Wait (Keith Kogane X OC)

Chapter 15

Four, three, queen, king, queen, ace, nine, four, joker - Sarah's hand slammed down on the growing pile of cards in front of her. Grinning victoriously, she slid them towards her and added them to her hand. "I love this game," she sighed happily, "especially when I'm winning. Nadia doesn't really let me win. The only time I ever won was the first time we played it."

She sat in the cafeteria, Keith across the table. After the documentary day, they decided to spend an entire day together because it felt like they barely saw each other. Although it was somewhat early in the morning and they'd just started hanging out, they were having a great time.

"Is that why your hands are bruised?" Keith asked. He placed a card down first.

"Yeah."

Five, six, queen, king, three.

"Romelle says my Altean is coming along really well," Sarah said as they tossed down a few more cards. Pausing in her game for a few seconds, she raised her eyes to meet Keith's. "She says I'm getting close to fluent."

"Does Allura agree?"

Sarah's smile slipped and her tense shoulders relaxed. "Well... I don't see her very often lately, but she thought I was good on the castle, and I've improved a lot since then." She threw down a five.

Keith nodded, and the two continued their game. Seven, ace, ten, six, eight. He glanced at the ring on her hand and liked the way the two lines stood out against the bright glinting metal. If he were proposed to her, would she wear both rings? It was hard to picture Sarah without her ring. Then he looked at the matching ring on his finger. Would she still want to marry him if he asked?

Four, four, seven, nine, eight, ace, king, jack - again, Sarah's hand slammed down on the pile while Keith barely moved his hand. "Are you even trying?" she asked. "Don't be afraid of hurting me, dearest, nothing can hurt more than playing with Nadia." She picked up the cards and began another round. Nine, three, five, eight, two, two, seven, three. Soon the cards started blurring together and the pile became large. When was another jack going to come? As anticipation creeped into her mind her body tensed.

Suddenly Sarah's heart leapt out of her chest and she jerked violently forward as two hands clamped down on her shoulders. While she shrieked, Pidge sat down, holding her stomach with laughter. "Wow, that was so easy!" Pidge cackled. "I didn't think you'd be so tense!"

Sarah took deep breaths to calm her thundering heart and heaving chest. "Why would you do that?" she snapped. After she set her cards on the table, she put her arms around Pidge and squeezed her arms against her body. "I hate you!" Pidge squealed when Sarah started shaking her. "I will get my revenge." Then she let her go.

Pidge leapt over the table to sit by Keith - who hid his laugh with a cough - instead and hugged his arm.

"Do you wanna play, dear Pidge?" Sarah asked.

"No. I came to tell you guys some news, but I don't know if I want you to know anymore. Maybe I'll just tell Keith." Pidge sniffed and held her head high.

Sarah shook her head and watched as Pidge whispered in Keith's ear. She paused occasionally to glance at her suspiciously. After what seemed like ages, Pidge got up. "That is all," she said. "I've given Keith instructions. Goodbye, Sarah." She nodded politely and left.

"What did she say to you?"

"Most of it was just blowing in my ear. She just said in an hour we're going to be going to Clear Day, working as security. There was something about a carnival, too... I don't know, she was laughing half the time."

"Dude, that would be like, an amazing date!" Sarah exclaimed. She hit the edge of the table rapidly out of excitement with the tips of her fingers. "Wouldn't it?"