Surreal

Chapter Three

"Pass the ball, Uzumaki!"

Sitting alone while the others are all having fun and talking among each other wasn't really my best idea of a play date. Yet here I am, sitting all alone on the grass, watching Gaara and his friends kicking the ball all around the park.

I am actually in a good mood these days but that pretty much didn't stop me from standing alone rather than trying to begin some sort of conversation with someone.

"Um...hey?" When I glanced beside me I was greeted by a pair of muddied shoes that looked a little bit worn out. Moving my eyes upwards, I realized that the shoes belonged to no one other than Inuzuka Kiba.

The brunette grinned at me, the red, canine-shaped tattoos on both his cheeks stretching in the process, "You're Haruno, right?"

I frowned, "Sakura."

"Huh?!"

"Call me Sakura."

His eyes shone in realization, "So, Sakura, mind if I join you?"

I looked at Gaara, unsure of what to do. He looked back, as if sensing my eyes on him. He kept glancing from me to Kiba and then shrugged as if to say "Go for it".

So I smiled up at the dog loving boy, inviting him to sit down.

"Why are you not sitting with the girls?" he asked.

I shrugged, looking at said group of girls, "Well I don't know them that much and-"

"-Oh my God! Sasuke-kun is so hot in these shorts!" Yamanaka Ino squealed, causing the other fan girls around her to do the same.

"And because of that," I finished my sentence that was cut off rather rudely by the screaming of the females.

Kiba threw his head back, laughing at the little scene, "Yeah, I feel ya! But who invited them anyway?"

"Don't look at me!" I raised my hands in defense.

He chuckled a little, "You didn't say you were funny."

Am I? That comment really warmed me up and made me all giddy in the inside. I grinned at Kiba, something I didn't do in front of anyone, anyone, except for Gaara. "You never asked!"

He flashed me one of his silly smiles and at that moment, I really felt special. I felt that I can do anything, anything and everything.

All thanks to my recent change. All thanks to my dreams.

"Inuzuka!" A deep voice shouted causing me and Kiba to jump in surprise. Uchiha Sasuke looked at both of us, "It's your turn."

"Gee, man! You don't have to be so loud! You're right in front of me!" Kiba bit out, exasperated. He turned back to me, smiling at me playfully, a total difference from when he was talking to Sasuke, "I'll talk to you later, Kay?"

Once I nodded, he left away in a flash, leaving me with Sasuke.

Now I was really nervous. Because first, this is Uchiha Sasuke. Second, he was staring at me and that in itself made me really anxious. Third, if the hateful glares of his fan girls weren't nerve racking to you, I don't know what would!

"I'll go buy some more water bottles," the soft voice of Hyuuga Hinata could be heard in the distance.

In my state of nervousness and anxiety, I would have taken any road of escape from the staring eyes. And that's exactly what I did, "Uh...I'll help!" I declared.

Hinata and I walked mostly in silence. You wouldn't expect a conversation between a bashful girl and a loner. The trip to the supermarket wasn't that long. We grabbed a couple of water bottles, paid for them, and then went back.

"I'm sorry about the glares you received from Ino and Karin," her cheeks turned to the palest shade of pink. "Believe me, they are very friendly but when it comes to Sasuke..." she trailed off, knowing that I already got what she's talking about.

I nodded, "It's okay. It's just that I'm not used to anyone staring and all."

She giggled, "Yeah. Sasuke-san is just so intimidating. If I was in your place I'd probably faint!"

Wow. This day is really weird. First, I get to talk to Kiba. And now Hinata, too? I should have made this little trip a while ago.

"You're very nice, Sakura. I don't know why the students treat you like that and call you a freak," she frowned. "You know, I would really like us to be friends!"

My eyes widened drastically. My face flushed with happiness and I couldn't help the growing hope inside of me.

"Good game, Sabaku," Nara Shikamaru slapped Gaara's back and took a bottle from the four I was holding. "Thanks," he muttered to me and then walked away.

"You seem to be on the social side today," Gaara muttered.

I laughed giddily, "Kiba is just so nice and lively! And would you believe that Hinata asked to be my friend? Me?!"

Gaara's lips twitched into the tiniest of smiles, "I'm glad."

Me too. It's really funny how just yesterday I would have immediately shied away from saying a word to anyone but right now I just want to go and talk to everyone I see. Except maybe for the ebony eyed boy that is nearing us right now.

"Hn. I want a bottle," Sasuke demanded as he walked up to me.

Gaara looked irritated as he glared intensely at the Uchiha. "At least be polite," he snarled.

Sasuke smirked at him, his eyes flashing dangerously, "Make me."

I found this the perfect time to interfere into their little bickering before it escalated into something bigger. Quickly, I moved in front of Gaara before he can move and punch Sasuke in the stomach or something. "Here's your bottle," I squeaked out, handing him the water. But I couldn't help and notice how his fingers brushed against mine when he picked the plastic bottle from my hand, causing foreign feelings to pool inside of me.

I blocked Gaara's view as the Uchiha walked away from us.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Gaara shouted at me, angry that I moved in-between them.

I twirled around, facing him, "Me? What were you thinking? We don't want any fights!"

His eyes went a shade darker, "He was treating you like some peasant! I can't just stand there and do nothing!"

My eyes went downwards, "I know."

"Don't let people just walk on you like that!"

I didn't know what to do or say, so I stayed silent throughout his 'lecture'.

He sighed heavily, "Look, Sak, sorry. I just hate his guts."

I faked a smile, "I know. Let's go now, my mom must be worried."

I heard him sigh again but he didn't say anything as we walked away.

Sitting down in front of Daisuke yet again, I started eating my dinner.

"Did you have fun?" I was tempted to yell at him to mind his own business, I really was.

But I was raised with manners, "Yeah." I continued eating my food, praying to God that he will just leave me alone.

"So did you try to befriend anyone or did you just sit alone?" he was teasing me, wasn't he? Would my mom mind if I punch him in the face?

I took the last remaining sip of my soda and stomped my way upstairs. "I'm in my room!" I yelled, making a beeline to said room.

Once I closed the door, I stood in the middle of the bedroom, wondering what to do now. No matter how much I want to sleep, I know that I won't be able to because my mind is running a mile a second. It's twirling around and around, thinking about today's events and the people I got to know today and yesterday's dream.

Yesterday's dream...When mom disappeared and dad was about to join her and all I could do was believe, which surprisingly helped because she came back. She and Gaara and Shizune. And I was going to ask what on Earth was going on?! But then the alarm went off, waking me up for my little play date.

I am sure, very sure, that when I go to sleep, the dream will come again. However, it seems that I wouldn't sleep no matter what I try to do. I just know.

So that brings me back to my current predicament: What to do?

Looking around the room, I spotted my school bag. Well, why the hell not?

Factorise: 32by+24y

=8y (4b+3y)

I squinted my eyes, finally finishing my never ending homework. I yawned loudly; clearly tired from all the essay-writing and the problem-solving I was doing a while ago. Now that my head is off of things, I can finally go to sleep.

I took a quick shower, dressed in my pajamas, brushed my teeth and hair, and then lastly went to bed.

After about fifteen minutes, I realized that my past assumptions were absolutely wrong because I was still awake, thinking about a certain black-haired guy.

Didn't I get over my hopeless crush? I thought I no longer liked the ebony eyed Uchiha! But, for the life of me, I can't stop thinking about him and how he stared at me today and how his fingers lingered against mine more than it should have.

I blushed furiously, shaking my face quickly from left to right, trying to get rid of the vivid images. I will come then to regret shaking my head like that, because I suddenly had a rush of blood towards my brain, that made me slightly dizzy and not one of the flashbacks of Sasuke disappeared.

Seriously, what's going on with me?

The door was cracked open, as if waiting for me to come in. I pushed the door all the way, walking inside the magical, mystical forest that I've encountered just yesterday.

"Oh! You're back," my dad appeared out of nowhere, seemingly really happy. I don't know if my eyes are messing around with me or not, but the place seemed a little...sunnier and more exhilarating than yesterday.

"What are you waiting for honey? C'mon they are waiting for us!" his emerald eyes glistened with mirth.

They? What is he talking about? Does he mean mom, Shizune, and Gaara?

We walked a little farther into the forest, arriving at that gigantic Sakura tree. I realized, with a gasp, that I was correct. Gaara, along with my mother and Shizune, was standing under the shade of the big tree.

What I wasn't anticipating though was the new addition that accompanied those three. Kiba, Hinata, and Sasuke.

"Dad! Why are they here? What's going on? Where are we?" I stopped him in his tracks before we can get any closer to them.

He smiled, "This is what you wished for. You wanted a dream and this is your dream land!"

I looked at him, totally dumbfounded.

After he finished laughing at my dumb expression, which I frowned at, he continued his explanation, "This is your happy place. Whenever you are sad, you can come here. Whenever you are angry, you can come here. You can come here anytime you want by just sleeping."

Huh?! "I-I still don't understand..."

A heavy sigh escaped his lips, "Do you remember your favorite fairy tale? Alice in wonderland?" When I nodded, he continued. "This place is like wonderland. Your ownwonderland. This place contains all your happy memories and the people you trust and love. When you sleep, your soul gets carried away to this magical place because you wished for it."

My mind went back from that day, about a week ago, when I wished upon a shooting star. "Wow...this-it's unbelievable!"

"No!" he flailed his arms all around, "Don't say that! In order for this place to stay like this, you have to believe. Just like Peterpan believed in fairies."

I looked all around me at the perfect scenery in front of me. It was so...magical. I really felt safe and happy here, like I belonged.

A mirthful laugh came rushing out of my mouth, "This is the best fairytale!"

Dad's face stretched into a smile.

Finally, I have entered my fairytale. I am free from all those fears hunting me. I am happy and hopeful for tomorrow. Now I have my secret place to escape to. And I can finally spend time with dad and all the people I love.

Which reminds me, "Did those people wish to be here, too? Are those their souls?"

He ran his fingers through his hair, a little gesture he did when he was asked a lot of questions at the same time, "No and yes. They did not wish to be here, well I did. Yes, these are their souls. But, unlike you, when they wake up, they won't remember a thing."

My brain sucked in everything, a feeling of euphoria running through my veins. I can do anything here. I can finally live my life and be happy. I can finally fly.

Another laugh rocked my body as I ran towards the Sakura tree. I halted just in front of Sasuke, my eyes locking with his.

Viridian clashed with obsidian as he smirked at me triumphantly, "Welcome."

A/N: Um...well I am lazy and school and...I actually have no excuse '-_- SOZ REALLY SORRYYY

Anyway, enjoy the chapter and please leave a review. Also, feel free to correct me if I did any mistake, kay? Do not expect a chapter soon, or expect...I don't even know.

Have a nice week ^^