\\Shikamaru\\

When my mobile phone vibrated during the journey back to campus, I was expecting a message from anyone but her. I was so stunned that I just put the device away again without knowing what to say. I expected her to ignore me forever after what happened, but thinking about it, we have so many friends in common that there's no reason to ignore her and her me. We're both grown up, let's live our lives like the adults we are.

Just before I got home, I sent the reply with trepidation, after all, from what I understand, she doesn't have a happy history in love relationships.

I didn't expect her to accept it so easily. I just hope it really is a good fresh start for both of us.

All I want right now is to fall asleep, but my head is about to explode in a strange mixture of happiness and anxiety.

Although I'm happy to get to know her better, from what little I've seen she seems like an incredible person, I'm afraid of what she might think of me. What if she thinks I'm trying to use her to satisfy myself? God, I really hope she doesn't think that, no woman is an object. Sex is sex, but I always try to make sure that we both want it, and she didn't seem to contradict what we did.

I really want to be her friend, everyone says good things about her and going out for lunch can't kill anyone, right?

As the minutes go by, I feel my eyes getting heavy and then I fall asleep with a smile, thinking about the lunch I'm going to have and the unforgettable evening I had yesterday.

I wake up at eleven after a good night's rest. After yesterday's match and the two-hour journey, I could really use some sleep.

I get up and go downstairs in my pyjamas to eat something light. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I can't forget it even on my weekly break from football. A simple piece of toast and a fried egg is enough.

I sit on the sofa with my plate in my hand and look at Chouji sitting next to me with his eyes on some programme.

- Aren't you going out with your girlfriend?- I ask, usually on Sundays he takes advantage of Karui's day off.

- We're going out for lunch and spending the afternoon at her place. - he explains without taking his eyes off the telly.

- Where are you going for lunch? - I ask a little worried that I might have to change my plans with Temari.

- At the burger parlour near her house. Why do you ask? - he asks.

- Just out of curiosity. - I can take my mind off things.

- What are you doing today? - he asks me.

- I'm going to have a day to myself. I'm going out for lunch and maybe I'll go for a walk afterwards or something, I'm not sure yet. - I'm not sure who the bad influence is, but she and I have been telling a lot of lies and hiding a lot of things.

- Enjoy it then! - he says with a smile.

- Where are the others? - I ask, noticing that apart from us, the house is empty.

- I don't know. When I left the room, they were no longer here. Well, I'm going, see you soon. - He gets up, takes his coat and car keys and leaves me alone.

It's already midday, so I'm going to look good. I put on some simple clothes, comb my hair, put on perfume, put on my coat and pick up my keys. The restaurant isn't that close so I'm going for a ride on the motorbike, does Temari like motorbikes? Well, I'll find out in a few minutes.

When I park near the designated spot, she is already waiting for me. Radiant and beautiful as always and with a calm smile on her face.

– Sorry to keep you waiting! – I say when we are finally close. We shook hands before she answered me.

– Don't worry, I arrived a little while ago, I was going to let you know now. Well, let's go inside! - I open the door and I'm followed by her. A waiter takes us to a table in the interior of the restaurant. It's still February and it's quite cool to have lunch outside, we sit across from each other and receive the menu.

– Do you know what you want already? - I ask when I finally decide on pasta carbonara.

– A small margherita pizza should be good. - she replies.

– You don't want anything on your pizza, just cheese and leaves? – I ask in amazement – For me, real pizza has at least pepperoni.

- No, thank you. I try to be vegetarian even though it's not always possible. And the traditional pizza was like this, don't come with those Americanised things to an Italian restaurant! - she says and shows her strong personality.

- alright, alright. I think you're right. So why are you vegetarian? - I try to start a conversation.

– In addition to not wanting to kill animals, it is part of my culture not to eat certain meats. Lost by a hundred lost by a thousand, that's why I cut them all off straight away.- she responds.

– And where are you from anyway? I thought you were American! - I say curiously.

– I lived in the United Arabic Emirates until I was 10 years old, I have dual nationality as I have lived here for eleven years. My family had some problems and I ended up moving here with my father. - she says and takes on a sadder look.

– Sorry for bringing this subject up. - I say and the waiter arrives so we can place our orders, putting an end to the topic.

– So you have a motorbike? – she asks and her smile returns.

– It's true, the love of my life! – I say proudly – It was a gift from my father, I've had it for over 5 years. She's like a part of me and a link to my father. - I say and I get a little sensitive to the topic. Something she notices, so I try to get around - Do you want to ride her after lunch? We could go somewhere. - I ask.

– I don't think it's a good idea. It seems unsafe, I prefer slower means of transport.

– For you I'll drive slowly. You can cling to me and you already know that I will protect you from everything. – I say and wink at him.

– Besides the scares in horror films! - she laughs and our food arrives.

We had lunch with happy conversation in between, each one commented on their course and future. Apparently, she doesn't really know what to do, but she knows it will be related to dancing. I've had my future pre-defined for a long time, not that I've had the power to choose, but I don't have to worry about those decisions.

Before dessert arrived, we discussed the topic of tastes and discovered that we are different on many subjects such as series, films and music. But not in a bad way, quite the opposite, every time she told me another topic she liked, she captured my full attention. And the opposite was repeated, his gaze focused on me whenever I told her something.

We split the bill at her option and got to the motorbike.

– Are you ready for the trip? - I ask and hand her the helmet, opening the compartment under the seat to remove one for myself.

– Where are we going? – she asks excitedly.

– Surprise! – I sit down and extend my hand to help her climb up. She grabs her arms lightly around my waist - If you need to, you can hold on tighter, okay? - I feel her head nod in response. I could tell her about the support on the back, but I prefer it this way. I start the engine and take off down the road.

As soon as I start the journey along the main road, I feel her grip tighten. This sensation together with the power of speed makes me completely happy. Shortly after, we arrived at our destination.

– It's beautiful! – she says when she takes off her helmet and looks at the sea in front of her – The first piece of ocean I saw and touched was here in Los Angeles, without knowing it you brought me to a special place.

– Something told me you would like it. Come, let's sit by the water! - I say and hold her hand to guide her. We sat under the warm early afternoon sand and watched the waves crash on the sand near us. As it is still the cold season, there are few people here and we can be more relaxed. I take advantage of the moment and let my arm slide around her waist, grabbing her side to bring them closer.

– Are you like this with all your friends? – she asks as she drops her head onto my shoulder.

– Only with the irresistible ones like you!- I say and rest my head on hers. Anyone who saw us like this would think we were more than two friends who had two nights together, but that doesn't matter to me.

– And do you think you'll be able to resist and maintain the friendship? – one more question, I'm afraid to give you the true answer, but I hate lying.

– I'm going to have to put my skills to the test. It's not every day that I come across someone as beautiful as you!

– Unfortunately, it will be a challenge for both of us. The attraction between us is too great to be forgotten. I don't know if I'll be able to put aside what we did and be your friend if my body still wants you. - Her answer seems honest and it's hard for me to admit that I'm in the same position.

– I can't believe what I'm going to say but... what do you think about us having a friends with benefits thing? Just until this tension between us ends. I really want to be your friend, I love every second with you, but I can't ignore the enormous desire that consumes me every time I see you, Arabian princess. - I verbalize my feelings and eagerly await your response.

– I can't believe I'm going to say this but...- she sighs – I accept! - a relief invades my chest – Unfortunately I'm like you, even though I don't want to be. But you must promise that it's a secret between just the two of us, without Kiba this time.

– Blame the cat, not me. But yes, total secret, it's more erotic this way. - I hit her shoulder with mine and she rolls her eyes despite not containing her smile at my stupid joke. I think this friend will be the best I've ever had.

– Do you really think this is the decision you want to make? After all, Shikamaru Nara doesn't repeat fucks! - she says.

– You take me to places that destroy my reputation, you manipulate my decisions, but there is nothing holding me back. I know it's the right option, beautiful. - I assure her - Because if we lose our minds and take this too far I know we'll be fine. - we smile at each other.

– Then we have an agreement. Will you promise you won't hurt me too much? My biggest fear is to fall for your game and end up in shit again. - she says sadly.

– Temari, I don't know what your last name is, I promise to be your friend and stay by your side even if we don't work as sexual partners. And I promise not to hurt your heart too much and to protect you from whatever I can, be it stupid men or horror movie monsters. - I say with my hand on my heart in the form of an oath, and smile at the end of the promise.

She takes me by surprise and hugs me in gratitude. Without thinking twice, I hug her back and we stay there for a while just enjoying each other's presence before moving away to look at the sea again.

– Are we going to have rules? - she asks after a while of silence.

– I think the only things necessary are simple, when one of us wants it and the other is available, just choose a location and that's it, and, of course, everything will be confidential because none of us want to have to give explanations. - I reply, hoping that she will accept.

– And can we see other people while we have this agreement? - she asks fearfully, I know that her real fear is that I will get involved with someone else, so I reassure her.

– Not without prior notice and agreement. We're in this together after all. - she seems to relax with my answer and nods her head.

Next thing I know, it's almost three in the afternoon, I didn't even see this last hour pass, sitting here next to her.

– It's almost three in the afternoon, princess. Don't you have classes now? - I ask when I remember that sometimes I have to pick up Ino from the studio.

– Fortunately, there are no classes on Sundays. But I think that if it takes much longer, Tenten will find it strange that lunch is so long. - she says and moves away. I get up and extend my hand, which she accepts, to help her get up. After trying to get the sand out of our clothes, we headed to the bike.

– Leave me at the beginning of the street, please, I don't want to have to answer questions about why I arrived on a motorcycle. - she says and I nod in response.

The way back repeats the way there, but this time she seems more relaxed in my embrace, I hope she is enjoying this feeling as much as I do.

I stop the motorbike a few houses away from hers and when I get off the motorbike she takes off her helmet and hands it to me. I also get up to put it in the trunk. When I close it I turn to say goodbye.

– Then see you one of these days. - she says embarrassed and starts to distance herself. Without hesitation, I grab her by the waist to turn her around and kiss her longingly. She is confused at first, but soon lets go. We separated after a few seconds and smiled.

– When you get home let me know. - I smile and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear – See you one of these days princess.- I say and get back on the bike, starting the engine and driving home.

I leave the motorcycle in the garage and enter an empty house, which allows me to get lost in my thoughts. Would it be too bad to want it today? Well I think it's still too early so I'll have to make do on my own.

When I sit on the couch, I turn on the television to watch a movie and remember that I asked Tema for a message. Is it bad to already be called the nickname? Well, it doesn't matter, the cell phone has the message that assures me that she got home safe. I respond with "thank you" and spend the rest of the afternoon watching the film to distract myself.

I hope this week makes up for all these dry days, I feel like this was one of the most brilliant ideas I've ever had. I really hope that she understands my intentions and that she knows that I don't intend to destroy her like her old boyfriends, I don't know for sure how far her relationship has come, but she should already know that my principles don't allow me to hurt women. I may be a first-class womanizer, but I don't want to cause anyone pain.

Gender discrimination is something that, unfortunately, still exists in the 21st century, and that should not be tolerated. If you support any story that glorifies this issue, you can stop reading mine.

Kisses❤