A/N: Well. Here's another chapter. There are a few OC's, but there will be no canon/OC relationships. Sorry.
It's really hard to sleep. It always has been, my nights have been filled with bad dreams and terrifying noises- but tonight was worse. Tonight, I lay in my recuperacoon with the knowledge that someone was out to get me. Understandably, I stare at my ceiling with wide eyes, rejecting sleep in every way, shape, and form. My muscles are tense, each limb holding still for fear of making a noise. Chills run up and down my skin, despite the calming warmth of the spoor slime inside my red and blue pod. Each breath is shaky and I berate myself for being so cowardly. The room is silent, save for the light flutter of the wind battering against the window pane. I try to focus on that sound, because in my head it's just too loud.
I can't hear anything else- there are voices echoing in my mind, repeating themselves over and over like some sick, broken record on repeat. I don't know when my hands raised to my head, but I dully feel nails digging into my temples. Biting down on my tongue prevents me from screaming, and a weak whimper murmurs past my lips. They won't be quiet, they're chanting over and over again- I'm going to die, someone's going to kill me, it hurts, oh gog does it ever hurt. I curl my knees to me chest, and let another whimper out from my slightly parted lips. For a moment, I want to give in to them- do something drastic. But no, that's stupid and I can't do it. I cannot give in to this.
I don't remember falling asleep, but my alarm trills to wake me up for my classes that day. I groan, and crawl out of the recuperacoon with a throbbing pain shooting through my temples. I glance in the mirror to find trails of disgusting mustard yellow dried on my face. A sigh fills the air and I begin to diligently wash off my nails and head. With slight dismay on my part, some marks are left behind. Grabbing my e-reader and husk top, I make my way to my next class; ready for another day of bullshit. - After class, I make my way to the on-campus cafe. Karkat had messaged me, extending an invitation to join him and Nepeta for lunch. I agreed, and therefore made my way to the quaint, family run hang out. It was rather modest, with a few small tables and some couches in the corner, but it was rather nice and comfy regardless.
"Hey! Wait up!" A sharp voice interrupts me as I near the cafe, and my head turns to look into dark blue highs- a blue blooded troll. My lips twitch, urging me to snarl but I resist and I face the newcomer.
"You're Sollux, right?" "Yeth." Damn lisp. I stop to take in her appearance- she's wearing a white blouse that seems to fit in the right places, not that I'd know, and a black skirt. Black heels and white tights give me the impression she's not short on cash. Her face is lightly coated with make-up, and her black hair is done up in a tight bun. A decorative flower is pinned in her hair, and her face is that of a kind person- though I know better when it comes to high bloods.
"Great! I'm Shatla, I'm in your computer programming class, and I'm having problems with the current system…" The next five minutes consist of me listening to her explain the issues on her computer and codes. We end with her inviting me to help tutor her after our next class. Not really thinking much of it, I shrug and agree. Shatla beams before bouncing back to a group of high bloods hanging out by a tree. Unnerved by a few of their harsh glares, I return to the cafe.
"There you are, you asshole. We've been waiting for your sorry hide for the last ten minutes!"
"Aw, Karkitty! Don't be so mean!"
My lips twitch into a smile as Nepeta jumps to my defense She's wearing her trademark hat and a soft looking sweater- despite the fact that it's +25'C outside. Weirdo. Karkat's clad in his grey turtleneck sweater and I'll be damned if the bags under his eyes haven't gotten worse over the past couple hours. He looks like death puked up some half-digested fur ball. "KK, you look like thit." He grimaces, his face scowling as I take my place on the couch beside him.
"Fuck you, 'ath hole.' Seeing as Nepeta has begun to frown at us both, I tactically switch the conversation to my computer programming class today. Karkat is in a coding class too, but a less advanced one. Therefore, he is only mildly agitated when I mention mine.
"… and then some highblood named Shatla wanted me to help her out." For a moment, no one says anything, and the two of them sit there with blank expressions on their faces.
"You didn't fucking say yes, did you?" Karkat snaps, glare now potent.
"And if I did?"
"Then that would be just purrfect, wouldn't it Karkitty? Beclaws that's furtastic! Oh hey, did you hear about the newest couple…" The conversation deteriorated from then on, going into topics like romance, different classes, latest gossip, rumours, and so on. I smirk a bit as Nepeta and Karkat get into a heated debate over something stupid, like 'shipping' or other romance related bullshit. At three o' clock, we all stand to make our leave. Nepeta stalks off to find Equius or something. I'm about to leave, but I feel a hand grab my shirt, and spin me around.
I find myself staring down into Karkat's eyes, which are sharp and accusing in their gaze. A frown paints his face and I allow myself to be still as his fingertips ghost past the cuts on my temples. They linger for a moment, and I fight the urge to say something, or move. There's something else in his eyes, something soft- but it is immediately covered up by ice. "You fucking asshole." He grumbles, but his words were empty, half hearted. I stand for a few more moments as he walks off to who knows where. One of my hands reaches up and gingerly touches the lacerations marking my grey skin. That night, I barely sleep at all.