Hello, Heartache ~Uchiha Sasuke Love story~

Chapter 23: The Match

I haven't seen Sasuke ever since that day. Not because I couldn't find him, but because I was afraid. The thought of falling for him just scares me so much. Besides, I was the one who told Sakura that liking him would be useless because he's so cold. But how could I commit the same mistakes as all those other fan-girls?

I couldn't bring myself to go the same training ground where Sasuke and I sparred. I was afraid of seeing him. Yet, I wanted to see him. In other words, I'm driving myself crazy.

The match is tomorrow. I'm nervous. And my hormones aren't making things easier at all. I was frustrated, confused and nervous. Not a good combo.

Currently, I was resting from training with Nii-san. Sitting on the front porch of my house alone, everything was silent except for the sound of my nails tapping the wooden floor. I was alone at home once again. Nii-san had been called upon by another ANBU a minute ago, my parents were out as well.

I sighed, getting up and dusting myself. Sitting down here and doing nothing wasn't going to benefit me in anyway. If I can't get my mind off Sasuke, maybe I should just go and see him.

I walked out of the Tsukino compound, making my way towards the only place I could think of where I would find Sasuke - the same training ground where we sparred at.

I felt my heart sink when I didn't see Sasuke. I sighed sadly. That boy was troubling me more than I thought he ever would. Not wanting the day to go to waste, I trained on my own.

***

I panted tiredly, sweat gleaming on my forehead. I sat down and leaned against a tree, closing my eyes to rest. I dozed off.

I woke up to a painful flick on my forehead.

I fell sideways and curled into a ball, my hands pressed to my forehead. 'Ow ... ow ... ow ...'

'What are you doing? This is a training ground. Not a place for you to take a nap.'

I opened an eye slowly to see Sasuke standing over me with his arms folded. A blank look on his face.

I avoided his eyes as I sat up, rubbing my forehead. 'I didn't mean to fall asleep. I was just training and then I fell asleep. Besides, you didn't have to flick my forehead like that.'

He smirked. 'How else was I suppose to wake you up?'

'There are other ways!' I said, glaring at him.

He scoffed, before sitting down in front of me. I blinked at him. 'What are you doing?'

'Sitting down,' he replied, 'are you blind?'

I scowled at him. 'Shut up. You know that's not what I was asking -'

'Are you nervous?'

'What?'

'For tomorrow.' he said, staring straight into my eyes. I flushed and looked away.

'Of course I am.' I answered. 'I can see you're not.'

I expected him to respond but he said nothing, his eyes still on mine. I blinked away from his eyes, feeling my face burn.

'Good luck.' he finally said, holding out a hand. I stared at his hand as though it wasn't part of this world. And then, I grasped it. We shook hands.

Throughout the few seconds of the handshake, several things were running through my mind like: his hand is rough, he's holding my hand, I hope my hand isn't sweaty and other stupid thoughts.

My heart was beating wildly against my ribs but I couldn't help but break into a grin. He smirked before the two us let go, our hands falling limply to our sides. I got up and brushed pieces of grass off me.