Another boring day in the life of an orphan. Or whatever.

I trudged down to the bus stop, hopping on once it got there. It was noisy as always. Bluh. I was always happy to get off. Having said that, I'm sure you're wondering why I would ride it in the first place. Well, my bike was stolen sometime last night. Fantastic, right?

Eridan grinned when he saw me, coming over to chat. "Hey, Lexis."

"Heya, Eridan," I replied. "Where's Karkat?"

He hesitated. "He's been mopin' in that corner for some reason."

"Huh." I looked at him, but shook my head and smiled. "So how are you?"

"Oh, I'm doin' all right. How about you?"

"Tired."

We chatted about nothing in particular, and after a good while we had to go to class.

At lunch I searched around for Karkat. You'd think he would be easy to find. A guy with gray skin, and orange horns should've stuck out like a sore thumb. But no, he was apparently pretty good at hiding.

I finally found him sitting in a corner of the cafeteria. He sat there, seemingly lost in thought. I sat beside him, poking his horns. He grabbed my hand, a little harder than yesterday, and an internal alarm went off: this is not the time to mess with Mr. Grumpy Troll. "What did I say yesterday? Don't touch my horns. God, this planet is just full of fuckasses."

"S-sorry..." I looked down, but back at him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he grunted.

I gave him a "yeah right" look. "Something. Talk to me. Please?"

"Don't fucking worry about it."

"Karkat. You know that's impossible for me." I paused a second, hastily adding, "I'm not going to ignore the problems of anyone, whether human or troll, who could be taking shit. I won't stand for it. I see to it that I take responsibility for-"

He slapped his hand over my mouth. "Shut up already. Fine, I'll talk. Eridan's just being an asshole, as usual."

His hand was still over my mouth, so I gave him a quizzical glance. "We're kinda in the middle of a fight. It doesn't concern you. That's all I'm saying." Removing his hand, he looked away and muttered, "Prick thinks he has a right to everything and everyone..."

"If I were to talk to Eridan, would he say more than you?"

There was a rather steely glance in his eyes. "Don't bother. This isn't your fight."

"You two aren't...actually fighting, are you?" I looked him over uneasily. Of course, I couldn't see any wounds through his clothes; long sleeves weren't about to reveal any pain. He didn't answer. "Are you?"

"Just stay out of it." He stood up and walked away.

Okay, ouch. Somebody fetch me a band-aid, because that one kinda cut me.

School ended, and I walked to the bus stop. A group of kids who looked to be older than me ambled towards me, and I cautiously backed against the wall. One of them was a muscled brute. Another was a bitchy looking chick. The last was actually kind of thin, but I didn't doubt his abilities.

"Boy, look at those purdy eyes," said Muscles.

Bitchchick sneered. "Yellow like a daisy. She certainly seems fragile like one too." Thinkid just cackled.

I yawned. "All right, what do you thugs want? Money? Sex? Drugs?"

"Oho, a comedian." Muscles grinned.

Bitchchick looked at me with contempt now. "I'm not sure I like it. Better watch yourself, Daisy."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Well, I'm afraid I don't have money, therefore no drugs, and no experience. You won't gain much from me." With that, I attempted to move away, but Thinkid shoved me back against the wall. "What, are you guys just stupid?" I kicked at Thinkid. Bitchchick grabbed me and it kind of turned into a chick-fight. Kicking, screaming, pulling of hair. On her side, anyway. I was more punching, elbowing, and swearing. As teachers began to try to disperse the gathering crowd on their busy way home, Muscles pulled Bitchchick off me. Thinkid had gotten up, and now all three glared at me. Muscles was just fine, but Bitchchick had a bloody nose, and Thinkid probably had a bruised shin.

"Hey, mutts, paws off." The platinum blond kid with the shades had arrived. "Find some cheaper meat, this girl's too good for you."

I frowned. Well, at least he hadn't said I was meat. But it was close.

"What are you going to do about it, yaoi boy?" Bitchchick drawled, holding her sleeve to her nose.

Muscles shook his head. "Forget it. Let's just get the hell out of here, this is a waste."

After they left, the guy approached me. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah," I said, rubbing my shoulder, which had been slammed to the stone wall one too many times.

"That's good. So hey, the name's Dirk."

"I'm Lexis."

"That name sounds familiar...but never mind it. Sorry if it seems strange. Just got this weird feeling that I know you."

I nodded. "All right. Well, thanks for helping me out there. I need to catch my bus now."