Description

Panel One: A wide shot of the sunrise over the hills, with the school's clocktower in the foreground. It's just past 7 AM.

Panel Two: Cal and DJ are sitting across from each other in the cafeteria, eating breakfast. They are both wearing their school uniforms. Cal's hat is hanging on the bench post behind him, and DJ is still wearing his. Cal asks, "So you only get up early for waffles?" DJ takes a bit and answers, "It's not the only reason, but it's a very short list."

Panel Three: A shot over DJ's shoulder. Cal is chewing on a bite and looking at DJ. DJ asks, "What're you doing today?"

Panel Four: Now the shot is from behind Cal. He says, "Just more unpacking, then I'm meeting with Dr. King for some tests." DJ's brow furrows and his grip tightens on his silverware. "Tests?" he asks. The word balloon has a thick outline.

Panel Five: Cal nonchalantly takes a drink and says, "Yeah, she's gonna have me go over the midterms real quick." DJ looks to be panicking and he says, "Midterms?! But you just got here!"

Panel Six: Cal holds his cup and shrugs. "Well, I'm not being graded, it's just - " "That doesn't matter!" DJ interrupts from off-panel.

Author Note

Questions about last night can come later. Now, it's time for waffles! Except now DJ's having major test anxiety on Cal's behalf.

As always, I decided to have fun with the characters in the background of the second frame. I don't like when I'm reading a comic and the people in the background look like dead-eye puppets, or literally doing nothing but standing there. I try to tell a bit of a story if I can. I'm also really proud of the lighting in this scene, and I'm glad I decided to add a cute background to Cal in the last panel. It suits him in the moment, for some reason.

Is it Second Booster Time?
- Bran