Keith in Real Life

It all came rushing back to him in a painful blur of dizziness; the kid not even a year under Keith-the one in his class at the Garrison. He had been taller than Keith by an inch or two at the time, but that was no longer the case. His face was younger now than it was then (if that was even possible). He was lankier then, too. Not as confident or comfortable in his own body.

Keith's chest tightened. Old emotions resurfaced in a storm of bitter fury. It was like Keith hadn't spent years forgetting. The awkward boy who hit on every girl was now confident and out of the closet-his shields down. Keith felt a dull ache in his knuckles; a painful reminder of everything that happened the day he left.