It's always awkward listening to a friend fight with their family, and unfortunately it was a situation I found myself in often when I went over to Karkat's house as there was always a lack of communication with his older brother, and guardian, Kankri. Sadly, it was one of those situations now as the two of them moved down the hall yelling at each other, while I just awkwardly sat on the couch and stared down at my shoes as if they were the most interesting thing in the world, trying to avoid being pulled into the argument… Their voices still reached my ears though, which makes everything seem that much worse.
"Karkat, your failure to tell me of you plans is quite triggering, after all, what if I had made plans for us? You are almost eighteen, you should really know better than this! Dad left me in charge, so you know that means-"Hearing a loud groan in the same room as me brought my gaze up, only for me to find Karkat glaring at his brother, who was standing there with his arms crossed, obviously upset that he was interrupted.
"Oh my GOD Kankri! Just shut the fuck up already! I forget to tell you, it's not the end of the fucking world okay?!" Okay, I understand it must be different when your guardian is your older sibling, but, I would never dare talk to my dad that way, hell! I'd never talk to Jane that way! Not for fear of getting in trouble, I would be afraid of hurting their feelings. Though, Karkat is completely different from me in that area…
"Do you even know how many triggers you just said? What if you insulted John or his beliefs by using God? Think of all the people you could have triggered with you could have offended! I for one cannot stand by and allow you to say such tri-"
"Your face triggers me!" The room went dead silent as the two Vantas' stood off, Karkat glaring defensively at his brother, and Kankri looking pained by Karkat's harsh words. They stood there in silence for a long while, until Karkat's anger slowly melted into regret as he realized the severity of what he said. His candy red eyes flickered to me for a moment as his mouth fell open in horror. "Shit… Kankri, I didn't mean that…" As his words broke the silence, Kankri dropped his gaze to the floor, his voice soft as he finally spoke.
"You and John just go have fun… I never realized my presence bother you so much…" Karkat's shoulders dropped as Kankri turned away from him and started to walk into another room. For a moment we just watch the older Vantas leave, then Karkat sighed angrily and yanked his bag off of the table, then grabbing his tent bag off the couch with the same force.
"Let's go idiot, the others are waiting!" Letting him storm out ahead of me, I made sure to lock and close the door behind us (another of Kankri's quirks) before scrambling after Karkat, knowing he would leave me behind if I took too long.
"Don't you think that was a bit harsh?" putting my bag on the floor of the car, the only response I got was Karkat chucking his bag at my chest, leaving me a bit winded as I placed it next to my bag and the tent he had placed down as well. Climbing into the car in silence, I avoided saying anything more, knowing when to be quiet to avoid a tongue lashing. As he climbed into the beaten up car, I dared ask a simple question, hoping that wouldn't set him off again. "Where are we going again?"
"Aradia is throwing a party, of all fucking things, at her house cause he sister said go the fuck ahead when she left for the week. So when she invited me, she told me to bring you, cause I supposedly 'talk about you so fucking much', as if that was true." He sighed again then started the car and whipped out of the driveway in a frenzy. "As if a party full of fuckwads is where I want to spend my time…" Even with his annoyed tone, I knew he was actually excited about seeing his friends again, he'd been talking about this party all week and while he tried to seem upset about it, I had come to know him better than that, he was funny in that way. Silently sitting there as he grumbled to himself about 'damn Kankri', I tried to avoid saying anything, but I couldn't help it, I had another question…
"Though… I really only know Terezi, why would Aradia want to invite me?" Hearing his annoyed sigh for a third time, I instantly turned my attention to the window in hopes that he would go on as if I had said nothing and not yell at me, but of course I wasn't that lucky, and as he sped down the highway, his loud violent filled the car.
"I don't know John, I don't fucking know!" Now I knew enough was enough and it was time to just completely shut my trap. Karkat was a pretty cool guy on good days, except, I never dared pull a prank on him like all my other friends, so I guess there wasn't that full level of comfort yet, but anyway, we'd been hanging out more since school ended two weeks ago. Sure he could be an ass, but, we had the same taste in movies, in a sense, so we just clicked in a way.
Sighing silently to myself I just continued to stare out the window, when Karkat got into moods like this, he could be a total ass, so it was rather difficult to entertain myself as the trees rushed past in a blur, leaving me no time to actually focus on anything. Thankfully, somewhere along the road, he cheered up enough to turn on the radio, and in no time the two of us were singing our hearts out in stupid voices to get each other to laugh, just like the idiots we were. Before long, or at least, it didn't feel like it took as long as if really had, Karkat turned into a driveway that was only completely hidden by overgrown grass and weeds. It seemed to wind back through the trees, but I couldn't see where it ended or even tell how far back the house really was. Then even with Karkat's reckless driving it took about five minutes just to get past the tree line, but once we did, I realized why Aradia would want to through a party out here.
The house was still out in the distance a bit, but I could tell it was a smaller one and now realized why Karkat had brought a tent, which others had set up away from the house. Even though the area was completely cut off by trees, where the house actually sat was like a plains area with tall grass and some pretty tall hills, this place seemed almost completely cut off from the rest of the world, and for some reason that idea brought a smile to my face. As we drew closer I could make out figures running around the yard, some around the tents and others yet just running wild. While it looked like a lot of fun, at the same time a strong feeling of fear crept over me.
"Okay, listen up fuckass, these guys can be pretty nuts. I know for a fact that Gamzee will be smoking his shit, and I'm certain someone else will have brought alcohol, so, just watch yourself, okay?" Nodding as he put the car into park, I watched everyone running around, sure I recognized a few people from the halls of school, but no one I had really talked to, which sent another wave of fear crash over me. Grabbing my bag from the car, I handed Karkat his bag as he came over to me.
"So how many people are going to be here? I don't think I ever asked." Standing there as he shifted his bag up onto his shoulder, he shifted his gaze over to me, and then started walking towards the yard where people had gathered.
"Hmm, including us, thirteen. Just, be careful tonight okay? I don't want you getting too screwed up tonight." Rolling my eyes I nodded, it wasn't like him to be so worried about me, but it was the first party I had ever been invited to, I wanted to make my own mistakes. Isn't that part of being a teenager?
"Karkitty!" I looked up just in time to see a small pale girl with auburn hair tackle Karkat to the ground with a hug; he looked surprised for a moment, then looked at her with a dark blush forming on his cheeks. Then I realized why, she was only wearing a one piece bathing suit, one that looked like it was meant for a small child, as it had a cats face on the stomach.
"G-gah! Dammit Nepeta! What the fuck have I said about your "friendly" pouncing?!" The girl sat up on top of Karkat and tilted her head, blushing just ever so slightly as she quickly moved her gaze to the side. Strangely enough, Karkat's anger quickly faded when he looked up at her.
"Not to do it to you…" Glancing around to let his awkward moment have one less member, I noticed almost instantly that many of those around the yard had stopped and were now looking at me with a mild curiosity. There was only one way to respond to a situation like this! Putting on the best smile I could muster, I managed a small wave to the group.
"Hey! Um, I'm John!" Thankfully that satisfied most of them, though one girl did start coming over to me, of course, after a dramatic flip of her blonde hair, which looked pretty damn good against her cream colored skin. I did my best to keep my eyes down, but I was kinda difficult when she was wearing a very revealing bikini, one that matched her cerulean eyes perfectly.
"Soooooooo, you're Karkat's loser friend huh? Guess you're not half bad, I figured you be more like him. I'm Vriska by the way." Her eyes shimmered dangerously from behind her thick wired glassed, and a coy smile played on her lips, while she was attractive something about her just didn't make me comfortable.
"W-whoa! G-Gamzee! Don't uh, push me so fast! Please!" We both jumped back in surprise when two boys rushed between us, a small boy in a wheelchair, and a taller one pushing him around at a crazy speed. While I stared after them in shock, Vriska took a threatening step after them as they came to a stop, he hands clutching into fists.
"Clown! That is my cripple! Back off!" Watching as they took off as she went running after them, I found myself unable to stop from laughing as I turned my attention to Karkat, but he was now talking to some guy with blue and red swim trunks, not even noticing I was there anymore. Looking around nervously, I was suddenly greeted by the same girl who had tackled Karkat earlier.
"Hi John!" She smiled as I looked at her, and wiggled around almost like a kid, but they wouldn't invite a kid to a party right? "I'm Nepeta! We're in the same grade!" What, no way, there was no way.
"Really?" She nodded with a large smile, and I couldn't believe it, she was small enough to be a seventh grader! Suddenly realizing she was waving to someone else, my eyes followed her gaze only to find a guy walking over, one who towered above me, and looked like he could break me like a toothpick.
"This is Equius! He's my bestest friend! Only, I'm sad because he just graduated…" Staring up I him, I offered a smile, but with cracked shade covering his eyes I couldn't really tell what he was thinking at all, or if he was even friendly.
"Hello, nice to meet you." It kind of hurt when he didn't say anything else, but I guess it made sense, he didn't know me after all… Actually, he moved his attention from me to Nepeta, talking to her without so much of a word to me. I really shouldn't let it bother me, I can't expect everyone to want to be my friend…
"Come one Nepeta, everyone is at the pond." She laughed and stuck her tongue out at her tall friend, he just smirked and picked her up easily, letting the small girl sit on his shoulders as he started walking away. She quickly looked back at me and waved with a large grin, her voice excited as she wiggled around on his shoulders.
"John, Karkitty! Come on! Come swimming!" Shifting my gaze over to Karkat, who was the only one left near me at the moment, he found my gaze then shrugged. Seeing him pull his shirt over his head, I dropped my bag next to his and did the same, with a sigh. If you can't beat them, join them right?
"Ready yet fucker?" Glancing over at my friend with a smirk, he laughed and lightly pushed me as he took off running towards the others, struggling to catch up with him, he just laughed back at me and kept running.
A/N: I hope you like the chapter! I've rewritten it so I hope the grammar and spelling is better! ~Imoto Out!