HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!! Okay, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone! Sorry I didn't update yesterday but I was kinda busy. I went and socialized with some of the family and it was really hilarious because my two girl cousins rented "A Cinderella Story" and "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" (I'd already seen both, and I didn't like either of them) so I sat on the couch next to them as the giggled over the guys and read my brand new hardcover copy of Dracula. See how well I fit in? lol. I'm not goth or anything, but I totally love the book! And I highly recommend it. It's not all gore and horror like that, it's more psychological, like a thriller. Very intense and exciting read.
Anyways! Thanks SO much for all the feedback on this story! It's not getting as many reviews as some but the QUALITY of the reviews is like fantastic! I apologize if the next update doesn't come out as quickly as the rest have, but my friend Katie's driving down to stay with me tonight and tomorrow night and Tuesday night I have a movie sleepover to go to and then I'm working Wenesday and Thursday and then there's new years. BUT, every spare second I will write and maybe I'll come out with often enough updates.
Enjoy!
She hated weekends.
She was always stuck at home, and there were only so many hours she could spend on homework. By Sunday, her brain would be so fried even if she'd wanted to study it wouldn't work. She felt pretty close to that state on Saturday. But then the phone rang, and someone from upstairs stomped on the floor, meaning it was for her. They'd never have come down with the phone, too much strain. She hurried upstairs so they wouldn't hang up before she got there.
"It's for you." Her mom handed her the phone, but instead of leaving, continued to stand in front of her, almost as if she was watching her. "Make it fast, I'm waiting for a phone call."
Kagome nodded. "Hello?" She was surprised someone called, more so because she didn't think anyone had her number. She wasn't close friends with anyone, so there'd never been a reason to hand it out.
"Hey. It's me." Of course Yura didn't identify herself. She expected everyone to know who she was already. And she was probably right, but her so called 'rep' wasn't all that flattering. "My folks are out of town, but since the cops know to watch my house, we're gonna use Eri's. She only lives a few blocks away, but far enough, they won't be passing hers when their looking at mine."
And that was the way invitations worked. Briefly, she wondered about the underclassman she'd seen a few days before. Chances were he wasn't going to this one. "Cool." She said, conscious of her mom hanging on to her every word. "I'll be there." She knew the 'invite' was Yura's way of returning the favor from when Kagome had helped her make it to Hiten's party. She probably had caller ID which mean she had to go a whole 2 minutes out of her way to make sure Kagome knew about it.
But Kagome accepted the repayment gladly. Anything to leave the house. "See you then." They both hung up without actually saying goodbye. "NHS meeting," She told her mom, handing her the phone. "During first period on Monday."
"Is that alright? For you to miss school like that? I'm surprised the Honor society would encourage something like that." Her mom was concerned, because if her daughter missed one class than suddenly she'd never graduate high school, much less go on to college and turn into something respectable.
"It'll be fine. The teachers will give us makeup work and we'll probably only miss the first half of class." She fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Anyways, I'm going to bed. I might watch TV or something, but I'm kind of tired." Her mom's lips parted to ask about dinner but she beat her to it. "I'm not hungry. I had a sandwich an hour ago."
She left with a little wave, knowing better than to every be anything less than polite, and headed off to her room to get ready. It was already dark but she probably had an hour before she could start walking, maybe longer if she didn't want to look like a loser and show up too early. She had no clue where Eri lived but she figured she'd find someone on the way who did. If nothing else, Kouga would give her a ride.
For the next hour and a half she took her time getting ready. Eventually she settled on a simple light brown skirt, cut in a way that made her legs look even slimmer. It wasn't anything flashy, it extended all the way to her knees, but it would go good with the strappy sandals she was planning on wearing. Her top was dark brown, with spaghetti straps, and kind of tight. She kept it appropriate by slipping on a designer jacket, though she'd probably take it off at the party. Her hair she just left down, straightening it anywhere necessary before adding the final touches to her makeup. Nothing fancy, just the usual mascara, eyeliner, and lip gloss. The gloss was brown too, making her face blend in with the outfit subtly.
She left easily, not subject to the dramatics a lot of her peers went through. She didn't climb out a window, or find some tree to shimmy down. She simply left. The downstairs had a deck so she just slipped outside, not bothering to lock the door behind her, and made her way around the house and to the street.
Yura only lived a 15 minute walk away, so Kagome wasn't worried about her shoes killing her or anything. It was cold outside. Night was always the coldest. In the mornings, she could at least see the sun and that seemed to warm her up. But at night, the air felt like ice. She shivered, and unconsciously wrapped her jacket around her tighter.
She'd probably only been walking seven or eight minutes when a car stopped next to her. Kouga honked the horn twice, for no reason other than wanting to make a scene, before rolling down his window and grinning at her. "Need a lift?" He asked. His car was already pretty full. Obviously he'd already had some of the guys over when Yura or whoever called him, or however he found out about the party.
"Are you sure there's room?" She wasn't entirely convinced she wanted to ride in a car full of the guys Kouga hung out with. She knew they liked to be tough, and she knew what their favorite type of girl was, and it would just feel awkward. But when Kouga ignored her and shoved a guy out of the front seat, she knew she didn't have much of a choice. And it wasn't like she didn't know what she was getting into. She'd be fine.
Grinning, she went around the front of the car and then slipped into the passenger seat. "Thanks." She offered, slamming the door behind her as he hit the gas and sped off. Naturally he wouldn't wait for her to put on a seat belt. Who wore those anymore? "I would have been fine though." She didn't want to seem indebted.
He snorted. "In those shoes?" He took his own comment as an excuse to look at her legs and she had to will down the blush. And it was always funny when guys thought they knew anything about how girls clothing felt. She would have been perfectly fine in the shoes she was wearing as long as she wasn't walking for more than a half hour straight. "You really need a car."
She shrugged. "I really need someone to buy me a car. You love me that much?" He shook his head emphatically and she laughed. "No one does, so see? It's not that easy." She kept the smile on her face. Her dad had offered to buy her one, but her mom had continuously pulled her aside and said absolutely no way. They couldn't afford it, what with all the money they'd been spending on the house. And if he tried, he'd be in trouble. It wasn't that big of a deal anyway. She had her job, but that money was all going towards college, because she didn't trust their promises of helping at all.
It didn't take long for them to reach the party. Eri's house was smaller than Yura's, probably the reason why she hadn't thrown a party there yet, but it was still pretty big. All the driveways up and down the street were filled with cars. It drew less police attention if they didn't park on the street, and homeowners knew better than to complain if they didn't want trouble.
Kouga was practically latched on to her as they went into the house. Most likely, the other night with Ayame hadn't ended well. "Thirsty?" He asked her, steering her over towards the drinks.
She accepted the empty cup he offered, but shook her head. "I'm not thirsty yet, maybe later." Yeah, like when he wasn't around so she could spare herself the mind alteration his kind of refreshment offered. "What do you think of Eri's place?" She didn't really care what he thought, but it was her turn to make conversation and he didn't look like he'd be leaving anytime soon.
He shrugged, ignoring the cups and helping himself to a bottle. "It's nothing special. She lives through Yura and this is all only to make her happy." He took a long drink and then wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. Kagome fought the urge to make a face. "She's not even that cool, she's just done everything. Her groupies practically worship her."
Eri hadn't seemed like such a pushover the other day, but Kagome let it slide. "Another person falling over themselves to make Yura happy. Why does she get to be so important?" Her tone was playful, light. She already knew how he'd take her question, and he didn't disappoint. They started walking, away from the drinks and away from the kitchen she'd need to escape to in order to find a refreshment for that night.
"I already offered Kagome. Any time, any day." He grinned, adding. "Any night . . ." His voice trailed off and he gave her the smirk Ayame always fell for. She laughed, refusing to take him seriously. Sometimes she wondered what he'd do if she accepted. For all his talk, Ayame was the only girl he'd ever been remotely loyal to, and if he did something with Kagome, his chances with her most likely be over.
She shook her head. "Don't you get tired of hearing me say no all the time?" She asked, keeping her tone playful. She didn't want to offend him, because for all his typical boyishness, he was a good guy and she enjoyed some of their conversations.
He nodded emphatically. "All the time, that's why you need to say "Yes" sometimes." She laughed again, and it was more genuine than before but she still felt like she was controlling it, making it happen at a cue rather than having it escape her of its own accord. "Seriously Kagome," He shook his head and gave her a look. "Have you said "Yes" to anyone? People are starting to wonder."
No one was starting to wonder. So far Kouga was the only guy who'd asked her more than once, so in actuality he was probably the one starting to wonder. Most likely he wanted an excuse for why his 'charms' weren't working. "I'm just a loser." She explained, giving him a grin that said she was anything but. "I can't recognize a good guy when he's right in front of me." She'd blown him off and complimented him all in one go, so he shouldn't be too disappointed.
"That was a rejection, in case you're wondering." A clear, collected voice intruded on their conversation easily, tinged with a mockery at Kouga's expense. The speaker was tall, taller than Kouga, though he wasn't exactly a giant, and she had long dark hair, styled in a way that made her seem even taller, completely unreachable. She was beautiful, full dark lips and eyes that seemed almost red in the badly lit room.
"Really? I wouldn't know as much about them as you would Kagura." He was being mean intentionally, a side of him Kagome rarely saw. She stared at him and he seemed to compose himself. "Kagome," He gestured to her and then back at the newcomer. "My blood sucking cousin, Kagura. Kagura," he moved again so that his hand was back where it started. "The love of my night, Kagome." He glared at his cousin. "Be nice."
She shrugged him off. "I'm always nice." Then her complacent smile turned wicked. "Especially to people who reject you." She tossed her hair and turned her attention to Kagome. "Just tell him you'd rather die. It's not like he hasn't heard him before."
Kagome shook her head, slipping into their insultingly playful mood with ease. "Nah, honestly? He would probably be better than dying." He winked at her. "Though I'm not committing to anything." She finished, wiping the smirk off his face. She felt like she was reciting lines, clever enough to make her seem confident, and normal enough to let her fit in.
"Man," He glared, but not at anyone in particular. "I don't want you guys to know each other. Kagura's just gonna turn you against me." He pulled out a pack of cigarettes. "Want one?" He gestured towards Kagome first, as if showing off her importance, and when she shook her head, he turned towards Kagura. "What about you?" All enthusiasm was gone from his voice.
"Aren't you sweet." Kagura accepted one, raising it to her mouth and bending slightly so he could light it for her. She inhaled deeply, closing her dark eyes. Kouga lit his own, not savoring the drag as she did, but breathing in quickly, marking the action as an easy habit, something he'd gotten used to over time. He didn't even appear to enjoy it all that much.
Kagome couldn't stand the smell. She hated the smoke that would fill the air, they way she'd inadvertently breathe it in and then struggle not to choke. She couldn't understand that obsession, the need, the craving for something that repulsive. "I'll be back you guys. I'm a little thirsty." Kagura just shrugged, her eyes already scanning the room for someone not related to her to talk to. Kagome didn't think she went to her school, so she figured that was the only reason she'd come over in the first place, because she didn't know anyone. Kouga just brought his bottle to his lips at her reminder of a drink.
She didn't spare them another glance as she made her way through the crowds. The kitchen was her goal, and enough people had cleared away from it that no one would see her going in unless they were watching her to begin with. Apple juice was pretty much the only alternative Eri's family had, so she helped herself to a cupful and left.
It really was crowded. Sometimes she'd forget that, used to falling into a corner somewhere with Kouga or another classmate and spending hours talking about absolutely nothing. Everyone was moving, either dancing, or walking, or talking so fast their mouths gave their entire body the effect of constant motion. The laughing hurt her ears when she let herself single it out. It was so loud and hollow, a harsh sound she'd wish people just wouldn't make.
She saw Hiten a few feet away, talking to a tall, thin girl with dyed dark blue hair. She was pretty enough, but her style was eccentric. Her pants were sparkling and her shirt was retro and off the shoulder. If she was smart, she'd know she was only a one night interest, hot when he was drunk and in the middle of a party, but not up to his caliber by daylight the next day. But by the way she was laughing; Kagome doubted she'd realized it yet.
She turned away when she heard Kouga calling her name and motioning her to hurry. She'd only taken a few steps when someone bumped into her. Eyes rolling and smile pasted on sloppily, Eri looked up at her in a drunken stupor. "Hey!" She rolled the word, giggling at the end of it. "Having fun?" Then she laughed outright as if what she'd said was the funniest thing in the world. She was wobbling a little and Kagome fought the urge to simply push her out of her way. Another girl, one she didn't know, came and linked arms with their host, dragging her away to where the 'real party' was.
Kagura was still with him. She was radiating resignation to unwelcome company, but humored Kagome with a small smile as she approached. "Welcome back." Kouga smirked, taking another drink from his bottle. His cigarette was finished, a testament to how habitual the practice was for him.
She simply smiled, positioning herself in a way that gave both her companions a feeling of equal importance. Kouga began talking about sports, filling his expected role easily as the topic actually held some interest for him. Kagome feigned attention, but kept her eyes on her drink, swirling it every now and then before taking a sip. Kagura didn't even pretend to care what he was talking about, just scanned the room continuously, looking for an out.
Finally, Kouga seemed to take pity on her. "Kagura," he said to Kagome, keeping his tone civil, "lives about an hour away. She's in town for the weekend with her family, and they're staying at my place. She came in her own car." He added, offering the explanation as an afterthought. He looked like he wanted to say something else, something that probably wasn't polite, but Kagome was quick to intervene before he lost his restraint.
"That sucks." She tucked her hair behind her ear, taking another drink with disinterest. "Being stuck with family. No offense Kouga." He waved her off, pulling out another cigarette. Kagura was still smoking hers and Kagome was getting sick of the contaminated air. Granted, the entire house was probably filled with various illegal smells, but it was worse being right next to it. "Sorry if I'm making it worse, but I have to go see Kari about a school thing." She gave a little wave with her fingers and left, not bothering to look back.
Kari wouldn't be caught dead at a party, much less one like this, but that didn't matter. All that mattered was getting out of that box, the wall everyone seemed to build around themselves as they formed their temporary little groups. Kagome preferred to move around, to talk to various people if not about various subjects. Each person had their own role, their own way of acting at a party, when drunk, around certain people, and she could only handle so much from each person at a time. She didn't get bored with Kouga as fast as she did with some others, but his company wasn't worth being exposed to some of his practices.
She talked to a lot of people, not Eri, the one instance with her had been enough and drunk people were the most irritating to be around. Hiten actually talked to her, but he was obviously on something and didn't even recognize her, so she pushed him away when he got too close and moved on. She stayed with the crowd as long as she could stand, smiling at all the right people, and laughing at all the right jokes. She turned a blind eye when Kagura joined a group of guys already stoned out of their minds, and she didn't even blink when Kouga punched some junior in the face, probably breaking his nose, and then proceeded to kick him until his legs stopped supporting him. Some things you got used to.
She waited until no one would remember he disappearance and went in search of an empty room. This time, the first one she opened was dark. Most of the couples that night hadn't even bothered finding a room. She held her breath and eased herself inside, closing the door softly behind her, hoping she hadn't drawn the attention of anyone still partying. She'd only taken a few steps into the room when she realized she wasn't alone.
A figure, the figure from before, she assumed, was standing by the window, exactly as before. He didn't move, or even make a sound, as she finished crossing half the room and found a couch to curl up on. She stuffed her face into one of the small decorative pillows and followed his example, becoming still and utterly silent. He didn't acknowledge her presence and she found that strangely comforting, like he was her own dark angel, come to keep the dreams away.
She dismissed the notion as resulting from her mentally exhausted mind, but sleep found her quickly that night, and she slept soundly, not stirring until her pillow was taken away and discarded on the floor, exposing her to the daylight streaming through the window. She turned around; blinking at the sudden brightness, but all she saw was a vague retreating figure and a flash of white.
All done! Now I have to go clean, because that was the condition for Katie to come over. Oh! And before I forget, YOU GUYS ARE SO SWEET! Not only for the totally awesome reviews I've been getting (I love it when you can identify, it makes me like I'm succeeding at something) but because so many of you liked my song! Tabby teases me for putting them in (but she gets excited every time I write a new one, so I know she doesn't hate them) so I was kinda like "Great! I'm a nerd! Oh well!" But you guys were okay with that, which made me totally thrilled and happy!
As far as the next chapter goes, either it will start with the second scene from the commercial or start to show a darker side to Kagome's home life. I'm still debating that one so don't hold me to anything. Thanks so much for the support, especially since I'm evil for making a new fic. I'll update as fast as I can!
Rogue Pryde.
