Solving Keith

The Jaundice

It had been a week since Lance had seen Keith.

He hadn't been at school or on the bus. Homework was piling up, and Lance, despite how annoying Keith could be, was what some would call 'concerned'.

Lance wouldn't call it that, but some would.

Lance didn't take the bus that day, deciding to be a really good, kind person and walk to Keith's house, to give him all the work he was missing from this extended absence.

The wind was cutting, and Winter was quickly approaching. Lance sighed as he reached the doorstep, lifting his free hand to ring the doorbell.

Halloween was in about a week, which meant Keith's eighteenth birthday was Friday.

He doubted Keith would throw any kind of party, but he figured he should ask what kind of cake he likes just in case.

If he even likes cake. He probably doesn't. He probably hates cake.

Standing in front of the door papers and textbooks in hand he could hear clattering and fumbling from behind the door.

"Go away, Lance!" He heard Keith shout through the door.

Lance raised an eyebrow in confusion.

How'd he even know Lance was the one at the door? Lance shook his head and huffed, "I'm just trying to give you your homework, you haven't been to school in like, a week!" He shouted back, shifting the papers and textbook in his arms.

"Just leave them there! Now is really not a good time!"

Lance's confusion grew. "Are you sick?"

"No- yes. I'm very sick," Keith stuttered. Lance heard a suspicious sounding round of coughs, "Go away!"

"I just walked all the way here, the least you can do is act grateful!" Lance pouted, trying to peek through the window next to the door.

"I'm sorry, Lance," Keith said, almost sincerely. "Now is really just not a good time."

"Well," Lance sighed, "I'll just leave these here."

He turned away from the door, but decided against leaving just yet. He'd forgotten to ask about the cake. How was he supposed to know that's when Keith would be opening the door?

The wind pierced his sweater as he greeted two glowing, yellow eyes.

The door slammed shut when Keith saw Lance. "Go away!" He shouted again, as if it pained him to do so.

"Do you have jaundice?" Lance shouted in concern, hurriedly jogging to the door. He smacked his hand against the wood. "You need to go to the hospital! You could be in liver failure!"

"Lance," Keith sighed, interrupting his rambling. "I'm fine, okay? I don't feel well- but I'm fine, okay?"

Lance crossed his arms and began biting at his cheek, brows furrowed. "You promise?"

There's a small sigh before Keith spoke again. "I promise. I'll see you at school in a few days. To make it up, I'll bring you something."

"Something like what?" Lance asked, skeptical.

"It'll be a surprise."

Lance raised an eyebrow, considering the offer. "Wait- why on earth would you give me anything? Your birthday is on Friday, so shouldn't this be the other way around?"

"Technically it's not my birthday."

Lance made a face, scoffing. "Technically? What the hell does that mean?"