"LANCE I SWEAR I AM GOING TO KILL YOU."

Just another Tuesday for Lance McClain Rivera. I was just sitting in class, waiting for the bell to ring like the good student I am, when Pidge decides it was a good idea to come in screaming in my face.

"Good Afternoon Pidgey. My secretary will take your complaint and I will get back-"

Pidge kicks the stool I was sitting on hard, and I would have fell to the floor if I hadn't stood up when I did. The stool bangs on the linoleum floor with a screech that the people already in the room turn and stare at Pidge and I.

"I'm going to kick your ass Rivera! You left your energy drink at my house last night which resulted in it tipping over and destroying my robotics project!"

Energy drink? I don't drink energy drinks?

"Pidge, I don't drink that crap. Maybe you should talk to Matt maybe?"

Pidge stares me down with a harsh glare. Their glasses are slightly disheveled and their bags from the night before are still very relevant. After the five longest seconds of my life, Pidge's face softens into a grimace.

"I'm going to kill Matt once in for all."

Pidge was nice enough to pick up my stool before sitting down in their own seat next to me. We both only have AP Physics II together. Pidge is two years younger than me, but since they are a prodigy child and my neighbor we've been best friends since Pidge could crawl and I could walk.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and my heart speeds up. I've been talking to Red practically all night last night, and all of this morning. I even got them to write something for me? My entire Spanish class can confirm that I died.

I set up a stack of books and folders to have somewhat of a cover, and I pull out my phone. Red did respond!

Red_Red_Red to León72Azul: Keith. All I have to offer is Pokemon trivia and conspiracies.

Keith... So they're a dude?

"You know Lance, maybe you would have better grades if you payed attention in class, have you ever thought of that?"

Pidge shouldn't be one to talk. I've seen them completely ignore the teacher and work on their 'projects'.

"Maybe, but this is more important as of right now Pidgey."

Out of the corner of my eye I sense the teacher is getting suspicious, so I tuck my phone between my thighs.

"Pidgey, please stop blowing my covers. It's annoying."

The teacher looks away again and continues with his lesson on magnetism. Been there, done that.

"What covers have I blown?"

"Well, for starters you can't be my Pidgey whenever I'm trying to flirt with someone."

"Pidgey?"

"Can't be my wing man nor my wing woman, so you are just Pidgey forever in my heart. A small angry looking bird."

Pidge smirks and turns back to their newest project. I can smell the energy drink coming off of it, and right now they are replacing certain parts that are destroyed. All the teachers don't mess with Pidge when they are working on a new project since Pidge is for sure the valedictorian of my class. I mean I definitely could also work for that spot if I didn't do that one prank on the vice principle.

Then again Pidgey deserves the spotlight, so I'll let them have it.

My phone buzzes again, reminding me that I have a new friend. I slowly take my phone out between my thighs, and unlock to find Red has messaged me again.

Red_Red_Red to León72Azul: Do you think I'm weird?

Oh my god... This kid is so adorable I must protect him.

León72Azul to Red_Red_Red: I LOVE POKEMON AND CONSPIRACIES. YOU ARE ALSO REALLY WEIRD LIKE ME SO IT'S OKAY

I hope that answers his question.

I start scrolling though Tumblr again waiting for his response, Keith's response to be exact, and I stumbled across the image that he tagged me in again. I still can't believe he wrote this for me? I already made it the background on my phone since gosh why wouldn't I? Everything Keith writes is so deep and beautiful. I need to make a shout out post stat.

My heart practically bursts out of my chest when my phone buzzes and I see what Keith has messaged me back.

Red_Red_Red to León72Azul: Thanks :) I don't have many friends and I honestly have a hard time seeing if people like me.

OH NO. HE IS CUTER THAN PLANNED SHIT.

"Lance please quiet down if you are going to be on your phone the entire time."

Looking up I see the entire class is staring in my direction, except for Pidge because they are too preoccupied by their project than my humiliation.

"Sorry Mr. Altea."

Oh how much I want to become Patrick Star right now.

"Okay so here is the game plan. You grab Matt and pin him down to the couch and I'll attack him with silly string, he hates that stuff."

After school couldn't come soon enough. Too many things have happened today and I just want to go home and die. Not actually die, but sometimes I do feel like dying.

"Pidgey, you know Matt doesn't trust me enough to even be within five feet of him. I don't think I can pin him down in time since he is always suspicious around me."

Pidge and I live a mile away from school, but we walk home anyways. It's not like there is any city traffic around here or else Pidge would become Pidge-gone. Get it? Pigeon, Pidge-Gone? That one was terrible, sorry not sorry.

Anyways, I live on a farm while Pidge lives right on the edge of the suburbs that is close to my family's farm. So technically speaking we are neighbors since Pidge is the closest to us. I have to keep walking about another mile or so to my house after I walk Pidge home. Most of the time though I hang out with Pidge and their mom drives me back when it gets dark out.

"Okay then how about I pin him down and you silly spray him?"

"That sounds a lot better, but with what weight would you pin him down with?"

"You can tie some weights on me."

"Perfecto."

We just got out of school grounds, so now I can access Tumblr no problemo. As much as I would love to enact on Pidge's idea of revenge, I really want to get back to knowing Keith more.

So far I've learned that Keith is a city boy who is the original emo kid. He cried for a week Straight when My Chemical Romance broke up and got over them by becoming a closeted Taylor Swift fan, which oddly enough I am also a Taylor Swift fan but I'm more open about it. I also found that Mothman was his husband and that he can't remember the last time he had a haircut. I really have no idea how all of that information came out and somehow connected, but hey so far this kid is perfect.

I've had other friends aside from Pidge yes, but they only stuck around for a few months before switching up. Keith already feels so different?

"Yo lover boy did you hear anything I just said?"

I snap back to reality and Pidge and I are already in the suburbs?

"Um yeah. The whole Matt revenge thing you are planning."

"Lance, I was talking about Allura."

"Oh have you made any progress with her at all?"

Pidge has had a crush on a girl named Allura since forever. She is a year above us, but regardless she talks to everyone. She is also Mr. Altea's niece, making her show up to Pidge and I's class from time to time. I don't have the heart to tell Pidge that Allura probably isn't interested, but I can't break this kid's heart.

"Today while you were preoccupied with your phone at lunch I decided to talk to her. She has some rodents that she is trying to train. I offered my assistance but she declined. She is so perfect like..."

I zoned out again since I want to just focus on what Keith is telling me.

Red_Red_Red to León72Azul: I just looked up what a mullet is. I think that's what I have?

So precious. So pure. But a mullet?

León72Azul to Red_Red_Red: Normally I would say shave it off, but even though I have no idea what you look like I bet it suits you perfectly with your outer emo glory

Maybe I am too much of a dreamer and a little over dramatic, but do I have a crush on Keith? I would never condone a mullet yet here I am accepting it? I have no idea what he looks like though... then again looks shouldn't matter. Would it be weird to swap pictures?

What if he is actually a 100 year old man who is cat fishing me?

"Lance, you are worried about something."

Pidge stopped and grabbed my arm. Even though Pidge can't take a hint, they can see how I'm feeling no matter what.

"Well, you know how I've been telling you about Red right?"

"Yeah, that person you have been talking to since last night?"

"Yeah them... Well I've been talking to them more and I think I'm developing a crush on them?"

Pidge goes silent for a split second. They look like they are trying to formulate a computer code or something.

"Like an actual crush? Not a 'I'm a Rivera and I hit on anything that walks' crush?"

Is it genuine? I've always have based my interests on looks, but I don't even have a mental image this time around. Honestly I just keep imagining Grumpy Cat, then I shift to the new emo image that Keith put up... Maybe that's him?

"I think so? I don't want to immediately assume that it is though since it's all so new, but I can't help the jumps in my chest or constantly replying to him whenever my phone vibrates. Which by the way, his name is Keith."

"Wow... I've known you forever and you've never been serious about relationships. I'm glad you can differentiate between the two."

But what is the difference between all my past relationships and Keith?

My phone lights up and Pidge leans over my shoulder to see what Keith has sent me.

Red_Red_Red to León72Azul: Thanks I guess? I have no idea what you look like either but I bet you are bald, you hair hater.

"You know Lance, this would be a good time to send a selfie."

"What? No way! I don't want to pressure him to send one back."

"Then hint it at him to see if he will agree."

My nose scrunches up at how Pidge can push me to do anything. I formulate a response in my head, and carefully plan out my words.

León72Azul to Red_Red_Red: Lmao I guess you'll never know... Or will you?

I pocket my phone and Pidge and I continue to walk. We pass all the unique houses, including Pidge and I's favorite house which is covered in vines and other plants. One thing about where I live is that everything is unique no matter what. There is no repeats or bland spots here.

We make it all the way to Pidge's house, and Keith still hasn't responded. I won't worry though, because he could be busy for all I know.

Pidge starts screaming when they found out nobody was home. Pidge loves three things:

Computers

Food

Screaming

Therefore they will be playing League while I'll be texting Keith and making my next DIY. We don't have to talk to each other to enjoy each others company which I find beautiful.

My next DIY is how to make a bag with yarn. It requires a lot of braiding, but it's incredibly fun. I'm planning on making it Star Wars themed so I can give it to Matt for his birthday next month. I learned how to do this from my sister Mariana who learned from her art teacher.

I grab the stash of yarn that I put in Pidge's room and grab black, white, blue, and yellow yarn. The tedious part is the measuring part, but taking the pictures in between each step helps out on the frustration.

Pidge already has their headset on and is immersed in a game, so I reach over to the record player that Matt got Pidge two years ago and put on The Beatles. It has the top 20 best songs on it, and 'She Loves You' starts to play.

LINK

For the next hour both Pidge and I go about our business, only exchanging words when Pidge was thirsty and wanted me to get them something. I finished the bag within that hour, but honestly it would take majority of people some hours first try. I have made three of these previously before.

Keith hasn't texted back, so now I'm worrying about him. I almost want to text him again in case he just hasn't seen what I sent, but I don't want to be pushy or annoying.

And that's when my phone buzzed to life.

I don't think I've ever opened my phone that fast (aside from that one time I seen there will be a fifth Shrek movie) and I practically drink in what Keith had sent.

Red_Red_Red to León72Azul: Sorry for the late reply my phone died and there is no outlet on the bus. Also you are totally bald I can sense it.

My body relaxes and all the tension from slouching all day is released. His phone just died, that's all. But what am I going to do now? I can't just straight up ask him to see his face. I need him to address the issue, but how?

I was about to ask Pidge for more advice, but my phone buzzes again. Did Keith just double text?

Red_Red_Red to León72Azul: But I guess I'll never know unless I see you

OH MY GOD DID THIS KID JUST?

"PIDGEY I NEED HELP."

Pidge wasn't on the computer anymore oddly enough, but instead was writing on a piece of paper of some sort.

"It's Keith again, isn't it?"

I nod my head a little to enthusiastic.

"Look at this shit I can't believe this."

Pidge reads what Keith sent and doesn't react at all. Instead they return to what they were doing previously.

"Um, where is that advice?"

"You know that is clear wording that he wants a picture of you Lance. Just take the damn selfie and send it to him."

The best and worst thing about Pidge is that they are the most blunt person I know.

"...Fine."

I open my photo album and try to find a good selfie of myself from the previous week. Maybe I should use the one where I had bunny ears? NO even better the flower crown. That filter always brings out my eyes and gives my skin glory. At the time I was in the barn at 4:00 in the morning milking the cows and I wanted to see if I could get a filter on Kaltenecker, which worked by the way. In the picture it even looks like Kaltenecker was smiling, so if that isn't goals I don't know what is.

Opening up Keith and I's chat I pick that selfie. And I send it along with a caption.

León72Azul to Red_Red_Red: Now you do ;) Not bald at all

Okay, so I did that. I'm surprisingly calm? Or maybe I fried all my nerves today and I just need some sleep. It's not even 7:00 yet, but I can sleep for a week.

Shortly after sending that, Mr. Holt and Matt return home, and Pidge takes the opportunity to start yelling at Matt for the energy drink incident. While Matt starts getting Pidge's furious hands, Mr. Holt, or Samuel he keeps telling me to call him, strikes up a conversation.

"Lance are you sure it wasn't your energy drink?"

"Nope. I can't stand energy drinks let alone Monsters. I'm more of a tea and water kind of guy."

I help Samuel with the groceries that Matt and him brought home, while Pidge is wrestling Matt to the ground. Matt could easily fight Pidge off and win, but of course he never does. Samuel and I were almost done with putting things away when Mrs. Holt comes in with a tired expression. She is one of the head doctors at the hospital and generally has late hours when she works, so her being this early is a great surprise. Pidge stops the choke hold they had on Matt and jumps up to greet their mom with a hug.

"You're home early!"

Matt scrambles to hug her as well, and Samuel and I join in because why not?

I feel my phone buzz in my pocket and I break the hug first, in which everyone follows. I feel bad, but I have to know what Keith has sent back! Mrs. Holt continues to talk to Samuel and Matt while Pidge is cleaning up the living room since they are a small tornado. I head towards the bathroom, because honestly I might just scream from how jumpy I feel.

I pass the family photos along with some photos of me and Pidge when we were younger, and I duck into the bathroom before Pidge notices I'm gone. I take a moment to breathe on the toilet before I unlock my phone and see what Keith has sent me. Tumblr takes a long ass time to load, but when it finally does I scream.

Red_Red_Red to León72Azul: Oh wow not bald, just a pretty boy as my mom would call you. Now tell me, is this really a mullet?

A picture of Keith with the dog filter was graced upon me. He has longish black hair that falls at his shoulders nicely, and the brightest eyes I have ever seen. In this picture he is placed in front of a sunset along with a backyard kind of setting. But what really tops off this picture is that smile. Oh god that smile shows how shy this kid is, but it brings out his personality along with it. I have never had this strong of an urge to smother someone.

"Lance are you okay?"

"NO PIDGE I AM NOT. I AM BROKEN."

I open the door to let Pidge in, and show them the picture of Keith.

"Wow he is pretty."

"Right? How do I respond? I think he might be flirting with me but I have no idea since I can't see his face?"

"Hush child. Just say he does have a mullet and give him one of your pickup lines. Why are you making this so difficult?"

"Okay Pidge, then how about you just ask Allura on a date hmm? Why are you making this so difficult?"

Pidge elbows me in the arm and saunters off back into the living room. I hit a nerve there oops. I save the picture of Keith, and run through all the scenarios and finally decide on the sentence.

León72Azul to Red_Red_Red: WHAATTT YOU ARE THE PRETTY BOY HERE MR. MULLET. IF YOU WERE A BOOGER I WOULD PICK YOU FIRST :333

I finally come out of the bathroom after splashing water on my face. I have no idea why people in the movies do that because that didn't help at all?

Figuring it was time for me to leave, I grab the bag I made and stuff it in my backpack. Mrs. Holt was standing by the door along with Pidge waiting for me, and we all proceed to the infamous mom van.

It doesn't even take five minutes to get to my house, and both Pidge and Mrs. Holt wave goodbye as I walk up to the front door. The farm I live on is only livestock, but we do have our own family garden as well. Between all of my siblings and both of my parents we take care of all the animals and other chores around the house, which means that I have to do the dishes tonight and check the barn to see if all the animals are okay for the night. We have cows, chickens, and horses. Not a slaughter house here!

Walking in I see my little brother Diego playing with plastic dinosaurs in the living room to the right of me, and to the left I see my older brother Jonesy typing away furiously on a laptop in the dining room. He stops typing and looks up in my direction.

"Hey Lance, do you know what happened to the newspaper this morning?"

"Oh yeah I took it for a project. Do you need another job again? You know you have a laptop where you can look up jobs."

Jonesy squints his eyes and furrows his eyebrows.

"You know, you could be a little nicer."

"Could be, but you didn't raise me to be like that."

He continues to type on the laptop, which I wouldn't be surprised if it's his resume again.

I head up stairs to my room so I can drop off my bag and grab my charger so I can listen to music while I do the dishes. I peak into Mariana's room to find her doing her homework on her bed, and I peak into Rex's room which is empty. He is probably either still out with Noah or is working on his bike in the garage. I have no idea where my parents are, but I'm sure they're fine like usual.

Missed dinner again like I usually do since I practically hang out at Pidge's every day. Good thing we always have leftovers. I grab out what we had which was ham, baked potatoes, and corn. I only grab the potato and corn, because fun fact I have been a vegetarian since seventh grade! I had nightmares about Kaltenecker for a week once I went on a field trip with my school to a meat packing factory.

While my food heats up, I start to organize the dishes since some people coughJonesycough like to just throw plates everywhere. There isn't as much as there usually is surprisingly, but compared to a normal household this is a lot.

Before I could even touch a plate, my thigh feels the vibration of my phone for the hundredth time today. I ignore the sound of the microwave, the roars that Diego is making, the clicking of Jonesy's laptop, and I just focus on my phone.

Red_Red_Red to León72Azul: First you call me pretty and then you call me a booger? I'm confused as to if you are flirting or insulting me.

Where is all this sass coming from? I wanna bet that he has a friend helping him out on what to say. But wait... If he has a friend helping him out, does this mean he also like likes me? I've known him for about a good 24 hours, but from just the way he talks about his conspiracies to how he has to have perfect punctuation, I already like him a lot.

Should I say that I am flirting, or do I work on our friendship more and say I was just joking?

As my mama always said, follow what your heart desires.

This means I should put my game face on and go for it, more specifically go for Keith.

León72Azul to Red_Red_Red: Maybe I am flirting ;)

Thanks for reading once again!

Guest- Thanks so much! Maybe in a future chapter ;)

The Best Guesst- I'm glad that you are enjoying it! I have so much fun writing it!

Gay Legs- Okay you have been my favorite reviewer so far like Jesus I start writing when you review so keep up those amazing reviews :3