Our Paradise

1

Keith pulled up slowly to the curbside mailbox marking 555 Redwood Ave. He sighed as he disengaged the car's ignition, pulling the key out of its slot. He leaned his head against the window, staring at the moving trucks in the driveway. Laredo was nice, but still not home quite yet. It would definitely take some getting used to.

    Keith's older brother, Takashi, A.K.A Shiro came up to the window, knocking on it and beckoning Keith out of the car. Keith reluctantly pulled the handle, swinging the door open and climbing out after his seatbelt was undone.

    "Looks like these guys could use some help, yeah?" Shiro said, gesturing to the people moving their boxes into the house. Shiro wiped a bit of sweat from his brow, as he'd been working inside the stuffy house with the movers for a while. "Go ahead and start unloading. Feel free to move stuff into your room, but don't organize it yet. I'm gonna run to the store and buy some water and ice. Do you want anything while I'm there? You'll have to eat it now. The fridge isn't working."

    Keith shrugged, watching the movers take box after box out of the truck. "A bag of chips and a coke wouldn't hurt."

    Shiro nodded, searching his pockets for his car keys, only to turn up empty-handed. "Shoot. I think I left my keys on the counter. Can I use your car?"

    Nodding, Keith handed the keys over to his brother. "Drive careful. This car is my baby, and if you return with a single scratch on Cheyenne I will cut you." Shiro raised a brow at his brother before hopping in the driver's seat. "Oh, and fill the tank while you're at it. You drive, you pay."

    Shiro smirked before holding up Keith's wallet, which he had sneakily pick-pocketed from him. "Not today!" He yelled, starting the ignition and driving down the street.

    "Wha- hey!" Keith yelled though it was no use. Frowning, he turned towards the driveway once more, bumping into someone accidentally as he turned.

    The girl fell on her bum, cursing under her breath before glancing up to meet the eyes of the person who had knocked her down.

    "Watch it!"

    "Oh, shoot! Sorry, I didn't mean to!" Keith said, offering a hand to the girl. Instead of gratefully taking his hand, she brushed it aside, standing up and dusting herself off. When she met his gaze once more, she frowned, and he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "I am so sorry about that."

    The girl's frown soon turned to a neutral face once more, and she shook her head. "It's alright, no damage done." She paused, studying Keith for a moment before speaking again. "You seem new around here, so I suppose I could give you another shot at a first impression. What's your name?"

Keith held out his hand. "Keith Kogane."

    The girl shook and replied, "Pidge Holt. Well, my name is actually Katie but my friends call me Pidge."

    "Nice to meet you Pidge."

    Pidge straightened her glasses. "You guys need help moving in? We live a few blocks away, I could get my brother to help."

    Keith glanced at the boxes in the garage that still needed to be unpacked. "My brother Shiro just ran to the store, but he'd probably enjoy the help and meeting new faces."

    Pidge nodded, then pulled out her phone and sent a quick text. Keith got a glance at the screen and it read, 'Get to 555 Redwood, helping new neighbors. Bring snacks.' The contact name was "Loser."

After sending the text, Pidge glanced back up at Keith, a small smile across her features.

    "Well, come on then. Let's get you guys moved in."