So I haven't written since I was about 14. And it was terrible back then. So everyone should bare with me on this.

And there he was again. Unable to sleep.

It frustrated John to no end to be up at four in the god damn morning at the kitchen table, cup of coffee in his hand, watching his dog sleep at his feet.

Despite the annoyance, though, walking up at odd hours of the early morning gave him a clear mind like no cup of coffee could. Everything was peaceful. Quiet. And boring, considering nothing is usually on TV and no business in their right mind was open. But it gave John time to think. And this aspect pleased him.

He stared at the Boston terrier at his feet. How come she could sleep and he couldn't?

Probably because she's a dog and has no worries, He reminded himself. He took a gulp of coffee and upon setting it back down on the table, the terrier lifted her head and gave John a sad sort of look.

"I know, Lady, I'm sorry I'm not in bed," He cooed to her softly, trying not to wake his roommate. He bent to pet her and she laid her head back down on his foot.

Hours would pass like this. He would remain in that dingy kitchen space, coffee at hand, usually with a book or a puzzle of some sort, and Lady at his feet until it became a time where it was socially acceptable to be active. Jade would find him like this. She used to ask if something was troubling him, or how much sleep he got, or if he was generally okay. But that habit has long since worn out and instead she simply walks into the kitchen bleary-eyed without a word, makes herself a cup of tea, and sits beside John with a sigh.

This is how their days where.

"Morning," John greeted Jade this particular morning when she woke. It was around five o'clock now, and John was trying not to show his enthusiasm for her company. Unfortunately, he's quite poor at that.

"Morning," Jade croaked slightly as she spoke, "Chipper this morning, aren't we? Sleep well?" She rubbed her eyes and steered herself into the kitchen.

John was happy she was willing to speak with him this morning. Well, usually she's the one eager to converse while he would rather sit in silence for a while longer, but he was glad that she was still willing to be talkative.

"Naw, I'm just glad you're awake. Lady here was giving me the sad eyes, and I could only take it for so long," At his reply, Lady roused herself and trotted over to Jade, wagging her tail and jumping onto her hind legs slightly in excitement. Lady was a little slow to respond sometimes.

"Oh, good morning to you, too, Lady," Jade stooped and pet the terrier, then proceeded to microwave a mug of tea while continuing to speak to her in a baby voice.

"Do you want some eggs or something?" John asked, "I can cook something up real fast,"

"Would you really?" Jade looked back at him with a look of surprise and relief on her face. John usually only bakes and cooks for special occasions, "That would be wonderful! Honestly, I'm getting a little sick of Poptarts."

"Sweet, what do you want?" John stood and began to move to the kitchen.

"Maybe an omelet?" Jade replied hesitantly. She's not very knowledgeable in the kitchen and really is pretty unaware on what tastes good with what. One time she tried to cook eggplant in the microwave and combine it with a macaroni and cheese and bacon and green bean casserole. Thankfully, John was able to save that meal (God only knows how).

John opened the fridge and mused, "Well how about a cheese omelet with green onions and garlic powder?"

"Whatever you say, captain. I'm gonna shower while you do that," Jade left her untouched tea on the kitchen counter and disappeared into the bathroom. John shook his head at the tea and looked down at Lady, who was waiting patiently for John to feed her.

"I swear, Lady, if her head wasn't attached to her, she would've lost it."

John fed Lady then proceeded to cook. Despite the fact that he usually doesn't bother actually cooking (he would rather stick something frozen in the microwave then put forth the effort), it feels good when he actually tries. He's in the zone. Becoming one with the food or whatever. It's one of the only things he feels truly good at. That and being socially awkward. Yeah, that about sums it up his list of skills.

Before he knew it, the omelet was done and Jade was out of the shower. John set her up with at the table and scooped the omelet out of the pan and onto her plate. She took in the smell with a deep breath, "Wow, John, I've missed your cooking! Would you cook tonight for the dinner? I'll help if you want,"

"No that's fine," John said a little too quickly, "And besides, I wouldn't know what to make."

"Don't you have today off? You have the whole day to figure it out," Jade tucked into her omelet before it was cool and had to take a speedy gulp of her lukewarm tea to counteract it's boiling lava hot temperature.

John chuckled, "Careful, Jesus."

After Jade had composed herself, she continued, "But seriously, would you? You know everyone would love it."

"I dunno, Jade…" John trailed off. He really had no excuse to be turning her down on this. He's good at cooking…so why doesn't he?

"Pleeeeaaaase?" Jade begs. Lady yips a little by her feet as if to join in on the pleading.

John caved at the sad looks on the faces of the two girls that stared at him. He's a sucker for the puppy-dog-look, "Okay, fine, I'll do it. Jeez."

"Yes! Thank you, John," Jade beamed at him, then tried to inconspicuously give Lady a bit of her omelet.

"Yeah, yeah," He waved her off and proceeded to get some cereal.

"By the way," Jade began, picking at her breakfast with a fork, "About tonight…"

"What?" John put his own breakfast on hold to look at her. This was suspicious. And he didn't like it.

"Well…" Jade seemed to be having second thoughts about telling John whatever she had planned to tell him.

"Come on," John sighed. He'd rather she got it over with.

"Um. Well. I -" Her voice became the smallest whisper and he had no way of hearing what she said.

"Come again?"

She spat it out all at once, "WellIinvitedKarkat."

John stared at her in disbelief, "You what." It was a statement. A statement subtly saying Why the fuck would you do that.

"I know. I'm sorry," Jade began. She looked worried that he was going to blow up at her, "But we're able to invite anyone we want, right? And Fef can't come today, and I see Karkat working from time to time around campus and I asked him if he wanted to come and he said 'sure'…" She spilled this out as fast as she could then became completely silent.

John stared at her. Jade stared at the plate to avoid the disbelief in his eyes. Lady, unpleased with the sudden change of atmosphere, decided to leave the room.

"Uggh." John groaned, "It's okay. It's fine." But it wasn't okay. And it was far from fine. He didn't want anything to do with Karkat. Especially have him in John's apartment, at John's table, eating John's well-prepared food.

The rest of the morning passed in silence. When Jade was done eating she packed up and headed to class, leaving John with a problem.

John never wanted to see Karkat again. Why would Jade invite him? He didn't mind if they were friends or anything (well maybe he minded a little, but that wouldn't stop Jade from being friends with whomever the fuck she wanted to), but all John wanted was to keep separated from that douche.

He didn't want to think about this anymore. He decided to look up recipes instead.

He had an old recipe box from his dad that was passed down from Nana. He fished it out of the back of the spice cabinet and sat down at the table to dig through it. He finally settled upon a simple baked ziti and a garden salad. Easy. He even had some of the ingredients off hand, so that's less of a grocery expense on him.

John sighed and looked over to Lady who was giving him a concerned look.

It seemed she knew as well as he did that this was going to be an interesting night.