Barnes & Nobles - Day
A young man, Karkat, dressed in a button-down gray shirt, black jeans, and new black Converse walks into his favorite Barnes & Nobles and heads to the nearest employee. He sees Dave, a person he knows very well who happens to work here, and smiles.
Dave is listening to music and is sorting books with such ease, he barely even looks at the titles or authors but still gets them correct. Dave turns his head to the side to see the approaching person and smiles. It's his favorite customer Karkat.
DAVE
Kitkat, what can I do for you today? Looking for another crappy romance novel?
Karkat raises his eyebrows, unimpressed with the jab.
KARKAT
No, I’m actually here for a job application. The coffee shop I worked at sucked so I quit. This is my favorite place to hang out in my free time so I thought it'd be a good place to work.
DAVE
I wonder why it’s your favorite.
Dave smiles and leans on the shelf, he constantly pesters Karkat with comments like these but Karkat knows how to evade them or retort back. Dave finds this both entertaining and cute.
KARKAT
Oh Dave, you know I can’t go one day without seeing your sickly pale skin or listening to your terrible excuses for flirting.
Dave laughs and pushes up his sunglasses. He needs to wear them inside because his eyes are sensitive to light and the color of his eyes tends to make others uncomfortable. He’s only told four people, one of them is Karkat.
DAVE
Ok enough steamy conversation, let’s go get you your job application.
They walk to the back of the store, Dave’s task forgotten for someone else to take care of. They reach the backroom labeled ‘MANAGER’ and Dave opens the door.
DAVE
Rose! Karkat’s here and wants a job, I’ll leave the rest to you.
Dave turns to look at Karkat and smiles, he gives his friend a thumbs up and asks Rose if he can stay. Rose tells him to get back to work, Dave leaves the room grumbling slightly.
ROSE
So Karkat, you're finally applying? Honestly it’s about time, I was wondering when you’d come asking for a job.
Karkat sits down in the extra chair. He’s prepared for the mandatory interview even though he and Rose see each other quite often and know each other pretty well.
ROSE
I’m afraid, however, that all of the positions are currently filled. I can give you a job application to fill out now and when we hire in the future you can come back and we’ll do the interview then.
Karkat's face scrunches slightly in disappointment then relaxes and smiles back at Rose.
KARKAT
Of course Rose, I understand. I’ll be back for the interview as soon as a position opens up.
Rose smiles at Karkat’s determination and nods.
ROSE
Hopefully I’ll see you soon then.
She gestures to the door and Karkat gets up to leave but before he leaves she stops him to say,
ROSE
Oh, Kanaya probably won't be coming home tonight, I got us a reservation at that new restaurant she's been wanting to go to. I want to keep it a surprise so I'm keeping my texts vague.
Karkat smiled and nodded. It’s so funny how his essentially sister is dating his dumb crush’s sister. Karkat leaves the room but before he makes it out of the bookstore Dave stops him and asks
DAVE
So Kitkat, how’d it go? Are we gonna be seeing each other more often?
Dave wiggles his eyebrows seductively and Karkat scoffs.
KARKAT
No, Rose said there are no job openings right now. How did you not know this? You are literally brother and sister working in the same place.
Dave shrugs and smiles.
DAVE
She’s too busy spending time with her girlfriend to hang out with her dear brother anymore. I’m sorry about you not getting the job though, I really wish you could start working here sooner.
Karkat shrugs.
KARKAT
I can always come back when there are openings. Why? Does the great Dave Strider actually care about me?
Dave chuckles and puts his arm around Karkats shoulder.
Dave
I gotta keep some things secret, that's how you keep the mystery alive! I’ll see you soon Kitkat.
Karkat smiles and leaves the bookstore humming to himself happily, at the same time Dave is returning back to work with a similar smile.