Things are slowly getting back to normal. I don't have chlamydia. So, that's good at least. Sasuke's was as relieved as I was to find that out. Speaking of – his infection cleared up. He has been acting... strangely okay. I don't know whether or not it's a good thing he's recovered from something so awful so quickly... but he keeps insisting that he's fine. His bruises have healed and his stitches have been removed.

I'm surprised how good he is at hiding things. At the start of the year, I never would have guessed he had so much happening in his life. He was good at putting on a mask. I feel like he's gotten less good at it, but maybe I just got to know him better. Nonetheless, I know I wouldn't last a day in his head. I'd snap. He keeps things inside. I have a feeling there are still so many things he hasn't yet told me.

It's Friday now. During lunch break, we go to the cafeteria. I get a veggie burger and Sasuke bites into an apple. "That all you're going to eat?" I ask him.

He nods. "Not feeling particularly hungry."

Once we find a table together, I decide to pry, "What about the thing with the bio teacher?"

Sasuke simply shrugs, keeping silent.

"I gave the cops his name..." I mention, trying to get some sort of response out of him.

"I know," he says. "They told me, but it appears he's fled. They asked questions, but I stayed silent. I didn't want to talk about that. Besides, they can't do anything to him without me testifying. I don't really feel like doing that. Like hell I'm going to get up in front of a group of people and talk about what he did to me and all the things I went along with. I won't be answering any humiliating questions from jurors who don't give a shit about me. I'd probably be forced to talk about my salacious reputation and they'd come up with the conclusion that it was inevitable – bound to happen. I was asking for it."

"I guess so," I murmur. I didn't think he'd go for it, but I wish he would. Then it would be over. Well, part of it would be over. He'd have one less thing to worry about. "But you weren't... you weren't asking for it."

"I know," Sasuke mutters.

Kiba joins us a moment later. "Is this the cool table now?" he asks jokingly, setting his lunch trey onto the table.

"Ha-ha-ha," Sasuke says flatly and I just smile.

They haven't been fighting anymore. I think Kiba finally realized that the situation is a lot more delicate that he first thought. Sasuke let it out and I think he's forgiven Kiba since the on-field scuffle, though they haven't put it to words.

"So, what are we talking about?" Kiba asks.

"My... ex," Sasuke tells him in a light and careless voice.

"Why? Is he an ass or something?" Kiba pries.

"Try a complete psycho pervert," I mutter and Kiba grimaces in response.

"Anyway," Sasuke says, hinting at a change in subject. "Let's not talk about me."

"But I enjoy it so much," Kiba sighs forlornly. "Your secrets are so much fun."

"Sadist," Sasuke murmurs.

Kiba shrugs carelessly. "You're probably a masochist."

I snort back a laugh. He has no fucking idea how right he is. It's just awful. But nonetheless, Kiba has been a lot nicer to Sasuke lately. It's gone both ways. Sasuke is being nicer to Kiba, too. They still banter, but it doesn't hold as much malice as it once did. It's relieving to have a little peace between them, whether or not it'll last.

  ||XxXx|| 

After school, I drive Sasuke home since carpooling saves him some gas. When we near his place, we see Mikoto leaving the house. Sasuke hops out of the car once I park on the side of the road and I don't hesitate to follow.

"Mom?" Sasuke watches her carefully.

"Hi, boys," she greets us.

"Where are you going?" he asks her.

"Everything is fine, sweetheart," she promises. "Don't worry."

What a load of shit!

Sasuke swallows. I watch his throat constrict. He bites on his bottom lip but doesn't say anything, he only nods. I put a hand on his shoulder, but I stay silent, too. She's probably lying and she's doing it so Sasuke won't have to worry.

"Itachi is being transferred..." she starts. "He won't be coming home for a while."

Sasuke nods again, slowly this time before saying, "Oh."

I wonder when it will all end and I wonder what will have to happen to make it end. It's unsettling to think about. I keep seeing Itachi die in my head. I keep seeing Sasuke die in my head. Fuck, I've even dreamt about it a few times. I don't want to see him die in real life. I don't think I'd be able to handle that. I love him, after all. Funny how easily the words come now. I feel like I could stand on the rooftop and shout it to the whole damn town.

Sasuke takes my hand in his. I feel him curl his fingers between mine and his grip is tight. I glance at him and offer a small, apologetic smile. There isn't anything I can say that might make it okay. "What do you want to do?" I ask.

"Let's get away from here," he murmurs, spinning around and dragging me down the driveway without another word. I wave to Mikoto as we leave, but Sasuke doesn't acknowledge her. His jaw tightens and he lets out a sharp breath as we make our way past my car and down the street.

"Sasuke...?" I say his name carefully.

"What?" he tersely answers.

"Is there anything I can do?" I offer.

"Just be quiet," he demands in a whisper. "I like you a lot more when you're not talking because too much shit comes out of your mouth."

"Harsh," I tell him, trying not to take what he says to heart. We continue down the street, past my house and onto the main road, where Sasuke finally lets go of me. He probably doesn't want anyone to see us holding hands. "Where are we going?" I ask.

"For a walk," he says.

I don't ask any more questions after that. In fact, I don't say another word. Sasuke is silent, too and for a while it's completely quiet apart from our footsteps. His pace is brisk, like he's trying to concentrate solely on walking instead of what his mother just told him a few minutes ago. It's for the best. Itachi needs help and maybe the hospital in Konoha can't give him what he really needs. I don't know.

"Why do bad things keep happening?" he murmurs out of the blue, stopping once we near a park.

"I don't know," I tell him.

He lets out an audible sigh, entering the park gates.

"Is this where...?" I trail off.

"No," he says quickly. "That was downtown."

"Oh," I mumble.

He approaches the swing set, sitting down on one of the swings. I sit with him, swinging back and forth. The chain gives a high pitched creak. "Why are we here?" I ask.

"Because," he says, "I needed fresh air."

I don't know how long we sit here in complete silence, but it begins to dim. "Sasuke?" I say his name. "We should go... you can hang at my place for a bit."

Rather than reply, he simply stands. I do the same and together we leave.

  ||XxXx||  

At my house, my parents are there with sympathetic expressions, but they don't mention what's happening. I guess Mikoto must've called them.

"Sasuke, your mother called... wondering where you went," Mom mentions.

Yup, there it is.

"Sorry," he murmurs.

She shakes her head, "It's okay. I'll give her a ring and tell her you're here."

"Thanks," he says quietly.

I usher him upstairs, where he sits on my bed. I sit down next to him and ask, "What do you want to do? Movie?"

"Sure," he says carelessly.

So, I grab my laptop and side-by-side we watch yet another crummy film. Halfway through, his hand makes its way into my pants. I wrap my fingers around his wrist and say, "No."

"Why?" he asks quietly. "Because I had an STI?"

"No," I repeat, turning my head so we see eye to eye. "I just... you were..."

"Fuck you, Naruto," he murmurs, crossing his arms and staring away from me.

"Sasuke... don't be like this," I plead.

"Like what?" he snaps. "A big whore? Sorry, Naruto. My bad. I can't just turn my personality off."

He's pissing me off, but I don't let it show. "I just think it's best if we don't do anything like that right now..."

"You're rejecting me?" he asks, sounding as if it's an otherworldly possibility.

"No...!" I exclaim. "I just think we need to put things on pause you got hurt and it's not okay, even though you're acting like it is. That's probably all it is - acting. You're probably upset still."

He scoffs. "Fuck you, prick. You don't know what's best for me. I know what's best for me."

"No," I tell him honestly, "I don't think you do, Sasuke."

"If it's not you... I'll just go elsewhere. Other people would be happy to fuck me, even if you're not."

"Is that really what you want?" I ask, but he ignores me. "To be used yet again by a bunch of strangers who won't even remember your fucking name the next day?"

"I don't care...!" he shouts, still refusing to look at me.

"Liar," I murmur. "I think you do care. I think you care a lot."

He presses the palms of his hands to his eyes, letting out a string of loud, angry breaths. When I think he might start crying, he pauses. He places his hands on his lap and sits up straight. "No. I'm fine. I don't care."

I give him a weird look, but I decide not to question him this time – especially not if he's going to react like that.

The rest of the movie is awkward and tense. I can tell Sasuke is pissed off at me and he probably feels rejected. When it's over, Sasuke immediately stands up and walks towards the door. "Where are you going?" I ask him. "Home?"

"No."

"Well, then where are you going?" I ask him again.

He hovers near the door, placing a hand on the frame. He's staring down at the carpet and for a few moments, he's silent until – "Nowhere... everywhere."

"What does that mean, Sasuke?"

More silence.

"Don't run away again..." I plead weakly. "Please..."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want you to go," I tell him.

"You want me to stay..." he repeats with a sigh

I close my laptop and get off my bed, setting it on my desk before approaching Sasuke. I wrap my fingers around his wrist and say, "Yeah."

"Fine," he says with a sigh. He leans forward and pecks me on the lips. "I'll go home instead."

"I'll walk you," I volunteer.

"Fine, if you insist," he sighs at me.

"I do," I say.

Together, we exit my house. It's dark out by now and it doesn't take us long to walk up the street. Mikoto gives him a big hug upon his return and thanks me once more. Again, I'm not sure why, but I roll with it and smile as I bid them a goodnight.