Temptation

Chapter 21

Morning came and I still hadn't heard a word from Sasuke. It was a different kind of worry than what I was used to with him. I knew Itachi was looking out for him, but I still would've liked to know what happened. Or just if Sasuke was okay.

I figured it was safe to call him now, so I grabbed my phone and dialed him up.

Straight to voicemail?

I called again.

Voicemail.

Now I was really worried. What if he decided to cut me off completely to make his parents happy? Or worse, what of he's not okay? So much could have gone wrong in those hours I was away.

I looked out the window to see if Itachi's car was still there, only to realize I didn't know what his car looked like. Shit. Sasuke's car was still there, so I assumed that was a good sign.

All that was left to do was just head over to his apartment. I didn't care that I was missing class again---I sleep through it anyways. I quickly changed clothes and rushed out the door to go find him.

When he opened the door, I was surprised to actually see him up and moving around. He almost seemed like he was okay, however, tons of boxes were scattered in his living room.

"Is everything okay?" I asked once I got inside.

"It depends how you look at it," he replied nonchalantly.

"Okay...so what happened?" I pressed---not satisfied with his answer.

"Lots of yelling."

This is not explaining anything.

"Where's your brother?" I continued to question.

"He went home for work and to prepare for me. I have to go stay with him for a while. I've lost "daddy's money," so I can't stay here anymore," he finally elaborated.

I had so many questions but I didn't know where to start.

"Are you going to keep going to school?"

He nodded. It concerned me that he seemed so unbothered.

"I have scholarships, so I'm fine there," he explained.

Even though he'd still be at school, I was still a little heartbroken that he wouldn't be so close to me. It was nice being able to just walk over and see him.

"So you're leaving the apartment soon?"

"Yep. My parents are going to quit paying rent. They've stopped paying for everything else, too. So no phone, no home, no anything."

"You could stay with me," I blurted out before I could even really think about it.

He looked surprised and almost a little amused.

"Are you serious?" he chuckled, almost sounding like he didn't believe me.

I couldn't necessarily take it back now. He hasn't even taken me out on a date and I'm asking him to live with me. Am I really this stupid?

"Well, yeah. I could even get you a job at my grandpa's restaurant. We could make it work."

He had a look of disgust. "Work in a ramen shop?"

I crossed my arms, feeling quite offended. "What's wrong with it? At least I'm trying to help you."

"I've never really had to work before, so it's just a bit of a culture shock. Chill out."

Oh yeah. I forgot he was a privileged rich kid. Emphasis on the was. At least he's honest about it.

"Well, do you want to or not?" I pressed with a bit of sass in my voice.

"Seriously? You're not worried that it seems a little fast?" he pointed out.

I honestly wasn't sure what I was thinking with this. He was absolutely right, but I still felt in my gut that this was right.

"We practically saw each other everyday when we were fooling around," I defended.

"Yeah, for like a couple of hours. What if we get sick of each other?"

"I still stuck around while you toyed around with my feelings, didn't I?" I may have come off a little bitter with that one.

He looked as if he was trying to come up with a valid argument but was struggling to find one.

"You're probably just an idiot," he sighed, shaking his head

I shoved him teasingly, getting him to show a small smile.

"I'll stay with you, but only until the end of the semester," he finally answered.

He walked away to start piling his things into the boxes that laid scattered around the apartment. I studied him closely, wondering why he wasn't falling apart. His whole world just crashed down on him---why isn't he breaking down? Did he cry it all out the night before? Is he just trying to wear a brave face? I didn't to pry and cause him anymore grief. I'd let him process this in his own time, and I'll just make sure to be there when he needs me.

After a couple of hours of boxing things up and making trips to my apartment, most of his things were out of his apartment. All that was left was the furniture, and he said Itachi would put those away in storage over the weekend. We spent another hour or so organizing my apartment to fit his necessities along with my stuff. It was unusual seeing his clothes hanging beside mine in my closet, his toothbrush filling the empty spot in the holder, and his books stacked on my desk. He was really here and I think it was safe to say he was really mine now. I liked it.

"You ready for bed?" he sighed as he finished putting away the last of his things for the night.

I had already beat him to it, as I laid comfortably on the bed watching him. "Come lay down with me."

He crawled in and wrapped himself around me. It was our first moment of real intimacy together. It was honest and real. No Sakura, no lies---just freedom to be together. It dawned on me that maybe that's why he wasn't breaking down into a hysterical fit. He was free now.

I guided his chin up so I could kiss him, but I think he was already planning on it anyways. He shifted on top of me as we kissed deeply. I think I knew for sure I was falling in love with him now.