A Beat in the Stars

17

Practice was tough, and I ended up the last one at the park doing homework.  I was working on AP Chemistry 2. I looked up as and saw everyone surrounding me. "Do you need anything," I asked. Lance gave me his signature smirk, " Just thought we'd keep you company!" Everyone nodding in agreement. "Uuhh oooookay???" I said and focused on my homework. "Why are you doing Chemistry? I thought you took that last year." Lance said peering over my shoulder scooting closer to see. "I'm in AP CHemistry 2 this year," I replied not even looking up. "HEY WE JUST LEARNED THAT!!!!!" Lance said backing up so he wouldn't destroy Keith's ears. "It's mainly review," I said as I finished it easily and switched to AP Pre- Cal. "Oh hey, I just learned that too. But my teacher said that was just something for advanced students he brings in during study hall. Like me!" Lance said, pointing his thumb at his chest giving me a big Cheshire grin. 

"That's great," I said finishing up the last problem before switching to AP English 3. I wrote down several persuasive techniques and how they are used in each text. "Soooooooo, how was practice," Lance asked. "It was....a practice. You know exactly what you saw the other day ...." "Oh Good to hear," Allura said. "Except 10 times worse."I finished  "OH," Coran said. "You know the usual before a competition," I added already on the last text. 

"Really? You're not supposed to overwork yourself before the competition. You could end up all stiff and sore like I've been the past week. It's not fun to try and dance. trust me," Lance said making everyone surprised.

"Why didn't you tell us," Allura questioned.

"Because it's something I deal with all the time. It's fine," Lance said. "Who said we were overworking," Keith said, "you should see what happens the captain gets extremely pissed." "Oh is it really that bad?" Shay asked, Hunk nodding next to her. I snorted in response. "Let's just say never get on his bad EVER," I said putting my English stuff away. "Well, I need to go and get to bed. Competition check-in starts at 5:00 a.m got to leave at 4:30," I said. 
You need a ride," Lance asked wiggling his eyebrows and picked up my bags not even waiting for an answer and walking off causing me to groan and follow. He put my bags in the back before opening the passenger door. He gave me a dramatic bow and chuckled. I rolled my eyes. I was still wearing my dance uniform and varsity jacket, so I was getting mean glares from people in the parking lot because it was on the Garrison side. I wrapped my arms around myself stepping back. "What's up," He asked stepping towards me. I lowered my head not liking all the hateful glares. This is why I left in the first place, and now everything bad that happened is flashing in his mind. My hands started shaking so I gripped my arms tighter trying not to show weakness.

"Hey, hey look at me. Don't think about them. They don't know you. They don't like the other school, that's all. We're rivals," Lance bent down and tried to look in his eyes. I let out a shaky breath and nodded. He leads me over to his truck and he helped me in. A few seconds later he got in on the driver side. I played with the edge of my sleeves and bit my lower lip. "Hey come on, don't do that. I'm gonna go over a bump, and you're not gonna have a lip anymore." Lance said in a playful tone. I smiled a little. "Imagine that, not having a bottom lip. Food falls out of your mouth, your mouth is always dry.." Lance said smiling. "Ewwww. Lance, don't say that. It's disgusting," I groaned. "No really, and how would you kiss someone without a bottom lip," Lance said smiling like an idiot and wiggling his eyebrows. "I have never even kissed anyone...." I said trailing off. "Really? No one? Like not even a pretty girl with braids in the 6th under the slide?" Lance asked. "No. Everyone in school hated me," I said.

"Not everyone. I didn't hate you," Lance said. "You literally called me a frenemy to my face or stupid mullet boy every time i saw you," Keith said.  "Ok, one, I was one of THE awkwardest kids you have ever met. Two. I call everyone stupid and for your information, I like your stupid mullet," Lance said. We pulled up to my house and saw Krolivan and my mother kissing on the front porch. I scrunched my nose and faced towards Lance to avoid it. "Do you want to sleepover or are you busy," I asked a little hopeful. 

"Sure I don't have anything else I gotta do," He said and texted one. I yawned and opened my door and was about to get my bag when Lance grabbed both from his seat and exited the truck. "I could have done it,' I mumbled. "But then I wouldn't be your not in shining armor if I let you carry your own bags," Lance said winking at me. I blushed and noticed my mom and Kolivan are gone. I walked into the house. "Your mom LEFT ME in charge, and I say no friends over," Lexi said. "Well, then I guess that means YOU have to cook dinner. I mean I was gonna be nice but if you want me to go..." Lance said and dramatically walked and started towards the door. "I WILL make MY own dinner," Lexi said.  I stood there awkwardly confused as to what is happening. "Oh, then I guess you're gonna deal with Keith too? I mean if he has like a  panic attack or something and dies that's totally on you,"  Lance said at the door. I gave him pleading look not wanting him to go. "I won't if I never noticed because I was busy with school work in my room," She said snarkily, "I said no FRIENDS can sleepover." 

"Alright, alright. Just to get this straight. Just to get this straight, no FRIENDS are allowed to spend the night? RIGHT? That's all," Lance asked. I am soooo confused. "Yes that's right," she said.  "Oh well, problem solved! We're not friends, we're dating!" Lance said and stood proudly. My eyes grew big and I looked at Lance with a bright blush on my face. "Oh yeah prove it," SHe said sounding evil. "Gladly!" He said and before I knew it he dipped me and then kissed me. I was shocked at first but then kissed back wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulled back and still had his arms around my waist. "Alright just no sex," Lexi said and walked off. I blushed bright red. I bit my lip smiling and looked up at Lance.  

I was confused as to why he started laughing. "I can't believe she actually went with that, she's terrible but great..." He trailed off.  Did he do it for a joke? Did he just take my first kiss and not give two shits? Bad thoughts ran through my mind causing me to tear up. "Keith are you okay," Lance asked. "D-did you d-do that just to trick her," I asked, slowly dropping my arms from his shoulders and hugging myself. "I-I..." He started. He didn't reply for a few so I started backing away my heart aching tears filling his eyes. 

"I..No..I didn't...I like you alright? I really really really really like you,"  He said squeezing his eyes shut. My head shot up at the words. I gasped. "Y-You're lying. You're just going to leave me because this is all apart of some sick joke," I said sobbing.  "No, no I'm not. Keith, please believe me. When have I ever lied or hurt you," I asked? "When you let the whole school bully me," I said breaking down and falling to my knees, "and you never did anything."  "Keith...Keith, I am so so sorry. Please, I won't ever let something like that happen to you again," Lance said kneeling in front of me and eased closer. "I don't want to be hurt again," I sobbed. "I know, I won't let it happen again. I promise. Please, Keith, you have to trust me," Lance begged.  I tried to breathe in and out but with the stress and nerves about tomorrow and having a mental breakdown caused my blood pressure to spike. I couldn't breathe correctly and started coughing.  "Keith, Keith listen to me, alright? Listen to me, focus on my voice okay? You have to calm down," Lance said panicking. "M-medicine," I managed to get out trying to breathe properly. 

Lance handed me my medicine and I took a pill but it wouldn't kick in till like an hour so I tried to focus on my breathing. I  grab onto Lance because I was scared of what might happen. I tried to get my breathing to normal.  He wrapped his arm around me and rubbed my back. We sat like this for an hour before the medicine kicked. I was tired though. I fell towards Lance's chest from exhaustion. I wrapped my arms around his neck and snuggled into his warm calming embrace. I was picked up and carried me to my room and sitting me on my bed. "Can you shut the door," I mumbled. Once he shut the door I stumbled towards the closet and grab a t-shirt, Lance's jacket, and sweatpants. I pulled off my shirt and turned away from him. I put on the shirt and then changed into sweatpants. I put on Lance's jacket and then curled in a ball on the bed tiredly. He laid down and wrapped his arms around me and I wrapped my legs around his and my arms around his neck and snuggled into him.