Talking to strangers

Chapter 34: Wounds

SAK POV

I opened the door of my apartment and sighed. It was early afternoon and I had just made the long drive home from my parents place. The sound of the wheels of my luggage rolling across the floor was the only sound that filled the space. It was crazy how quiet and lonely this place felt compared to my parents house.

I actually would miss waking up to the smell of burning toast and the loud sound of the latest baseball game booming through the tv.

Staying over my parents place proved to be better for me then I thought. I got clarity, I was able to open up and speak to them like I hadn't done in years. Plus I had some great friends come and knock some sense into me.

My eyes met with a picture frame sitting on my bedrooms desk. It was a picture of Naruto and me. I smiled bitterly.

The past few days were truly like a dream, an escape from reality. My regular every day life was placed on the back burner and just for a little while I got to act like kid Sakura again. No patients to check on, no bills to pays, no relationships to cry over. But it was time to wake up.

I gently put the picture face down.

It was time to start over.

I showered and pampered myself a little bit. Though I felt sort of refreshed mentally my outer appearance had suffered. My skin was dry and crusted l, the bags under my eyes were just unacceptable and I couldn't remember the last time I shaved my legs.

When i was done the next thing to do was my hair. I had grown it out slightly it was touching now my shoulders, I decided to let it be for the longest, because I remember Naruto had really liked my long hair when I was younger.

But if I was being honest with myself I hated it.

I took some scissors out and began to chop away at it, pink strands decorating my bathroom sink. I was surprised at how freeing it felt, It felt like I was taking some of the weights off my shoulders.

When I was done, my hair was a bob. It was slightly uneven in the back, but nothing time and a hairdresser couldn't fix.

The most important thing was I was beginning to look like myself again. No this was a new and improved Sakura Haruno. This one would be honest and learn to love herself. This one would be stronger than ever before.

Now it was time to test that strength, it was time for the biggest step of them all turning on my phone for the first time in days.

I cringed as the phone flashed on and messages upon messages popped up.

Some were from my job; who I already told I would be out sick, some were from my friends who were worried about me and finally the ones that stood out to me the most.

Sasuke's messages.

They started off with well wishes, hoping that I was okay and taking care of myself, but my lack of response shifted the tone, he began to question if something happened and if he had some how made me angry.

He was a proud man, so the simple fact that he would even reach out to me as many times as he did struck a cord within me.

There was one final message that made my gut sink.

" I understand, I suppose you've made your decision. I won't bother you anymore. I apologize for any inconveniences I have caused."

The next thing I knew I was rapidly dialing his number in a panic, but as soon as it rung I hung up. I couldn't do it.

What would I even say?

I tapped the phone against my forehead. I was an idiot, I just up and left and didn't even think about the fact that Sasuke was waiting for me. I left him with everything up and the air.