Our Paradise

2

"So... by not making the team... does this mean you're willing to give the music club a shot? You know, we could really use you, Keith..."

He nodded, starting the ignition in the car and soon pulled out of the driveway. "I know, I know. I just... I don't know if I'm ready."

Pidge furrowed her eyebrows, watching the calm, light rain sprinkle onto the windshield only to be wiped away. "If you don't mind me asking... why? Why aren't you ready?"

Keith slowed his driving speed the smallest bit and exhaled lightly before hesitantly answering. "Shiro's-" Keith paused, correcting himself before continuing. "Our parents were very musical. Shiro, Mom, and Dad were always singing around the house... when I came into the picture, they taught me everything I know about music... most nights we'd gather around our piano and just sing. Things were great. Almost perfect.

"Our parents, mostly dad, wrote music as well... mom would always share hers with us, but dad... always claimed it was too personal." Keith gulped, pulling into the school parking lot. He checked the clock. They were early.

"Dad was at work late one day, and I got curious. I didn't think he'd be home so soon..." Keith turned his gaze to the raindrops trickling down the driver's side window. "I read his music. It was about us.

"He came home sooner than I expected and wasn't happy. He was steaming mad and took the car out. Mom went after him...the weather was bad..."

Pidge began tearing up, knowing where the story was headed. Keith already had small tears rolling down his cheeks. "Keith..."

"It's all my fault, Pidge... if I hadn't-" he choked on a sob, cut short of finishing his sentence. Pidge pulled him into a hug and the two sat in silence, listening to the rain rattle off of the roof of the car.

After 10 minutes or so, they had finally calmed down and the rain had come to a slight pause, a small mist falling instead of beads of water. The two wiped away their tears, climbing out of the car and heading inside. Keith sniffed and wiped his eyes on his sleeve once more before turning his head to Pidge as they walked.

"So, when do I get to meet Hunk and Shay?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Pidge beamed at Keith as he arrived at the club room door, and he smiled in return. He approached her cautiously, trying his best to avoid knocking over any of their instruments.

The small girl was still smiling big as he set his bag down at the small table she was seated at.

He checked his watch and raised his eyebrows upon seeing no one but him and the girl in the room. "Am I early?"

Pidge nodded, grabbing her guitar case and popping the latches open. "Just a little bit. Hunk and Shay's last class lets out a little late most days. Would you mind helping me tune?" Keith shrugged, walking over to the piano playing a low E. Pidge pulled out her guitar, plucking the low E string, adjusting the tuning peg until the note was the same as the one being played on the piano.

They continued the tuning process, two people Keith assumed were Hunk and Shay walking in as they reached the high E. Pidge smiled at the two, setting her guitar down on a stand. Keith sat down on the piano bench and the three approached him.

"Keith, this is Hunk. He plays bass and his voice is the voice of an angel, which is what he is." Hunk laughed at that, extending his hand to Keith, smiling warmly. He had nice, chocolate tan skin and comforting hazel eyes. His dark hair contrasted by a yellow bandana-type strap. His build was big yet athletic, in a way. The two shook hands as Hunk made a comment on Pidge's statement.