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When Sakura finally pulls into the driveway, I rush out the door and lock it, not even giving her time to get out and knock.
"What's got you in such a rush?" Sakura laughs.
"Itachi was trying to convince my mom to let him go with me tonight," I breathe out.
Sakura takes the hint and drives away from my house quickly, not even waiting for me to buckle my seatbelt.
"So, he's that bad, huh?" Ino speaks up from the back seat.
My stomach drops, thinking that Sai is here as well, but when I turn around, the other seat is empty.
Ino laughs. "Sai's not here. The bug that's been going on around school caught up to him."
"Oh," is all I manage to say. It does make sense now that I think about it, though. Every Friday, we have some kind of test in History, and I think back to that class, remembering that I thought it weird that he wasn't there.
"Not that I'm complaining," Sakura mumbles so that only I can hear.
I nod, showing her that I heard. So, my suspicions that Sai only came because Ino asked him to are now confirmed.
"By the way," she says more loudly, that way Ino can hear as well, "Kiba said that he and Hinata might come later tonight if he can convince her to go."
"More like, if he can convince her parents to let her go anywhere," I correct with a roll of my eyes.
"That poor girl can't go anywhere without her parents doing something," Ino sympathizes. "It's weird how her cousin is raised so much different, yet acts so much like Hinata's parents."
"He can be alright sometimes," I point out. "You just have to find him in the right crowd."
Sakura snorted from behind the wheel. "Yeah, if that crowd consists of a bunch of mannequins with creepy eyes."
"Hey, has some good friends," I insist.
I see a flash in her eye that I don't recognize before they go blank once more. "Only a few."
"And his girlfriend is so sweet when she wants to be," Ino adds.
"Who, Tenten?" I ask. This time, it's my turn to snort. "Yeah, when she wants to be."
Ino rolls her eyes and pokes my shoulders, "Lighten up. You're just jealous 'cause you don't have a girlfriend."
"Boyfriend," I correct without thinking.
"Right, sorry," Ino laughs, poking my shoulders once more. "So, with that said, you think you'll land a phone number this time?"
My shoulders slump; I had hoped they would forget about that. "I don't know," I answer honestly. "Maybe? Maybe not? Who knows?"
"You should go for one of the dancers," Sakura winks. "You three seemed to get along pretty well last week."
"I think they're dating," I tell her.
Ino shrugs. "Wouldn't hurt to ask, then, ne?"
"What do you mean?" I ask somewhat lividly. "Are you trying to get me killed? If I ask for one of their numbers and they're dating, they'll kill me! I see the way that Gaara guy carries himself. I'll be a goner for sure."
"No, I meant ask if they're dating," Ino laughs.
"Oh, I knew that."
Sakura pulls into a spot outside the club and smiles.
"What?" I question with annoyance.
"I just can't get over how different you are outside of school," she explains.
"For real! You aren't nearly as cold as I used to think you were," Ino says, getting out of the car.
Sakura and I follow her lead, and this time, I walk in on my own accord, holding the door behind me for Sakura.
The music blares in my ears and the smell attacks me all at once and I try my best to shake it off, walking through the crowd to get a drink. Halfway there, I notice a familiar set of upside down triangles and look over to see Kiba dancing with Hinata, although the girl looked like she was about to feint.
I smile and keep walking, trying to find anyone else here that I know. It doesn't surprise me when I come up empty handed, though, considering most of the students at Konaha go to bars and clubs that are a lot closer to home and usually less crowded.
"Hey, I know you," I hear a deep, cold voice say from behind me.
I whip around quickly, and instantly relax when I see Gaara's face in front of me. "Oh, hey. Where's Naruto?"
Gaara laughs and looks towards the crowd, taking a seat at the bar. I follow his lead and he just waves in the crowd's general direction. "He's somewhere in there. Honestly, I just got tired of babysitting him."
I laugh along with him and order a traditional sake while Gaara gets a soda.
"Not a drinker?" I ask him, a bit surprised.
He shakes his head adamantly. "Someone's got to watch Naruto. Besides, even if I did drink, I'd have to wait till after the show. I can't go onto the floor wasted," he explains.
"Makes sense," I shrug in response. "Speaking of, how'd you two meet in the first place?"
"We're brothers," Gaara says, and I can't help but be shocked.
"You look nothing alike!"
Gaara laughs before shaking his head. "We're not real brothers. We're foster brothers."
I raise an eyebrow. I didn't expect that, either. "How are your parents?"
"Dad," Gaara rolls his eyes with a playful smile. "He adores Naruto. It's great to watch."
"He doesn't ignore you, does he?"
"No, not at all," Gaara insists. "He just knows that I'm not as much of a fan of attention as that damn blonde," he laughs.
"Hey!" I hear a shout from behind me, knowing automatically that Naruto had come over and heard.
Gaara and I laugh as he takes a seat to my left. "You're just jealous, 'cause I'm Dad's favorite."
"Well, I thought that much was obvious," Gaara laughs.
Naruto's smile fades a bit. "Wait, you're jealous?"
Gaara shook his head. "No, I meant it is obvious that you're his favorite."
Naruto looks visibly relieved and I can't help but smile at the show of such compassion the blonde gave without even trying.
"When are you going to perform?" I ask, changing the subject.
Naruto shrugs and looks at Gaara.
"Soon," Gaara says. "I wanna know that you've got a front row seat first, though, Angst."
"Angst?" I raise a brow.
Naruto busts out laughing. "He's terrible at names, so he makes nicknames based off their personality. So he's calling you Angst!" He laughs even harder.
I roll my eyes. "Alright, Browless, I'll push my way to the front."
Gaara smiles and puts his hands up in surrender. "As long as I can still call you Angst."
"We should probably get on the floor soon, though, man," Naruto hesitates, looking at the time his phone.
Gaara nods and walks towards the DJ. As Naruto starts walking with him, I watch them leave with a slight smile before Naruto turns around and waves me over. I shake my head and follow. Once I get close enough, the blonde grabs my arm so we don't get separated in the crowd and we meet Gaara at the DJ's stand.
"What song will it be this time, fellas?" he asks, jumping with the music, obviously a bit more drunk than he'd probably admit.
"Silence by Mike Posner. The Sluggo x Loote Remix," Naruto answers cheerily. He then turns to me, smile never leaving his face. "Ever heard of it before?"
"Nope," I shake my head.
"It's one of my favorites," he says as the three of us push our way to the center of the dance floor.
I step back to give them room and right away, everyone starts following my lead, knowing what's coming up.
After the DJ announces the song, it plays loudly and the two start dancing. I watch, mesmerized to the point where I don't even notice Sakura next to me until she speaks. "I love this song so much!"
"I thought I Took A Pill In Ibiza was you're favorite?"
"My favorite song of all time is Hand of God by Jon Bellion. I Took A Pill In Ibiza is a close third or fourth," she explains.
I made a mental note of that for later and follow along with Sakura as she grabs my hands and we start dancing in a simple step pattern. I know she's only doing this to get me moving, rather than just watching the two like a frozen, awestruck seal, so I follow along. I remember that Sakura used to like me, but turned out very accepting when I came out as gay, and the crush has since dropped. I appreciate that from her, considering so many girls still flirt with me, even with the knowledge of my sexuality.
I turn my head when the end of the song rolls around to see Naruto grinning like an idiot and the both of them are panting. I feel bad for not watching the entirety of their performance, but at the same time, I feel like it is doing me good to loosen up a bit and dance, which I wouldn't have done at any other time except while they were dancing as well.
The crowd cheers and the two take a bow, waiting patiently as people take pictures with them. I look over at Sakura who just smiles knowingly.
"Did you figure out if they're dating?"
"They're foster brothers," I laugh, and she does the same.
"Well, then you should definitely ask one of them out."
I shrug, a bit nervous at the fact that part of me wants to go through with that advice. "They're cool as friends, but..." I trail off.
Sakura just rolls her eyes. "Well, have fun with your friends 'cause we're leaving in an hour."
I nod and make my way towards Gaara and Naruto. "Great show," I tell them.
Gaara rolls his eyes. "Yeah, right. You weren't even watching."
"Do you expect me not to have fun while you are?" I argue playfully.
Naruto finally noticed that I'm nearby and smiles. "Who was that girl you were dancing with? Your girlfriend?"
I feel my stomach drop slightly at how easily he asked the question, but choose to ignore it. "No, she's my friend. I'm gay, so, yeah."
Naruto laughs and holds his hand up for a high five. "Welcome to the club."
I return the gesture and raise my eyebrows. "You're gay?"
"Bisexual," Gaara answers for him. "And I'm the aromantic loner over here."
I laugh. "Honestly, it is weird picturing you dating anyone."
"I'm a very introverted person, except when Naru-chan is around," Gaara shrugs, ruffling Naruto's hair.
Naruto sighs before walking towards me and out of Gaara's reach. "Why this bastard insists on calling me Naru-chan is beyond me," he growls so that only I can hear.
Gaara, having a fair idea of what Naruto said, just laughs before walking towards the bar, Naruto and I in tow.
"So, do you guys take song requests?" I ask, hoping they'll say yes.
Naruto glances over at Gaara before shrugging. "I mean, we've never had anyone ask before. What would you like?"
"Hand of God," I tell them and Gaara lights up.
"I love that song! Even though I'm not even Christian," he mumbles as an afterthought.
"We'll do it, then," Naruto says, leaning against the counter of the bar. "I didn't know you listened to Jon."
I shake my head. "I don't, but my friend does. Hand of God is apparently her favorite song of all time, so I thought I'd ask so she'd be happy."
"How sweet," Naruto squeals as Gaara fake gags.
"We'll try to choreograph the song. We'll probably preform it in two weeks, as long as you cut the sappy crap," Gaara jokes.
"What are you doing next week?" I question.
Naruto puts a finger over his lips and looks at me with a seductive grin. "That's a surprise."
I feel my heartbeat quicken and my face grow hot, and I feel sick. I try to laugh it off. "Well, I think it's time for me to go. My curfew's almost up," I lie, sending them a short wave before walking outside quickly, trying to ignore their confused looks.
I take a deep breath of the cool autumn air and try to calm my thoughts. I don't know what just came over me just then, but I sure didn't like it. My heartbeat gains it's normal pace quickly, but it starts to piss me off that the cold is doing nothing to get rid of my burning face.