Purple clouds rolled in the sky, and the sun had begun to set. Lance gazed out the window, his hands pausing the rest on his desk.
The class was empty. He was alone.
He shifted from his seat, leaving his bag behind him as he walked closer to the window. The colors were blinding, but he couldn't look away.
He stared longingly at the sky until he was disrupted by a sudden phone call. He scrunched his eyebrows in annoyance, pulling out his phone from his pockets. Answering it, he puts on a fake smile and spoke in the nicest voice.
"Lance, what's the homework today?"
"Oh, it's English exercise papers"
"Is that it?"
"Yes"
"Okay, thanks"
"No problem!" He said, hanging up immediately.
People just can't pay attention in class.
He shuffles to pack his bag, slowing taking his time. After all, today was a good day.
Keith was getting lectured again. Fifth time in a week, a new record. Not that he was happy with it.
Shiro had just heard he had a fight with a classmate, which was already normal for him.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't get into fights, you'll only hurt yourself!"
Keith looked down at the floor. His eyes looking everywhere but Shiro's face. Soon, his parents will be back, and he has the go through the same thing again. He cannot bear to see the disappointment on their faces.
Shiro's lecture slowly soften, all Keith could hear was muffled sounds of what used to be shouts. His vision became cloudy, and his thoughts colorless. Before he could even apprehend what he was doing, he had reached the nearest park.
He ran away from home.
Ran away from Shiro.
He sat near a bush, hoping the bush would cover all of his problems, but it only covered him. He crossed his legs, taking off his worn-out jacket to cover his cold body.
It's getting cold.
He watches as the sky turns dark, and the sun swallowed by darkness. Oh, how he wishes he could fly into the infinite space out there. Where he could explore new wonders, and maybe be free from his past mistakes. He smiled, eyes never leaving the glimmering sky. He was calm.
Lance hurried home, running as fast as he could. He lost track of time, and only realized it was late when he had seen the many texts that his mother sent. He arrived at the front porch, placing a hand on the door while catching his breath.
Mamá is going to kill me.
He opens the door, accepting his dire fate. He walked through the door, and a rubber ball hits him hard on the face.
"Ow! What the hell? "He cried, rubbing his now red forehead.
His sister picked up the ball, hugging his legs.
"Lance!"
Lance leaned down and carried his little sister. She was too adorable. He kissed her cheek, rocking her side to side.
"It was you, wasn't it? You threw it" He said, unable to hide his wide smile.
Marie giggles, raising up her new toy and throwing it again. Lance laughs softly, tickling her chubby stomach. Her laughs were like the twinkling of bells and if he could picture it, it would be a starry night sky.
He set the toddler down, walking on the carpeted floor to the kitchen. He sees his mamá chopping the onions, while the soup on the stove beside her was boiling. The strong, thick smell of garlic and tomatoes filled the room, irritating Lance's sensitive nose.
"Mamá, I'm home," He said, smiling warmly while greeting her.
"Mijó, what did I say about coming home late?" She said, turning around from the chopping board to face him.
"'m sorry, I lost track of time" Lance mumbled, his words almost inaudible. He tiptoes around her, putting his hands together as if to pray.
"You know it's not going to work on me," She said, her face almost deadpanned. She had her hands on her hips, one hand still holding a knife. Lance backs away, seeing how skilled the woman was at chopping onions, he didn't want to know how good she was at cutting him up.
His mamá chuckled, knowing that she had defeated him with a kitchen knife. She celebrates her victory by waving the knife around, taunting the clearly scarred boy.
Just then, Rebecca stomps in. Her hair was pointing at all directions, her shirt was half tucked, and she had only one sock on. She eyes Lance, motioning him to the living room. Lance obediently followed her.
She then leads him to the living room, showing him the mess all over the space. His brother, Marco passed out on the couch with his shirt half tucked. He heard a collection of giggles and felt a tugging at his pants. He leans down, looking eye to eye with Luis, his younger brother. And a troublemaker.
"Luis is being a brat," Rebecca said, her hands rubbing her tired face. Lance smirks, patting Luis on the head.
"Good job, Luis," Lance says, showing his thumbs up.
"Don't encourage him!" Rebecca screeched, her voice loud enough to shatter windows. Lance laughs more.
"That's what you get for torturing me last time"
Keith went back home eventually. He ignored the scolding and lectures and ran upstairs as soon as he went home.
It was calm before.
Keith locked the door, sliding down the down to crouch against it. He could hear the shouts downstairs, and Shiro's attempts to calm the storm.
He leaned his head backward, knocking the door with it.
Until I leave this hellhole.
He closed his eyes, imagining a place far, far away.
Until I leave forever.
Lance wakes up in the middle of the night on his desk. He pushes himself up from the chair, shuffling his finished project and placing it all neatly on the table.
He walked to his bed, switching off the lamps and goes back to his deep slumber.