Chapter 17: School daze
"And that concludes today's lesson. Please read chapter 12, people! And do the homework! Kagome, a word…"
Kagome cringed. Oh, damn… She waited until her classmates left the room for lunch, then approached the front. "Yes, Professor?"
"I wanted to congratulate you. That history test score was the highest you've had all year."
"Thank you, sir."
"I wanted to ask you a favor. One of the students is having trouble in history. Would you mind helping him out today? Just for a few minutes. He needs a refresher in Feudal Japan history, if his test score's any indication..."
Kagome smiled. "Of course, sir. I'll meet him in the library during study hall and after school."
"Thank you, Kagome. You're a dear. How's your little brother? Is he ready for high school?"
More than I am… "Not for a few more years, sir."
"He was here a week ago gathering your homework. He's a good kid."
Kagome nodded. "Thank you, sir."
The teacher looked at his watch. "Gosh, I'm late. Kagome, thank you for helping that poor student out. He needs all the help he can get." He stuffed his briefcase with his notes and the history textbook. "I'll let him know you're meeting him, so don't worry. Have a good day!"
"Thank you, sir…" Kagome waited until her history professor left, then kicked the teacher's desk. "Dammit! Why me? Why today?" She grumbled all the way back to her seat. " 'Of course, sir. I'll help him, sir.' I must have 'stupid' on my back somewhere." She yanked her lunch out of her bag, then went to the hallway. "What else can—" She paused. She shook her fist at the ceiling. "Oh, no. I'm not falling for that again!"
*****
Kagome looked at her watch. He's late… Whoever it is… She shrugged and went back to her Harry Potter book. A Firebolt? Ooh! This is getting good…
Someone tapped her shoulder. Hard. "Ouch! Who—Oh, hello, Thomas. S'up?"
He pulled out his history text. "Help?" He gave her a lopsided grin.
Her jaw dropped and snapped shut. "I should have known…," she muttered as she gestured to the seat next to her.
"What's that?" She glanced at Thomas, who looked back at her strangely.
"Seems I tempted Fate earlier today. Now, why are we here?"
"Because my recall skills are lacking." He pulled out a sheet from his book and placed it in front of her. She zeroed in on the score in the corner and the neat checks lining the edge of the paper and grimaced. "He hinted at a quiz next Monday, and I need help."
"You missed your own name?"
He dropped his head and mumbled something. Kagome laughed. "Yes, I can see you're having trouble remembering things." She opened her own history text. "Okay. What do you need to know?"
"How to concentrate during the test." He pulled out a pack of notecards tied with some gold ribbon and handed them to Kagome. "These are my notes for the test."
She untied the ribbon and shuffled through the cards. "These are great!"
"I spent a week working on them. I knew it all. It drove my mother crazy. And then this happens." He glared at the test.
She sighed. I had hoped for an easy assignment, but… She looked at the wall clock and grimaced inward. I hope Sesshie-sama doesn't leave until I get back… Maybe he can leave tomorrow? She realized that Thomas was still talking.
"—and he said I could ask the vice principal to retake the test, what with the language barrier and everything." He watched her expectantly.
Uh-oh… Did I miss something? "Um, isn't that a good thing?"
He smirked. "You were daydreaming."
"I was not!" She tried to imitate Miroku's blank face, but failed miserably, if Thomas' grin was any indication.
"Uh-huh. And I'm a monk." He made a face and grabbed his backpack. Kagome almost fell from her seat.
He rooted around until his head came out. He had a smirk. "Here. There's payment for today's help." He dropped two electronic games in front of her. "One's for now and one's for this afternoon's session. And I won't take no for an answer. I'm desperate." He smiled at her.
"I'll help, but I can't take these. Pass the test as payment." She smiled back at him and pushed the games back towards him. His smile faltered a little, but he grabbed the games and put them in his bag.
"First things first. What made you lose your concentration last time?"
He grinned. "A cute girl."
Kami, does he ever change?
*****
"Kagome! Hey, Kagome!"
Kagome's run faltered. "Sorry Thomas, but I have to go. I'm late."
"But… But… What about the test?"
She stopped and turned. "You know what you're doing. You're prepared. Unless you want me to go in with you and hold your hand, I can't do anything else for you."
"You promised. How can I repay you if you don't finish helping me?" The lopsided grin was back.
Kagome's resolve faded. "Oh, all right, fine. Come on. We can review while we go to my place." She waved him along and resumed her running. He kept the pace alongside her and recited information from his notes.
Both teens reached the shrine and raced up the steps. Thomas followed Kagome inside the house. "Mom! Guest! I'll be right back, ok? Make yourself at home." She dumped her bag next to the door and raced upstairs to change.
When she came back, Thomas was reciting history facts from his notecards to her family. She noticed the drinks and the snacks on the low table. She smiled to herself and wandered into the kitchen to find food. She was deep in thought inside the fridge when she heard her worst nightmare.
"Took you long enough to come back. Busy with the new guy, perhaps?"
Kagome dropped the plate in her hand, jumped up and banged her head on the fridge. She grabbed her newest bruise and muttered a few choice words.
"Feh, nice language, wench."
She hissed, "What're you doing here?" She came out of the fridge and almost giggled hysterically. Inuyasha stood, with hands crossed, in black jeans, a black shirt, black tennis shoes, and a baseball cap over his tied-back black hair.
He replied in low tones, "Are you finished with your man? We need to go back. We have a problem."
She opened her mouth to reply when footsteps stopped her. Thomas stuck his head in the kitchen. "I have to go home. Thanks for all your help today." He turned to Inuyasha and smiled. "Nice to have met you, Inuyasha. See you around." His head disappeared again and his footsteps receded. Kagome's face turned into an indifferent mask as she brushed past Inuyasha and went into the living room. "Let me walk you to the door, Thomas."
*****
Kagome caught up with Thomas by the stairs. He slowed his pace. "Thank you for all your help today." Kagome noticed how his voice seemed edgy.
"Thomas, are you okay?"
"No." Thomas stopped abruptly. His voice dropped to barely a whisper. "I thought… I didn't believe… How can you stand it?" He whirled and pointed back at the shrine. "How can you stand being around someone like that?"
Kagome watched, horrified, as Thomas engaged in a loud tirade. "He's rude, self-centered, annoying, obnoxious… He had the gall to ask me why I was there! Who does he think he is? It's not like he—" He suddenly paled. His hands went over his mouth, his expression shocked. He turned away from Kagome and dropped his head.
Thomas tightened his grip on the backpack. He turned and offered Kagome a deep bow and a strained smile. "I am deeply sorry. Your friends are none of my business. I shall take my leave now. I will keep you appraised about my situation if you are still interested. If you will excuse me…" He turned and ran down the stairs, his flashlight's beam bouncing with every step.
Kagome stared after him, bemused. I get all the strange ones…
*****
© 10/6/03, M.A.R.
Aphiopsyduck: This chapter was all ready to go last Tuesday. It's now a week later Monday. Author is apologizing profusely to those readers waiting with baited breath for this chapter. Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry. Did I say I was sorry? :o( I blame my new Gamecube and Animal Crossing. And the baseball playoffs. *EG* My team isn't playing this year, but two of my adopted ones are, which means I'll be glaring at Oakland tonight and at Florida tomorrow night.
Go Cubs! Go Boston! To the World Series! :-D
What follows is my original message. It still stands, so it's staying in. :o)
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Hello! I have some good news. I finally for a Gamecube! Yay me! *happy dance*
Erm... Ahem. Anyhoo. I've gotten into Animal Crossing. Neat, engrossing little game... *GRIN*
No, I haven't forgotten you, my faithful readers. The final chappies of this story are being revised and rewritten--there's a scene in there I might change or eliminate altogether--but this story's not finished yet. Not by a long shot.
For starters, I haven't deciphered how they're getting together. *sheepish grin*
But do not despair. After I finish revising chapters 22 through 24, I'll know more of where the story stands. And where it's going, since it refuses to tell me. :-P
Final word: If you've been waiting for the Gamecube's price to drop, GO NOW! :-D
(More or less) Permanent A/N: *sweatdrops…* Ehehe… First fanfic… If nothing else, it's a test run, since this will be my first real fanfic posted anywhere. I don' really know where it's going though, so please bear with me. Reviews are welcome, and flames will be used on undead mikos who refuse to leave our heroes alone. :o)