Each Touch

The Best Friend, Broken

Today is a particular for two certain people. The birth of Dave Strider. Many memories have been recorded on this memorable day, a bond two friends have threaded and molded together; certainly the tradition will carry on. After all, they are friends.

John walked into his fourth hour class, fumbling with his phone as he stared at the date that was poking fun at him the moment it struck midnight. He took his seat and glanced at the time, setting his phone down and unzipping his backpack. A neatly wrapped box sat atop of his things, the red contrasting against the papers and books.

The box was a gift for Dave, after all it is his birthday. Giving it to Dave was another question though. They haven't spoken in two months, haven't seen each other for more than a few seconds at a time, they haven't even been in the same room!

"Hi John."

Blue eyes flicked upwards to see Aradia standing there, a big smile on her face. She was always the adventurous one, especially when confronting people and poking at the subject at hand. Aradia, unlike her sister, was very friendly and open to everyone.

"Hi Aradia." smiled John.

"What you got there?" she asked him.

"Oh uhh- just a gift."

"For who??"

He looked up at her with a weak smile, "Dave."

It was silly to get Dave a preset when they don't even see each other anymore, but he couldn't stop himself from doing so. Ever since they met at that soccer game, since Dave sent him that first gift and he to Dave, it's become a sort of natural habit. What was inside the box...Is something Dave probably would find ironic but-

"He doesn't eat lunch in the cafeteria anymore does he?" questioned Aradia, "He goes off with that Jade girl."

"I know." His heart felt a pang.

"Oh you can try afterschool. I see them in the cafeteria then, they're usually doing homework or whatever."

"Really??" asked John perking up.

"Yeah! I stay afterschool often and they're always there." she told him.

Maybe there was a chance.

---

"I'm telling you John, I don't like how Jade is hogging Dave." said Karkat grumbling as he ate.

"W-Well she isn't hogging him, she's just hanging out with him." replied John.

"Oh yeah, suuuure!!! Taking him away from you, being at his side all fucking day, and not even allowing him to spent more than two minutes with you to the point where you two are now complete strangers to each other. That sure isn't hogging him."

"She lived on an island, Karkat, I'm sure this is all because she likes having friends."

The blond squinted his red eyes at the other, brain not comprehending John's thought process in the slightest. What could he not see in Jade that made her irritable!? Sure she had a cute face and her eyes sparkled when she spoke, it's annoying how positive she is, the little jump in her step was adorable-- Karkat mentally slapped himself and paid his attention back to John. This little fucktart.

"Look just shut up. Jade is bad news," said Karkat, "Plus you saw him first."

John sighed as he ate his lunch; Jade meant no harm, she's having fun and she's happy, why would he want to ruin a girl's happiness. He looked over sat Karkat who was being mothered by Kanaya against his protests which fell useless. Karkat was right about a lot of things lately, but certainly he couldn't be right about this.

The seat next to him sat empty, a tense feeling was in its place. No one dared sit next to John with that seat, only because they had their own friends to sit with but because some knew how connected the two were and severing it over washed them with guilt. Not seeing the albino with him was a strange sight, even after two months.

---

The buses were clear of the school, people settling down in their respective areas of the after hours of the school day. A few kids hung out in the hall quietly, a few others assisting teachers; John was in front of the library trying to gather enough confidence to actually walk into the cafeteria to give Dave his present, even if it's just to give him his present it'd really reassure him that they were still...Friends.

His heart ached.

After calming the churning of his stomach and silencing the doubts in his head, he took a step forward and made his way to the cafeteria steadily. He took in deep breaths to clear his mind as his paces slowed nearing the cafeteria. I can do this, he thought to himself, I just need to give it to him.

The cafeteria doors were open and he braced for the best, a soft smile curling up on his face. But it soon faltered as he heard Jade's voice.

"I really like you Dave." said Jade.

"Yeah, yeah, you're fun to hang out with." replied Dave.

"No I mean- I like, like you Dave...I love you, please go out with me."

John could feel his heart stop as he heard what Jade had said, he peeked into the cafeteria and saw Jade prompted up, leaning towards Dave with her eyes closed and lips perked; Dave stood staring down at her with no reaction in the time John had looked. That was all it took to let him know. That was all it took to give him the biggest reality check of his life.

The red box fell to the ground as white converses ran off, a burning sensation pricked at his blue eyes as he ran out of the school and back home.

In all the while Dave had turned away from Jade, eyebrows scrunched together as he held a hand up. Jade had opened her eyes and looked at Dave, her head tilting as her face was slowly flushing pink.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I can't. I'm sorry," said Dave, "You're a cool girl, but my heart is captured by someone else."

He stared up at the ceiling, taking a deep breath before looking back down at Jade, "No hard feelings I hope."

Her lips were parted as she smiled, "I'm sorry too, I guess I got carried away. Jake had always said I do."

"Nah, you do what you do, don't let anyone stop you." he told her.

She nodded, "...I'll be with some friends tomorrow morning so...You can go..Back."

"Have fun."

Jade nodded and perked up, running over to her bag, "I was going to ask if you want to have a joint birthday party with Rose and I since today is your birthday."

"Oh..." trailed Dave, he had completely forgotten it was his birthday. John usually is the one to tell him Happy Birthday, "Yeah- my birthday, right...I have to decline, thanks though. Just tell Dirk to send the gifts to my place. I need to see someone."

Jade nodded and handed him a small box wrapped in green paper; Dave took it and nodded, thanking her. The two shuffled around, getting their things packed. Dave was the first one done, getting up and saying goodbye to Jade as he walked off.

As he walked out of the cafeteria, he stepped on something. It was a gift wrapped in red paper with black and white ribbons; Dave scrunched his eyebrows together and picked it up. John's handwriting was on the attached card. The blond's breath was caught in his throat; when did John come around here? Why was this left here? Why did he leave? What did he-

"Oh you're still here Dave." said Jade exiting the cafeteria.

"Hey..." trailed Dave holding the box with trembling hands, "I want the joint party after all."

"But-"

"He's busy. Don't worry..." he said taking in a deep breath, "I don't think he wants to see me anyways."