Chapter Text
The human brain was a bizarre concept. So simple, yet so complex. The majority of responsibilities were laid within the brain, whether it be thoughts, memories, senses, movement or even something as simple as breathing. So many responsibilities and yet humans were unable to be accountable for it. No, if anything, they refused to. They were pathetic, selfish, greedy, taking advantage at every chance given. That was a snapshot of Sasuke’s perspective.
Everyday was the same shit. Absolutely pointless, if you asked him.
Wake up, get ready for school, go to lessons, come home, do homework, eat dinner, go to sleep. Weirdly so, he preferred it that way. He needed a routine to function. He never understood people who just ‘went with the flow’. It was utter bullshit. That wasn’t the way to live. He was in no place to judge. He did it anyway. After all, these were just his thoughts.
The main topic of conversation between him and his older brother would be the future. What do you want to do for the future? What career path do you want to take? Biology? Physics? Business?
Truthfully, he didn’t know. Then what difference was there between him and those lowlife bastards that he liked to judge. Zero. It was all a cover up. A cover up for the emptiness at the pit of his heart.
A tap on his shoulder shook him out of his thoughts. He turned away from the window and glanced beside him.
“You okay?” Sakura asked him with a gentle smile.
Sakura Haruno was a pink-haired girl that he met during middle school. She was kind in her own ways, gentle, yet so aggressive. Things were surprisingly not awkward between them, especially because she had confessed to him at the beginning of high school. He obviously let her down, not having any interest in relationships. Screwing around here and then was one thing, but a long term relationship with a romantic like her was definitely a no. Rather than crying her heart out, like most girls would, she brushed it off with a smile and was more than happy to continue their friendship. He respected her for that and he was glad because he found himself enjoying her company at times.
He nodded before facing the front again. She looked at him with unease, facing the front as well. Double period of Biology. That was a complete blow to his head.
Lunch was next, which he dreaded. In a canteen full of people, who were yelling, laughing, enjoying each other’s company. It gave him a headache. He listened in on the conversation around the table. Sakura was freely speaking to Ino, as they shoved one another. He couldn’t differentiate if they were playing around or quarreling about stupid shit. They argued way too fucking much. Lee was over exaggerating another one of his story times, whilst Neji listened with a sigh. He would never shut down the guy. As annoying as he was, they were pretty tight with each. A weird dynamic, but he would never be one to comment on it.
He found himself focused on the conversation between Kiba and Shino, occasionally responding back to them. He was counting down the time before he could attend his last class, maths, which he was fond of. After that, he was free. What would he do at home anyways? But, It beat being at this shit hole by a mile.
Two hours later, he parted with the others and as usual, he decided to walk home. Sasuke’s house was located on the more decent side of the town. It was a twenty five minute walk, fairly close to school. It was now nearing the middle of October, which meant that the temperature would begin to drop and for him, that was a good thing. He found peace in walking home, alone, plugging in his earphones and appreciating his own company.
His phone vibrated in the pocket of his jacket. He sighed at the thought of having to pull his hands out of his pocket especially when it was so fucking cold.
He picked up the phone, “Yeah?”
“Hey, do you mind grabbing me a coffee?” His older brother spoke through the phone.
What the fuck?
Coffee? What was he, an errand boy now?
“What the hell, Itachi?” He said.
“Look, it’s on your way home, anyways” He compromised, as if that was any better. He paused for a moment, and closed his eyes with a sigh.
“Which one?” He gave in.
“The one that’s a road from ours,” He answered and he could imagine the smugness on the bastard’s face.
“Cleaners and coffee?”
“Yeah, that one,” he replied.
“Since when do you go there?” He furrowed his brows.
“Since always. You would know if you actually paid attention to people.” He countered. Ouch. Right on the dot with that one.
“Whatever,” he scoffed. “With milk?”
“Yeah.”
He hung up the phone, making his way to the said coffee shop. Fucking Itachi and his relentless requests. Entering the coffee shop, Sasuke was met with a warm and cosy atmosphere. The bell over the door rang louder than he expected. It wasn’t necessarily big, but nor was it small. Plenty of room for customers to sit and enjoy. He assumed it was a small family business as he’d never really been inside, he’d only briefly seen it on his way home. The cafe smelt like burnt coffee and something sweet he couldn’t place his finger on. Cinnamon, maybe. Or sugar that had been overheated. Sasuke hovered near the door, glancing at his surroundings.
A few of the tables were occupied by customers, some of which are students, with their laptops out and revising. A girl with dirty blonde hair was serving drinks to customers and there were a few other workers, all similar to his age. He squinted at the menu board above, like a fucking idiot who forgot his glasses at home.
“Hi, can I take your order?” A voice called out from behind the counter
A young boy, similar to his age, with blonde unruly hair smiled at him.
“Yeah, can I have a medium coffee?” He answered, stepping forward.
The boy nodded, “Do you want milk with that?”
The guy was practically beaming, emitting pure happiness that he was not familiar with whatsoever. How could someone be so…happy? It almost felt too good to be true. It reminded him of Lee and how the guy just couldn’t stop talking.
“Yeah, oat milk.” He answered, unconsciously glancing at the boy’s face. He noticed the way the boy would tap his fingers against the counter quite a bit.
He tapped at the screen, his fingers moving fast, before glancing up at Sasuke, “Rough day?”
“Excuse me?”, he said, clearly offended.
“Ah sorry, I don’t mean to offend you” He scratched the back of his head with a laugh.
“It’s fine” He muttered, warily glancing at the guy, wondering what the fuck is up with him. There was seriously no need for small talk, especially when ordering coffee.
“Coming from school, right?” He was still talking, his smile showing no hint of faltering.
Sasuke considered pretending that he didn’t hear, but replied anyway. “Yeah.”
That seemed to satisfy the boy.
It was so simple, order the coffee, pay for the coffee, collect the coffee and that’s it. Nothing more. He decided to ignore it though, seeing no point of causing an issue. He was just so fucking tired and being surrounded by people was the last thing he wanted, especially spending eight hours with insufferable people.
The boy stole glances at him, not in a personal way, but more like a habit and in a friendly manner. As though this was the norm for him. Fair enough. The guy worked at a coffee shop, customer service was essential and boy, did he fill in that role well. Sasuke mentally scoffed at himself, he wouldn’t last a day working here. He would probably get bitched at for his lack of decency in customer service. Tutoring worked best for him. Getting paid to teach a subject he excelled and was confident in.
“Anything else?” He waited for an answer. A beating moment passes by.
“Hello?” The boy cocked his head.
“Uh, no. That’s all.”
What the hell? Maybe Itachi was right. He had to pull his head out of the clouds.
“That will be 4.85, please. Whenever you’re ready”
He paid for the coffee and then walked away to wait.
A guy with hair pulled back into a pony tail calls out his order monotonously. He collects it from him, muttering a ‘thanks’ before leaving the shop. He’s met with the cold air blowing directly onto his face. He would’ve already been home now. He mentally runs through the list of things to get through for the evening, before deciding to quickly make his way home.
When he arrived home, Itachi was seated at the dining table, typing away at his laptop. He looked up at the sound of the door shutting behind Sasuke
“Thanks, little brother.” He patted Sasuke’s head, and received a shove.
“Whatever. I’m not doing it again.” He handed over the coffee, before making his way upstairs to his room.
Shrugging off his coat, he dropped his bag, with a thud, on the floor. He fell back on his bed, glancing up at the ceiling and reminisced on today. Same thing tomorrow. And the day after.