I stood back and watched as Egbert excitedly relayed his story to Strider and the group.
"See something you like?"
"HOLY FUCK WHAT- oh. It's you, Kan." I jumped as one of my oldest friends appeared beside me.
"Hi. Anyway, the blonde? Interested?" Kanaya was known for being direct about things.
"Who? Strider? Fuck no. He's the most arrogant prick I've ever met."
"Which is why you've been staring at his ass for the past 10 minutes."
I blushed, realising that I had been staring.
"I…fuck. Okay, maybe he's kinda cute, but he's still a prick."
"Who'th a prick?" Sollux joined.
"Dave Strider. But honestly, he seems alright to me"
"Yeah, but I don't get why he'th tho popular. The dude only wearth glatheth."
"Do you two even know each other?" I was getting over the 'everyone disagree with Karkat' game.
"Yes. We met just before when Sollux was telling me about how you and Dave were flirting for most of your trek."
"Hpthfleph –WHAT!? FLIRTING?!" Everyone in a 20 meter radius turned to look at the source of the outburst, including Strider and his posse.
"Yeth you were. It wath totally flirting."
"WE WERE NOT FLIRTING. THAT WAS NOT FUCKING FLIRTING!" My face felt like it was on fire. There was no way I had been flirting…. Right? I hated the guy.
"Well from what I hear, it soundslike you were flirting.
As Kanaya said 'flirting', Strider turned and looked at me, at least, I think it was at me. It was hard to tell with his glasses and all. I think I blushed even more then, if that was even possible.
"Karkat, are you okay?" Kanaya leaned in front of me, placing a hand on my cheek. "You feel very warm."
"And your fathe ith kinda red."
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just….. I need to pee." I blurted the first excuse that came to mind, running towards the school buildings.
I pushed open the door to the first guys' bathroom I say and went straight to the sink, splashing water on my face. I straightened, looking in the mirror.
"Fuck…" No wonder Kan was getting worried. My cheeks were bright red, the rest of my face looking startlingly pale in comparison.
"You sure made a speedy exit for someone with such short legs."
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Strider standing in the doorway.
"Fuck you Strider. I'm not short." I turned back to the sink and splashed some more water on my face.
Just fucking perfect. Of course he was the one to show up.
"If you're not short, how can I do this so easily?" he asked, approaching me from behind, slipping his arms over my shoulders and clasping his hands so they rested level with my stomach.
The colour that had just begun leaving my cheeks came rushing back. I scowled at Strider's reflection.
"Oh, if looks could kill…" Because of the mirror, Strider could see every one of my reactions. Because of his stupid glasses I couldn't pick a single one of his.
I spun out from under his arms, ending in a crouch at the opposite end of the bathroom.
"Fuck. You. Strider." I growled.
"You must really want to get into my pants, Vantas." He retorted, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a way that made my breath catch.
His smile widened, telling me he'd heard it.
"Ah, so you do want in."
I judged the distance between me, him and the door. I figured that, with the element of surprise I was bound to have, I should be able to make it to the door before him.
"So what if I do?" I was stalling, waiting for the right moment to pounce.
"If you do, I'd have to make sure you're prepared. Not just anyone can get into the pants of a Strider." He leaned casually against the sink I'd washed my face at, maybe too casually.
"And how would you do that?" I edged towards the door slightly.
"With a series of tests, of course." He was tapping a beat against the porcelain of the sink with a finger.
I jumped for the door.
