distance // klance internet friends au

Chapter 16

*time skip forward about a month*

Lance's pov

I woke to my phone ringing. I sat up and looked around.

It was a text from Pidge, asking if I wanted to hang out. I shot her a text saying I was busy.

I had barely seen them since we got back from our trip. I just couldn't bring myself to talk to many of my friends lately after what happened with Keith. 

I decided to go for a walk to clear my head. It was better than staying at home and facing questions from my family

I had barely talked to them lately. I couldn't bring myself to talk about Keith, much less what had happened. I found it better to stay quiet than to talk to them. I would only burst out crying.

I walked to the beach. I smiled as I let the water run over my feet. It was a peaceful day, and it was the perfect way to relax.

I laid down on the sand in one of the most secluded ares of the beach to enjoy the sunshine. I had barely gotten any sleep lately, and the sun felt so nice and warm on my skin. I felt like a cat, sunbathing themselves.

I didn't even notice how tired I was. I drifted off into peaceful sleep.

I woke to someone shaking me. "Huh?"

I opened my eyes to see a girl with blonde hair tied up into a ponytail looking at me. I sat up, and flashed my most charming smile.

"Hey there." I said.

She rolled her eyes. "No offence, but I don't have time for that. Besides, I'm not into guys. I'm looking for someone named Lance McClain. Do you know where I could find him?"

I chuckled. "Honey, you're looking at him."

She smiled. "Great. Hi, my name is Romelle."

She held out her hand for me to shake.

"Romelle? That's a nice name. Sounds a bit familiar though."

She started walking away, and I followed her. "I'm a friend of Keith's. He has no idea I'm here. I mean, he knows I'm in LA, but he doesn't know I went looking for you."

I stopped walking, which made her look back at me.

"Wait, you know Keith? Uh...how is he?"

She rolled her eyes. "Awful ever since you basically told him you want nothing to do with him anymore."

I shook my head. "I never said that. And I want to talk to him, but-"

"But what?"

"But I don't want anyone to get hurt."

I immediately regretted it. James had made it clear that he didn't want me to mention it.

It was too late, so I had no choice but to explain when Romelle bombarded me with questions about what I meant.

I explained about the museum, and what James had told me. When I finished, she sat in a stunned silence.

I sighed. "I figured you wouldn't believe me, but I swear I'm telling the truth."

She shook her head. "Oh no, I believe you. I haven't trusted James since the day I met him. And Keith's definitely changed a lot since they started going out. I believe you, but Keith probably won't. Unless he hears something about it from James himself. It all makes sense now. James keeps pulling Keith farther and farther away from his friends. I barely see Keith anymore because he's always hanging out with James. He even stopped sitting with me at lunch. I didn't realize just how bad the situation was. Not only is Keith being separated from his real friends, but he's fallen back on old habits. It's not good."

"Wait, what do you mean Keith has fallen back into old habits? Is he drinking again?"

She slowly nodded, though she looked unsure. "Uh...yeah. He did."

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "What are we going to do?"

"I don't know, but here's my number. We can keep in touch. I can give you updates on Keith and stuff."

I nodded and took the paper from her. I hastily scribbled my number on a piece of paper and handed it to her.

"I have to go, I have a flight to catch in a few hours. I'll text you once I'm back in New York." I nodded, and she ran off.

I sighed. "At least she believed me." I mumbled to myself, grabbing my towel and making my way home.

Once I was home, I decided to give Pidge a call. It rang twice before she picked up.

"Lance? Is everything ok?"

"Uh, yeah. So, I was wondering if that offer to hang out was still standing."

"Of course! We're at my house, you can come over whenever you like."

"Thanks, I'll be there in a few."

She hung up and I made my way to her house. Thankfully, she only lived a few blocks away, so I didn't have too far to walk.

I knocked on the door, and almost immediately it flew open to reveal Pidge and Hunk standing there.

"Hey guys. I'm sorry for avoiding you."

Hunk smiled and pulled me into a hug.

"It's alright. We figured when you were ready you'd come to us. We know you were pretty upset about Keith."

I nodded. "About that..."

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ok, now that the holidays are over i should be able to start posting a bunch of chapters again,,so yea :)