Wait (Keith Kogane X OC)

Chapter 6

"Good luck with Keith. I was partnered with him a few weeks ago and he didn't do anything. I ended up doing the whole project." The girl sitting right next to Sarah, Kiara, didn't even try to keep her voice down.

Around them their classmates shuffled, trying to find their partners for their weekly partner project.

"I'll be okay," Sarah assured her, "but thanks for letting me know." She wasn't really grateful. She hadn't even spoken to Keith Kogane yet, despite having been in the same class for almost three months, and she hated having people press impressions on her before she even met a person. Maybe Keith wasn't as bad as everyone seemed, but as Sarah approached his desk, five words rang through her mind: "He doesn't pull his weight." Sarah held a binder close to her chest. She didn't understand the instructions their teacher had given them. Hopefully Keith would have a clue.

Keith didn't move when she approached his desk. His chin rested in the palm of his hand and stared at the world outside the window.

Sarah's cheeks suddenly turned red as her face burned. She'd always thought he was cute but admired him from afar. He was quiet and she was energetic so he'd probably be annoyed by her. On this project he was going to have to deal with her energy, though.

"Excuse me, Keith?" Sarah's voice was soft. She waved a hand in front of his face.

Silently his gaze shifted from outside to Sarah. Heat spread to her neck and ears. He was a lot cuter up close and his eyes were really intense.

"Um... my name is Sarah-"

"I know."

"-and we're partners."

Keith nodded like he already knew that. Was he actually paying attention?

"And... I don't really understand what we're supposed to do... do you?"

Keith nodded again. He looked at the empty desk in front of him. Sarah quickly took the chair and spun it around so she could sit while facing him.

"Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."

Keith only stared blankly at Sarah. Okay... so he didn't know what Star Wars is... no big deal. If the project went well and they became friends, maybe they could hang out and watch the movies together.

Then Keith began to explain. The way he explained the directions made everything made sense, like fitting a puzzle piece in with one of its partners. As he spoke, Sarah began to wonder if their classmates were wrong about him. Maybe Keith wasn't the one with the problem. Maybe people just approached him wrong.

This dream wasn't anything new - she often recalled the first time she met Keith with fondness. She had been so awkward an Keith was his usual self.

When she woke up there was a gentle pressure on her hand - warm calloused skin against hers. She opened her eyes and saw Keith watching her intently but he quickly smiled softly.

"Welcome back," he said.

"How long was I asleep?" Sarah groaned. She didn't move her hand from Keith's.

Keith was warm and familiar, exactly what Sarah wanted in that moment.

He breathed deeply then blinked and looked at their hands. "A while. You missed lunch. It's almost time for dinner."

Sarah groaned again and threw her arm over her face. Pressure against her eyes made colors dance under her eyelids. "I don't want to be here anymore."