A/N - I remind you that this is a short story.

So short stories have some extra short chapters.

DISCLAIMER - I do not own Naruto

Song used for this chapter -Karbide X Synergy - Home Tonight [Chill Trap Exclusive]

I guess the problem was how it all started. How I can't get out of my head that this might have all been set up. To watch me trip and stumble along for someone's God damn amusement.

Why else. Why else would I deal with it? Because if this was anyone else's situation, there wouldn't be so many fucking obstacles. Any other dumb fairy tale, the girl always gets with the child hood friend.

But me? Me I have to play these games with her.

Like why does it bother you I'm with girls at these parties, but when we're face to face you don't put on a hint of attraction for me. Why do you get to be selfish, yet all I want is for you to just focus and you can't because there's another guy always next to you.

It's like going through hurdles dealing with Ino, and fuck I always find myself running through it for my own personal amusement. Why? Because it's the only amount of genuine attention I can get from her now days, and it's those little amount of times of helping her catch on to how I feel.

But I stick to the line of being the best friend. Ino has never even thought of moving me from there. So I always find something to do at the party.

A distraction at best that I casually follow up on at the beach house when got there

And yet. Best friend Ino is glaring, as she always does through out the night if I don't show her attention.

I smile slightly and shake my head.

"What's so funny?" The girl in front of me asked sweetly, her tongue running the straw before taking a sip, "Something I said?"

I glance behind me, catching Ino rolling her eyes and looking away. Snorting softly, I look away before slipping my hands in my pocket, "Ah nothing. Was just thinking about something.:

"Rude," the girl mocked with a tilt of her head, "I'm standing right in front of you and I can't hold all your attention?"

I smiled smoothly, "I haven't found a reason to give it to you just yet."

The girl smirked, looking not the least bit offended as she leaned in slightly before whispering, "How about I attempt to convince you upstairs."

My eyes darted to hers as my eyebrows raised in surprise, "Alright, you're slowly getting my attention."

She laughed lightly, taking my wrist before tugging me away. Which, duh I fucking followed. I wasn't lying, the girls offer was getting my attention. Leaving everything else in the fucking dust.

And when all was said and done upstairs, I was beyond convinced that this girl could have anything she wanted from me.

So with a successful venture, I wandered back downstairs with a smile on my face. Hell why they fuck not, I think I came out ahead with the adventure.

But of course when I hit the last step, Ino is just passing by. I catch her eyes, how the register where I'm coming from and noticing the way I had been running my hair back straight. Just in two seconds, her look hit me in the chest, but I didn't stop her from walking away. Not like I could. She was just the best friend, she always claimed the same thing. So even if I caught her before she could leave, she'd push as far away as she could.

Amazing how one look from her always seemed to damper my mood.

That's how I know I have it for her bad.

That's how I know without a doubt I was meant for her.

No one else makes me feel a damn thing.

But she couldn't see how she was meant for me.

Maybe because on the outside, I was always in the middle of a distraction , too busy to give her a reason for that thought.

But it didn't matter. I was still the best friend. Even if I didn't get what I wanted, even if I couldn't have her, she still has me on a leash. That's what it was like. Being trapped.

Because she knew how to get to me so well.

So later that night I find her. She's on the beach sitting on some towel. She was alone. Looking all mysterious staring at the moon and water.

Rolling my eyes because of the dramatics, I sat next to her and didn't say a thing. Just kept her company in the silence.

After awhile, she mumbled she was out here texting the new guy from tonight. And how they were now dating.

That's why I always thought that this was a set up.

Always imagining that I'm someone's way of passing by the time.

Because of this reoccurring shit.

But I smiled slightly and twirled my finger to show my enthusiasm, "Wow. He managed to do it huh. Managed to range Ino."

She laughed, pushing me away, "Yes. He's cute and funny. He didn't have a single problem. I'm not a she witch."

I shrugged, laughing, "Well good for him. Sure Kiba is a keeper."

She smiled slightly, "Me too…"

I sighed, refusing to say another nice thought about the guy. The future was already leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

But of course Ino says softly, "What about that girl earlier? A keeper?"

I glance at her, refusing to be broken down by her look. Smiling, I reply, "The girl definitely has some fine points to her. But it's a one night thing. Don't even remember her name."

Ino looked away and said nothing.

And I no longer had the strength

So I just sat there.

Thinking now Kiba was another obstacles.

Such low commitment. So low, in fact, I feel bad for fucking post this chapter. Lmfao.

Well nah, I'll live. Fuck it.

Keep it up dude. Keep going.

Do it.

Just.

Do it.