The Barrier | Klance

Introductions, sort of. {1}

    Keith was used to it by now-- 'it' being the name-calling and looks he receives from the student body of his current high school. A year and a half ago, Keith moved to Jacksonville, Florida from Donghae, which is a city found in South Korea. As soon as he started school he always heard things such as "The Foreign Kid", "Foreigner", "The Asian Kid.. did you know he doesn't speak English?" coming from their mouths as he walked by.

    It's true Keith didn't know much English, but he knows and understands more than he lets on. Because he doesn't know much of the language, he was placed in the ESOL program upon his enrollment in the school, which he uses to his advantage. You see, by being in this program he gets an extension on most, if not all, his assignments and considers himself lucky. However, once the new 'foreigner', Lance, came into the mix, Keith gets the feeling that his luck is about to change.

~

It was an ordinary day-- let just call it what it is: a boring day at school, and Keith was copying his Pre-Calculus notes from off of the projector. Well, more like he was pretending to write notes while actually falling asleep. Turning to look at the clock above the door, he noticed that the guidance counselor, his ESOL counselor, and a tall, tan boy came. Ignoring his counselors, he focused his attention to the last body standing at the door. Who was he? Keith saw as he smiled and waved to those that saw him, and when he locked eyes with Keith repeating the same gesture, Keith only responded with a slight smile. The tan boy's eyes revealed that he was trying to hide his confusion. He could only truly describe the feeling because he experienced the same thing when he came here his first day.

The teacher stopped his lecture and gives his attention to the members of administration, who then proceed to introduce the class to Lance Sanchez, the newest foreigner in the school.

"Keith," calls his guidance counselor, "would you please come with us?" She asks, quick to notice he was in the room. He nods, and begins to pack his things, receiving looks from his classmates. He then follows her out of the room, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Once out, the guidance counselor turned and faced him.

"I am not sure if you noticed, but Lance is not from here." She states rather obviously to him, using gestures to better express herself to him. Keith just stares at her, unsure of how to respond.

"Do you understand?" She asks, and frankly Keith is offended. Sure, he enjoys his advantages as an English-learner and acting like an idiot to get away with things but that was a little too far.

"Yes. I do not understand why I am here, though." He replies.

"Well... you are also not from here."

He motioned for her to continue.

"Lance just came from Cuba and could use a friend... and someone to help him learn English." Keith started thinking. Cuba? Don't they speak Spanish?

"I speak Korean. No Spanish."

"Isn't it the same thing?" Keith started praying to the God he didn't believe in to stop him from punching her.

"No. Different."

"Well I--" She was interrupted by Allura, his ESOL couselor, and Lance walking out of the room.

"Keith! Good to see you!"Allura exclaimed, giving him a smile.

"You, too." Keith replied with a forced smile. Allura proceeded to shove Lance in front of her, introducing him once again.

"This is Lance Sanchez," she repeated as Lance waved, standing his ground, "he is from Cuba and will be in the ESOL program with you! I know that Spanish and Korean aren't the same, but I believe that you guys can become good friends and help each other with English. Are you willing to try?" She asked, hope and excitement clear in her eyes.

"No."

"Why not?" She pleaded. Allura explained this plan to Lance earlier, and even though he didn't know English, he knew what that word meant-- granted, it's the same thing in Spanish.  Lance crossed his arms and shifted his most of his weight to his right leg. Honestly? Lance was happy he didn't want to do it. He didn't like the looks of Keith. He seemed the type that doesnt care or just doesn't try to excel. He got bad vibes from Keith-- his mother would probably approve, calling him 'un malandro'.

"No communication. I cannot -"

"Contractions, Keith."Allura interrupted. 'Is this really the time to be implementing an English lesson?' Keith thought to himself.

"I can't speak Spanish. Don't understand what he says." Keith huffed.

"That's why I'm here, Keith! I didn't learn all those languages for nothing! I will help you understand what Lance says whenever you need me to." Keith was about to open his mouth and just give in when Lance suddenly turned to face Allura and spoke.

"Don't worry," Lance said to Keith as he turned to look at Allura, "déjalo así. Si el no quiere hacerlo entonces que no lo haga. No quiero algo forzado." He says.

"Lance, el lo va a hacer, no te preocupes." She replies. Is she reassuring him? Keith can only wonder.

"Wow, Keith. I expected better from you. You came here and went through what Lance is going through and you can't help him? I guess you're just as bad as the people you claim to not like."

The guidance counselor's eyes widened and turned to look at Allura.

"Don't you think that's a little too-"

"Okay fine. I'll do it. I'm not like them. Don't say that." Keith interrupts, his voice slightly laced with what can be described as disgust. Allura claps happily.

"¿Que te dije, Lance? El lo va a hacer." Allura exclaimed, a smile plastered on her face. Keith rolled his eyes as they all made their way to the office, his ignorant guidance counselor remaining silent for the rest of the way.

~

a/n

Hello lovelies! I've gotten into the nasty habit of coming up with ideas/possible AU's and feeling the need to write them. So, after years of not logging in or writing, I have returned to writing (and thus, returned to Wattpad).

NOTE: the translations for what Lance is saying (maybe Keith?) will be in the comments.

Hopefully in the future the chapters will be longer (and I'll be updating regularly... or at least trying to. Don't count on it, though).

I thoroughly hope you enjoyed this! Let me know what you wish to see from this story! Any kind of feedback is appreciated :)

Ari xx 15.07.2017, last edited 08.08.2017