Room 1013

Forget It

Keith had to practically beg his parents to let him go back to school after that night. He needed to see Shiro and sort this out. He was the only person that may help make this better. He picked out jeans, brown boots, a dark maroon shirt, and a military green cardigan. He slipped his Vogmask over his face and took a deep breath. Everything is going to be okay.

"Shiro!" Keith jogged up to him in front of the classroom door.

Shiro looked over as he approached. He was talking to their science teacher, Coran. His glasses glinted under the artificial light, "Keith! What's up?" He gave a suave smile and tucked a hand in his black jeans. Keith thought he was too formal for high school. He always dressed really nice. Today's outfit of the day was a grey sweater over a white dress shirt.

Keith grabbed his sleeve, "I need to-" He turned to Coran, "Good morning, sir." He turned back to Shiro, "I need to talk to you."

"He just left?" Shiro leaned forward with his arm on his desk.

Keith sat in the desk next to him. He tugged his sleeves down and lifted his hands for emphasis, "Yes." He ran his fingers through his hair, "I'm such an idiot." Keith planted his elbows on his desk and put his fist on his forehead. "I wish I never did it."

Shiro leaned over and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Keith, you can't change it. Let's figure out what to do next."

Keith opened his eyes and stared at the wall, "He hates me."

"He doesn't hate you."

"Yes he does." Keith pulled out his phone and tossed it onto Shiro's desk. "He didn't answer any of my calls. He just left without a word."

Shiro returned the phone to Keith's desk, "Maybe he's busy?"

"He lives two states away, Shiro." Keith gave him an annoyed glare. "He had plenty of time to call."

"Well-"

Keith dropped his forehead onto his desk with a loud bang, "He hates me, Shiro!"

"Keith, I'm your friend and I love you, but you're causing a scene."

He lifted his head and adjusted his mask, "Too late for that, don't you think?"

Coran uncapped a marker and lifted his arms to address the room, "Good morning class! Let's get to work!"

Keith tried to keep his mind off Lance the entire time, but he kept finding himself staring out the windows in thought. The kiss was gentle. His skin was warm and strong. His chest was comfortable and protective. Keith would give anything to be held by him again. Why didn't he stay?

Keith's boots clicked the hall floors as he walked beside Shiro and Allura. He watched the shoelaces jerk with each step as he listened to their conversation.

Allura had her pale silver hair wrapped in a tight bun. She was one of the prettiest girls in Keith's school. Too bad she wasn't interested in anyone. The only people she even talked to were Keith and Shiro. Her manicured fingers held the straps of her black bag. "I'm not saying he deserves to die, but if he ever assigns a test and a essay in the same week then-" she shrugged.

Shiro chuckled and shook his head, "You've got a seething hatred for that guy."

"He's an asshole!"

"Not to me," Shiro smiled.

Allura pointed an accusatory finger at him, "That's because you guys are fuckin'."

"Ooo," Keith dramatically chimed in, "drama."

"Okay-" Shiro stammered, raising his hands up in defense, "I'm not sleeping with my teacher."

"Sure you're not," Allura teased in a singsong voice.

Keith high-fived her with a laugh, "Agreed."

Shiro started to plead not guilty while Allura wasn't having it. Keith's phone started vibrating. He slipped it out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID. His face quickly fell in confusion. He hesitantly answered.

"Mom?"

Keith, I'm here at the school. You need to come right now.

"Woah," Keith stopped walking, gaining the attention of his friends. "What's going on? Am I in trouble?"

Krolia sighed, Keith, um.

Allura shot him a questioning look. He pointed at his phone and shook his head. He crossed an arm over his chest, "What is it? It's the middle of the school day."

Keith, it's Lance.

His whole world slowed. Everything went silent. The bustling of the school faded away, leaving just Keith in an empty bubble. He lowered his eyes to the ground as he failed to find his voice. Those three words could mean many things. All of them bad.

He's been in a car accident. He's at Arlington right now.

Keith's heart stopped. He slowly fell to his knees as his phone slipped from his hands. Allura and Shiro ran over and knelt down beside him, but their voices were just empty blobs. Forearms to the floor, Keith brought his forehead down to rest between them. His breath came in sharp gasps. He didn't realize he was crying until he saw drops on the floor.

This can't be happening. It has to be a dream. Lance is fine.

Shiro picked up Keith's phone and spoke to his mother. He listened for a minute before sighing and covering his face in his hands. He hung up and stuffed it into Keith's bag.

Shiro lifted his shoulders and shook him. "-eith! Keith!"

Keith was brought out of his daze, locking his frightened eyes on Shiro. He shook his head, "I heard her wrong."

"No, you didn't." Shiro spoke in an authoritative stone voice. "You need to go. Now."

Keith blinked a couple times, "What happened?"

"Damn it, Keith." Shiro shook him again. "Lance was in a car accident."