The Tree in the Forest

Chapter Eight

                                     ~~~

  Today was the day. You were going to tell him that you wanted to go to that stupid dance with him. Not as a wingman, but as a date.

  Your stomach felt nonexistent. You were nervous and shaking, unsure of how to get the words out. Nonetheless, you would do it.

  You didn't bring anything up until lunch. During lunch you could bring him over to a corner and talk to him in your own.

  "Hey, Karkat. I need to ask you something," You mumbled.

  "What?" He asked, the noise in the lunchroom almost drowning out even his voice.

  "I need to talk to you. Can we go to the corner really quickly. It's kind of important," You said, louder this time. Please work, please work.

  "If it's that important than I'm sure you want me to be able to hear you over all of these idiots. Come on," He rolled his eyes, grabbing your arm and leading you somewhere. You just kept looking at the hand on your arm, wanting it to slide down to your hand. He led you into the bathroom and let go of you.

  "What?" He said. You went over your lines again in your head and took a deep breath in.

  "Uh, good idea. Getting out of there will make this much easier," You mutter, avoiding the subject. Stupid!

  "Uh-huh. I know I'm a genius, now spill it," he demanded. You fiddled with your fingers before inhaling deeply again. Your stomach was on fire.

  "Um, you see, well. . .God, you're going to think this is weird. Uh, well, I-I kind of w-wanted to ask if y-you wanted to-" You started. You were cut short by a loud ringing.

  Fucking school bells.

  "We've gotta go. You should've spit it out. What? Did you murder someone?" Karkat teased. You should've just said it.

  "Nah, I'll tell you after school. Meet up with me before you go home," You said. Yes, a second chance.

  "Sure, bye. And actually finish what you were gonna say this next time," He calls, heading to his locker, leaving you to go to yours.

You beat yourself up about it all throughout the rest of the day. That was so stupid! You couldn't even get it out of your face! You should've spit it out and dealt with the consequences.

You wanted to scream, but you obviously couldn't. The school would be pissed if you did.

You kept your cool on the outside, but that didn't stop your insides from realizing what a stupid fucker you were. Seriously, he gave you the opportunity and you just didn't take it! You're a complete idiot.

You tried to do your school work without breaking the pencil under the unforgiving death grip you had on it.

You're going to do it after school and you're not getting out of it.

~<>~

School ends and you gladly shove your things in your backpack, trying to avoid the sick feeling that was crushing you.

You pulled your backpack over your shoulder and walked out of the Seminar room. You hadn't noticed how badly your hands were sweating. You wiped them on your pants quickly.

"Hey, what was it that you needed to tell me?" Karkat asked you when you met him outside of the school.

"Can we head down the street? It's personal so. . ." You mumbled, hoping that you weren't blushing, despite the heat on your face.

"Yeah, sure," He answered, starting to walk down the street. You used this free time to go over what you were going to say again. You were going to do it this time.

"Alright, we're down the street. No one that knows you is down here and this place is pretty much a ghost town. Tell me this time," Karkat said when you got down the street.

"Okay," You suck in a breath "So, are you going to that dance at the end of this week?"

Ugh! Brain, what the fuck?!

"Uh, yeah. Dad wants me to," He answered. "Why?"

"Um, please don't think I'm gross because of this. Please. Do you promise?" You squander for something to say.

"Yeah, whatever. What is so bad that I'm never going to want to talk to you again?" He replied.

"Do you want to go. . .to that dumb fucking dance with me," You probably looked ridiculous. You were probably blushing like your blood was made of hot metal that was burning your skin.

"Uh. . ." Karkat didn't have an answer. Fucking great. Now he thinks that you're some weird pervert, doesn't he?

  "I, uh, don't know if I'm going with anyone at all," He trailed off. Goddammit, he hates you now.

  You stayed silent, looking down, not wanting to look up. You didn't want him to see your cheeks, which were burning with embarrassment. He couldn't see your eyes behind your shades, which was good considering that they were probably full of tears. Why couldn't you just be normal? Why did you have to like a guy? Why Karkat?

  "I have to head home. Dad'll get angry if I'm not home soon," Karkat mumbled quietly. He waved a little as he headed off without you. You waved pathetically, barely raising your arm up. He turned around and started walking away.

  You waited until he was out of sight to turn around yourself and head towards the apartment.

  Hold it together until you get home, you told yourself.

  After a moment, you started running. You just wanted to get home. You didn't want to talk to anyone. You wanted to hide from the world and never be seen again.

  When you got home, you slowed down, walking into the lobby of the building. You waved to Ms. Peregrine, the lady that brings the mail by, like you normally did, trying to make it seem like nothing was wrong.

  You sped up the stairs and yanked your key from your pocket, shoving it into the keyhole. You turned it quickly and barely kept yourself from slamming the door shut.

  You went to your room without doing anything beforehand. You didn't want to. You don't ever want to do anything ever again.

  You opened your bedroom door and threw your backpack to the side. You slammed the door and laid on your bed, shoving your face into your pillow.

  You didn't know that this is what heartbreak feels like. If you told Bro, he'd tell you that your a little kid and you'd get over it. It didn't feel like you would, though.

  You let yourself cry for the first time in a while. You didn't cry often and now you couldn't stop.

                                    ~~~

Oh man. Poor Dave.

What are your guys' thoughts on how Karkat reacted? Reminder that they are 11 years old in this chapter (well Dave is 12)

But do you think that Karkat reacted in a reasonable way for his age?

Also, Dave doesn't deal with rejection very well. He gets really upset when he's rejected bc he feels like it was him not being good enough and when that happens to relationship setting then it gets pretty damn serious

Anyways, this chapter was needed. Goodbye, my lovely readers!

~Ghostie