ghostwriteyes

[ghostwriteyes]

Years Past

Sasusaku (Naruto) Fic. I don’t own the characters. They’re owned by Kishimoto

Modern AU, Childhood Friends AU, Neighbors AU, Non-Massacre AU

3,321 words

6 years old

They had a new neighbor coming. It’s been a while since the house across from them has been empty and now there are big moving trucks around the house. He peeked through the window and was disappointed because he didn’t see a boy his age, but a girl. He’s heard of cooties and he didn’t want them.

On the weekend, his mother invited the new neighbor to have dinner. He went with his mother to greet them at the door. He saw the pink haired girl hiding behind her mother, only peeking to see his mother. Her mother said something about she's shy and she was bullied in their last neighborhood.

“Hey Sakura. Your name is Sakura right? You have such wonderful hair” said his mother.

Then, the girl stepped a bit closer and the widest, greenest eyes he’s ever seen looked up to his mother and gave a firm nod and said “You’re very pretty”. His mother laughed and guided them in.

They had dinner that night, the 7 of them, and he didn’t know why he kept looking at those green eyes. He thought he wouldn’t really mind getting cooties.

12 years old

She was working on her homework in the living room, this damn physics homework that Kakashi-sensei gave last minute for Monday. She thought Sasuke might have finished already and thought of going to his house when her mother called,

“Sakura, come to the kitchen for a bit please”

“What is it, mom?”

“I baked too many cookies for my exhibition tonight. Can you give this bowl to Mikoto’s house?”

“Oh sure, was gonna go there anyway to ask Sasuke about my homework. We keep some too, right?”

“Of course honey”

She went across and brought her notebook with her and knocked on the door. When it opened, it was Sasuke.

“What are you doing?” He asked.

“My mom baked too many cookies and wanted to give it to Aunt Mikoto.”

He grabbed the plate and muttered thanks and almost closed the door-

“Wait!” she brought her best puppy eyes, looking hopeful “I also wanted to ask about the physics homework” she lifted her notebooks in front of her face to emphasize.

After a sigh and a fine, he opened the door wider and she went in. “Where’s everyone else?” She looked around for people and saw no one. “Out.” She chuckled “Always the sociable one” he rolled his eyes to that.

They went to his room and worked on the physics homework on the small coffee table in his room. He taught her the questions she couldn’t answer.

When they were finished, she couldn’t help but say what she’s been thinking,

“Do you think we’re being too casual?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know- you’re a boy, i’m a girl, we’re in your room” she chuckled.

He rolled his eyes and smirked “would you rather be in my brother’s room” he knew about how she admired his brother.

“Ugh, you know I only admire him. It’s never anything like that” her elbows on the table and she rested her head on her hand and thought out loud “I think I’ve grown out of it though” their eyes met. There’s this look in his eyes and they stayed like that for a while just looking at each other.

She broke it with “especially since shisui’s been here more often” she rolled her eyes “they’re insufferable”. He chuckled. Then, his door suddenly opened,

“Sasuke, where did these cookies co- oh, Sakura! I heard your mom and dad are out for her exhibition tonight. Have dinner with us?”

“Sure, aunt Mikoto”

“Great! I’ll cook your favorites” she stayed for a while looking at the two just grown kids and frowned “Should I be worried?”

Sasuke raised his eyebrows and asked “what do you mean mom?”

“You’re a guy and a girl in a room.. should I-”

He groaned, “Stop mom, it’s nothing like that”

Sakura just chuckled and couldn’t help but notice the disappointment she felt. She tried not to think too much of it.

She didn’t notice Sasuke’s eyes who kept glancing her way during dinner.

15 years old

He heard whispers in the kitchen. Not unusual as his mother and father are the calm and quiet type, but this time there’s some wariness in their voice.

He was going to go to Sakura’s house to check why she wasn’t in school, but went to the kitchen first anyway. His parents immediately noticed and his father said,

“Sasuke, get ready. We’re going to go to the hospital.” Their faces showed that this wasn’t good news.

“What’s wrong?” His minds are racing

His mother was the one who answered, “Uncle Kizashi.. he was in an accident this morning and.. it’s not looking good”

Always the one-tracked mind, he didn’t say a word and ran to his bike to go to the hospital. He went ahead and as he arrived, his eyes immediately found Sakura alone near one of the rooms, eyes red and puffy.

He went closer, in a hurry, and fuck she’s been crying and she noticed him and she immediately went to him and reached him and she just let it all out, hands around his waist and head on his chest. His arms circled her, his cheek on her hair and they just stayed there.

After she was a bit calmer she realized that they were hugging. She felt awkward and let go, eyes averting his. She could blame the red face from crying hours on end.

“How is he?” his hands on her shoulders and he wanted her to look at him and he leaned closer.

She sniffled and said “His condition’s already stable, but… he’s not waking up” she teared up again and her hands went up to dry it off “I don’t know what to do, Sasuke”, for the first time that night she looked at him when his mother and father arrived,

“Oh, Sakura” his mother went to hug Sakura and his father knocked on the hospital door.

He noticed that Aunt Mebuki had been crying too and for the first time he also didn’t know what to do. No loud laughs and corny jokes, it was terrible.

He stayed with Sakura while the adults were talking and when they were about to leave, Aunt Mebuki said that Sakura should also go home and rest. After a few minutes of i’m staying, mom and i’m not leaving his side mom, no way, they were finally able to convince her to go home.

He went home alone on his bike while Sakura was with his parents. Later, he waited on her sidewalk. After they arrived, he shared a look with his mom and his mom nodded as if saying do what you need to do.

That night, Sasuke took care of Sakura. He made sure she ate (sakura, don’t be annoying, you have to eat) and left after she was already asleep (i’m here sakura, just rest, okay.)

——-

The next morning, he and his parents were having breakfast when suddenly, his mom said, “Sakura is really pretty, right Sasuke?”

Sasuke looked at his mother and why does it sound like she’s teasing me and he scrunched his eyebrows and looked at her weirdly.

“She’s intelligent, top of her class, very pretty, I heard she’s popular with the boys in school too-,” he frowned “-and she seems like a great daughter, right Fugaku?”

“Yes, she is. What are you doing Mikoto?”

Mikoto chuckled and said, “No, no, it’s nothing. I’m just thinking that Sasuke and Sakura’s wedding should be in winter so that Sakura can stand out”

He choked on his cereal and said, “Mother.” he looked at her teasing smile and narrowed his eyebrows, “Her father has just been in an accident, Mother”

She frowned and said, “I know.. I hope Kizashi can wake up soon so he can give her away on the wedding”

He looked to his father for some sanity only to see his father agreeing to what his mother’s saying. He stood up and left to go to school. Just when he was at the door he heard his mother shout “Say hi to Sakura for me” and he groaned.

——-

At school during lunch, he can’t help but glare at every boy who went to Sakura’s side. Naruto teased him, “you’re such a coward, Sasuke. All those glares, but no confession”, shook his head, “y’know, maybe I should have a go with Sakura instead”, teasing with his big grin and his wiggled eyebrows.

Naruto went home with a bruise on his arm that day.

18 years old

“God, I can’t believe graduation’s coming and you’re still single, Forehead”

“Shut up, pig.”

They were in Sakura’s room fiddling around with makeup and their dresses to wear to prom that weekend. She was just trying out her shoes when she saw Ino’s teasing smile and saw what was coming,

“Well, it’s not like there’s no one, right Sakura?” Ino sighed, “why is he not doing anything, you guys are clearly acting like you’re going out, but, just without the label” she rolled her eyes.

Sakura shook her head and said, “It’s nothing like that Ino, we’re just really close.”

“Nuh-uh, remember last week at lunch. That lanky boy was definitely gonna ask you out to prom but Sasuke glared at him from behind you and the boy ran away”, she chuckled, “Sasuke’s gonna be one scary boyfriend”

Sakura laughed, “Mmm I think that’s just him being protective, you know how he is with me, we’re childhood friends”

Ino sighed again, “Fine, whatever. But everyone can feel this tension between you guys, with the staring and all, it’s ridiculous, and it’s clearly not you two being” she finger quoted “just really close, or” she finger quoted again “just childhood friends”.

Sakura laid on her bed and sighed, “You know how I feel, Ino. but, with him you can’t really tell, you know. and our friendship is too valuable anyway.”

Ino shook her head dramatically “Oh, the most cliched reason for a coward”. Sakura threw her pillow at Ino while she was wearing lipstick and oh no, you didn’t and she lunged towards Sakura with lipstick on her hand.

——-

“Sasuke, you going to prom this weekend?”

His brother, Shisui, and some of his brother’s friends are hanging out at their study room turned game room. He just nodded at shisui’s question, barely looking at him, staring at the TV with Sasori beating Itachi in their game.

“You taking Sakura?” Sasuke muttered no and it’s none of your business. He was going to leave the room. But then he heard Sasori say “oooh, Sakura’s that hot chick across your house, right Itachi? Is she single?”

Sasuke glared and said “Itachi, let me play.”

After beating Sasori three times, he said nothing and left the room. Itachi and Shisui laughed and shook their heads and you just woke up the devil, Sasori. Sasori learnt that Sakura was definitely not single.

——-

That weekend, they were having breakfast together. Ever since Kizashi’s accident, Mikoto would sometimes invite Mebuki and Sakura for breakfast or dinner. He was still in a coma in the hospital and Mikoto just couldn’t help but reach out to them.

“Sakura, you’re going to go to prom tonight right? Are you going to go with Sasuke?”

Sakura casually said “Yeah, of course,” 

and Sasuke choked and tried to remember, did I ask her and forget, dammit dammit dammit. 

“-We’re going together with our friends. Since there’s two of us here, our friends are gonna come to our houses to get ready” 

he sighed internally and thought of how stupid he was and why did I panic and felt a pang in his chest wishing that they were going together together.

“Are you okay Sasuke?” his mother asked and he just nodded, barely looking at everyone else. He was always one to keep his straight face.

——-

That night he went to her house, along with Naruto, Sai, and Neji and his eyes widen as he saw her walk down the stairs and she’s so fucking pretty and he wished they were going together together and maybe I can just ask her now and maybe they can-

“My pretty daughter” Aunt Mebuki clasped her hands with some teary eyes “-I just wish your father can see you tonight,” Sakura smiled but he knew that smile and he just wanted to hug her and maybe I can and-

“Let’s take pictures!” fuck.

After some pictures were taken they went on their limo to prom and he just couldn’t, he really tried, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He didn’t really care anymore if anyone noticed. He didn’t care if she noticed cause she’s just so beautiful. He caught her eye and her eyebrows raised, questioning, and he just smiled. She blushed and averted her eyes and she’s so pretty.

——-

Later that night, they were the last to be dropped off. He noticed that she was quiet all the way home and he was quiet too and it felt like there’s this thing between them ever since their dance and any wrong word can just break it and he didn’t want that. He noticed her glancing his way and he wanted to ask but he didn’t know how and the limousine stopped.

He walked her to her door and he just stared at her and she stared back and he wanted to say something, anything-

“thanks, sasuke”, she averted her eyes and turned around and almost walked to the door, but then his body moved on its own, and his hand caught her wrist and she turned back and their eyes met and-

“Sakura, I-” he pulled her closer and muttered fuck, i’m not good with words and he leaned closer and he stared more at those eyes, those beautiful, beautiful eyes, his hand travelled to her neck and finally, finally, their lips met.

It started softly, hesitantly, chastely, and in seconds, she kissed him back, her arms around his neck, and he grew more confident and his hand curled around her neck, he pulled her in and he kissed her deeper.

They parted for air with their foreheads touching, his thumb stroking his cheek, “You’re so beautiful,” she blushed and she didn’t know what to say and just bit her lip, his eyes flickered to her lips and he groaned and then his body moved on its own again and their lips met for the second time that night.

They didn’t notice three pairs of eyes across the house peeking through the window, “Well, Mebuki, we should start planning that winter wedding”

20 years old

It was summer and they were back at home from college and their mothers have been more strict about them being in the bedroom together ever since they started dating, so they were in the living room of his house, watching a movie.

Their relationship felt like a breeze and Sakura was just so happy and Sasuke was, I can’t believe I didn’t confess sooner and when their friends found out they were all saying finally, free of the tension and the eyesmex.

They had fights like all relationships do but Sasuke just couldn’t stay away for too long and Sakura would always be forgiving.

They were going to have dinner at Sasuke’s house, but when Mebuki came, she was teary eyed and she didn’t speak for a while, and

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Sakura went to her mom and she panicked.

“Your dad.. He woke up.”

Sasuke said I’ll go with Sakura and they all went to the hospital.

They arrived first and went straight to his room and Sasuke didn’t want to intrude so he stayed outside.

“Sakura, is that you?” and she ran to him and hugged him so tightly and she didn’t want to let go. Five years, finally.

“Sakura, you’re all grown up.”

She recounted, the best she can do, of everything that’s happened. Mebuki arrived and they hugged, three of them, reunited. After a while, “Why did Sakura arrive first? Are you driving yet? Damn, I can’t believe I missed teaching you how to drive” Mebuki laughed and said “No, she went with her boyfriend”. Sakura groaned, embarrassed.

“Wait, is she and Sasuke finally going out? I have to hear this story, they were so oblivious” Loud laughs fill the room and Sakura didn’t care about any of the teasing and she just felt grateful that her dad’s back and that’s all she can think of.

——-

Later in the month, Kizashi was released from the hospital and they all planned a trip to the Uchiha Family cabin near the mountains to have a good rest with the hot springs and all. There were two separate cabins and Kizashi said one for the grownups, one for the kids- what Mebuki, let them have fun, we were young once. So Sasuke and Sakura were with Itachi and Izumi, his wife, and Shisui came just because he couldn’t miss out.

Everyone wanted to go to the hot springs, but Sasuke and Sakura said no, we’ll just play or hike or something and so they stayed in the “kids” cabin and they do have separate bedrooms but-

“Sakura, come” he took her hands,

“What is it, Sasuke”

“Just come here”

She followed him to his bedroom, and when they were in, he closed and locked the door and he pushed her against it and they just stared at each other and smiled. She broke the silence,

“Mm, don’t you think we’re being too casual, Sasuke?”

“What?”

She bit her lip, she knows what it does to him, and smiled teasingly, “I don’t know- you’re a boy, I’m a girl, we’re in your room-”

He groaned, “Shut up Sakura” and he kissed her.

25 years old

It was winter.

Aunt Mikoto, her mom, and Ino have been preparing everything. Those three have been inseparable since the day she said yes and Sakura could only agree to everything cause she didn’t care about parties.

She remembered how Sasuke would just laugh whenever she ranted to him on how big and complicated this party will be.

She looked in the mirror with her white dress on, and she couldn’t believe how far they’ve come.

——-

He looked in the mirror, fixed his neck tie, and looked again in the mirror, and fixed his wrist button, and this is nerve wracking and i’m gonna mess up and-

“Sasuke, sit doown, relaaax” and he just glared at Shisui and Naruto laughed and said, “you believe me now, huh, when it was my wedding you said I was overreacting”

Sasuke rolled his eyes and he said, “Naruto, you almost climbed down the window”

Naruto laughed and middle finger-ed him and, “whatever, at least you know how I felt now”

Itachi was the only calm one in the room as he said “don’t worry too much Sasuke, you’ll feel better when you see her, look forward to that”

Sasuke closed his eyes and took deep breaths and just imagined her and her white dress and how pretty she will be.

——-

He waited in the altar and looked to the door and saw the most beautiful girl and i’m so lucky and he couldn’t believe it sometimes and as she went closer their eyes met and she arrived at the altar and they just stared at each other and they forgot what they were supposed to be doing and Ino cleared her throat and Kizashi just laughed and Fugaku shook his head with a smile and Mebuki and Mikoto were all teary eyed and then they got married.

–

[ghostwriteyes]

Curiosity Wins

Fictional

3,015 words

“Hi”, she finally arrived at the corner end of the library where they would usually meet.

“You’re late today”, he said as he kept reading without lifting his head.

“Well, we never really settled on a time”, she put down her bags and started opening her book. He smirked while his eyes stole a bit of a glance towards her for a second, amused, cause she was right.

Their meeting had been a routinity for both of them. It started when the library was full and he, the quiet and shy person that he is, for some reason, gathered the courage to ask for the seat in front of her instead of just studying at home. That day, they mostly went through their reading or study, talking only just a little. After that, they’ve been enjoying each other’s silent company for about 3 months. It took them a while to learn each other's schedule and by time they silently agreed to meet every Monday and Thursday at 3PM.

Their meeting isn’t always silent. Usually, she was the one who would spark up a question about life. She never expected any answer as her purpose is only to rant about said question. He would listen attentively while also thinking of ways on how to calm her down. He never got around to it because the girl always ends her rant with “Anyway, thanks for listening”, packed up her bags and left.

Today, she was out of it. He noticed when he stole that glance that her face isn’t her usual cheerful self. He expected that any minute she would start asking her usual question that he never really knew the answer to. Not that he didn’t try to think of an answer, he just never really thought about life, thinking that each day is just there to pass.

After half an hour had passed, they stayed quiet which was unusual seeing how she was fidgety and was supposed to have started her rant. So, he broke their silence.

“What’s wrong?” He asked without lifting his head, eyes on the book.

“What do you mean?”, she stopped reading and looked at him. She had been having a bad day but never expected him to know. How could he know, he never even looked up from his book, she thought.

He finally looked up with his eyebrows raised, not bothering with any explanation.

She gave in and sighed. “I don’t know. I always wonder about people.” She paused and closed her book. He knew this was going to be a long one when she closed her book.

“What about them?”

“Don’t you think it’s weird that people keep expecting us to do something or be something and when we don’t meet their expectation, they get all disappointed in us and they get mad about it.” She leaned back in her chair, eyes closed, not expecting him to say anything like it usually is. She let out another sigh and continued, 

“I don’t know if it’s my fault for not living up to their expectations or it’s their fault for having any in the first place. How was I to know what they expected when they never said anything. And even if they did let me know what they expect, I bet I wouldn’t have any say”. she looked out the window looking far. 

“Why are expectations always one sided. No sort of contract where I would agree to it. I mean, If I had agreed to it, I would have worked hard to live up to it because I agreed to it”

He looked at the window trying not to meet her gaze and said, “Sometimes I think people are unsatisfied with themselves and they put expectations on others just so they can feel satisfied when that person lives up to it”

she was surprised to say the least. Usually he just stayed there listening without saying anything but today he had something to say. “But that doesn’t make sense, why would they trust other people to satisfy them with their own idea of what that other people need to be”

“It’s easier. they don’t have to do anything but watch”, he was still looking at the window. She noticed how calm he is when he speaks.

“There are risks to it though. they should know that they’d be disappointed instead of satisfied when the other person doesn’t live up to it. It’s not on us to satisfy their needs.” she paused. He smiled softly, looked at her, and said “You’re right”.

They stayed quiet for a while. They didn’t realize that they were staring at each other. As it went on, she realized that she had never seen his smile.

“You’re surprisingly chatty today”. His eyebrows raised at her comment. 

“Not that I’m complaining, it’s about damn time for us to actually have a conversation instead of the usual me blabbering your ears off. I thought you would get tired of it and not show up again, you know” He chuckled.

“I don’t mind your blabbering”, assuring her.

sigh “I guess my life is amusing to some people”, she said jokingly.

he chuckled and said, “definitely more amusing than my life”

They continued chatting a bit more and when it was almost dark outside she finally told him that she needed to go. He stayed for a while, concluding his notes from his study that was left wide open untouched for the past 1 hour, and finally left.

----

“Hi” he put down his bags, sat down, and put away his glasses.

“This time, you’re the one who’s late” she said proudly, which he replied with a smirk. 

“I didn’t know you wear glasses”

“I only wear them in classes”

“What’s your major?” she asked, realizing that she never really knew about the details of his study. All she knows is that it involved computers based on what he’s reading, but this school is well known for their computer study so it can be any major really.

“Computer Science”

After concluding she won’t get asked back, she asked, “Aren’t you curious what mine is?”

“You’re in English lit”, he says calmly and matter-of-factly as if it was obvious that he already knows.

“How did you know?”, she was surprised again by him for the second time that week.

“I’ve seen the books you read”

“I could be in general lit or something”

he just rolled his eyes and didn’t think it worthy of an answer, knowing that he was right anyway.

“Why did you go here, if you wanted to take on literature?” he asked. It’s not uncommon, but there are other and better universities for literature study, he knows one located near her home.

“There’s a question I don’t hear everyday” she answered sarcastically.

“Sorry”, he said. He looked genuinely sorry and she laughed.

“I’m kidding. but it’s true, I get that question a lot. I know this place is famous for its computer related study. I just wanted to get away and this was the best place that accepted me for English lit study that was the furthest away from home”

He didn’t bother to ask why she wanted to get away. It’s personal and he knows boundaries. He is a private person and he’d like to respect other people’s privacy as well.

“I also know that computer science is the best major and the hardest to get in here. I should’ve figured you’re a smart guy”. He scoffed at the comment.

They went back to their books to study for a while when she started talking, “I don’t feel like studying today, I feel like talking.” she looked at him.

“Then talk,” he says without lifting his head.

“Let me rephrase, I want a conversation”

He sighed and looked at her. He really didn’t know what to talk about so he asked, “what do you want to talk about?”

“I don’t know, you start”

He sighed again, not knowing what to say. His eyes stared back at his books. He had been thinking about knowing her more but he just wasn’t nosy, so he said nothing.

“Okay fine, let me start. I really didn’t want to rant about my life again but you have to understand that there are just a lot to say and question about life. So here goes,” she paused for a bit. “I think that in this place, a lot of people want to look cool by not showing hard work.”

He looked up with a questioning look, not understanding what she meant.

“Think about it. My friends would always admire people who don't look like they’re doing anything but get good grades. I worked hard to get the same perfect grade and I don’t get the same recognition. people are so wounded up with the idea of someone being a genius, they start forgetting about hard work.”

He smiled as he rested his chin on his hands, elbows on the table. His gesture was telling her to continue.

“I think people should appreciate hard work and ambition more, is all I’m saying”, she says.

He thought about this hard. He used to be the person that she was talking about, back in school. He would sleep in classes, miss out on classes, but he stayed at least in the Top 3 every time ranks were announced. He wondered what she would say about him back then.

“I don’t think they mean to do it”, he says.

She raised one of her eyebrows questioningly.

“I think sometimes they don’t know why they’re able to get good grades without doing anything, they just never thought to try harder cause they’ve achieved it.”

“Well I guess, those people are okay. but it’s still annoying how people praise them more than hard working people who achieved the same thing”, she said, annoyed.

“I agree with you about hard work”, he says. “I think people should appreciate you more”

“Wait- I didn’t say they should appreciate me”, she panicked. “Just hard work in general.” he chuckled while thinking that he does appreciate her hard work. He knows that she went to the library more often than he does because she knows the people who work there. Either because of that, or she’s just more sociable. or both.

----

She was standing at the entrance of the right wing cafeteria, taking a look at the unfamiliar surroundings. She usually has her lunch at the left wing, but the place was full so she decided to try something new. “Hey”, she looked back and saw her friend running to her. “Any seats here?”

“Yeah, this is weird. It’s lunchtime and this cafeteria feels more like a graveyard cause of how empty it is”

Her friend laughed and said, “well, it is the smart-people-part-of-the-school. maybe they don’t need their lunches like we do”

They were walking to the food stalls when her eyes caught a familiar face. He was looking at her and gave a little nod that nobody would notice if they hadn’t paid attention. But her friend paid attention. “I didn’t know you know him”

“Know who?”

“Him. the smartest guy in campus, and not to mention fine looking”

“I didn’t know he had a reputation”

“Leave it to you to be behind on gossips”

“I just have better things to do,” she said, rolling her eyes.

----

On the other side of the cafeteria, his best friend was very excited to know that his quiet friend had taken a liking to a girl. “I didn’t know you know a girl”

“Shut up.”

----

“My friend knows about you”

After her words had sunk in, she flushed with the realization of what her words could mean. It felt like she had kiss-and-tell in the most innocent sense of the term.

“I mean- Not- She knows your reputation. I didn’t- I didn’t tell her anything.”

He looked at her questioningly, which seems to be his favorite look lately.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were popular with a big name around campus”

He realized what she meant and went back to read.

“This is one of those times where you should give responses. because I’m truly expecting an answer”

“Why are you mad about it” he said calmly, no accuse in his tone at all.

“I’m not,” she paused. “I think you’re one of my closest friends now. I don’t even meet with my high school friends this regularly”

“you live 1000 miles away from your high school friends”

“that’s not my point”

he smirked and said “then what’s your point”

“I think I should know you better, that's all” she said. He smiled at this.

“What would you like to know about me?”

She thought hard about what to ask. He seems private, so no super personal questions. Maybe for a start, she can ask him something related to the so-called reputation that she didn’t know about.

“How did you get to this school?”

“I normally walk around campus,” he said jokingly. she rolled her eyes and gave a look that says I’m serious

“I was invited here several times. I initially rejected it, wanted to stay in my hometown. They kept bugging me so I accepted to shut them up”. she was left in awe. she really didn’t know him.

“You’re really smart then”

“I wouldn’t call it that. I just know my way around some stuff that they value”

“And humble too”

He smirked a little but sighed and said, “It’s annoying when people call me smart”

“Why? Most people would want that”

“Because once they know, they start expecting things from me” His eyes went to the windows looking far. really far this time like he was lost in his thoughts. of things he didn’t want to remember.

Her mind went to their conversation last week on expectations. It finally clicked on why that was the first time he responded to her ranting. I guess he’d had trouble with it too. She nodded at him to show she understands.

“Well I think we should accept any praises but not care if we don’t get any”

he scoffed, “I remember you telling me that you want your professor to acknowledge you. Didn’t look like you didn’t care”

Her mind went to another conversation – or more like her ranting – 2 months ago. Her first one. She had a terrible day after staying all night to finish on a paper and her professor only told her it was okay.

“Yeah well a lot of things are easier said than done” she laughed. He smiled back.

“My turn then, what do you like to do when you’re not here?” he asked

“No. I ask the questions and you answer”

“I won’t give any if you don’t answer mine first”

“You’re irritating sometimes.” she said smiling while rolling her eyes. “I like to write, you?”

“I like to play guitar”

“Are you in a band?”

“No, I just play at home by myself. And that was 2 questions” he paused thinking of what to ask next. He was really glad for this opportunity because lately when they were at the library, he felt the urge to get to know more about her. His curiosity of her was increasing every time they met and he kept staring at her when he thought she didn’t notice, far more often than he would think normal.

“I can’t think of anything. I am curious of one thing but you don’t have to answer”

Her eyes were wide and told him to go on.

“Why did you want to get away?”

she was confused for a while but then realized what that question referred to. She sighed and lowered her eyes.

“It has a lot to do with those expectations. My parents wanted me to be a lawyer. they still do actually. it wasn’t a casual ask. they were actually forcing me to go to the tests. I knew I could pass but I failed it.” she paused. “I don’t know if it’s a good enough reason to get away. but it feels good to, you know, take the pressure off a bit” she then smiled. but he knew this one was fake.

He gazed at her and rested his chin on his hands, elbows on the table. She always took this as a gesture for her to continue.

“Last week I was on a call with them and they told me that they got a chance for me to take another test at this university for law school. I was really mad at them and told them I don’t need it. They later said they were disappointed with my behavior. I was fed up so I ended the call”

she looked at him. his eyes seemed to worry a little.

“I made up with them not long after our conversation though. I think you may be right about them not being satisfied” she pulled out a faint laugh. “My dad always wanted to be a lawyer”

He looked at her. He stared at her a bit thinking whether he should do it or not. His curiosity wins.

“Here’s my last question. I’m hungry and I want dinner. Do you want to come with me?”

She stared at him thinking of what this meant. either he's asking just because or this is a date. it’s always vague with him and she never knows what to understand. she was still thinking when he finally said “It’s a date.” She looked at him, but he averted his eyes, “you don’t have to come if you don’t want to.” at this she smiled, genuinely this time and said “I’d really like that”.

After 3 months of meeting up at the library, they finally left the place together for the first time. The librarians had paid attention to them and had made a bet on whether they would get together or not. Even if some of them lost, they were all relieved at the result. They stared as the couple was leaving the library, her hands in his.