A/N: Anyone who read Gatorade/The G-Series who is reading this fic now, thank you. And thanks to Blaack Pepper for reading and reviewing my fic "Labels" as well. I do check those kinds of things. ^^

Peace Over Popularity

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"Ooh, I'm so nervous!" A pink haired teenager announced to her friends as she packed up her clarinet in its case.

Ino rolled her eyes before gently slapping her friend's arm.

"You're the last person who should be worrying, you're perfect, Sakura." Hinata and Tenten nodded in agreement.

Sakura Haruno would be 14 in a few months, the youngest student at the whole Konoha High School. She had medium length coral colored hair—and let the records show it is completely natural—that matched her bright emerald eyes that gleamed with innocence and happiness 24/7. She wasn't very tall but had a slightly athletic body shape from cheerleading but not overly muscular that she rivaled the basketball team's physique.

Sakura was about to protest Ino's comment when bright red jumped right in front of her.

"Sak, where've you been? Mei and I have been waiting for you!" Karin called, tugging Sakura along with her to the exit doors of the band room.

Ino and Tenten scowled at the popular fake red-head as she dragged their best friend away without even acknowledging the rest of them.

But it was Karin, they didn't expect anything less than from someone like her. AKA: a Popular, also known as a bitch from Ino's point of view.

Unfortunately, Sakura Haruno was at the top of this level—the popularity one she meant.

It started in sixth grade, when Karin came to their school from other rich school people only dreamed of attending. At the time Sakura was rather unpopular, no one knowing much about her or bothering to get to know her. But she wasn't into anyone but Ino, Tenten, and Hinata either (the three missed these dasys). Karin said she needed Sakura for a "test subject" and quickly made the girl popular in order to make her own self popular much to the three's dismay.

Since then Sakura became completely different.

She's nice, decent in studies, pretty, innocent, social, and everything that stood for love and good. Back when Ino knew her (pre-Karin era) she was aggressive, smart beyond belief, beautiful in her own unique way, mischievous, quiet, and everything unique and unimaginable.

Ino would trade the world for that old, unpopular girl no one knew about to come back.

But life wasn't a fairy tale and the world wasn't due for sale any time soon. So Ino, Tenten, and Hinata would have to live with this new, perfect Sakura instead. Life had a funny was of changing suddenly for the worse and never turning back… but there were a few times life changed again, for the better. And that rare time began today.

"Temeeeee, look, that hot chick is totally checking you out!"

Said "teme" rolled his eyes and proceded to ignore the blonde by stacking his textbooks in his locker neatly, a grand contrast from mentioned blonde's own locker that looked like a pig sty meets rat's nest meets teenage boy's bedroom.

Naruto only continued to nudge Sasuke harder in the ribs until Sasuke put his Taekwondo to good use and swiftly popped Naruto's shoulder out of place.

He ignored the screams of agony behind him and curious stares with ease, heading to his first class.

"I'm thinking about switching songs for my band recital; something harder will probably surprise the judges," Sakura pondered over with her friends Karin and Mei as they sat around in class waiting for their math teacher.

Karin scoffed and flipped her red hair back with a flick of her wrist.

"Why would you do the stupid thing anyway? Band is so not cool."

Mei nodded in agreement and readjusted her own long, brown hair.

Sakura's small smile faltered but she quickly dismissed it and laughed the whole ordeal off, something she was used to doing nowadays.

"I guess you're right, I don't really know why I like it so much, haha."

A mischievous glint shone in Karin's eyes.

"You know, we should totally ditch class to watch the football team," she whispered with a slightly stifled giggle. Sakura looked undecided and slightly against the idea but Mei immediately shook her head.

"We've already ditched most of the first semester and if you flunk your dad's going to take away your credit card."

Karin glared at the brunette but quickly retaliated with a fake smile.

"Some cute guys are in this class too."

Sakura repressed a sigh at the statement implying yet another day of "Boy Hunting" with Karin and Mei. Sakura was never really interested in shopping, gossip, or boys but she knew it was one of those things Karin just wouldn't let slide.

Hadn't they slept with all of the guys at this school already?

Karin had always been the loud, assertive, openly flirty one that didn't wait very long to strike in every sense of the word. Karin always had to be the leader and on top in every situation possible, which usually meant selling herself to various (and many unattractive) boys and men alike in exchange for money, clothes, shoes, or something to add another rank to her popularity.

Mei was much of the opposite; she was more of the snake type who waited for the perfect moment to strike. She was cunning, quiet, and patient in this aspect of life. However, when the perfect moment comes she was known to be even more seductive and controlling than Karin and very successful too considering she practically oozed sexuality with her model-worthy looks and lust-worthy facial characteristics and bust.

Sakura, on the other hand, was still very much a virgin despite she received more offers and flirts than Karin and Mei combined. She was traditional, as her parents had taught her, believing relationships were meant for after school and college, and something as scandalous as sex was strictly meant for after marriage. Of course she never mentioned any of this to Mei or Karin (who assumed she wasn't inexperienced) as she was sure she'd never hear the end of it. Karin was the gossip queen and Mei was like a ninja—she could kill your insides silently with one disapproving look.

"Ew, who's that new kid? I saw him in the hall earlier with that blonde weirdo," Karin suddenly asked, pointing to the back corner of the room with disgust.

Sakura recognized the blonde to be Naruto Uzumaki, one of the greatest friends a person could possibly have. He wasn't someone who cared about labels or statuses and would befriend anyone. He talked loudly and nonstop, usually annoying everyone within hearing distance (which was pretty much the whole school). Sakura liked him though, he was friendly and the least shallow person she knew—even if he'd only talked to her once. Not because he didn't care for her, but because they were rarely in the same places do to their "statuses" (Sakura inwardly scoffed at this).

He played the trumpet in band, a fitting instrument for someone loud as him.

"Psh, he's not worth our time if he hangs out with Naruto," Mei replied with a dismissive wave, "and those jeans and that jacket—the kids needs some TLC What Not to Wear marathons."

Sakura almost laughed at the joke but quickly covered it with a fake cough.

Karin was true though, he did appear to be new considered she'd never seen him last semester. She knew a lot of people (most of which Karin didn't approve of) and made many acquaintances because of her open and friendly personality. She was the only one out of the Popular Trio everyone saw as "normal" enough to talk to and Sakura of course wasn't one to push anyone away for any petty high school reasons like Karin or Mei.

"OI, SAKURA-CHAN, HI!"

Sakura looked up to see Naruto now practically bouncing in his seat waving at her with a wide grin. Sakura would have smiled back—if it weren't for Karin and Mei's angry glares on her. It was like they were daring her to make a wrong move.

With the whole class looking between her and the still waving Naruto, Sakura was positive the "I didn't hear" trick wouldn't work today.

Be strong Sakura, Karin and Mei can't possibly torture you...much…

Sakura beamed back the best she could and waved back with a small "hello". The sweet sparkle of joy and recognition in Naruto's ocean-blue eyes made the life-ending little interaction almost worth it. Almost.

"Um, why the hell are you talking to Naruto?" Karin immediately asked loud enough for the whole classroom to hear. The name rolled off her tongue like poison with so much hate a few people in the class visibly shivered, eyes still glued to the unfolding scene before them.

Why did Karin have to choose the very front seats?

Oh right, so boys would notice her hair flips and lover-eyes.

Sakura blinked.

Think, think, thiiiiiink!

"…because he said 'hi'?"

Half of the room burst into giggles but Karin did not look amused in the slightest.

"Are you fucking me?"

Nah, most of the guys in this class have already done that.

"He's a complete loser for god's sake, he doesn't own a penny to his name!"

"And for the record," Mei added next to her, slightly behind, "he doesn't even have parents anymore, and no one in his family is stupid enough to take him in."

The classroom fell silent as everyone waited for Sakura to make the next move.

A small part of her realized she was one small skip from losing everything and becoming a "Popularity Drop-Out" like Ino. The rest of her was overwhelmed with numbness and guilt as emerald eyes almost tearfully watched the obviously upset Naruto still trying to smile and mouthing "she's right, I'm a loser" playfully. Sakura knew the seriousness of his unspoken words though, he was telling her to forget about him and save herself, maintain her status.

And it was heartbreaking.

The small part of her Karin had influenced over the years told her Naruto was right, and if he was okay with it than take the opportunity. She'd worked hard for her high rank after all.

The other slightly larger part of her that had grown to become her current exterior personality over the years agreed, but to make it up to him later and maybe convince Karin and Mei he wasn't so bad after all. Stay on everyone's good side like a sweet, friendly, innocent girl.

The largest part of Sakura, her true self, aggressively exclaimed "NO". It just isn't right or fair to someone as kind and sweet as Naruto. He was always nothing but good to everyone no matter what the rumors said about them, who are you to berate him like that just because Karin and Mei don't like him? This part of Sakura felt guilt a sadness as well for Naruto's mentioned parent-less predicament.

Sakura took a deep breath before replying with the first response she could think of—

"You're right, Karin, sorry."

Karin smirked.

"Apology accepted, you're new to this popularity thing, don't worry."

Kakashi-sensei entered the room at that exact moment and math began.

A/N: Sad, ne? The second chapter is already written and will be posted after... let's say at least three reviews or tomorrow.