I've been playing with this idea for a while, I just haven't been able to form an entire idea around it. The final little piece came to me just moments before I started typing, literally, so hopefully it's formed well enough in my head. We'll see. I apologize if the logging off of the Pesterchums is wrong, it's been a while since I read any Pesterlogs and couldn't find any sign-offs in the limited time I had. Enjoy!

A knock on the door caused Dave's eyes to fly open, before he squeezed them closed again to avoid being blinded again. He muttered a few curse words under his breath as he sat up, wondering who had the gall to wake him up at six thirty in the morning. His sleep deprived mind didn't even process the fact that none of the trolls, nor his human friends, would have bothered to knock.

"Dave, bro, it's time to- Oh, you're awake already?" Dave's eyes flew open, suddenly immune to the blinding light as his bro opened the door and walked into the room. "Damn, when did you become such a light sleeper?" He could only stare. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been woken up by Bro. He looked around and realized that he was in his bedroom. The one he'd had before the game. Luckily, he was Dave Strider, and he knew how to keep his cool at all times.

"I didn't sleep well last night is all. Made it easy to wake up." He picked his shades up from the table next to his bed and slipped them onto his face easily, effectively hiding his eyes. Or he'd almost died enough times for his body to know that if there was a loud noise, he was probably in danger. But he had a feeling that that wouldn't be a very smart thing to say to Bro.

"I hear you. That sucks. But you've gotta get ready for school. You're already running a little behind. John's already called twice to see if you're up, and Rose hasn't let up for the past five minutes. Message them and get them off my case already." Dave could only stare in surprised silence as Bro left the room. School? John and Rose calling? Bro knowing who they were? This had to be the weirdest start to a day he'd had in years, but he'd roll with it.

He slipped out of bed, realizing he was wearing regular pajamas, and sat down at his computer. Sure enough, he was being pestered by not only John and Rose, but also by Jade. John's messages were simple, asking if he was up, while Rose's were threats to call Bro to make sure Dave didn't skip school again. Jade was always a nice refresher in the morning, with her simple questions of how he slept and what he'd gotten for answers on their homework from the weekend. Homework? He remembered nothing about homework, so the answer was probably that he didn't do it.

He replied to Rose first.

tentacleTherapist [TT] began pestering turntechGodhead [TG] at 5:45

TT: Dave, you had better not miss school again. I will not have you failing due to laziness.

TT: I'm serious, get out of bed!

TT: If you don't message me in five minutes, I'm going to call your brother to wake you.

TT: Do you not have any idea what an alarm clock is?

TT: That's it, I'm calling.

TG: calm down lalonde im awake now im not going to miss school its still early. and since when do you even care anyway

TT: It is not "early," you should be leaving your house by now. And I've always cared, Dave! I will not have you messing with the class roster or graduation list by flunking out.

TG: class roster or graduation list? we don't even live in the same state let alone go to school together

TT: I don't have time for your weird mind games, Dave. Just be at school on time!

tentacleTherapist [TT] stopped pestering turntechGodhead [TG] at 7:01

Dave sat there for a moment. What the hell was Rose smoking? Before the game, they'd lived across the country from one another! There was no way they went to the same school. Maybe John would be able to explain better.

ectoBiologist [EB] began pestering turntechGodhead [TG] at 6:32

EB: morning dave, are you up yet?

TG: am now do you know the deal with rose shes got her panties all twisted this morning going on about how im not allowed to be late or miss school again

TG: no idea what the big deal is we don't even live in the same area

EB: did you bump your head or something? she's almost top of our class, and always on your case

EB: you weren't hanging with the weird makara kid again, were you?

TG: what no he hates me and you know that

TG: has the whole world lost their fucking minds you guys live across the country from me its not possible for you to go to school with me

EB: maybe you actually should skip school and get some sleep or something. i think you're getting sick. i've gotta go, dad's calling me. Feel better dave!

ectoBiologist [EB] stopped pestering turntechGodhead [TG] at 7:10

Jade usually had a bit of insight into the weird mechanisms of their friends. He'd just ask her..

gardenGnostic [GG] began pestering turntechGodhead [TG] at 6:34

GG: morning dave!

GG: did you do the homework for Signless over the weekend? (Dave felt a chill go through him at the mentioned name. This was not a good sign.)

GG: im just no good at history!

TG: in all honesty i have no idea what youre talking about

TG: can you tell me whats up with egbert and lalonde this morning theyre acting weird

GG: oh. no, i dont have a clue

GG: why would i know what roses problem is?

GG: she hasnt spoken to me in a year and you know that.

Dave could only stare at his computer. This had to be a prank. There was no possible way that Rose would stop being friends with Jade!

GG: john did say you weren't feeling well, so im sure youre just confused! feel better dave!

gardenGnostic [GG] stopped pestering turntechGodhead at 7:23

Dave was still sitting at his computer, completely dumbfounded and entirely unsure about what just happened, when Bro knocked on his door again ten minutes later. "Dave, we gotta go! You're gonna be late, and we can't have that anymore!"

"J-just a minute!" He didn't even care that he'd stuttered. He rushed himself dressed, pulling on jeans and a random red shirt that he pulled off the floor. He paused as he glimpsed himself in the mirror and looked down. His shirt was blank. He'd had his shirts custom-made to have his record on them long before the game started, and it was just nowhere to be found on this one. He opened his closet to check something. Checkered shirts, striped shirts, green shirts, purple shirts, all different colors and patterns glared at him from inside. He didn't own those.

He contemplated faking sick, but decided against it. There was no way he'd figure anything out if he locked himself away. Whatever was happening here, he needed to be in the thick of it so he could get back to the game. Yeah, he'd almost died multiple times and probably would again, but if there was a timeline where Rose and Jade weren't friends, he was supposed to hang with a Makara, and one of the weird troll ancestor whatevers was a teacher at his school, he didn't want to stay in it any longer than he had to.