Keith puts on his jacket and leaves without eating anything. He leaves with only his bag and his motorcycle. He didn't bother to tuck in his uniform and tidy his messed up hair. He puts on the helmet, again ignoring Shiro's attempt to make him stay for breakfast. I'm not seven, Shiro. See you at school. He remembers saying it, quite vividly.

Then, McClain comes in.

He was immediately swarmed by people, like the attention seeker he is. Keith looks at him, smiling and greeting everyone and wondering if he was really genuine. Every time he sees him he is always giving people a smile, lighting the whole room with his charismatic charm. With good grades and a friendly demeanor, he's sure to gain popularity really quickly.

And he flirts a lot. It's pretty annoying to see him flirting with just anyone in the hallway.

Keith just sits in his desk, covering his face and slowly drifting back to sleep. He dreams of the infinite space, and the shining stars dancing there. When I grow up, I wanna go to space! He proclaimed to his parents during his kindergarten days. They were so supportive of him, always encouraging him to work hard for his dreams. Others weren't as nice to him.

Go to space? Don't be ridiculous!

With these grades, you can't go anywhere!

After middle school, Keith soon found out the harsh reality. He needed good grades, a perfect school record and a scholarship to get into a space program. He worked day and night, sometimes never sleeping for days. No matter how hard he tried, he still had his bad reputation hanging over his head. Shiro however, wasn't like him. He had perfect grades, was a valedictorian and overall, a model student. He got accepted into a good university and will be leaving in a few months time.

When that happens, what will Keith do?

Lance seats himself, chatting away with his close friends, Pidge and Hunk. They both were talking about the upcoming science fair, and how they have prepared their projects. Pidge is going to do a phone charger powered by water, and Hunk is probably going to research on different types of flour and the effects it has on the bread.

Lance had no idea what he will do.

He steals a glance at Kogane, the top student in his grade. The only student that can rival the school's genius, Pidge. He violently spins his head, shaking off the thought stuck in his head. What was he thinking? He can't compliment him! He hated his guts, ever since Keith had become one of the school's top students within a year he enrolled. Lance bit his lip, he still remembers that moment.

He was at the bottom of the list. Keith was at the top.

He spent years and years climbing the ranks, going from the last to the top five. He never beat Keith. Everything he was good at, Keith was better. Faster. Smarter. Lance will never surpass him, and as every day passes, he gets further and further away. He does everything for his family. He sacrifices his time and effort to make his mamá proud, and that is his wish.

Keith kept his distance from the cafeteria during lunch break. Shiro's looking for him. He knew his brother well, so it wasn't hard to imagine that his brother would want to talk to him. Shiro doesn't deserve him as a brother.

Keith climbed up the stairs, taking a bottle of water and a thick book with him. He opens a metal gate, then opening the door to the roof of the building. He sighs as he closed the door behind him. He is finally alone.

The school roof has been his secret hideout for years. Keith never liked lunch breaks, with a sea of people crowded in a tiny room. He'd rather avoid the place than eat. Up here in this spacious area, and the dusty floor, he can finally breathe. He sits in the corner, smiling contently as he flips the pages of his book.

Well, he celebrated too early.

Because Lance fucking McClain barges in and slams the door with a swing of his arm. He didn't even try to be quiet, just banging the door with all his might. McClain, you have outdone yourself. Keith felt his blood boil, the one that only happens before a fight.

Lance turned his head, not knowing that Keith sat there. His eyes widened, then his face turned sour. "What are you doing here?" He spat, not even caring to look at Keith.

Keith felt his jaw tightened. "Was gonna ask you the same thing" He murmured, in the nicest tone of voice he could do. He stood up, walking closer to the person he hated the most.

"How about you run while you can?"

Lance became angrier, his face getting redder and redder every minute. "Listen, Kogane. I didn't come up here to fight with an asshole like you, so just fuck off" Lance warned, shoving a finger to his face. Keith wanted to punch him right there and there, but he hesitates. He freezes, a wave of regret and shame comes washing over him. He thinks of Shiro, and how every time he has to defend him. The look of disappointment his parents give him is unbearable, but what's worse is the look of hurt and pain he sees in the mirror every morning. He wants to stop. So for the first time, he lowers his hand.

Lance's eyes were still closed, his hands were covering his face. He was ready for the punch. He waited, and waited. It never came.

He slowly opened his eyes, and Keith wasn't there. Keith didn't punch him. The most aggressive and ill-tempered boy in school didn't let his emotions get the better of him. Lance was almost proud. He smiled, knowing he was all alone now. Then the bell rang.

Goddamit.

"Keith!"

Keith didn't answer, instead, he tried to escape the conversation. He sped through the corridors, the sounds of his footsteps echoing behind him. No, he can't bring himself to face Shiro now. He cuts into a corner, reaching his class on time.

As usual, people watched over him like he was the center of the universe. They often whisper, gossip, spread rumors, and like a needle, small and thin, it pierced him many times. He endured it for two years, then he became too broken to feel anything. No pain, no suffering, no happiness. He was an outsider in a place where he was supposed to belong.

If only he wasn't so different from the others.