Last D8 of 8th Gr8de

Last Date of Eighth Grade

a Homestuck fanfiction by nachrichtenDance (TopfSecret)

SCENE 1

EXT. SMPN 413 JAKARTA – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

An establishing shot shows a school courtyard typical of an Indonesian public school – in this case, a prestigious school nestled in the south of the country’s capital. The school building is laid out in a U-shape, with a gapura completing the square. It frames a row of colorful plants, which themselves frame the mixed-sport court in a kaleidoscope of dizzying colors that seem to sizzle under the merciless glare of the Jakartan sun.

The shot then zooms into the third floor, where students from other classes pour out into the corridors, ready to go home, hang out with friends, or have the last of club activities for the semester… but we don’t care about that.

Our camera will instead enter the door to a noisy classroom – Class VIII-8, to be exact, whose students are dying to join their comrades. Invariably ready to flush out all the materials they have studied the past year and allocate the brain space for holiday matters instead, such as a trip to Dufan, or mudik to their hometown, or the shows they’ve been neglecting to watch, or social media, or… anything else, really!

Anything but this!

INT. CLASS VIII-8 – 15:05

The camera does a clean single-shot of the front of the class, where VIII-8’s Class Vice-President, the heiress Feferi, smiles brightly to her subjects… I mean, classmates. She has tastefully-dyed non-regulation brown hair, though she gets away with the color due to people assuming it comes from her half-European heritage. Her school shirt is a bit form-fitting, with its short sleeves cut from its original near-elbow length to half her upper arm, while her skirt stops two inches under her knee, which is the shortest skirt allowed for a student of SMPN 413 Jakarta. Feferi also wears colorful hair clips - following the newest social media trend of K-pop inspired Y2K - and slightly-shimmery pink lips from a “makeupless” brand lip gloss, as well as slip-on shoes and ankle socks, all which are also against school rules, but, she also gets away with it. Look, teachers are too overworked and underpaid, alright? Oh? They’re bribed by Feferi’s mom? Her mom funded the school to upgrade its facilities? Well, then.

Anyways.

Behind her, Feferi is framed by the whiteboard, which has been cheesily “decorated” to have a big heart drawn with her pink markers (she has multiple shades, she can afford them), while the Indonesian President and Vice President look down placidly to the disaster below.

On the left side of the class, on the teacher’s desk, sits Karkat, the Class President, who just wants to leave, but really, Feferi is the one with the sway. The Class President of VIII-8 perpetually looks like he is carrying the weight of the world (he also has scoliosis, which is pretty close). In truth, Karkat lost to Feferi in the Class Presidential Race, but the school rules forbid girls to be on the class’ and school-senate’s top position, so, while he got the Class President seat, he’s mad about it because he didn’t “earn it like a true leader”.

FEFERI

(Cheerful)

Calm down, everyone, don’t go home yet, don’t go yet! Don’t turn off the AC yet either, Sollux! I know the bell’s rung, but I still have something to give you all before we go our separate ways in the 9th grade!

On the far side of the class, closest to the door (thus is her luck of the seating-arrangement draw) is Vriska, Class VIII-8’s Treasurer and first-ranked amongst students in their year. The principal’s daughter and a South Jakarta native, she has luxurious custom uniform – it’s shaped the same as some of the other students’, with long sleeves and a high collar both embroidered in intricate patterns, but instead of other students’ dark blue, it’s a silvery blue like the frame of her glasses, which would look almost holographic when hit by direct light. Her skirt is regulation-long, ending just above the ankles, her regulation-white socks cover what isn’t covered by her skirt, and her regulation-black shoes are polished mary-janes that she would get beaten by her mother for not polishing. Her mother also tells her to tie back her curls to prevent her precious daughter from tempting boys who would break her, but Vriska isn’t fragile! She thinks she can let it cascade down her shoulders and warm her back, searing 35°C heat be damned. Her mother can’t watch her at all times, and it is her hair!

VRISKA

(rolls her eyes)

Give us what? People in this class, like, can’t even afford to pay 10k a week for our class savings.

FEFERI

Don’t worry, my mom paid for these!

VRISKA

(leans back to the wall and looks at the trash can in front of her)

Of coooooooourse.

JADE

(in a low voice, directly to Vriska, she frowns, almost a pout)

Not everyone’s made of money! Don’t be mean!

Jade, second-ranked in their year – whose family (yes, including Bec!) moved from her village in Sumatra to the metropolitan city two years ago to get a better life for their brilliant-minded daughter – drew the short end of the stick of sitting next to Vriska in the beginning of this semester. Her pleading with Feferi and Karkat to let the class have another seating-arrangement draw has been ignored at best and shot down at worst because those two already have seatmates they like. When she came here, she thought the culture shock of being rural and Christian in an urban Islam-dominant environment, and her narcolepsy, and the exacting standards of a prestigious school, was bad enough… but she was ignorant! She hasn’t yet met Vriska!

Vriska mocks her narcolepsy, her acne scars, her frizzy hair (it’s straight, really, but it’s not like she can afford hair care here… she looks in envy at Vriska’s well-maintained tresses, and how she always smells like expensive soap, or perfume, or is it both? She doesn’t know anything about that stuff). Makes fun of her “ kampungan” low ponytail and round glasses, her used phone, the OSIS emblem on her belt instead of the symbol of SMPN 413 Jakarta, her holey shoes, her remembering-rubber-bands… Vriska snitches on their teachers whenever she falls asleep and gets her yelled at, elbows her during PE, peeks at her phone, and even pulls on the bands, no matter how much Jade tries to get her to stop. It all seems like a tactic to get to Jade, and maybe even make her fall off the race to the valedictorian seat! She won’t let that happen.

VRISKA

(looks up to the ceiling and makes a derisive sound between a scoff and a sigh)

Yeah, yeah! Whatever.

The camera suddenly jolts towards the door, where someone is already ready to leave, sleepy eyes ready to droop even further-

KARKAT

(runs to them and drags them back to their seat with one hand because his other hand is holding 40 sheets of A3 paper)

Come back here! We’re not done yet.

As soon as they sit down (in the very back, first from the right, or the same side as Vriska’s and Jade’s seat), Karkat grumpily passes the paper from there, one by one, from the back to the front. When he gets to the middle column, first row, and right seat, Dave receives the paper from Karkat.

DAVE

(tips his peci , then gives Karkat finger guns)

Thanks.

Karkat nods. He then looks at the clock on the wall and lets out a small groan. Dave turns to the right side, where she is already looking at him – Vriska makes vomiting gestures behind Jade. Jade smiles weakly as Karkat puts the sheet of paper on her desk. Dave shoots her a sympathetic look.

DAVE

(whispers, leaning towards Jade)

Eat in Warung Mas Butet later? My treat.

Yes, it’s cliched and cheesy for the man to pay for the woman when they eat together, and even Mas Butet – the food seller on the stall just outside school grounds – will comment on it, but really, Dave only does it ironically.

JADE

(perking up in posture, then whispers, with a widening smile)

Yeah!

FEFERI

(loudly and merrily)

Has everyone gotten their paper?

STUDENTS

(varied “yes”, from mumbles to moans to shouts)

FEFERI

Okay, everyone! Write your name on the center of the paper, and then pass it around from the right to the left, front to back! When your friend’s paper gets to your desk, write your honest opinion about them, or give them advice, or well-wishes! Or all of it, really. We’re going to be in ninth grade soon, so we need to greet next year with our head held high!

KARKAT

(groans in the most dramatic way known to anyone on Earth, then snarky)

Yes! Can we get it over with? That’s an order. This whole thing was your idea. I’ll help you but it’s been fifteen fucking minutes since the bell rang. I hate to be stuck one more second in this hellhole.

FEFERI

(grins and grabs Karkat’s hand)

Yes! Now we’re going to return to our seats! Let’s go, Crabcatch!

Feferi and Karkat return to their respective seats.

FEFERI

Three… two… one… pass! Don’t look at other people’s papers!

The camera moves to a top-down shot of the whole class. Sound effects of pens being clicked, marker caps popped off, and the scratch of stationery tips on A3 drawing paper, fill the class as students write their names. The camera then zooms in to Dave’s, Jade’s, and Vriska’s papers one by one. Dave writes in apple-red ink, his writing understated; Jade in light green, her strokes excited; and Vriska in cerulean, her penmanship bold.

The camera shows Vriska passing her paper to Jade. Someone from the back passes their paper to Vriska. Then, we see the class in full once more. A tracking shot from a slightly high angle views the class’ varied reactions to this tried-and-true tradition. The eighth graders talk and laugh among each other. Peeking to each other’s papers or asking to see them. There are semi-loud questions about whether or not a classmate has a pen in a certain color, whines about running out of ink, murmurs of what they’re currently writing, and even some music from students who couldn’t be bothered to wear earphones. Some students, like Nepeta, decide to draw on their friends’ papers, humming a song all the way. Even Feferi and Karkat are talking animatedly to their classmates. Karkat’s silver pen drips ink on the table and he facedesks, groaning once more like it was the end of the world. There’s even the sound of perfume spraying – someone inexplicably puts perfume on their friends’ papers, blotting out a considerable amount of space with water. It’s good that the Class President and Vice President prepared thick A3 ones!

The camera finally returns to the front row. There, Jade passes her paper to Dave, who tips his peci again, head tilted low – and she can see his eyes peeking out of his shades, sensitive but sharp, framed by long eyelashes. Unlike Karkat, though, Jade smiles at the gesture – at his eyes, so rare they are to see in full. Jade’s cheeks warm up…

Then Jade gets an idea. The base of her palm nudges Dave’s jutting knee before she puts all her fingers together on said knee, presses, then spreads her fingers out. Dave tries to keep a flat face, gripping on his face to stop himself from shaking, but Jade repeats the tickling gesture in a softer touch, like feathers, and Dave couldn’t help the laughter softly soaring in his chest and leaving from the tiny gaps between his pursed lips! Yet! He won’t give up! He can’t be defeated!

Dave takes off his peci and dunks it on top of Jade’s head, sending a small giggle-shriek as the cool air of the AC on her head is suddenly blocked. Faster than he could push it down to cover her eyes, Jade pinches Dave’s arm. He bursts out laughing, and she follows, like birdsong-

VRISKA

(derisively, makes vomiting noises)

Could you two stop making out and start filling out these papers? And Dave, seriously, stop letting Jade touch you. She’s not muhrim.

DAVE

(puts his peci back on his head, flat affect)

Am I supposed to act like this is a mosque or something. I think I missed the memo.

JADE

(firmly, clenching her green pen)

Shut it, Vriska! I’ll write on your paper now!

As much as she hates Vriska’s bullying, Jade doesn’t think she’s all bad…

The camera zooms in on Jade’s head.

SCENE 2

EXT. AND INT. OF SMPN 413 JAKARTA – SCHOOL HOURS

A montage with a dreamy filter replays the time Vriska shoves her, elbows her, tickles the back of her neck… and most recently, when Vriska pulls on the colorful bands on her fingers. Her heart stops. It’s like Vriska’s touch is electric. Is it? 

She couldn’t hear what Vriska said to make fun of the colors, or her bad memory. All she could hear was her heartbeat, and all she could see was the way Vriska’s hands move, the way it makes her ache. Those hands are dainty, the fingers soft, unlike her own so callused from housework – how will it feel? Does Jade want to try holding Vriska’s hand, the way she holds hands with Dave at recess when the teachers aren’t looking? His hands and arms are like hers. Rough and scarred. He knows how it feels to struggle with that stuff. Vriska doesn’t.

So why? Jade asks herself. First off, Vriska hates her. Second off, Jade shouldn’t like Vriska, because it doesn’t work that way! Girls like boys and marry boys, not other girls. Being homosexual is against God’s rules. And her parents would kick her out… It's bad enough that she can’t tell them that she likes Dave . Even when she likes a boy, he could get her kicked out if her parents found out they’re backstreeting , what if they get married and she has to convert to his religion, or him to hers, what is his Bro going to think? And, and the Principal, what’s she going to say if she finds out a girl, and a Christian, is crushing on her daughter? And what will Dave think, if he knows she likes Vriska too? Is it a sin to want to have both? Is it cheating? Is she cheating on Dave? But they’re not even officially dating, either… but do they have to be official? Jade knows she has his back, and Dave hers. But Vriska… she seems to not like Dave hanging out with Jade, either… Does she look down on them both for their lower class? Or for their different faiths?

Or…

What if Vriska liked her back and was jealous of Dave?

Her mind goes further back, to when she chose to participate in the National Physics Olympiad. Vriska, of course, tried it too. She thought they could support each other, especially when they studied in the Science Club together with all the others from this school… but no! She had to mess up Jade’s chances in the national level competition! It was so satisfying when she got her revenge…

The camera fades back into the real world. Jade shakes her head. This is really messing with her focus. The view then moves towards Dave, who looks upon Jade with concern, pausing his writing on Kanaya’s paper.

DAVE

(leans to Jade, low voice)

Jade, you okay?

JADE

Yeah, just… thinking about a lot! Maybe it’s just everything coming to a head.

DAVE

We can talk about it in the warung ?

JADE

I’d love that!

Still, it’s hard for Jade to keep her mind off what Vriska would write, even as she wrote stuff for her best friends John and Rose…

Vriska, on the other hand, has to wait for the entire class until she can write on Jade’s paper. So she half-heartedly writes on the others’. Then, the camera zooms into Vriska’s head…

SCENE 3

INT. VRISKA’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Vriska’s house is luxurious, vast, and antiquated, giving the impression of a museum. Resplendent in various shades of blue and brown, with wooden carvings inspired by traditional Betawi architecture, and intricate sculptures that show off the family’s wealth. The office of Vriska’s mother is no exception. She is sitting on her throne-like chair, while Vriska sits on the “guest” chair, an elegant, polished desk between them.

VRISKA’S MOTHER

(sternly)

Vriska, dear, what’s this I heard about you not making it to the national-level competition of the National Physics Olympiad?

VRISKA

(looks down at her feet)

I tried my best, Mother. I swear I did. I studied really hard, every day, alone and with Ms. Fang and with the Science Club, I don’t know why I failed!

VRISKA’S MOTHER

(stands up and slaps her, shouting)

Don’t raise your voice with me!

VRISKA

(bites her lips)

I apologize, Mother.

VRISKA’S MOTHER

(sits back down, leans back, puts her hand on her chest, and mutters)

Astaghfirullah, astaghfirullah, astaghfirullah.

(sighs, leaning forward to caress the part of Vriska’s cheek that she just hit)

God, please have mercy on me. I hate it when this happens, I hate it when I have to lose my patience like this. I’m just concerned about you, honey. I don’t want to be the bad guy who has to resort to hitting you.
(sighs)

Did anyone else in the Science Club make it?

VRISKA

(purses her lips, trying to steady her breaths)

Jade was the only one from SMPN 413 who made it.

VRISKA’S MOTHER

(raises an eyebrow)

Jade? That scholarship girl from your class?

VRISKA

Yes, Mother.

VRISKA’S MOTHER

(sucks in a breath, before saying snidely)

She’s just a girl from a village, who can’t even afford a private tutor like Ms. Fang, and yet she made it? I can’t believe this! And isn’t she the one with narcolepsy? Who sleeps in class all the time?

VRISKA

Yes, Mother.

VRISKA’S MOTHER

(massages her temple and the bridge of her nose)

Then what’s your excuse?! She has an illness and it doesn’t stop her from making it to the national stage! You need to pull yourself together, dearest daughter. I’ll arrange it so that you and Jade will have tutoring sessions together, maybe you can learn a thing or two from her! Losing out to some poor girl from the middle of nowhere… so shameful. You’re an embarrassment to the family, Vriska.

VRISKA

But Mother-

VRISKA’S MOTHER

What? Don’t interrupt me.

VRISKA

You’re always telling me to avoid her because she’s a Christian.

VRISKA’S MOTHER

Maybe you should try to convert her .

VRISKA

(taken aback, sputtering)

Mom, I can’t do that!

VRISKA’S MOTHER

(sighs)

You useless, brainless child. Maybe it’s not your studying that’s the problem. Maybe God just doesn’t bless you because you don’t have my blessing. It’s always been your problem. You refuse to wear a hijab even though you’re almost fourteen. You don’t tie your hair back no matter how much I told you to, do you want me to shave all your hair off?

VRISKA

(bends to make herself smaller and puts her arms over her hair to protect herself)

Please, no!

VRISKA’S MOTHER

Stop talking back to me and defying me! From now on, you’ll have to sit with Jade and follow her example in studying! Who’s your class president? I’ll make sure you get the same seat as that girl.

VRISKA

Karkat Vantas.

VRISKA’S MOTHER

(firmly)

Very well. It will be done. Now, go do your prayer and do some introspection on why you’ve failed. In high school, you need to do better and make it to the national stage, or I’ll take your phone away.

The scene fades away to Vriska in the real world. 

INT. CLASS VIII-8 - AFTERNOON

The memory causes her to feel shame all over, heating her form and stiffening her posture. She can’t take it. She can’t. She keeps hearing her mother’s voice echo in her head, stop it stop it stop it, she needs to run away, to scream, to hug herself, to—!

Vriska jolts when Rose, the girl who sits behind her, pokes her on the shoulder.

ROSE

Vriska, do know that Jade’s paper has been with you for a minute now. Terezi has passed it to you, but you seem like you did not notice. Care to tell me why it is?

Beside her, Jade stiffens. She clenches her fist around her pen and squeezes her eyes shut, facing pointedly at Dave, who reassuringly strokes her shoulder and arm.

VRISKA

(weakly)

Thanks, Rose. But no thanks.

Vriska looks at Jade’s paper - it’s full of writings from the other 38 students, and even a cute drawing from Nepeta and others. Vriska turns the paper around and sees a whole empty space. She takes a deep breath, steeling herself, and writes down her message.

SCENE 4

INT. CLASS VIII-8 - 15:35

FEFERI

Okay, has everyone gotten their own paper again?

STUDENTS

(murmurs of “yes”es in a variety of wording, formality, and sincerity, though it is really dominated by sarcastic and bored and impatient ones)

In the background, most of the class eagerly fold or scrunch their papers and shove them into their bags, excited for the holidays and/or pissed about how they’re not even out of school despite the bells having rung 30 minutes ago, while Feferi frantically says goodbye to each of them.

In the foreground, Jade falls asleep, dropping onto Vriska’s shoulder. Vriska jolts and shrieks - shoulders rising and eyes widening - Jade’s head slides down onto her lap!

VRISKA

(whines, pushing Jade off her lap - if her skin was lighter, she would’ve had a visible blush)

Fuck! As if I don’t deal enough with her lazy ass just falling asleep every hour, ugh!

But before Jade could hit the head on the floor, Dave’s quick thinking got him to push his backpack towards that, and thankfully, Jade’s head is nestled on it. Thank god it was PE today and Dave’s sports uniform inside softens said bag.

DAVE

(glares at Vriska)

You really don’t know how to treat her, do you? What if she hit her head on the floor and got injured?

VRISKA

(glares back at Dave)

And that’s my problem, how? It’s not my fault she can’t even stay awake properly! And I don’t want to touch her! Maybe you can, since you two are soooooooo lovesick for each other! I’m so sick of looking at you two holding hands and joking around and touching each other like you’re already married! Especially you, Dave.

DAVE

Why don’t you report us to the teachers then? They love you like they’re a dragon and you’re the hoard, and anyone who reports bullying to you are knights in shining armor who got roasted by dragon-fire.

VRISKA

(voice rising)

I- I don’t have to explain myself to you, you creep!

Vriska scrambles to her feet and dusts her skirt dramatically. Snatches her paper off the floor. With a last murderous glare at Dave, she puts her paper inside her bag and stalks out of the classroom.

FEFERI

(from near the door, looking in concern at Vriska, then at Jade)

Dave? Sorry about Vriska… Will Jade and you be okay?

DAVE

Yeah, we will. You know how it is with narcolepsy. But as long as she’s not asleep in the middle of trying to bend space-time, she’ll be fine.

FEFERI
(nods)

That’s good! That’s good. Take care of her! And don’t forget to lock the classroom doors, okay?

DAVE

No problemo.

Feferi waves him goodbye. He tips his peci at her, earning him a small smile from the class vice-president. The camera watches her leave with a spring in her step.

After that, the camera returns to Dave and Jade. Dave looks longingly at her, hand reaching, wishing he could stroke her hair, but he holds himself back, and starts fidgeting with his necktie.

DAVE

(low voice, looking at Jade)

You know, I think Vriska is jealous of me. That’s how Bro acts when he sees his clients hang out with other people. Bro doesn’t hide that he likes other guys, though. Or that he dates multiple people at the same time. It’s like he always knew what he wanted. I don’t think I want to be like him in most ways, but sharing love can’t be bad, can it?

Jade continues sleeping, soft snores accentuating her breaths, the slow rise and fall of her body. Dave yearns, yearns, yearns to sleep beside her, to be closer than they’ve ever been. He settles with scrunching his tie harder.

DAVE

(takes off his peci, and brushes his mop of hair back)

Vriska… she doesn’t know she wants to be with you, seems like she’s caught up in it being a sin. I don’t mind sharing you with someone else. But Vriska? She bullies you a lot. I don’t know if I want that. Do you? I see the way you look at her and act around her. Vriska is mean, but is that not how crushes are described in novels and comics and stuff? Makes you so mad with love, you don’t know what to do with yourself, so you lash out? That never happened with me and you. But it happened with Eridan last year. You weren’t in the same class as him and thank god he’s not in our class now. But he was insufferable when he was in love.

Slowly, Jade stirs into wakefulness, turning around to face Dave.

DAVE

(puts his peci back on and tips it again)

Hey, Jade. Welcome back to the world of the living. It’s been pretty dead without you.

JADE

I… kinda heard of some of the things you said.

DAVE

Which part did you hear?

JADE

(rises to a sitting position, and leans on the wall of her previous place before falling asleep)

About Vriska. You think… She likes me the way I like you? And she’s jealous of you?

DAVE

(nods)

Yeah, I think so. But it could be a bit different. Remember when you two were preparing for the National Physics Olympiad?

JADE

I remember. She was so mad that I made it to the next round and she didn’t. So she stole my meds and made me fall asleep during the competition! What a jerk!

DAVE

Yeah. And you yelled at her good after that. That was great to see.

JADE

My parents were so disappointed. She didn’t get any consequences, just because she was the principal’s daughter!

DAVE

I think maybe you should join the Olympiad in high school. I think you’ll do amazingly if you could go to a school separate from her. But I don’t think you want that… am I right to guess you like her too?

JADE

Dave, I…

DAVE

Hey, I don’t judge. You heard me talk about Bro, right? He has a lot of girlfriends and boyfriends. And look at me, I turned out great.

JADE

I don’t want you to feel like I’m cheating on you! Or like I love you less. I really don’t want to lose you.

DAVE

Nah. I’m mostly just worried about you since she’s so mean to you. Are you sure you like like her?

JADE

Not really. Not now! I want her to treat me better first!

DAVE

Cool, cool. If you want me to record you yelling at her again, tell me.

JADE

Okay. I’ll confront her today. You’ll be with me?

DAVE

Every yell of the way.

JADE

(looks down, her voice small)

If that went well… if Vriska actually liked me instead of just being a jerk because she hates me… what about our faith? What if… what if we’ll go to hell?

DAVE

(deadpan)

I’d say sitting next to Vriska for the entirety of a semester is already like being tortured in hell.

JADE

(mock scandalized)

Dave!

DAVE

(lowers his shades to wink at her)

We’ve also been racking up sins since we started backstreeting like it’s some kind of cheesy soap opera that wouldn’t end even if the episodes have become genre-bending bullshit with fake identities and secret twins and exorcisms. The Muslim boy and the Christian girl, really cheesy star-crossed lovers shit, doomed to be apart because interfaith marriage is legal nationally but not legal in any religion unless I can convert you… What's one more doomed sinful relationship?

JADE

(laughs)

Maybe you’re right!

DAVE

(sighs softly)

I hope I am.

Jade and Dave enjoy the companionable silence, leaning on each other. After a while, Dave folds his paper, shoves it between his textbooks, and slings his backpack on his back. Then, he stands up, offering a hand to Jade.

DAVE

Ready to give Vriska and her writing a good takedown?

JADE

Of course!

Jade folds her paper into a very small square and puts it inside her shirt’s breast pocket. She takes Dave’s hand, takes her bag, and they leave the class together, locking the door behind them.

SCENE 5

INT. CORRIDOR IN FRONT OF CLASS VIII-8 - AFTERNOON

And then the camera moves to the figure waiting a few meters next to Class VIII-8, leaning on the railing.

JADE

(shocked)

Vriska! You’re still here?!

VRISKA

(turns around, trying to hide her nerves by acting tough)

Yeah, of course I’m still here, sleepyhead. I wanted to see your reaction to what I wrote on your paper.

Jade sighs deeply. God knows what awful things Vriska wrote on it. Squaring her shoulders to make her look steadier than she feels, she resolutely unfolds her paper. No sign of Vriska’s writing on the side with her name… but she can see the cobalt-blue ink seeping through. She turns the paper over and sees the obnoxiously large writing of her seatmate.

JADE

(deep breath, before reading out loud)

Dear Jade. I’m sorry for treating you like shit since I first met you. When I found out you’d be in my class in 8th grade, I was pretty excited! Because I’d meet my match! And we’re both in the Science Club last year… I’ve been looking at you a lot. Did you notice? I thought you were really smart, really pretty, you really can’t get out of my mind!!!!!!!!

But my mom told me not to get close to you. She really thinks that people with other religions would try to convert me to their beliefs. Kinda stupid, now that I think of it! Because you have never tried to convert me or anyone else. Not even your boyfriend. It makes me think… If Dave can make it work even though he’s a Muslim like me, can I make it work? Can we have a three-people relationship? But even the gay people I see think it’s a bad thing… They say if you have more than one partner, you can’t be trusted.

And the other problem is that he’s a guy and I’m a girl, and we know our religions both say it’s a sin to be homosexual gay lesbian! I don’t even know if you’re like me, because you clearly have a boyfriend and not a girlfriend! Other girls talk about crushing on boys… but my first crush is a girl… how am I supposed to deal with it????????

I didn’t know how. I still don’t know!!!!!!!! But… I found people like me on the internet. My mom can’t know, but you can. Even if you’ll hate me for being a lesbian, at least I want you to know I’m sorry. I really am. I took out my self-hatred about being gay on you. I don’t want to ruin your relationship with Dave. Or ruin your relationship with me even worse. I like you. I want to be with you. I don’t want to be enemies all the time… just some time! It’s fun to compete with you! To knock you down a little bit! Just because you have a scholarship, doesn’t mean you’re a hotshot… but in a lesbian way???????? I just hope you understand!!!!!!!

-Vriska

VRISKA

(crosses her arms over her chest)

So? What do you think????????

JADE

Do… do you mean it?

VRISKA

Why would I not mean it?!

JADE

You know why!

VRISKA

Well I mean it!!!!!!! I sacrificed my reputation just to tell you this! If any of this got out, I’m dead! So if you hate me, tell me, and burn that paper or flush it down the toilet!!!!!!!!

JADE

(sighs deeply)

I don’t hate you, Vriska.

VRISKA

(eyes are super wide)

What????????

JADE

I don’t hate you! …Or maybe I do? But not in the way you think!

(pauses, panting for a bit, then takes another deep breath)

Cause I think you’re a jerk! You’ve been bullying me, pulling on my colorful reminders, stealing my meds, making fun of me… And you never get punished for it because you’re sheltered and rich! You don’t know how it feels to have to break your back in the house, help your parents on the fields, or help them prepare stuff they’re selling in the market!

VRISKA

(snaps)

I don’t have a cushy life either!

JADE

(starts to tear up)

Shut up and listen to me! It hurts! What you do to me hurts! It made me sad, it made me angry, and it made me want to get back at you! But I also want to hold your hand and be close to you! Don’t you know how awful it is to be torn between opposite feelings like this?!

Jade’s breaths come in gasps, her form heaving after that confession. Vriska is taken aback. Her hair billows in the wind, half-covering her eyes… which are getting misty. Fuck. She can’t cry, Vriska tells herself, she can’t!

JADE

(her voice wobbly with her sobs)

Remember when you made me lose the National Physics Olympiad?

VRISKA

(roughly wipes her tears with her sleeve)

Yeah?

JADE

And remember how mad I was at you?

VRISKA

(flushes)

Yeah!!!!!!!! That was the first time I saw you so angry.

(points at Dave)

That little shit even recorded it!

The camera shows Dave having had his phone camera held up the entire time.

VRISKA

Stop recording, you dumbass!

JADE

(wipes her tears and speaks louder)

It’s fine! He won’t spread it around.

VRISKA

(screams)

Fine! That was the first time I saw that you’re not just some village kid that deserved to be kicked around. You got me banned from the Science Club! And none of the members want to talk to me anymore!!!!!!!! 

JADE

I wanted you to think twice before you try to bully me again. But it didn’t work! You kept tormenting me!

VRISKA

I did think twice! I promise!!!!!!!! It was hard. I know now that you’re not just some lazy bitch. I want to… get to know you, like, for real. And I want you to know me too. Before we both graduate and never see each other again.

JADE

Okay. But you have to promise not to treat me like garbage anymore. Keep our fighting only on the grades front. Cause I’m sure I’ll beat you next year!

VRISKA

I’ll keep the fighting on the grades… But I earned my first place and I’m gonna keep it!!!!!!!!

JADE

Prepare to eat your words next year!

DAVE

Sweet. I’ll keep an eye on you, Vriska. If you bully her again outside of your nerd competition, you’ll be sorry.

VRISKA

(gasps, and glares at Dave with her hands on her hips)

You don’t have to threaten me!

(looks at Jade)

Jade, tell your boyfriend to shut it!

JADE & DAVE

(together, Jade with a grin and Dave with a small, knowing look)

Nope!

DAVE

(clears throat)

But I have to get to know you too. You know, if I have to share my girlfriend, I have to know who I’m up against.

VRISKA

(scowls)

What’s that supposed to mean?

DAVE

It means… Wanna go to Mas Butet’s with us?

VRISKA

(squinting, skeptical, leaning towards Dave)

Are you serious????????

DAVE

(challengingly)

Do you like soto ayam ? Or is it too kampungan for you?

VRISKA

(huffs and pouts)

Shut up! I do like it!

DAVE

(nods in satisfaction)

‘Kay, I know you’re rich and all, but I’ll treat you just this once. Try to not destroy the whole place fighting with Jade.

VRISKA

(nervous, voice shaky)

I… don’t hate the sound of that????????

JADE

(claps her hands)

It’s a date!

VRISKA

(doubles back and bumps onto the railing)

A- a date?!?!?!?!

DAVE

(with a shit-eating grin)

Yep. No take-backsies.

Dave turns off the camera and pockets his phone. Once again, he offers a hand to Jade, which she takes eagerly. Then, Jade offers a hand to Vriska.

JADE

(hopeful)

Do you want to come with us?

VRISKA

(gaping, eyes wide, looking at Jade’s hand, then her face, before slowly taking Jade’s offered hand).

…yeah! I guess it’s a date.

END