Chapter 1
What a terrible day. Naruto had quite possibly had the worst day of his life. He'd locked himself out of his room causing him to get to class late, he'd failed his Geometry midterm, and the girl he'd had his eye on for the past week, had turned him down in front of his whole English class. He was not on top of his game.
But there was one thing that always cheered him up. Naruto made his way to the basketball court, only to be disappointed once more. Someone was already practicing and taking shots. He was too late, again.
Naruto watched her (he was surprised, no girls he knew were cool enough to play basketball) manoeuvre the ball around herself as if it was an extension of her own body. She glided and soared with speed and expertise.
"Wow!" Naruto exclaimed as she sunk another shot. She turned, startled by the sound.
She squinted her eyes slightly as she studied him. "Who are you?"
"S-sorry." He stammered. "I didn't meant to interrupt you, I just wanted to shoot a few hoops myself."
"You're that Naruto guy, aren't you? The one Aya shot down this afternoon." She laughed heartily. "That was a riot!"
Naruto fumed. "Hey girly, I didn't ask for your opinion. Either keep playing or let a real man have a turn on the court."
"Don't call me a girl!" She warned before an idea struck her. "Fine, you can play. Take me on."
Before Naruto knew what was happening he was being pitted against the bratty girl. They dodged and leaped and dribbled and blocked, both working as hard as they could. Their egos were on the line.
It wasn't long before Naruto took a severe beating. It really wasn't his day.
"How did you get so good?" Naruto asked as he panted for breath.
"Tons of practice." She admitted. "I like to come here when I'm…lonely."
He watched her bite her lip in regret. She hadn't meant to spill her secrets to some stranger.
"What's your name?" Naruto asked suddenly.
"Sakura. Haruno Sakura."
"Sakura, I'll be back tomorrow. And don't expect me to lose again!"
Days turned into weeks and rivals soon became fast friends. Naruto and Sakura were inseparable (when they weren't fighting), but when they were on the court, they were all business!
During one of their daily matches, Sakura was certain that Naruto was even more determined to win than usual. His shots more accurate, his defence deadly, his anger at her winning talents growing. He was more focused than ever before.
But nonetheless, it was still a losing game for him. For the first time in her life she couldn't help but feel a little bit bad when she won.
"You played really well today, Naruto." She offered.
"Not well enough, though." He grumbled, exhaustedly taking a seat on the bench.
Anjali shut her mouth and turned away. She wanted to tell him she was sorry, but she knew that would just make things worse. He didn't want pity, she knew him well enough by now to know that.
"It's just that…" Naruto started and she noticed that for the first time he seemed almost…nervous. "Well, Sakura, you have to promise me you won't laugh."
"I won't." She promised, taking a seat next to him.
"…I want to try out for the varsity basketball team."
She grinned widely. "Is that all? Why didn't you just tell me?! C'mon, from now on I take it upon myself to be your personal trainer. I'm your coach!"
"I don't know, Sakura…"
"Naruto! Do you want to make the team or not? Hurry up, we have a lot of practicing to get through."
Another day of intense training, Sakura watched as naruto ran another lap around the track. He was making great progress and putting his whole heart into his practices. She would even go as far to admit she was proud of him, whether or not he made the team.
Soon enough he made his way back to where she sat and she tossed him a water bottle.
"That was your best time yet, naruto." She smiled encouragingly at him and he smiled back.
Suddenly, a girl approached them. "Hi naruto." She said sweetly.
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. "Aya."
Aya smiled brightly at him. "I just saw you run the track. Wow, that was amazing! I didn't realize you were so…fast." She batted her eyelashes at him .
"Yeah, thanks." Naruto replied brusquely, taking his place next to Sakura.
"I'm sorry about the other day." Aya continued. "I shouldn't have turned you down like that. Do you want to go grab a bite to eat?"
Naruto smiled at her wanly. "I don't think so. Sakura and I have a lot of work to do and we'd rather do it without your company." He put his arm around Sakura's shoulders. "Isn't that right, Sakura?"
"Whatever." Aya gave Sakura an irritated once-over and stormed off.
Sakura turned to Naruto in surprise. "I thought you liked her!"
He shook his head. "There are hundreds of girls just like her. And there will be hundreds more." Naruto turned to Sakura and smiled. "I'd rather spend my time with you."
"Why?" Sakura asked, feeling her cheeks flush slightly.
"Because you're my favourite kind of girl." He winked at her playfully.
"Hey! I told you before, don't call me a girl!" Sakura growled, chasing after Rahul angrily as he ran for his life.
Sakura sat patiently on the bench near the basketball court. Today was the day Naruto would find out if he made the varsity team or not. She was so nervous and could only imagine how nervous he was.
Naruto slowly walked through the doors, stone-faced and silent as he made his way towards Sakura. It seemed like the longest walk of his entire life.
"How did it go?" She asked softly, the curiosity burning up inside. But she was almost afraid to hear the answer.
His composure broke and he grinned widely at her. "I made the team!"
"Oh my gosh!" Sakura squealed and leaped into Naruto's arms. He hugged her tightly, spinning her off of the ground ecstatically. "I knew you would do it."
"All thanks to you!" He rejoiced, setting her back on the ground. She looked up at him and was immediately shocked at how close his face was to hers. Sakura lowered her eyes from his face and he realized his hands were still wrapped around her waist.
They nervously separated themselves, their joy clouded by the sudden awkwardness.
But then what did they have to be awkward about? Naruto pondered the thought for a moment. They were friends, close friends. Maybe even best friends. Haruno Sakura may be a girl (though she never liked to admit it), but she was his friend first and foremost. What was strange about that?
"Thank you, Sakura." He reiterated, his tone softer. "I really wouldn't have been able to do it without you."
She smiled and punched naruto's shoulder playfully. "No problem."
"But don't think this means it's over."
"What's over?" She asked in confusion.
"Making the team isn't enough. I won't stop until I've beaten you!" Naruto declared with a mischievous grin.
Naruto was crazy, Sakura was sure of that. But he had a good heart. And that's when she knew that he was her dearest friend.
"Beat me?" She shot back. "Not in this lifetime!"