Hey, everybody! Thanks for reading it so far and continuing to do so. Sorry I've taken FOREVER to do this update. First off, it took me a while to write out this chapter. Secondly, when I was ready to post, there was a problem with my computer and the internet wouldn't come on! So, I had to wait what felt like an eternity until my mom fixed it. Please forgive me for taking forever! Just as a heads up, it takes me time to write out my chapters 'cause I like to think it out. Just PLEASE be patient and I'll have them up as soon as possible! THANKS!

Just to answer the questions of my first 2 reviewers.

1. Inuyasha's hair is suppose to be as long as it is in the anime but as it says in the story, Inuyasha did get it cut but it's still pretty long like in the series.
2. This story has NOTHING to do with the Claire Danes TV Series "My So-Called Life" but just the title. Hope not to cause confusion.
3. Well, as for Kagome and the other's being juniors... When I started watching the show, I wasn't sure what grade Kagome was in but I assumed 10th grade but I could be wrong. But, I decided that since (as I've read on other sites) Inuyasha is around 17 or so, I thought junior would be an okay grade to tell the story through and that Kagome is now 16 instead of 15, considering she's a junior and that isn't going to be 15 forever!
4. As for the home schooling...Inuyasha will explain in the story!

Just to clarify, "Ohayo-gozaimasu" obviously means - Good morning!

I hope that cleared up some things but if not, just e-mail with any questions. Now, onto the story!

Chapter 2
The New Guy

Fully dressed and her hair neatly brushed out, Kagome descended downstairs with her school books tucked in her bag but there was still enough time to grab something for breakfast. The smell of eggs, toast, and oatmeal was what Kagome met upon entering the kitchen. Her mom bustling around the stove and counters, Grandpa Higurashi and Sota were already seated at the table with half finished breakfast plates, Grandpa reading through his newspaper while Sota played with his toy car. Then, strew across the floor like a large patterned rug was the family cat, Buyo.

"Good morning," Kagome greeted as her family looked up at the sound of her voice.
"Morning sis!"
"Good morning, Kagome," Sota and Grandpa said in choir, Kagome smiling at them both as she took a seat beside her little brother, Mrs. Higurashi walked over and put down in front of Kagome a steaming bowl of oatmeal, a fresh piece of toast and glass of orange juice.
"Thanks Mom," Kagome said with a smile, Mrs. Higurashi smiling in return before making her way back to the counter to finish what work was needed.
"So, you start 11th grade is it, sis?" Sota asked as Kagome ate her breakfast calmly, in no rush to run out the door for school.
"Yup and hopefully, things this year will be different," Kagome said to Sota, stirring about her oatmeal before continuing.
"What do you mean, different?" Sota continued with raised eyebrows, Kagome just giving her little brother a knowing look. Sota just loved to ask questions.
"I don't know...just...different," Kagome said with a shrug before a smile spread across her face. "For one, I'll be hanging out with Sango and Miroku and they're so much fun!"
"I'm glad you and Sango are friends. She is a sweet girl," Mrs. Higurashi agreed with a nod and smile.
"Mmm..." Kagome nodded back, slurping down the last of her oatmeal.
"Sango's brother Kohaku is cool too!" Sota chimed in. "He has the coolest race car and card collection and these really neat..." Kagome paid no attention as Sota went on to list all of the cool figures and nick-nacks that Sota had in his bedroom. Looking down at her empty bowl, Kagome was lost in thought. She didn't want to believe that new things would happen in her junior year. She wanted them to happen. For one, she knew that in the spring there was a big festival at the school that boasted different games, competitions, music throughout the night so there was a dance, and the night would be topped off by a performance by a booked singer and fireworks. It was the highlight of the year, something that Kagome desperately wanted to attend and not be left out and to hear of everybody's great time at school. But Kagome knew that it would be better...and fun if she had a boyfriend to go with. Kagome knew if by that time she didn't ask anybody out or somebody didn't ask her out or was dating somebody, she'd be looking a night with Houjo which was the last thing Kagome wanted, even though that sounded mean to automatically rule him out.

I just want things to be different, Kagome thought. Maybe by then I'll be actually dating somebody...

"Kagome? KAGOME!" Kagome was brought back to reality by her mother's voice and looking up, saw that everybody was staring at her, making Kagome in turn fidget at the sudden attention.
"Sorry...Guess I kinda zoned out," Kagome apologized with a small chuckle before looking back down.
"You better get going, dear. School starts in 20 minutes and you have a walk there so you may as well get going," Mrs. Higurashi said gently, seeing the forlorn look on her eldest daughter's face but she knew better not to ask in front of Dad and Sota; it was obviously a girl thing.
"Yeah, okay..." Kagome said with a sigh and getting up, she picked up her books and purse as her mother collected her empty dishes.
"Have a good day," Mrs. Higurashi said with a smile, Kagome returning the smile as she gave her mom a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Bye Mom. Bye Grandpa and Sota and Buyo!" Kagome called back, Grandpa Higurashi and Sota calling after her as Kagome walked out the front door and closing it behind her, started down the steps and out to the sidewalk.

"KAGOME!" Kagome turned back to a voice calling her and smiled as she recognized the waving figure that was rushing up the sidewalk to meet her.
"Hey, Sango!" Kagome called with a smile as Sango rushed up to Kagome's side. She too was dressed in the same school outfit, her purse slung over her shoulder with her hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail.
"How was your last two weeks of summer vacation?" Sango asked as they started up the sidewalk towards school.
"Totally boring! All I did was sit in my room or constantly looking back to see that Sota and Shippo and your brother weren't trying to come in and go through my drawers!" Kagome said, Sango grinning.
"Don't worry. Kohaku, Shippo and your brother were doing the same thing to me!" Sango replied, the girl's just rolling their eyes together.
"Boys..." They said in unison before sharing a laugh.
"Can you believe this is our junior year?" Sango asked as they joined a large group of
people strolling across a crosswalk.
"I know," Kagome said with wide eyes. "Another year and then...that's it. Do you know what you're doing once you get out of high school?"
"Actually I do," Sango said. "I'll be joining Father in his business that's on the other side of town. It's a small job but it'll earn me some money before I leave for college, maybe. Do you know what you're going to do?"
"No idea..."
"KAGOME! SANGO!" Kagome and Sango both turned back at the voice calling them and smiled at the young man approaching them.
"Hey, Miroku!" Kagome smiled as the tall and slender young man that was Miroku joined them, dressed in his black school uniform, his carrier case strap slung across his chest.
"My two favorite girls. How are you both?" Miroku asked politely, Sango and Kagome sharing grins.
"We're fine, Miroku. Thank you for asking," Sango giggled, Miroku staring at her with narrowed eyes.
"What? Is me being polite funny?"
"No...It's just...It doesn't sound like you. Is this to make up for summer's incident at the arcade?" Sango asked, Miroku staring at her.
"No. I was just being polite. So I gave you the wrong impression the first time around, I'm sorry," Miroku said sincerely. "To be honest, I haven't even thought of the incident. I'm just happy to have such great friends to come out of such an embarrassing situation."
"Oh, Miroku..." Sango smiled up at him, realizing that he was being very honest when suddenly, her eyes grew wide as she realized where Miroku's hand was. Kagome sighed heavily and rolled her eyes as she looked away, the sound of the slap across Miroku's cheek loud enough that people walking nearby turned and stared.
"That wasn't necessary, lecher!" Sango shrieked at him as Miroku massaged his red and swollen left cheek, nearby people staring even more before going back to their own business.
"I couldn't help myself!" Miroku swore but Sango paid no attention, turning her head away and looking straight ahead, her arms folded across her midriff, not making eye contact with Miroku for the rest of the way.

The school came into view as groups of chattering students walked up, some parking their bikes at the bike racks or others seated on the front steps, talking before going to class. Kagome's walk slowed down, knowing that this was the start of her new year. As she, Sango and Miroku stopped, seeing that they still had about 10 minutes before they had to go in, they started up a conversation when,
"KAGOME! HI, KAGOME!" Kagome put a hand to her face upon recognizing the voice before turning to look up at the face.
"Hello, Houjo," She said in an unenthusiastic voice, the boy that was Houjo, looking down at her with a smile.
"How are you? How was your summer?" He asked, taking no notice of Sango or Miroku who watched silently off to the side, knowing that this was the boy that Kagome would every now and then bring up into a conversation.
"Okay. How was yours?" Kagome asked dully, looking down at her shoes as she kicked a stone away, not looking up into his face.
"Fine. Had a great time with my parents and grandparents..." Houjo went on, just oblivious to the fact that Kagome wasn't listening or even cared for that matter. "...Oh! Before I forget, I got this for you." Houjo then reached into his bag and pulled a small snow globe, in the globe, little flurries of flowers and snow swirling around. Kagome reluctantly took it, staring at it miserably. Looking up for the first time since the beginning of the conversation, Kagome was about to say something when somebody moving in the background caught her eye. Normally, Kagome knew that she wouldn't take any notice to somebody moving in the background as they were just another face in the crowd and that she would never remember the face...but being that she wasn't paying any attention to what Houjo was saying, her attention was on anything and everything else.

Staring at the figure, Kagome could only see the side of him as he made his way to the school. With jet black hair that went down a considerably long way down his back and like the rest of the boys, he was wearing the black school uniform. Though that was all Kagome could see of him, still...something about him just drew Kagome's attention. For one, his hair was longer than any guy that Kagome had ever met. Well, not the only one as junior Koga had long hair too but he was a total jerk so Kagome never gave him a second look. But as fast as she saw him, the next moment, Kagome blinked and realized that he was gone, vanishing within the crowd going into the school.
"...KAGOME?" Kagome snapped back into reality, realizing that she had once again zoned out. Looking up, Houjo was staring down at her with a confused expression, Sango and Miroku as well, seeing that she had been staring off past Houjo but weren't sure what at. Kagome blushed, knowing that she must've looked ridiculous just staring off in the distance.
"Uh...heh. Sorry, Houjo. I was...distracted," Kagome said uneasily with a fake smile, Houjo still staring at her. "Thank you for the snow globe. I'll...see you around the school..." Houjo gave her a smile and bidding her a goodbye, walked off, leaving Kagome standing there, holding the snow globe in her hands, Sango and Miroku still standing there, staring curiously at their friend.
"Uh...Is everything okay, Kagome?" Sango asked carefully, taking a tentative step towards her friend.
"I'm okay, really," Kagome promised her friend, seeing the uncertain and disbelieving look on Sango's face. "I just zoned out..."
"So...that was Houjo," Miroku said, that being the first time he had actually seen him, having heard all about him from Kagome but never having met or talked to the guy.
"Yeah..." Kagome said, rolling her eyes, knowing that Miroku must've found him as dull as Kagome described.
"He...seems nice," Sango said, Miroku somewhat shaking his head in agreement but both didn't look too sure.
"Go 'head and say it – he's dull as a stick," Kagome said in a tone that told her friends that they didn't have to lie just to be comforting. The two just smiled at Kagome when the school bell suddenly rang, signaling the start of their first day as juniors.
"Shall we, then?" Miroku gestured to the school as the three friends made their way across to the school.

History was first and a double period for Kagome, one of her least favorite subjects but as she walked into the classroom, students chattering before class would actually start, she felt relief to know that she, Sango and Miroku shared the period together. Kagome eased her way through a group of people, Sango following her as Miroku stayed behind, catching up with a pal of his but just as Kagome put her books down in the middle of two empty desks, there was a blur and blinking, three girls stood shoulder-to-shoulder, facing Kagome, looking somewhat annoyed.
"KAGOME! WHERE have you been? We've been looking every where for you!" Kagome instantly recognized the three girls as Ayumi, Eri and Yuka.
"I was..." As Kagome searched for an explanation, Sango came up alongside of her, watching with interest. Kagome felt relief as she could finally properly introduce the four girls to one another. "I was with Sango. Sango," As Kagome turned to look at Sango, the three others almost immediately turned, Sango meeting their stares. "These are my other friends Ayumi, Yuka, and Eri. Girls, this is Sango."
"Nice to meet you," Sango said politely with a slight bow to the girls but to Kagome's shock and annoyance, the three girls didn't acknowledge her but turned their attention back on Kagome.
"We saw you talking to Houjo! What we're you talking about? How could you not have come to tell us?" Ayumi started.
"We saw him give you that snow globe, what did you say?" Eri asked.
"Did he ask you out? Did you say yes!" Yuka questioned.
As the girls continued asking these questions over and over, Sango watching slight amusement, not showing any anger for the lack of disrespect the trio showed her, Kagome looked quite the opposite as she tried to contain her anger but no success.
"YOU GUYS! HOUJO DIDN'T ME ASK OUT, AND EVEN IF HE DID, I WOULD'VE SAID NO BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE HIM AND CAN YOU BE ANY MORE TOTALLY RUDE TO MY NEW FRIEND, SANGO!" Kagome screamed at them, the girls doubling back in shock at her sudden outburst. Sango looked startled as well, actually taking a small back from the fuming Kagome. Her cheeks red, Kagome breathed in and out heavily when she realized that she must've screamed pretty loud as everybody in the room was staring back at them, Miroku staring up from the front, the room deathly quiet except for a few whispers. Kagome felt embarrassed from the sudden attention but that didn't change the anger she had toward the three girls as she glared at them. Finally, the kids in the room went back to their business, the chatter filling the room again, turning away as Kagome rolled her eyes and sighed in relief. Ayumi, Yuka and Eri were still in complete shock as they continued to stare at her. Getting the hint, they slowly turned and walked back to the front of the room to their desks but not without the glances thrown back at Kagome, glances of hurt and anger at the same time.
"Sorry, Sango," Kagome started quietly, looking at Sango as she slowly sat down in her desk, Sango taking a seat beside her. "I just can't believe they actually did that. I mean...it's just so incredibly rude that they disrespected you and me like that..."
"It's fine, Kagome," Sango said reassuringly as Kagome put her purse on her chair. "I wasn't offended or anything if that's what you're worried about. To be honest, I think I was just a little frightened by your outburst," Sango added this with a chuckle and smile, Kagome slowly returning the smile. Just then, the teacher, Miss Sama walked in.
"Ohayo-gozaimasu, class!" She greeted, waltzing up to her desk at the center of the classroom and putting down her carrier case.
"Ohayo-gozaimasu, Miss. Sama," The class chimed in at the same time, Miss Sama looking pleased.
"Before we get into our lesson," She started, looking around at all of the junior class as they started to pull out their notebooks and textbooks. "We have a new student." Kagome looked up with interest, Sango glancing over at Kagome with raised eyebrows. "He's just moved in from the countryside so this his first time in the city and a public school for that matter... Young man?" Miss Sama turned to the open door. "Young man, would come in please?" Almost every head in the room turned to the open door as Kagome peered over the heads to see. The young man entered and as he turned to face his new classmates, Kagome's eyes grew wide – that was the young man she had seen walking across the school courtyard! She immediately recognized the long black hair; it was kinda of hard to miss compared to the other boy's short haircuts. Staring at him, Kagome couldn't help but note how handsome he was – the long black hair just fitted him perfectly and she couldn't see him with short hair. Staring at him still, Kagome also noted how he looked somewhat bad-tempered, not at all looking happy to be there.
"This is Inuyasha and I know you'll do your best to make him feel at home," Miss Sama said sweetly with a smile, Inuyasha still looking irritable as when he first walked into the room. "Okay, let's see...Where can we seat you...? AH! Right there!" Miss Sama pointed to the back to an empty desk, Kagome turning and realizing that the desk was next to her. "Just take a seat next to Miss Kagome there and we can get started!" Inuyasha did as he was told and slowly walked around the desk and down the aisle to the empty desk. Kagome could feel her face heating up as she began to blush.

Why am I blushing? STOP BLUSHING! Kagome thought furiously, looking down at her open notebook, refusing to make eye contact with anybody. Temptation got the better of her and she peered out of the corner of her eye at him. He's so good looking! She thought.
"Okay, now if you would open your books to page 96, we can continue our lesson the feudal era so have your pens or pencils ready for notes!" Miss Sama directed, ignoring the silent groans from some of her students. She turned her attention to the chalkboard and began to write out the notes. As Kagome flipped to an empty page of her notebook, she just started writing when she noticed that Inuyasha wasn't. Well, it seemed obvious why – didn't have a pencil or pen. He wore an exasperated look as he tried to get someone's attention but everybody was too involved. Kagome smirked to herself — this was the perfect opportunity. Opening her purse, she reached in and pulled out the needed thing. Turning to Inuyasha, she reached over and gently tapped his shoulder, making him turn.
"Um...I'll assume you need this?" She smirked, holding up her blue pen with raised eyebrows. Inuyasha just shrugged as he reached over for it. Kagome held out her hand to him. As Inuyasha's hand reached for her pen, his and Kagome's fingers touched, making the two of them stare into each other's eyes. Kagome let go as Inuyasha took the pen and slowly looked away down at his notebook, starting to take down the notes. Kagome felt her stomach doing flips as she went to her own work. Though it was just a fraction of a second that their fingers touched, his gaze was so unwavering, it was almost shocking. Glancing once more at him, Kagome looked back down at her notebook as she went on to take the needed notes on what happened in Japan over 500 years ago.