When I said 'Come what may' I didn't literally meant, "Throw me every single thing you have God!"
The Datables
Tylenol, Tylenol, Tylenol, Tylenol…
I heard the shrieking and loud sound of a thunder above the music blasting off my earphones – Is it out of line if I were simply bold to say "would you be mine"? I pulled my top's hoodie above my head, expecting for rain to pour down any moment; a cold is the last thing I want right now.
Now…that I, I must…
Ack! Tylenol, Tylenol, Tylenol, Tylenol…mom needs Tylenol.
Chapter Four
It had all just seemed so surreal. If it hadn't been for the thick and cold breeze that sent shivers down my spine and raised Goosebumps on my arms, legs, and neck, I would've concluded that it was all just a horrible dream – well, a bittersweet dream, I suppose.
"Y–You what?"
"Amy, I am so going to punch your ugly face!" Ino threatened angrily, feeling what I couldn't bring myself to feel at that moment.
"You can't make Sakura do that!" TenTen said.
"Oh, but I'm not making her do anything," a light and mischievous chuckle escaped Amy's smirk, "She can freely say no and walk away, and by all means! If you are not certain do so – however, that will automatically mean that you know nothing about dating, thus not capable of leading us and giving us advice whatsoever." …not capable…?
"You…bitch…" Ino said lowly, highly astonished.
I looked at the rest of the girls and knew that they were siding with Amy on this one; but…I'm not mad at all, I don't feel betrayed, I don't feel any anger towards them because I know that if I were in their position I'd instantly side with Amy. However…I don't…I don't have to be in their position to side with her…
"What are you going to do Haruno?" Amy asked.
"She'll decline, that's what she'll do!" Ino said, earning a glare from Amy.
"Don't choose for her Ino! You have no say in this!"
"I have as much say as you do Amy – in fact, even more!" I mean, I still want to…
"Don't make me laugh! – Why are you even here?!"
"Girls stop." TenTen ordered, her voice distant.
"Why are you doing this?!" Ino yelled back at Amy, completely ignoring TenTen.
But…
"Deal," Everything went silent and everyone's eyes turned to me. "I'll do it, I'll date Sasuke and prove that I know what I'm doing."
…how?
Amy smiled, "Alright, you do that and we'll follow your every move." Amy looked at Tayuya and nodded, before the two, followed by Isaribi and Taemi, made their way to the door.
"Wait, Amy," Amy turned around and looked at me, "Why – Why Sasuke?" Does she know I like him?
"Well, that's pretty simple," her hands went to her hips, "Its Uchiha Sasuke. If you can get through him, you can get through any guy; the guy's like…made out of ice or something."
(Little ice cube Sasuke! (literally) Ack, how cute!)
At least she doesn't know.
"Okay." … (That's me not really processing words, or reactions for that matter.)
Amy nodded and walked out, leaving TenTen, Hinata, and a not so happy Ino with me.
"What the hell Sakura?!" Ino quickly blurted, putting her hands on her hips and impatiently looking at me.
…3…2…1…
Words and reactions can finally process naturally.
Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, BOOM!
"INO SHUT UP!" Alriiiight.
"Did you --? Did she--?" She pointed at me and looked at the girls in disbelief, "Oh my God you totally just yelled at me!" TenTen slapped her forehead.
"No shit Ino-pig." Really, thanks captain obvious.
"Well don't yell at me!" Ino yelled.
"You're yelling at me Ino-pig!"
"That's because you've gone completely mental, while I," – she placed her hand on her chest proudly – "On the other hand, am a completely normal, beautiful, and graceful,"
"Don't forget narcissist…" I added.
"GRACEFUL! …human being." And she smiled.
"Right," TenTen sighed and looked at me, "I'm sure you have your reasons for accepting her deal or whatever it was, so…yeah."
"But I don't understand," the narcissist, normal, beautiful and graceful blonde pig spoke, "The whole point of this club was so that you could learn in the end and finally be able to date him, not date him so that they can learn."
…ah, "Well, you know? That wasn't the whole point." Great comeback – Sakura: 1, Narcissistic, normal, beautiful and graceful pig: 1; yeah, I gave my self a point because I can.
"But you still don't know a thing." Ino stuck out her tongue.
"I'm certain Sakura'll do it." Hinata said smiling. I smiled in return; I can always count on her to cheer me on even if she has doubts.
"Can we go now?" TenTen asked, looking a bit irritated and impatient, "The bell's about to ring and I would like to at least drink something."
"Does anyone know what there was for lunch?" Ino asked as we walked to the door.
"Mm, I think there was something with sushi…" Hinata said thoughtfully.
TenTen groaned, "Great day to make an emergency meeting Amy!"
. . .
I let out a very, very, very long and deep sigh.
During the day I tried as much as I could to avoid Sasuke, which kind of worked because Sasuke barely looked at me - So if you're crazy, I don't care you amaze me - Maybe I should've recorded what Hinata said during lunch, that way I'd be more confident right now.
"I'm certain Sakura'll do it."
"I'm certain Sakura'll do it."
"I'm certain Sakura'll do it."
…yeah…
"Where's the Tylenol?" I browsed down an aisle – potato ships, candy, ramen. I took off my earphones just in time to hear another thunder and hear the sound of rain pouring down. There were hardly any people in the pharmacy, the cashier, who sighed exasperatedly when it started raining, an old man paying, and a woman dressed in working clothes talking on the phone with, I presume, her husband or lover.
I grabbed a little box of Tylenol and went over to the cashier. I weakly chuckled at how bored he looked, he had short brown hair and brown eyes, was really tall and white, had some pimples around his face, and he chewed bubblegum like a cow – plus he wore his shirt really, really tight.
"That will be four dollars." He said after throwing it in a small plastic bag. Four dollars? Wow, is it a miracle pill or something? - Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you… After grabbing the bag I walked over to the door. It's raining like hell, I didn't hear anything about a storm coming, blah, whatever. I pulled over my hoodie and stepped outside, wind mixed with cold water hit my skin. I took a deep breath, okay, just run as fast as you can Sakura and you'll get home quick.
"Hey Sakura-chan!" I quickly turned to the source of the voice and there stood Naruto with water dripping down his face and hair, and…Sasuke behind him with an umbrella. Naruto moved his head wildly like a dog.
"Naruto…" I know I'm going to get wet soon, but I'm dry now.
"What are yah doing here?" he asked grinning.
"I came to buy some pills for my mom; she said she had a headache." That normally happens when she works too much non-stop. Sasuke just stood there…like a stone, mooooove! TALK!
"How are you getting home?"
I sighed, "I guess I'm gonna have to run." And smiled – I'm so getting a cold.
"What…? Nah! Sasuke will walk you home!" Now he moves…to glare at Naruto, "Whaaat? You have the umbrella teme! We can't just let Sakura-chan get all wet, she'll get sick!!"
"Y-you don't have to," What the hell am I saying?! Of course he has to! "Really." I have to try and spark a conversation someway, this might be my chance, but if he still says no (because it's Sasuke, he can be cold and a meanie and say no and don't care) …I guess I'll have to try at school…
All of the sudden, Sasuke stepped under the rain, "Tsk, let's go." and as usual, his tone towards me was cold and dry – how am I ever going to do this?
But…he's walking me home, holy freaking fnaofibhiba!
"Cool then, I'm gonna buy some stuff," Naruto said and opened the pharmacy's door, "See yah later Sakura-chan!" he grinned and walked in.
Bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump, bump-bump.
I've never stood this close to Sasuke – never. He smells nice; I wonder what kind of cologne he uses. It wasn't strong nor completely intoxicating, it was soft to my nose and—
"Acho!!" sniff, "Sorry." Damn.
He looked at me for a mere second and turned his gaze to the path ahead. Well, that's something, although any normal human being would say, "God bless," or whatever. His expression right now is the same as always, cold and distant, and he always dresses so great; today he's wearing a black sweater and a pair of jeans.
I should try and make a conversation! Now it's my chance! Ah! Wait, NO!, on TV shows, and even on manga, the girl plays hard to get, that way the guy gets more interested!! Alright Sakura! Time to play hard to get!
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…" he coughed.
"…" sniff.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Thanks for walking me home."
"Bye."
Up the stairs and to the third door. Open, step in.
"Did you get the Tylenol?"
(Realization) Oh my God! That SUCKED!
"Yeah." That's all I got!
"Thanks," Mother took the plastic bag and opened the box. Father walked out of the hallway with a towel around his neck.
"I love it when it rains," he commented, "The sound of the water is so relaxing." He wrapped his arms around mom's waist from the back and rested his chin on her shoulder.
…oi…"Dad, would you date me?" . . .
He looked at me a bit bewildered, while my mom lowered the bottle of water from her lips and lightly sighed.
"Err…"
Oh my God…
"…well…"
My own father
"I can't, you're my daughter."
IS A BIG IDIOT!
"Daaad!"
"Seiichi you big idiot…" Mom shook her head.
"Whaaaaat?" and yet I know he isn't acting at all, "But its true!" I shook my head and started walking to my room, "I can't date her Imari, she's my daughter! – our daughter!"
"She didn't mean it literally…" and I stepped inside,
"Ooooh…!" and closed my door.
I sat on my bed, letting out a deep sigh. Of course, you can't play hard to get unless he is actually trying to get somewhere – and I'm one of the top students, you'd think I'd actually figure that before playing hard to get, if you can call it that anyway.
Knock, knock.
Dad opened the door with an apologetic smile.
"Dad, don't worry about it." I said before he started speaking. He stepped in, now with a sympathetic smile.
"I want to answer your question Sakura, please?"
I sighed and moved backwards to cross my legs and make my self comfortable, "Sure go ahead."
He quickly sighed and cleared his throat, "Well, to be honest…I would be a total fool to not date you—"
"You're my dad; you're supposed to say that." Really…
He quickly moved and sat beside me.
"No Sakura, I'm being honest here," he said, "You're intelligent, kind, friendly, responsible, and a bunch of other things that will take me forever to mention—"
"But they don't know that, they can't see my personality or the way I am…" I whispered back.
"No…they can't. But they'll see your beautiful pink locks, those vibrant green eyes, and the most beautiful smile I've ever seen," he smiled, "But Sakura please, don't worry so much about your looks, whatever you're wearing, no matter how bad of a hair day you may be having, your personality will always shine through, and that will make them boys date you," he lightly chuckled, "Well, at least you'd win me over with that smile of yours." Oh dad – he's definitely the mother in the couple.
I smiled back.
"So, whoever it is that you're worrying about, don't worry anymore. Sooner or later they'll see how special you are, and if they don't, it's because they are absolutely and completely stupid, and don't deserve someone as wonderful as you."
I tightly embraced him, resting my head on his shoulder, while one of his hands wrapped around my waist and the other softly caressed my hair.
"Thanks dad." Thank you so much…
"No problem kiddo…"
Sasuke-kun's smart, isn't he?
"Sorry." I bumped into someone…who kept walking, how rude! "SORRY!" Sheesh! Don't people know a little thing called 'manners'?
So my first attempt at a conversation with Sasuke-kun (after the deal) didn't go quite well; neither did the very first attempt, but whatever. But, I'm not going to give up, not now! Today we have a club meeting (not an emergency one) and they are expecting something out of me.
And something they shall hear!
…I still don't know exactly what, but – but…SOMETHING!
On the mean time, I think I should try to make another conversation with Sasuke-kun, maybe it will go differently – hopefully anyway.
I turned around the corner. "Sakura! Sakuraaaa!" I looked up and there I saw Ino running towards me. She must've been standing by the school's gate.
"Whaaa--?" and as soon as she got close to me, she pulled me back around the corner and behind the wall (where no one by the gate could see us). "What is it?"
"Sooo, what happened yesterday? She eagerly asked.
Oh!
Last night I started telling Ino about what happened between Sasuke and me, but couldn't finish because she had to go.
"So, while we were walking--"
"Did you start a conversation?!"
I glared at her, "Do you want me to tell you everything?" I hate it when they interrupt me after asking me to continue!
"Ugh," she rolled her eyes, "Sorry."
I sighed, "Well, no, I played hard to get…it sucked sooo much Ino! Nothing happened!!" I whined.
"Damn it, that really sucks." She said.
. . .
Blue eyes blinked.
"'I hope you do better next time!'" she's supposed to add that.
"Yeah, that too!" she grinned, I rolled my eyes, "Anyways, when do you plan for the 'next time' to be?"
"Today!" I grinned, "I don't know exactly when, but maybe during lunch."
Ino lightly sighed, "Well," she smiled, "I'll be rutting for you, and I'm sure that Hinata and TenTen as well."
"Yeah." I smiled – I can do it, yeah.
I'll prove it to Amy, I'll get a chance with Sasuke, and I'll get a chance to help the girls out.
During the morning, I told Isaribi and Taemi to tell Amy and Tayuya to wait outside the cafeteria for me, Hinata, and TenTen because I had something really important to show them – even though I don't have the plan fully…planned, but whatever, I'll do what I can.
"Are you sure it will work?" TenTen asked as we made our way to the cafeteria. Hinata walked on my other side.
"Err – mm – no, but I'm hoping…" My heart's bumping so fast, try to calm down Sakura.
"I'm sure it will." Hinata softly said, I smiled at her.
At the end of the hall I spotted four girls casually standing in front of the cafeteria doors. They all turned to us as we approached them .
"Why did you tell us to wait here?" Amy asked.
"Honestly, I'm getting annoyed by these sudden meetings," Tayuya said, "I like eating lunch, you know?"
"And you will eat lunch," please don't eat me, "But first I would like to show you girls something – it will only take a few minutes!" I quickly added before any of them said anything.
"What?" Amy asked, crossing her arms across her chest.
…"I'm going to approach Sasuke, and…" and what? What?! "Sit with him! Yeah!" Oh God…my original plan was to just approach him and say thanks and a few other things, but…I have to make it big!
"Big wow…" Amy rolled her eyes. I glared at her, before huffing.
"Well…you weren't the one who he walked home yesterday because it was raining." I stuck out my tongue at her (priceless expression!) and walked in the cafeteria.
Where is he? Where is he? Oh!
He was sitting at the smaller tables near a wall. I took a very deep breath, Okay, you can do it, and thus I made my way to his table. I spotted Ino sitting with her usual crew, in between the giggles and chatter, she looked at me and quickly nodded, and then returned to the conversation as if nothing had happened.
This is my chance, I'll prove it to Amy – to everyone.
I can do it! Cha!
"…!" I'm here! His looking at me! I invaded his territory! Oh my God! Say something, damn it! – And an automatic smile came in, "Hiiii…" that must've sound so freaking idiotic.
"…" he returned to his lunch, ignoring me completely.
"Mm…" Relax Sakura, think straight, "I just wanted to properly thank you for walking me home yesterday," I smiled, "I was in a bit of a hurry to get home, so…thank you, very much."
"Aa." He lightly nodded his head. Say something else, please.
(Point of view from cafeteria door: "Oh my Gooood!! He just nodded! He just nodded!" –Awed-)
I sat on the chair across him, thus getting his full attention.
"What do you want?" He finally spoke.
(Point of view from cafeteria door: "He was allowing her to sit with him!" –astonished-)
He doesn't have to be so blunt, "I just wanted to…ask you about…" About what? "S-Saturday's party, yeah, do you know where it's going to be?" I wonder what the girl's think.
"Meh," he shrugged, "Why should I care?"
"I honestly don't know," I chuckled, "But it should be interesting…" I should leave now, leave him wanting more or…something. I stood up and straightened my skirt, "Well, again, thanks for yesterday. I don't know what I would've done if I had gotten sick, it's the last thing I want right now, see you around." I waved my hand and turned my heel.
"…"
I stopped and turned around to face him again, "I'm Haruno Sakura, by the way." I smiled and walked away, before he could say anything – because he wasn't going to say anything.
I inhaled deeply and shortly after exhaled. This familiar wave of confidence ran through my body like a storm – I actually just talked with Sasuke, I actually just sat with him…I actually did it. Doesn't it feel great when you succeed in doing something you've wanted to do for a long time? Well…I still haven't gotten where I actually want to be, but I'm starting.
I walked out of the cafeteria and immediately the girls surrounded me.
"That was awesome!"
"What happened?"
"Oh my God!"
Aaaah! Stop with all the noise!
"Shhh!" the girl's went quiet, but still looked very eager and curious, "I'll explain everything, but please keep it down." Jeez.
"You actually sat with him!" Taemi said.
"Yeah," Isaribi nodded, "With Uchiha Sasuke!"
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a freaking minute! "Girls, this is not Sasuke's fan club. If you wanna idolize him, then go to the kyaa-kyaa's table, but not here – not here." Seriously, those girls (fans) scream the same way all the time; Kyaaaa! Kyaaa! – psshh, how ridiculous…
…yeah.
"Sorry." They both said.
"Well, I just went there to properly thank him for yesterday," I shrugged, "And one thing led to another, and next you know I'm asking him if he knows about Saturday's party."
"Ah, right, Karin's party…" TenTen acknowledged.
Isaribi gasped, "So you're going to that party with him?!"
"Wow, Haruno." Amy smirked.
"Well it's not official…" I chuckled, blushing a little – I'm going to burn in the pit of hell forever and ever till the end of time. "But we'll talk more about this later today, so go and eat." The girls nodded and walked in, still commenting about what I just did, while TenTen and Hinata stayed behind with me.
"So…" TenTen said, "What really happened?"
Busted.
I chuckled, "…well…I sat there just to get his attention and I forced a very small conversation with him by asking him if he knew where Saturday's party was going to be," I sighed while Hinata and TenTen laughed, "I suck so much at this, he must think I'm some kind of…of…weird, stalker-ish fan." The last thing I want is for him to put me in that horrible category again…'fan girl'.
"And what really happened yesterday?" TenTen asked, "Did he really offered to walk you home?"
"Oh my God, do you really think he is not capable of escorting someone to their house willingly because he has an umbrella and doesn't want that person to get sick?"
"No."
"Okay, yeah…" That's sad, "Well I just went to the pharmacy to buy some Tylenol for my mom, and when I walked out I bumped into Naruto and him. Naruto asked me how I was getting home, I said I was going to run, Naruto told Sasuke to walk me home because he had an umbrella, Sasuke did it even though he didn't want to do it," deep breath, "And while we walked I 'played hard to get', which totally didn't work because he wasn't trying anything at all in the first place" – TenTen laughed – "So…yeah, that's basically what happened."
"You are hopeless Sakura." TenTen chuckled, putting her arm around my shoulder.
"B-But at least you were close to him Sakura-chan," Hinata said smiling, "And you just walked up to him and s-sat in his table…"
"Yeah…" I smiled back.
"Let's go eat!" TenTen quickly said and we stepped inside, "Are you really going to Karin's party?"
"I really don't know, it would be interesting though."
"What's so interesting about beer, dancing, and possibly sex?" TenTen snorted, rolling her eyes.
"Meh," What ever happened to the good ol' parties? "But, I think I'm gonna go anyway."
No harm in that, right?
I stood against the black board waiting for the girls to show up. The last bell rang about eight or ten minutes ago, and after what happened today, they should come. During the last periods I came up with a few things I should tell them, since they are going to follow everything I did because to them it 'worked'.
Taemi and Isaribi walked in and sat next to Hinata. Shortly after, Amy walked in, with Tayuya arriving a few seconds later. TenTen closed the door and stood next to it.
I feel a bit bad for lying to them, but maybe for them it will work out – I have faith that it will.
"Okay, so," I sighed and smiled, "Welcome to the first official meeting with me as your official mentor…I sincerely hope that everything works out perfectly."
I really do.
To Be Continued…
First song: Whistle for the Choir by The Fratellis.
Second song: Wonderwall by Oasis.
Author's Note: I'm really sorry for not updating faster, school is really keeping me busy and I barely have enough time to concentrate on a chapter. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed, much appreciated. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Please Review.
-Mary.