There was a lot of excited chatter floating around the school, and of course the rumor mills were working full time. Most people had actually gotten paired up with someone they liked, or at least tolerated. It didn't help that the new semester brought new projects in nearly all of her classes. Oh: and the fact that the teacher's thought it both practical and 'cute' to pair the students up with their already established partners didn't help either.
In English they had been assigned a random novel. They were to both read the book by a certain date, after which they were required to write a collaborative essay and make a three-tiered display board. This would require a lot of outside time, Sango realized, suddenly feeling quite sick to her stomach. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of her dismay.
In their math class, they were paired up for the Fantasy Baseball unit. Both would have to cooperate to construct the perfect team and play against other teams. While this one wasn't too bad, it still grated on Sango's nerves. Of all the rotten luck.
In Theatre they were Improv partners for that day. And they were also assigned a long-term project of producing and performing a skit. With a pre-chosen theme, of course. What fun was it in the greater scheme of things- making her life miserable- if the students actually got to choose? Of course, their theme had to be something romantic.
Science, their last period before the much-needed lunch-break, turned out to be the absolute worst. They had just ended their section on genetics. To start the new semester off, them and their...you guessed it! The students and their partners would be pairing off, boy-girl. Killing two birds with one stone, they would find out their 'baby's' traits and 'take care' of it for the remainder of the year. Miroku and Sango were now proud parents!
When the bell rang, signaling the single utopia in the school day, Miroku slipped off into the crowd, much to Sango's surprise and relief. In the A-La-Carte line, she hooked up with both Ayame and Kuranosuke. The trio paid for their pizza, curly fries and soft drinks, hastily scanning the cafeteria for any sign of Kagome.
They spotted her sitting at one of the uppermost tables, on the left side. She was positioned so her back was to the rest of the student body, which Sango found quite odd, for usually, her friend preferred to sit facing them all.
Ayame chose her seat right across from Kagome, and in turn Sango plopped down next to Ayame, leaving the only vacant spot, next to Kagome, for Kuranosuke. In the end, all pleased with these seating arrangements made an unspoken pact that was not to be broken for the remainder of the year.
"How were your classes?" Kuranosuke asked sweetly, aiming his question at all three of the girls, a charming smile on his face.
Sango's face sunk. "Horrible," she mumbled.
Kagome sighed, and had much the same reaction. "Awful," she agreed.
Ayame blinked. "Eh...Wonderful?" she timidly offered.
Kuranosuke frowned. "Okay, we have two who hated it, one who loved it, and myself, who is rather impartial. You got me: hook, line, and sinker. What was so bad, or good, in your case, Aya-chan, about your day?"
Kagome sighed irritably. "Well, first off, I'm stuck with this jerk, Inu-Yasha..."
"Inu-Yasha..." Sango repeated. "Wasn't he that one guy...Sesshoumaru's younger brother?"
"Oh, yeah..." Kagome looked thoughtful. "Miroku's friend?"
"Miroku..." Sango growled. "Speaking of creeps, he's my partner in an array of lovely activities,"
Kuranosuke's expression darkened, but he said nothing, merely allowing the girls to continue.
"So, what was so great about your day, Ayame?" Kagome inquired, curious. Her spirits had been somewhat lifted.
"My partner!" the girl nearly squealed, dreamy expression upon her face. "He's ever so nice and handsome!"
"Oy! Kagome!" a loud voice called from across the cafeteria. The entire table swiveled their heads to look, though said girl's was ducked.
"Oh, hello, Ookami-san," Kagome sullenly greeted the offender, who was now standing next to their table.
"How's my woman doing?" he grinned wolfishly, trying to appear disarming.
Ayame's eyes nearly rolled out of their sockets with all the ogling they were doing. At the man's statement, however, they flashed in pain, turning to bitterly lock onto Kagome.
"Oh, I'm doing fine," Kagome answered weakly. "How about yourself?"
"I'm doing alright," he nodded, tone mellow. "Oh, and hey- called me Kouga, okay, babe?"
"Okay..."
"Hey, mind if I join you guys?"
Sango looked him up and down, scowling. She did not like this man's attitude towards women. "I'm afraid there real isn't enough room, Kouga, was it?" she smiled sweetly.
He looked disappointed, but running his hands through his hair, he shrugged. "Fine, whatever then. Catch ya'll later, then," he paused, before adding, "See ya', doll face,"
Ayame snorted, picking disinterestedly at her food. Later, he'd said...
Both Sango and Kagome looked worriedly at their friend, each making a mental note to inquire about her well being later. She wasn't looking too happy.
A/N: Hey, all! Sorry for the recent lack of updates, but what can I say? I've been kind of busy, after all. Anyway, as repentance for my wicked deeds, both this chapter and another have been posted simultaneously. At the time of reading, if the next chapter is not showing up, try replacing the '8' in this chapter's url with a '9'. Should work.
Anyway, I just got one of the brand-new Nokia cell phones, so I'm happy. It looks really cool. The bad news is that I'm sick. So yeah, I'm stuck here at home instead of school. Bummer. Actually, I am kind of mad that I have to stay home, because of the crappy P.E. and Theatre make-up reports I'll have to do. Grr. But other than that, I'm enjoying my day off! The second three-day weekend in a row, lol. Though last time's was because of the holiday and such.
Oh, and concerning Sango's schedule, for the curious. I'm giving her my classes for the sake of convenience, but not in the same order. I have Earth Science, Theatre, English, and Spanish before lunch. For Sango's foreign language class, I'm going to give the lucky little woman Japanese. Keh. Thank God, but I am not assigned any of her little projects.
Thanks for all the reviews, guys! For once in my pathetic history as an author, I might just reach my dream! To breech the 100 Review mark...Ahh...
Please Review!