Temptation (NEW)

Chapter Three

I was a nervous wreck sitting through my lectures. Spending an hour next to Sasuke against my will sounded like pure torture. The only bright side was that we'd be in a public space on campus. He can't pick a fight with me, or else he'd get kicked out of our school. That's my only saving grace.

I stood awkwardly by the library's front desk. The sound of the librarian typing away at her computer and the beeps of books being checked out were all that could be heard in the quiet building. Students were in and out of the entrance doors, but none were Sasuke. I'd even watch through the tinted windows, watching for his black fringe to walk through the doors. Still nothing.

I fully expected myself to be the late one, but I was too worried about pissing him off so I arrived fifteen minutes early. The time was 3:05 P.M. He was officially five minutes late. I was going to have to bite my tongue to not make a remark about it. Wasting the hour on arguing wouldn't help either of us.

Only about two minutes later, I watched Sasuke walk up with his bubblegum pink girlfriend by his side. I shouldn't be surprised to find her attached to his hip. They seemed to always be together as a pair. It always made my skin crawl a bit. Wherever Sasuke was, Sakura wasn't too far from him.

If you knew absolutely nothing about them, you'd just assume they were a madly in love couple. But I've heard far too many things about them, so I know that's not true. Sakura is a sweet girl, in her own special way. She and I were once on good terms until she started dating Sasuke back in high school. Any enemy of Sasuke's is an enemy of hers. She's loyal, at least.

Anyways, Shikamaru has often shared little interesting tidbits about them whenever Ino would spill it. Ino is Sakura's best friend---most of the time. Whenever they get into an argument, Ino runs to Shikamaru to rant about her. I suppose she thinks the stoner won't remember anything she says. But with the things she tells him, he definitely remembers.

"I'll miss you," Sakura gushed, tugging Sasuke down to plant a kiss on his cheek. Her bright, green eyes sparkled when she looked up at him. "Call me once you're done."

"Yeah, sure," Sasuke replied with less enthusiasm.

Her petite hand with long, bright pink nails caressed his face. It almost looked like she had to force him to look at her so she could kiss him on the lips. She lingered there for a moment, hooking the same hand around his neck to hold him hostage in the kiss.

"I have to go," Sasuke grumbled, breaking away from her clingy grasp.

"Don't forget to call me!" she beamed, prancing away with her tiny skirt flapping teasingly as she walked. I had to wonder why Sasuke wouldn't be interested in her. She was definitely attractive if you can get past her pink obsession.

I feel like this was something I shouldn't have seen, but I could have swore I watched Sasuke wipe his mouth with the sleeve of his hoodie. Maybe it was nothing serious, or maybe Shikamaru's crazy ideals were actually getting inside of my head. It was only a glimpse in the corner of my eye, but that's exactly what it looked like. He definitely looked like he was wiping away her kiss.

"Let's get this over with," he huffed, brushing past me to head over to the rows of tables in between the shelves of books.

I guess I'd think about that later.

He chose a spot towards the very back of the library. We set up our area by putting our laptops side by side---but of course, not too close. He quickly started scribbling notes from one of the powerpoints our professor provided us with. I sat idled, waiting for him to actually include me in our project.

"You could read over the rubric instead of staring at me," he muttered lowly.

"I've read over it three times now," I retorted. "I'm waiting on you so we can get some work done."

All he did was roll his eyes. No help at all.

As I sat staring off into the void of endless, boring books amongst the shelves that surrounded us, I couldn't help but be distracted at the persistent buzzing of Sasuke's phone. He'd scribble a few words until the buzz buzz stopped him midsentence again. By the fourth time, he had visible annoyance written on his face.

"She won't leave me alone," he mumbled mostly to himself as he read over the text message.

I knew better than to put my two cents in.

It was obvious that he silenced his phone as he shoved it into his pocket completely out of his sight. His eyes grazed over me for just a second, making my own snap away to look at something else. I don't know why I suddenly felt so nervous.

"You're into guys, right?" he asked so casually.

I wasn't sure what to say. I was afraid to become a victim of a hate crime. All I could do was nod with a frazzled expression.

"I bet it's easier that way," he continued, writing away in his notebook.

To be honest, I've had my fair share of clingy boyfriends. I wouldn't say it's any easier, but I wasn't going to argue with him.

My main concern was the way he said it. Alarms were going off in my head. I'm sure I looked insane just staring at him while slowly blinking. My brain was short-circuiting. I needed to say something before I made him uncomfortable enough to leave.

"Y--yeah, I guess so," I stuttered.

"Aren't you dating the guy with the ponytail?" he questioned, sounding almost genuinely curious.

That question snapped me back to reality.

"Shikamaru?" I shrieked a little too loudly for a library setting. "Gross!"

Call me crazy, but he almost looked relieved. "I only assumed because you're always with him."

My face contorted into disgust. "We're just friends. Why do you care, anyways?"

He just shrugged, reverting back to his aloof expression. So much for an explanation.

The conversation ended there, and we both managed to at least gather an idea for our project in the hour we spent together. Just a few more meet-ups and I'd be free from him. Praise the Lord.

"You can meet me at my apartment on Thursday," he offered as he gathered his remaining supplies into his bookbag.

Never thought I'd hear him say that. Like ever. Maybe he is plotting to murder me. That's the only explanation I have.

"Yeah, sure," I timidly answered.

He handed me a ripped piece of paper with numbers scrawled on it. It was his number.

"Just text me and I'll send the address," he sighed, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Don't make me regret giving it to you, though."

I gave him a weird half-smile and a thumbs up. "Got it."

We went our separate ways---he left towards the nearest parking lot and I cut across campus to the farthest one. I felt a bit strange as I walked. It was actually nice being civil with him. Weirdly, I kind of miss him. We were only kids when things went south, but he was still so important to me for various reasons. It'd be nice to get a sliver of that back. Something. Anything.