Beep. Beep. Beep.

What the actual fuck was that? Karkat groaned and rolled out of bed. 4:30 a.m...4:30 a.m.?!

"Why is it set so earlyyy?" he whined, pulling the covers over his head. Kanaya burst into his room, sending light flooding in from the hallway. She flung open the curtains, where light streamed in from the barely rising sun. There was still stars outside. Fucking stars.

"Kanaya," he said, muffled through his pillow, "I swear to god, if you touch me you lose a testicle."

"Your insults have taken a nosedive, dear brother," she singsonged. How was she so cheerful so early in the morning? She whipped off his covers, and he shivered in his t-shirt and boxers. Why was his room so freakishly cold in the morning? Was this natural?

"Karkat," she said sternly, "Remember why we are doing this." She stood above him, arms crossed firmly.

"Because you want to torture me?" Karkat squinted an eye open to glare at her. She was already dressed and had makeup on! Whhhat?!

"No. Because you love Terezi."

Oh, he thought, that. Was that reason enough to get him out of bed? Could he really try his hardest to make Terezi fall in love with him?

Yup.

Karkat swung out of bed, dressing and actually doing something with his hair. Next were push-ups. Sit-ups. Jogging. After half an hour, he was gasping for breath.

"What," wheeze, "is," gasp, "the point," hnnnghasldkfjasdfk, "of this?!" He panted, hands on his knees. Geeks did not work out!

"Girls like muscles," Kanaya trilled. She glanced at her watch. "Luckily for you, we're done."

"Oh thank fuck!"

"Watch your language!" She scolded him and he rolled his eyes.

"C'mon," he said, "we're gonna be late for school."

Do I look stupid? Don't tell me I look stupid! Karkat checked the mirror in Kanaya's convertible, mussing his gelled hair. Aah, I look stupid!

"You look fine," Kanaya said calmly. He sighed and examined his reflection again. A bright red, conspicuous t-shirt was practically radioactive against his pale skin. Black skinny jeans clung unusually tightly to him, and his new, clunky skater shoes were throwing off his balance. His hair was gelled and the dark circles under his eyes were practically gone, thanks to sleeping for once.

He wasn't sure whether he liked this or not.

"Get out of the car! Fly baby bird! Fly Karkat!" Kanaya said cheerfully, slamming her door.

Karkat sat inside, hesitant to get out of the car. The car wouldn't judge him. The car wasn't an adorable girl he was trying to impress. It wasn't like she would care anyways. She never did. Nobody ever did. That's the reason he stopped trying. He wasn't special. he didn't get the main part, the best ice cream flavor, the girl. The first pick of a movie. So why bother?

But then again, what else did he have to lose? He stepped out of the car and ignored the stares from the other students.

"Karkat!" Nepeta said, skipping up behind him, "Good morn-, whoa!" She blinked slowly, staring at him. KK flushed red angrily.

"You look...good?" She squeaked, not looking away. "I'm gonna...I"m gonna...go to math? Uh, yeah." She bumped into a locker and cursed, then scurried off.

What was that about?

"Heyyyyyyyy, someone spiffed up." Vriska grinned sweetly. "What brought this on?"

He fought back a fuck you Serket, and shrugged. She was sooo annoying, behind that shield of GAHJUSSNESS that was Vriska Serket. He could see why John loved her. He saw Terezi, sniffing suspiciously. She pushed past Aradia and Feferi, and poked him in the stomach.

"You...smell...cuter," She said, eyes unable to be read, due to her sunglasses. He blushed furiously, trying to think of a witty comeback.

He froze as she promptly buried her face in his neck. His eyes were wide, and he looked at Vriska in utter shock and confusion.

I guess that 'won't be able to resist you' stuff...Oh my god, she wasn't kidding! SHE'S SMELLING ME WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!

Terezi withdrew her face. "Yup, definitely cuter. Keep it up Vantas!" She, and her cluster of friends drifted off and Aradia waved her hand bye, and winked at him.

Karkat wasn't sure how long John and Sollux had stood behind him, but they had obviously seen everything. All three stood, mouths open, stunned.

"Did that...jutht happen?" Sollux said.

"I think...it did." John answered. They both turned to Karkat, who still hadn't said anything. He wasn't sure he could say anything ever again. She had called him cute. She knew his name.

Today was the best day ever. Karkat could see it now. Couple of days from now, she'd fall head over heels. She's realize that they were perfect for each other, and that nobody compared to Karkat, not Gamzee and especially not Strider. She'd confess her love for him, and he'd pulled off her glasses and kiss her and then...love. Love would happen. Forever love, true love, like he'd always seen in movies and books and fanfics. He'd be happy.

But...he had no idea. No idea that that version of his happiness would make another so unhappy. Another who was always unhappy anyways, but never showed it.

And she was determined to never let him know.

This one was kinda shorter than the others, but oh fucking well. :D

Like it? I hope you like it. I finished it about...five minutes ago. Woo-hoo.

Review please!