CHAPTER ONE
The memory of that night did not leave Karkat Vantas' mind for a long time, even after the incident. Climbing the hill, his hand intertwined with hers. Sitting below the moon, talking about whatever came to mind. Gazing into her beautiful, shining olive green eyes. Kissing her – first on the cheek, but it turned into a long-lasting kiss on her mouth. Karkat still chuckled when he thought about how she mewed as he stroked her tail. Jesus fucking Christ. What was wrong with him? Why could he not force her out of her mind? Would he forever be haunted by the last night he would spend with Nepeta Leijon?
*** 1 MONTH EARLIER ***
"You like Nepeta Leijon?" Rose's eyes bore into Karkat like a drill. Karkat tried looking away but he could feel her gaze pressing into the side of his head.
"YEAH. SO WHAT IF I DO?" he said defensively. Rose sighed.
"Karkat, stop trying to talk defensively. There's nothing wrong with liking a girl, and she's pretty damn hot too. What I'm worried about is whether you should really be thinking about romance when exams are on in a month." Karkat turned around slowly, facing Rose again.
"SHIT. EXAMS? I THOUGHT THEY WERE-"
Rose piped up before Karkat could finish his sentence: "They're next month Karkat. Don't tell me you haven't studied." Karkat, obviously, hadn't studied at all. He had spent his time obsessing over Nepeta. Ever since she had come to his school last semester, Karkat couldn't take his eyes off her. He didn't try to stalk her, not wanting to seem creepy, but when he found out that she caught the same bus home as him he was over the moon. He always sat a few rows behind her, watching her laugh with her friends, opening her mouth to reveal her feline teeth and elegant tongue. Hear her say his name… Karkat… Karkat…
"Karkat!" Rose's shouting pushed Karkat out of his fantasy.
"WHAT THE FUCK ROSE?" Karkat shouted. Without saying a word, Rose pointed at a classroom nearby. Walking past the window was Nepeta Leijon.
"YEAH… IT'S HER. I'M NOT A DUMBASS I KNOW SHE GOES TO THIS SCHOOL."
"Look closer."
Karkat looked closer, and what he noticed almost broke his heart. Nepeta Leijon was crying. Big fat tears were rolling down her cheeks, spilling onto the pavement as she walked. Karkat spoke in a whisper now.
"WELL WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO? STOP HER FROM FLIPPING HER SHIT?"
"You're the one who's watched all those romantic comedies, not me."
"FUCK YOU LALONDE."
Karkat stood up and began following Nepeta. His heart was pounding in his chest as she walked towards the locker bays, his footsteps mirroring hers. As they neared the lockers, Nepeta stopped walking and, without turning around, spoke.
":33 *sniff* why are you *sniff* following me"
Karkat stopped dead in his tracks. How did she hear him?
"I, UH... WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE ALRIGHT." Nepeta spoke again, using her soft voice once more.
":33 im... im fine, just... please leave me alone"
He didn't object to her as she ran away from him. He simply sighed. The first actual interaction he had had with her, and it was a complete and utter failure. Now he was scared that it might be the last.