FWB|| Klance HS AU✓

Chapter 30: 'Look at me, Keith'

Three days after the first assault you could find Keith in his bedroom, staring at the ceiling. Keith didn't go to school the day after it happened, but you knew that already. He had to physically drag himself out of bed Wednesday morning when his alarm went off. Keith cried the whole time he got ready for school, scared to face Lotor and James. He kept his head hung low throughout school and his earbuds at full volume. Keith tried his hardest to keep a distance from Lance, which didn't work out too well. It's not that Keith didn't want to see Lance, he just felt as if he didn't deserve to be around Lance. Keith didn't have the courage to face Lance like he used too. He felt too weak that if he couldn't fend for himself then why would Lance want too? Keith didn't deserve to be around Lance. He didn't deserve to see that bright smile or hear his soft voice.

When it came to lunch time Keith stayed in the bathrooms. How was he supposed to sit across from Lotor and eat like nothing happened? Keith couldn't even look Lotor's direction without his heart beating out of his chest and anxiety flooding his mind. Pidge had tried to ask Keith why he was being so distant and all Keith said was that he wasn't feeling good. On the second day of Keith avoiding everyone, which was today, Lance finally stepped up.

"Keith!" an all too familiar voice called. "Wait up!"

Keith slowly turned on his heel to be faced with a shimmering smile. Pearly white teeth framed by tan, soft lips that belonged to Lance McClain. Keith stood there as Lance continued to approach him. He wanted to take off in the opposite direction and just run. Keith felt his palms become sweaty and he could hear his heart beat through his ears. Seeing the slim boy within a three foot radius of Keith just made him anxious. What was he supposed to say to Lance? How was he supposed to talk to him? Keith didn't know what he was going to do. Lance would hate him if he knew. He'd leave Keith without a second thought, Keith couldn't bear that. Ignoring Lance was already hard enough as it is. Keith wanted nothing more then to be hugged and kissed by Lance, but Keith knew better. He knew he shouldn't. Keith couldn't live with himself when he was giving love to Lance and doing such things with James. It was revolting.

"Wanna skip fifth hour? Maybe talk a little?" Lance asked timidly, pulling at his backpack straps. He was worried about Keith to say the least. Lance noticed the black circles under his eyes, showing how exhausted he was. His posture was also getting worse, which said a lot because it was already pretty bad. Keith just looked tired and worn out. He seemed so sad and broken down. It hurt Lance to see him like this. He looked miserable. Lance knew Keith had been acting like this since Monday and he didn't know why. Keith just said he was sick, but Lance knew better. He knew there was more to it than just being sick. Keith had to be going through something and he wasn't telling Lance what it was.

Keith's eyes drifted to his feet, not being able to look at Lance. "I can't. I already missed a day of school this week and Shiro will kill me if he finds out," Keith mumbled in a very quiet tone.

Lance sighed. "Since when does pissing off Shiro ever stop you?" Lance asked. He didn't mean to come off so harsh, but he couldn't help it. Lance was worried sick about him, Keith had to know that. Keith never acted like this, not even towards Pidge. Lance also couldn't skip class, but he was offering anyways. If he got caught skipping then he'd be suspended from football, but that was a risk he was willing to take for Keith. "Clem, I can tell there's something wrong and-"

"I just don't feel good, Lance. I haven't felt good since Monday, that's all," Keith lied straight through his teeth. He hated himself so much for lying to Lance like this. Lance deserved the truth, but Keith just couldn't tell him. He didn't have the courage or strength. Keith also didn't have to courage to look Lance in his face and lie, he couldn't hurt Lance like that.