Room 1013

One Week

You know you can't just run off like this!

Lance sighed and rubbed his face, "I know, Papi. I just needed to do this."

M'ijo, he huffed, you need to come home. Exams are in a less than three months! You should be in school.

"I-" he cut himself off to think. His father was right. Final exams were a big deal-especially if he wanted to get into a good college. "I won't be much longer." He paced around the hotel room, fiddling with the ad magazines on the desk. "I already met him! I need to stay and get to know what happened."

Haven't you already done that? You know the whole story!

"No, Papi," Lance shook his head, keeping the phone on his ear. "I haven't talked to him, just everyone else. I've only heard the stories."

Lance, I'm being serious m-

"I need to do this." Lance hardened his voice. "I can't just leave now. I won't be able to even consider studying for exams if I go."

His father was silent for a while. Then he spoke in a stern tone. You have one more week, m'ijo. Then you come home.

Lance drug his fingertips over the rim of the matte white coffee mug. He sat at the kitchen bar as he talked to Krolia. The cozy house was decorated with soft greys and whites. Family pictures hung on the walls, varying in years. Lance stood and inspected a certain one above a built-in desk. He pointed to it, "Is this Keith?"

Krolia trotted up to his side, coffee mug in hand. "Yes. That's when his hair was growing back."

In the picture, Keith wore a wide smile. His black hair only barely reached his jawline, messily curling in random directions. He leaned forward and tilted his head back. It looked professionally taken, but it wasn't a school picture. "How old is he in it?"

"Hmm," she hummed in thought. "I believe he was about thirteen." She passed in front of him and pointed to another one in the living room. "This is right after his hair was cut."

Lance furrowed his brows as he inspected the picture. Keith was in it, but he wasn't as happy as he was in the other one. Krolia was crouched down with her hands holding his shoulders. Keith was in a red hoodie and black shorts. Instead of his shiny hair, his head was covered with a red knitted hat with cat ears. Lance smiled slightly and pointed to it, "Did you make that?"

She chuckled, "Yes, I did! He was so scared, so I thought it would make him feel better if he had a gift."

"Um," Lance chose his words carefully, "I don't want to be nosy or anything, but why did you cut his hair?"

Krolia's smile didn't falter, "Oh." She returned her gaze to the picture in thought. "I think that's something Keith would want to tell you." She burst out laughing, "If he ever talks to you!"

Lance joined in her laughter, "Yeah, I guess so."

"Oh!" She leaned over to look at the clock in the kitchen. "Speaking of my son, I'll have to leave soon to pick him up."

Lance tilted his head, "Pick him up?"

Krolia took Lance's empty coffee mug and set them on the counter, "From school."

"Oh," Lance nodded. Then his face lit up, "Oh! What if-"

Krolia stopped to look at him in relaxed confusion.

"What if I do that?"

Lance expected her to immediately refuse, but instead she perked up and her eyes brightened. "Would you?!"

Lance scratched his head, "Yeah, I mean. It might be a chance for us to finally talk."

She took his hands and gave him a motherly smile, "That would be great!"

Lance pulled into a small, separated parking lot next to the entrance. Keith's mother gave him the directions to the school and where to wait for him. He stepped out of the car to lean against the passenger side and watch the glass doors. The cool air stroked his skin and tangled in his hair. After a few minutes, he heard an automated bell ring from inside. Soon, students started flooding out. Lance searched through the crowd for Keith.

A flash of obsidian caught his eye. Walking in a muddy-green cardigan and matching Fjällräven Kånken was the stunningly beautiful Keith. His hands were raised as he spoke, even though his mouth was covered with the Vogmask. His sparkly eyes stared up at a bigger guy with black and white hair. A scar ran across the bridge of his nose, slightly covered by slim glasses. Lance would've thought he was a teacher if it wasn't for the black backpack on his shoulder. Keith only looked over to notice Lance when he was a few feet away. He stopped in his tracks and stared at him.

Lance gave him a small wave, "What's up?"

The guy with him turned to follow his gaze. Keith turned around, grabbing his arm.

"Ah-Wait!" Lance jogged up to him.

Keith whipped around to look up at him with his icy purple eyes. "What?"

"Keith, do you know him?" The guy pointed to Lance.

Keith met his eyes again. "He's just," he looked Lance up and down, "a family friend."

"Oh," he rubbed his neck and held out a hand, "My name is Shiro. I'm Keith's friend."

He shook it, "Lance."

Keith tugged on Shiro's sleeve, "Come on, let's go."

"Your mother sent me to pick you up," Lance slipped his hands into his pockets.

Keith glared at him, "I'll walk."

Shiro waved a finger at him, "Keith I usually let you do what you want, but that is the worst idea I've heard out of your mouth today."

Keith switched his glare between the two of them, then shoved himself off Shiro and crossed his arms. "Alright," he headed toward Lance's car, "take me home."