[Keith]
On my way to school, I make it a thing to pass by the bakery my dad's friend owns. He gives me a free club sandwich to eat on my way. But I can't really eat it while riding the motorcycle so I save it for lunch.
Lance and I used to stop by the bakery all the way back from middle school. We would pick out designs that we liked and add them to our chocolate bread. It was the good old days. Now, I doubt Lance even goes to a bakery, much less eats bread.
I picked up my free club sandwich and went on my way to the university. As soon as I got off from my motorcycle, I was greeted by Lance. He seems more cheery now than the last time we met at the cafe. I apologized to him for making him feel left out and he accepted. Although, I don't really know what I was apologizing for.
"Keith, you got time today?" He asked me.
"Why?" I briefly asked him as well.
Lance shrugged and held my hand. "I was thinking we could go on a date, you and I." He said shyly. "What's this about?" I said, retracting my hand and grabbing my things. "It's been a long time since we got together, don't you think?" He said, catching up to me. "If you say 'you and I', are you sure there's not a girl tagging along?" I asked him and he shook his head. "Allura's busy so you can count on it this time." He said and I looked at him straight in the eyes. I'm once again, this guy's backup plan. "If Allura's busy, I'm your option number two. Right?" I told him and he rolled his eyes.
"You're so stingy, it's hard to talk to you at times. Why don't you accept?" He said, acting like it's my fault.
"Leave me alone, I have to go to class." I told him.
Lance held my hand again and pulled me to him. Out of embarrassment, I panicked. "What the hell?" I exclaimed. "You're hanging out more with Shiro than me. What's up with you?" He said. "Well, what's up with you!" I returned the question to him and pushed him off. I glared at him then walked away. "Fine, go away! Run away from your problems for all I care." He said and turned his back from me, going on his separate way. Maybe it's better this way than feeling like the second option all the time.
This scene has happened multiple times in the past. A few minutes later, Lance will cave in and text me saying he's sorry and I ultimately have to forgive him. However this time, I was left wondering what he's up to because he never sent me a text. He's ignoring me and now I'm the one thinking if I should go apologize or not. I walked out in the middle of class and excused myself to the restroom. But God knows I'm going elsewhere but the restroom.
Lance's class must be over right now, so let me see what he's up to.
Imagine my horror and guilt as I saw him and Allura flirting in the cafeteria. Ah, he's not going to apologize this time because he has someone to set his sights on. In the light of sudden frustration and tears coming out of my eyes, I turn away and did not look back. Maybe this time, I have to stop whatever feelings I have for Lance. Maybe I could do it now.
I walk back to the classroom and Shiro notices so he switched seats to sit next to me. "Are you unwell?" He asks me and I shook my head as I slump down. "I'm just going to sleep." I told him and he pat my head. "Don't worry, I'll cover your notes." He said and it made me relieved that someone was willing to cover for the stingy, aloof me.
Class was over when I woke up and Shiro was talking with someone. I open my eyes and the guy who had tan skin and glasses poked Shiro to notify me I was awake. "Keith, are you good?" He asked and I nodded. "Uh, sorry to interrupt." I said, fixing my hair and my face. "It's fine, Shiro told me you two were partners for the Philosophy project. I'm Adam, Shiro's partner." He introduced himself with a bright smile. "Babe, when you say partner, it makes me feel giddy." Shiro said, bashfully flirting with his guy. I got to get out of here.
"I'm going now to eat lunch." I said and Shiro grabbed my arm.
"Why don't you eat with us?" He offered and Adam nodded.
I feel kind of shy around couples...However, Lance hasn't texted me yet so maybe I can crash with these two. They look like two responsible adults anyway. "Are you guys sure it's okay?" I asked and they both nodded. "Adam knows a great restaurant near the university." Shiro said, clinging to Adam. "It's just a mini-restaurant, but the food is satisfying." Adam added and I smiled. This feels like I have two parents since they're equally so tall and I'm like their brooding teenager son. Their flirting adds to the whole family scape.
As soon as we got to the restaurant, it felt like a breath of fresh air. The windows were as large as the walls with hanging plants as decor. The sunlight seeps in and illuminates the whole place, as if a scenery straight from a book. The waiter leads us to a table near the window and we sat down. "I always feel at home at this place. I still am grateful you recommended this place." He says, and embraces his boyfriend. I took the menu and hid my secondhand embarrassment.
"Ehem, how about you Keith, are you feeling nice?" Adam asked.
"It has great ambiance. I like it." I told them and they smiled.
We ordered pretty much a few things since we have to go back to university soon, but I never expected them to start making me open up about my life. "So where do you live, Keith? Are you commuting?" Shiro asked and I nodded. "Kind of. I ride my motorcycle on the way to school." I said, while eating. "Shiro rode a motorcycle before but stopped when he got into an accident." Adam chuckled and Shiro got shy. "I find it now that cars are far better suited for me." He said to redeem himself.
"Keith, do you have someone you like?" Adam started. Shiro glanced at me to make sure I was okay.
"I don't know." I abruptly answered.
Shiro gulped down what he was biting and got all awkward. "Sorry Keith, I may have told Adam about your current situation." He said and I glared at him. "Don't get mad at Shiro. To be honest, I was jealous of you at first since Shiro talks a lot about you. But hearing about your situation, it made me think that Shiro was thinking of you as a brother and not geared towards the romantic kind." Adam said and I almost choked. "There is no way for you to think that, he looks like my father, more or less." I said and Shiro looked offended.
"However, you can't really stop a person from being jealous of anyone their lover is interacting with." Adam says and I couldn't help but agree.
Adam put his utensils down gently and looked me straight in the eye. "I also think that jealousy is an inevitable trait, even if the person you love isn't yours to keep." He added and that's where I knew where it's headed. "In the past, Shiro was in the same situation as you. Always there for another person, but treated less important and useful only when needed. Then, he met me. Not to brag or anything, but at least he's now back on track and loving himself ten times more than in the past." He says, holding Shiro's hand.
He then looks at me again. "What I'm trying to say is that you have to move on." he said and I slammed my fists on the table. "It's easy to say it than doing it. Believe me, I've told myself more than a hundred times over but look where it got me. I said than for ten years--ten years and I haven't moved on. If there's a pill to make me forget about my feelings, I'd gladly drink it all." I said and stayed still. Adam stood up from his place and hugged me.
"It's alright, there's no need to rush." He said and I actually hugged him back.
"Aw, let me join in." Shiro said, also joining the hug.
I've never felt like this before, even at home. When my dad compliments me or appreciates me, I quickly get rid of it and ignore it. Maybe, this is what I'm needing all along. I was so in the moment that I forgot I needed to get back to class. I quickly pulled myself back from the hug and finished my food. We talked about other things like classes, my jobs, my dad, and everything else. It made me feel good to forget about Lance in a while.
"Here's my share." I said, handing them money.
"No, I'll pay. Don't worry about it." Adam said, bringing out a credit card.
I shook my head and insisted. "I don't like being in debt." I said. "It's not a debt, it's on me." He said, giving me back my money. I never like other people doing something for me. However, Adam seems sincere and I didn't want to step on his act of kindness for a moment. Maybe it was okay for me to let people do something for me.
"I hope to meet you again Keith. And then maybe, you'll take my advices straight to heart." Adam said and winked at me.
I chuckled and nodded at him. "See you guys at the university." I told them and we parted ways.