To See a Star: a Klance story

7

He looked so familiar- a tan complexion, royal blue eyes, short, light brown hair. A faint memory danced in my mind. But he was taller, lankier, and much more confident looking. He held himself higher, his smile was brighter, and he seemed to be quite popular. I watched with interest as he adjusted his baseball cap and sauntered over, making quick conversation with the people he passed. Then he stopped- right in front of us.  "Hey Pidge."  He grinned at her. She rolled her eyes.  "Hey, Lance.  Meet our new student."  She proudly introduced me, but I already had my eyes trained on the boy in front of me. He leaned forward, his eyes wide. I knew he recognized me.  "Lance. Lance McClain."  We shook hands.  "I'm Keith Kogane. Nice to meet you." I knew he was scared. I was too- but there was no way in hell I was going to show it.  His usual smile painted his face again.  He had changed, but then again, so had I.  In the time we were apart, I had grown more careful of my emotions and more careless in my actions. I had let my hair grow out and wasn't used to smiling much anymore.  We weren't going to be the same ever again.  "Hi, Shiro!" Shiro sighed, but smiled. "Hey, Lance! You met Keith, he's my brother now." Shiro beamed.  "Sick." Lance grinned.  "You think since you two have already spent some time together, I could show him the ropes today?" Why was he doing this? My breath hitched. Shiro looked at me. "That okay with you?" I suppressed the urge to scream out, NO! NO, that is NOT okay! But instead, I nodded.  "Y-yeah. Fine." Shiro nodded back. "Then I'll leave you two to it.  See you later guys!" I watched as he left me to deal with my past.  Once he and Pidge were far enough away, Lance knelt in front of my chair.  His gleaming eyes searched mine.  "Keith? Do- do you-" he sighed.  "I never forgot, you know."
"Yeah, I know. You promised you wouldn't." My chest grew hot in anger, but I pushed it down.  "I'm sorry-" he started.  "It's fine! I get that you couldn't catch me, you had to save yourself. And I know I'm stuck in this stupid chair now, but I understand! And I forgive you!"  I took a deep breath.  "But Lance, would it have killed you to visit? A month and a half, Lance, I was in the hospital.  Then back at the foster system, two more years alone.  Alone, Lance. BY MYSELF. You left me with no friends or family." I seethed quietly. 
"I know.  You- you have every right to be mad at me."
"Yeah. I do." I groaned and put my head in my hands. "Oh my god. Lance, I just- I can't," I tried to say.  "I know. I'm sorry. I am so, so, so sorry." I sighed.   "Whatever, just, show me around, okay?"  He nodded.  "Okay. So!" He took a deep breath, and around campus we started.  We talked casually, but not like friends. Both of us could sense the other sidestepping any more talk of the issue.  "So, who's that?" I gestured across the green to a tall, muscular boy leaning against a tree.  His eyes seemed to be trained on me.  "Him? That's - ah, L- Lotor."  I looked up at him, noting how he stuttered.  He seemed to have composed himself, but his eyes held something down- fear?  "Weird name, huh? Steer clear- he used to have his eyes on someone else, but look at him now- can't take them off you.  Good luck- he won't stop trying for you if he wants you- trust me, I know."  Lance narrowed his eyes, pushing my chair in the opposite direction.  "Oh. Okay." I said, uncomfortable with the way his gaze followed me even as we entered the building.  "Okay! So this is the art studio." He gestured to a room with one glass wall. Kids sat inside in front of canvases, or hunched over drawings and projects.  "A bunch of people like to come in early and practice their stuff.  Some come here, some go to the basketball court, and some even go to the classrooms to get ahead." Lance explained.  "Mhm. And where do you go?" I glanced up at him, not expecting to see his face tinted pink and flustered.  "Ah, um.  I'd love to tell you, but I know a few ladies who would want to keep it secret." He made a quick comeback, winking.  "I should've guessed," I muttered.  "Ladies man Lance McClain. You always seemed the type to flirt with everyone you met.  It's a pity nothing ever worked out." I rolled my eyes, not bothering to check for his reaction.  "Hey! I'll have you know that my pick up lines are mucho bueno when it comes to the girls." He huffed, his breath hitting my hair. I sighed, and we continued the tour.