Going the Distance (Homestuck Fanfic)

Chapter 2: In High School

"Did you hear about Kanaya and Rose?" Dave whispers to anybody who will listen in his seventh-hour drama class as Les Mis plays out in front of them. Almost everybody in that drama class is only there for their second art credit, unless they're just really devoted actors. Dave was a really devoted actor, but that's a 24/7 thing; he's always acting stoic and unemotional, hiding behind those shades.

Unbelievable, Karkat thinks to himself. This motherfucking douchenozzle is going to talk through my favorite part of Les Mis.

"I, uh, try not to get into their business too much," Tavros tries, and fails, to whisper back, resulting in a shhhhhh from Mrs. Serket. Tavros isn't in the class for acting or for credits. Tavros joined drama class to strengthen his self-esteem, and he stayed in it for his best friend.

Gamzee is suspended. Again. He came from a nice home, sure, but his family is one hundred percent weird. They're all really scary. His brother Kurloz has taken a vow of silence, and he has tattoos of lines going vertically over his mouth. Gamzee has never been to a psychiatrist in his life, and he most definitely needs one. It seems like he has multiple personality disorder or a bipolar disorder or something, because one minute he's the sweetest guy, and the next, he's beating people with blunt objects.

"Well, anyways, I hear Rose got into her mom's liquor and got smashed. Kanaya had to go nurse her girlfriend's hangover. That's why they aren't at school today," Dave continues.

"Nobody gives a flying fuck, dickwad," Karkat huffs.

By the time class is over, Dave is chuckling to himself and Karkat is crying at the finale of the movie. The bell rings and they walk out and into the hallway.

Feferi squeals as she and Sollux, followed by a groaning Eridan, exit the Home Ec room. Eridan and Feferi are neighbors, and they have been best friends for as long as they can remember. But recently, because of Feferi's new boyfriend, they've grown apart. Eridan has a crush on her, and he chose this day of all days to confess his feelings.

He pulls her aside, "Fef, I gotta tell you somethin' important, okay? Without lispy-tongue over here interruptin'."

"Sure, Eridan! What is it?" Feferi giggles.

Eridan leans against the locker with one arm, "It's just... I've got these feelins all eatin' away at my soul, and I was just wantin' to tell you that I... I really like you, Fef."

"I really like you too, Eridan!" Feferi was obviously clueless.

"No, like in the more-than-friends way, Fef."

Sollux, who had been eavesdropping, because he'd expected this to happen some time, marched over. "Fuck. No." He puts his arm protectively around Feferi.

"Eridan, you know I'm with Sollux now. And, to be honest, recently... Well, I haven't been feeling up to talking to you any more. I think you've gone completely negative, and I need happiness in my life right now. I don't think we should be friends any more."

"Yeah, ED, go ahead and scatter," Sollux chuckles and pulls Feferi away. Eridan's lip quivers. How will he ever make it home without crying or getting in a fight?

Tavros pulls out his phone and checks to make sure Gamzee remembered to come pick him up today. Gamzee has already texted him that he's waiting. Tavros smiles to himself and makes his way to Gamzee's inconveniently tiny, purple Volkswagen Beetle.
Today will probably be a good day.

Dave heads straight to John's locker, where John, Jade, Dave, and Rose usually all meet. Rose isn't there because she's 100% hung over, but the rest of the gang is. "You guys want to come to my house and hang out?" They accept his invitation, and start walking to Dave's apartment."

Karkat waits outside the school for his brother Kankri to pick him up. When he gets in the car, he has to ignore whatever Kankri is ranting about this time.He stares out the window and only looks back when they drive past two dark-haired kids and one blonde douchebag.