Chapter 1

"And with that students, have a great school year."

The gymnasium erupted in the thundering sound of clapping as the principle gave a low bow and stepped back from the microphone. The couple of hundred students that had crammed themselves into the aging gym began to grab their bags and stand to leave, relieved to be able to move again after sitting for so long.

Kagome Higurashi stayed perched on the wooden bleacher she had been sitting on for the last hour and a half, showing no urgency to get up and join her classmates in the struggle to exit the gym. She instead took her time gathering up her brown leather book bag and slowly tightened the laces of her black oxfords, wiping off the dust particles that had accumulated on her shoes during the assembly.

"I knew that the grad orientation would be boring but I didn't think it would be that painful."

Kagome lifted her gaze from her shoes to make eye contact with Eri, who was standing in front of her, sporting a grouchy expression.

"True that, sister."

Yuka piped in, appearing from the dispersing crowd with Ayumi in tow.

"Awe, come on girls! It's our senior year, we should be ecstatic!"

Kagome smiled at Ayumi's enthusiasm, whose sparkling brown eyes caused the other two girls to roll theirs in return.

"You seem awfully quiet, Kagome. Is everything alright?"

Kagome broadened the smile on her face and she nodded her head at Yuka.

"I'm fine. Just a little shocked, I guess. It's our last year of high school already, where did all of the time go?"

She lowered her head at the last part, musing more to herself than to her gaggle of friends.

"Thank God, I can't take another year of this dump of a school."

"Just because a school is old does not make it a dump, Eri."

"No, but that musky scent that lingers in my locker sure does."

"That's the smell of history, Eri."

"Well history stinks!"

Kagome stood from her seat and followed her bickering friends out of the now empty gymnasium.

"Kagome! There you are."

Waiting outside of the gym doors stood Hojo, his face brightening at the site of Kagome.

"Hey, Hojo."

Kagome dutifully shut her eyes as the boy leaned in, placing a tender yet eager kiss on her lips. He pulled back, his grin snapping back into place immediately.

"I wanted to sit next to you during the assembly but I couldn't find you. But here you are!"

"Here I am."

"We'll see you tomorrow, Kagome."

The girls smiled at their friend, waving goodbye as they left her and Hojo alone.

"So,"

Hojo began, gripping Kagome's slender hand with his own.

"What are we going to do for the rest of the day?"

The pair made their way down the school's main hallway and into the common room, which held the school office and entrance doors. Kagome glanced around the silent room, noticing, as she always did, that it resembled more of a cathedral than a high school. The entire building had an old, gothic feel to it and the lack of people that were currently in it gave the place an eerie feel. She lightly tugged on Hojo's hand, leading him to the doors of the building and into the last days of summer that awaited them outside.

"I don't know, Hojo, I kind of was thinking of going home and crawling back into bed."

Hojo's eyes flashed and his smile widened more, if that was even possible.

"Maybe I could keep you company? We could…you, know."

His smile never faltered, even as his cheeks pinkened at the thought of lying in bed with Kagome.

"I'm pretty tired, Hojo. I didn't really sleep well last night."

His smile decreased a notch or two but remained, nonetheless.

'This boy just won't stop smiling.' Kagome's eyes lingered on his stretched lips before returning to his gaze. He took that as a sign that she wanted to kiss him and so he quickly leaned in, making sure not to pass up on the opportunity to feel her plush lips against his own. He sighed against her mouth, content.

"I understand, Kagome. You were probably stressed out about today and couldn't stop thinking about it."
"Something like that."

"Well I'll let you get some rest, then. Would you like me to walk you home?"

She shook her head once, hoping he'd get the message. 'I just need to be alone.'

"Okay, Kagome, I'll see you tomorrow then."

She waved goodbye and began her walk home, her body deflating with the relief that she finally had time to herself. At least for the couple of blocks it took for her to reach home but time alone, regardless.