It wasn't as if the first semester had been uneventful for the older Serket sister—quite the opposite. She'd broken up with her girlfriend over a difference in attitudes about their future after high school, and Aranea was furiously sending out college apps, eagerly anticipating her responses in the spring. She and Kankri Vantas were also in quite a close and contentious battle for valedictorian, despite the fact that she was basically the only person besides Porrim (his cousin) and Cronus (his boyfriend) that could tolerate Kankri. Friendship was not reason enough for Aranea to set aside her ambitions. And there was the matter of her mother. She was pretty intolerablem but most of her hostility was directed at Vriska, unfortunately. Aranea got by because she and Vriska operated on opposite poles; Vriska was loud and fought back and yelled at Mom when she thought things were unfair, but always did what she was told anyway, regardless of the measures she had to take to do so. Aranea was quiet and always pretended to be obedient, but never actually did what she was asked, and their mother forgot half the time anyway. Getting out would be a joy. Aranea clicked her email open, hoping for some sign of early admissions, despite knowing even those wouldn't be out until February. Her inbox was empty, as per usual. She pinched the bridge of her nose underneath her glasses, letting out a deep sigh when she glanced up and saw a message from Meenah.

clammyCommander [CC] began pestering absolutionsGrasp [AG]

CC: yo gill
CC: i gotta talk to you
AG: There is nothing to talk about, Meenah.
AG: We broke up.
CC: come on aranea
CC: you didnt even give me a reason
CC: just told me that "we are no longer a good fit for each other".
CC: all cold and calculated like it didnt mean anything
AG: You ought to know very well that I am simply not an emotional person.
CC: okay but like you could at least give me some sort of explanation
AG: Here is the way I see it.
AG: You have no intention of going to college, OR of inheriting your mother's corporation—which honestly makes no sense considering how much you idolize her.
AG: I, on the other hand, want to leave Skaia. Ideally, I would attend a school in New York.
AG: While the idea of your future being a mystery is still the case, I simply don't think we are on similar paths.
AG: That and I have little to no respect for those without aspiration.
CC: yo hold on you know damn well i have aspirations
CC: i told you like a million times i dont wanna take the company cause i dont want shit just handed to me
CC: id rather build something new myself
CC: which i can DO in new York
AG: True.
AG: But I also don't care for the concept of you going to New York for my sake.
AG: Lest you come to resent me.
AG: Nor do I think a long distance relationship would be a good idea.
AG: Breaking things off only seemed to be the next logical step.
CC: see youre just sayin this likeits all logic and you didnt even care about me :(
CC: we coulda stuck it out til graduation
AG: Meenah, of course I cared about you.
AG: I still do.
AG: You were my best friend, before you were my girlfriend.
AG: But I am concerned with my future, and as of right now, I can't see you as a part of it, romantically.
AG: I could have put things off, but that would only have resulted in more heartbreak.
CC: oh so you do have a heart
AG: Meenah, please.
AG: I had hoped to not hurt you, but heartbreak is often unavoidable. I'm sorry.
CC: clam up
AG: This may be… shellfish of me, but I do hope we find a way to maintain friendship.
CC: shellfish?
CC: …you made a fish pun for me
AG: Yes.
CC: okay
CC: i gotta… give myself time to heal but
CC: yeah
CC: id like to still be friends
CC: sorry for being so emotional
AG: It's perfectly understandable.
AG: But I really do have to go.
CC: s'alright
CC: go do your thing you ambitious freak

clammyCommander [CC] ceased pestering absolutionsGrasp [AG]

Aranea let out another long sigh. Somehow, talking to Meenah always seemed to be somewhat draining. She stood from the computer, stretching out a bit, then headed downstairs to see if Vriska was home, or if she was avoiding it as per usual.

"Vris!" she called. "Vris, you home?"
"Yeah, just got back."
"Good, let's go out for dinner."

"Aranea, you of all people should know I'm broke as shit," Vriska scowled a bit at Aranea, but her eyes flitted over to their mother, who was asleep on the couch with a few empty beer cans on the coffee table. Aranea seemed to take the hint.

"Listen, if she gets mad, I'll take the fall. Come on. Wood Ranch, my treat?" Aranea asked. She was genuinely trying to be kind to her sister, despite them not always getting along.

"Well… if you're buying. Let's go!"

Aranea sat in an awkward silence as Vriska scarfed down most of what was in their bread basket, and after clearing her throat a bit, decided to attempt conversation.

"So how was school today?"

"Lame, just like always. Honestly, it's such bullshit that they tell us where to go and what to do for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. It's not like I need to know any of this shit they're teaching us."

"Like… algebra? That's actually helpful."

"Well, ok, but what about calculus? You want to study literature, right? Why do you have to do all that crazy advanced bullshit math? I mean honestly if I could, I would just go get a job right now instead of being in school."

"Right…" Aranea let her voice trail, knowing she didn't totally agree with Vriska. Well, she didn't totally disagree either, but thought a change of subject might be appropriate. "Well, how're things going with Tavros? Or that new guy, uh. James?"

"Oh. John."

"Yeah, John."

"He was messaging me before school today and being kinda cute, I guess. And then he tried to talk to me and must have been nervous, because his glasses fogged up. But I don't know what that really means… he did actually manage the rope climb, though, which was mildly impressive."

"Do you… like him?" Aranea asked. If she had to name one flaw about herself, it's that she was hopelessly nosy and a bit of a gossip.

"What! No! I don't know. I kinda do, but I also kinda like Tavros."

"Vriska, if I'm being totally honest, I think if something were going to happen with you and Tavros, it would have happened by now." Vriska's gaze narrowed.

"Who even asked you, Aranea? It's not like you're the expert on romance or anything. Meenah's just about the only good person you ever dated, and you broke up with her for no good reason!"

Aranea reddened, embarrassed but also angry. "My reasons are none of your business," she said quietly, trying to avoid making a scene. "Can we please not argue?"

Vriska was silent for a second. "I… I am going to make a move with Tavros, and if he's not interested, it'll be time to cut my losses I guess," she conceded. Aranea suddenly felt bad. Vriska and Tavros had been doing that dance for a long time, but Tavros was such a shy boy that he probably had difficulties addressing romantic feelings. Rufioh was kind of the same way, but in reverse. He'd had difficulties addressing his loss of romantic feelings, and it resulted in a lot of heartache for Damara, as well as a violent outburst.

"Look, I didn't mean to hit a sore spot. I know it's weird between you guys."

"It's fine. Let's just order our food."

Aranea was tense through the rest of her dinner with Vriska. She really could be pointlessly stubbrn and it made actual sisterly bonding quite difficult. After a while, she spoke again.
"I'm sorry, again. I know things haven't worked out with you and Tavros."
"Yeah… I shouldn't have questioned your relationships either."
Aranea tutted, knowing Vriska's curiosity hadn't been satiated. "Things with me and Meenah just weren't working out. More on my end than hers."
Vriska pursed her lips, clearly wanting to ask more questions, but after a moment, she thought better of it and let out a sigh. "Fair enough."

Aranea paid the bill, both girls seeming to be in a better mood by the time they left. Vriska was more chatty and laughing a bit, which Aranea took as a good sign. She figured they had to get some sisterly bonding before she left for college. Of course, that was ruined by their mother.
"Where the hell have you two been?" she accosted them. Vriska froze, which Aranea noticed in her peripheral vision. She was also aware of how inebriated her mother was.
"It's my fault, Mom, I decided to take Vriska out to dinner."

"'s not like you, Aranea, to go out without telling me."
"You were asleep. I didn't think it very polite to wake you."
"Mm. Did'ja at least bring me something to eat?"
"No… but I can order something for you."
Suzanne grumbled and shifted on the couch a bit, then promptly fell back asleep. Aranea rolled her eyes and headed upstairs.

"Hey… you're not gonna order her something?" Vriska asked.
"No. She'll forget by the time she wakes up."
Vriska glanced back at her mother, unsure, then ran up to her room, hoping Aranea was right.