Days had gone by, it was the same old ritual every day; for both of them. They would both go to school, then come back to eat. Gamzee would leave for more nightly performances, because it was just his calmer. Once Karkat took him in, Gamzee just would never stop playing. It made him feel calmer, after a day worth of being called ugly and pitiful names, getting shoved into walls, and so on. Nothing was going to change for him, he would think over and over again. He just wished that something in the other students minds would click, and tell them that he wasn't doing anything wrong. He was just being himself.

But we all know this would never change.

Ever.

Karkat was the same, but nothing he did was really acknowledged. He would think to himself, time after time, if anyone would really recognize him. Never to be called on, never to be included in conversations. Just to be alone. As always, he would be the different one. His passion for books, the yearning to learn more. Nobody thought that in his town. They were all just hookers and gangs. Only the people who were forced to learn would really go to school. Gamzee.. He just had bad grades and never had a clue what to do with his life. All he knew, was to play. Play those wicked instruments the beautiful sounds, leaking from the strings of his instruments.

A Saturday morning like no other. Karkat and his best bro were watching the Saturday morning cartoons, as always. Both boys were eating some old bread that they managed to forge from their pockets. Karkat got a job as a bagger at a grocery store and works on his schoolwork, after work. It barely keeps them living but it does the job done. The ritual was the same, but Karkat was feeling unusual today. He felt like his life was just boring, and needed some spice in it. Giving a hopeful sigh, the proceeded to speak to his friend.

"Hey uh, Gamzee.. I was thinking..."

"Yea my brotha'?" Gamzee replied.

"Well, I think that we should change some things up a bit. I think that we should go to the Library." said Karkat, with every last inch of hope being used.

"Oh uh," Gamzee was not exactly the reading type, but followed along. He knew his friend loved going out, and didn't like to be cooped up all day. He guessed some reading would do no harm. "As long as it's some motherfucking Dr. Seuss, I'm up for it man." He replied, with a grin reaching up on his tired face.

"R-Really? Great, lets get going!" Karkat spoke with spunk in his voice. He jumped up and also grabbed Gamzee to get dressed. Karkat, ended up wearing a sweatshirt and some dirty jeans. He had to force Gamzee to put on a shirt for once, and only got him into a t-shirt and sweatpants. "Oh Gamzee, you stubborn dog." Karkat spoke after getting all of their garments on. Before they left the apartment, Gamzee grabbed his acoustic guitar, just in case he got bored.

They both set out for the Library, on foot of course, because none of them would ever dare to drive a car. Karkat being Eco-friendly and Gamzee being 'high off of music' all the time. He would crash in the time of ten minutes. As they reached the library, Gamzee was already tired, and Karkat was bursting with excitement. They both entered the building, and set out to the bookshelves of fictional writing. Karkat left Gamzee inside, to wander around and fine some novels of his liking. Keeping his far away from the children's book section as well. Karkat set out for the cafe, to get some peace.

"Grande caramel mocha please."

"Sure thing. Just swipe your card and stand over there for me."

"Thanks- Hey, do I know you? Do you go to the same high-school as me?" Karkat questioned the woman behind the counter.

"Fiiiiiiiinally! Gosh Karkat, your do duuuuuuuumb!" The woman exclaimed.

'Fuuuck it is Vriska. Dammit, just stand over here and pretend nothing happened.' Karkat thought sadly. Of all people, it was her.

He grabbed his mocha once it was ready, and sat at the farthest table possible, and moved a trashcan in front of him, to make sure he wasn't visible from any angle. He heard a scream coming from the bookshelves and he shot straight up. "Oh god, Gamzee.." He mumbled, flicking his forehead in the process. Gamzee ran for Karkat and gave him the biggest bro-hug a boy would never ask for. "Oh my god, brotha' I thought I lost you. Once sec' you were there and the next you weren't! I was scared I lost ya'!" Gamzee exclaimed, with worry shot right through him.

Karkat sighed.

"Sorry, I just wanted you to go look for something to read, and not your usual books."

Karkat scratched the back of his head, looking down, hoping acting like this would make Gamzee forgive his great actions.

"Oh.. Alright brotha! I can't stay angry at you for long!" He smiled, and began to walk over to the other side of his friend, to sit down at the table. Karkat re-adjusted himself, and slid over "Lord of the Flies" to his friend on the other side.

"What's this?" Gamzee asked, poking it in the prosses of asking.

"It's called "Lord of the Flies". It's a book I'm reading in my book club. I think you might like it. Just-"

Karkat ceased speaking, as Gamzee proceeded to start to read the book. It was just like a dog that would finally start to realize it was supposed to sit, when asked. Well, Gamzee started reading, without being asked. He just.. did. Karkat smiled at his friend, seeing how into it he was. He sipped his mocha, and tried to read his book with no further interruptions.