Chapter 2
Monday, September 8
Keith’s POV
"Shiro I don't care how bad you want me to audition for the lead. It's not going to happen! Whatever you do won't change that, get that in your fucking head!" Keith screamed angrily as he slammed the door. 'Who does he think he is to always tell me what to do?' Keith's thoughts were racing. He ran down the stairs and made his way outside to find Lotor. He hates fighting with Shiro. That's why tries to avoid it under all costs, but this time Keith could not stay calm. Since the official announcement of the production of the seniors Shiro didn't leave Keith alone. He wants him to audition for one of the main parts, because of his "potential" and "talent". Well and Keith doesn't believe he is good enough for something this big, and also doesn't have the nerves to be that involved in such a huge production next to his normal studies. But whenever Keith mentions this, Shiro starts going on and on about everything he achieved and how good he was in the college's last production. It's been a whole week of telling Shiro over and over that he is not going to change his opinion, and let's just say it's tiring. But today was the final straw. He took it too far.
It started right in the morning when Keith was just making breakfast for both Shiro and himself. Shiro came out of his bedroom and walked over to the small kitchenette to set the table as he began talking "So Keith, I wanted to remind you, that you’ll only have one week last day to sign up for auditions." He placed down two sets of plates and glasses. Keith watched him over his shoulder, with a very annoyed look on his face. Trying, but in the end not succeeding to find the right response to that, he simply said nothing and focused on the scrambled egg he was making. "I know you said you don't want to, but I think- I really think you should reconsider auditioning for another role, a bigger one. I-". "No Shiro, I reconsidered for a whole week, and I still don't want to." Keith quickly interrupted. 'Here we go again, when will Shiro finally get that I will not change my mind?' Keith thought. He turned off the stove and moved over to their dining table to put the eggs on each plate. For a moment Keith thought the conversation was over, but then Shiro started talking again "I figured you would say that, but I don't want you to waste all of that hard work that you did over the years. I know you are more comfortable with being an ensemble-member. But theater is about pushing yourself, and testing out what you can or cannot do.". "Shiro I already told you multiple times, no matter what you think, I am not good enough, yet. Maybe I have potential, but what is that worth, when you don't know how to unleash it? Nothing." Keith declared and sat down to eat. Shiro hesitated to do the same. "If you don't want to believe me then at least believe your professor. I talked to Coran yesterday, and he agreed with me. Basically, every person you'd ask would say the same. You are one of the most talented people I have ever seen or heard. Noone would deserve a lead as much as you. Trust me with this. Exactly for people like you, we decided to not fill the lead roles with seniors. You are born to play Kayden". Keith was not trying to hide his annoyance anymore. 'Why can't the guy just let me live his life for once and except my choices?' Don't get him wrong, he is thankful that Shiro supports him and believes in him, but sometimes it is too much. "Shiro I am not going to say it again, you already know my point of view and we had this discussion way too often these last days. Just leave me and my decisions alone, okay?" Keith remarked listlessly, stood up grabbed his bag, and left the apartment. Shiro said something to him during the procedure, but Keith wasn't listening anymore. 'Hopefully, the argument is over with that' he thought as exited the dorm building.
He took his earphones out of his bag and played his playlist. To be honest, music was the only thing that never failed to calm Keith down. He could shut out everything around him and just focus on what was ahead of him. Right now he had to focus on getting to his first class of the day. He walked through the park area of the campus. There were a lot of students on their way to different buildings. But one group stood out from the rest, right in front of the entrance of the main complex. "Group" is not the right term for it, "crowd" would fit better, because there were so many people. All of them were looking in the direction of two girls. As he walked closer to them Keith could actually spot some familiar faces. Romelle and Allura were the ones talking to the crowd of freshman or at least Keith figured it were all freshmen since they all looked very young. That would also explain why Pidge was standing right in the front row, very focused on the event. She was rocking back and forth and was playing with the shoulder strap of her bag. Probably because of excitement, which Keith could understand really well. If he remembers quite correctly on his first day in college one kid went unconscious because the were so nervous (Authors note: It was Hunk, but don't tell anybody.). Even though the first day for her was technically last Monday, today was the one that really counts. The whole last week was full of preparation courses and small trips, but no actual classes. So today was the first time these kids could experience the reality of college.
As Keith got closer to the crowd he started wondering what was the reason for this specific meeting was. All introductions should have been held already. Keith turned off his music to hear what they were talking about.
"Hello, students! My name is Allura and I am the President of the student government here at Five Lions. I am so sorry to keep you all away from your very first classes here, but this meeting is of big importance." announced Allura.
Romelle was fast to introduce herself as well: "Also a quick 'hello" from me. The name's Romelle and I am so happy to see the next generation of amazing performers and stage workers right in front of me. Allura and I brought you here today to inform you about the different clubs that this institution has to offer!"
Now that explains the meeting."First of all, we are also very sorry that we are doing this on such short notice. We originally wanted to do this last week, but another event was a "bigger priority" according to Professor Zarkon...We also wanted to have the Grand Hall for this, but it sadly was not available. So we asked ourselves 'Where could we go so that everybody could attend easily?'And outside was the best option we found, well if you don't count-", "Romi I think they just want to know about the activities and not the organizational background" Allura interrupted her sweetly and smiled. Romelle started to blush madly, probably of embarrassment. Everybody knows that Romelle loves to talk, about everything a lot. Kind of like Lance, but less annoying. Romelle nodded and continued her speech: "Right, sorry about that. I am probably as nervous as you, this is my last year here and so I wanna give ALL my knowledge to you… at best. But moving on. You are familiar with all the parts of our school, right" The freshman all hummed or nodded in agreement."Good. Well, then some activities should be obvious. Starting with the sports clubs….". Keith, who for some reason found himself standing next to the group and listening to the speech, realized that he was running late… very late. He still had to walk about 10 Minutes to the building and he had only 3 minutes left. Fuck that. Now he would have to run. Great, that is exactly what he needed right now, especially after his fight with Shiro.
He grabbed on tighter on his bag and hurried down the pathway, but right before he arrived at the building his lecture was in, he carshed right into a person, who's apparently also running late. This really seems to be happening a lot to him lately. Except this time it was definitely his fault, but he doesn't have the time to actually acknowledge the other one. Keith cursed under his breath still not looking at them. He just wanted to make his way through the door and get to class as fast as possible, but the other guy pushed himself in front of him. 'How great, it's Lance of all people' "Hey Keith, don't just run into a guy and don't even apologize!" Lance remarked obviously displeased. Keith really did not have time or energy for this. "Fuck off, Lance. I really can’t take your bullshit right now! Leave me alone." Keith huffed and pushed straight through him to get inside. "Wow, rude much…” Lance stared at him walking away, ”Just go cut your Mullet or something. Jeez!".
Lance's POV
'What the actual fuck was that?' Lance thought as he walked down the hallway right after Keith. Yes sure, both of them were running late (which in Lance's case was nothing unusual), but that is no reason to be so angry. Especially since he was the one to bump into Lance. He opened the door to the classroom and made his way to the back, to sit in his usual seat. The professor just gave him a disappointed look but said nothing. Lance pulled out his laptop to take notes but gave up after only 10 Minutes. He was still very bothered about his earlier interaction with Keith. Normally he is just his broody, grumpy self, but today he seemed so pissed off and Lance couldn't quite figure out if this was because of him or about something unrelated. Hopefully the latter… It's not like he would care if Keith was mad at him, because he really wouldn't, but it's annoying since they are in the same friend group. And arguing between the two of them always makes the others uncomfortable. Otherwise, he wouldn't give a damn… then again he has been wasting his time worrying about the whole thing, so he can't say it left him completely untouched. It's complicated. Everything about Keith Kogane is, to be honest. Lance doesn't want his relationship with Keith to be that negative, but something puts him off when talking to him, or thinking about him. And it has always been so confusing to Lance.
He is finally snapped out of his thoughts, by his phone's notification tone.
The Garrison Trio
(hunkymonkey, lancelot, gremlin)
hunkymonkey: Hey you guys! I don't have class today until the afternoon. Want me to make lunch?
gremlin: yes, please!!
lancelot: omg yassss! u r the best hunk!!! ily <3
hunkymonkey: Love you, too :)
gremlin: get a room!
lancelot: nEVER!!
gremlin: no but srsly I love going to one college with you for exactly one reason
gremlin: food.
lancelot: food, rly? I thought it was bc of our long freindship…
gremlin: I have priorities.
lancelot: -_-
hunkymonkey: I'm glad you like it here even if it's just for my food ;)
gremlin: <3
lancelot: <3
hunkymonkey: <3
hunkeymonkey: see u later!
Lance now really couldn't wait for the lecture to be over. They always eat lunch together, but normally nobody has time to prepare their own food at home. On top of that the cafeteria food tastes like mud next to Hunks meals. So saying that Lance looked forward to the end of class, would be an understatement. And what is even better is that Pidge is there with them all the time, as well this year.
They all have been friends since Lance and Hunk were 14 because they all were in a theater camp together, the Garrison, one summer. And from then on they met there each summer and never lost contact. When Hunk and Lance then went to the same college as her brother, his friends, and also her best friend Keith they all became one big group of friends. But lunch is for some odd reason still only between the three of them. But to be honest, Lance likes it this way… more of Hunk's food for himself.
So Lance drags himself through another hour of class and can't help, but to look at Keith. He is always so focused on his work, it's almost scary. Maybe that's why he is crazy talented? Even though he doesn't seem like it, Keith is not as closed off on stage as he is in real life. Every time he's seen Keith perform he was blown away, by how accurate he can display a character. It's so moving and feels like he’s actually going through whatever he is portraying. He'll probably get one of the main parts in this year's play, too. Wait a second…. WHAT IF KEITH GETS TO PLAY GEORGE?! Oh, man… That would be so unfair! He always gets what he wants. And Lance wouldn't even be able to complain about it, since Keith is not only insanely talented but also he isn't that bad of a person and still a friend of his friends. He would be perfect for the role. Although Keith is more of a Kayden-Type in Lance's opinion. But he isn't the director, so it doesn't matter what Lance thinks anyway.
"That's all for today. Please remember to hand in your assignment this evening." the Professor announced. Lance, who actually handed in his work yesterday, was already almost out of the door. He literally could not wait a minute longer to finally have lunch. He walked across the campus, through some shortcuts, he discovered over the years, to the cafeteria. He saw Pidge and Hunk at their usual table outside. It is the perfect table for the trio. The one half was under a tree and so it was always shady – perfect for Pidge who could not stand a ray of sunshine, or she'd get burned. Lance on the other hand preferred the sunny side because he is always cold. Lastly, Hunk enjoys having both options to choose from. Today, was an especially sunny day so both Hunk and Pidge sat down on the dark side and looked at something on Pidge's Laptop. Lance walked up to them and placed his bag down on the opposite bench. "Hey, Lance," Pidge said still distracted by whatever she was looking at on her screen. Hunk then realized as well that Lance was there and stood up to hug him. "Hey, buddy! How's your day been going?" He asked and simultaneously started to unpack the food he brought. "It's been fine I guess. I had breakfast at Starbucks, which I didn't have actually time for. Then I went to class, obviously late and bored myself to death there" Lance said jokingly, but then continued as he remembered his interaction with Keith "I also bumped into Keith, well he bumped into me. And he didn't even apologize. Just told me to 'fuck off' and then ran inside.". After he mentioned Keith Pidge closed her PC "He was late, too? Doesn't sound like him…" she said. Hunk nodded "Hopefully he is okay. Oh, and you two can eat by the way." Pidge immediately reached out to grab one of the wraps Hunk prepared. "Seriously?! You guys are just worried about him being late? Did you not realize how rude he was to me?" Lance noted frustrated. "Buddy, you and Keith never get along. If I'd get a penny every time one of you tells the other to 'fuck off' I'd be rich by now. Sorry, but that's nothing new…" Hunk gave him an apologetic look. "Okay yes we fight sometimes, but normally we just ignore each other. This morning he was unnecessarily mean, just grumpier than usual.". "Lance that's even more of a reason to worry about him. You know how closed off Keith gets if he is bothered by something or hurt." That is true. Keith is always super closed off if something even slightly bad happens. And Lance really tries to understand it. He knows about his past, but just because someone has a tragic backstory they should not separate themselves from their friends at every situation possible. Even Pidge, his best friend, has been pushed away on multiple occasions. It's impressive she'd made it back in his life every time. "Ugh, you know what? Enough about him… let's enjoy Hunk's amazing cooking skills without worrying about the Mullet.".
"So you call me that behind your back, as well? Figured it was some face to face shit or something..." Keith suddenly stood right behind Lance with a tray of cafeteria-food, with that annoying Keith-Smirk. Lance who really wasn't expecting that almost spit out the salat he just ate. "Jesus Christ! Give a guy a warning next time before you randomly show up behind him." Lance shrieked. Pidge on the other hand had the laughing fit of the century and Hunk also could not hold back his laughter. After a minute or two of uncontrolled laughter and Lance complaining, Pidge could finally form words again: "But seriously why are you here Keith?" she asked, with a smile still on her face. "Oh, yes, I wanted to ask if I could sit here with you today. But if I'm interrupting-" "-You are!", "Lance! No, you can definitely sit with us." Hunk said and Pidge reassured him with a nod. Lance just groaned, but then scooped over on his bench so Keith could sit down with them, too. Hunk offered him some of his culinary creations, which Keith gladly accepted. 'God damn it' Lance thought to himself 'this is the only time I have alone with the two of them. And now stupid Keith had to go and destroy his perfect, Mullet-free, lunchtime.’ And the worst part about it all was that they were only talking about some game they all played, which Lance had no clue about. Great, fucking great. Lance really wanted to change the subject… so he asked the first thing that came to his mind: " So Keith, why are you sitting with us… I mean normally you sit with Shiro?".
That seemed to have struck a nerve because as a result, Keith's expression shifted from almost smiling to looking completely emotionless. Pidge just shot Lance a look, like 'Dude what the fuck? Do you want to make him uncomfortable on purpose?' And Lance didn't actually want to do that. He just didn't think, before he talked. "I-" Keith took a deep breath before he continued to talk again, "Let's just say Shiro and I had an argument today, because of the auditions.". "The auditions? Seriously?", "Yes, Lance, seriously, "Keith replied in a bitter tone. "Wait, who are you auditioning for?", "Ensemble". There was a long pause. "What?!" They all shouted in unison. That did not make any sense. Keith is too talented for the ensemble. He sure as hell would score every role he desired, so why choose the smallest possible option? Lance hates to admit it, but Keith is not only a better actor than him but also has an amazing voice. "Why…. Just why??" Lance asked confused and jumped up from his seat. "You can do so much better than that, Keith" Hunk added. Pidge stood up from her seat and walked over to her best friend. She put her hand on his shoulder and said in a very sweet voice "Keith you are selling yourself short again. Is that really the role you want to be playing?". Keith stared at all of them, clearly not happy with their responses. "I will not discuss this with you, too. I am tired of having the argument with Shiro." "But-" all three of them tried to argue. "If you continue I will leave."
They shared looks and then sat back down again. Hunk started up their conversation from earlier, which left Lance alone to think. Shouldn't he be happy that Keith didn't audition for the role he wanted? Shouldn't he have made some snarky comment about how with his hair he wouldn't have got a better part anyways? Why didn't he do any of that? It literally does not make any sense. And why does he care about what Keith does in the first place? "Lance?" Pidge waved her hand in front of his head "did you just listen to anything that was said?". Hold up, what? "What do you mean?". Keith answered, "Lotor just made an announcement over the speakers, that the auditions are moved forward.". Was he hearing correctly right now? "When will they be?" Lance asked shocked. "They are happening this Thursday. Apparently, there is some different event next Wednesday and this was the only other available day." he went on. "How can you be so calm about this Keith?! I still have so much to prepare before then. Oh god, we also have to hand in a paper later this week..." Lance got more hysterical with each passing second. Keith on the opposite just stared at him blankly "Well I am mostly done with all of that.", " You are wHAT? How do you even- How can someone- I am so fucked!" Lance stutters around until Hunk finally manages to calm him down again. These next days will definitely be full of work.
“Oh, Lotor also mentioned, that there is only one hour left to put your name down for either audition or to send in your applications, so that this evening they can release the final plan for the audition-day, so everybody knows when they have to where.” Hunk informed Lance after a few minutes. “You remembered to actually sign the notice, didn’t you?”Pidge then asked teasingly. “ Of course! I was the very first one to do so.” Lance defended himself. “Who are you auditioning for?” Keith asked and Lance proudly told him “George!”. “That’s not surprising. Well, good luck.”, “Thank you, but I won’t need any luck” Lance shot back maybe a bit too fierce. “You sure about that McClain? If I were you, I’d take any luck I can get. Just in case.” Keith replied. Before Lance could say something, Keith’s phone began to ring, so excused himself and left the table.
Shiro’s POV
“Keith, I know you’re mad at me. But you only have one hour left… please reconsider.”
“Shiro I already told you I am done reconsidering. I made my decision. Why do you care so much about it? Just leave me be, the play can be as good without me being a bigger role…”
“I don’t care about the play. I care about you.”
“Aren’t you the stage manager. You should care about the play.”
Shiro sighed at that. Why must this boy be so stubborn? He has so much potential, so much talent. This play can be a huge opportunity for him, but he just doesn’t want tosee it. Talent scouts from all around the world will be watching….
“You know what I mean. I want what’s best for you. But if you can’t see it for yourself I can't help you.” Shiro said firm. He heard Keith set on to say something else, but Shiro quickly hung up. He loved Keith, he’s his brother, but sometimes he just makes Shiro wish he wouldn’t love him, so he wouldn’t care that much. He really would do anything to make him happy, and Shiro knows for a fact that being an ensemble-member won't make him happy. Nothing against the ensemble. These guys always carry the play, but Keith is made for something bigger. All his teachers say so, even Professor Zarkon.
So Shiro did what he felt he needed to do. He walked to the blackboard of the school took a pen out of his bag and crossed Keith’s name out on the one list and put it down somewhere else.
Later that day, right after dinner, the audition-plan was released. It didn’t take long until Keith found Shiro. He was bursting with anger, screaming at him, about how he could do such a thing, without Keith knowing about it. About how unfair it was. He slammed the door shut on his way out to find Lotor.
Still, Shiro was convinced he did the right thing.