Hey! I know it's been forever but I actually wrote something. It features transgender!Lance, something I've been attempting to write for a long time. This fic is predominately told through texts but has quite a few longer scenes throughout. Enjoy!

TW: Depression, bullying, mentions of gender dysphoria.

Keith glanced down at his phone as it buzzed, realising it was a text from an unknown number that merely stated the word, "Hello". Most spam texts consisted of links or apparently being owed money from overpaying taxes so this one was different. He let his finger hover over the letter 'w' as he contemplated a response, before typing a message.

Who is this?

It was simple, yet effective. An honest reply would be enough to identify the unknown number and he would never have to think about it again. Maybe, if he was lucky, it would be a wrong number scenario and he wouldn't even have to hold up a conversation. Keith sucked at social interaction in person and that was applicable to texting too. He made up for it in academic intelligence. Sometimes he was proud of that fact but, other times, he despised being the outcast.

A weird sensation was making his fingertips tingle and his stomach swirl as he waited. It's not like he cared about whoever was on the other side of the phone but, for some reason, he felt anxious about it. The only reason anyone would ever text him was if it was a prank. He didn't have friends and he didn't intend on making them either. It was too much trouble and a massive, overwhelming mental weight for him. Just sitting across from an acquaintance for 30 minutes was enough to tire him out.

The notification sound almost gave him a heart attack. He glanced over to scan the lit up screen.

No one important

Rolling his eyes, Keith dropped his phone onto his bed again. It sounded like a prank. Then it pinged again.

I got your number from a friend but I swear I'm not creepy. You're just cute

A random force- some may say fate- compelled Keith to respond to the prank. Maybe he was bored. Maybe he was feeling extra rebellious that day. Or maybe it was just fate.

Thanks but I'm not interested. The whole school knows I'm gay so

It was yet another reason for him to be the reject; besides him being so socially awkward. It's not even like he was bullied but there was still something bothersome about being last pick in every single PE lesson.

I know you're gay

K: Then why are you still messaging me? I don't want to be with a girl- that's literally what being gay means

U: I'm aware

Keith furrowed his eyebrows: how dumb was this kid? Were they incapable of understanding any sexuality beside heterosexual? It was partly the school's fault for their terrible sexual education classes. As if putting a condom on a banana would help reduce the risks of lesbian sex. When Keith first started to think about sexual relationships with another boy, he didn't realise they even needed a condom to prevent STIs. He learnt that later on from the internet.

Another ping! made Keith realise he had zoned out, deep in thought.

I'm a boy and I'm bi

Now Keith knew that most likely wasn't true. He was the only openly gay guy in the entire school. Sometimes Keith wondered what it would be like if others shared his sexuality; maybe they would bond over their discriminatory struggles. Then Keith would remember friends weren't his thing and he didn't care again.

You're lying, I can tell

Keith couldn't really tell. Maybe the guy was deep in the closet with a homophobic family. Maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe someone really had a crush on him for once. Knowing Keith's luck, it was just another popular kid who played an extra brutal game of truth or dare.

I'm not, I promise

Then tell me your name

Despite knowing it essentially forced the guy to come out, Keith couldn't believe him until he could attach a face to the texts. That way he would have someone to fight when he found out about the dare. It was a safety net really.

I can't 

K: Why not?

U: I don't want you to know who I am yet

K: Yet? Are you assuming this conversation actually goes somewhere

U: I'd like it to

U: I've always liked you

K: Why didn't you talk to me in person then?

U: I want to be anonymous

K: Can you at least tell me who gave you my number? 

Keith couldn't remember having given anyone at school his number so he couldn't even begin to guess.

Nope! It'll make it too obvious 

K: I don't trust you

U: Okay

U: Then I'll help build your trust in me :)

I'm not sure when the next chapter will be out so keep your eyes peeled!