Nearly Witches [Ever Since We Met...]

Chapter 4

"What are you guys doing?" Pidge stepped into Lance's apartment, taking in the chaos before them. Lance and Hunk sat on the floor of the living room, crafting supplies spread out around them in the most messy way possible. Neither boy lifted their head at Pidge's entrance, completely entranced in their projects.

"I'm making a necklace for Shay," hummed out Hunk.

"And lover-boy over here?" Hunk hummed again, Lance not paying attention. "Lance." Pidge strolled over and tapped Lance on the shoulder, making the boy jump in surprise and drop his crafts.

"Pidge! You almost made me drop my croissant!" Lance desperately picked up his project again, feverishly checking to see if it's fall had ruined it.

"Shut up, vine is dead," replied an already bored Pidge.

"What's vine?" Pidge and Lance's heads both shot up to glare at Hunk.

"What the fuck." Pidge sighed, pulling out their computer from their backpack and searching for vine compilations. They eventually settled on one called Vines to Show Your Grandma and shoved it in front of Hunk. The latter only sighed, abandoning his necklace to watch the video. "Lance... that actually looks good," let out Pidge reluctantly. Lance was still working on his craft, it looking like an intricate pattern of some sort of thick, blue twine.

"Ha! They call me a tailor because of how I thread the needle!" Pidge rolled their eyes, focusing back on the vine compilation.

"Lance, you should make vines," Hunk said while returning to his necklace. Lance puffed his chest up in pride and smirked.

"Vine. Is. Dead. Anyways, who are you making that for?" Pidge directed their attention back to Lance's project.

   "Keith, of course. I wanted him to have a part of me, since he's so busy and all," Lance puffed out proudly. "I'm going to visit him today." Lance's pride turned to a gentle, happy smile.

   "Gross," Pidge rolled their eyes yet again.

  "I think it's sweet." Hunk grinned, looking back to his necklace. "I'm going to go see Shay. See ya later guys!" Hunk tidied up the messy floor before leaving.

    "I'll leave too. I don't want to be stuck alone with you while you coo over your boyfriend."

   "We aren't dating yet!" Lance glared at Pidge as they packed up their computer and left Lance to daydream about Keith and finish his craft. Eventually, Lance finished an elaborate bracelet with a milky moonstone intertwined in the center of the blue design. Abandoning the mess on the floor, Lance jumped up in excitement and rushed over to his crusty car.

    After what seemed like thousands of stoplights, Lance finally arrived at Keith's store. He strolled up to it, excitedly fidgeting with the bracelet in his pocket. When he reached the door, he gripped the handle, surprised that Keith wasn't already there. The door didn't open. Lance scanned the door in confusion, seeing that he was there at one of the open times listed, but, the closed sign was also displayed. The tall boy leaned against the door in confusion, grabbing his phone to text Keith.

Hey, I decided to stop by the shop. Are you closed ?

      After 20 minutes of no response, Lance dragged his hands through his hair in frustration. He finally set off to his car, hopping in and driving aimlessly. Eventually, he ended up at a familiar lake. It was nothing compared to the beautiful ocean back home, but it was wavy enough to imitate the former when he closed his eyes. Lance jumped out, slouching towards the water. He settled in some gnarly tree roots just about the water, the only person around. This spot was his secret hideaway in the lush forest surrounding him.

    "Is he too busy for me to be in his life?" Lance sighed, taking out the bracelet and staring at it. Keith had been even more distant than before, not responding to texts, and not making any effort to communicate or see Lance. The latter had tried to trust him... but their relationship didn't have a strong enough foundation yet. Lance leaned back against the looming tree behind him, closing his eyes, and listening to the waves. He imagined himself back home, surfing the ocean waters back in Cuba.