Authors Note: Hello again! I'd like to thank all my readers and my…cough, 1 reviewer!!! Please, don't hesitate to review. You guys are what keep me motivated to finish and post my stories. I'm depending on you, so don't let me down! J
Thank you to my reviewer:
ezap3 - Thank you so much!!! I'm so happy you enjoy the story and followed it even when I switched penname and account!!! You make me so happy to hear that someone still wants me to bring this story back from the grave. To tell you the truth, I didn't want to part with it either. Don't hesitate to review again!
Chapter 2, Sin
Her footsteps echoed off the wall and through the corridor as Rin adjusted the bag on her shoulder. Blowing the black bangs in her eyes out of the way, she trudged down the empty hallway. "Damn ass heavy bag," she grunted. It was ironic how such a big place had no elevator; surely the architects had a lapse of sanity when building the place. Everything was covered in marble. The hall floors were so clean you could see your reflection shining back at you on the freshly furnished marble. Rin smiled to herself. "Someone had way too much time on their hands."
Rin stopped on the side of the spiral staircase and looked carefully at her reflection on the stairs. She let down her hair and redid it into her signature high pigtails before hauling her bag more firmly over her should. But the sound of footsteps on the marble behind her made her turn around.
"Need some help?"
Oh my god.
It was quite possible the most ironic situation in the world. Here she was, having trouble with the damn bag on her shoulder and wishing for some assistance, and a most gorgeous man standing in a black wife beater and baggy pants asks her if she needs some help. Now, this is where the TV. show and reality differ. If this were her fantasy, he would be the gentleman showing her finer points of being a woman.
Translation: Hot, undeniably steamy sex.
But sadly, reality had its toll and he was probably doing his share of a good deed. What a pussy. How Rin managed to think about these things when her grandfather chastised her for it her who life was still a mystery. But here she was, a 16 year-old, so what was so harmful with a little overactive imagination?
"Ummm, hello? Are you alright?"
"Whaaa," Rin snapped out her stupor to a large hand waving in front of her face. "Ehrm, very sorry. I kind of lost myself there."
He smiled. "It's alright. Can I help you with your bag?" Even that smile increased his hotness two-fold. Just great, the minute her grandfather was away it was like hormone city had arrived. Just another way to start a new year.
"I can tell that you're new around here. But don't worry about it, you'll get used to things around here pretty fast, so don't spaz out or anything."
"I'll try to keep that in mind." Rin sighed in relief as the heavy bag was taken from her and she was led up the stairs. She told him her room number. Thankfully, at the top of the stairs there was an elevator. Thank god for good manufacturing. As they took to the elevator, she peeked up at him. "So do you go around helping everyone?" She didn't mean for it to come out so blunt, but it was somewhat suspicious that a sexy guy was helping her with her stuff.
He chuckled deeply. "Sort of. I could tell that you're new around here and since I'm a junior I'd figure I would help you out. I volunteered as one of the interns to help the new ones." For the first time since they greeted he turned to her and leaned against the side of the wall as his eyes made a quick sweep of her. "If it's not to forward of me to ask, are you coming in as a freshman, sophomore, or something else?"
Suddenly she felt self-conscious that he was looking at her. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "A sophomore," she answered automatically. This guy was already winning brownie points with her. He didn't make the judgment that she was a freshman just because she was new.
The elevator made its chime and they exited. It was like a hotel. There was carpeted flooring and nice photographs along the wall. They had coral shell lamps on the ceiling. Suddenly she was thankful for the full scholarship. She didn't come from a rich family, but she had the talent that pulled her through.
They came to a stop at 23B, her room number. There was shuffling heard behind the door so he put down her things and knocked on it. As they waited, she turned to him and smiled shyly. "Thanks for all the help. I'm glad that the interns here weren't jerks." He laughed in response. She giggled lightly.
"No big deal, I'm glad to help. By the way," he stuck out his hand and she immediately went for it feeling the warmth seep into her skin. His black hair spilled over his shoulders in a seductive way as his smiled. "I'm Inuyasha."
The door swung open at that moment. Out of reflex, Rin drew back her hand from his and turned. There was another girl in the doorway, she was definitely older than she was, but she could help seeing that she was beautiful in her polka dot halter dress. It wasn't so much that the dress was skimpy at all, it's just, she was really pretty with the big blue eyes and messy bun she was sporting. "Hello, can I help you?"
Rin immediately jumped at attention and stuck out her hand as the girl returned her shake. "My name is Rin Shigamura. I'm a new sophomore and this is my room number. I'm guessing you're who I'm rooming with?"
The girl's eyes immediately brightened as she returned the shake. "It's nice to meet you Rin. My name is Kagome. I'm really happy you came early. I'll help you with your things." Her eyes settled on Inuyasha for a moment. "Hello Inuyasha." Rin couldn't help noticing her voice was softer than before as she addressed him and she could feel him tense by her side. His light brown eyes darted over her and his head turned to the side quickly, but Rin could see the pink that was settling on his cheeks. "Hello Kagome," he returned softly. His eyes had lingered on her longer than necessary
Kagome smiled and took Rin's things. Kagome hauled her stuff inside and Rin turned to Inuyasha. "Thank you again. I really wouldn't have been able to find this room, so I'm really glad you helped me." Inuyasha smiled and gave her a slip of paper. "This is my room phone number. If you need anymore help you can contact me, okay?"
Rin nodded and smiled as he walked away and she went into the room. She could barely hold her breath in. It was a real apartment. There were two rooms, a small sitting room and small kitchen with a counter. It was like a Barbie dream apartment! She smiled at the thought.
"So do you like it?" Kagome put the last of the dished she had been cleaning away in the cupboard.
"I love it," Rin answered truthfully. And she did love it. Everything about this place was new and amazing. It excited and scared her. Rin grabbed her things and put them into the room next to Kagome's. Kagome then proceeded to show Rin her own room and Rin smiled in delight. It was obvious that Kagome's favorite color was blue. The bed, wall and floor were covered in the color. Everything was nice and neat; almost as if a maid had cleaned it.
"I did a little cleaning," Kagome answered her silent question and showed her where the bathroom was. By the twenty minutes she had been there, Rin was well versed with where everything was. Rin sat on the small sofa as Kagome proceeded to sit next her. Rin couldn't help but stare at her. The girl was just so nice looking. And here Rin was in her skirt and short sleeve top looking so non-glam compared to the Japanese version of I Love Lucy sitting next to her. "How do you know Inuyasha?" Rin mentally smacked herself. What kind of stupid question was that? Way to go Rin!
Kagome smiled and finger combed her bangs. "We had a few classes together and I was his partner for the Dance-off freshman year. We won second place."
Rin mouth dropped open so far she could catch flies. "You won second place at the Dance-Off! The Dance- Off!"
Kagome laughed. "Calm down. Each year Kaede selects a pair from each level to compete. So each school has a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior pair. Trust me; it's worth it to compete. We did the best a freshman has ever done in this school. Inuyasha was a great partner."
"I bet his was," Rin sighed and smiled. Kagome raised an eyebrow at her and Rin coughed as pink settled on her cheeks. Kagome grinned like a Cheshire cat. "You like him, don't you?" Kagome leaned over and poked her in the side for fun.
Rin tried to cover her giggle and squirmed away from Kagome's finger.
Somehow, it was so easy to fall in a familiar pattern with her. "Well can you blame me? He's really hot. But it doesn't matter. I thought that he liked you."
Kagome drew back and raised an incredulous eyebrow. "And how did you come to that conclusion?"
Rin shrugged. "You should have seen the way he looked at you and the way he was blushing. It's like he was saying with his eyes: Watch out Lucy, cause here comes your Ricky."
Kagome laughed and stood up. "Yeah right. I definitely don't like him. Rin trust me. Inuyasha is a wealthy guy. He's well off and has gone steady with some other girls. He one of the nicer ones, but that doesn't mean that he's in love with anyone. This is not a TV. show."
Rin smiled and pretended to look defeated. Kagome did have a point. Until now, she had never met anyone as down to earth as herself. It was so funny how they had barely known each other for an hour, and yet here they were chatting about a boy. As long as the topic of discussion was not on her it was easier to get along. That and she was an extremely nice roommate.
Suddenly an intercom crackled through the room:
All dance patrons please report to center dance stadium. All freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior patrons please report to the center dance stadium immediately.
Kagome got up and Rin proceeded to follow. She nodded in understanding. So that's what that thing was for.
"Alright Rin, evaluation time. They have a bunch of judges. Just pray you don't get Kaede."
Rin filed out of the room as many other girls around them were doing. "What's wrong with getting Kaede?"
Kagome made a face and pursed her pink lips. "You don't want to know."
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Man, this is much more crowded then I remember it to be.
"Yo Kohaku! You're draw man, Jesus-fucking-Christ! Can't you pay attention for like 15 seconds?"
Kohaku turned angry brown eyes on Shiro, one to explicit-tongued friends. "Sorry," he muttered picking up a card. Ace of hearts, another crap card. "It's just way too noisy in this damn stadium," he retorted tossing the card into the center pile.
"Tell me about it. I can barely concentrate on this damn game," Shippo exclaimed as he studied the card Kohaku had discarded. He then proceeded to pick up another from the pile and smiled brightly.
"I win again!" A round of collective groans sounded and Shippo cackled and collected his earnings: 20 bucks, a thumbtack, and a picture of Ayumi Hamasaki in a bathing suit. Oh baby, was this worth it.
"Fuck this!" Shiro cursed eyeing Shippo evilly. "I swear to god you have fucking mirrors behind our fucking heads! This is stupid shit! I just lost my 20 bucks to that evil squirrel!"
"I do not look like a squirrel!" Shippo growled as he tucked the earnings away.
"Guys calm down," Kohaku sighed. Sometimes they were a little too much. "Alright, how 'bout we talk non-betting okay? Like something peaceful. Anyone know about the upcoming freshman?"
"-Says the guy who lost a thumbtack!" Shiro retorted back to Kohaku. "Who cares about the freshman? And anyway, isn't your darling Mayu-chan coming? " Shiro asked in a sickenly sweet voice. The other guys cracked up. "Wait! Wait," Shiro wheezed, "I got something better." Shiro stood up, jutted out his hip, and pretended to fluff out his hair and adjust his fake bra. "Oh Kohaku, I missed you sooo much. I'll come anywhere you want me to. On the bed, in the kitchen, on the dining table, in front of the parents, I even do well with poles."
Kohaku's eyes could scorch them all to cinders as they erupted in a fit of laughter and Shiro fell on his back laughing. "Yeah, you're right Shiro. I'm really glad you think up these kinds of things. I really am speechless as to why you have yet to get some. Maybe you should try the gay bar this time instead of lesbian central."
And round of 'Ooooo's' sounded as Shiro's face went red with anger. Kohaku and the guys laughed before he got up and left the others to sit closer to the ground on the bleachers. Shippo followed after still cracking up about the retort that he gave Shiro. "You are too good Kohaku, Shiro definitely deserved an ass kicking. But I can't believe Mayu is still pining after you. She really must like you."
Kohaku shrugged and took out his short ponytail only to adjust it. "She's nice, but frankly, I really don't want a relationship. I really want to make this the year. I want to be selected for the dance-off. And I'm not going to screw it up. I really want this."
Shippo stared at him. He knew Kohaku wanted this more than anything. Almost everyone knew. And Kohaku was damn good. Shippo had never seen a better dancer in their sophomore class than him. That's why he hated to admit it since he didn't like Mayu, but she was an amazing dancer as well. They made a great pair. "Hey I hear you bud. I'm behind you all way."
Kohaku threw an arm over Shippo's shoulder in a quick half hug. "Thanks Ship. But you know I'm going to beat your butt in evaluation!"
Shippo laughed and gave him a half hearted punch. "I have no qualms there." I'm really grateful I have a best friend like you, Kohaku.
Kohaku laughed at the puppy dog expression on Shippo's face. "Awwww! Do you want a kiss?" He laughed again as he dodged a punch aimed at his head.
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Rin adjusted the uniform that she and the other girls had to where. It turns out in random selection; the sophomores were going to go first. And even worse yet, the girls were before the guys. And on top of all this nerve racking news; the cherry on top of the fucking cake, Kaedewas the judge. I bet Kagome jinxed me!
Rin adjusted her tight uniform. The material clung to everything. Bringing out the fact that she wasn't exactly the most well endowed when it came to the 'breasts' category. Sure, miss A-cup wasn't curvy as all hell, but she could dance her ass off. "That and I have a decently good face," she thought as she eyed a hideous girl who was putting on slobs of makeup. Rin didn't believe in that crap. It's all about natural beauty. That's what I worked with to get here. I'm not about to throw that all away. I still need to keep some of grandpa's morals. Rin adjusted her pigtails making sure they were tight enough to not come out with rigorous dance. Suddenly she was pushed to the side as the girls made way for another girl.
"There's Mayu. She's looking good as always," one girl whispered loudly. Rin couldn't see the Mayu girl's face, but she could size up her build. It was pretty obvious the girl could move. "Great," she sighed under her breath. She breathed deeply and stood. "I'm not going down. I will win this thing. I came this far and I will not mess up my dreams."
Rin walked out onto the floor of the stadium with the other girls as the crowd in the stands erupted with screams and clapping. She took her place in the horizontal line with two girls to her left and three to her right. Looking down at them, they looked like a square. The lines would rotate, and girls would be picked off if they messed up or didn't do the moves as seen fit by the judges. This was to see who was cut out for varsity in one shot.
"This is my game," Rin chanted in her head as she already started to break out in sweat. She had preformed in front of many before, but never in such situation as this. Her brows furrowed and she held her baton more securely.
"This has always been my game," she whispered as the crowds cheers died down. She was surrounded by the girls, so she couldn't see the crowd but that worked to her advantage. The techno rich beat of It's My Turn Now by Keke Palmer sounded through the stadium and Rin smiled brightly and adjusted her position as though the grading started right now. She would do her best, and she would be the best.
She would prove it with everything she had in her. The difference between the 40 girls on the stage, and her.
"It's my game," she smiled to herself. "And I plan to win it."
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