I'M NOT DEAD!
So so so sorry I haven't updated in forever. I got stuck, didn't know where to go. Then I just got really really busy and forgot about it. Then I came back to it and was still stuck. But I recently got the inspiration to start writing again. Part of my inspiration and most of my motivation came from reading all the positive reviews that everyone left. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed at all. This chapter is dedicated to all of you. Also thank you to my wonderful sister Amy who helps me bounce ideas.

Starting school again after exams was a huge screw-up for everyone's routines. A new semester meant a whole new schedule. Dave had only just gotten used to things and now his classes were all different. He was pretty happy with his schedule though. He had two classes and a spare with Karkat.

Dave waited by Karkat's locker on the first day back at school.
"Mornin' Kitty Kat," he said once Karkat finally arrived.
"Fuck off Strider. I'm not in the mood." Karkat growled. He yanked the lock off of his locker and practically chucked his stuff inside.
"Wow, who pissed in your cornflakes this morning?" Dave asked. Karkat glared at him and slammed his locker shut.
"Seriously, what's wrong?" Dave asked.
"It's none of your fucking business! So fuck off!" Karkat shoved Dave out of his way and stormed off. Dave was going to follow him, but the bell rang. He made his way to class, knowing he would see Karkat soon enough.

When Dave walked into his next class, Karkat was already seated in the far back corner of the classroom with his head down on the desk. He looked up slightly when Dave sat next to him, but made no other acknowledgement. Dave started to once again ask what was wrong, but decided it would be better not to. Karkat didn't say a word all class, or during the next one, and he disappeared at lunch. Dave looked for him a bit, but gave up quickly, deciding that Karkat probably didn't want to be found.

"Hey, what's up with Karkat today? He practically bit my head off just for sayin' hi this morning." Dave said, joining his other friends at their regular lunch table.
"His brother is in town," John said, "Karkat always gets really pissed off when Kankri comes to visit."
"His brother? Is he really that bad?" Dave asked.
"Kankri thinks that he's God's gift to humanity or something. Their parents pretty much treat him like he is, too" John explained.
"Not to mention he ith an inthfferable homophobic athhole," Sollux added.
"Yikes… I guess those are pretty good reasons to be pissed off," Dave said.
"Jutht give him thome thpathe. He'll be back to normal after Kankri leaveth again," Sollux advised.

Karkat

Everything sucked. The day before Karkat went back to school after exams, his stupid brother had to show up. HE was visiting from his stupid fancy-ass university in fucking Europe. All week, Karkat would have to listen to his parents talking with Kankri about his perfect grades and his fancy-ass law degree. The whole fucking week, they would be talking about the perfection that is Kankri compared to the failure that is Karkat.
"Why can't you be more like your brother Karkat?"
"You should study more Karkat. Your grades are far lower than Kankri's ever were."
"When Kankri was your age he already knew what he wanted to do with his life."

Not to mention all the homophobic comments and insults that would surely come. They would try to tell him that it was "just a phase" or that "they could get him help". His family was fucking ridiculous. He couldn't stand them. He just had to get out.

I am working on Chapter 10 as this is posting. It should be posted soon, maybe even today if I can swing it!

Please write a review, especially if you have a suggestion. You people are my motivation!

-MarbleTabby