Surfs Up / SasuSaku

Happiness Comes First

Sakura gazed off into space, lost in her own thoughts. She had always been the type of girl who focused solely on her studies and work, never giving relationships a second thought. Ever since her freshman year of college, she hadn't been involved in any serious relationships, except for a few high school boyfriends and one significant relationship that lasted until her sophomore year of college.

It wasn't until her workload became overwhelming that she had no choice but to end things with her boyfriend at the time. The breakup didn't really affect her much... probably because her ex-boyfriend was a complete asshole, to put it mildly.

Breaking up with him turned out to be one of the best decisions she had ever made. She no longer had to worry about responding to texts or going on dates. The weight of a relationship was lifted off her shoulders, allowing her to excel in her studies and remain at the top of her class.

Sakura didn't need anyone to fulfill her needs. Occasionally, she would have some 'fun' here and there, and that was enough for her. The only people she truly needed in her life were her friends.

So why was she suddenly thinking about the raven-haired man she had met a few weeks ago?

It didn't have to mean anything, right? They were just new friends, and she had made it clear to him that she wasn't interested in anything serious. He was simply a guy she had met while working, and she had even offered him free surfing lessons.

But despite their different lifestyles, she felt a strange connection to him. There was something about him that intrigued her, although she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Initially, she had thought he was just trying to get into her pants, but as she got to know him better, it became clear that his intentions were genuine. She saw Sasuke as someone she could potentially build a friendship with, and that was enough for her.

Sakura sat up on her bed, her gaze shifting from the ceiling to her friends who had interrupted her thoughts.

"Ino spilled the beans, huh? How was that supposed 'date' of yours?" Temari playfully teased.

Temari, being a few years older than Sakura and Ino, had always acted as their older sister figure. If you ever needed life advice, Temari was the go-to person. Despite the age gap, she had a wealth of knowledge that made you realize just how much life can change in a short span of three years.

So many things can happen without us even realizing how fleeting life is.

Sakura shot up from her lying position, giving Ino a glare as Ino giggled from her spot on the bean bag in the corner of the room.

"Is that what Ino told you? That I went on a date?" Sakura scoffed.

Temari looked at Ino with confusion before turning her attention back to Sakura. "Wasn't it a date? I'm confused. Ino mentioned that you met a guy and went out with him."

Sakura grabbed her pillow and flung it across the room in Ino's direction. "First of all, it wasn't a date. And secondly, Ino, why are you spreading lies?"

Ino laughed as she caught the pillow, her hands forming a makeshift shield. "I was just teasing! Why are you getting so defensive?"

Temari hushed the two girls and focused her gaze on Sakura. "So, what was it then? Who is he?"

Sakura nonchalantly shrugged and plopped back onto the ground, "So, the guy's name is Sasuke. I bumped into him on a Friday night and somehow got myself into teaching him how to surf. Oh, and guess what? He even hooked me up with an internship under Tsunade Senju."

Temari's eyes widened as she spoke, "Wait, did you just say Sasuke? As in Sasuke Uchiha?"

"I'm not sure about his last name," Sakura trailed off. "Why?"