Katie's Thanksgiving ended with a nice dinner with her family and Shiro. She was anxious to get back to school, because even though she loved the time off it gave her something to do. She just had to get through Christmas and then soon it will be baseball season. She was ecstatic. The next two days flew by. She barely left her room except to watch movies with her brother and Shiro. Trying to avoid Shiro for the most part. She just got her hopes up too much and she knows it will be a long fall if it ends up not working out. Because of this she brought over Lance to take her mind off things.

Lance was chilling on her bed with her. She was letting him play story mode on a game while she worked on a robot. He noticed her rigidness and leaned against her. "Listen, I don't know how close we are. But seriously, what's up. You seem gloomy." He was really worried.

She sighed and stopped working. She then sat up, leaning back against him. "I like someone I think. A lot I think. I pretty sure he doesn't like me. So I am doing my best not to get my hopes up in case of a pitfall ya know?" Katie looked up at him sadly, giving him a sheepish smile. "Love sucks."

Lance's eyes widened. He barely noticed that she had been so sad, but now that she opened up there was so much hurt there. He couldn't believe something was hurting her. Katie always seemed so sturdy and sure of everything she did. He paused the game and hugged her tight. She nuzzled into his chest. "Who is it?" He felt an urge to beat up whoever could make her feel this way.

She sighed and clung to his clothes, "I think I like Shiro."

"Oh shit…" Lance ran his hand through her hair. "I'm sorry." He knew very well he could NOT kick Shiro's ass. Looking back on it now, he could see her reactions towards him and understand better. She has liked him for a long time, he could tell. "I have dealt with a lot of heart breaks with my sisters, do you want any ice cream? I am sure Hunk could create some food that would make you forget Shiro even EXISTS." He grinned and looked down at her.

She looked up into his eyes, hers were watering. He stared at her in awe. She was too cute for her own good. "Thanks Lance. I think I will be okay for now. It's just really rough since he has been here this whole week. You are the best though, I can always count on you and Hunk to make me feel better." She hugged him tight and nuzzled back into him.

He hugged her tight and subconsciously kissed her head. He felt as if she was his little sister whom he needs to protect. "My pequeña ave." She took the loving gesture. She needed it right now.

Lance ended up staying the night to help her out. Her brother and dad were leaving again after all, and Katie wouldn't have another reason to talk to Shiro again till Matt came home in December. Lance slept on the floor next to her bed, like a good best friend. She let her arm hang off her bed so she could hold his hand as she slept. They both stayed like that until she woke up to her alarm the next morning. She hit Lance with a pillow to wake him up. Lance is a reeeeeally deep sleeper.

"ACK!" He sat up and glared at her. She couldn't help but giggle at him, but he laughed back because her bedhead was nuts. "You idiot, look at your hair. It's a mess."

"Have you seen my life…. Or my room for that matter." She retorted. They both laughed. She got up to take a shower. "Help yourself to whatever breakfast stuff you want, I am getting in the shower."

"Don't be in there for an hour." He snapped, he didn't mean to, but this was his daily routine with his other siblings. He noticed and his eyes widened. "Ah, sorry I didn't mean to."

She laughed and rolled her eyes, "We both know I am not as girly as your sisters."

He laughed back and went downstairs. It was so quiet. Seems as if Matt and her father already left, which means Shiro probably did too. He got himself a bowl of fruity pebbles and munched, thinking about Katie. She was probably enjoying her shower right now. Hmmm Katie in the shower. Smooth pale skin, slender body, tiny bre… Oh my god. Lance's face blushed bright. Dead puppies, grandma naked, giving birth. He really didn't need that kind of problem right now. He got out his phone and texted Hunk.

Lance: I think I have a problem

Hunk: When do you NOT have a problem

Lance: Seriously? Are you just ready to sass me 24/7?

Hunk: Always. Now what is the problem?

Lance: Well I stayed the night at Katie's and uh…

Hunk: Oh my god, what did you do

Lance: I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING

Lance: Katie got really sad and I just…

Lance: I was there to comfort her

Lance: I think I might like her

Lance: And the bigger problem is that she told me she liked Shiro.

Lance: I am screwed

Hunk: …..Man

Hunk: Well…. Here is to hoping that her and Shiro don't work out then?

Hunk: I know that isn't exactly something to hope for but what else do you have?

Hunk: You can always try to woo her better than Shiro

Lance: Are you kidding? Shiro is perfect. He is LOVED by her family, he is super manly and muscular. He is so smart too. She deserves someone perfect….

Hunk: I think you are looking into this too much.

Hunk: Listen, let's just try to get through today, maybe when you are away from her more, you will realize it isn't as bad as you thought?

Lance: Okay.. I can try that

Lance finished his cereal and washed the dish. He wasn't that kind of person that just left a dish he used. He grew up in a family where everyone pulled their weight. He used the bathroom downstairs to get ready in, brushing his hair and his teeth. He got dressed in his uniform, tucking his shirt in better, straightening the tie more than usual. He has a person to impress now.

Katie had came downstairs and waited in the living room. Lance came out of the bathroom and stared at her. "Well, are you going to eat or what?" She looked at him and laughed.

"I don't really eat breakfast." This made Lance furious. Oh no, no one is going to school without food.

"You have to eat SOMETHING!" He glared and she sighed.

"Fine! I will eat a pop tart!" She smiled and grabbed one and they were out the door, walking to school peacefully. Well peaceful on Katie's end because she is oblivious to people's feelings for her. Painfully oblivious. All Lance could focus on was how her skirt swayed when she walked and how he could never see bra outlining so maybe she just didn't wear them or how her brown hair curled in all directions and she just didn't care.

They got to the school gates and she spotted Hunk. She quickly ate the pop tart, knowing if she tried to eat it two second later Hunk might hug her too hard and she would just choke and die. That would upset him, and she didn't want Hunk to ever be upset. He did though, he picked her up and squeezed her as tight as he could, like normal. When he hugged Lance she could hear bones popping. He set down Lance and laughed.

"You look well put together today Lance, did your mom finally catch you before you got out the door?" Hunk winked and Lance blushed.

"N-No I did this myself." He looked at the ground, pissed at Hunk for mentioning it. He wanted to stay on the downlow.

"You look nice!" Katie smiled, but her eyes caught a glimpse of Shiro in the distance. She looked down and started walking to the school. "C'mon let's not be late."

Hunk and Lance both gave her a worried look but followed. This was going to be a long couple of months.