Sakura was used to it.

Sasuke and Naruto this, Sasuke and Naruto that. Two, the duo, she was always the plus one. Never apart of the actual group, just an afterthought.

She was the second choice.

Always.

When she'd made friends with the two in middle school, she'd found that they were the best to be around, ever. But… she was the third wheel.

Sasuke and Naruto were a bicycle, that could never become a tricycle. But apparently road well with other bikes. They became friends with another group, one Sakura didn't fit. She tried her best, but it was never her crowd. It was always awkward held conversations but they tried. That was kinda the point, just the effort was seen.

So she did as she could to be included, often forcing her way into group projects by being sure to be the first one seen. Fighting to be around her best friends.

They called her best friend too but why did it feel like she fought for the title day in and day out?

Sakura was depressed. She told them, and they made her get help. Naruto giving her that sad smile and Sasuke his stoic sadness. Because no one should say they don't see senior year being a possibility. No one.

She was getting better. Numbing, but better. She wasn't as kind as she used to be, as understanding. She got agitated at the tiniest thing. But she wasn't sad. She didn't constantly think about the fact that she was an afterthought. Always and forever.

No, she just watched as Sasuke and Naruto used each other for support, a building brick. As they used Hinata, Ino, Kiba, and Sai for the title best friend.

Which apparently she was as well, but why did it feel as though they hated her?

She craved attention, some kind of physical contact. Please, just someone give me a fucking hug and never stop.

It was weird for her friends to hug her but others they were fine with? Others they embraced with open arms? Why was life this unfair. Why was she cursed?

For Sasuke to say he hated hugs, only to hug everyone but her.

She tugged on short locks of pink hair, curling deeper into her blanket. It was a Friday, and she'd spent the whole day trying to ignore her misery. Trying to ignore the pit in her stomach she knew was there because of loneliness.

She knew she probably shouldn't have mixed medications, but it wasn't the first time. The melatonin and Prozac was doing its job. At least the part that was supposed to make her tired.

She just wanted to sleep, and stay asleep. If not permanently for a very long time.