To See a Star: a Klance story

8

By the time classes began, I had a vague idea of where we were going and a very talkative boy pushing me around.  We stopped near the classroom.  "Why'd we stop?"  I muttered to Lance.  "Lotor and his gang- blocking the door.  Try to become invisible."
"Shouldn't be too hard for you, McLame."  I looked up to see Lotor towering in front of us.  He was only a bit taller than Jay, but far more intimidating. Lances eyes shifted uncertainly.  I suppressed a gulp, instead narrowing my own eyes.  He bent down to look at me.  "And who are you?"
"Ah- um-" Lance shot me a warning look, but I cut him off.  "Keith Kogane, and I'm warning you now not to get the wrong impression of me, because okay be in a chair, but I can still make you wish you were never born." I stated calmly. He smirked, an aggressive glint in his eye.  "Feisty and attractive."  He lifted my head with his hand and I whipped it away, snarling. "I like it.  And don't worry.  You'll come to my side soon enough. If not willingly.." he trailed off, but his intentions were clear.  He sent another look at me before strutting away.  "The hell was that?" Lance scoffed.  "What happened to class, or at least something like 'hey, hot wheels. Can I ride that?'" He smirked flirtatiously and winked, then returned to scowling.  I rolled my eyes but chuckled.  "That sucked."
"Whatever, mullet."
"Shut up, McClain."
And we went to class.  Pidge and Kenny were already seated by the time we entered and found our seats.   "Nice going, numbskull.  Made him late for his first class." I heard Pidge whisper to Lance, who casually shrugged and smiled.  She huffed. "Classic Lance." I turned back to the lesson. 

The first week of school rushed by in a hurry.  I did my best to avoid Lotor and became acquainted with the art director.  That was my favorite class, and she knew it. Like Lance had suggested,  I came early and sat in the studio for an hour before school started just to draw.  Everyone else was busy too.  Pidge was elected class president and Shiro was head of the track team.  I saw Lance around, but we didn't make any effort to get to know each other more.  The only thing I knew about him was that he worked a full shift at McDonalds on Saturdays, and I only knew that because Shiro told me. 
The second week was harder.
After watching Shiros practices with the track team a few times, I started researching ways to cure spinal cord injuries and was disappointed with my results.  I saw over and over again that a person 2 to 3 years after an injury had little hope of recovery, but I tried anyway.  My legs tingled faintly, but other than that I couldn't move or feel them.  In my eyes, this was a sign that I had to hurry up and heal, because there was still a chance I could.  The day after, I spent hours itching to get home and practice stretching.  Why, I didn't know.  Maybe it was because I had motivation now.  I had friends. I had a brother. And soon, I wouldn't need this chair.  I told myself that every day. 

"Where are you going, princess?" A boot stopped my chair as I wheeled out the school doors.  "Lotor," I acknowledged, showing no signs of emotion.   "Now now, pretty boy, is that any way to address your future?" He held my chair back.  "Don't call me pretty boy." I spat in his face.  "And you are not my future." He wiped my spit from his cheeks and glared down at me, his expression a mixture of rage and amusement.  "Listen closely, pretty boy."  He leaned forward and murmured directly in my ear.  His hot breath his my cheek, and I flinched.  "You hear me?  I'm interested.  And you're going to be interested in me before I lose it," he turned and pulled me up by my collar, lifting me out of my chair.  "Because trust me, princess, nobody else would ever want a sick piece of trash like you.  So take it while you can." He stood up and started to walk away, dropping me back down.  "Meet me here tomorrow, and we can discuss the date.  How about a nice Saturday lunch?" He chucked lowly.  My head pounded- I wasn't getting out of this easily.  Someone stepped up next to me as Lotor confidently walked away.  "That's it," she confirmed.  "You're done for." I groaned.  "You saw?" I looked up to Pidge, my feelings clear on my face.  "Every minute. Man, that sucks." 
"What should I do?" I put my head in my hands and she sighed.  "What is there to do? You go out with him, or he makes your life a living hell." She sighed again.  "Best of luck, Keith." She started to walk away, but I grabbed her arm. "Wait! You won't tell Shiro, right?" I winced.  "No. But trust me.. he'll find out." I let go of her arm and wheeled in the opposite direction, my legs tingling.  I needed to get some sketching done- that way I could clear my head and find a way out of this.