Story bits

"Lance, come on, you need to focus." Ryan scolds. "I am focusing!" Lance says. "He means on the board, not Allura." James mutters, and Ryan snickers. "Shut up! She's gonna hear you!" Lance hisses, sliding down in his chair. "Dude, you know she's dating Romelle, right? You've got no chance." James says.
Lance sighs. "I know. But look at her. She's beautiful." James rolls his eyes. "Just shut up and take notes." He mutters. "I'm not helping you study for another test." Lance gasps. "What? Why?" James sighs. "Coach says I need to do more community service hours, so he signed me up for tutoring again. I got som football guy." "I thought you were done with your hours?" Ryan says. "So did I. But it's either I tutor now or next semester, during soccer and baseball season."
"Wait, so you're not doing basketball? But the three of us were all gonna try out this year." Lance whines.

"Mr. McClain, if you and your friends would kindly shut up, I could finish my lesson and you can go back to your conversation." The teacher, Ms. Honerva scolded. "Now, turn to page 347 in your textbook, and complete the problems."

"I just don't get it. Why is it that you always have something going on? First that thing with your brother, then your sister, then the other siblings, then your grandma, now community service? It's like the universe is out to get you." Ryan says, and James shrugs. "Could be worse. The Brood could decide they actually care and come back." Lance snickers at the nickname for James's siblings. "So who are you tutoring?" Ryan asked. "I don't know!" James said, throwing his hands in the air.

Ms. Honerva turned and shushed him.

"Sorry." He muttered, putting his head down and looking back at his paper. "But I really don't know. All I know is he plays football and has problems with chemistry." "Who knows? Maybe you two will have a little chemistry, huh?" Lance says, elbowing him. "Lance, no. IT's just another dumb football jock. No offense Ryan." Ryan shrugs. "None taken. Maybe I can find out who it is?" He offers. "Nah. I have to meet him in the library this after class."
The bell rang, and Lance chuckled. "Good luck." "Thanks." James said dryly, picking his stuff up. "You want me to walk there with you?" Ryan offered as they exited the class. "No. Thanks anyway. We're still doing pizza at Matt's later, right?" "Yep. Later Griffin." Lance says. "See ya McClain. Bye Ry." Ryan waves as the trio goes their seperate ways.

James goes to the library, pulling out his phone. "Room 269, back corner of library." He groaned. He had to go though the entire thing to get there. This guy better not be a complete idiot. He did /not/ want to spend his afternoons going over basic chemistry.
He gets to the room and throw his backpack on the floor, sliding into one of the roll desk chairs and propping his feet up on the table.
He checks his Instagram, liking a few of his friends posts.
A few minutes, the door opens. "You're my tutor?" A male voice asks. James sighs, putting his phone down. "Yeah. What's the- Keith?" James asks in disbelief. "You need tutoring?" He asks in disbelief.
He had Keith in several of his college credit classes, and knew he was no slouch in the brains department. He wasn't bad looking either. Not James's type, but not bad.
"Y-yeah. Why? If you have a problem I can just get someone else to help me." Keith mutters. "No, no, it's fine. You're just- the last person I expected to need tutoring." Keith shrugged and sat in the chair across from him. "Well, I do in chemistry. And please, don't use one of Lance's pickup lines. I've heard it a million times." "I'm not Lance. And I'm smart enough to know not to try and flirt with you. You'd probably deck me."
Keith rolls his eyes, pulling out his textbook. "That was an accident, and you know it." "Mm, do I?" James asked, leaning forward on his elbows. "You're such a brat." Keith mutters. "Now-" He gestured to his book. "Are you gonna help me or not?" James sighed and pulled the book towards him. "Fine. Buzzkill. What do you need help with?" Keith shrugged. "I dunno."
"Well what are you doing in class right now?"
Keith shrugged. "How do you not know?" James asks in disbelief. "Because I skipped, okay? But Coach says if I don't bring up my grades and stop skipping chem, I can't play. So can we just get to it?" Keith huffed. "Sure. I guess we'll start with the basics and work our way up from there."

Just two weeks into tutoring, and Keith was already showing significant improvement. "Wow. Good job." James says, handing him back his practice test.
He'd gotten all of them right.
"You sound surprised." Keith said with a smirk. "Yeah, well most of the football guys I tutor have taken one too man hits to the head, if you know what I mean." Keith chuckled. "Oh, I think I do." "Speaking of which, what position do you play?" "Well, I'm co-captain of the team, and normally I'm either QB or O line." James chuckled. "Yeah, you seem like a runner. Let me guess, they give you shit for your hair during drills because it flies behind you." Keith shook his head with a laugh. "Yeah. And I know they guys, they- they mean well, but sometimes.." Keith trailed off.
"They're complete idiots." James finished. "Yeah, exactly. Wait, how do you know so much about the team?" Keith asked, leaning forward on the desk. "My friends are on it. And both you and them talk about it a lot." "Really? Who?" Keith asked. "Ryan, Alex, Chris, Mark, and you." Keith raised an eyebrow. "You think we're friends?" "Well, yeah. I mean, we spend most of our 'tutoring time' just messing around. Hell, I bet if you actually went to class, you wouldn't need a tutor." James declares, and Keith grins. "Wanna bet? 20 bucks that if I go to class for the next week, I won't need tutoring anymore." "Mmm, two." James said. "Deal." Him and Keith shook on it.

The next day, James found himself sitting next to Keith in class. "See? Good things happen when you show up." James said, nudging him with his elbow. "Shut up. IF you're too annoying I might just start skipping again." "Griffin, Kogane!" Iverson barked, and both snapped their heads up. "Am I going to have to seperate you?" The both shook their heads. "Thought so. Keep it down." They nodded, and he turned around.
The two boys shared a look before laughing silently, hands covering their mouths. "Can't believe I just got James fucking Griffin in trouble for talking during class." Keith says, writing some notes down. "It's not the first time." James muttered. "Really? You get in trouble? Mr. Rule follower? The Garrison's Golden boy?" "My god. It was one time I was called that." James groans, head hitting the desk.

The next month passed quickly. "Hey, so, are you going to the game Friday night?" Keith asked inbetween bites of his Milky Way bar. "Yeah. Why?" Keith swallowed. "Just wondering. It'd be nice to see your face in the stands." "Keith Kogane? Complimenting me? I'm flattered." James said, sipping his Coke. "Yeah yeah. Just don't let it go to your head. But seriously, you'll be there?" James rolls his eyes. "Yes Keith, I'll be there. Not only would I hate to miss a game, but my boyfriend would be sad if I didn't go." Keith almost choked on his water.

"B-boyfriend?" He sputtered. James's cheeks flushed a bit. "Um, yeah. My boyfriend." "You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend!" Keith exclaimed. "You didn't ask! Besides, it's kinda obvious. I'm texting him all the time."
Keith thought for a moment. James /was/ on his phone a lot during their tutoring time.
"Well, who is it?" "Why?" James asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, don't friends know who their friends are dating? Besides, this way I can tease the two of you." James sighed, throwing his head back. "Fineee. It's Alex."
Again, Keith choked on his water. "Alex Blake? 6-6'1, blonde, blue eyes, freckles?" "Yeah." James sighed out. "How long?" "Umm." James said picking his head up. "I dunno exactly. He's more about the annaviersaries and stuff. Um, 8, 9 months?"

Keith blinked, eyes widening. "Wow. Must be pretty serious." James shrugged. "Depends on what you mean. Sometimes, it'd perfect, and we're in sync, and others, I want to punch those pearly white teeth of his out of his mouth." Keith grinned. "That's how you know it's love." James rolled his eyes. "Oh my god Keith, I am /not/ in love with him." "Mm, you sure? It has been 8 months."
"Keith, I think I'd know if I was in love. Now shut up and do your homework." James ordered, throwing an eraser at him.

The stars shone in the sky as they leaned against the back porch railing, overlooking the backyard. The fire still burned, and a few of their classmates milled about, but most had gone inside. "It's beautiful." James muttered, looking at the stars. "So are you." Keith thought. "Wha- what?" James stuttered, turning his head towards him.
Keith's eyes flickered all over James face before he swooped in, pressing his lips to James's, kissing him softly. He felt James stiffen, and his hands come to his chest, but then kiss back, before ultimately pushing him away. They met each other's eyes and blushed. "James, I-" "I-I know. But, I- Alex." Keith stiffened. "Right. Alex."
He'd forgotten James had a boyfriend.
"Keith, I- I'm sorry. I really am." James said. Keith nodded and pulled away. "Keith, please don't be mad." James pleaded.

"Babe, what's wrong? You just won the game. Shouldn't you be happy?" Alex asked, concern filling his bright blue eyes. "Yeah, I am. It's just- someone I really wanted to be there, wasn't." "Aw James, don't be sad. You won the game for your team, and now you're going to the state championship. Come on." Alex said, standing and offering James his hand. "Let's go outside. Maybe some fresh air will make you feel better."
James took his hand with a weak smile. "Maybe it will."
They went out on the back porch, leaning against the railing.
"So." Alex said, wrapping an arm around him. "What's wrong? I know it's more than just a friend not showing up to the game." James sighed. "I messed up. And now he's mad at me, and won't even look at me. We haven't talked in almost two weeks." "Hmm. Why do you think he's mad at you?"
James glanced at Alex. "This stays between us." Alex nodded "Of course." "And you have to promise not to get mad." Alex raised an eyebrow. "James, what happened?" Alex asked, concern seeping into his voice.
"So, you remember that game a few weeks ago, the one you couldn't go to because you were at Crystal's?" "Yeah." Alex said. "Well, the guys came to the game. And we had a party here after. And me and Keith came out on the porch. And, um, we might've, sorta, kinda.. kissed."
Alex's eyebrows shoot up. "Wow. Where?" James raised an eyebrow. "Um, about here. Why?" Alex smiled, leaning in. "Maybe we can make some new memories here.." He trailed off, capturing James's lips with his own. He grabbed James's hips and pulled them against his own, causing him to gasp. He slipped his tongue between James's lips, exploring his mouth. James's hands went to Alex's shirt, grabbing fistfulls of it and pushing him back a bit. "Alex- mm." He cut him off with a kiss. "We- we shou- can we-" James tried to talk, but Alex kept cutting him off with breath stealing kisses. Finally, he pushed him away. "Alex, please. I need your advice." "Mm, about?" Alex asked, kissing him again. "Ke- mmm- Keith."
Alex pulled back with a sigh. "Do we have to talk about him? I'd rather be kissing you." "Alex, please. I need your help." Alex sighed again and pecked him on the lips. "Fine. What?" "What should I do?" James asked. "About?"
James rolled his eyes. "Keith. He's one of my best friends, and he hasn't talked to me in two weeks. What should I do?" "I think." Alex said, pecking him on the lips again. "You should forget about him." "What?" James asked, stepping back.
"Well babe, if he can't handle a little rejection, maybe he's not worth your time. Maybe he'll overreact. I've heard he has a knife and does some kind of martial art, like judo."
"Taekwondo." James mutters.
"Right, that. And, I mean, you only started hanging out because you were tutoring him, so he's obviously not that smart." James's eyes widened. "Whoa. Slow down there."
"What? It's true. And he's the lone wolf type. You know? The kid in the back of class with no friends?"
"Keith's on the football and baseball team, and helps with the elementary kids, he has plenty of friends." "Yeah but they're just putting up with him. Nobody really like him." Alex mutters, brushing some hair out of James's face. "Now come on. I want kisses."
He started to pull James forward, but he pushed him back.
"They 'put up with' him? Have you ever even had a conversation with Keith?" Alex huffed. "I really don't see why you're so worked up about this. It's just the emo kid." "I'm a little 'worked up' because I'm seeing a new side of you, and one I'm not sure I like."
"All this because of one thing I said about Keith?"
"It's not just one thing. You've been saying a bunch of stuff about him. What's your problem with him? He's never done anything to you."
Alex sighed. "Look, what does it matter? Can we just get back to.." He trailed off, pulling James in for a kiss. But he shoved him away. "No. I want to have an actual conversation. What is your problem with Keith?"
Alex rolled his eyes. "Fine. He's a mommy's boy, with daddy issues, no real talent, he needs fucking tutoring just to pass, he has no friends, no one really likes him, and he kissed my boyfriend. There, I said it. You happy?"
James laughed. "Oh my god. You're jealous. You're jealous of Keith."
"What? No." Alex said, cheeks flushing a bit.

James laughed again. "Yes, you are. You're jealous of Keith Kogane. Why? Is it because he's co-captain of the football team? One of the best pitchers on the baseball team? Because he's in almost all AP classes? Because he might be more popular than you? Tell me, I'd love to know." James said, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.
"I. Am. /Not/. Jealous." Alex gritted out.
"Aw come on Alex, it's okay to be a little jealous sometimes."
"Okay, fine. Maybe I'm a little jealous. But I have a good reason to be. Ever since you started tutoring him, you've spent more time with him and his friends than you have with me!"
"I have dinner at your home twice a week, I go to all your games, hell, I go to Eric's t-ball games. Some weeks, I spend more time with you and your family than I do mine. And last summer, I spent more time with you and your friends than I did with mine! And when I told you, weeks in advance, I wouldn't be going to your party because it was Lance's birthday, you blew up at me. So don't try and play the "not enough time" card with me."
Alex huffed. "Fine. How about the 'you talk about him all the time' card? All you talk about is Keith this, Keith that. Ryan this, Lance did this, Hunk did this, Nadia and Pidge did that. All I hear about is your friends. You never once ask me how I'm doing! You're so selfish!"
James chuckles. "I'm selfish? Me?"
Alex nods. "Yeah, you."

"I'm selfish for having a life? For having people to hang out with other than /you/? Newsflash Alex, I know other people! And I enjoy their company! My whole world does not revolve around you. And that's perfectly normal! And if anyone in this relationship is selfish, it's you! You act like whenever I do anything you don't want to do I'm making you lonely, or I don't care enough about you. When I can't make it to your games or contests because I have my own stuff to do, you try to make me choose!"

"What? I have never tried to make you choose!"

"Yes you have! Between your party and Lance's birthday. Between my game and your brother's. Hell, just last week, you asked me to choose between going to do something with my team and spending the afternoon shopping with you, and got mad when I chose my team! Whenever I don't do what you want, you blow up at me, and refuse to talk to me unless I 'make it up" to you. And you always say 'we'. You try and make all my decisions for me. And a lot of times when we're together, you spend the whole time talking about something you did. Or something your teammates did. Well I'm sorry if I don't want to hear about what you and a bunch of other spoiled brats did at the CEO of whatever's country home. I'm sorry if I like having a life outside of whatever /this/" he gestured between the two of them "- is. I'm sorry if I don't like being your trophy boyfriend, and going along with whatever you want. But don't you call me selfish. Don't get mad at me for canceling plans we made last minute to do something with my friends we planned months ago. Don't tell me I don't care, that I'm not trying, that I'm not putting any effort into whatever this is."

Alex threw his hands in the air. "Why do you keep saying 'this'? We're a couple."

"Are we? This is the first time we've had an actual conversation in weeks, and we're yelling at each other, and you're insulting my friends, and questioning my character and integrity. Half the time when I see you, all you want to do is try and suck my face off. And I can't remember the last time you asked me how I was doing or how I was feeling. So I'm gonna keep calling this 'this' until I see any reason not to."

Alex scowled. "What is your problem?"

"My problem is my so called 'boyfriend' cares more about himself and his image than he does about me. That when he doesn't get what he wants, he acts like a fucking child and treats me like shit. That he doesn't seem to know how to be in an actual relationship."

"WELL THEN MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T BE IN A RELATIONSHIP!" Alex yelled.

They heard an "OOH!" and James glanced at the door, where their classmates had gathered.

"Maybe you're right. This obviously isn't working."
"Wha- what? You're kidding." Alex scoffs.
"Nope. I'm serious. Neither of us is happy with this, so maybe we shouldn't do this anymore."
"Are you- are you BREAKING UP WITH ME?" Alex yells.
"Yes." James says, crossing his arms and leaning back.

Another "OOH!".

"YOU SON OF A BITCH! AFTER EVERTHING I'VE DONE FOR YOU?"

"You've never done anything for me that doesn't also benefit you. That's all you care about, yourself and your image, no one else. You parade around town, acting like you're better than everyone else when really, you're not. The rest of us know an honest day's work. The rest of us know when to just shut the fuck up and listen, which is what you're gonna do. And I'm going to say this really slow so you understand, okay?" James asked, voice sickeningly sweet.

"We." He pointed to the two of them. "Are. Done."

"You can't be serious!"

"Oh, but I am. We're done, Blake." James spat. Alex recoiled in shock, and the crowd "OOh"ed again.

There were very few people James called by their last names. And those people were people he didn't like.

The crowd roared as Keith scored the touchdown, giving him a standing ovation. He ran to the center of the field where his teammates engulfed him in a group hug. "KE-ITH! KE-ITH! KE-ITH! KE-ITH! KE-ITH! KE-ITH!" They all cheered. "And Keith Kogane, number 27, scores the winning touchdown for Garrison high. Keith anything you want to say?" The announcer asked, running towards the team. They broke the hug and made a circle around Keith, Ryan and Lance standing by his side. "Actually, y-yeah, I do. Can I-?" he reached for the microphone, and the announcer handed it over' "Of course."
"Well, uh, obviously, I couldn't have done this without my amazing team." The team cheered. "And our great coaches-" Another cheer. "But I know that I for one, would definently not be here without a certain someone. Who means a lot to me, and is quite honestly the best person I've ever met." The team and crowd "ooh"ed. "And I'm really hoping he'll say yes to the question I'm about to ask." Keith took a deep breath.
"James Griffin, will you go to prom with me?" He yelled, and the crowd silenced. "YES!" James yelled from the stands, and Keith could see his smile from the field. The crowd and team erupted into more cheering and applause. The team gave Keith a group hug, shaking his shoulders, ruffling his hair, and jumping up and down.