*Hi, so chapters have names now. my old friend came up with this one. also, I'm gonna start linking the song I'm listening to when I'm done writing. or a random song that I really like if I didn't listen to music while writing that day. along with a pic, just for fun. (this pic has a reason that I explain when it's relevant to the story. I didn't add a US map for shits and giggles) I just happened to be jamming out to the LoliRock soundtrack when I wrote this so I linked Higher. BTW I have an author's note at the end too that actually talks about the fic.*

(3348 words)

"Move it! Move!!!" A blonde boy shouted as he ran through the halls of the school, pushing everyone that got in his way.

"Fuck you, Noah!" "Ugh, you're such a scum bag!" "Bro, what the fuck!" "Slow down!" Many complaints were shouted at him but he ignored all of them.

He eventually made it to his destination, the school gymnasium, "McClain!!" He shouted as he ran in, seeing the mentioned Cuban boy sitting on the bleachers with his boyfriend and one of their best friends.

Lance turned away from the conversation he was having, "There you are, Noah! Did you bring it?" He sat up quickly, walking to meet the boy in the middle of the room.

Noah nodded, "Yeah, it's right here." He started digging through his bag, "Somewhere in here..."

Lance rolled his eyes, "Take your time."

Noah smiled as he pulled a folder out of his bag, "Here! Thanks again, I got an A!" He handed Lance the folder, "I was afraid you'd leave before I caught up to you, I knew you'd need your notes for the project."

Lance shrugged with a smile, taking the folder, "Nope, I was just waiting here with Pidge and Keith. None of us take the bus."

Noah nodded, "Thanks again, you just saved my ass. Mrs. Bennett was about to kick me out of the class. I didn't even know they could do that."

"Well, Latin is an advanced class. You have to keep up advanced work and advanced grades if you want to stay in the class. I'm only in it because I already speak Spanish." Lance giggled a bit, "Maybe you should be in Spanish instead though."

"No, I can handle it!" Noah shook his head, "I just need to remember to do my homework. Speaking of Spanish. Are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo? Isn't that a Spanish holiday?"

Lance laughed, "No. That's a Mexican holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. In Mexico, it's a small holiday, but in America, it's turned into a day to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage. Especially in areas with a high Mexican population. But I'm not Mexican, I'm Cuban."

Noah seemed a bit confused, "Hm.. Alright. I guess that makes sense. Whatever, I'll see you on Monday."

Lance laughed again, "See you." He waved as Noah walked away before walking back to the bleachers.

"Who was that?" Keith asked as Lance sat back down, his eyes watching the blonde boy leave the room.

"Noah Jordan." Lance rolled his eyes, "He's in my Latin class. Sweet as can be, but not the brightest kid. How he ended up in AP Latin is a mystery to me."

Pidge chuckled, looking up from her laptop, "Yeah, he should stick to the sports. He's in my English class, even though he's a Senior and it's a Junior class."

"He's in my English class too, he's taking both levels." Lance sighed, "He failed last year so he's taking extra classes so he can still graduate on time."

Keith nodded, "Oh, that's cool... Is he your friend?"

Lance shook his head, "Hardly. But I do tutor him sometimes." He looked at Keith, "Why do you ask."

Pidge snickered, "Because he's jealous that you were all giggly talking to a hot guy."

Keith blushed dark red, "Am not!" He crossed his arms, "Lance can talk to whoever he wants!"

Lance giggled and leaned over to kiss Keith's cheek, "I'm just tutoring him, Keith. I already have an amazing, hot guy. I don't need him. Besides, mine is smart." He kissed Keith on the lips this time.

Pidge fake gagged, "Gross, get a room." She shut her laptop.

Keith laughed, looking over at her, "Don't you have AV club?"

She looked at her phone to check the time, "Shit, I'm late. See you losers later? Allura's?"

Keith shook his head, "I have work tonight, late shift."

Lance sighed, "I'll be there though. I'm working afternoon and Hunk is going to pick me up there before he stops to get you."

Pidge nodded, packing her bag, "Alright, see you then." She put her bag over her shoulder before getting off the bleachers and running towards the science and math wing of the school.

Lance checked his phone, "We should go now. I don't want to be late for work again."

Keith nodded, grabbing his bag and standing. Lance did the same before they left the gym together. They went out the back exit, leading to the back of the parking lot. That's where Keith parked his motorcycle.

Keith put their bags in the back basket, taking the helmets out of it. He put his own on before putting Lance's on for him. He always strapped it for him or at least checked it after Lance did it himself. He wanted to make sure it was secure. It was just another small way he protected him as much as he could. Lance stopped fighting it months ago.

They both got on and Keith drove out of the parking lot, heading towards Main Street. Soon enough, they reached BRÜ Artisan Coffee Works. Lance was a barista there. Keith stopped in front, letting Lance get off.

"Do you want me to take your bag home or do you need it?" Keith asked as Lance took his helmet off.

"I don't need it. Just leave it in the living room so I can do my homework if I get home before you." He gave Keith his helmet.

Keith nodded, putting the helmet away, "Alright, have fun tonight."

Lance nodded too, giving Keith a quick kiss, "I'll see you for dinner."

"I'll bring some food home from work so don't make anything. I love you." Keith smiled at him.

"I love you too." Lance smiled as he watched Keith ride away, then he turned to go inside.

Keith drove back to their apartment, dropping their bags off and grabbing a few things, then he was back on the road again.

He drove to Shiro's house, his best friend. Everyone in their group had one person they were closer to than the rest, one friend they always went to. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend is great, but everyone needs that friend that you have a special bond with. A bond as strong as the one you'd have with a boyfriend or girlfriend, but different.

Hunk and Allura are always there for each other, they'd drop everything for the other. Lance and Pidge can basically read each other's minds at this point (Keith finds it quite frightening at times). Keith and Shiro are the brothers neither of them ever had. Shiro is an only child with a single father and Keith is an orphan who never got adopted. They found family in each other and their friends. And that's why Keith made it a priority to make it over there after dropping Lance off at work.

Keith checked his phone while at a stoplight, seeing his new text.

shirogone: still coming over?

Keith quickly typed a reply before pocketing his phone again and focusing on the light.

kmskeith: yea omw

The light turned green and Keith continued on his way to Shiro's. He drove to the condos near where Pidge lived, it was just around the block from there. He parked in the parking lot and went to Shiro's condo.

Shiro was sat on the porch, looking up at the sky. Keith walked over with a sigh, sitting down next to him, "You okay, dude?"

Shiro shrugged, still looking up, "Dad is flipping his shit. And dealing with Allura isn't helping anything..."

Keith looked up too, "She's really moving all the way to Massachusetts?"

"Yup." Shiro sighed, "She got her acceptance letter from Harvard yesterday. I don't blame her for leaving, she got accepted to the best business school in the country. While I'll be lucky if I get into community college..."

Keith looked over at him, "You'll never know until you try. Have you even applied anywhere?"

Shiro looked at him, "Have you?"

Keith frowned and looked back up, "You got me there... I don't know if I'm even going to. Me and Lance have been talking about it a lot... We're moving by Trinity University no matter what, it's his top pick. He got accepted everywhere he applied, he's smart like that."

Shiro looked up again, "That's where Matt goes. There's a lot of job opportunities around there, he had no issue finding a part-time gig."

"If you had to choose one thing to do with your life, what would it be? Think reasonably but don't be too small with it." Keith frowned, "That's what Lance asked me, but I can't think of anything."

Shiro thought for a minute, "I can... I think being a cop would be pretty cool. I volunteer at the police department every Saturday already, I get to comfort kids who were caught up in crimes or accidents. I like being able to help. I could help stop things like what happened to us in August... Well, mostly to Lance. I was barely affected."

Keith sighed, "He still gets nightmares every once in a while..." He paused before speaking again, "Do it. Become a cop. You don't need a law degree, it's optional. You just need to go to the police academy. Your dad will calm down once he knows you have a plan. And you'll feel better too."

"I'll give it some thought." Shiro smiled for the first time since Keith showed up, but it quickly faded, "That doesn't help the situation with Allura any..."

Keith shrugged, "Well you only have three options."

"And what would those be?" Shiro looked over at him.

Keith kept looking up, "1, you can go to Massachusetts with her. 2, you can try long distance with a girl who lives halfway across the country. 3, you can break up with her."

Shiro looked back up, "Yeah, I think I already knew that... But I can't move. I can't leave Dad, I'm all he has. I can't move that far away. And that also means leaving the only brother I've ever had." He looked at Keith again, his smile returned.

Keith looked at him, smiling as well, "Why don't we head to the police station together right now. We can figure out how to enroll you in the police academy. You don't have to enroll today, but this way you'll know."

Shiro shook his head before standing up, "I'm going to talk to dad about it before I go. I know hearing a plan will calm him down a lot. He's just freaking out because he wants me to have a good future."

Keith stood too, Shiro helping him up, "He's a good dad. I'm sure he'll like this plan."

Shiro got a text and pulled out his phone, "Fuck..."

ayellura: can you come over?

ayellura: we need to talk

ayellura: it's urgent

shirogone: be there soon

Keith looked over at Shiro's phone as he replied, having heard the multiple notifications, "Looks like she may have made a decision of her own..."

Shiro sighed and put his phone away, "I should head over then... Keep your phone on, I'll text you later."

Keith nodded, "I have work tonight but I'll check it on my breaks if I don't hear from you before."

"Alright... Have fun at work, man." Shiro went back inside to grab something.

"There's no such thing," Keith said before the door closed. Then he went back to his motorcycle, getting on and driving away.

*now I'll explain the US map. I put it so people who aren't familiar with the states can see how far away Texas and Massachusetts are from each other. Our fic takes place in a made-up town in Texas, Harvard University is in Massachusetts. So that will put a mAjor strain on Allura and Shiro if they chose to keep dating*

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Lance finished making a medium mixed-berry smoothie to-go before going to the back of the coffee shop to take his dark brown apron off. The shop sold a variety of food and drink, not just coffee. He put his apron in his small locker, taking out his (actually, it's Keith's) black sweater. He put it on happily, it fit him perfectly. Keith liked his hoodies and sweaters a bit baggy so they were the perfect size for Lance to steal.

"I'm clocking out, Vi!" He said as he closed his locker and went to clock out.

His coworker, Violet, peeked out from the front of the shop, "Okay, have a nice weekend! Tell Keith I said hey!"

"I will." He smiled as he walked past the counter, grabbing the smoothie that he'd just made himself, then left the shop. He went out and sat on the curb, drinking his smoothie as he checked his phone. He had a few new texts.

*this isn't a group chat, these are individual texts that I've grouped together for easy reading :)*

kmskeith: I was asked to cover for Lacey today so I'm going in early. don't worry though. I'll still be home at the same time.

ayellura: sorry but I can't have you all over tonight >.< sorry. I already told the others

katiehatesyou: idk if you saw but Allura can't have us over. hang at my place instead?

hunkinthetrunk: just saw Allura canceled. I'll still get you from work though.

Lance smiled at his friends' texts before opening a group chat between Pidge, Hunk, and himself.

leggylance: just got out of work. I'm still down to hang if Pidge is down to have us over

katiehatesyou: I'm always down.

katiehatesyou: btw hunk is on his way to get you. I'm on the phone with him now

katiehatesyou: he says he's down. see you losers later.

Lance closed the chat after reading Pidge's quick responses. He then texted Keith back.

leggylance: okay, don't work too hard. btw Allura cancelled so I'm going to Pidge's with Hunk instead. Love you!!! ♡♡♡

He then put his phone away and went back into the shop. Violet looked over at him from the table she was cleaning, "Back so soon?"

Lance smiled, "I have a few more minutes before my friend gets here. I'm going to get him and my other friend drinks. And get another one for myself, I downed that." He threw his cup away with a small laugh before going back behind the counter to make three new drinks.

Violet nodded, "You said friend, so I guess that means Keith is working?"

Lance nodded, "Yup. You haven't met Hunk or Pidge. That's who I'm hanging with tonight." Violet was 26, so she didn't know his high school friends. She only knew Keith because he was almost always Lance's ride.

Violet walked back behind the counter, "Need any help with those drinks?"

"Yeah, that'd be great. Can you make an iced mocha latte? Double expresso." He asked as he started working on a strawberry-banana smoothie for Hunk.

"Expresso at this time of day?" Violet asked as she walked to the coffee maker.

Lance shrugged, "Pidge is always caffeinated. I don't think she's slept in two months." He laughed a bit.

Violet laughed too, "She's getting a head start for college. I don't think I've slept in seven years."

"But you get to become a surgeon, I think all the extra schooling is worth it." Lance smiled, finishing Hunk's smoothie and starting his own.

Violet looked at him, "What are you going for? I never asked."

Lance shrugged, "I'm pretty sure I want to go for psychology, learn more about the human brain and behaviors. I haven't officially chosen yet, I put undecided on my application forms."

"You were accepted though, right?" She asked as she finished Pidge's iced latte and put it in a drink carrier with Hunk's smoothie.

Lance nodded, "Yeah, everywhere I applied I got accepted. I chose Trinity University." He finished his smoothie and put it in the carrier.

"That's a good one, I did my first four years there." Violet said as she grabbed three straws and set them in the middle of the carrier, "Good luck."

"Thanks. I'll see you next week." He took the carrier and left with a smile. Hunk was pulling up outside as Lance walked out, "Perfect timing." He walked to the car and got in, "I got your favorite." He held up the drinks for Hunk to see.

Hunk smiled excitedly, "You're the best!" He took the smoothie when Lance handed it to him and took a drink, "You make it so much better than anyone else."

Lance laughed and put the other cups in the cup holders before putting on his seat belt, "Extra banana, just the way you like it. And double expresso for Pidge, just the way she likes it."

Hunk laughed and started driving, "When did I tell you I like it with extra banana?"

"You didn't," Lance shrugged, "But you did tell me strawberry-banana is your favorite. And you ordered your smoothie with extra banana while we were at the mall back in March."

"That was two months ago!" Hunk laughed more, "You remember the smallest things, it's strange."

"It's not strange. It's observant." Lance took a sip of his drink, "I keep a mental note of things like that on purpose, so I can recall it at times like this."

Hunk glanced at him with a smile, "How many other things have you 'observed'?"

Lance thought for a moment, "Well, Keith really likes strawberry flavors, but hates actual strawberries or anything with real strawberries in it. I think the seeds bother him.. And you say your favorite color is yellow but you always lean towards orange when you have a choice. You own barely yellow clothes but you have a lot of orange. But orange is close to yellow so maybe that's why you chose it. Maybe you're trying not to be flashy.. Shiro and Allura have been pretty distant lately, I think it's probably college stuff. So I haven't brought up anything college-related around the two of them.. Pidge has had twice as many AV club meetings as usual, so I think she's working on something special and hasn't told us yet.. You never bring up college around her so I think that has been hard on you guys too.. Keith has been working extra hours a lot so I think he's worried about our future and is afraid he won't make enough money for us, even though I work too.. And Mama hasn't called as often as she used to so I think she's finally become accustomed to me moving out, it happened with Danny too. She called him every day at first because she missed him so much. But the more she accepted it, the less she called. So less calls is a good sign."

Hunk listened with his jaw dropped, speechless by the time Lance finished. It was silent for a moment before Hunk finally found words, "Dude..." Well, he found one word.

Lance laughed a bit, "It's important stuff to remember!"

"Remembering my color choices is important?" Hunk raised an eyebrow.

Lance nodded, "Very important. Crucial. Detrimental. Of the highest priority."

The two kept straight faces for all of five seconds before bursting out laughing, unable to take themselves seriously.

Hunk pulled on to Pidge's street, still laughing, "This is why I love you, goddamn."

Lance chuckled a bit, glancing down at the house he grew up in, where his family still lived, "Let's go inside." Part of him wanted to visit his family first, but an even bigger part of himself decided it wasn't a good idea. They'd all ask questions about his mental state. If he's still seeing a therapist, if he's taking his medications as prescribed, if his scars have gone away. (Yes, not exactly, and no.) He didn't want to deal with that today.

He and Hunk went to Pidge's, drinks in hand. Hunk didn't even get a chance to knock, Pidge opened it before he raised his hand all the way.

"Took you nerds long enough!" She ushered them inside, "I checked your locations to make sure you hadn't died." She had a nervous habit of constantly checking their locations, it calmed her to know where they were. No one minded it.

"We're alive, and I have coffee." Lance smiled as he handed her the cup.

She took it with a smile, "Come on, my parents aren't home so we can chill in the living room." She walked to the living room happily, her boyfriend and best friend following behind.

*this took so long, I had to do a couple rewrites. I still have some more exposition to go but I didn't want the chapter to be too long. I'll explore more exposition in chapter 2! I still have a lot to cover before we can get the angst ball rolling*