Hiding Behind a Mask

Chapter 17- The Squad is Back

Lance and Sam went to school happily the next day. As soon as they got to school Sam runs to his group, they all cheered and hugged him. Sam had a large and noisy group of friends. Lance smiles and goes to his locker to start his routine.

He opens it and began to organize again, it feels like forever since he's opened it and saw all of his textbooks and notebooks and oh God he was behind on so much. At least he finished the book during his imprisonment.

He heard someone crying and running at him, as he turned he was greeted by a big ball of joy crying, happy to see him back.

"LAAANCE!"

"Woah, hey Hunk!" Lance pats his friends head. "What's wrong with you?" Another hug. "Aaaand hi Pidge."

"YOU CAME BACK TO US!" She cried.

"Yeah yeah I came back... jeez."

"WE THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER COME BACK!"

"HUNK AND I WERE SO SAD, KEITH TOLD US ABOUT ALL THE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO YOU!"

"LOOK AT YOU! YOU'RE STILL BRUISED!"

"WE MISSED YOU SO MUCH! WE'RE SORRY WE DIDN'T HELP YOU!" The scene was almost comical. Lance getting hugged by two of his friends. He gave them a smile though he was worried about their mental state. He looked up and saw Keith staring at him with a pleasant smile. However that didn't last long cause Hunk pulled the teen into their hug. Keith was now feeling awkward.

"Why?" He asked as he was being crushed.

"COME ON MAN, GROUP HUG! WE'RE TOGETHER AGAIN!" Hunk cried. Keith and Lance gave the same uncomfortable look at their friends who were still a crying mess.

"I'm sorry, it's a lot of reading but I managed to get all your notes." Pidge said as she hands Lance her copy of notes.

"You are an angel!"

"Of course I am." She smirks. "I'm happy you're okay."

"Aw you were worried?" Lance teases, Pidge pokes his head.

"Course I was. When Keith told Hunk and I you got beaten... we were scared. Also I've heard about a girl named Rebecca McClain... was she related?" Pidge asks. Lance nods, his smile dropped.

"She was my sister."

"Oh God." Pidge covered her mouth. "Lance I am so sorry."

"Thanks. I just want her to be at peace, I hope she is."

"She's still watching over you." Pidge said. "She'll be at peace if you're at peace."

"Then she must be." Lance smiles. Pidge rubs his head.

"We're glad you're back."

"Glad to be back."

Literacy wasn't better, Keith was a little clingy. The class was watching a movie for a book they had read while Lance was gone, so he was catching up on whatever Beowulf was. Keith moved their desks close and leaned his head on Lance's shoulder. He didn't mind, but it was strange nonetheless. He decided to bring it up to him.

"Keith?"

"Hm?" Keith looked at Lance like nothing was wrong.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." Keith went back to watching. Lance sat still for a moment.

"Any reason you're this close?" He asked. Keith shook his head.