At first, it was heading straight for the pins.
But towards the end, it curved and slid into the gutter before it could even knock a single pin down.

Sakura, who was rooting for me facepalmed and sighed out loud.
Ino flipped her blonde ponytail smugly, grinning as she made way for Sasuke to bowl next.

Karin was cheering Sasuke on as he aimed and fired his shot. As always, the ball was going strong. But it seemed like he didn't give it even of a throw as the ball slowed down and swerved to the gutter. Sasuke sat back onto his seat, after having no reaction to his gutter ball. "Sasuke.. you had all strikes until now! Did you sprain your wrist?" Karin sat down beside him, giving herself excuses to touch his wrist and hold his hand.

"I'm fine, I'm tired of this game. It's not worth the effort anymore." Sasuke clicked his tongue, annoyed as he withdrew his hand from Karin's clutches.
"Don't be upset, Sasuke-baby! It's only a game!" Karin clung her hands around his neck as his cold stare was fixated on me.
"You're right. It's only a game." He murmured.

I quickly turned away, pretended I didn't eavesdrop on them by accident. As I diverted my attention to Kiba who was walking up to grab a ball.
It was now his turn to bowl and gave himself his first strike. He applauded himself and I high-fived him. Sakura continued her strike spree as well. It was my final turn and I was still in last place. I've knocked a few pins down but never had a strike or a spare.

This was my last chance to do so!

I slotted my fingers into the ball, inhaling and exhaling deeply. My eyes aiming for the middle of the lane, staring dead at the pins. I lightly swung my ball back, eyes still on the target.

"Idiot. Your arm is too stiff." A hand delicately held my arm that was ready to roll the ball, repositioning it. Looking behind me, my face was so close to Sasuke's. He continued whispering in my ears. "Like this." Sasuke guided my arm and we released the ball together. It rolled firmly and staying in the middle lane.

And smashing down all the pins at once with a solid blow.
It was a strike!

"Sasuke! I did it! We did it!" I turned to him, embracing him excitedly. Jumping for joy as my arms wrapped around his neck. For a split second, I caught him cracking a smile.

I released my hold of him and cleared my throat. Collecting myself as I realised I got too carried away and now it was awkward between us again.
"T-Thanks, Sasuke." I sheepishly uttered as my eyes couldn't seem to meet his. I could feel my face heating up.
I didn't know what else to say.

"Nice work." He congratulated me, before shoving his hands into his pockets.

Then, my brain finally decided to work and I thought of something to say.

".. Couldn't have done it without you." I stuttered quietly but looking up I watched his back getting further and further away from me. I realised he was already walking away from me.

Damn. My tensed shoulders finally relaxed, and I heaved a deep sigh.

The rest of the match was went well, Sakura won in the end. Meanwhile, Sasuke left after that interaction, and the girls followed along.

I finally got home, it was already pretty dark. Itachi was washing up the dishes. It looked like they just had their dinner. "Hey Naruto. It's been quite awhile since I saw you. Is everything okay? You haven't been eating with us-"

"Yeah, I'm okay! Just really busy studying for the finals!" I couldn't allow him enough time to finish his sentence, the longer I was out here gives me a higher probability of bumping into the other Uchiha.

I made a mad dash to my room frantically.
I didn't know what I was running from. I just knew that I didn't want to see Sasuke, seeing him walking away from me today.. hurts.

And the hurt was still lingering onto my chest, weighing down my heavy heart.
I hate feeling this way. And I don't know why but I only ache whenever it comes to Sasuke.
This is so frustrating. I should really consider moving out after I graduate.
Maybe space from him will solve this pain.

I heard knocks from the outside of my door. Staring at it nervously, my heart started to race. I held my breath and my hands trembled as I reached out to the knob of my door.
Turning it slowly, I fearfully opened it to see Itachi, smiling.
"Hey, do you need any help with studying?" He politely asked as I composed myself.

"It's okay, I can manag-"

"Itachi, is Naruto home yet?"
I jumped. Alarmed when I heard Sasuke leaving his room, calling out to his brother. I instantly pulled Itachi into my bedroom. I didn't want my door open and having Sasuke see me from across the hallway.

The abrupt strength used to pull the older brother caused him to lose his balance and he ended up falling on top of me. It made a loud thud as my back cushioned by his hands met the floor. His chin hammered into the top of my head.

"Ow! You have a chin of steel. That really hurt."
I rubbed my bruised head while laughing as I remembered vividly that Kiba had said the same thing to me.

"Idiot, are you alright-" Sasuke pushed the door open to check on me, but he was greet with the sight of me under our senior. He hastily pulled him off me, "Why the hell are you always falling when Itachi's around?" It almost seemed as though he was chiding me.

"Maybe he's falling for me." Itachi snickered as he made his lame joke. He dusted himself while he recovered onto his two feet firmly.

Sasuke frowned, immediately shaking his head, disagreeing as he stretched out his hand to help me off the ground. "Nah, he has already fallen for-" He stopped abruptly as I stood up. I looked over to him, curious if he was going to finish his sentence.

"For..?" Itachi stopped his laugh, his expression became serious. I arched my brow, almost wanting to ask the same question.

What was he going to say?! Him?
Arrogant bastard! Like hell, I'd really fall for him! It was just a stupid crush. Tiny stupid crush. Teenage hormones... that's right!

The seconds almost seems like an eternity as our eyes analysed Sasuke, both of us anxiously anticipating the response. But he shrugged nonchalantly, returning back to his usual, unbothered self. "Who knows?" He stated coldly as he left my room. Leaving Itachi and I, awkwardly looking at each other.

"Woah! Look at the time! I must really get to studying right now!" I escorted Itachi out of my room. "Let me know if you need help." He offered again. "I will, thank you! Good night!" I shut my door and calming myself down. My rapid beating heart was about to pop out of my chest.
I walked towards my desk, taking the seat in front of it and tried my best to bury my head in my textbooks. But none of its information was getting through my skull. I deeply sighed, giving up. I'm going to fail at this rate..

"You are going to fail at this rate!" My math teacher yelled at me full of rage, "You have been failing my mock tests. This is the third time in a row now. When are you going to get serious about your finals?!" She folded her arms fiercely.

"I am trying!" I answered boldly, my brows starting to furrow.

"If you're really trying, consider taking up tuition classes then." She dismissed me, and I left her classroom with nothing but her stupid suggestion.

Tuition? That costs money.
And money is something I lack right now.

I let out a sigh of frustration as I walked over to my locker. "Hey, what's up? You don't look too good." Kiba came running up to me, touching my forehead with his palm to check if I was running a fever.

"I have really been trying to study. But I'm flunking all of my mock tests. Especially in Maths." I pouted, turning the dial of my locker.
"She recommended me to sign up for tuition classes but I don't have the expenses to. What am I gonna do, Kiba? I'm only fail my finals! And I won't graduate with you and Sakura!" I didn't even have the motivation left to open my locker before I rested my forehead onto my locker's door defeatedly.

"Didn't Sakura said something about tutoring sessions? Man, do you ever listen to what she says?" He chuckled, patting my head in attempt to comfort me.

I jolted up right, realising this solution.
"Yeah! You're right!"
There is the free tutoring sessions the student council offered.

I hurriedly pulled out my phone in my pockets to text Sakura, asking her about it.
She told me to come to the student council office after school.

I thanked him and cheered.
"Hurray! Naruto Uzumaki will be graduating!"