WHAT A GIRL WANTS (Modern AU SasuSaku )

Chapter Four

Author's note: The point of view (POV) always shifted between the author's POV and Sakura's POV only, so don't get confused since I wanted to make the story flow naturally.

The day of the photography club's hiking trip had arrived, and I was practically bouncing with excitement. This was it – my chance to spend some quality time with Sasuke and hopefully, just hopefully, inch a bit closer to his heart. As we gathered at the bus stop, I couldn't help but picture us sitting together on the ride, sharing stories, and forging an unforgettable connection.

But oh boy, little did I know that fate had a mischievous side, and her name was Karin.

As we boarded the bus, I tactically took a front-row seat, banking on the fact that Sasuke might follow my lead. I cast a sly, over-the-shoulder glance at him, armed with a hopeful smile that screamed, "Hey, Sasuke, this seat next to me is practically begging for you."

But just as Sasuke started inching toward me, like a quiet cat, Karin swooped in and seized the seat next to him. I swear, it was as if she had been practicing for this moment in front of a mirror. I froze, my jaw dropping so low I thought it might touch the bus floor. Sasuke looked equally stunned, but not in the way I'd hoped.

"Sakura," Karin purred with the charm of a sly fox, "mind if I sit here next to Sasuke?"

My heart plummeted into my stomach, and my voice wavered as I replied, "Uh, sure, Karin. It's... it's okay."

Defeated, I slunk to a seat further back, wondering if fate was playing a cosmic prank on me. There Sasuke sat, locked in conversation with Karin, probably discussing the finer points of aperture and shutter speed, or worse, comparing camera lenses.

But just when it seemed like all hope was lost, destiny decided to throw in a plot twist – a hilariously awkward one.

The bus hit a particularly treacherous stretch of road, and suddenly, Karin slid a tad too close to Sasuke. His discomfort was written all over his face, as if he were trying to figure out how to escape this sticky situation without causing a scene.

Seeing this as a sign from the heavens, I decided to seize the moment. As the bus hit the next bump, I executed my brilliant plan – I pretended to trip and fall forward. It was a performance worthy of an Academy Award, complete with exaggerated stumbling and flailing limbs.

In the chaos that ensued, I crash-landed into the seat next to Sasuke. The look of astonishment on his face was priceless, and I flashed my most innocent smile, complete with sparkling eyes. "Oops, sorry, Sasuke. I guess I tripped."

Karin, utterly flustered and clearly not pleased with my unexpected arrival, begrudgingly retreated to her original seat. She shot daggers at me with her eyes, the kind of look that could turn Medusa into stone. But at that moment, I couldn't have cared less. I had secured my coveted spot next to Sasuke, and nothing, not even Karin's expert scheming, could steal that away.

As the bus roared to life, and we set off on our hiking adventure, I couldn't help but giggle inwardly. Sometimes, all it took was a bit of luck and a touch of slapstick clumsiness to get what you wanted – and perhaps, just perhaps, get a little closer to the one you fancied.

...

As I sat next to Sasuke on the bus, my heart raced like an agent in a high-stakes mission. This was it, the perfect chance for a meaningful conversation that would bring us closer. But, oh boy, the silence was more awkward than a cat trying to walk on water.

I cleared my throat, my voice coming out in a squeak that would put a mouse to shame. "So, Sasuke, are you excited about this hiking trip?"

Sasuke turned his head to look at me, and I swear I saw the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. It was as if he found my attempt at small talk amusing.