Temptation (NEW)

Chapter Fourteen

Tuesday. Nothing happened. Not a call nor text. I don't typically see him on these days unless he invites me over, so I didn't think too much of it.

Wednesday. We had class together. I figured maybe after we broke the ice on Monday, he'd at least acknowledge me. However, his head was buried in his arms again. He stayed like that through another round of presentations.

Thursday. Nothing. I did have my doctor's appointment, though. My cast might come off in another week or so. The fracture wasn't as bad as they thought.

Friday. Presentations were over, so I assumed Sasuke would perk up again. Unfortunately, I was wrong. He seemed even more uninterested than before.

"Stop looking so depressed over a guy that beat the shit out of you," Shikamaru scolded as soon as I stepped out of class. He had an unlit cigarette perched between his lips so it'd be ready to go once we stepped outside.

"I'm not depressed over him," I remarked, rolling my eyes. Thank God Sasuke was already far away from us.

We winded down the halls and exited out of the building. The air was getting more crisp with fall soon to be setting in. I shoved my one good hand in my jacket's pocket, nervously fiddling with the pen I stuffed in it earlier. Shikamaru was honestly right. I've been tearing myself apart over Sasuke. I haven't had a good night's sleep in days.

"I know I encouraged you to fuck around with him," Shikamaru continued, speaking with the now-lit cigarette in his mouth. "But I honestly didn't expect you to be this attached. I figured it'd be like all of your other relationships---short and meaningless."

"That's rude," I huffed.

We passed through the center of the courtyard, heading straight towards our usual bench we sat on. It was secluded because of all of the bushes surrounding it. Shikamaru often does his deals at this bench.

"You know what I mean," he defended as we sat down. "You've never been completely satisfied with anyone."

He had a point. I've always struggled to be completely whole with someone. But it's not like I was satisfied with Sasuke. We didn't have a real relationship. It was purely physical. However, the more I thought about it, I realized I wasn't satisfied because I didn't have him at all. I've been longing for more.

Shit. Why is this bastard always right?

"We haven't talked all week so whatever we had is over," I sighed as I kicked around a loose pebble with my Converse. "Life can resume as normal now."

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Sasuke's POV

After avoiding my problems like the plague all week, Saturday finally came and I had to face them head on. Itachi sipped on his tea on the couch, ruminating on everything I had told him. He didn't seem phased by any of it. He didn't even flinch when I confessed that I had been sleeping with Naruto for a couple of weeks. I liked that about Itachi. Nothing I could say could ever bother him. But now I had to hear his thoughts, and he could be too brutally honest for my liking sometimes.

"So," he started, setting the mug on the coffee table in front of him. He sank back into the couch and propped his ankle over his knee. His eyes made their way back over to where I sat on the couch beside him. "This is the kid that used to come over all the time when you were little, right?"

I nodded. A flash of memories hit me for a second. Particularly ones where Itachi was around to entertain two annoying kids that just wanted to play.

"And you've been seeing him? While also seeing Sakura?"

"Yep."

"You haven't told mom and dad, right?" he questioned. His tone shifted to a more serious and concerned one. Our parents were a dangerous territory.

"Of course not," I answered. "I'm not an idiot."

He nodded, looking a little relieved. His eyes were still studying me. I could tell he was looking at all of the bruises.

"You probably shouldn't have fought with him," he remarked. I could hear judgment in his tone. Sometimes he acted like an extra parent to me.

I rolled my eyes. "I realize that, Itachi."

"I mean, you like him, right?" he prodded. "You don't literally hit on people you like."

I held my breath. I didn't want to answer that question. The best I could manage for an answer was dropping my eyes from his gaze and letting my cheeks burn red.

"You've managed to get yourself in a mess, Sasuke," he chuckled. It's nice to know he's amused by my problems. "I could tell you what I think, but it's better if you make the decision on your own. Only you know what you want."

What I wanted and what was best for me were two different things. I've managed to just power through my personal feelings for so long, and then Naruto had to come around and screw it up. I mean, it was my fault. I kissed him first. But I never figured I'd actually want to keep seeing him. He's just different. I've snuck off to bars and hooked up with guys before, but it was always a one and done deal. Even as kids, Naruto had this way of making me feel...safe. Nothing ever scares him. He's unapologetically himself. When we are together, I can almost feel my walls breaking down. It's like I naturally revert back to my childhood of wanting him by my side for protection.

"Are you happier?" he asked, snapping me away from my thoughts.

I sat and thought about it for a moment. It's hard to say if I'm any happier in this situation. Like he said, I was in quite a mess.

"I'll be happy once dad retires and I can take over his law firm," I grumbled. "Thanks to you, I have a real shot now."

Itachi was always the favorite. It didn't have to be said, but I always knew it. My father praised every little thing he did. School, sports, work---Itachi always went above and beyond. I'm good at what I do, but I can't even compare to my brother. I don't think my father has ever even given me a compliment without my mother saying something to him first.

Itachi chuckled, "I never wanted it to begin with. You always had your shot."

I shook my head. "Dad always wanted it to go to you. You're the golden child in his eyes."

"Not anymore," Itachi remarked. He looked satisfied with that knowledge. For years, he did what was asked of him until he decided he had enough. The only difference between us is that Itachi no longer depends on our parents for anything. He can take care of himself, unlike me.

"He still talks about you, though," I told him.

Itachi just shrugged. His arm extended back out for his tea and he brought it back up to his lips. I envied him. He didn't care about the pressures from our family. He chose to be his own person. I don't have that luxury.

"Whatever you decide, Sasuke," Itachi spoke softly. "I'll always be here for you. I'll stand behind whatever you want to do."

As comforting as that sounds, his words also bring a horrifying thought in my mind. If I actually chose to live my life as I wanted, Itachi would essentially be the only person I have left. My life would crumble completely. That's a burden I would never want to lay on him. I find it better to just carry my pain and pretend it doesn't bother me. My life would be surprisingly easier that way.