Unsaid Words

Another Day

The chatter bounced off the walls lined with steel lockers, adding to the chaos of an already overcrowded hallway. I sighed before forcing a goofy grin on my face and a false glimmer of happiness in my eye.

I leaped into the crowd, laughing as I passed people I knew and winking to the girls who were blushing in my direction.

"Lance!"

"Hunk buddy!" I grinned as I approached my best friend.

"I cooked you lunch" He grinned, passing the brown paper bag he clutched in one hand that I hadn't seen earlier.

"God, please marry me," I joked, taking the bag and opening it with a whiff.

"What did you just have?" Hunk laughed as I groaned at the warm scent of the food.

"Maths," I mumbled, my entire attention on the bag.

"Hey guys!" A smaller figure appeared between us.

"WHAT THE PIDGE!" I shrieked, leaping back.

Pidge laughed, "That's funny," they shook their head "Wait. Did you know there is a new guy?"

"A new guy?" Hunk repeated, confused.

"I did just say that," the gremlin huffed.

"Omg he's hot,"

I turned, listening to the mutterings around us, and looked at the end of the hall.

His athletic build was accentuated by a leather jacket that hugged his frame, while his well-defined legs were highlighted by a pair of fitted blue jeans. The dark mullet, a shade deeper than my own hair, added a rebellious edge to his appearance. His striking violet eyes, however, were what truly drew my attention. They swept over the crowd with a look of detached amusement, sharp and calculating, as if he could see through everyone around him. The way he carried himself exuded a quiet confidence, making it clear he was someone not to be underestimated.

"Who is he?" I muttered, turning away as his gaze moved in this direction.

"The new guy I was literally just talking about," Pidge whined.

"His name, you dense short child," I huffed with a playful glare at the shortest.

Pidge stared at me, mouth agape.

"And I broke them" I poked their cheek.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Pidge yelled and raced forwards.

I laughed and turned, dodging through the crowd to evade the angry green person chasing me.

"COME BACK HERE, LANCE!" They yelled from somewhere behind me, so I spun to catch a glimpse of where Pidge was in the crowd.

I was sprinting backwards, my heart racing as I kept my eyes on the chaos behind me.

My feet pounded against the ground in a frantic rhythm, and just as I thought I had a clear path, I collided hard with something solid. The impact knocked the wind out of me, and I stumbled, trying to regain my balance.

As I turned to see what—or rather, who—I had run into, I looked up and met a pair of striking violet eyes.

He looked at me with a mix of surprise and mild annoyance.

Embarrassment washed over me as I realised I had just crashed into the one person who seemed completely unfazed by the surrounding chaos.

"Sorry man" I scratched the back of my neck as I looked slightly down at him.

"Whatever," he huffed, sticking his hands in his pocket.

I shrugged and stuck a hand out. "I'm Lance McClain".

He eyed my hand before shaking it hesitantly. "Keith"

"Keith, no last name?" I smirked.

A tiny projectile hit me from behind, causing me to stumble forwards as I was caught unaware.

"Got you now, Lance," Pidge exclaimed before looking around at Keith.

"Oops" they stepped up beside me as I straightened with a chuckle.

"Guy-y's," Hunk scolded, pushing through the crowd.

"I'm so sorry for my friend's behaviour," Hunk apologised to Keith, who stood there kinda shocked.

"Right, these are my friends Hunk, and the small one is Pidge" I teased, sticking my tongue out at the angered gremlin.

"Guys, this is Keith," I looked at him. "Who apparently has no last name"

Keith eyed me, his eyes glimmering with annoyance. "Kogane"

"Keith Kogane, it really rolls off the tongue," I mused. I enjoyed pressing his buttons.

"Are you always this annoying?" Keith shot back, crossing his arms.

"Only for special people," I replied with a wink.

Hunk smiled and extended a hand. "Nice to meet you, Keith."

Keith shook Hunk's hand, his expression softening slightly. "Likewise."

Pidge, still fuming, crossed their arms. "I may be small, but at least I have a brain."

I chuckled, ruffling Pidge's hair. "Relax, Pidge."

Pidge swatted my hand away. "I swear, one day you're going to regret calling me small."

Keith raised an eyebrow. "Does he always talk this much?"

Hunk grinned. "Only when he's nervous or trying to impress someone."

"I'm not nervous," I protested, "and I'm definitely not trying to impress Keith."

"Good, because you're failing miserably," Keith said with a smirk.

I laughed, enjoying the banter. "Wow, tough crowd. But seriously, what brings you to our school?"

Keith's gaze shifted to Hunk, his demeanour becoming more serious. "Reasons"

"What reasons?" Pidge asked, their curiosity piqued.

"None of your business," Keith replied, his tone evasive. "It's personal."

Sensing the tension, I decided to lighten the mood again. "Well, if you're stuck here, you might as well make some friends. We can help you find your way around."

Keith looked at me, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I might just take you up on that."

As we continued down the hallway, Hunk started discussing the latest project he'd been working on for science class, and Pidge eagerly joined in. Keith fell into step beside me, his earlier annoyance replaced by a guarded curiosity.

"So, Keith Kogane," I said, glancing at him. "What's your story?"

Keith's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something deeper. "It's a long one."

I smiled, feeling an unexpected camaraderie forming. "We've got time."

Keith seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding. "Maybe I'll tell you sometime."

We reached our classroom, and I held the door open for everyone. As Keith walked past me, I couldn't help but feel that his arrival at our school was going to make things a lot more interesting.