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SURVIVING MY OWN STUPIDITY

Chapter 8

Her Epiphany

I quietly ate my breakfast with my eyes on this delicious Western dish, determined not to take even a glance at the guy who slept on my bed last night.

"Sakura?" I look up to Mikoto-san whom I noticed was really serious right now.

"Yes, Mikoto-san?" I managed to say under her no-nonsense stare.

She put down her utensils and straightened her back without turning her gaze away from me. "I need to inform you about my grudge against liars. And this stupid son of mine," I had a feeling she was referring to Sasuke without her acknowledging his presence, "despite my hate for liars, kept lying to me."

"O-Okay..." I gulped.

"And just so you know, my otouto was hit by kaa-san's huge fist earlier because of lying. If you'd feel the back of his head, you'd be scared at how huge the bump there." Itachi-niisan said seriously.

A while ago, I was feeling nervous, but now? I'm totally terrified. I'm being scrutinized by their unwavering scary gaze.

Whatever Sasuke-kun did, he should've told the truth and not-

"Do you, by any chance, know where Sasuke slept last night?"

I froze and felt the blood drain from my face. I just managed to mutter a quiet "Uh?"

The air in the dining room was too heavy and eerie that I'm sweating profusely.

Mikoto-san didn't so much budge from her stern position. Her eyes narrowed at Sasuke-kun (the first time she unpleasantly acknowledged his presence) then smiled all-too-sweetly at me. "I hope you wouldn't lie just to protect this stupid son of mine."

My eyes darted to Sasuke-kun who was quietly eating and completely ignoring me being grilled by his scary mother.

"Well you see Sakura-chan..." She demanded for my attention by hitting the dining table once. "...when I wake up every morning, I make sure to check on my sons before leaving. Imagine my surprise when- for the first time!- this stupid son of mine was not in his room! My goodness! What a disgrace!" She closed her eyes and massaged her temple. "I was so disappointed that my stupid youngest son slept somewhere without telling anyone in his family. The horror!"

But we're completely innocent! The only thing off is that I woke up this morning ON the bed when I vividly remember how I fell asleep kneeling on the bedside.

'Let's get to know each other, ne Sasuke-kun?'

Blood rushed to my face and the dining room suddenly became warm which was definitely impossible considering that the mansion has a centralized air conditioning.

Geez. What evil spirit possessed me to say those embarrassing words? It's a good thing Sasuke-kun's sleeping when I said that.

Speaking of that bastard, I didn't see him in my room this morning. There's no proof that he slept there except the fact that my memory is totally amazing. Me remembering everything is enough to prove that he really was there.

I smiled sheepishly. 'He even moved me to the bed.'

"Sakura-chan?" Itachi-niisan's voice beside me snapped me out of my ridiculous thoughts.

I looked up and saw that all four Uchihas are looking at me weirdly.

Then I realized that I was daydreaming with a stupid grin on my face. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I remembered something pleasant. What was it again?"

Mikoto-san sighed and leaned her back against her chair. "I was talking about Uchiha Rule #23 which states that 'Nobody is allowed to sleep in other people's houses unless otherwise given the permission to do so by the authority.'"

"And she's the authority." I heard Itachi-niisan whisper to me.

"My goodness. The pain that this stupid son of mine causes is unbearable." She sobbed. "The one thing that I ask of you my sons is to follow those 100 Uchiha Rules! Is that so hard?! Oh Fugaku, where have I gone wrong?"

'100 Uchiha Rules? Scary...'

"Mikoto, it's alright. You did nothing wrong. It's not our fault this stupid sone of ours is too proud to follow our rules. We haven't done anything wrong in raising him. It's his stupid choice." Fugaku-san held her hand on the table.

I saw from my peripheral vision how Itachi-niisan nodded in agreement. "You're too arrogant, otouto. You stupid son of kaasan and tousan."

I watched everyone insult Sasuke-kun.

It wasn't his fault... He was waiting for me right? That's why he fell asleep. If only I didn't take my time walking, he wouldn't have fallen asleep and he wouldn't have to be called 'stupid son of mine', right?

He was just looking out for me and all I gave him was trouble.

Sasuke-kun...

Itachi-niisan tsked. "You really are a stupid so-"

I slammed my hands on the table and stood up. "Please stop calling him stupid!"

Determined, I looked at their faces. Wide eyes, check. Mouth gaping, check. Utensils in mid-air, check. They won't seem to respond anytime soon.

I took a deep breath. "Sasuke-kun was in my room last night so please stop calling him stupid. He didn't break rule #23. He still follows your family rules so please... don't be mean to him."

Their reactions doubled. Wider eyes, jaws dropping and utensils fell noisily on the table.

"That's all." I dropped my behind on the cushioned chair.

A few moments of eerie silence of just hearing my pounding heart almost killed me.

I was looking at them, determined to defend Sasuke-kun.

"Is... Is that true, Sakura-chan?" I heard Mikoto-san asked hesitantly.

I closed my eyes, ready to hear my impending doom. "Yes, Mikoto-san. I'm so so-"

"Well why didn't you say so earlier? Mou, we've called Sasu-chan 'stupid son of mine' too many times. This is so humiliating!" Mikoto-san pinched Sasuke-kun's left cheek and laughed. "Were you angry? Ah, you are too sensitive for your own good, my dear Sasu-chan."

Itachi-niisan laughed heartily and throw his table napkin to Sasuke-kun's face. "My otouto's growing up. He's a man now! You should've told us! We should've been celebrating by now! Ha ha!"

Fugaku-san nodded, an air of pride surrounding him. "I'm so proud of you, son. I was wondering when you would give up your virginity. And it's in our mansion! You did great! How many rounds did you-"

"I bet eight!" Mikoto-san exclaimed happily.

"Hn. He came from school so I think he's tired. So five for me." Fugaku-san rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Itachi-niisan chuckled. "You're underestimating my otouto's stamina. He's young so I bet fifteen!"

"What's at stake here? I'm betting a year's worth of spa and massage in the Carribean!" Mikoto-san stood up in excitement.

The three argued about how many rounds did Sasuke-kun and I last. Last what? Rounds? We weren't playing any game so why would there be rounds? What are they talking about?

"A-Anou... what are you talking about?" I tried to ask them but they were yelling at each other. "Uhm, Itachi-niisan... Mikoto-san... anou... Fugaku-san..."

"What era were you born, huh? They're arguing about how many rounds of sex we did." Sasuke-kun told me.

I gaped at his answer and felt heat rise up to her scalp. "E-Eh! But we just slept!"

Sasuke-kun just tsked. "Try telling them that. This is why I didn't want to tell them. Geez."

"I'm sorry." I cleared my throat and continue eating.

He just smirked at me.

"Ha... ha ha ha ha!" I gaped when I saw Mikoto-san and Itachi-niisan laughing uncontrollably. Even Fugaku-san was chuckling.

I faced Sasuke-kun who was still smirking but now with mirth shining in his onyx eyes.

What the hell is wrong with these people? I yelled at them, scolded them, and they laugh at me? I was even thinking of how I should pack my things once I finished eating.

I can't believe this.

'Mom in heaven, at the age of nineteen, the family whom I'm living with thought that I did something inappropriate with the youngest member of their family and they're betting how many rounds we lasted.'

Oh God help me.

Time passes by so fast that I realized-after looking at the calendar- that I've been living with the Uchihas for two months now.

Who would've thought I'll be able to live in thus mansion full of crazy (but loving) people. I'm also used to Itachi-niisan whose favorite past-time seems to be teasing Sasuke-kun, and unfortunately, I got teased in the process. Fugaku-san always ask me if I'm comfortable in anything and does everything in his power to do it. One time he installed a really huge couch in my room and asked me if it's alright and I made a little comment about how I nearly tripped because of its size, he immediately called some workers and told them to change it to something smaller and prettier. I'm thankful for his hospitality. Before my shifts in my part time job as a waitress (or nurse during weekends), Mikoto-san would drag me to spas, malls, salons, and even in business meetings. She reasoned that since I'm going to be her Sasu-chan's future wife (I have no idea how she got that assumption), I have to learn everything in their business but I really don't understand anything during those meetings. I'm more into Itachi-niisan's field of work (he's a doctor).

Speaking of Sasu-chan- err, I mean Sasuke-kun, he's been so attentive that we looked like a couple. He drops me off my classroom and picks me up after dismissal. He brings my bento whenever I forgot to bring it (he now eats with a bento, saying that homemade food is better than any restaurants'). He watches me when I sleep on the rooftop. He also gives me snacks when I sleep late to study and studies with me. It's hard to be angry at him for too long 'coz he's too sweet for his own good whenever he lets his guard down. But most of the time, the pole in his ass is too deep that he doesn't even talk to me! (Talk about being moody). He's adorable... but arrogant... and thoughtful... but stern... and handsome... but a bastard... Sigh.

And I admit that girls are being swept off their feet just by looking at him and his get-out-of-sight-bitch attitude.

And right now? I really wish he wasn't as attractive as he is.

I really have no idea how I got into this mess and Kami-sama, I could definitely use some knight in shining armor right now.

"Haruno-san? Are you okay? Did you hear what I just said?"

I was walking through the lobby when all of a sudden I was pulled by this person to the back of the school.

My eyes wandered to this busty red head in front of me. She's pretty, I believe it's only because of those expensive cosmetics from abroad. I also think she picked the wrong size of uniform to buy. Her bust was on the midst of getting out of the confines of her two-size-smaller blouse. The same with her ultra-mega-micro-mini skirt, one slight bend and everyone can see what's under it.

I kept my cool facade. "I'm fine, Akihara-san. I heard everything that you told me loud and clear."

"O, that's good! So? When are you gonna arrange me a date with Sasuke-sama?" She asked cheerily.

"U-Uh... that's..."

Her pale blue eyes narrowed at my hesitation. "Are you playing with me, Haruno-san? Because I'm not and I don't care if you're living with Sasuke-kun because when I'm done with you, he wouldn't recognize your ugly face."

I gulped. What is it with Sasuke-kun and everyone's willing to kill a girl who's close to him?

This is pathetic. My mom didn't raise me to be afraid of rich spoiled brats who use their family fortune to torture others.

I inhaled deeply and met this bitc- I mean girl's eyes. "Well, why don't you do it now? You can do that without hiring someone, right? Or are you scared that you're the one who's gonna be unrecognizable after this?"

Akihara snarled at me (I'm telling you, she's ugly and scary) and made a move to grab my ponytailed hair.

But I stopped her by raising my right handand giving her a sweet smile. "Just to warn you, I don't do cat fights. I've been training under Tenten, Hyuuga Hinata AND Hyuuga Neji, if you're familiar with them. And they told me that I'm skilled enough to become Tsunade-sama's apprentice. Oh, and Shizune-san watched me train and agrees."

Booby girl took a step back.

I prepared myself and showed her my fighting stance. "That incident with those two bitches and their lady wrestlers won't ever ever EVER happen again!"

"Y-You bitch! I-I'm gonna get you for this! Y-You're going to pay!" She yelled and ran away.

After a few minutes, my legs gave out on me. I fell sitting on the dirty ground. The back of the school is pretty quiet so I heard how my heart raced in fear.

Who knew I was a good actress?

I sighed.

I should seriously attend those trainings. It would probably do me good. Those things I said were all true but since I'm too confident that I don't need any follow-up trainings, I stopped attending. Hinata-chan keeps persuading me to continue but I'm pretty sure Neji and Tenten doesn't mind since they get to have the Hyuuga dojo all to themselves.

Geez.

I stood up and pat my skirt.

"Now to look for those three..."

"Hey, Big Forehead-chan!" Ino's high-pitched voice echoed through the empty grand staircase in our school.

I looked up and saw Ino-pig, Hinata-chan and Tenten smiling down at me from the eight floor.

Would you look at that, I can still hear her annoying voice here in the ground floor. Well, this is a new discovery. I wonder if Naruto can beat her (I bet he will with that loud mouth of his).

Before I can answer, Ino exclaimed again. "Wait for us there! Hinata-chan's got a really really really good news!"

I rolled my eyes as I watched Tenten and Hinata-chan get dragged by Ino-pig as she dash down the grand staircases.

Why didn't she just use the elevator?

"So? What's the fuss all about?" I put my hands on my hips as the three of them catch their breaths in front of me.

Ino-pig jerked up and beamed. "Hinata-chan's not a virgin anymore!"

Silence.

Blag!

I looked down and saw Hinata-chan's body slumped on the ground.

Oh. She fainted.

"Hinata-chan? Ooooooiiii~ Are you still alive? Naruto's gonna kill me if you don't wake up soon~" Ino-pig sang as she poked on Hinata-chan's flustered cheeks.

We sat on the side of the hospital bed where Hinata-chan is currently sleeping (still with a red face). I wouldn't call this place infirmary since this five floor building is the health center of the school.

Amazing, right?

I shook my head while chuckling. "It's your fault, baka. You didn't have to yell it like that. You know how shy she is. Ah! This is a week worth of fainting."

Ino-pig just pouted. "I didn't mean to. You know how I am when I'm excited. Naruto was on my first class and he was acting REALLY weird with the acting all giddy then freeze with his face like a tomato. He wouldn't tell me anything so I called Hinata-chan and she told me. I was just so happy that I can't contain myself."

"So happy that she called me while crying, saying 'Our Hinata-chan's all grown up now. How time flies. Waaaa~' Haha, what are you? Her mother?" Tenten laughed before munching on some ponkan stocked on the side table.

"I'm just proud that she FINALLY got out of her shell. I'm pretty sure this is the start of her being confident. Not that I'm saying that being devirginized will make her so but knowing that Naruto will be there for her, I'm glad because there are some things that even us, her friends, can't do for her unlike having the one she loves support and do everything for her." Ino smiled genuinely as she watch Hinata-chan's peaceful sleeping face.

I was speechless.

I turned to Tenten and she looked back at me, her mouth wide and the ponkan hanging halfway towards her mouth.

We pouted and faced Ino.

"Ino-pig! We're so proud of you!"

"Ino-chan! We're so proud of you!"

She turned to us and blushed. "Baka! W-What are you guys saying? Geez! I was just... uhm... saying what I really feel!"

"I-Ino-chan..." All of us turned to the hospital bed where Hinata-chan is now sitting.

"Ah! Hinata-chan! Great! I won't be killed by that idiot! Are you okay?" Ino-pig beamed at her.

She nodded cheerfully. "Hai! Thank you so much for worrying about me. I will try my best to be more confident! Thank you, minna."

"That's great! Ha ha! With Naruto and us three supporting you, you'll be confident in no time!" I grinned at her.

"H-Hai!"

"So..." Tenten started with a naughty grin plastered on her face. "How's that baka in bed? Rate from 1 to 10. Coz' for me Neji's 9, he can do everywhere but he's so strict, I get left wanting more."

"Mou, Shika's 8 coz' he's too lazy I always initiate but when he's not lazy which is once in a blue moon..." Ino-pig also grinned naughtily. "... PERFECT 10! Ha ha ha!"

Hinata clutched the blankets and covered her mouth. "10..."

"Huh? What?"

She closed her eyes tightly with her face all red. "I said 10! N-Naruto-kun's stamina is... unbelievable. A-And we did it on the sofa..."

"Sofa? Niiiiiiice~"

"Then the floor..."

"The floor's a little uncomfortable... but kinky."

"Then the kitchen counter..."

"Kitchen counter? Ha! Been there done that."

"Then the stairs..."

"Stairs? Doesn't that hurt?"

"Shut up, you virgin."

"Hey!"

"Then the entertainment den..."

"Oooh~ Entertainment den. Ha ha ha!"

"Then the bathroom in the entertainment den..."

"I like bathrooms too. Hi hi hi."

"Then the hallway..."

"Hm. Good thing Naruto lives alone."

"Then the study table..."

"...hey, this is the eighth..."

"Then the floor again..."

"..."

"And the bed..."

"Uhm Hinata-chan..."

"Your stamina's pretty unbelievable as well, you know."

"Eh?"

"You had ten rounds! Me and Shika never got past eight!"

"Neji and I once reached ten but... I don't wanna do it again. Coz' I'm really going to die."

"Wow. The three of you are amazing... that's like a work out in bed and uh...not in bed."

"Not..."

"What did you say, Hinata-chan?"

"I said 'Not 10'! But... 15. 15 q-quickies."

"..."

"Oh. My. God."

"That is for the Guiness! The two of you are not human! Waaa~! Shika, you baka!"

"Hello, Neji! Wait for me in the dojo's shower room! We need to get started, RIGHT NOW! What do you mean by practice?! If that dojo's not empty by the time I get there, no sex for 5 months! Got that, Hyuuga?! Good! Get ready! Bye girls! Hinata-chan, I'm going to show you! 20! We'll do 20!"

SLAM!

"Wow, Tenten's pretty competitive. And what's with the dirty fingers? Ino-pig, stop crying. And Hinata-chan... I'll buy you tons of protection next time, okay? The two of you are like bunnies. Always going at it. Ha ha ha!"

"Sakura-chan... Tenten-chan... Ino-chan... I..."

BLAG!

Oh. She fainted. Again. Ugh.

"He he... Pfft! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!" I laughed as I walked through the Uchiha Compound.

Those three really are the best. I couldn't stop laughing at the events that took place earlier.

During class, while I was answering the question our teacher asked me, I suddenly remembered those three weirdos' expressions [Tenten t(ToTt) Ino-pig (ToT) Hinata-chan =(#.#)=] and I burst out laughing that the whole class -and our teacher- declared that Haruno Sakura is officially losing it.

Even at the La Italia Restaurante, I was serving a couple when I remembered those three weirdos' expressions again [Tenten t(ToTt) Ino-pig (ToT) Hinata-chan =(#.#)=] that I tried my best not to laugh but it frightened the customers saying that I looked like I was cursing them in my mind.

Aah, it really is good to have friends.

They were the very first friends I had and thankfully they're just as weird as me. I'm not out-of-place. I'm not being used. I'm totally enjoying my time with them. And I am definitely not hurting because of them.

Feels great to have friends!

But still...

Tenten t(ToTt)

Ino-pig (ToT)

Hinata-chan =(#.#)=

"Pfft! Bwa ha ha ha ha! So funny!" I can't help but laugh out loud.

"Oi, be quiet. Everyone's already sleeping."

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa- Umpfffff!" I screamed at the top of my lungs after I heard that deep voice but a hand covered my mouth almost instantly.

I was teary eyed when I saw a head of black hair and a pair of anxious onyx eyes. "You idiot! You didn't have to scream! Geez."

Sasuke-kun let go of me and shook his head in disbelief.

"Y-You teme! Why do you have to suddenly appear like that?! I was scared to death!" I tried to calm my racing heartbeat. Doesn't he know how to greet someone face to face? And that wasn't even a greeting! Really. What a bastard.

Hm. But this bastard really looks hot tonight. He's not in his uniform anymore. A plain white shirt that snuggled against his not-too-muscular-but-muscular-enough-to-look-hot body and a simple khaki shorts. Sigh. Why does he look like a supermodel in shirt and shorts? Ugh. Life's unfair.

"Hn. You're the one walking like a crazy idiot, laughing to yourself." He crossed his arms and start heading towards their mansion. "It was a good idea for me to take a walk this late at night. What if it was someone with ill intentions? You'll just stammer like that and end up black and blue bandaged on my bed again?"

My fuse short circuited. And I even though he looks hot just for him to insult me! Argh!

I pulled his chicken hair and faced him. He stopped walking and gave me a 'what-did-you-just-pull' stare. "What the hell?! First off, this is the Uchiha Manor! All the people here are your family members. Nobody will hurt me here. And second, I can manage myself PERFECTLY! For your information, I just protected myself this morning from one of your obsessed-slash-super violent fan girls I threatened her not to hurt me or I'll hurt her back." I also crossed my arms and gave off a 'in-your-face' aura.

His pale fingers suddenly went to the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. His eyebrows furrowed and his nose crunched, like he's concentrating about something.

"Uh... Sasuke-kun?" I reached out to him.

"Don't." He opened his eyes and I saw red.

I blinked and he's now looking away. Red eyes? Hm. Must be my imagination. "What's the matter?"

He started walking again.

What's with him? Where's the sweet (at least, for me) Sasuke-kun earlier? What did I do? Is he mad that I protected myself? Naaah. Maybe it's about me pulling his hair.

I looked up and saw Sasuke-kun already far away from me.

I ran. "Hey! Sasuke-kun! Wait for me!"

I was surprised to see him walk towards my room instead of his. He entered and walked straight to the balcony.

I sniffed. Is that croissant?

"Hm. He's just so moody." I pouted and went towards the walk-in closet to get my pajamas. Better take a short shower before facing that stoic guy.

My supposedly short shower took a long time than usual that I was expecting Sasuke-kun gone since it's past midnight.

But imagine my surprise when I saw him laying on my bed, playing with his iPhone and a basket of croissants and a tea set are on the center table across my bed.

I sighed and walked towards him as I dry my hair. "Sasuke-kun, do you know what time it is?"

"No." He answered without looking at me.

Oh great. He's using his I-don't-care-just-talk-to-yourself tone of voice. "I'll tell you anyway, it's past midnight and we have classes tomorrow. If you don't have anything to do, play in your room. I'm tired."

"I'm sorry."

I was going to sit beside him on the bed when I heard that. Was I just hallucinating?

I faced him and saw he's still concentrating on the game in his iPhone. From the sound of it, it's Minion Rush. "Uhm. Did you say something Sasuke-kun? I thought I heard you apo-"

"I'm not gonna repeat it, you got that?" He peeked at me from his phone.

Weird guy.

I just continue drying my hair with my back to him. "Alright. Then can I ask why you said that? I see no reason for you to apologize to me."

I felt the bed shift. He grabbed the towel and pushed me off the bed. "Hey!"

"Sit on the floor. I'm gonna do it." He commanded and I obliged. Judging by his mood and facial expression, I have a feeling that talking back and not doing what he says would probably do me no good.

I sat comfortably on the floor with my back against the bed and Sasuke-kun's legs on either side of me.

He started drying my hair and I was amazed at how gentle it felt. Much gentle than how I was doing it earlier.

His gentleness made me wonder how many girls have experienced this. What happened after he did this? Who taught him the right way to do it? Was she beautiful? Did they know each other well? Did he held her hair the way he held mine right at this moment? Did Sasuke-kun love her?

A sharp pain shot through my chest.

What was that? Was that my hallucination again? Maybe I'm sick. Geez.

"Talk now, Sasuke-kun." I didn't expect how bitter that sentence came out. But I wasn't feeling as nice as a few moments ago and I don't know why. "I don't have time for your silence. If you're not gonna say anything then we should probably go to sleep."

He stopped but I ignored him. I'm suddenly not in the mood to feel guilty and take back what I said.

What am I saying? And what the hell am I feeling?

I heard him sigh and continue drying my hair. "I was apologizing... 'coz it's my fault that you are being targeted like this. Those stupid fan girls are too annoying for me talk to them. And they're doing things that are unforgivable. But... don't worry, this will be the last time you'll be threatened like this."

I still feel pissed off (though I don't know why) but I was confused. "What do you mean?"

"Hn."

I looked up to him.

I flushed.

He's also looking down on me with his usual stoic expression but there's something different.

Did I mention that our faces are a few inches away from each other?

I blinked and felt myself blush under his intense stare. "W-W-What's wrong, S-Sasuke-kun?"

He just kept staring at me and I felt my cheeks turn redder than it already was.

I frowned at him and went to face my front but he held my head using both of his hands. I panicked and pulled his hands aways but he stubbornly kept it there. "T-The hell, Sasuke-kun?! W-What are you doing?! Let me go! Sasuke-kun!"

"You. Are. So. Annoying. Be quiet." He murmured but with the distance between our faces, I felt he was yelling at me. I can feel his belly against my head, he was holding my head in place-not too tight and definitely not too loose- and I can't move it no matter how hard I struggle.

"What the hell's your problem? Let me go or I'll hit your you-know-what using my head. You definitely wouldn't like how that feels." I hissed. My previous anger returning. This handsome bastard, always doing whatever he likes. Dang it.

He rolled his eyes and let me go.

I stood up and sat in front of my vanity mirror beside my bed. "You're such a teme, Sasuke-kun. I have NO idea what those girls see in you. You're such a terrible person."

"Hn. You're pouting." I heard him say.

"I'm not. You're just so mean." I complained and brushed my already dry hair, thanks to Sasuke-kun.

Sasuke-kun turned to face me but I ignored his actions and kept on brushing my waist-length hair.

"You should just find yourself a girlfriend so that you wouldn't waste your time teasing me like this." I said before I can even think about it.

I looked at him warily and he was still looking at me, now thoughtful.

"You mean I should look for a girlfriend because I have a lot of time?" He inquired.

"That's not what I-"

He stood up and bonk my head lightly. "You really are a forever alone virgin."

"What the-! What's being a virgin got to do with that? You guys just can't keep it in your pants whenever you're in a relationship." I reasoned out angrily.

"Of course, we can't." He chuckled and sat back on the bed. "How can we keep it in our pants if we wanna do it with our partner?"

I put down my brush and sat beside him on the bed with my legs crossed, facing him. "But don't you think doing that after you got married is somewhat... romantic?"

"Romance is not why people do it nowadays, you know. They just do it for pleasure. Satisfying their desires, their lust or whatever you want to call it." He smirked at me.

I frowned. "No! I disagree! According to my observation of my friends, they do it with their partners because they love them. It's not like they're going to look for someone they're physically compatible with just to have sex. Love is the number one reason why they do it." I told him stubbornly. "Besides I've read thousands of romantic novels and it all says the same. Two people do it because they love each other."

"Romantic novels? Hn. And I was wondering why you're still single at your age. No wonder. What you read in books are different than what you experience in reality. They're fiction, Sakura. F-i-c-t-i-o-n." He faced away from me.

"No! I still believe in what those romantic novels say. People write what they experience. They have an inkling of what it is. That's the reason why they are able to write fiction. It came from something concrete, something they've experienced and turned it into ideal situations." I told him and smiled proudly. "Someday, I'll find that person whom I love with all my heart and give him my all. Everything. And I'll definitely have the best round of sex because of that."

Sasuke-kun turned his mesmerizing onyx eyes on me, boring in my soul.

"W-What? That's what I've heard and read. It's not like we share the same opinion, right?" I let out a shaky laugh.

He continue to stare at me. Not at all fazed by my explanation. He seemed to look deep down my soul and see if what I'm saying is true (Not that his face showed it). His expression is blank but that didn't make him any less handsome.

His intense gaze made my insides swirl and my heart beat a thousand times faster. My hands are shaking, my palms are sweaty and my throat went dry. Even if we're sitting, I know I couldn't stand because my knees feels lke jelly.

Then a realization hit me.

I blinked.

I've read this kind of reaction.

In a novel.

A romance novel, to be exact.

This is what the woman in the story always feel when the protagonist is near her.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I'm in love with Uchiha Sasuke.

End of Chapter 8

Author's note:

Well, how is it?

Boo hoo, cliff hanger.

Don't worry, it's Sasuke's realization next!:)

Btw, I'm working on a new SasuSaku oneshot entitled, "After Morning Love" and I'm having fun writing it so... wait for it! Hihihi!

See you guys next time! xoxo

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