Back from my hiatus! I graduated college and am now living the city life while working two jobs to pay off student loans (can you tell I based part of this story on my own life? hehe). Let me know if you guys have any advice for meeting people in a new city! I'd love to meet some people that also anime fans, but it can be tricky since a lot of people aren't very open about it.
Once she got back to her dorm, Sakura could barely focus on the open textbook in front of her. She had hoped to study for an upcoming Organic Chemistry exam, but her mind was still going over what exactly had happened earlier.
Sure, she was all for women wearing whatever they wanted, but when it came to her wearing something like that, she couldn't help but pause.
But I do really need money, and Icha Icha has undoubtedly the best money payoff I could get with my limited schedule..
With a glance towards the plastic-enclosed uniform on her couch, she came to the realization that she didn't even know if she would look good in the outfit, much less have the courage to wear it in public.
She sighed, reluctantly stripping down to change.
This is so embarrassing. I don't know how Temari does it...
She tied the white shirt on first, absent-mindedly wondering if she should invest in some safety pins lest a drunk customer tries to untie it on the job. The skirt came next, sitting pretty high on hips. Sakura kept to a pretty regular workout routine (and had the body to prove it), but unforunately her toned bottom had given her a not-so-subtle issue.
Turning around, she openly gaped at how little of her rear the skirt covered. You could practically see her cheeks! Scowling, she focused her attention on pulling up the knee socks and sliding on a pair of black loafers.
This actually doesn't look half-bad.. she mused, giving herself a once-over in the mirror and doing a little twirl. I'm sure I can get used to it, even if it means downing a few glasses of wine before my first few shifts...
The blare of the building's fire alarm shook her from her thoughts.
Ugh! Could this happen at a worse time? she inwardly groaned, pulling on a bathrobe to hide her outfit. The RAs of the building were unforunately very strict, and if she took too long to leave her room and meet at the designated spot, she would get a hefty fine.
Grabbing her phone and keys, she half-jogged out of her room and down the stairs, slowing down once she reached the patch of grass outside where residents were supposed to meet. Eyes searching the crowd for Temari, it only took her a few seconds before hurrying over to her blonde friend.
Gaara stood next to Temari, looking over a textbook while his sister cracked jokes about how the drill was probably over someone's burnt toast or something.
"Sakura!" Temari cheerfully greeted, with Gaara jolting his head up and giving her a slight smile. However, once Temari started looking over her friend's attire, Sakura's heart began to race.
Surely she wouldn't-"SAKURA OMG are you trying on your work uniform? Does this mean you got the job? LET ME SEE!"
Before Sakura could protest, she tore open the robe, her outfit exposed in all its glory. Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she stared at the ground, trying to ignore Temari's cheerful squeal and Gaara's wide eyes. Sakura quickly tied the robe back on.
"Come on, Sakura. If you're not comfortable showing it to people you know, you won't last a day on the job!" Temari groaned.
"It's not that!" Sakura protested. "I just don't want everyone in my dorm to know where I work! It's embarrassing!"
"I guess you have a point," Temari frowned. She turned to her brother. "What'd you think, Gaara?"
"Uh-I..." Gaara stammered out. "It looks nice."
Temari smirked. "See? I don't know why I even offered you the job! You're going to be stealing all the regulars from me."
Sakura rolled her eyes. "You're a lot better at flirting that I am. I don't think you have anything to worry about."
"When's your first shift?"
"Tomorrow."
"Awesome! I work then too. Hopefully I can convince Kakashi to let me do all your training. A lot of our coworkers are huge airheads."
"Great."
The RAs started yelling that the building was safe to return to, so the trio did just that, with Temari walking slightly ahead of the other two.
"Are you sure you want to work there?" Gaara said quietly to Sakura, eyes full of worry. "My sister has told me a lot of horror stories about pervy customers."
"I need the money," Sakura sighed. "If I can survive this, I won't have to worry about debt while in medical school later on."
Gaara nodded, still not quite happy with her response.
"Well if you need me to scare off any creepy guys, you have my number."
Sakura couldn't help but smile at that. Gaara gave off a pretty intimidating aura. "Thanks for the offer."
As they walked up the stairs together, she suddenly realized that if she really wanted to succeed at work, she'd need to invest in a push-up bra.
Pulling into the parking lot, Sakura's stomach was knots as she anticipated what her first day on the job would be like. Although Temari sat a few feet away, she felt like she was heading into a lion's den alone.
When they got out and headed towards the door, Temari gave her a comforting squeeze on the shoulder. "You're going to do great, Sakura! Just think-not only will you save money, but you'll also improve your people skills!"
"I didn't realize they needed improving," Sakura grumbled.
Temari shrugged, holding open the door as they walked in. "Eh, the whole 'strong independent woman' thing doesn't work on everyone. Sometimes you have to pretend to be civil to assholes."
Sakura rolled her eyes, her response cut off by Kakashi rushing over with a twinkle in his eye, giving her an appreciative look.
"Sakura! You look so amazing! I'm so glad to have you as part of the team~" Kakashi grinned, earning a slap on the side from Temari.
"Don't get too fresh with her, pervert," she warned. "She's already taken."
Sakura flushed. Surely she doesn't mean Ga-
"-She's in a serious relationship with her studies. No time for men in her life."
Kakashi chuckled. "Don't worry, Sakura. We have a strict policy against coworker relationships. Let's get you into the office to fill out some tax forms before you start your training with Temari."
Said blonde gave her a thumbs up as Kakashi escorted Sakura into the office in the back. He cleared off a chair for her to sit and slid over a stack of forms to sign.
Focused on skimming over the documents, Sakura almost didn't realize that someone else had entered the office.
"Kakashi, Karin's being weird again. I thought I told you not to scheduele me on the days that she wor-"
Sakura looked up curiously, only to lock eyes with one of the most attractive men she had seen in her 20 years of being alive. Inky black hair contrasted with his pale complexion, and his body was lithe and athletic-looking. His uniform was a darker version of Kakashi's, wearing black slacks and a grey button-up like he had just stepped out of a fashion catalogue.
He broke eye contact first, looking at Kakashi expectantly.
Is he not going to introduce himself? He may be hot, but he certainly does not have manners. Sakura thought bitterly. Thankfully, she kept her composure and went back to filling out her paperwork.
"Sorry about that, Sasuke! I've been so busy, I must have forgotten," Kakashi sheepishly answered. "I'll put her in the section farthest away from you, if that makes you feel better."
"Hn."
Kakashi looked from Sasuke to Sakura and back, giving the boy an exaggerated wink. Sasuke scowled and walked out, dreading the conversation he was bound to have with Kakashi afterwards.
I have the next few chapters lined out, but as always, I'm open to suggestions! A certain someone will play a huge role in the story soon. Can you guess who~? ; )