Summary: He fell in love with her twelve years ago. Now twelve years later, he thinks he's forgotten, thinks he's moved on; until he sees her. There's only ever one first love.
Standard disclaimer applies here
A/N: For NinzkieIsAnOtaku, because she's a sweetheart and I'm far from being anyone's idol, so thank you!
Wonderwall
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Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me.
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i.
Sasuke Uchiha loves school, even more so now that he's in grade one and he can do all sorts of arts and crafts, and play soccer without the teachers fretting over him. He'd enjoyed his kindergarten years in Jiraiya Elementary, the popular school in Konoha named after his best friend Naruto's uncle, an internationally regarded author who had spent his years educating and spreading his knowledge around the world.
Sasuke knew everyone in his class. There is Ino, the outspoken blonde girl who would always (and still does, he adds) try to win over his affections. There is Tenten, a tomboy and an athlete, who is fun to play soccer with. There's Hinata, a shy, quiet girl who has a huge crush on Naruto, the class clown and Sasuke's best friend. There's Shikamaru with his smarty-pants and laziness, Chouji with his huge appetite, Kiba with his goofy, show-off ways, and Neji with his quiet seriousness.
They're all a family, here in Jiraiya Elementary. Like his brother's class two years ago, they graduate together and they head down to the same high school road together. It's always been like that.
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ii.
She comes two weeks into class.
She hasn't missed much in two weeks of grade one, but Sasuke is sure she has missed out on all the crafts and fun things they've done already. She's a new girl and she looks just like her name- Sakura- with her soft, pretty pink hair, pale porcelain skin, and bright viridian eyes that sparkle.
She reminds Sasuke of a pretty fairy princess, out of this world; she's the prettiest girl Sasuke ever did see, and right off the bat there is something about her that makes Sasuke want to get to know her better.
Ino automatically takes the girl under her wing, and for the rest of their days in elementary school, they remain best friends.
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iii.
The first time Sasuke protects her is during his soccer game. She's standing nearby with Ino and Hinata, watching closely with awed eyes as if she'd never seen the game before. Sakura's wearing a loose, white silk dress, with ribbon straps and flowers blooming at the hem. There's a creamy ivory lace headband in her hair, and for a minute Sasuke loses his breath.
Puffing out his chest, he turns back to the game, determined to give Sakura the best game she'd ever seen. Throughout the whole game, Sasuke keeps his focus on the ball, aware of the pretty girl's curious eyes on him.
Sure enough, his team wins the game. Kiba, being a poor sport, yells at the girl for distracting the game and for making him lose the game.
Sasuke's chest constricts when he sees fresh tears glistening in Sakura's eyes. Running toward Kiba, he stands defensively in front of Sakura and snaps back, "She didn't do anything, Kiba! Back off!"
Kiba snarls nastily at him, and shoves him back roughly against the girl. She catches him, and her touch ignites a searing fire through Sasuke's pale skin. He turns, and his heart flutters at the sight of Sakura's gentle and undeniably grateful smile.
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun!" She says, and dusts off a speck of dirt on Sasuke's jersey.
Sasuke only watches, face flaming, when she walks back with Ino.
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iv.
It's not hard to say that grade five is the best year for Sasuke. It's his favourite year thus far, and not because he likes the number five, or because they learn how to make floor plans and how to calculate prices; it's not even because this year, he'd get to play centre for his final championship hockey tournament.
It's because the teacher, Mr. Iruka, put him beside the pretty fairy girl he'd liked since he first laid eyes on her.
He tries to bite down the smile that worms its way on his face (because for some reason, she had that effect on him) as Sakura sits down in the seat beside him. She's not wearing anything special; just dark denim jeans and a long-sleeved boy band shirt, but Sasuke thinks she still looks amazing.
She smells of vanilla and a fresh summer breeze, her long pink hair tied up in a high ponytail.
Sasuke watches her, mesmerized. Sitting so close to Sakura, he can see that she doesn't wear any make-up or anything, and her face looks bright and natural and frankly, way better than make-up coated girls.
He falls a little bit harder.
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v.
As a joke, he gives her the pencil he'd used all year. He wonders why he does so, but deep down he knows it's because he wants a piece of him in her possession. He wonders if she'll keep it or just give it away.
When he finds out that she gives it to Ino (who still has a massively huge crush on him, for some strange reason) his heart breaks, just a little bit.
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vi.
Sasuke will never forget his grade eight graduation. All the lights, the songs, the happy cheers of finally growing up.
His heart soars when Sakura, in her stunning strapless black and white dress with the magenta sash around her petit waist, asks him shyly for his tie. He takes it off, and teases her by waving it in her face and smiling at her blushing face. Finally, he ties it around her porcelain neck, and feels the heat rise from the back of his neck.
She looks beautiful, unrealistically beautiful with her ruffled dress and his dark blue silk tie around her neck. From the corner of his eye, he can see the jealous but happy smile on Ino's face, and he smirks when Shikamaru goes and stands beside Ino and hands her his dark green tie. Her face lights up, a furious blush fires across her cheeks, and in that moment Sasuke knows that Ino will no longer chase him.
It's their final year at Jiraiya Elementary, and things are starting to change.
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To be continued…
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