Karkat ==> Chapter 12

                                    

                                          
By the time dinner rolls around, everyone is finally present and seated at the table, awaiting the meal that Mrs. Lalonde, also known as Roxy, spent the afternoon preparing. You had the pleasure of meeting Calliope, Roxy's wife. She looks young; she almost looks too young to be married with kids. Her hair is a white blonde color and her eyes are a brilliant lime green. Calliope works as an animator for some Japanese production studio. That's where she met Dave's father, Dirk, who introduced her to Roxy. 
Dirk seems like a rather reclusive person, keeping a stoic expression around everyone. During your first meeting, he'd offered you a small smile at least 3 times. You're beginning to wonder if he knows. The problem is that none of you have told anyone your secret. You still can't deny the knowing looks he's been giving you.
Finally, you were introduced to Dirk's husband, Jake, who works with exotic animals. He's a rough and tumble sort of man who already has some grey mixed in with his jet black hair. He's nice enough, though, if not a bit ignorant.
The eight of you sit at the table, feasting on the roast Roxy prepared. You wouldn't say she's the cooking type, but it's still good to say the least. You don't pay much attention to the conversation, too observed in your food to keep up. You've only caught bits and pieces. Rose and Dave's jobs, politics, and Dave's abusive brother are the ones you'd really caught, though all of which seem to be sore subjects. 
As dinner was coming to a close, it was Kanaya's turn in the spotlight. She talked exuberantly about her schooling and her part time job at Forever 21 at the mall. She went on to tell them about how some of the higher ups recommended her a job as a designer rather than a clerk. Of course, you already knew all of this, so you began to tune out once again. That is until Roxy turned her attention to you.
"So, Karkat," she began, leaning forward in her seat. "Tell us a little more about you."
You glance up to find everyone's eyes on you. Swallowing thickly, you sit up straight. "I'm uh... I'm going to school to be a hairdresser."
Roxy's face lights up. "Really? Oh, speaking of that," she turns her attention to Dave. "Where on Earth did you get your hair done? Your bangs are crooked, you know. Not only that, but the red is uneven. There's too much on the left side and not enough on the right. I'm sure your girlfriend could fix that for you."
Dave's eyes widen a bit in shock and a twinge of anger as you cast your gaze downward. "Mom, Karkat did my hair."
Her eyes snap open and her jaw drops, immediately turning to you to apologize before you cut her off. "No, you're right. It's inexcusable, really. I'm a year in and I can't even do that right. It's simple things and..." You shake your head, glancing at Dave. "I'm sorry I ruined it. I wouldn't be offended if you got it fixed by a real hairdresser."
Dave vehemently shakes his head. "You are a real hairdresser. Baby, I love it. I swear. I'd have told you if I didn't."
You clear your throat and stand. "It's fine. Really. I'm going to excuse myself if you don't mind. I promised my mother I'd call. Thank you, Mrs. Lalonde. It was delicious." You turn and head out of the dining room, leaving a devastated Roxy behind you. 
Once you make it back to your room, you dig through your purse and produce your phone, dialing your mother's number and pressing send. You pace as you hold the phone against your ear, listening to the busy signal. You're about to hang up when she answers. "Karkat! I was so worried you wouldn't call! How have you been dear?"
You crack a small smile, pushing all the hurtful words from dinner down to fester inside you as you put on a cheerful voice. "Hey, mom. I've been good. I just wanted to wish you a happy early birthday."
"Thank you, sweetheart." You can practically hear the smile through the phone, but in her voice, you can sense an undertone of sadness.
"Hey, Mom?"
"Yes dear?"
"Kan hasn't called you, has he?" You ask, almost as more of a statement.
She sighs from the other end. "No, but he will. I know he will." She pauses again before asking, "Has he called you?"
"No, Mom. He hasn't really spoken to me since he moved out." You wince as you say that, the feelings of pain boiling in your blood.
"You're still coming to see me, aren't you? I want to make reservations so I need to know how many are coming. It'll just be the four of us, won't it? Well, six if you include Kankri and his boyfriend."
You glance over at Dave's selfie wall. "Seven."
"Seven?" She repeats to make sure she heard you correctly.
"Yeah, seven." You pause, hearing footsteps coming up the stairs. "Listen, I'll call you after I talk to Kan, okay?"
She sighs again, sounding disappointed that you have to go, "Okay, dear. I love you."
"I love you, too, Mom. Bye." You hang up, Dave walking in a moment later.
"Hey, are you okay?" He asks, walking over with a concerned look on his face.
You force a small smile. "Yeah, I'm okay."
"You know my mom didn't mean to hurt your feelings, don't you?" He asks worriedly.
You wrap your arms around his neck and hug him tightly. "I know. I think I'm going to go to bed early, though. It's been a long day."
He frowns as you pull away. "Okay. If you need me, I'll be downstairs."
You kiss his cheek and smile softly, nodding. "Alright. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," he says in a hushed tone, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
Pulling your phone back out, you walk over to the window, dialing your brother's number and once more pressing send. Yet again, you anxiously wait for him to answer. After five rings, he finally does. "Hello?"
"Hey, Kankri. It's uh... It's your brother."
"Brother?"
"Yeah. It's your brother, Karkat." You can sense his excitement as it radiates through the phone, though you yourself are grimacing. "I've been thinking a lot about what you said. I've decided to drop the whole girl thing. I want you to come to Mom's birthday dinner."
There's a long pause while he processes what you've said. "I'll be there."