Chapter 9
"Who is Pidge crushing on?!" came the loud and quickly yelled question from Lance, and Keith almost choked on his water, when the over eager cuban had practically rammed into him.
Practice had just started and Keith had been on the field since 6:30am. Lotor being the captain and all, had full access to the field along with the coaches and had messaged Keith that morning to ask if he wanted to tag along for a little extra practice. Obviously he said yes. He was always down for a little self improvement without the entire team but also the asian knew that nobody else would have accepted the captain's offer, leaving him by himself.
Too tired to wake up that early.
Luckily though, Kieth was an early riser.
"I'm sorry?" He asked, clearing his throat.
Lance huffed and crossed his arms in agitation. "Pidge told me she had a crush last night."
Really?
"Pidge holt?"
"Of course, Pidge Holt. How many other girls named Pidge are there??"
In all honesty, Keith was very surprised his friend had even decided to say anything. He figured she was determined to take every single morsel of the feelings she carried for the boy and burn it.
Complete ashes.
But, he will admit, it was quite funny to know she told the boy she had a crush on someone, when it's actually him. And then add the fact that Keith knows that said crush actually loves her but now thinks she has the hots for someone else….well let's just say Keith is having a good day so far.
"You know, long brown hair, golden eyes, puts fear of God into anything even though she's short as hell. Maybe you've met her!" lance said flailing his arms.
The asian smirked over how worked up his team mate was getting.
Lance was never the most cool collective type but he also was never the type to lose his mind over a girl...or guy. Kieth was still confused on what the cuban liked exactly and he never really strongly put it out to the world.
"Rings a bell," he replied, shoulders slightly shaking with mirth.
"Keith! focus!"
"Sorry," he laughed aloud
"I just think it's funny. You did this to yourself."
"How?!" The lanky teen screeched. He had a glare and furious blush set on his face as he pulled a light blue practice jersey over his head.
Other players were dropping bags and gear around the benches they stood at. Rolo and Ryan were seated close by, changing their shoes. Occasionally Keith would notice the two look over and smirk. Maybe even snicker a little.
"Perhaps because all your problems could be solved if you, I don't know, TOLD HER!" the asian yelled loudly towards the end of his reply.
The whole situation of them both liking one another and then both being complete idiots about how they went about their feelings, was driving him up the wall!
"Thanks, Mullet. I don't think the entire school heard you. Want to yell it a little louder," Lance said sarcastically and a bit too snippy for Keith's taste.
"The entire school already knows." Grabbing his helmet he watched as the two players beside them laughed at his comment and got up to walk farther on the field.
Once turned around though, the lanky teen frowned at him.
"Does everyone really know but her?"
It's gonna be a long practice.
Keith sighed, grabbing the boy by his jersey and pulling him along.
"Pidgey."
"Pidgeon."
"Pidge!"
Pidge huffed, looking up from her chemistry sheet. Lance was turned slightly to the side in his desk chair and was whispering her name repeatedly, to try and catch her attention.
The lanky teen had been a nuisance to the brunette the moment the class started. Wanting to know, what apparently was the question of the day for him, who was her crush?
She had tried to ignore him numerous times but unfortunately, no luck.
She was seriously considering moving seats at this point.
"What is it, Lance?"
"Is he on the football team?"
Even though the brunette was very happy that he hadn't pushed her on it the night before, she knew that the boy was eventually going to explode with curiosity. It just happened to be in her favorite subject and class.
"Why are you nagging me about this?" She sighed. All she wanted to do was finish her work. She was going to fail her favorite class because her crush kept disturbing her.
Ironically, with questions about a crush.
"I just want to know," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked at her a little nervously, almost shyly. "You've never really had many crushes. Not as many as me, anyways. We rarely get to talk about these types of things, unless they are about me."
Pidge gave him a small smirk, finally putting down her pencil and focusing on just him. "It's also because you want to hound whoever it is. Don't you?"
Lance grinned in answer and the brunette just shook her head.
"Gotta make sure they are good enough for my best girl."
Thrills ran up her spine at his comment. Butterflies going wild in her stomach.
There's no one better for me, than you.
After a moment of just watching her, he turned around completely with a bright smile. "So, can I ask about him??" He asked eagerly.
Those damn stunningly blue eyes were directly in front of hers, staring her down. Pidge was helpless, but still held whatever ground she had left. "Fine, but I have rules." She wasn't completely giving in yet.
Lance frowned and slumped slightly but waved a hand for her to go on.
"No appearance questions." She stopped to hold up a finger as the lanky teen looked like he was going to interrupt. "I know how you are Lance, you'll just ask about how he looks and then immediately know who it is."
"Fine." He grumpily said.
"Also I get to dismiss anything I don't want to answer."
Lance nodded and waited for her to nod back before he pounced.
And pounce he did. She could barely keep up with his questions.
"Is he on the team?"
"Does he know me?
"Do I know him?"
"Is he smart like you? Is that why you like him because you have so much in common and can talk all smart like?"
"Does he drive?"
"Do you have a class with him?"
All questions were shot out at her before she even had a chance to answer them.
"Lance!" She whisper-yelled. They were supposed to be doing work and unlike Lance, she didn't want to disturb anyone. "Would you slow down?"
"Sorry," the teen apologized with a smile. "I've been coming up with these since you told me."
She could tell.
"To answer what I actually heard and understood," she was going to answer him as honestly as possible. "Yes, he's on the team. You both know each other. I don't think the guy I have to like has to be super smart for me to like him. You just have to have things In common and we do. Plus, he is very smart, I just wish he thought so. He does drive and we do share a class."
Lance tapped a finger in thought on his chin as he squinted at her.
"What clas-"
"I'm not answering that," she shook her head no, stopping him before he finished and going back to her work.
"Damn it."
Music class happened to be another favorite for Pidge.
It shocked everyone who didn't really know her. Especially when they found out she could sing.
Her family and Keith's family had known since she was small. It wasn't really any surprise when she signed up for the class for the first time in freshman year. But for all of her friends that watched her audition for the class on the first day...well everyone was pretty surprised, to day the least.
Hunk had hugged her in tears, complaining about how she should have told him, so that he could have had a singer while he played his drums and lotor strung his guitar. The two had auditioned together as a duo, which had been an option. Keith simply laughed and proudly stated that he knew all along. The asian had, surprisingly, auditioned as well. His piano skills were amazing and Pidge was thrilled that he showed others what he could do.
Dr. Kolvian had let the boys choose an instrument to practice with as children. Shiro kinda failed with sticking with the cello but Keith practically mastered the piano. Something that he took quite seriously during music class. A class that they both shared with Hunk and Lotor.
The 4 of them often got paired together to work on new music. The class was mostly just a pass time for musically talented students that needed access to instruments or equipment. The teacher really just wanted everyone to express themselves. So 6th period, Pidge would just try different songs.
"What about this one, Pidge?"
Keith leaned towards her with his phone, showing her the song on the screen.
Hunk was seated behind his drum set on a stool and Lotor was on top of the piano with his guitar. They both watched the two as she and Keith were seated on the bench, trying to find a song.
"Really?" The brunette asked, a little annoyed at the asians pick.
The title was "Ocean Eyes" by Billie Eilish. It was him obviously trying to make a joke about Lance. She didn't find it funny.
"Ooh, I like that one," Hunk commented as Keith showed him the phone. Lotor nodded in agreement and the brunette sighed. If the boys agreed and knew it, she guessed she didn't have a choice. Pulling the lyrics up on her phone and placing it in front of her above the keyboards, Pidge watched as the football captain readied himself along with Hunk and the snickering emo beside her.
He was very happy with his little inside joke.
After the boys found an appropriate tune that blended well with their instruments and the songs beat, the brunette sat up and straightened her back
I've been watchin' you for some timeCan't stop starin' at those ocean eyesBurning cities and napalm skiesFifteen flares inside those ocean eyesYour ocean eyes
Keith smirked at her as she blushed and she turned away from him to look up at Lotor who was nodding to the beat and smiling at her.
No fairYou really know how to make me cryWhen you gimme those ocean eyesI'm scaredI've never fallen from quite this highFallin' into your ocean eyesThose ocean eyes
Rolo, who wrote songs for some of the player's, pulled out his phone and started to film her.
If she had to guess, it would be sent to Lance in the gym.
I've been walkin' through a world gone blindCan't stop thinkin' of your diamond mindCareful creature made friends with timeHe left her lonely with a diamond mindAnd those ocean eyes
Lance was always pleased when someone sent a video of her singing. He always loved her voice. There were even times he went as far as cutting the radio off just to hear her. Saying that she sounded a lot like Billie Eilish. Which was true. She did share a similar voice.
He had been the most shocked when she sang in front of him. It had been freshman year, the lanky teen had just joined classes and they were still coming to terms with getting to know each other. Lance ended up with a free period and decided to sit in with her and Keith.
The emo wasn't too happy about it at the time but absolutely lost his mind in laughter when the cuban's mouth practically hit the floor in awe.
She could hardly keep a steady voice at his complete look of shock.
No fairYou really know how to make me cryWhen you gimme those ocean eyesI'm scaredI've never fallen from quite this highFallin' into your ocean eyesThose ocean eyes
She would have been offended, if he hadn't looked so cute.
He was absolutely star struck with her in that moment.
No fairYou really know how to make me cryWhen you gimme those ocean eyesI'm scaredI've never fallen from quite this highFallin' into your ocean eyesThose ocean eyes
Now that she thought about it, the look he had given her wouldhave probably set her straight with nerves now.
"That was awesome!" Hunk shouted from his spot. Keith clapped at her and Lotor just continued to smile.
All she really could do was blush.
"Yo, sent it to #25," Rolo called from his seat.
"Thanks man," Keith offered.
The emo was usually the one to send the videos to Lance but with him actually playing today, it would have been impossible.
"Want to run it again or find something else," asked lotor. He wasn't really asking anyone in particular as he tuned the cords on his guitar.
"Let's go again, I think I messed up one of the beats," said Hunk.
A soft smile of adoration had settled itself permanently on the football player's face as he hunched over his phone in the locker room, sitting on the bench. Gym class had just ended and everyone was busy changing and cleaning up before 7th period started.
Lance, however, was watching the video Rolo had sent him.
Pidge's beautiful and steady voice drifted around him, catching some of the others attention as they passed him but not saying anything. Everyone would just leave him to his little euphoria filled heaven. Smiling like an idiot.
"She has a pretty voice."
Most every one, that is,
Lance's head snapped up and he finally realized that James Griffin was standing beside him and watching his phone as well.
"Yeah, she does." Lance gave him an odd look. The boy was still looking down at the phone in interest, his head tilted a bit to the side. Turning the screen off and tucking it away into his pocket, the cuban stood and grabbed his bag beside him.
"I didn't know she could sing like that."
Lance laughed, "Yeah, normally people don't."
"Isn't she the cute little short girl that comes to practice to watch you and Keith?"
"Her name is Pidge and yes."
The cuban started for the door.
"I think she's in my second period," commented Griffin as he followed Lance out into the hall.
Lance slowed to a stop and turned towards his fellow player.
"You think?"
Did the guy really not notice Pidge until now?
"Her short stature doesn't really make her noticeable," he smiled, crossing his arms. To Lance, he looked a little arrogant as he stood there. It reminded the cuban exactly why he didn't like him. "She's attractive though. Cute."
Yeah. He really doesn't like him.
"Glad you think so," Lance replied snippily.
The caban's attitude toward the teen was growing quite aggressive but it seemed to go unnoticed or ignored as Griffin continued to talk. His smile still present.
"Are you all coming to my Halloween party?"
Lance forgot he was basically suppose to drag everyone to that, including Pidge.
It was probably going to be the biggest party of the year. How could he not want to go with his best girl. Even if it was being hosted by the doche that stood before him. "Wouldn't miss it," he said as he plastered a fake smile on.
"Great! I look forward to seeing you guys. Maybe I can get to know your friend better."
The smirk he had when he said it rubbed Lance wrong and he could figure out what he meant by "Get to know". He wasn't stupid and wasn't going to let it happen. His jealousy be damned.
As the day went on, the cuban couldn't shake the nasty feeling his team mate set him in though. It was like the jealousy, which he had no problem admiting he had, had grown to just bothersome irritation. Not even Pidge could cheer him up during 7th. She had asked him a handful of times if he was OK.
He was pretty sure she knew he lied. He had simply told her he was tired and she had gone along with it, letting him lay his head on her lap.
It had given him sometime to think and he realized, he couldn't really blame Griffin if he found the brunette attractive. She was. She deserved every look her way.
He just wished he didn't have to see anyone looking.
The nap he had on said lap was nice though but he was still a bit angry when he arrived home and completely ignored his sisters when they called him.
He had decided that the only thing that was going to soothe him was to finish the video and relax. The brunette's voice always managed to calm him down.
So adding the video to all the others he saved, Lance placed his earphones in, and wrapped himself in a thick blanket.
Pidge's voice surrounded him instantly. Almost like she was there snuggling In the blanket with him as warmth comforted him. The song and the sound of her, sent chills across his skin.
Lance felt home.
Authors note: sorry for it being so late and short. I had a surprise surgery because my appendix burst. So I've been a bit busy. I wasn't really happy with this chapter but I wanted to get something out.