The sound of sizzling bacon and a loud curse awoke the drowsy Keith. His eyelids snapped open and he looked around, not quite knowing where he was. His gaze took in the messy room, the game console still flashing, on pause, where Keith had left it the night before. "What?" he murmured. Then it came back to him, and a grin spread across his face. His grin fell when he really realized what he had done. "Oh no..." He heard loud singing from the kitchen and knew Lance was already up and making breakfast. Swinging himself out of the bed and grabbed his clothes, putting them on quickly. Rummaging around the room, finding a piece of paper and a pen.

"Dear Lance," it read. "I'm sorry, but I can't do this. I can't love someone right now. I'm sorry."

He folded it and left it on top of the bedsheets, where he hoped Lance would find it. Then he slid open the window and hoisted himself up. Looking back, he hesitated a moment too long. Lance had cracked open the door and caught Keith on the windowsill. "Keith?" he asked frantically. "Where are you going?" "I'll walk you home," he added desperately. "You aren't leaving, are you?" Lance's voice fractured. Keith shook his head and jumped out of the window. He landed on his feet, but the shock reverberated through his ankles, making him wince. "Keith!" Lance called. Keith ran, sprinting, gasping for air. His feet clobbered the pavement as he tried to get away. He stopped, panting at a bus stop.

Leaning against the post of the bus stop sign, he closed his eyes and inhaled. "Why?" his voice was splintered with exhaustion and grief. "Why'd you have to fall for him Keith, him of all people?" Lance, he thought. I'm so sorry. "I can never go back there," Keith whispered. The bus came, and Keith boarded, not looking at the driver, simply dropping in his change and finding a seat in the back. It was then he realized he had picked up Lance's sweatshirt instead of his own. Keith glanced out the window and took the bus circuit all the way around town. When the bus stopped in front of the original stop he got out. Keith took a deep breath and avoided looking at Lance's house. Instead, he quickly trudged to his front door, only for it to be opened by his mother. "Mom. Hi." She tapped her foot against the linoleum floor.

"So. How'd you like the neighbor's dick?" Keith's jaw dropped. "Just kidding!" His mom laughed. "Don't worry, his mom texted me and said you guys had been playing games all night. You're probably tired, so go take a nap." Krolia moved out of the doorway to let Keith in. "Alright, kiddo, see you soon! Also, Lance's mom asked me to tell you that Lance wants to come over later." Keith froze in the hallway, then pivoted.

"Lance wants to come over later?" Krolia nodded. "What time?" Keith asked, tension creeping into his voice.

"Oh, around 5'o'clock. Now go take a nap. I'll wake you up when he gets here."