Chapter 2: Bullies and Nosebleeds

Rin and I left my sister's house, the cold wind biting at our faces. Rin tied her purple scarf around her mouth to prevent the cold from coming in contact with her dental braces. Whenever that happens, she says it feels like she's biting into snow.

She said that her mouth was sore for a whole week when she first got them. I'm kinda glad that I don't have to go through that.

And to think that when she finally gets them off, she'll have to wear a retainer so her teeth don't go back to being crooked.

But enough about her. This was my story, remember?

"So can you come after school?" Rin suddenly asked me from out of the blue.

I was a little dazed, thinking of other things.

"Kagome!" she said, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

"Yeah, what is it?" I asked a bit irritated. Rin knew that I hated when people just grab my attention all of a sudden. Maybe that's why she liked to do it.

"I wanted to know if you could still come to the movies?" Rin explained.

I shook my head. "Sorry, but I can't. I have to baby sit my nephew."

Rin didn't bother to ask why Naraku couldn't do it. For as many times as she's been to my house, even she's witness some of the fights they have.

"Aaaaw, that sucks," she commented.

"Yeah, I know."

I checked the time. "Come on, we'd better hurry and get to school."

We made it there in record time. The parking lot was filled with cars and school buses. Once we entered the building, I immediately grabbed Rin's hand so we wouldn't get separated.

Today was the day that the whole school were given new schedules for the second semester. Everyone was packed from wall to wall.

Instead of receiving your schedule from the front office, the faculty and staff set up different stations in the hallway going from the 9th to 12th grade. Whatever grade you were in, (and the first letter of your last name) was where you picked up your schedule. (A/N: they actually do this in my school).

Rin and I headed to the table for Juniors.

We gave our last names, and was each handed a piece of paper. We quickly skimmed through the classes, hoping that we shared the same ones.

"I've got Japanese History, first period," said Rin.

"So do I!"

She went on to say, "And third and fourth period, is Physical Ed and Chemistry."

Once again I was overjoyed. "Me too."

"Awesome!" Rin added.

This was turning out better than I thought. So far Rin and I had three of the same classes together. But I wonder who I shared my other four classes with.

I had gotten my answer when I suddenly heard a girl say, "This is so stupid. For second and sixth period, I have Home Economics and Biology."

I knew exactly who that voice belonged to. Sango Amane. She was one of the popular girls in our school. Her best friends were, Kagura and Ayame. Every guy wanted to date them and every girl feared their group.

But Rin and I weren't intimated...well just a little.

I saw them come our way, obviously not paying attention so when they bumped into us, Sango said, "Watch where you're going!"

"Sorry," I said, although I don't know why the hell I was apologizing for something they did.

She looked upon my face, sizing me up.

"Well, well, well," she began. "If it isn't crybaby Kagome." She smirked. "You know I wouldn't have recognized you without a tissue in your hand."

Her friends laughed.

I didn't think that it was funny though. I had known Sango longer than I'd known Rin. And all through elementary school she would tease me everyday until I ran home, crying to my parents.

That's why I'm so glad that my family had moved when I was in the fourth grade. I just couldn't take her anymore. But now we're in the same high school. What a joy this will be.

"Leave Kagome alone," Rin spoke out in my defense. "She hasn't bothered you."

"Stay out of this, brace face," Sango warned.

Kagura added in by saying, "Yeah metal mouth."

Rin didn't flinch, but I could tell that she they words hurt. And if you haven't figured it out by now, Rin and I are pretty much the targets of teasing. Like I said before, we're not popular.

Just as they were bout to continue their taunting, that's when the bell rang,signaling for all the students to head for their first period class.

Before dispersing from our company, Sango leaned in real close to my face and said, "You got lucky."

I only stared back at her and watched her leave. I let out a sigh of relief.

"That was a close one, huh Rin?"

"Uh...Kagome..."

I glanced at my friend to see blood staining her fingertips. This was just great. A nosebleed? The bell had already rung, so we couldn't find a nearby bathroom.

But it couldn't be helped. Rin had an occurrence of having frequent anterior nosebleeds. They mostly happened due to dry or cold air, plus she had allergies.

I advised her to lean her head forward, and pinch her nose.

"Come on, we gotta get to class!"

I grabbed her hand.

"But Kagome!"

"Not now!"

I quickly dashed down the hallway, hoping that we wouldn't be late.