The next morning Sasuke and I had breakfast together. He made the best egg omelet I've ever eaten in the last 17 years of my life. And this time I had to ask, what was his occupation in the future.

"Hey Sasuke, I know I'm not supposed to ask, but I really want to know, what's your occupation in the future?"

"Why do you want to know?" he asked coldly while eating.

"Because you're so freaking amazing at cooking! I just wanted to know if you were chief or something cuz with food like this, you would have to be making big money if you owned a restaurant. I mean, I would go eat at your restaurant cuz your food is honestly delicious."

He placed his chopsticks down and looked at me to speak. "I am a chief in the future..."

"I knew it!" I yelled happily. "So do you own like a huge restaurant? Do we run it together?! Oh oh oh, and what made you become a chief?! Ahhh you gotta tell me!" I squealed happily.

His expression was hesitant, but he soon gave in as I flashed him my best puppy eyes. He sighed, knowing he had lost to my eyes. "Fine...I'll tell you."

"Yes~!"

He cleared his throat and began to speak: "In the future I own my own small restaurant. We did run it together for a while but things got...complicated..."

"Really? What happened?"

His face dimmed and the color of his skin slowly began to turn pale. Was it really that bad...?

"Uh Sasuke...you don't have to tell me if you don't want to..."

He seemed almost relieved to hear me say those words. The color to his cheeks slowly returned as he took a deep breath to calm down.

"Um, if it's not too much to ask, what made you become a chief?"

He closed his eyes, taking his time to answer. "You."

"Me?"

His smile was full of sorrow and love as he spoke with a bittersweet tone: "You supported my cooking and gave me the courage to pursue my dream."

My heart sank in my chest as I heard the memory I would never have. "Ha ha, sounds like something I would do!" I shouted trying to break the tension.

"Yeah...you were always my biggest supporter..."

Feelings of sadness consumed my heart, and the same question about our relationship occurred: was our relationship really that bad?

Unconsciously, I reached for his hand from across the table. He jumped from the sudden action and looked at me with the eyes of a child. "Hopefully whoever you fall in love with after me, supports you as much as I did."

His eyes seemed to water, but he quickly looked away before I could read his true expression. He stood up from the table, reaching for our plates before walking away. "You better hurry or you're going to be late for school."

I brought the hand that held his towards my chest. The warmth from his hands lingered in mine. The heat that remained felt like a sign. It was as if my body was telling me that holding his hand was the right thing to do. It was the only hand I was supposed to hold, but I knew I couldn't. We weren't meant to be in the future.

I sighed as I removed my hand from my chest. What am I doing? The only guy that should be on my mind is Kakashi-senpai!

I brushed my hand over my uniform to try and remove the feeling I felt. I then ran to grab my bag from my room and run out the door. "See you later Sasuke!" I called from the door.

He gave a small grunt to let me know he wanted me back home safe. I smiled at the blue sky of the new day, ready to greet Kakashi-senpai with a smile. You're the guy that's gonna make me happy, senpai!

***

I was halfway to the school's gate when I saw Sakura ahead of me. I ran up to her, patting her shoulder to get her attention. "Sakura-chan~!"

She looked over at me and gave me a face. "Hmph. I'm not talking to you."

"Huh?!"

"Did you forget what you said to me yesterday?"

"Are you seriously still on that? We both said some things, so just let it go. To be honest I completely forgot about that." Mostly because I was distracted by my senpai's beautiful abs.

"Hmph, I'll only forgive you if you go to the school dance with me."

"What?"

"Don't tell me you forgot the school dance is this Friday!"

"Ugh, I completely forgot! I've been kinda busy..." All this stuff with Sasuke has completely rearranged my priorities...

"Well, now you remember. We haven't gone dress shopping yet, so let's go today after school. Oh, and I'll invite Naori so you can meet her!"

"Today?! Ugh, I'm not--"

"Nope, you already bailed on me that time of the mixer, so the least you can do is come with me to go shopping."

Sakura was right. I had been spending so much time trying to fix my future that I had forgotten about my present. I sighed knowing I owed her my time. "Fine, I'll go today."

Sakura squealed happily as she held onto my arm. "I'm going to make sure we get you a beautiful dress!"

I smiled happily at my friend. I'm glad I have you, Sakura-chan~

We were about to turn into the school when I noticed Kakashi-senpai walking towards me. Sakura and I quickly stopped in our tracks as we saw every girl in school trying to surround him as he approached us.

"Naruko...is it just me or is he approaching us...?" She whispered towards me.

"I-I'm just as confused as you," I whispered back.

Kakashi-senpai was standing in front of me with what seemed like a smile. "Hey, Naruko."

The whole girls population at school was shouting at the top of their lungs in shock. Sakura grabbed onto my uniform shirt and began to shake it in shock. "You didn't tell me y'all were on first-name basis!" She whisper shouted.

My mouth would move but no words came out. I stared at my senpai in shock.

"So Naruko, are you gonna show up to practice again today?" he asked with a smile.

Random sounds left my mouth and I was unable to make out words. The pressure that came from all the girl's stares was turning my brain into mush. Sakura stared at me, gesturing me to say something, but I couldn't. This is too much pressure!

Sakura slapped her forehead in disappointment. She then let go of my arm and stood before me to talk to Kakashi-senpai in my place.

"Hi, I'm sorry but Naruko is currently buffering. Is there something you need, Kakashi-senpai?"

He chuckled as he looked past Sakura and towards me. "I just wanted to know if I would see her after school. She's a nice breath of fresh air that I look forward too."

Did he just say that?! I think I'm gonna melt from happiness!

"Yeah, Naruko sure is nice to be around, but she has a date with me after school, sorry."

Wait no, Sakura-chan~!

"Oh sorry, I didn't know," he said to Sakura. He then looked at me and asked, "Hey Naruko, can I have your number? That way it's easier for me to contact you, cuz something tells me you don't do well under pressure hahaha!"

Sakura quickly reached into my pocket and passed him my phone. "Here. Just send yourself a text and save her number."

"Sweet." He inputted his number into my phone and passed it back to Sakura. "I'll make sure to text you, Naruko." He waved goodbye and entered the school casually.

Sakura handed me back my phone with a sigh. "What would you do without me?"

I thanked her with puppy eyes while I held my phone. "I love you Sakura-chan~"

As we enjoyed our moment together, we felt the glares of every girl around us.

"I think we should head to class..." suggested Sakura with an awkward laugh.

I nodded my head and followed closely behind Sakura.

***

School was about to end when Iruka-sensei took the last 30 minutes of class to share an announcement: "As you all may know we have two very important school events coming up. This Friday the school will be hosting its annual school dance in the school's gym. Some rules have been established in what one can or cannot wear as well as conduct expectations."

He grabbed the stack of papers from on top of his desk and began to pass each flyer out. "The school wants to make sure you are all on your best behaviors. There will be no inappropriate dancing allowed."

I looked at the paper he had just handed me and read the dress code. I guess these are all reasonable.

"Now that we've discussed the dance, the next thing is the class trip."

Everyone began to cheer at the mention of the class trip. It was our 2nd year of highschool and as the juniors of the grade, our trip this year was a three day trip to the land of hot water.

"Alright, settle down everyone," Iruka said as he returned to the front of the classroom. "The date for this trip is next week Friday at 6 am. You will return Sunday night to be back at school on Monday. Your class president, Ino Yamanaka, will be creating a group chat for you all. Please make sure to see her after class so you can be included in the chat."

The bell then rang, and everyone rushed over to Ino, excited for the trip next week.

"Ugh, why do I need to talk to Ino pig?" asked Sakura in disgust.

The two of them have hated each other since elementary. They were always fighting over grades, looks, and boys. And I, as their mediator, was caught between their many useless competitions. They were both great in their own way, in my opinion, and I wished they would notice that themselves. 

"Come on Sakura-chan, it's just for a few seconds. Then we can go shopping."

She huffed in annoyance before standing up. "Fine..."

"Oh, can you tell her my number too? I have to make a quick phone call..." I need to tell Sasuke Imma be home late.

She smirked mischievously at me and teased, "Ah yes, you have to make sure your senpai knows your safe~"

I laughed awkwardly as she walked away. If only it really was senpai who I was calling.

I dialed my house number and waited for him to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Sasuke, I'm just calling to let you know I'm going to be home late. I'm going shopping with Sakura-chan. We have our school dance on Friday."

"Okay...just make sure to come home the usual way."

"Oh...uh I will, bye."

I hung up the phone and sighed in relief. Phew, I was scared he was gonna get mad or something. I'm surprised he even agreed to let me go!

I placed my phone back in my pocket, turning over to see Sakura waiting in line to talk to Ino. Her hatred for her was readable from a mile away. I quickly grabbed my bag and ran to stand by her, hoping to cool her down. "Sakura-chan, I think you should cool that hateful stare of yours," I warned.

"Why? She deserves every moment of it."

I shook my head as we moved up in the line. After a few more students, we were up next to talk to Ino.

Ino looked up at us from her phone and smiled fakely. "Well well well...if it isn't billboard brow and Naruko."

"You can drop the act, Ino pig. We're just here to get put in the group chat."

The tension between the two was almost visible. I personally didn't have a problem with Ino, so I quickly moved Sakura aside and did the talking. Ino gladly listened to me without a problem. In just a few moments we were done.

"Can't wait to see you on the trip, Naruko!"

"You too Ino." I waved at her and walked away with Sakura.

"Ugh, that girl pisses me off!" Sakura yelled as we walked down the hall.

"I know, but in just a few minutes we'll be out shopping," I reminded her.

She nodded happily as we walked out the school. We were finally on our way to have fun, and that's how it should be. I should be enjoying my highschool life, not worrying about my future. Even if it's just for a moment, I want to enjoy being a highschooler.