Other ways to say "I love you" (Klance)

Chapter 10

Lance paced back and forth, biting nervously at his nails. Meanwhile Keith stood behind him, looking out for Nyma while Lance tried to deal with his nerves. The sun was rising to mid-day, and still no sign of Nyma.

      "Oh God! What if she stood me up? What if this is just a huge prank? Did she have second thoughts, and didn't tell me? Did I get the date wrong? Time wrong? Is it even with me? What--" Keith placed his hand on his shoulder, making Lance turn his head, his face covered with anxiety. He pulled his friend in a tight hug, rubbing his back softly. "Thanks... I needed that..." He whispered softly, as they pulled away from their small but tight hug. The mute smiled at him, and when he peered over his shoulder, he spotted the blonde girl Lances' had been worrying about. He tapped his shoulder, then pointed over at Nyma. Lances' face grew with joy, which sent a pang of hurt to Keiths' chest, for reasons he knows not.

      "Hey Lance! Sorry I'm late... Phone needed to charge." She explained, a cheeky grin on her lipstick covered lips.

      "Hey, don't worry about it." The Cuban boy reassured, as a blush came rushing to his tanned cheeks. She took notice of the Korean standing behind her date, and her eyebrow lifted up in confusion.

      "Um... What's he doing here?"

      "Oh, him? He was just keeping me company also he was my ride here." He clarified, sending her an honest smile.

      "Ah, right. Well, shall we get going? Bye Keith!" Nyma sharply turned away strutting her way to the entrance of the Aquarium.

      "Sorry about that buddy..." Lance apologized awkwardly, rubbing at his neck.

'You going to be ok your own?'

      The Cuban boy read his friends text, and smiled at his question.

      "Yea I'll be fine. Sorry for dragging you out here..." He confessed guiltily. Keith shook his head dismissively, sticking his thumb up and smiling faintly. "Alright... See you buddy!" Lance waved, then skipped after Nyma.

Keiths' smile faltered, drooping down at the edges. He hopped onto his red motorcycle, starting up the engine. He took one last glance at the building, before snarling and speeding quickly out of the parking lot.

Lance was freaking out. Sure, he's been on dates before, but that was during the time Keith was gone, where he felt alone, and they didn't last past the first date. But, he wanted this one to work, he wasn't sure why.

Nyma was pushier than he realized, begging him to take pictures of her in front of anything that interested her, buying her things she wanted, doing anything she wanted. He kept thinking back to what Keith had told him, trying his hardest to stay positive, even if he was on the brink of screaming. If he didn't do something for her, Nyma would pretend to cry, making anyone in the vicinity to stare at him, whispering how harsh he was being to her, saying he was being horrible, those sentences in general.

    He tried to text Keith, but anytime he went to grab his phone, Nyma would snatch his phone away and scold him for 'not paying attention'.

      "Hey I'm just going to go to the bathroom!" He excused, leaving Nyma staring next to the jellyfish tank.

'Keith! Help! This isn't going well, can you please come get me out? We're near the exit anyway.'

'I'm already there, just, try to stay calm, ok?'

'Ok, and thank you so much!'

Lance could almost cry from joy, he was terrified of all the eyes staring at him, even children were judging him.

'Hey, you've been in there for ages. Get out.'

'Alright, I'm coming.'

Lance tucked his phone away, nervously stepping out the men's bathroom, turning to see Nyma standing there angrily.

      "Let's go already." She seized his wrist, tugging him along with her to the end of the hall of tanks. They were welcomed with the bright light of the mid-day sun blaring through the windows of the café they had walked into.

Keith sat at a lonely table in the corner, a bored expression on his face as he stared at the families outside. He picked up his cup of Hot Chocolate, he noticed the two at the exit. He put down the drink and waved at the Cuban boy, who swiftly ran to him.

      "Um, why are you here?"

      "He texted me saying Mrs. Spence needed me back, so you know...got to go."

      "Ugh fine, bye then..." She stormed off out the exit, an angry pout pressing her lips.

      "Buddy, I cannot thank you enough!" Lance praised, resting his hands on his friends shoulders in relief. Keith patted his head waveringly, a sympathetic smile on his lips.

You going on another date with her?

Keith had pre-written the question, a shuffled the book towards Lance.

"If she actually wants to go out with me again... I want it to work but it's just so... hard. She's bossy, rude... but funny and really good with children... also not to mention beautiful... Why would she date a goof like me?" Lance had seated himself next to the mute, resting his head between his hands.

Because you're funny, kind, courageous, selfless, creative, smart, yes stupid sometimes, but it's funny, and also handsome.

Keith shuffled the piece of paper to his line of sight, slightly anxious of the Cuban boys' reaction. Lance smirked at the last part of the short paragraph, his eyes turning from self-doubting to childish and playful.

      "Oh so you think I'm handsome?" He playfully flexed his muscles at Keith, a smug grin tearing at his face. Keith let out some giggles, pushing softly at Daniels' face, his laughter following behind.