Chapter 7
Welllllll…. I hope you enjoyed that chapter. As you have figured out, yes, this is a Rosemary fic, however, I can't help but insert some of my favorite ships into the story. Sorry. It's nature for me. All the homo. Enjoy the homo.
Anyway, I really like how this story is progressing and I hope you are too. I am enjoying writing it.
DISCLAIMER: Ugh… Do I have to? Fine. I don't own Homestuck yada yada yada Andrew Hussie yeah yeah we know. And now chapter 7
"So, I take it you had a fun time?" Roxy asked her daughter, sitting down on the couch.
Rose sat next to her mom, careful not to breathe in the alcohol fumes too much. "Uh, yeah it was fine I guess. Once I got up this morning and stuff. I've been taking advil all day to dim down my killer headache."
The woman looked at Rose. "Yes. About that. It was very irresponsible of you to do such a thing. I know I am not the best person to talk about things like this, but I wanted you to not deal with your problems like I always have. I know you haven't had the easiest life, and I can't apologize enough for that. But you need to know I care for you and love you. Both you and Dave are very special to me, and I want you to have a happy life." She started to tear up, and her daughter leaned over and hugged her tight.
"It's okay. I know you just want the best for me. And I'm sorry. I just didn't know how to handle being told I was responsible for someone else getting bullied. The beat-down I can deal with, but the words hurt. Anyway, I made a promise with Kanaya so it wouldn't happen again. I promised not to drink anymore if she promised not to harm herself anymore."
Roxy opened her mouth to respond, then immediately closed it again. She didn't exactly know how to respond to something like that.
Judging the look on her mother's face, Rose could tell it was something she had never really dealt with before. "Look mom, I have been around people like Kanaya before, I know what triggers them, and I know what helps them. Kanaya is a very trustworthy person, and when she promises something that big, I have to offer a promise of equal value. I know the whole thing probably comes as a shock to you, but don't worry. I will keep my end of the promise… hopefully always." Rose smiled as she started to tear up.
"Oh honey, I know you will." Roxy embraced her daughter as she cried. "You are a very strong girl, and you can help those like Kanaya who aren't always as strong. Both of you will definitely help each other through your rough times. I just pray she sticks with you and does a better job of helping you than I ever did." The two Lalondes sat there for a few more minutes in silence before Rose spoke up.
"Thanks mom. Now, can I please have some advil? I have a killer headache."
Roxy chuckled. "Of course sweetie. Let me know if you need anything from me this evening." She stood up, leaving her daughter on the couch to get some medicine and water.
"Cool." Dirk said as he unpacked the groceries.
Dave was taken aback slightly. "Cool? Really, like that's it? I mean, this is a pretty big deal for me. I have been telling you my entire life I was into chicks."
Dirk raised an eyebrow. "Yes, however I knew it wouldn't last," he stated matter-of-factually. "It's in the Strider DNA to play at least both sides of the field. I knew things would change eventually. But regardless, I'm happy for you little man."
"Well, that wasn't as freakin' weird as I thought it was going to be." Karkat turned to Dave. "The tricky part will be telling my older brother. He's a bit less… shall we say, open to stuff like that." Karkat used his fingers to make air quotes when he said open.
Dave gave Karkat a half-smirk. "It's alright Karks. One step at a time. Now, the real question is how do we go about this in terms of school? Cause we can either not make a big deal out of it, but make it known, or we keep it on the DL, so to speak."
Karkat considered this for a moment. "Well, I think not making a big deal out of it will be easier, and will ultimately cause less stress on me, as long as you are willing to smack someone on their think-pan if they decide to be rude or obnoxious about it."
"I think I can deal with that." Dave smiled, giving Karkat a peck on the cheek. A puppet was thrown at them from the kitchen.
"Hey lovebirds. Get a cage." Dirk said, looking Dave square in the shades.
Dave retorted, "Oh yeah, like you and English are so much more modest in front of people." Dirk rolled his eyes at that, but did not respond.
Monday rolled around, and the two girls met in the morning as usual. Rose walked down to Kanaya's house as Kanaya shouted goodbye to Porrim, and they walked the route to school. "So," Rose started. "How was the short remainder of your weekend?"
"It was great." Kanaya beamed. "Porrim got a job, so we celebrated about that. This hopefully means that we can finally settle down here until the foreseeable future."
Rose grinned. "That's fantastic Kanaya! I am so happy for you guys. Well, maybe this means long term friendships for the both of us. You won't have to move, which means I have someone to rely on."
The girls continued their trek to school, and into the cafeteria. As they neared their usual before school hang out spot, Rose stopped and yelled "Shoot!"
Kanaya stopped and looked at Rose. "What's wrong?"
Rose sighed. "Nothing… well yes something." She pulled 20 dollars out of her wallet and held it out to the taller girl.
"What's this for… wait." She looked straight ahead and saw a blond and a redhead sitting side by side, the redhead giving a peck on the cheek to the blond. Kanaya squealed and walked up to them. Rose followed closely behind, slightly put out. "I knew it! I totally called it. Well, not totally, but somewhat."
Dave looked up at Kanaya. "I would say I don't know what you're talking about, but that would be a flat out lie. Yeah okay, so this is a thing. Nothing to make a big deal of though."
"Well it wouldn't be, except you cost me 20 bucks." Rose sighed and handed Kanaya the money. Kanaya smiled and pocketed her newly acquired cash.
"You mean to say you bet on my love life?... Actually I'm not surprised, considering Rose was involved. She doesn't stop talking about how sh- mfm." His sentence was cut off as Rose shoved her hand over Dave's mouth.
"Now now Dave, that's more than enough of your shenanigans." Rose chided. Kanaya wondered what he was going to say. She would have to ask him sometime… maybe. Some things are better kept as secrets though. The gang continued in conversation until the first bell rang.
A few uneventful weeks went by. Classes were boring, teachers were nothing out of the ordinary, life didn't get in the way much. Things seemed to settle down for Kanaya. Her sister was thriving in her new job, and couldn't stop gushing about her students. She would spend many dinners talking about 'Melanie doing this' or 'Troy doing that'. Kanaya was happy for her sister, but she was also happy that she could start to live a normal life and get to know people instead of packing up and moving somewhere new.
Halloween was just around the corner, and that meant the Homecoming dance. "Why is Homecoming so late in the school year? Most of them are around the end of September or beginning of October if I'm correct." Kanaya asked Rose one day on their way home from school.
Rose chuckled. "The school does it to save money. This way, they don't have to finance two dances, a Homecoming and a Halloween. They put a little more money into a sort of combined dance that kills two birds with one stone. Does that make sense?"
"Yeah… well, sort of. I think they should have two, but that's my opinion. Mostly because that means I can dress up more than once in a month. Are you going to the dance?"
The blond girl shrugged. "I wasn't planning on it. I'm not much of a social event type of person. I was planning on going my senior year for pure obligation and posterity. Why do you ask?"
The raven smiled. "Oh no reason. I don't have anyone to go with, so I was hoping a certain someone would go with me. Someone who's blond, has cool colored eyes, and has an awesome sense of style."
"I'm sure as flattered as Dave will be, he's probably going with Karkat." Rose said sarcastically. Kanaya playfully slapped Rose's arm and she laughed. "I know, I know. Well, Kanaya Maryam, it would be my pleasure to accompany such a fair maiden to the dance. I suppose we have to go dress shopping then."
Kanaya grinned. "Yes, I suppose we do. Maybe this weekend. The dance is next week after all."
"Okay. Sounds good. I'll be at your house at about 11 Saturday morning." Rose promised, then stopped in front of Kanaya's door. "Well, this is your stop. I will see you tomorrow morning for shopping then?"
The other girl nodded. "Sounds good. I think it will be fun." The two smiled and hugged each other just as Porrim opened the door.
"Aw. Cute! You two look like you've known each other forever. It's adorable." She exclaimed. Kanaya quickly ended the hug and blushed.
"Porrim!" Kanaya whined. "Really? Well, I suppose that's my cue to say goodbye. See you tomorrow." She smiled.
Rose blushed and smiled. "Yeah. See you." She waved goodbye then continued to her own house.
Kanaya walked in and closed the door. "Rim, really? It was just a hug, it's nothing to get excited about. Rose and I just have a mutual understanding. I feel like we can tell each other anything." Kanaya quickly stopped as she saw the adoring and somewhat questioning look in her guardian's eyes. "We are friends. You should be happy that I have one."
Porrim smiled. "I am happy for you Kan. It's great to see you so happy. I think the last time I saw you this happy was… well, probably when you started dating that boy from a while ago."
"This isn't like that. We're just friends." The younger one stated, almost as if trying to convince herself of that statement. "Anyway, we're going dress shopping tomorrow if that's okay. I'm going with her to the dance on Halloween as friends."
"Okay… sounds good. I don't have to go out tomorrow, so the car is yours." Porrim said. The two had recently invested in a car, since they now had a more steady income.
Kanaya nodded. "Thanks. Well, I'll be in my room doing homework. Call me when it's dinner time." The girl walked up to her room, shut the door, and sighed with relief and slight sadness at her situation. Just friends huh? That's all I want right? That's all we ever will be, won't we?
~Jane