Hello everyone! I would like to start off by apologizing that this chapter is shorter than the last few have been. The story is slowing down for a bit, but I promise it will become more exciting soon, so bear with me. :)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Homestuck. We know this.
Chapter 11
Rose was rudely awoken by the blaring sound of her alarm. She groaned, turned it off, then slowly got out of bed. She looked around the room for a minute. It was a simple room, with tan walls and a twin sized bed with hawaiian style sheets, but it was cozy and Rose liked it. She appreciated that she was able to sleep in it, her cats sleeping in their beds next to hers. It's not home, but it feels like it. I'm so glad I have Kanaya and Porrim here to help me out. Rose thought as she opened the door and walked into the kitchen. She was soon greeted by the smell of hot coffee and toast.
"Good morning Rose. I have your coffee on the table for you, and the toast is almost done." Porrim said as she smiled at her. "I have to run to work, so hopefully Kanaya will be up soon to keep you company. I will see you later." She walked past Rose, placing a kiss on her head. They had gotten into this habit pretty much the day after Rose started living in the Maryam residence. Porrim was practically family to Rose, so it wasn't all that weird.
"Bye Porrim." Rose shouted as she took a sip of her coffee and went to go put nutella on her toast. A few minutes later, Kanaya walked down, hair disheveled, pajamas slightly sagging around her body, and a sleepy expression still on her face. She looks so cute, even like that. I could wake up to that every morning.
"Morning Rose." The raven said, voice slightly rough from sleep. She sat down and started eating her food and took a sip of coffee. "So, are you okay to go to school today?"
The blond stopped for a second, thinking. "Well, yeah. Of course I'm fine to. I'm not sick, I'm not injured, I'm not dead. I think that's grounds to go to school." She finished her coffee, stood up, and put her dirty dishes next to the sink. "I'm going to go get dressed. See you in about half an hour and then we'll leave."
She walked to her room and closed the door behind her, resting her back against the door. It's okay Rose. You only have to put up this whole 'I'm okay' act for another week or so. By then, mom will wake up, and my life will go back to normal again. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind and got dressed, trading in her sweatpants and oversized New York t shirt for a plain lavender shirt and black jeans. She pulled her brush through her hair, and put her thin black hair band in like she always did. "Alright. Time to not look like a zombie." Rose grabbed her makeup bag and pulled out all the usuals: Foundation, contour makeup, mascara, eyeliner, and of course, black lipstick. After her long process with overpriced pigment and brushes, she was finally satisfied with her appearance. Rose grabbed her black converse and and backpack and walked to the living room.
"Alright I'm ready!" Kanaya yelled. She walked out and Rose couldn't help but smile. Kanaya was only dressed in a simple band t shirt and jeans, but she still looked great to Rose.
"Let's go." Rose said. The girls grabbed their bags and left the house, heading towards school.
Not two seconds after walking into school, Kanaya saw Dave running up to her, a concerned look on his face. "Hey Dave. So, I guess you went to the hospital."
Dave gave a half-hearted chuckle. "Yeah… I just can't get over the reality of it. It sort of feels like a nightmare still. Like something weird will happen and I'll wake up and everything will be okay. Rose, how are you holding up?"
"What? Oh. I'm fine. I guess I feel the same as you. But a little different. Like a piece of my body is missing. Not stolen, not gone, just missing. If that makes any sense." Rose sighed, then changed her expression to something softer. "Anyway, I don't really want to talk about it right now. I heard you got Homecoming King for the sophomores. Congrats. Who was the Queen?"
"Oh. It was Jade. Karkat was more than a little jealous of her. I can't say I blame him, but I-"
"I was NOT jealous. I told you I just thought I saw you enjoying the King and Queen dance just a little too much. That's all." The short redhead had walked up behind Dave and grabbed his hand, holding him close.
He's jealous. Dave mouthed to the girls. The three of them laughed.
"Hey you guys!" a voice called. Kanaya looked behind Dave and Karkat to see a girl with long black hair and round glasses walking towards them.
"Hi Jade. I heard you were Homecoming Queen. That's cool. How are you?" Kanaya decided to try and make small talk with her, hoping to draw attention away from Karkat's increasingly red face. She didn't want anyone getting in a cat fight.
Jade smiled. "Oh thank you. It was kind of a surprise, but it was nice to have a chance to catch up with Dave again. It's been awhile since we were in the same class. Anyway, I'm good, but I actually came here to ask how you guys are." She turned to Rose. "I heard about what happened to your mom. I am so sorry that happened."
Rose stopped for a second. "How did you-"
"Well, I told you how my grandfather worked at Feferi's mansion. Since he was just 'the help', no one payed attention to the fact that he listened in on their conversations. Feferi's dad owns a wide range of business, such as hospitals. So, naturally, I figured out how to hack into their systems and keep track on patients, just in case I found something suspicious." Everyone looked shocked at Jade. Who knew such an innocent looking girl would do something like that? However, Jade didn't seem to notice the expressions, and continued. "I was perusing through the ER files, and I saw Lalonde come up, along with a description of the situation as it stood. So basically, I know about as much as you do on her status. But I digress, I want to help. I propose a fundraiser. The whole school can get involved. Does anyone have any ideas?"
Kanaya piped up before anyone else could. "While I think we all greatly appreciate your help, I don't really think the whole school should know about this. There's a lot of details we still don't know, and I don't want anyone jumping to conclusions."
"I understand. But, I can't let you just deal with this. I do want to help. Let me talk to Feferi's parents. Maybe I can get them to donate some money towards Ms. Lalonde's medical bills. It's the least I can do."
Kanaya, unsure of what to think, looked at Rose, who by now had turned an odd shade of pale-green. "Rose… are you alright."
Rose nodded, then looked up at Jade. "I appreciate that Jade. But, I don't think you should trust Feferi's parents. I don't want Feferi or Vriska to find out."
"Oh don't worry about that." Jade reassured them. "Feferi hardly talks with her parents because they're so busy. There's no was she could find out. So, knowing that, can I help you out?"
Kanaya nodded. "That sounds great. Both Rose and I really would like that. Thank you. Well, we should probably head to class. See you around?"
"Sure thing! See you later!" Jade waved and walked into the cafeteria.
"I hope that was okay that I said that Rose. I didn't know if you were going to respond at all." Kanaya said, feeling slightly guilty about the events in hindsight.
Rose shook her head. "No that's fine. I would have said the same thing, and I'm sure Dave would have too. Right Dave?"
Dave looked at Rose, his expression pretty stolid. "I agree. I think it would be great for the most powerful chick in school's family to help us out, without having her know. What do you think sis? I think it's a dumb idea and we shouldn't trust Jade. I think she's cool, but I don't know how much she really knows about Feferi. Maybe she's just like Feferi, and she'll turn around and tell the whole school. It was a bad call and I wish I had a chance to speak up. But someone wouldn't let me talk." He glared at Kanaya, or she would have imagined was glaring, since he had his shades on. "I'm going to class. See ya later." He grabbed Karkat's hand and they walked away.
Kanaya's eyes started watering. "I'm sorry Rose. I didn't think about anything. I just wanted to help. I can't stand seeing you upset because of your mom. I'm sorry." Before she gave Rose a chance to respond, Kanaya walked into the bathroom, leaving Rose alone in the hallway.
Like I said. It will pick up in a few chapters again. Until then, please leave your reviews and suggestions. I really appreciate them, and all of you who follow, favorite, and simply read this story. I wouldn't be writing this without you.
~Jane