Book of One-Shots

>Start Over<

Sighing, Keith closed his eyes and threw himself back on his bed. He couldn't hold the thoughts back as they berated the wall in his mind, they spilt through like water breaking though a dam. He hummed and leaned back into his bed. The sounds from before echoing in his mind. The thoughts caused him to go numb and for dread to spill into his gut. Grabbing his phone, he started to play one of the songs from his teenage years. A song he only played when he felt sad and couldn't hide it anymore.

Mr. Brightside.

...
...
...

"Ugh..." he groaned, shaking his head to get the thoughts out of his mind. He couldn't help it though, he made a sort of growling noise when squeezing his eyes shut. These thoughts manifested into a reality, or imagined reality.

Keith shakily inhaled, he swallows and creeps down the hall towards Lance's room. Anxiety whispers sweet nothings into his ears like a ghost. He forces himself to blink as he stands in front of the door. He raises his fist to knock, slowly lowering it to knock. A muffled sound exits and Keith feels the dread bubble in his gut again. It starts to burn and Keith stops himself from continuing on. Another muffled sound comes from the room, it sounds like a moan. Then another. And another.

Dread is starting to hit Keith like waves in the ocean during a storm where it's unsettled. Keith forces himself to blink three, maybe six or seven times. Keith quietly exhales before lowering his fist. He clenches it when another moan reaches his ears. His eye twitches when another male's groan reaches his ears.

That voice is familiar.

Keith thinks. He thinks more. He recognizes those voices. Giggles and the quiet sound of skin slapping against each other enters Keith's ears. Words swell in his throat and Keith forces himself to swallow them.

With a sharp turn, Keith walks back to his room.

Keith finally opens his eyes to see the lights hanging on the wall. He sighs again. He turns his head to the side, he looks around the room. A sense of loneliness enters into him. He tries to blink away the tears, he really does. But they won't stop, they break down the walls, they take advantage of his vulnerability. They drip down from his eyes, trailing down his cheek and hitting the pillow beneath his head.

A knock interrupts his tears, he jumps and gasps. He wipes his tears frantically, he gets off his bed and grabs his phone. He checks himself in the camera, his eyes aren't red.

Good.

More knocks hit the door, there's mumbling behind it. Keith tunes in and hears... him...

"I don't know, he might be asleep James!"

"Come on, just open the door."

"James, he usually locks his door—"

Keith's eyes widen and he launches himself into his bed. The doorknob turned and silence spread behind it. A huff, and Keith is huddled in his blanket. He covers his mouth and closed his eyes. He presses play on his phone and the song continues quietly. The lights above are still on and Keith is pretending to sleep. The door opens and whispers come from the two.

Tears well in Keith's eyes, he's facing the wall, the music softly plays behind him.

"Oh no..."

"What?"

"Uh, James, you have to go."

"What, why?"

"I have to... talk to Keith. Alone."

"Okay...?"

"Don't worry, I'll get him to come with us, just... go back to my room."

Keith feels himself being struck in the heart. The tears manage to pour from his eyes again. He moves his hand to press the next song when the first song ends. The song is sad, it's softness playing and soothing Keith's sadness. He sighs and forgets that Lance is still there.

He's given himself away.

"Keith, I know you're awake." Lance's voice pierces Keith's sadness.

"I know..." Keith croaks quietly, he exhales shakily and swallows whatever is gather in his throat.

"Are you okay...?"

"Why do you care?"

"We're friends..." Lance's soft voice almost distracts Keith from the message being voiced.

"Right..." Keith sighs.

"Is this a bad time to invite you to a—" Lance starts, Keith cuts him off.

"Yes, Lance, I was just... Preparing myself. I have something to do,"

"Is it okay if I ask—"

"No, Lance, just leave." Keith pushes himself from his bed, the tears starting to stop. They stutter down his cheeks. He's still looking down at his bed, his hair covering his face.

"But—"

"Lance, leave me alone!" Keith immediately snaps, he looks up at Lance and growls. Glaring up at the surprised face he sees. Lance gasps and takes a step back. He seems stuck at the moment, between running away and confronting the problem. Keith growls again and gets up from his bed, his frustration getting the best of him. His anger makes him push Lance out and slam the door i his face.

A call of his name comes from the door and Keith ignores it. He frustratedly grabs clothes and puts them on with haste. He pulls on his boots before shoving the door open to see Lance and James standing in front of it. Keith tiredly glared at them before storming off. He hears Lance follow him. Keith takes his phone out of his pocket and plugs in his headphones. He picks up his pace and speeds down the sidewalk. Music fills his ears and fuels his anger.

Lance isn't behind him anymore... Tears fill Keith's eyes again.

Nobody is chasing him.

Nobody wants him.

Nobody is there for him.

Keith smiles and lets the tears fall freely.