Keith pointed at a ham and salad sandwich, not bothering to open his mouth and speak his order. The cook behind the counter let out a sigh before scooping up the sandwich and handing it over the counter. Again, without saying a word, he handed over the card that allowed him free school meals. She swiped it on the cash register before handing it back and finally offering a smile. 

Turning around, Keith scanned the lunch hall for Lance. They hadn’t had fourth period together so planned on meeting each other in the hall. It took a moment but his eyes were able to lay upon Lance, sitting in the corner and picking at his own sandwich. 

“How was Psychology?” Keith questioned, sinking into the empty seat on Lance’s right. Lance jumped at the sudden sound but was quickly able to compose himself again. 

“It was fine. How was Bio?”

“Eh, alright. It’s not my favourite subject if I’m honest.”

“Then why did you take it?”

“Because I’m an idiot.” That elicited a soft chuckle from Lance, which was enough to make Keith smile too. All he wanted was to hear Lance’s joy. He deserved the world. “Anyways, how’ve you been?”

Lance opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by someone laying a harsh hand on his shoulder. The pair both turned around to see Allura, one of the popular kids Lance used to hang out with, standing with a grand smile on her face. Her eyes were dark and full of nothing but pure evil. “Lucia, why are you sitting with this weirdo?” She spoke with enough confidence and force that it caused Lance to shrink back in his seat. 

“Lance…” Lance murmured, refusing to make eye contact. 

“Oh, come on! You’re not still pretending you’re a boy, right?” Allura barked out a loud laugh that was then echoed by the posse standing around her. Keith saw Lance shakily swallow and bite his lip harshly enough to draw blood. “Who knew you would become a weirdo too? You used to be so cool.”

“Leave him alone.” Keith murmured, pulling himself up onto his feet. He clenched his hands into fists at his side, trying his hardest not to hit the idiot standing in front of him. 

“And why should I? Because she’s your girlfriend?”

“He.”

“You’re disgusting,” Lotor, another popular kid who just happened to be Allura’s boyfriend, stepped forward with a disgusted look on his face. His eyebrows were raised and his nose was scrunched up. “You’re always going to be a girl, just look at yourself. Just look in your trousers-” Keith cut Lotor off by swinging a fist and contacting Lotor's face. A satisfying crack echoed through the air as Lotor raised a hand up to his nose and Keith breathed heavily. “You hit me! You freak!”

Before Lotor could retaliate, a teacher rushed over to the group and glared at Keith. “Go to the headteacher's office now.” She demanded. 

“You’re telling me you didn’t hear what they were saying to us? You’re going to punish me for standing up for my friend?” Keith was yelling and definitely gaining the attention of everyone in the lunch hall but he didn’t care. All he could see was red and he had never felt angrier in his life. Lance didn’t deserve to be bullied and Keith, most certainly, didn’t deserve to be punished. It was unfair. He hated school and their stupid lack of bullying protocols. 

“Just go to her office before you get yourself in more trouble.”

“I fucking hate this school.”

“Language!”

Keith scowled but complied. He hung his head and walked out of the hall, well aware that every single person in the room was staring at him.