Things very gradually… did not get better. Terezi still felt very isolated from her friends, and she still couldn't quite pinpoint why. It wasn't her fault, it couldn't be her fault, but everyone was so… busy? She wanted to keep telling herself that everyone had their own issues, that she couldn't possibly know what was happening in everyone's lives, and just because they were off in their own worlds didn't mean they weren't still friends with her, but that didn't mean it sucked any less. The only consistent thing was Gamzee being… odd… and Dave messaging her from time to time. She knew she could talk to him about her problems, but some part of her felt like that was intrusive on his life. Like she was some kind of burden. And then, one of those sporadic moments that appeared.

turntechGodhead [TG] began pestering gallowsCalibrator [GC]

TG: so i may have collosally fucked up
GC: Oh lord
GC: What happened
TG: kar and i were on a date
TG: and he started crying onstage

TG: he was like really upset
TG: with me

GC: Why?
TG: dunno
GC: Really, you don't think there's anything you did?

TG: well
TG: maybe
GC: :?
TG: short version is i have problems with affection

GC: Okay…?
GC: Do you want to talk about it?
TG: dunno
TG: lets not for now
TG: howre you doing

GC: Well…

Terezi ponderd over things for a moment. Maybe keeping everything all pent up wasn't good. Maybe she did just need someone to talk to.

GC: To be honest I've been better
TG: how so
GC: Just
GC: I dunno, like I said I'm just used to having someone around
TG: and you still havent talked to vris at all have you
GC: No
TG: well maybe thats not a bad idea at this point
GC: You think?
TG: listen im all for cutting toxic people out of your life
TG: and i definitely dont want to encourage some weird co-dependency
TG: but if you miss her so much
TG: and lets be real you do
TG: you should at least tell her how youre feeling right now
TG: and honestly i think vris is at least trying to make an improvement
TG: i think tavros talked to her or something
GC: Hmm
GC: Maybe you're right
GC: You know that you're really smart, don't you Dave?
TG: tsh my grades beg to differ
GC: No, not booksmart
GC: Or maybe you are and you don't apply yourself :P
GC: But you're like, people-smart
GC: You and Rose both have this really huge skill for interpreting other people and helping them through issues
GC: But somehow have difficulty figuring out your own
GC: Because boy does she smell like alcohol lately
TG: oh yeah
TG: ive noticed
TG: if she doesnt knock it off i think ill have to put an intervention together or something
GC: Well count me in on that
TG: so what do you think
TG: gonna make up with vris
GC: Maybe
GC: I'll talk to her in class tomorrow
GC: Thanks, Dave

gallowsCalibrator [GC] ceased pestering turntechGodhead [TG]

Terezi thought it over. When she thought about it, Dave was right. Ultimately, her friendship with Vriska made her happy, or at least happier than she was currently feeling. And if Vriska was making an attempt to not be a terrible person, then maybe she needed Terezi around, too, even though it seemed like Vriska was doing just fine without her, with John and the others. But still, she told Dave she would talk to Vriska, so that was what she did in class the next day.

"Vriska," Terezi said as she hopped into her stool in Biology class.

"Oh, we're speaking?"
"Yeah, I think I… I think we should."

"Finally decided to apologize, then?"

"I! No! I don't think I have anything to apologize for, Vriska. I cut you out because I thought our friendship was toxic. But… it seems to me that you're becoming more aware of yourself."

"I… uh. Okay," Vriska said. Terezi could tell she wasn't sure how to respond.

"Listen, Vriska, you and I are best friends. I don't think there's any denying it."
"I agree, but you're the one who decided to leave."

"Yeah, but… like I said. It was about how you treated other people. And now I think you're at least trying to be better."

"So… you forgive me?"

"I don't know if 'forgive' is the word I would use. More like… I am willing to acknowledge your past as your past. I just… miss you."

"Ter, that's the gayest thing you've ever said to me. But. You wanna get the Scourge Sisters back in action?"

"Yeah…"

"Well… I miss you too. So let's just make amends already! Besides, someone's got to keep you from making terrible romantic decisions."

"What!"

"Let's be real, you have terrible taste. Karkat, Dave…"

Terezi laughed a bit, but there was a third boy on that list she didn't want to mention. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea for Vriska to know, because she'd surely interfere in what was bound to be an unhealthy relationship, but Terezi still had her doubts about telling people. Something in her demanded that she keep it secret. The whole thing still seemed kind of odd to her. There had to be some kind of reason for Gamzee's sudden, erratic behavior, and Terezi wanted to do some investigating. She knew better than to believe Gamzee would say anything to her, though. No, she'd have to find another source.

"Tules?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

Terezi hesitated, walking into her sister's bedroom. They got along just fine, but they weren't particularly close. "I was just wondering… do you know if there's anything weird going on with the Makaras? Like, has Kurloz said anything, or…?"

"You know Kurloz can't exactly say anything, Ter. And besides, it's not like I'm the person he'd be talking to."

"Yeah, but I just thought, he's close with Mituna. They're friends, right?"

"Mhm. But Tuna doesn't like talking about Kurloz for some reason," Latula muttered. It certainly seemed odd that Mituna wouldn't talk about his best friend with his girlfriend. "The only thing I know about Kurloz's home life is that his dad is pretty strict. Heh, if he found out both those boys were high all the time…"

"So he doesn't know they smoke?" Terezi asked. Come to think of it, Gamzee didn't seem stoned nearly as much anymore.

"I guess not."

"Hmm," Terezi murmured. "The only other thing I know about Mr. Makara is that he's vaguely homophobic… Gamzee's not exactly straight, considering he spent the better part of this year trying to get with Tavros…"

"Why are you asking about them anyway?" Latula asked.

"Just… Gamzee's being screwy lately," Terezi murmured. She was kind of starting to feel bad for him. Maybe his dad's opinion of him being… well, Terezi didn't want to say gay but it was probably the case… maybe he felt pressured by it. Maybe his dad bullied him into quitting smoking, so he didn't have that relaxant, and maybe he wanted to show some kind of interest in a girl in order to appease his father. It was a lot of hypotheticals, but if she was right, Terezi knew Gamzee was in a shitty situation. That didn't exactly explain his "compliments", but in a way she hadn't even fully explored yet, Terezi was somehow flattered by them. The idea that anyone wanted her in a romantic way, in a sexual way, when she herself still felt like there was a hollowness about her… the idea of a relationship sounded appealing, and she disregarded what the nature of that "relationship" could end up being. When she was honest with herself, Terezi thought there were too many possibilities for her to continue just blatantly ignoring Gamzee's advances. Would it be the worst thing in the world for her to move on from past crushes? Karkat clearly had. Terezi took a breath before returning to her own room.

"What should I do, Pyralspite?" she said, glancing towards his tank. He just chirped at her indecisively. She let out another sigh and slumped into the seat at her computer desk. Despite still being unsure; despite her better judgement, Terezi clicked open Pesterchum and tapped out a message on her Braille keyboard.

gallowsCalibrator [GC] began pestering terminallyCapricious [TC]

GC: Hey, Gamzee

GC: You still want to hang out sometime?

TC: Sure motherfuckin thing, sis.