Hi there, everyone! I almost didn't update, because I was so busy... But here's the new chappie!
Haha, thank you to everyone who reviewed, alerted and favored this story and the last chappie! It means a lot to me, so thanks!
-insert Guy's One Million Dollar Smile-
You all are reading something that the Vice President of my crappy school is typing! (Which is me) eh, I was gonna run for president but this kid ran so I was like 'No way! I'd rather have Zetsu rape me than run against her.' And Yeah, turns out she had no speech... And still won. Anyways, we're pretty good friends and I'm her assistant/Vice President. Hehe, and you people probably do not care. I'll get to the point. Here's the next chappie.
First we gotta do disclaimers. Every author on Fanfiction hates it, but it's almost mandatory.
Disclaimers: I, under the nickname/alias of Kumi-Chan do NOT own the plot, text and some other bullshit(the good kind of shit... Not sure if there is any) of Perfect Chemistry. All of that good jive belongs to Simone Elkeles and the characters except a few people with little shit in this story belongs to my sempai and sama, Masashi Kishimoto. I only own the thought of doing this, edits, add-ons and other stuff.
Written By: Kumi-Chan/Tobi-Is-Fluffy-Chan
Chapter 8: Things that Should NOT Happen
(I'm going to have to shorten the length of some chappies simply because there is only a little number of chapters of the actual story to edit and add stuff and do all of that good jive to. Sorry, it'll still be long though... Hell, I might say I'm shortening things, and end up not doing so. Don't worry 'bout it!)
Sasuke
I'm sitting in calculus when the secrurity guard knocks on the door and tells the teacher I need to be escorted out of class. Rolling my eyes, I grab my books and let the guy have his kicks by humiliating me in front of an audience.
"What now?" I ask. Yesterday I got pulled out of class for starting a food fight in the courtyard. I didn't start it. I might have participated, but I didn't start it...
"We're taking a little trip to the basketball courts." The security guard tells me. I follow the guy to the courts. "Sasuke, vandalism to school property is very serious business."
"I didn't vandalize anything," I tell him.
"I got a tip that you did."
A tip? You know the phrase "whoever smelt it, dealt it"? Well, who ever snitched probably did it.
"Where is it?" I ask. I am obviously annoyed with constant mess that's been happening so far. You can tell by the tone of my voice.
The guard points to the gym floor, where someone spray painted a very poor replica of the Uchiha clan symbol. "Can you explain this?"
I roll my eyes, shifting my books into my other hand. "No," I say.
Another security guard joins us. "We should check his locker," he blurts out.
Great, what is this? Annoy the shit out of Sasuke day? Accuse Sasuke day?
But it doesn't matter anyways.
I smirk at them, sarcasically remarking, "Great idea." All they'll find is a leather jacket and books.
I'm turning the combination lock when Ms. T. passes us.
"What's the problem?" She asks them, putting her hands on her hips and huffing. I swear she should STOP doing that.
"Vandalism. On the basketball court."
I open my locker and stand back to let them inspect it.
"Aha," the security guy says, reaching inside and pulling out a can of black spray paint from the top shelf. He holds it out to me. "Are you still going to plead innocent?"
"I'm being set up." I turn to Ms. T., who's looking at me like I killed her cat. "I didn't do it," I tell her. "Ms. T, you've got to believe me." I can see me now, being hauled to jail because of something an idiot did.
She shakes her head. "Sasuke, the evidence is right there. I want to believe you, but it's really hard." The officers are on either side of me, and I know what's coming next. Ms. T. holds up her hand, stopping them. "Sasuke. Help me."
I'm tempted not to explain, to let them think I was the one who defaced school property. They probably won't listen, anyway. But Ms. T. is looking at me like a teenage rebel who wants to prove everyone wrong.
"The symbol is all wrong," I tell her. I show her my forearm. "This is an Uchiha symbol. It's basically a breath of fire that looks like a funnel. It's white at the stem and red at the circular top. That one on the gym floor also has the word Uchiha in it. There is no word placed in the middle. Nobody in the Uchiha clan would replicate it in black or make that mistake." I explain.
She says to the officers, "Where is Dr. Danzo?"
"In a meeting with the superintendent. His secertary said he doesn't want to be disturbed."
Tsunade checks her watch. "I've got a class in fifteen minutes. Jiraiya, radio Dr. Danzo on your walkie-talkie."
Jiraiya the security guy isn't too happy. "Ma'am, this is the sort of thing we're hired for."
"I know. But Sasuke is my student, and believe me when I say he can't miss class today." She gives me a look.
Jiraiya shrugs, then radios for Dr. Danzo to meet him in L hall. When his secretary asks if it's an emergency, Ms. T takes the walkie-talkie from Jiraiya and says she's considering it her personal emergency and Dr. Danzo should get down to L hall right away.
Two minutes later, Danzo with a stern look on his face comes into view... If you count the eye-patch. "What's this all about?"
"Vandalism in the gym," Officer Jiraiya informs him.
Danzo stiffens. "Dammit, Uchiha. Not you again."
"I didn't do it," I tell him.
"Then who did?"
I shrug.
"Dr. Danzo, he's telling the truth," Tsunade says. "You can fire me if I'm wrong." He shakes his head, then turns to the security guard. "Get someone to the gym and see what he can do to clean that stuff off." He points the spray can at me. "But I warn you, Sasuke. If I find out it was you, you'll be not only suspended but arrested. Got it?" He gives me a serious look.
When the officers leave, Danzo says, "Sasuke, I didn't tell you this before, but I'm telling you now. I thought the world was my enemy when I was in high school. I wasn't that much different than you, you know. It took me a damn long time to learn that I was my own enemy. When I realized that, I turned my life around. Ms. Tsunade and I, we're not the enemy."
"I know that..." I reply, and actually believe it's the truth.
"Good. Now I happen to be in the middle of an important meeting. If you'll excuse me, I'll be in my office." And with that, he races down the hall.
I turn to look at Ms. T. "Thanks for believing me," I say to her once she's gone.
"Do you know who vandalized the gym?" She asks. I look her straight in the eye and tell her the truth. "I've got no idea. I'm pretty confident it's not one of my friends."
She sighs. "If you weren't in a gang, Sasuke, you wouldn't get yourself into these messes."
I look at the leather combat-boots I'm wearing instead of meeting her solemn amber-colored eyes.
"Yeah, but I'd be in other ones," I whisper.
Sakura
"It looks like some of you don't think my class is important," Ms. Tsunade says. She starts handing out the test from yesterday. As Ms. Tsunade heads toward my and Sasuke's shared table, I sink down in my chair. The last thing I need is Ms. Tsunade's wrath.
"Nice job," the woman says as she places my paper facedown in front of me. Then she turns to Sasuke. "For someone who aspires to be a chemistry teacher, you're off to a very poor start, Mr. Uchiha. Maybe I'll think twice about sticking up for you if you don't come prepared to my class."
She drops Sasuke's test in front of him with her index finger and thumb, as if the paper is too disgusting to touch with the rest of her fingers. "See me after class," she tells him before passing out the rest of the tests. I can't understand why Ms. Tsunade didn't rip me a new one. I turn my paper over to find an A on the top of it. I rub my palms over my eyes and reajust them. There must be some mistake. My eyebrows furrow as I'm trying to figure this all out.
It takes me less than a second to realized who was responsible for my grade. The truth hits me like a hammer to my gut. I look over at Sasuke, tucking his flunked test into his book.
"Why did you do it?" I wait until Ms. Tsunade finishes her after-class discussion with Sasuke before approaching him. I'm standing beside his locker, where he's paying little, if any, attention to me. I'm ignoring the stares of other people burning into the back of my head.
"I don't know what you're talking about..." He trails off.
Duh! I roll my eyes, sighing, "You switched our tests."
Sasuke slams his locker shut. "Listen, it was no big deal."
Yes, it is. He walks away, as if expecting me to leave it at that. I'd watch him work diligently on his test, but when I glanced at the big red F on the front of his paper, I recognized my own test.
After school, I hurry out the front doors to catch him. He's on his motorcycle, getting ready to leave.
"Sasuke, wait!" I yell, sprinting over the parking lot spot where he was parked. I cursed myself mentally for choosing to wear purple wedges today...
What? It did go with the light blue skinny-jeans and the matching purple button-down short sleeved shirt. I wore it to go perfectly with my outfit. I shook my head, ignoring myself for a moment.
Feeling fidgety, I curl my hair behind my ears.
"Hop on," he orders.
"What?"
"Hop on. If you want to thank me for saving your ass in Ms. T.'s class, come home with me. I wasn't kidding yesterday. You showed me a glimpse of your life, I'm gonna show you a glimspe of mine. It's only fair, right?" He stares me down until I answer.
I scan the parking lot. Some people are looking our way, probably ready to spread the gossip that I'm talking to Sasuke. If I actually leave with him... Rumors will fly.
The sound of Sasuke revving his motorcycle brings my attention back to him. "Don't be afraid of what they think," He encourages me. I take in the sight of him, from his ripped jeans, to his combat boots and leather jacket to the navy blue bandanna with the red and white funnel-looking thing which I'm guessing is his clan's symbol, that he just tied on top of his head. Those are his gang colors... No questions asked about it. I should be terrified. Then I remember how he was with Yoshiko yesterday.
To hell with it.
I shift my book bag around to my back and straddle his motorcycle.
"Hold on tight," he says, pulling my hands around his waist. The simple feel of his strong hands resting on top of mine is intensely intimate. I wonder if he's feeling these emotions, too, but dismiss the thought. Sasuke Uchiha is a hard guy. Experienced. The mere touch of hands isn't going to make his stomach flutter. He deliberately brushes the tips of his fingers over mine before reaching for the handlebars. Darn... Damn... Fuck... What am I getting myself into?
As we speed away from the school parking lot, I grab Sasuke's rock-hard abs tighter. The speed of the motorcycle scares me. I feel light-headed, like I'm riding on a roller-coaster with no lap bar.
The motorcycle stops at a red light. I lean back.
I hear him chuckle when he guns the engine once more as the light turns green. I clutch his waist and bury my face in his back. When he finally stops and puts the kickstand down, I survey my surroundings. I've never been on his street. The homes are so... small. Most are one level. A cat probably can't fit in the spaces between them. As hard as I try to fight it, sorrow settles in the pit of my stomach.
My house is at least seven, maybe even eight or nine times Sasuke's home's size. I know this side of town is poor, but...
"This was a mistake," Sasuke says. "I'll take you home."
I frown, questioning, "Why?"
"Among other things, the look of disgust on your face."
"I'm not disgusted. I guess I feel sorry-"
"Don't ever pity me," he warns, narrowing his eyes. "I'm poor and middle-classed, not homeless."
"Then are you going to invite me in? The guys across the streey are gawking at the pink headed girl." I tease, nudging him with my elbow.
"Actually, around here you're a 'snow girl'," He clarifies.
"I hate snow," I say.
His lips quirk up into a grin. "Not for the weather, Pinkie. For your snow-white skin, pink hair and emerald eyes. Just follow me and don't stare at the neighbors, even if they stare at you."
I sense his wariness as he leads me inside. "Well, this is it," he says, motioning inside. The living room might be smaller than any room in my house, but it feels warm and cozy. It also has some of the traditional Japanese etiquette adapted into the decor as well. There are two afghans lying on the sofa that I'd love to have on top of me on cold nights. We don't have any afghans at my house. We have comforters... custom-designed ones to match the decor.
I walk around Sasuke's house, gliding my fingers over the furniture. A shelf with half-melted candles sit below a picture of a handsome man. I feel Sasuke's warmth as he stands behind me. "Your dad?" I ask.
He nods.
"I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to lose my dad." Even though he's not around much, I know he's a permanent fixture in my life. I always want more out of my parents. Should I feel lucky just having them around? Sasuke studies the picture of his dad. "His name was Fugaku..." He sighs.
"At the time, you're numb and try to block it out. I mean, you know he's gone and all, but it's like you're in this fog. Then life kind of gets into a routine and you follow it." Sasuke shrugs. "Eventually you stop thinkin' about it so much and move on. There's no other choice."
"It's kind of like a test." I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror on the opposite wall. I absently run my fingers through my hair. I straighten a little wrinkle in my shirt, and fluff my hair so it's still a bit bouncy and poofy.
"You're always doing that." He whispers, as he watches me.
I turn back to look at him.
"Doing what?"
"Fixing your hair or makeup or outfit..."
"So, what's wrong with trying to look good?" I ask, shrugging my shoulders a bit.
"Nothing, unless it becomes an obsession."
I put my hands down, wishing I could super-glue them to my sides. "I'm not obsessed..." I trail off, looking at the hard-wooden floors.
He shrugs. "Is it so important that people think you're beautiful?"
"I don't care what people think," I lie.
"'Cause you are... beautiful, I mean. But it shouldn't matter so much."
I know that. But expectations mean a lot where I come from. Speaking of expectations... "What did Ms. Tsunade say to you after class?"
"Oh, the usual; That if I don't take her class seriously she'll make my life miserable."
I swallow, not knowing if I should reveal my plan. "I'm going to tell her you switched the tests."
"Don't do that," he says, stepping away from me.
"Why not?"
"Because it doesn't matter." He simply tells me.
"Yes, it does. You need good grades to get into..."
"What? A good college? Give me a fucking break. I'm not going to college and you know it. You rich kids worry about your GPA as if it's a symbol of your worth. I don't need it, so don't do me any favors. I'll get by with a C in that class. Just make sure those hand warmers kick ass." He muses, smirking at me.
If I have anything to do about it, we'll get an A+ on the project.
"Where's your room?" I ask, changing the subject. I drop my book bag on the living room floor. "A bedroom tells a lot about a person."
He gestures to a doorway off to one side. Three beds take up most of the small space, with enough room for one small dresser and two nightstands. I walk around the small room.
"I share it with two brothers," Sasuke states. "Not a lot of privacy here."
"Let me guess which bed is yours," I say, smiling. I scan the areas around each bed. A small picture of a pretty girl who resembles Hinata a lot, is taped to one wall. This bed is messy, and the clothes are strewn from the pillow to the foot of the bed. "Hmmm...," I murmur, glancing at Sasuke and wondering if the girl staring back at me is his ideal. I slowly walk around him and examine the next bed. Pictures of soccer and kemari players are taped above it. Multiple numbers of huge textbooks are stacked on top of each other in the corner, next to a small nightstand table.
Nothing adorns the wall by the third bed, as if the person who sleeps here is a visitor. It's almost sad, the first two walls says so much about the people who sleep below them and this one is totally bare.
I sit on Sasuke's bed, the hopeless and empty one, and my eyes meet his. "Your bed says a lot about you."
"Yeah? What does it say?" He asks, crossing his arms over his chest, expecting me to answer right away.
I touch the thick quilt that is laying on top of the thin blanket, without looking up at him. "I wonder why you don't think you'll stay here long," I say. "Unless it's because you really want to go to college."
He leans on the door frame. "I'm not leaving Konoha. Ever."
"Don't you want a degree?"
"Now you sound like the damn career counselor at school," He coldly scoffs.
"You don't want to get away and start living your own life? Away from your past?"
"You see going to college as an escape," He says.
I sneer at him. "Escape? Sasuke, you have no clue. I'm going to a college that's close to my sister. First it was North Konoha, now it's the university of where ever she's sent off to. My life is dictated by the whims of my parents and where they want to send my sister. You want the easy way out, so you stay here."
He rolls his dark, onyx eyes at me. They resemble cold, hard, cynical pieces of coal. I never seem him like this at all. "You think it's a breeze being the man of the house? Shit, making sure my mom doesn't get mixed up with some loser or that my brothers don't start shootin' shit up with their arms or smokin' crack is enough to keep me here." He rants. Sasuke doesn't stop though. "Sure, I may not be the oldest of the house, my brother, Itachi is. But for some fucking reason, my dead old man appointed me as the man of the house. So I have to be responsible and look after those two. I pray everyday, that Itachi keeps his head on his shoulders and continues the path he's taking. But he doesn't need me to tell him that. He can figure it out with a snap of my fingers. My little brother, Ichigo, is already falling inbetween the small cracks. So that's why I choose to stay."
"I'm sorry." I murmur, my eyes starting to tear a bit.
"I warned you never to pity me."
"No," I say, my eyes moving up to meet his. "You feel such a family connection, yet you don't place anything permanent beside your bed, as if you're going to leave at any moment. I feel sorry for you about that."
He steps back, shutting me out. "You done with the psycho-analysis?" He says.
I follow him into the family room, still wondering what Sasuke wants for his future. It seems the guy is ready to leave this house... or this earth. Could it be some way Sasuke is preparing for his death by not placing anything permament beside him? That's why he's destined to end up like his father?
Is that what he meant by his demons?
For the next two hours, we sit on his family room couch and hatch a plan for our hand warmers. He's a lot smarter than I'd realized; that A on his test wasn't a fluke. He has a lot of ideas about how we can research online and get information from the library on how to construct the hand warmers and various uses for them to incorperate into our paper. We need the chemicals Ms. Tsunade will provide, Ziploc bags to enclose the chemicals, and to get extra brownie points we've decided to encase the Ziploc bags in material we'll pick out at the fabric store.
I purposely keep the discussion on the chemistry, careful not to touch on any subject too personal.
As I close my chemistry book, out of the corner of my eye, I see Sasuke run his hand through his hair. "Listen, I didn't mean to be rude to you before."
"That's okay. I got too nosy," I sigh.
There's a silence before he retorts, "You're right."
I stand, feeling uncomfortable. He grabs my arm and urges me back down.
"No," he says. "I mean you're right about me. I don't place anything permanent here."
"Why?" I ask.
"My father," Sasuke says, staring at the picture on the opposite wall. He squeezes his eyes shut. "God, there was so much blood." He opens his eyes and captures my gaze. "If there's one thing I learn, it's that nobody is here forever. You have to live for the moment, each and every day... the here, the now."
"And what do you want right now?" Right now I itch to heal his wounds and forget my own.
He touches my cheek with the tip of his fingers.
My breath hitches. "Do you want to kiss me, Sasuke?" I whisper.
"Oh, God, I want to kiss you... to taste your lips, your tongue." He gently traces my lips with the tips of his fingers. "Do you want me to kiss you? Nobody else would know but the two of us."
Sasuke
Sakura's tongue snakes out to wet her perfect heart-shaped lips, which are now shiny and oh, so inviting.
"Don't tease me like that," I groan, my lips are inches from hers.
Her books hit the carpet. Her eyes follow, but if I lose her attention, I may never get this moment back. My fingers move to her chin, gently urging her to look at me. She looks up at me with those vulnerable eyes. "What if it means something?" She asks.
"What if it does?" I shurg.
"Promise me it won't mean anything." She pleads.
I lean my head back on the couch. "It won't mean anything." Aren't I supposed to be the guy in this scenario, laying down the no-commitment rules?
"And no tongue," she adds.
"Pinkie, if I kiss you, I guarentee there's gonna be tongue."
She hesitates.
"I promise it won't mean anything," I assure her again.
I really don't expect her to do it. I think she's teasing me, testing me to see how much I can take before I crack. But as her eyelids close and she leans closer, I realize it's going to happen. This girl of my dreams, this girl who is more like me than anyone I've ever met, wants to kiss me. I take over control as soon as she tilts her head. Our lips touch for the briefest moment before I lace my fingers in her hair and keep kissing her soft and gentle.
I cup her cheek in my palm, feeling her baby-soft skin against my rough fingers. My body urges me to take advantage of the situation, but my brain (the one inside my head) keeps me in check.
A satisfied sigh escapes Sakura's mouth, as if she's content to stay in my arms forever.
I brush the tip of my tongue against her lips, enticing her to open her mouth. She tentatively meets my tongue with her own. Our mouths and tongues mingle in a slow, erotic dance until the sound of the front door opening makes her jerk away.
Damn. I'm pissed off. First, for losing myself in Sakura's kiss. Second, for wanting that moment to last forever. Last, I'm pissed at my mother and brothers for coming home at the most awful time.
I watch Sakura trying to look busy as she bends down and picks up her books. My mother and brothers are standing in the doorway with their eyes bugged out.
"Hey, Ma," I say, more flustered than I should be.
From the confused, turned stern look on mom's face, I know she's not pleased at catching us making out like there was a promise of more to come.
"...Ichigo, why don't you go start on your homework... and Itachi... go do whatever you do..." She orders, in her soft and innocent voice, stepping into the room and composing herself. "Ma, I got no homework." Ichigo chimes in. She points to our bedroom door and Ichigo scowls, walking straight to the room. Itachi had been left. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, Sasuke Uchiha?" I scowl at the mention of my full name.
She did that on purpose. She knows I hate that.
Sakura stands, books in her hand. "Hi, I'm Sakura." Even with her cotton-candy pink hair mussed from my fingers and the motorcycle ride, she's still kick-ass beautiful. Sakura extends her hands in greeting. "Sasuke and I were studying chemistry."
"What I saw wasn't studying," my ma says, ignoring her hand.
Sakura winces.
"My home is not a whorehouse."
She then turns to me. "Sasuke, if you're going to have a girlfriend, atleast introduce her a proper way." She snaps to me.
"Oh, I'm not Sasuke's girlfrie-" she starts to whisper. I interrupt her, "Please, mom," From the tone of my voice, anyone could tell I was exasperated. "We were only kissing."
"Kissing leads to make babies, Sasuke Uchiha." She tells me, narrowing her eyes at Sakura and then to me... There she goes with calling me by my full name... And now, Sakura is totally going to think of my mother as a prude.
She's not, she's the sweetest thing in the world. But when my father died, she toughened up and became more strict and stern. She's still that sweet Mikioto Uchiha, but with a more stern personality.
I sigh to Sakura, totally embarrassed, "Let's get out of here." I whip my jacket off the couch and shrug into it.
"I'm sorry if I disrepected you in any way, Mrs. Uchiha," Sakura says, visibly upset.
My mother takes the groceries she's carrying, ignoring the apology as she walks into the kitchen. When we're outside, I hear Sakura take a deep breath. I swear it sounds as if she's holding herself together by a thin thread. Not the way it's supposed to go down: bring a girl home, kiss girl, mom insults girl, girl leaves crying.
"Don't sweat it. She's just not used to me bringing girls in the house. I hardly brought Ino by when we used to date." I explain. Sakura's expressive green eyes appear remote and cold. "That shouldn't have happened," she says, throwing back her shoulders in a stance as stiff as a statue's.
"What? The kiss or you liking it so much much?"
"I have a boyfriend," she says as she fidgets with the strap on her designer book bag.
"You tryin' to convince me, or yourself?" I ask.
"Don't turn this around. I don't want to upset my friends. I don't want to upset my mom. And Hidan... I'm really confused right now." She sighs in irritation. I hold out my hands and raise my voice, something I usually avoid because like Naruto says, it means I actually care. I don't care. Why should I? My mind says to shut the fuck up at the same time words spout from my mouth. "I don't get it. He treats you like you're his damn prize."
"You don't even know what it's like with me and Hidan..."
"No. I don't know what it's like. But I know it's not stronger than what I'm feeling now." I say.
"You don't understand..." She whispers, staring down at her feet.
"Tell me, dammit," I scowl, unable to hide the edge to my voice. Initally, I hold myself back from what I really want to say, but I can't resist and tell it to her straight up. "'Cause, you know damn well... that our kiss back there... meant something. You know it as well as I do. I dare you to tell me, being with Hidan is better than that."
She looks away hastily. "I'm telling you... You wouldn't understand."
"Try me." I challenge, giving her a serious but blank look.
"When people see Hidan and me together, they comment on how perfect we are. You know, the Golden Couple. Get it?"
I stare at her in disbelief. That is beyond fucked up. "I get it. I just can't believe I'm hearin' it. Does being perfect mean that much to you?" There's a long, brittle silence. I catch a flicker of sadness in those emerald eyes, but then it's gone. In an instant, her expression stills and growing serious.
"I haven't been doing a bang-up job lately, but yes. It does." She finally admits. "Since my sister isn't perfect, then I have to be."
That is the most pathetic shit I ever heard. I shake my head in disgust and point to Sasu. "Get on and I'll take you back to the school to get your car."
Silently, Sakura staddles my motorcycle. She holds herself so far away from me, I can barely feel her behind me. I almost take a detour to make the ride last longer. She treats her sister with paitence and adoration. God knows I wouldn't be able to spoon-feed one of my brothers and wipe their mouths. The girl I once accused of being self-absorbed is not one-dimensional.
Oh... I admire her. Somehow, being with Sakura brings something to my life that's missing, something... right.
But how am I going to convince her of that?
Sakura
I'm going to forget the kiss with Sasuke happened even though I was up all night replaying it in my head. As I'm driving to school the day after the kiss that never happened, I wonder if I should ignore Sasuke. Although that's not an option because we have chemistry together.
Oh, no. Chemistry class. Will Hidan suspect something? Maybe someone saw us drive off together yesterday and told him. Last night I turned off my cell so I didn't have to talk to anyone.
Ugh. I wish my life wasn't so complicated. I have a boyfriend. Okay, so my boyfriend's been acting pushy lately, interested only in sex. And I'm sick of it.
But Sasuke as my boyfriend would never work. His mom already hates me. His ex-girlfriend wants to kill me... another bad sign. He potrays himself as an emo, which he is not... He even smokes, which is totally not cool. I could make a huge list of all the negatives.
Okay, so there might be some positives. A few minor ones that are too insignificant to mention.
He's smart.
He has eyes so expressive, they give a hint to more than what he portrays.
He's dedicated to his friends, family, and even his motorcycle.
He touched me as if I were made of glass.
He kissed me as if he'd savor it for the rest of his life.
The first time I see him is during lunch. As I'm waiting in the cafeteria food line, Sasuke is two people in front of me. This girl, Hikari Tachibana, is in between us. And she's not moving down the line fast enough.
Sasuke's jeans are faded and torn at the knee. His jet-black, raven colored hair is falling into his eyes and I'm itching to push it back. If Hikari wouldn't be so wishy-washy about her choice of fruit.
Sasuke caught me checking him out. I quickly focus my attention on the soup of the day. Ramen; chicken flavored.
"Want a cup or bowl, hon'?" Ana, the lunch lady, asks me.
"Bowl," I say, pretending to be totally interested in the way she ladles the soup into the bowl.
After she hands it to me, I hurry past Hikari and stand by the cashier. Right behind Sasuke.
As if he knows I'm stalking him, he turns around. His eyes pierce mine and for a moment, I feel as if the rest of the world is closed out and it's just the two of us. The urge to jump into his arms and feel the warmth of them surround me is so powerful, I wonder if it's medically possible to be addicted to another human being.
I clear my throat. "Your turn," I say, motioning to the cashier. He moves forward with his tray, a slice of pizza on it. "I'll pay for hers, too," he says, pointing to me.
The cashier waves her fingers at me, "What'd you get? Bowl of ramen?"
"Yeah, but... Sasuke, don't pay for me."
"Don't worry. I can afford a bowl of soup," he says defensively, handing over three dollars.
Hidan barges into the line and stands next to me. "Move along. Get your own girlfriend to stare at," he snaps at Sasuke, then shoos him off. I pray Sasuke doesn't retaliate by telling Hidan we kissed. Everyone is line is watching us. I can feel their stares on the back of my neck. Sasuke takes his change from the cashier and without a backward glance, he heads for the outside courtyard out of the cafeteria where he usually sits.
I feel so selfish, because I want the best of both worlds. I want to keep the image I've worked so hard to create. That image includes Hidan. I also want Sasuke. I can't stop thinking about having him hold me and kiss me until I'm breathless.
Hidan says to the cashier, "I'll pay for hers and mine."
The cashier looks at me in confusion. "Didn't that other boy pay for you already?"
Hidan waits for me to correct her. When I don't, he gives me a disgusted look and stomps out of the cafeteria.
"Hidan, wait!" I say, but he either can't hear me or is ignoring me. The next time I see him is in chemistry class, but Hidan walks in just as the bell rings, so we don't talk. During chemistry class, it's another experiment/observation. Sasuke swirls test tubes full of silver nitrate and potassium chloride liquids. "Looks like they're both water to me, Ms. T.," Sasuke chimes.
"Looks are decieving," Ms. Tsunade replies.
My gaze travels to Sasuke's hands. Those hands that are now busy measuring the right amount of silver nitrate and potassium chloride are the same ones that traced my lips intimately.
"Earth to Sakura."
I blink my eyes, snapping out of my daydream. Sasuke is holding a test tube of clear liquid out to me. Which reminds me I should help him pour the liquids together.
"Uh, sorry." I pick up one test tube and pour it into the tube he's holding.
"We're supposed to write down what happens," he says, using the stirring rod to mix the chemicals together.
A white solid magically appears inside the clear liquid.
"Hey, Ms. T.! I think we found the answer to our problems for the ozone layer depletion," Sasuke teases. He high fives Suigetsu, one of his friends, who sits behind us.
Ms. Tsunade shakes her head.
"So, what do we observe in the tube?" He asks me, reading off of the sheet Ms. Tsunade handed out at the start of the class. "I'd say the watery liquid is probably potassium nirate now and the white solid mass is silver chrloride. What's your assumption?" I tell him.
As he hands me the tube, our fingers brush against each other. And lingers. It leaves a tingling sensation I can't ignore.
I glance up. Our eyes meet, and for a minute I think he's trying to send me a private message but his expression turns dark and he looks away.
"What do you want me to do?" I whisper.
"You're gonna have to figure that one out yourself."
"Sasuke..." I murmur.
But he won't tell me what to do. I guess I'm a bitch to even ask him for advice when he can't possibly be unbiased.
When I'm close to Sasuke I feel excitement, the way I used to feel on Christmas morning.
As much as I've tried to ignore it, I look over at Hidan and know... I know our relationship isn't what it used to be. It's over. And the sooner I break it off with Hidan, the sooner I can stop wondering why I'm still with him.
I meet Hidan after school by the back door to the school. He's dressed for football practice. Unfortunately, Kiba is standing next to him. Kiba holds up his cell. "You two want a repeat performance of the other night? I can capture the moment forever and e-mail it to you. It's be great for a screen saver or, better yet, an internet video." He jokes.
Hidan turns to glare at Kiba. "Kiba, get the fuck out of my fucking sight before I lose it." Hidan says, then gives Kiba a stare until he leaves. "Saku, where the fuck were you last night?" When I don't answer, Hidan says, "You can save your damn breath, 'cause I already have a fucking clue."
This isn't going to be easy. I now know why people break up in e-mails and text messages. Doing it face-to-face is so hard because you have to stand in front of the person and witness their reaction. Face their wrath. I've spent so much time avoiding arugments and smoothing relationships with people around me, this confrontation is painful.
"You and I both know this isn't working," I say as gently as I can.
Hidan narrows his eyes at me. "What are you fucking saying?"
"We need a break." I whisper, afraid of my voice cracking or hinting that this is hard.
"A break, or a break-up?"
"Break-up." I say, gently.
"This is because of Uchiha, isn't it?"
"Since you came back from summer break, our entire relationship is about fooling around. We never talk anymore, and I'm sick of feeling guilty for not ripping my clothes off and spreading my legs to prove I love you."
"You don't want to prove anything to me."
I keep my voice low, so other students can't hear me. "Why would you want me to? Just the fact that you need me to prove I love you is probably a clue that this isn't working.
"Don't fucking do this shit." He tosses his head back and moans. "Please don't do this."
We fill the football star/pom-pom captain stereotypical box everyone put us in. For years we fit the mold. Now we're going to be under a microscope for the break-up, with rumors swirling around us. Just the thought of it makes my skin crawl. But I can't pretend it's working anymore. The decision will probably haunt me. If my parents can send my sister away because it's good for them, and Temari can fool around with every guy she comes in contact with because it makes her feel better, why can't I do what's right for me.
I put my hand on Hidan's shoulder, trying not to focus on his watering eyes, his furious glare and the most nastiest/scariest scowl forming on his face right now. He shrugs my hand off.
"Say something," I urge.
"What do you want me to say, Saku? That I'm fucking thrilled you're breaking up with me? Sorry babe, but I'm not fucking feeling it."
He wipes his eyes with his palms. It makes me want to cry, too, and my eyes start tearing. It's the end of something we thought was real but ended up being just another one of the roles we were thrust into. That's what makes me so sad. Not the break-up, but what our relationship stood for... my weakness.
"I had sex with Ami," he blurts out. "This summer. You know, that girl in the picture... And there was also this girl named Mia, too."
"You're saying that to hurt me..." I croak, my voice already cracking and sounding bleak.
"I'm saying it because it's the truth. Ask Kiba."
I furrow my eyebrows at what he just told me. "Then why did you come back here and pretend we were still the Golden Couple?"
"Because that's what everyone expected. Even you. Don't deny it."
His words sting, but they're the truth. Now I'm done playing the "perfect" girl and living by everyone else's rules, including my own. It's time I start getting real. The first thing I do after breaking up with Hidan and is tell Ms. Kurenai I need to take time off from poms. It feels weight is lifted off my shoulders. I go home, spend time with Yoshiko, and do homework. After dinner, I call Hinata Hyuuga.
"I... should be surprised you're calling me. But... I'm not," she says with her soft voice into the phone.
"How was practice?" I ask.
"N-Not great... Temari isn't a great captain, and Ms. Kurenai knows it. You... you shouldn't quit."
"I'm not. I'm just taking a break for a little while. But I didn't call to talk about poms. Listen, I wanted you to know I broke up with Hidan today."
"And you're telling me because..."
That's a good question, one I normally wouldn't have answered. "I wanted to talk with someone about it, and I know I have friends who I can call, but I kinda wanted to go to someone who wouldn't gossip about it. My friends have big mouths." I admit to her.
Ten-Ten is the one person I'm closest to, but I lied to her about Sasuke. And her boyfriend, Neiji, is best friends with Hidan.
"How do you kn-know I won't blab?" Hinata asks.
"I don't. But you didn't tell me stuff about Sasuke when I asked, so I figure you're good at keeping secrets."
"I am. So shoot."
"I don't know how to say this..." I trail off, thinking before I speak.
Hinata laughs before saying, "I haven't got all day, you know."
"I kissed Sasuke," I blurt out.
"Sasuke? Holy crap! Was that before or after the Hidan break-up!"
I wince. "I didn't plan it."
Hinata laughs so hard and loud, I have to take the phone away from my ear. "You sure he didn't plan it?" She asks once she can get words out.
"It just happened. We were at his house and then we were interrupted when his mom came home and saw us-"
"What?! His ma saw you guys? In his house? Holy crap!" She goes off in whatever language she's speaking, and I have no clue what the hell she's saying.
"I don't speak that language, Hinata. Help me out here."
"Oh... sorry. Ha-ha, Ino is going to shit a brick when she finds out... That can't be good..."
I clear my throat.
"I won't tell her," Hinata is quick to say. "But Sasuke's mom is one tough woman. When Sasuke dated Ino, he kept her far away from his mama. Don't get me wrong, she loves her sons. But she's overprotective, just like most Uchiha mothers. Did she kick you out?"
I laugh a bit. "No, but she pretty much called me a whore..."
More laughing comes from the other end of the line. I may have laughed... But it wasn't funny.
"It wasn't funny..." I say to her.
"I'm... I'm sorry." More laughing. "I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when she walked in on you two."
"Thanks for the compassion," I say dryly. "I'm hanging up now."
"N-No! I'm sorry for laughing... It's just that the more we talk, the more I see you as a total different person than I thought you were. I... I guess I can understand why Sasuke likes you..."
I let out a sigh. "Thanks, I think. Remember when I told you I won't let anything happen between me and Sasuke?" I question, waiting for her answer.
"Yeah. Just so I get my timetable straight, that was before you kissed him. R-Right?" She chuckles, then says, "I'm just kidding, Sakura. If you like him, girl, go for it. But... be c-careful, because even if I think he likes you more than he'll admit, you should keep your guard up." She muses.
"I won't stop it if something happens between me and Sasuke, but don't worry. I always have my guard up."
"Me, too. Well, except the night you slept at my house. I kinda f-fooled around with... N-Naruto... I can't tell my friends or family... b-because they'd give me shit." She admits.
"Do you like him?" I ask.
"I don't know. I kind of liked him it happened... But I n-never really put thought into it. I also never analyzed how I felt about him before... But being with him that night was just... just amazing. It was kinda nice. How was that kiss with Sasuke?"
"Nice," I chime, thinking about how sensual it was. "Actually, Hinata, it was more than nice. It was fucking incredible."
Hinata starts laughing, and I laugh right along with her this time.
Sasuke
Sakura flew out of school today, following Burro Face. Before I left I saw them together in an intimate conversation by the back of the field. She picked him over me, which really shouldn't surprise me. When she asked me in chemistry what she should do, I should have told her to dump that dick. Then I'd be happy instead of pissed off. This really is some bullshit right now.
He doesn't deserve her. Okay, so I don't, either.
After school, I hung out at the warehouse to see if I could get any information about my dad. It was no use, though. The guys who knew my father back then didn't have much to say except he never stopped talking about his sons. All the conversation stopped when the Satin Hood sprayed the warehouse with gunfire, a sign that they're out for revenge and won't stop intil they get it. I don't know if I should be thankful or worried that the warehouse is in a secluded back lot behind the old railroad station.
Nobody knows we're here, not even the cops. Especially not the cops.
I'm resistant to the Pop! Pop! Pop! Of gunfire. In the warehouse, at the park... I expect it. Some streets are safer than others, but here, in the warehouse, rivals know it's our sacred turf. And they expect retaliation. It's the culture. You disrespect our turf, we disrespect yours. Nobody was hurt this time, so it's not retaliation against a killing. But there will be retaliation. They expect us to come. And we won't disappoint them.
On my side of town, the circle of life is dependent on the circle of violence.
Taking the long way home after it's all clear, I find myself driving past Sakura's house. I can't help it. As soon as I cross the tracks, a cop car stops me and two uniformed guys step out.
Instead of informing me why I'm being pulled over, one of the cops orders me off my motorcycle and asks me for my license.
I hand it to him. "Why am I being pulled over?"
To Be Continued...
Yay! End of chappie number 8. Hehe, Thanks For Reading!
Feedback is appreciated!
I'm in a rush, so I can't say much this Authors Note... but things start to kick off! I promise.
Thanks For Reading!
Stay Tooned!
Kumi-Chan/Tobi-Is-Fluffy-Chan
