(4:32 PM)

Your name is KARKAT VANTAS and there is an asshole standing right in front of you. He's taller than you, of course, and his eyes are covered by a dark pair of sunglasses clearly designed for women. Or at least in your perspective. For a few seconds, you are tempted to reach up and yank them off of that smug expression, but you manage to resist. He's wearing the uniform still, meaning he's in a white button-up and khaki pants. And a belt. He doesn't wear a tie, like John does. Typical show-off.

"What the fuck do you want?" you growl under your breath. The guy looks taken aback, and he's staring at your eyes. "And what are you looking at?"

"Nothing." he says, and breaks the contact. "Can I come in?"

"Who are you, first off?" you demand, "I don't just let any sack of shit enter the domain."

"Dave." the blonde's blank expression does not change, even though you've just insulted him. "I'm here to talk to John."

Oh, so this is the asshole that had asked you for John's chumhandle before. How many days ago was that? Twelve? You glare at him and he bravely returns your gaze. You step back after a while, and he enters. He has passed the first test.

"John's going to be back soon. He went out." you pick up your backpack and sling it over your back. Dave nods slowly and points at the laptop on the desk.

"Who's is that?"

"Ours," you say, perplexed from the question although it does not show in your expression. "We both paid for it. We use the school wi-fi too, but its horseshit and hardly works half the time. We'd be better off just placing a shitty antenna on the roof. Maybe then those retards would reconsider the offer for a better signal."

Dave nods. "Pesterchum works about sixty percent of the time. And you can't even download anything. You'd have to head to a better signal. Then again, maybe a bad symbol is actually good for the students. "

"What do you mean?"

"I don't believe in karma-chupacabra bullshit-"

Before Dave can finish, the door opens and a familiar blue-eyed boy enters. "Hey, Karkat. Dave." John nods to you both with a grin. Then he notices you holding your bag, and he looks confused. "Going out?"

"Yeah." you grumble, and then gesture to Dave. "Why is he here?"

"He says he...wanted to study early." he responds rather quickly, and you narrow your eyes as you can't help but feel skeptical. "There's a test. Tomorrow."

"What class?" you ask, hoping the question will catch him off guard.

"Math." John's speed answers your earlier questions, and erases your doubt. You nod, and turn to the door. John says a quick goodbye, but you hear nothing from Dave. You exit quickly.

As you walk away from the Prospit dorms, you can't help but wonder what John really was going to talk about with Dave. And the one thing you know is that it wasn't about math.

You lower your head and stare at your cup of soda as Sollux shoves fries into his jaw. "I don't get it," you grumble, "what would he even talk about?"

Sollux laughs. "Not math," he says through bites, "There certainly isthn't any math testht tomorrow. I don't know why the fuck you even care in the firstht place, kk."

You think about mocking his lisp, but decide against it. You look up at him.

Sollux is taller than you, as is almost everybody (WHY THE FUCK IS EVERYBODY SO TALL?), and he reminds you of Dave is a gut-wrenching way. He had blonde hair like Dave, but his was a darker shade compared to the light blonde of the insufferable prick. Said prick was still in your shared dorm, talking to John. Or whatever they were doing.

"Come on KK," Sollux scoffs, "It'sth not like they're going to play on a playground or anything. Really."

"I knew that." You mutter, suddenly feeling a bit squeamish, "I just wish I knew what."

"Thsometimesth you need to trusth your gut instinct." He says matter-of-factly, "And mine thsayth you should keep your nothse out of it."

And later, you were sure to regret not using your "gut instinct".