beaming | keith kogane

XI | make up

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"I THINK YOU SHOULD MAKE UP WITH HER," Y/n said, sipping her strawberry milkshake. I silently glared at her, taking a bite of my fudge dipped cookie. Sweets weren't my specialty, but dark chocolate was an exception. I chewed on the dessert before swallowing it, waving the other half in my hand. "I'm aware of that, idiot, but how?"

A heavy sigh left my lips. Perla refused to talk to me whatsoever. She was a hardened shell of Keith kryptonite, whatever that is. "The things I said and did, the topic itself," I swallowed harshly, finding myself nearly choking on the cookie without a drink. The girl across from me looked up, e/c clashing against my bluish-gray eyes.

My wrist lost its flair. "It's heavy shit; it's things that she doesn't like messing with." Y/n had no idea what ended up in our loss of friendship, but apparently Shiro egged her on to ask me since she saw me the most out of the entire friend group. "What was it exactly, if you don't mind me asking?" She quietly mumbled, sipping her drink again.

I averted my eyes, looking out of the window. "It was your arrival. I-I didn't want to meet you because of my sprite," My brows furrowed. "I didn't want you to be like the rest of them; I've dealt with them enough. She's so mad at me that she moved out. I think she's living with Lance for the time being." I choked up slightly, my head hanging.

Y/n gave me a bittersweet look, resting her hand on mine briefly. "I'm sorry for being such a burden," I froze for a second. There it was, that flash again! It was gone soon enough. "I-I know it couldn't have been easy for you whatsoever since it's such a difference. I think you know how bad this situation is, you just need to apologize." She smiled, rising from her chair.

I watched her put down some money and a note before leaving, grabbing her bag. "Take it as my payment back to you for coming so suddenly." Her eyes didn't hold any hatred, but her lips looked as if it could tremble into a sobbing pout any moment. I didn't say anything and just quietly nodded, letting her take her leave.

She whispered a polite goodbye to the waitress that served us before swinging the door open and walking out. I tapped the cookie against my plate before dropping it completely, not interested in eating anymore. Memories flooded back as to how much I owed Perla and how much she helped me.

"You owe me five bucks!" She shouted at a kid. He was a few inches taller than me and bullied me sometimes, but otherwise left me alone. He wasn't the nicest of people and although I tried to fight back, I'd always get the blame, so I just gave up. I tried to walk as quietly as possible, but there was no way to get to the bathroom without passing them.

I went behind the girl, slightly scared for my life. The guy let out a snort, "You want five bucks? Fine, I'll get you your stupid five bucks!" He wriggled out of her grip and I could see his hand going towards me as my eyes grew wide. Oh, c'mon! I just wanted a bathroom break! I swerved away from it, awkwardly coughing.

His hand just barely scraped my scalp, but the girl stopped him. Her hand was outstretched and a blue textile barrier kept him away from me. "Or," She offered cheekily, a few of her newly growing teeth showing. "You stop bullying him and any other kids before I kick your dumb butt." She grinned widely, almost like a little kid on Christmas morning.

The male scoffed, looking back at me and then back at her. He looked at the barrier and I could tell that the only reason there was fear in his eyes was because he wasn't as developed with his sprite as she was. He nodded shamefully before scurrying off, the other grade school student turning to address me. Her smile didn't dim and her eyes were bright.

"My name is Perla Moriando and you are. . . ?" She inquired.

Is this the moment that you shake their hand back and say your name? I've only seen it in movies; I didn't have many friends.

"I-I'm Keith Kogane," I stuttered, cursing myself out internally for doing such a thing. "Oh! You're the prodigy in Ms. M's class, she talks a lot about you. Something with you and a rare sprite? I don't know. Her voice is pretty boring so I usually fall asleep." She shrugged nonchalantly before turning to the vending machine.

She stared at it, glancing at me briefly before pulling out some money. "You want a soda?"

Perla had done that for me countless times. I was relentlessly bullied for most of grade school until I got the hang of my sprite in middle school. The bullying just spiraled downward from there because most boys didn't like how I was 'stealing their girl'. It was stupid and a shitty reason, but that was just life sometimes.

Life was unfair. 

This was unfair.

Still, even after my sprite seemed to get me in more trouble, Perla stuck by my side. I tried to distract myself, taking a look at the money that she put down. I knew Y/n was a klutz, the breakfast she made for me spoke on its own in that standard. Sifting through the cash, I muttered the amount underneath my breath slowly.

I came upon the last few dollars, finding a little note and a hidden peppermint. Boy, isn't that a reverse Uno card for the waitress that took our orders. I snorted under my breath and curiously unraveled the note, opening it. My face turned red. Y/n. . . I didn't know you swing that way. In it was her phone number and a cheery little doodle that she did.

I didn't say anything, my face warm as I placed the note back, but not before adding her number in my phone. I pocketed my phone, adding the last amounts of money that she forgot to add on. Chewing on my bottom lip, my heart fell. And as I walked out of that café and turned to watch the waitress open that same note, I had no idea why.