Outer space | klance au |

41: parking lot

There was definitely something strange about getting ready for a date you didn't want to go to. His usual self-care routine felt lackluster and picking out his outfit was another ordeal altogether. Lance had stared at himself in the mirror for what seemed like forever, remembering the taste of bitter alcohol as it invaded his mouth and coated his lungs. Keith told him to bail. His friend—or whatever Keith was to him—wanted him to blow off the date.

Keith promised to come over to hang the stars for Lance. It made a lump form in his throat and his chest tighten. He didn't realize how much the other male cared about and for him. Yet, for some reason, Lance declined. Now his ceiling was empty and he was empty and Keith hadn't texted him back.

Actually, James hadn't texted him back either. Lance was sitting in the restaurant waiting for his date to even show. His leg bounced with the nervous energy that somehow multiplied by the minute. James was now over forty minutes late. Romelle had dropped him off five minutes late and he was texting how sorry he was while he rushed inside. His texts were delivered but never read.

"Hey sweetheart, would you like to order something while you wait?" Lance hadn't even seen the waitress's approach. He glanced up at the older woman and shook his head.

"He'll be here any minute." Lance sounded desperate. His voice was oddly shaky and his eyes were watery. He wasn't sure if he was trying to convince her or himself.

"How about I'll grab you a water while you wait," she said with a smile. It was genuine and made the creases by her eyes deepen. Lance let out a breath of air he didn't realize he was holding.

"That would be great actually," he nodded. His throat felt tight and this impending doom crept up on him. There was no way James would bail on him. He brought out his phone and was tempted to log onto the chatroom but decided against it. He set his phone on the table and waited for a text or a call from his supposed boyfriend. Oh god, they hadn't even talked about that. Were they even technically dating? His thoughts were swimming and a sense of loneliness clawed it's way to the surface. Lance wanted to go home. He just wanted to cry.

The waitress set down his water and he jumped. "Maybe he hit some traffic," she said hopefully. Lance knew she was trying to make him feel better but somehow it made him feel worse. He wanted to believe her—believe in James—so bad that it hurt. It physically hurt him and he wasn't sure why. It was just one date. One date with a stupid guy that Lance wasn't even sure if he was all that into. Some part of him knew he should have listened to Keith.

"Or maybe he's helping ducks cross the street. Or helping a broken down car. Or maybe he was called back to the hospital. Or maybe he forgot about me," Lance said slowly, tasting the words as he uttered them. They were bitter. He traced the tabletop and bit his lip. The chair across from his squeaked and he saw the older woman sit down.

"Honey, if he forgot about you then that boy doesn't deserve you," she patted his hand gently. For some reason, she reminded him of his mother. Lance wanted to run home and call his mom and just chat about nothing in particular.

He laughed shakily. "You really think so?" Lance looked up at her and met her sparkling eyes.

"I know it," she smiled. "You're lovely and don't deserve to be sitting at a diner table close to tears." Lance nodded with her words but that didn't stop the lump from forming. He had never been stood up before.

"Just a few more minutes," he promised. If James didn't show he wasn't sure what he would do. He had texted Romelle but she hadn't answered him either. He would rather walk than take an Uber. He sighed and rested his chin in his hand and gazed at the empty spot in front of him. He sighed and tapped his fingers on the table. Maybe this was for the best. He wasn't in a great headspace to begin with. Just as he was about to leave, James suddenly crashed into the empty spot across from him. He was out of breath and his hair was messed up but he was there! Lance felt something close to thankful bloom in his chest.