XIV

I let my toes skim just the surface of the water, the cool tickling the bare of my feet. It was a quiet afternoon, having finished morning training early. And, afterwards, Surge had suggested we go to the bridge, the one with the little river under it. 

My fingers raked through his hair, the soft strands feeling just as gratifying against my fingertips. Surge’s head had been resting in my lap, where he had been softly humming a song I didn’t know for the better part of the hour. 

It had been a peaceful week since I had last seen Naruto. And, although I’m sure Tsunade would assign us more missions together—I was thankful for the break. Surge had been more relaxed without the blonde around, and I couldn’t exactly say that I wasn’t happy without him around. 

And, when I leaned over to kiss Surge’s forehead, I couldn’t help but to laugh at the way his nose crinkled. 

“I think we should get going soon, don’t you think?”

“Why?” he groaned. 

“I promised—”

“Shh,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around my torso. “Let’s just stay here for awhile. It feels nice out today, yes?”

“I promised mom I’d watch the twins, today. She’s doing something another.” 

“They’re twelve. I’m sure they can handle themselves.”

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. 

“What about Calix?”

“He’s hanging out with Elle, today.”

“So, you’re going to blow me off?” The boy sat up, glaring at me. I noticed his voice had taken upon a harsher tone. And, as he awaited his response, the piercing that adorned his lip began to slightly wobble. A habit he had picked up when he was getting impatient. 

“I promised her,” I frowned. 

“You’ve been promising me for the past month!” 

“You’re being selfish, Surge.”

The boy’s glare intensified as he stood up. “I’m being selfish? Well, I have every fucking right to be! Don’t act like you haven’t noticed there’s been something for the past month, Champion! And, yet, you’re still hesitating to ask me about it! Do you even care, anymore?”

I bit my lip, silently watching him as his tirade continued. I didn’t want to fight. I hated fighting with Surge. 

But, it was true, wasn’t it? I have been hesitating to ask him about it—I have noticed. 

“I thought you would tell me when you were ready,” I mumbled, getting up to stand with him so maybe I’d feel less small. But, even standing at my full height, the boy still towered over me. And, when he continued yelling, I couldn’t help but to feel smaller. 

“You make me so fucking mad, Champion.” I noticed as he said that, his voice had taken on a quieter tone. “Do you care?”

“Yes.” I said. But, even as the word left my mouth, I couldn’t help but to look at the ground, his belittling stare making me feel inferior. “I do.”

“Then, ask me what’s wrong.”

I bit my lip. 

“Un-fucking-believable,” he threw up his hands,  letting out a humorless laugh. “You know you’re my problem, don’t you? I cant take it anymore. I’m tired of you putting our relationship second to everything else—me! I cant do this anymore. I refuse to, Champion.”

I felt my jaw clench—my chest constricting with it. “What are you saying, Surge?”

His reply was short, and as he walked away, I felt as though my heart left with him. 

“We’re done.”

~           ~        ~                                                     ~         ~        ~

The streets were bare, I noticed. Cold, dark, empty. 

Or, maybe, that was just me. 

There were still a few stranglers that littered the streets of Konoha—hurrying home after work, or maybe hitting the bars after a stressful day. The night was young, after all. There weren’t too many drunks, yet. 

It was a calm night. Which, I thought bitterly, wasn’t exactly fair. 

You’d always see in movies when something bad happens, it would begin to rain. It had been meant for a visual representation of what the character was feeling, I suppose. So, where was my visual representation?

Where was my rain?

The sky was clear, I discovered with a scowl. The stars that were just being revealed by the setting sun shone just as brightly as any other night. They twinkled, almost as if they were trying their best to mock me. 

I felt pathetic as I treaded on, the clear sky not doing anything to hide my red, tear-stained face. Although, it had begun to get dark rather quickly, the street lamps of Konoha’s notoriously safe streets were already lit, illuminating my way. And, without a doubt, me. 

I couldn’t help the bitter chuckle that followed after another strangled sob. I was becoming extraordinarily pathetic as each minute drug by, vainly hoping no one would pause and notice me as I walked on. 

And, when I knocked on the door that stood between me and the assumed cramped apartment, I tried my best to wipe away the tears that had been held captive by my bleary eyes with the back of my hand. 

And, when the door swung open to reveal the slightly older, and definitely taller, teenage boy, I couldn’t help but to feel a bit self-conscious. I was a mess, and I knew it. 

“What are you doing here?” He glared, and I knew I was still not forgiven—his cold blue eyes not even wavering as they took me in. 

I held up the flowers I had been clutching in my hands. 

“These are my gratitude,” I smiled, despite the tear that was too stubborn to stay in my eye, instead, opting to roll down my cheek. “I’m sorry, Naruto.”

!~*~*~*~!

Ugh this made me sad . Song on side was what I was listening to . 

I leave for camp in a day so I wanted to upload again before I left. I’ll be back Saturday, though ♥