I scooped up my backpack and stomped out of the house. I shut and locked the door, and grabbed my bike. I jogged and jumped on, giving the wheels a kickstart. I was late for work. I rode on, taking my hands off of the handlebars for a moment to secure my hat and apron. I pedaled for another couple blocks, and then I was finally at my destination.

I locked up my bike, and hurried into the small corner coffee shop. I nodded at my bro Sollux, and rushed to the back room to clock in. I almost turned around when I saw my boss in the break room.

"Vantas." He snuffed. "You're late."

"I'm sorry, sir." I apologized as I ducked my head, and headed to hang up my jacket and bag.

"I swear, I should start docking your pay." Mr. Slick grunted, and then turned back to his porn magazines.

I huffed, and got back to the register. I stood there, just as I do every day, taking and filling orders. When the clock finally hit 12:30, I was ready to get out of there like a bat out of Hell, but Hell had other plans.

"Hello, Karkitten." An all too familiar voice purred.

"Good afternoon, Nepeta." I greeted her politely through gritted teeth. "Where's you bodyguard?"

The small, black haired woman smiled mischievously. "I gave him the slip."

Nepeta Leijon was a pet store owner whose cousin declared himself her guardian since he could talk.

"Nepeta," I heard a firm voice call. "Your lunch break isn't for another half hour."

"It's MY STORE, Equius!" She groaned, as if having said this many times. It made her leave, though.

I shrugged on my jacket, and ran over to the nearby mental hospital, flowers in hand.

I walked through the door, and up to the reception desk.

"Hey, Kanaya." I greeted my sister.

The nurse looked at me. "You're late?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Nepeta." I grunted. "She doesn't seem to understand the words 'I have a girlfriend'".

Kanaya smacked my hand as I signed in. "You need to be nicer to her."

I rolled my eyes, and punched the elevator button. The doors slid open, and I hit the button for the 5th floor.

The elevator opened at my destination with a ding, and I instinctively walked over to room 413.

I knocked. Vriska's blonde and blue head popped out. "Come in, but be quiet. She's asleep." I edged my way around Vriska, and over to the small figure in the bed.

My heart ached as I looked on the girl in the fetal position. I put the roses in the vase next to her bed. I sat, watching her sleep, as her sister filed through old pictures, tacking them onto a corkboard.

Finally the figure stirred, and her eyes opened. My breath caught at the glazed look in them.

"Karkat?" She questioned weakly.

"Hey, Terezi."