Hearts don't break around here

Chapter 3: vanilla cupcakes

Seventh Grade

Keith knew he'd find Lance here. Rossway Cliff has quickly become Lance's favorite place to hang out, especially because nobody ever goes up there. And Lance, from what Keith has gathered, really doesn't like being around people as much as he pretends to. Keith wipes the sweat off of his forehead as he continues climbing up, higher and higher. His skin is already dotted with new acne spots and he really doesn't need more sweat making it worse, but Lance hasn't talked to him in a week and Keith is really starting to get worried. So, a few more pimples would be worth it.

Lance has been in the guidance counselor's office a lot since middle school started. He doesn't really tell Keith what it is about, but Keith has been noticing small things about Lance that are changing. Lance's grin isn't the same bright, toothy grin it used to be. He can see the light in Lance's eyes dimming. Even when they are at their brightest, they aren't as bright as they used to be. And Lance would walk out of the office and join Keith in the hallway, plastering a fake smile on his face and saying "Sorry about that! So, wanna stop by the gas station and get Oreos?"

He sees Lance sitting near the edge of the cliff, hugging his knees and looking at the stream below. He looks sad. His eyes are puffy and red. Keith sighs. He's not sure how to talk to people about touchy things like this, but he's willing to try. At least Lance will know that he cares, even if he embarasses himself. He slowly walks over and sits down next to Lance. "Hey." He says quietly.

Lance jumps slightly, surprised, and looks at Keith with concerned eyes. "Snickers?"

"What are you doing up here?" Keith asks. "Are you okay?"

Lance bites his lip, turning to look back at the creek. Keith tries to read his expression, uselessly. He can't help but feel jealous because Lance's face is flawless-- not a zit in sight. And he even got the cool neon rubber bands for his braces. Keith's are just an ugly silver. Lance's hair is buzzed off, very short, and Keith is still trying to get used it it. He liked how it was before, but Lance hated how much of it there was.

"My mom says I need to start seeing someone."

Keith raises an eyebrow. "Seeing who?"

"Like...a therapist."

The silence around them is heavy. Keith watches Lance's eyes turn glassy. He clears his throat. "Okay? So what?"

Lance scowls at him. "What do you mean, so what ?" He snaps. "It's a big deal, okay? It means I'm crazy, and nobody can fix me."

"You're not crazy."

"I am." Lance shakes his head furiously.

"No, you're not. You just need some help, that's all."

"How come nobody else does, then? Why am I the only one who needs help?"

Keith shrugs. "Does it matter?"

"Of course it matters! Why am I so abnormal ?"

"You're not ." Keith says again, frustratedly. "Everybody has something they need to fix about themselves. Look at my face! It's covered with pimples. And you don't have any. See? It's like that." Keith reasons.

"Pimples go away with soap, Keith. My whole brain is messed up!"

"No it's not." Keith swallows, thrown off by the use of his name where 'Snickers' usually goes. "Your brain is great."

"Oh really?" Keith has never heard Lance this frustrated. Angry tears are filling his eyes. "Like you would know. You don't even hear half of the horrible things."

"No. I don't." Keith says, voice shaky. He's really, really not good at this. "But I-I hear the good things."

This makes Lance pause. He sniffs, face softening. "What do you mean?"