Outcasts

24: Contemplation

Chapter 24

Yo! I decided to update, mainly because I have something super cool to tell you at the end of this chapter, and hopefully I remember to do so by the time I finish writing it! I decided to continue, mainly because I can never turn down the Nepeta Leijon.

To be or not to be, that is always the question. In my case, it's more like "To Eridan or to Gamzee, that is the question". I had only been kissed by three boys in my entire life: a kid that was dared to do so in second grade, Eridan, and Gamzee. And only two of them has done it more than once.

This entire fiasco was all I could think about as the bus pulled to a stop and let people off and on. Only a few more to go and I would be standing in front of the apartment complex that housed the wonderful Strider family. 

As soon as I separated myself from everyone a the carnival yesterday, I had sent a quick call for help to the eldest of the Striders via text. Dirk had ever so graciously texted back only a few minutes later (by then I was being handed the bright pink candy floss that Kankri had offered to buy for me) and invited me over to the Strider abode the next day. Which was today.

In a few minutes, I was at the designated stop where Dirk had said he was going to meet me. I didn't see anyone even remotely familiar and I've never been inside the Strider residence so I couldn't tell which building Dirk lived in. 

I felt someone tap my shoulder as I nervously played on my phone. I was almost panicking a bit in case I had missed my spot and I was entirely lost with no one to actually help me get out. I didn't want to see Eridan or Gamzee or anyone else that I had recently told about my situation. Kankri could help, but I was in no mood for a lecture.

Turning around, I saw a Strider. But not the Strider I really wanted to meet at the bus stop.

Dave Strider was probably the epitome of the Strider gene. The same could be said for Dirk and possibly their guardian, but Dave was in my year, so it's a bit different. Blonde hair, eyes covered by dark glasses and a lean body, he had always been taller than me since fifth grade. The reason why he was here at the bus stop was something I had little idea about.

"Sup," he said, raising a hand in greeting. "Dirk couldn't come to see you today because he got a last minute call for something he wouldn't talk about. Said he wanted me to come and become your personal guidance councellor or something."

"That explains why you're here and he's not, I guess..." I muttered. That was all that was passed between us as he made me follow him to the Strider apartment. 

It was complete hell. You know that show "Big Bang Theory", where they basically live in Los Angeles and they had no working elevator? Well, that's sorta what their apartment was like. Just, not in LA and they didn't live on the fourth or fifth floor of the building. We had to walk all the way to the top, with no working elevator, and Dave didn't even break a sweat. Then there's me, panting and wishing death upon every living thing as we finally reached his floor.

"This is us. Bro isn't here so it'll be just you and me. If you mind the mess and sit on the couch, I'll see if there's something I can get you to drink or whatever," he said. He just casually walked into the apartment, showing that he didn't even lock the door on his way out to get me, and I followed in after him.

The inside of the apartment was... questionable? Weird? It's hard to find the right word because how would you explain an apartment building that had nice furnishing but stuffed toys with better butts than yourself on said furniture? Maybe it's on the same line as casually sexual.