Temptation (NEW)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

It was a miracle that I passed my finals, especially with Sasuke sitting right beside me. I wondered if I'd ever get through the exam. I'd silently beg for him to just look at me. I wanted him to regret his decision and ask me for another chance. Even the professor would catch me glancing at Sasuke. When I'd look back up, I'd see his pitying eyes watching me. Honestly, he might have just gave me pity points in general. I looked pretty pathetic ever since we parted ways.

I like to think I've gotten better, though. I'm not perfect, but I cry about it way less now. The only reason I've gotten through this shitty breakup was because I haven't seen Sasuke since our finals. He seemed to fall off the face of the Earth. Obviously Shikamaru helped, too. Even though he didn't like Sasuke, he never once said anything bad about him. I think in a way, Shikamaru admired that Sasuke had enough sense to end things. We were far from okay in the end. Relationships are supposed to be 50-50. I think it was about 70-30 when we finished.

I haven't dated anyone, nor have I wanted to. I never say it, but I'm waiting for that text or call from Sasuke. I want him to say "I'm better now so let's try again." My reply would be "Thank God, I've waited long enough." However, it's been over a year and that hasn't happened yet. I'm sure you're thinking "A YEAR, Naruto??" It's insane, I know. Trust me, I've tried subtly reaching out to him. I had texted him Happy Birthday back in July, but all I got was a "thanks." I've liked all of the rare instagram posts he has made, but he never likes mine back. He's obviously not ready, or maybe he has moved on. I'm not really sure which one, but I think I'm better off not knowing. The latter seems too painful to consider.

"Naruto, can you please consider cleaning your bathroom for once?" Sakura nagged, jolting my attention away from my thoughts. "I'd like to wash my hands without your underwear dangling off the counter."

"Sorry," I chuckled as I blushed from embarrassment. I sank a little deeper into my couch, hiding my shame behind my laptop screen that sat on my lap. "I've been too busy with work to even consider cleaning."

Oh, that's another development in this time skip. Somehow Sakura and I rekindled our friendship. Once upon a time, we had been friends. Things went south when she started dating Sasuke during high school. Weirdly enough, both of us being dumped by Sasuke seemed to spark the flame again. Just by random coincidence, we had ran into each other. We talked and vented about the heartbreak and a weird bond formed. Her friendship came just in time, too. I was beginning to fall in a pit of despair once Shikamaru and I had to part ways. He moved in with Temari once they got engaged and I moved out on my own. I needed some company and a lot of TLC.

"What are you going to do if you bring someone home?" she continued, moving past me and into my kitchen. I could hear her rummaging around, mindlessly organizing any mess she saw.

"That's hilarious," I scoffed. "I have no plans of dating anytime soon."

"Please tell me you're not holding onto hope for Sasuke to come back," she groaned, peeking around the corner to glare at me.

I frowned. "I didn't say that."

She rolled her eyes. "You didn't have to."

Surprisingly, Sakura is not some evil villain that wants me to suffer for stealing her man. After a good long talk a few months ago, I learned that she just wanted the best for him. She never told his parents, despite what people may have thought. Turns out some random kid told his parents, thus them telling Sasuke's. Sakura has been the only person that I could talk to and would understand anything I say, too. She gets the appeal of Sasuke—the good and the bad.

"I mean, what's the harm in having hope?" I added as she walked back into the kitchen.

"Oh, you know, just the immense heartbreak that comes with it," she remarked loud enough for me to hear. "What if I sat here and had hope of Sasuke coming back to me? It's ridiculous."

"Your situation is entirely different because Sasuke is gay," I argued. "I am a man so therefore I still have a chance."

I didn't have to see her to know she was rolling her eyes again.

"He hasn't spoke to you in well over a year, Naruto."

My hope was shattered a bit hearing that reality. I didn't like being reminded, but I always needed it. You can only hold on for so long. Maybe it was time to move on already.

"You should go out with Ino and I tonight," she added with a happier tune. "You need to try looking at your options."

I groaned, "Like I said, not interested in dating right now."

As much as I begged and pleaded, I was still drug out of my apartment. I reluctantly let the girls play dress up with me until I satisfied their ideal vision. It's crazy to think that a little over a year ago I was their number one enemy. Now I'm drinking appletinis with them at the bar and listening to them talk about their days. Sakura is in med school now and Ino has a job working with her dad. They're doing well for themselves and technically I am, too. I've graduated and now work at a corporation. I have big goals for myself, but I still feel like I'm lacking something important. Listening to them talk about their fulfilling lives only makes that feeling stronger.

"I hear the bar down the street has five dollar margaritas right now," Ino suggested. "I overheard the couple beside us talking about them."

"Yes, please!" Sakura squealed. She nudged my shoulder with a girlish grin. "Margs are on you, right?"

I forced a smile even though I felt like crawling into a hole. I even pretended to have a little pep in my step leading the girls out of the bar. I didn't like to be a downer around them. Even though Sakura and Ino have become pretty close confidants, I still do my best to seem like a worthwhile friend for them. They're all I have right now.

The streets were crowded since it was Friday night. The bars had people weaving in and out of them and it went on for a whole block. You'd think I wouldn't be able to catch a single face with all the individuals walking around. Everyone seemed like a blur around me—except one person. We had decent space between us and a whole crowd of people, yet he was as clear as day. He was leaning against the side of a building all alone with a cigarette in hand. He barely seemed any different from the day we went our separate ways. I felt like I was in a movie with the way things panned out. Our eyes met and I could see his entire expression change. I was frozen while everyone moved in slow motion around me. The air from lungs escaped me, leaving me utterly breathless. I think he felt the same way, too. Even with us being far apart, I could see it in his eyes.

Suddenly, my body just started to move. I was basically running, pushing through the sea of people. I had to get to him. I needed to talk to him. Sakura and Ino were calling out my name as I made the gap between us larger. I'm sure they were absolutely clueless as to why I was sprinting away. I was so close to him. I could have him in my arms again. My chest was heaving from adrenaline. Closer, closer, closer. He was still frozen, watching me come after him. The soft expression he once had was morphing into horror with every step I took. Just as I was only a few feet away, he took off down a back alley. I picked up my pace instinctively and followed his trail.

"Sasuke?" I shouted almost at the top of my lungs.

He was no where to be found once I got there. All that was seen was an empty alley. Why on Earth would he run away from me?