged Lee and told him not to strain himself.
Sasuke said goodbye to Lee, too. He also offered to take Saarah home.
She accepted and they walked together.
"Look, what Über Brows said is right. Don't give up on yourself... I'm sure, if she was still here…" He said, "Mrs. Michiko would've said the same. They reached Saarah's house.
Saarah had never heard Sasuke talk like that. "I-I won't. Thanks Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke nodded and went on, toward his home.
Saarah blushed dramatically as she watched him leave. "Hottie." She said to herself.
She opened the door and said hi to her dad and six year old brother, Buraindo (Buri). Buri was born blind, as Saarah's mother was. She went to her room and shut the door.
"Tomorrow," She began, "I'll set out for a new partner."