I Want To Love You

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

    The next week went by in a blur, Naruto and Sasuke hung out a few times throughout the week and before Sasuke knew it, it was the weekend. Sasuke’s phone vibrated and he saw it was a text from Naruto: “Be there soon, Sakura will be there so watch out :P” Sasuke rolled his eyes, God that girl is troublesome he thought. He was thankful for Naruto though, he did a good job of keeping her away from him, and she even started to back off a bit. Sasuke was a bit nervous for tonight, he’s never went drinking before, his 21st birthday was only a few months ago. Am I gonna be a fun drunk? Sasuke wondered, Or maybe I’ll be the emotional type and cry the whole night. He frowned at that thought, he sure hoped he’d be the fun type. A text from Naruto saying that they were outside snapped Sasuke from his thoughts. He made his way to Kiba’s car, it seemed Kiba was the one who normally drove them places. Sasuke wondered why only Kiba and Shikamaru seemed to have cars, but then again he didn’t own a car himself so he had no room to talk.

    “Sorry, It’s a bit cramped this time.” Kiba said as Sasuke got in. Naruto was shotgun, and Sakura and someone Sasuke didn’t recognize sat in back. “Hey! It’s really nice to meet you, my name is Lee!” the stranger introduced himself. Sasuke noted that Lee was quite lively and loud, and was extremely obsessed with working out. I feel like I always get stuck with the loud half of the group he thought sadly. “I’d really like to know more about you, Sasuke.” Lee said after rambling about his workout routine of 500 pushups a day. Sasuke shrugged, “There’s not much to know I guess.” Lee furrowed his brows, which were very thick by the way, and pressed further, “Well, how about you tell me about---” but Sakura cut him off, “Tell us what you look for in a girl!” she exclaimed. Sasuke had to refrain from saying “I’m not into girls” and thought about it for a minute. “I don’t know… Someone who makes me laugh and smile.” He replied after a few minutes. Kiba scoffed, “Well, that’s about impossible. Sometimes I’m convinced your only expression is that frown you wear everyday.” Sasuke frowned at this, although he knew it was true. “That’s not true! I’ve made him laugh before and he actually smiles. He’s just not all the way loosened up around you guys yet.” Naruto said. “Either that or he likes you,” Kiba teased. “That’s nonsense!” Naruto said, looking at Sasuke for reassurance. “What if I did like you?” Sasuke decided to play along with the joke, even though in truth he did like the blonde. Naruto blushed, “I already know you don’t, and besides I’m into girls.” Sasuke tried to ignore the slight hurt he felt that Naruto was obviously straight, and before he had much time to dwell on it Kiba announced that they arrived at the bar.

    “I’ll have a boilermaker,” Kiba ordered as they sat down inside. “I’ll take a rum and coke.” Naruto said when it was his turn to order. When it was Sasuke’s turn everyone turned toward him, “And what would you like?” The bartender asked him. “Um…” He hesitated. Kiba nudged him, “Dude, you’ve never been drunk before have you?” Sasuke scoffed, “So?” Kiba grinned, “He’ll have a shot of Tequila, no chaser.” Sakura made a sour face, “That’s cruel, Kiba. I hate the taste of Tequila.” Naruto agreed, Sasuke should probably drink something else for his first time. Wanting to impress them, Sasuke just said, “It’s fine, I can handle it.” and gulped it down as soon as the bartender placed it in front of him.

    He forced himself not to grimace from the taste and said, “That was nothing.” and ordered another one. A few drinks later, Sasuke’s vision started to blur and he had trouble putting his thoughts together. “Hey, I’ll be right back.” Naruto said. Sasuke just nodded and looked around. It was just him and Kiba, the others had disappeared somewhere in the club. After a few minutes, Sasuke started wondering just where Naruto had went. “Hey, Kiba? Where did Naruto go?” he asked. Kiba shrugged, “Think he went off somewhere with Sakura.” Sasuke frowned. Why was he with Sakura? When Sasuke didn’t reply Kiba said, “Did you know they use to date?” Sasuke felt a pang of jealousy. “No, I didn’t. I’ll be back.” He replied.

    He stood up, stumbling a bit from the liquor in his system. He started walking around aimlessly, and eventually found his way to the bathroom. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. What am I doing here? he questioned himself. He leaned against the wall and slid down to the dirty ground. He rested his head on his knees. I’m so stupid to think he would like me. Before he knew it, he was crying. Here I am, at a bar with people I barely know. I just want to go home. He heard the door open and turned to see it was Shino. When did he get here? “Hey, you alright?” Shino asked him. Sasuke nodded, “Yeah…” He wiped his tears and stood up, attempting to leave, but Shino grabbed his arm. “Hey, where are you going?” Sasuke shrugged, “I guess I’m gonna find Naruto.” Shino tensed. “Sasuke?” He turned to face Shino, “Yeah?”

    “Naruto talks about you a lot you know, and he really cares about you. I’m glad you guys are friends.” he said after a minute. Sasuke smiled, tearing up, “I’m glad too..” Shino looked puzzled, “Then what’s wrong?” Sasuke wasn’t sure why he said what he did next but he couldn’t stop himself, “I just… I really like him. And I know he’ll never like me back.” Tears started rolling down his cheeks silently. Sasuke grasped the bathroom door handle, “I’ll be okay though.” and left the bathroom. He started walking back to his seat when something caught his eye. Is that Naruto? He wondered. He decided to go over to him until he saw what he was doing. Naruto had Sakura up against a wall, kissing her passionately. “Naruto?” Sasuke couldn’t explain how he felt. Part of him wanted to be mad and yell at him, but the other half of himself reminded him that Naruto isn’t into him and never would be. Tears threatened to fall again and he was ready to leave. “Sasuke? What’s wrong?” Naruto said, tearing himself away from Sakura after hearing Sasuke say his name. Sasuke swallowed his sadness, “I um… I’m ready to go home.”

    “Already?” Naruto asked, “We’ve only been here for about an hour and a half.” Sasuke looked away, “Yeah, I wanna go home.” Naruto sighed, “Alright, let’s go find Kiba.” Sakura looked at Naruto with a ‘are you kidding me’ face but didn’t say anything. Well it didn’t take her long to forget about me Sasuke thought. “Hey, Kiba, we’re ready to go.” Naruto said when he finally found the brunette. Kiba tossed Naruto his keys, “Here, you drive.”

    The ride back home was slightly uncomfortable, Sasuke just looked out the window without speaking a word. Kiba slept next to him, Sakura sat up front next to Naruto, whispering things here and there but Sasuke couldn’t make out the words. They couldn’t find Lee anywhere before they left, but Shino said he would take Lee home when he found him. Naruto dropped Sakura off first and gestured for Sasuke to sit up front next to him, hoping to see what was wrong. Sasuke shifted in the seat uncomfortable, hoping the blonde wouldn’t say anything. “Are you alright?” Naruto asked. “Yeah.” Sasuke replied. Silence filled the air and soon they were parked outside of Sasuke’s apartment. “Are you gonna tell me what’s wrong?” Naruto pressed. “I told you, I’m fine.” Sasuke snapped, getting annoyed. The alcohol was wearing off and Sasuke felt sick to his stomach, not just from the liquor but from the fact that tonight was a mistake. “Good night, Sasuke…” Naruto said after a few seconds.

“Good bye, Naruto.”