counting stars - klance

3

"Remind me why we had to move here of all places," Keith mutters, as he carries what feels to be the 100th box into their new home. The house itself is nice, with spacious rooms, and large, spotless windows. However, there isn't much to look at. Outside the windows of his new home, all he sees for miles is sand, dusty sidewalks, dusty cars, and dusty buildings. Even though they have moved to a fairly large town, with all the sand and dust, Keith can't help but feel that he is in the middle of nowhere... That he is in some post-apocalyptic world in which he is doomed to die at a young age.

"Because", his adoptive mother replies, her golden ponytail swishing with her every step, "it was part of the conditions of your father's promotion that he work here in Scottsdale." Setting her box on top of the mountain they have already created, she soon adds, "If it makes you feel any better, I don't think we'll be moving again."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Keith replies, with a heavy sigh. "Is it your goal to have all of us die in this desert?"

"Oh it's not THAT bad," Keith's adoptive father chirps, all the while pushing a particularly heavy box across the floor. "Emily, will you help me with this?" Running a weary hand through his brown hair, Keith's adoptive father patiently waits for his wife's help. Sending a gaze that says keep the sass to a minimum, Emily walks away from Keith in order to help her husband."Why don't you go for a walk while your mother and I deal with this last box? I'm sure you will be able to see something you like if you walk far enough. Promise me you'll try to like this town."

"Fine," Keith replies, "but I make no promises."

Taking his red jacket off because Arizona does not need any help n him feel as though he is in an oven, Keith walks out the front door. Taking two steps at a time, Keith pretends that he is leaving the state. That he is leaving and headed to a place that is destined to be his forever home.

His pretending results in him walking far. So far that none of the buildings around him even look vaguely familiar. With a heavy sigh, he stops. He stops and tries to decide what he wants to do. Does he really want to go back? To just turn around, and likely, after some wandering, find his way home? Or does he want to keep on walking and actually walk out of the state?

His mind and heart hold different answers.

"V-VAMPIRE!" A voice shrieks, making Keith jump. Turning to see who spoke, Keith is surprised to find a young boy standing a few feet away from him, holding a teddy bear. He is not just holding the teddy bear... But using it as a shield. "LANCE, HELP THERE IS VAMPIRE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOUSE!" When no one immediately exits the house, the boy screams "¡Socorro!"

After the utterance of a Spanish word, the mysterious Lance finally exits the house. Accompanied by the slam of a screen door, is the appearance of a lanky teen. Spending a few seconds letting his gaze shift from the boy to Keith, Lance laughs. "Mason, vampires aren't real! Now apologize."

Narrowing his eyes at Lance, Mason says, "if he isn't a vampire then why is he so pale? He must be a vampire! Don't let him kill me!" With that said, Mason hides behind Lance's jean clad legs.

Lance, who seems unsure of how to answer Mason's question, stammers, "B-Because he wears t-too much sunscreen."

To both Lance's and Keith's surprise, Lance's answer pacifies Mason. "Our Mama says a little goes a long ways. Didn't your Mama ever tell you that?"

"Mason!" Lance hisses, "don't be rude."

Noticing Lance's embarrassment, Keith says, "It's fine. Anyways, I've got to go..." He lets his voice trail off as he scans his surroundings. Just which road will bring him home?

Just as he slowly starts to walk away (and probably in the wrong direction) Lance says, "You're from out of town, aren't you? Are you lost?" Lance's words make Mason laugh, and say something to the effect of "isn't he too old to be able to get lost?"

"How did you know?"

"No sane person from this town would go walking around wearing all black."

//According to a Spanish-English dictionary ¡Socorro! Means help.

//This fic is also available on my AO3, volleycatnika. However, updates are faster here. :D

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//Zodiac wise (ex: Aquarius, Pisces) there is a reason Keith and his biological mom are born on the days I gave (look at chapter one for this). Also I've used google street view to look at Arizona so I can describe it accurately. I'm glad so many of you guys like this fic even though it only has three chapters so far. xD