beaming | keith kogane

VI | morning

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"MORNING!" I blinked, bewildered at the voice. Having nearly jumped out of my skin, I looked around frantically. My eyes clashed with bright e/c ones, the girl happily bouncing on her heels as I joined her at the curb. I slipped my red phone back into my pocket, blinking at her. It seems like I can't shake her off.

I sighed under my breath, mustering what energy I had to greet her back. "Morning," My statement sounded so half-hearted compared to her joyful one. She grinned back at me, seeming enthusiastic at the fact that I'd even replied to her. Y/n childishly clapped her hands, "Did you have a good breakfast?"

I stared at her, scrunching my nose at her weird question. "No," I adjusted my bag again, the weight of the strap on my right shoulder bugging me. "I usually skip breakfast." She didn't seem pleased by that, putting down her backpack and rummaging through it quickly. Pulling out a granola bar, she clasped the buckle before swinging it on her shoulder again.

The granola bar was shoved in my hand, a determined look in her eyes. "Please eat," My nose scrunched again, pushing the food back towards her. I shook my head and glared at her. Who was she to force feed me? She certainly wasn't my mom. "No," I looked to the side, averting my eyes and waiting for the cross signal to let us go.

"I eat fine during lunch." That was an absolute lie. I ate when I felt like it. When I usually ate during lunch, it was something that Hunk had packed for me or I just buy a sandwich from the cafeteria. It's never anything special. She stared at me, her eyes growing more intense. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand as her face grew closer.

Y/n blinked, "No, you don't."

I returned her stare for some time before she waved the granola bar that I'd forced her to take back, slamming it back into the middle of my palm. "Lying about your health isn't a good thing. Now, eat." I was absolutely bewildered. She gave me such a demand, but still had such a cheery tone in her voice. My eyes widened. Is this her way of showing affection?

I decided to play along like I always did, reluctantly taking it and ripping the wrapper. I bit into it, grumbling. "Thanks, I guess," A sweet smile painted her lips as she hummed, nodding curtly before turning her attention to the crosswalk. I stared at her, studying the side of her face. For once, I thought I'd met a girl that was unaffected, other than Perla, Allura, and Pidge.

However, it all turned out to be some kind of sick hoax. Did she really fall in love with me overnight? That's pathetic. A scoff escaped my lips, my fists clenching at the thought. I felt a tug on my sleeve, my attention turning to her as she practically dragged me down the crosswalk and to the next curb. My feet managed to keep up after she pulled me for a few seconds.

She asked another question as I took another bite of my granola bar, "Where's Perla? Lance told me yesterday that you two were roommates, so I figured that you two would at least go to school together. . . " Y/n trailed off quietly as a bitter scowl shaped my lips. Why the Hell was Lance talking about my personal life? Well, more like Perla's too.

I glanced over at her, swallowing the bite of food. "Perla usually rides with Lance, so that they can have their shitty breakfast dates. Besides, Perla's a bit iffy about me and yesterday's stuff didn't help." I took another bite off the granola bar, the food snapping instantly. I figure that the pure anger must've transformed me slightly as I felt my fangs graze my tongue.

Y/n just nodded quietly, not pushing it as we strolled closer towards school. "How about your dog? Hunk mentioned that you have one. I used to have one, but she passed when I was six." It was obvious she meant well, but it felt like she was being a bit of a try-hard. Another effect of the love sprite? This was uncommon in most people I dealt with, so it felt weird dealing with it again.

I shrugged. I didn't mind talking about Kosmo, but it was still a bit painful to do so. "Kosmo's not ours, technically. He's my mom's military lab K-9." She hummed under her breath, as if running the information over and over again in her head. I closed my eyes, a breath leaving my lips. I just wanted to enjoy the silence for what it was right now.

I heard her bag shuffle as she moved her arm enthusiastically, a bright smile on her face. "But I bet he's still a good boy." It was absolutely pure. A fluttering feeling filled my stomach, but I merely smiled at her. A chuckle slipped past me as I nodded, "Yeah, he's definitely a good boy. I miss him." Y/n smiled more, "I'm sure he misses you too, Keith."

Her name suddenly rang out, Lance waiting at the front gate as he waved at her. She looked up and then back at me. It was as if she was looking for approval or something. It confused me. I just gave her a small grin and a tiny nod, the girl beaming back before running up ahead to catch up with Lance. 

The two soon went into the school as I continued to take my sweet time. A familiar flash of light popped in front of me as my sneakers stopped, my frame just a few feet away from the school's front gate. I quirked a brow at Haneul as the boy boredly adjusted his bandages, "Y/n doesn't like you." He said curtly, staring at me blankly.

My brows furrowed. Since when could he read my thoughts?

"Boys read boys; that and I tend to look out for Y/n a lot, clearly." He waved his hand nonchalantly, mumbling under his breath near the end of the sentence. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his dark green cargo pants, closing his eyes briefly before opening them. "Either way, my point is that, Y/n doesn't love you. She doesn't hold any affection towards you."