Our Paradise

6

((A/N: Trigger warning! This chapter does briefly (not really briefly...) mention the abuse of drugs, so if that bothers you please feel free to skip. I don't want anyone to read this if it makes you uncomfortable!))

"Two months, Lee. It's been two months since you left."

Lance sat by her grave, picking at the stained grass he rested on. The nasty stain continued to spread the more he picked at the sharp green blades. He frowned at the ground before scanning over his arms.

"I did it again, today, Lee. Funny how no one is here to stop me now, huh?" Lance sniffed, feeling moisture tickle the corners of his eyes. He tried to fight it, but soon the urge to cry overpowered him as he stared at the red streaks covering his arms.

"Why did you leave me?"

*~*~*~*~*

Quiet and calm. Peaceful, in a way. That's exactly how Keith felt about the past two months. After mourning for quite a while, Keith opened himself back up to his friends. He seemed to be back to his normal self. The only thing truly bothering him being the odd peacefulness that fell upon his school life. Sure, he had the occasional stressful test or bad hair day, but it still seemed too peaceful.

After a day or two, Keith finally pieced it together.

Where was Lance in all of this? Where were the nicknames? Where were the nasty slang insults that were fired at him any other given day?

To tell you the truth, Keith couldn't remember any true interaction between them since the funeral, other than when they passed in the hallways. He'd offered multiple times to pick him up after school, but Leanna's parents always covered for him. Soon enough, Keith began to give up on that choice. The two interacted less and less, which began to almost worry him.

Leanna had left him with a purpose. Lance needed someone he could count on. Leanna was that someone, but she was gone. If Keith hadn't been following through with that, who was? He knew for a fact none of Lance's goons would. So who was helping the broken boy?

It took a while for Keith to notice the symptoms, but once he did it was clear as day each time it happened. Especially after it was announced he supposedly "quit" the team.

Lance had turned to drugs. Every once in a while, Lance would pass by and the strong smell of cigarette smoke would be obvious on him. Soon enough, Keith realized it had gone further than that. Lance seemed more and more anxious about everything around him and always seemed fatigued. His eyes were constantly bloodshot and he soon developed a nasty cough.

After a while, Keith couldn't take it anymore. He'd called Leanna's parents earlier in the day, telling them with confidence that he would be the one getting Lance after school. They agreed after a while and Keith went throughout the day with more confidence. Pidge asked for a ride home and Keith explained his situation. She didn't seem too fazed, so she agreed to tag along.

The two pulled into a parking place just outside of the front door of the detention center. Keith disengaged the engine of his car, pulling the key out of it's slot.

"You're coming in?" Keith asked, curiously watching Pidge open the passenger side door. She shook her head, her glasses sliding down the bridge of her nose ever so slightly.

"No, I just figured he'd want shotgun."

Keith shrugged, watching his friend climb in the back seat before exiting the car. After going through the door to the building, Keith approached the friendly gate-buzzer. She explained Leanna's parents had already paid for the day's release, so he smiled and waited patiently for Lance to come out of the back.