can i keep you? // narusasu au

7

// Naruto //

Who is that pink-headed chick? She looks freakishly perfect, like a model or some shit. Maybe she is one. I recognize the guy she came in with. That's Deidara, a famous model.

Why are they here? And what kind of relationship does Sasuke have with that girl? I can see hearts shooting out of his eyes when looks at her. When he left my table and went to that girl, I felt a pang of jealousy. That chick is with someone though. She's with Deidara, so she can't possibly be Sasuke's girlfriend, right? Maybe they're just close friends--nothing more, nothing less. Yea, that's it.

Even if Sasuke said he wasn't gay, I don't care. I just want to become close with him, even if it's just being friends with him. That would be enough for me. But who knows, maybe he'd fall for me too.

I keep my eyes on Sasuke and watch every move he makes. I see him heading toward the restrooms, and when I look back at that girl's table, she's also gone. Deidara is left alone and talking to someone on his phone.

.

.

.

// Sasuke //

"Can we talk?" I quickly ask as soon as Sakura comes out of the ladies' restroom. She raises an eyebrow at me, so I lightly grab her arm and lead her to a corner where no one can see us.

"Sure, what about?"

I take a deep breath before asking, "Is it true that you're marrying him?"

Her face lights up and she beams at me, "Yes! Our wedding is next month. You're coming--"

"But, why?!" I cut her off.

"What do you mean, why? Of course I'm marrying him. I love him," she chuckles.

"I left New York because I wanted you to think about us. And now, what? You're getting married? What about us?" I grip her shoulders and look at her sternly.

"Sasuke, please."

"Do you really love him?"

"I love him," she answers quickly.

"No, you don't. It's me that you love, Sakura! I left you alone so you could realize your feelings for me."

Her face softens, "Sasuke, I do love you . . . but only as a friend, okay?"

"I don't believe you. I know you feel something else for me," I look at her with pleading eyes. She looks away before she breaks away from my grip.

"Fine, I did. Past tense. I loved you, but you're not like Deidara," she bites her lip, looking at me with eyes full of guilt.

"I'm not like Deidara? That's it?" I scowl at her.

"You asked me before, why I didn't choose you. That's the reason. You're not like him. He has dreams . . . aspirations. He has given me everything. He's helped me achieve my dream of becoming a model. He's open-minded and you're . . . not," Sakura says quietly. She has been avoiding my gaze throughout this whole confession.

"I can change! I'll work hard and do anything for you. And I'm not open-minded, you said? What do you even mean?" How can she say that about me?

She shifts awkwardly on the spot, "You're . . . conservative, Sasuke."

I'm what?

My eyes widen, "Are we talking about sex, Sakura?"

She lightly nods her head and looks at her shoes, "We're incompatible in that department, Sasuke."

I can't believe what I'm hearing right now. She seriously doesn't want me because of that?! Shouldn't I be the one saying that to her?

"But we've never even tried to it. How can you say we're not compatible? I respected you! That's why I never pushed the idea on you."

"It's not just about sex though!" Sakura threw her hands up in frustration. "You don't have dreams. You don't have anything you want to accomplish in life. Look at you . . . You're twenty-one and you've graduated college, but you're working as a waiter? How would you support me if we got married? I have dreams, Sasuke. I'm ambitious, and you're . . . well, you're just simply getting by."

Every single word she said felt like a stab at my heart. Why does it hurt so much to hear all of this from her?

"And you're sure about all of this?" I ask barely above a whisper.

"Yes, and I'm sorry."

"But what if you're wrong?"

"Sasuke, I'm not," she lets out and exasperated sigh as she runs a hand through her short, pastel pink hair. "Just forget about me. Look for someone else and move on. There are plenty of girls out there that would appreciate having you. The whole you. I'm just not that girl, Sasuke."

"Sakura, it's you that I love. How can you tell me to look for someone else?"

"Just wait, then one day, you'll realize you have forgotten me," she kisses my cheek for what might be the final time. "You'll fall in love with someone when you're least expecting to."

"What if I can't forget about you?"

"You will, and you'll see," she mumbles before walking away and leaving me more confused and heartbroken than ever.

That's it? That's all she can say after everything? Fuck my life.