"It'll be a good change for you, won't it? I thought you hated Nyma with a burning passion." Shiro chuckled at his own impression of Keith's sarcasm.
Keith groaned in the passenger seat of his brothers Jeep. They were in the parking lot of Altea, but he didn't feel like getting out.
"I mean yeah, but honestly I'd rather be with her than get some dumb asshole-"
"Language."
Keith rolled his eyes. "Whatever Dad, don't you have somewhere to be?"
"Actually I do. But I couldn't leave because someone couldn't get out of my car." He raised his eyebrows at Keith's seatbelt. Keith held a blank expression as he slowly took it off and opened the door.
"I'll pick you up afterwards to take you to the shop so you can get your bike! Don't forget!" Shiro called as Keith trudged to the front door, who lazily dropped his hand after Shiro as a sorry excuse for a wave.
The air conditioning hit him hard in the face as he gently pushed open the glass doors with his foot. Adam was already there.
"Hey man," he spoke casually, as if there was nothing to be nervous about. "What's up?"
"The sky." Keith deadpanned. "How are you?"
Adam smirked. "Probably better than you, you're nervous aern't you?"
"Nah, just apprehensive." He smiled at Adam. Adams face immediately darkened.
"Say it Adam." Keith teased.
Adam frowned. "Come on Keith-"
"No, no I wanna hear it. Come on, it's funny." Keith was chuckling now.
Adam had a slight problem with the word, something happened when he was supposed to transition the double p's to the h and well..
"appreppensive." He stuttered quietly. Keith laughed. "What was that? Couldn't hear you.."
"Stop! Why are you like this??" Adam blushed, pushing him to the side but he was smiling. Keith shrugged.
"I'm good at heart." He said. Adam nodded. "Sure.."
Suddenly, the doors opened again and in came Allura, hair bouncing around her head in little curls, her smile wide.
"Ah, just who I wanted to see!" She caught their eyes. Adam grinned.
"Allura! How are you?" Keith waved along but stopped when he saw who was accompaning Allura.
"Lance." He muttered under his breath.
It was so sudden that Lance hadn't even noticed him yet- the boy was bouncing around with his eyes closed, earbuds in, humming loud. Keith frowned. He loved listening to music himself but this..?? Earbuds were meant to be discreet and Lance was literally..
Not that.
Then Lance's eyes were open and he was scowling. Clearly directed at Keith. Keith crossed his arms and looked away. He didn't have time for this.
"Oh hey Lance, how are you?" Adam asked, casually breaking the tension. Keith exhaled.
"Hey man! I'm good, you?"
"Trying to keep this one in line..he's stubborn but I can tell he's nervous."
Keith's frown deepened. "I'm not nervous, just...curious." He stared at his feet and mumbled it, and he knew none of them believed him.
"Sure hotshot." Lances laugh was more like a bark. "I'd be nervous too if I was you. Heck, I'm nervous cause I might end up with you." He sneered.
Keith looked up at him. "Ya know, you're the exact type of person I don't want to get stuck with."
"Oh and what type is that?" Lance teased, leaning forward, and falling right into Keith's trap.
"The stuck up idiots that are way too energetic and are dipshits." Keith's frown didn't waver. But Lances sneer fell. He frowned and turned away.
"Anywayyyyy!" Allura said, clearing her throat. "I think it's probably time to go see my father and get you guys new assignments hm?"
Keith nodded, and Lance started walking. Keith followed him and Allura to the offices behind all the studios, Adam walking near him.
"You two are seriously annoying, you guys remind me of my little siblings." Adam started. "When they were five."
Keith glared at him. It wasn't his fault Lance had basically forced a rivalry on him when they were in high school. The two had been "friends" up until then, or at least Keith had thought so. He never really knew Lance that much, but they had the same friend group so they saw each other regularly. They never actually had real conversations though. Keith always thought Lance was slightly annoying and a little too flirtatious... but he was okay.
Yeah that was before Lance messed it all up.
Lance had out of the blue accused Keith of cheating on a video game they had played months before, and insisted Keith was always trying to one up him and they just had to be rivals. To Keith, and any sane person, it seemed idiotic and just like Lance. Dramatic as hell and annoying.
Hunk claimed Lance had just been dwelling on the same problem he had with Keith for years, and finally snapped. It wasn't Keith's fault. But ever since then, Lance wouldn't stop- he teased Keith mercilessly and fought him on everything.
So of course Keith was going to argue back, especially when he knew he was better than Lance at almost anything. If someone wanted a fight, they'd get one.
But now, almost six years later, they still couldn't get along. Keith just saw it as another factor in his life, Lance- the annoying stuck up idiot that plagued his life, that he needed to avoid at all cost.
And that was that.
"Father!" Allura exclaimed, her British accent heavy as they entered Alfor's office.
Dozens of photos of the studios over the years, famous models, photographers and even celebrities from one on one meetings Alfor had with them, littered the walls. While pictures of Allura throughout her childhood, and Alfor's late wife sat on his mahogany desk.
He grinned, majority of his youth in his smile, and stood up. His stark white hair tied in a short ponytail, and his intelligent eyes scanned them. "Allura, good to see you. Are you all here for the new assignments?"
They nodded. "Cool." Alfor said trying hard to sound younger than he was. He didn't need to, he was already a pretty laid back guy with a good sense of humor and pretty strong charisma.
He pulled out some Manila folders and cleared his throat before sliding on a pair of thin rimmed glasses. "Private.. Or group reading?"
"Private." Allura and Lance spoke suddenly. But Adam glanced at Keith, who hadn't spoken.
"Group."
Alfor watched closely and seemed to understand. "Group seems better."
"Allura, you're first." He smiled warmly at her. She grinned back, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Alright, you've been assigned to the Autumnal Fashion Line" Alfor started. "Your photographer is Narti-"
"Oh I know her! She used to hang out with Keith when he first became a photographer!!" Allura exclaimed. She looked over at Keith. "Right?"
Keith nodded. He'd known Narti straight out of college, they weren't social people, and didn't steer from their personal friend groups much, but they had found some things in common and they would hang out before Adam started mentoring Keith.
"She's cool."
"Yes," Alfor smiled. "And you will have a partnering model again, one you may know... His name is Lotor."
Allura's face contorted as a couple different emotions went through her mind.
"I- um..- uh- hm..- well-"
Lance laughed. "She knows him. But she'd rather be with me." He winked.
Keith rolled his eyes. Alfor chuckled. "Is that alright Allura?"
Allura's smile didn't really reach her eyes but no one brought it up. "Yes, of course."
"I'm gonna miss you Lura." Lance said pulling her close. She leaned her head against his shoulder.
"We'll see each other around Lonce, don't worry. This will be good for us." Allura smiled.
"Yeah yeah, you go on and twirl around with your fall colors." He grinned. She nodded.
"That's the spirit "
"Alright, Keith, you're next." Alfor announced.
Adam nudged Keith, who crossed his arms. "'Kay."
"You will be working on the newest fashion line, the Youth line, for youngsters like yourself." Alfor chuckled. No one else laughed.
"Anyway." He cleared his throat. "Youth Line, and your model will be-" he peered closer at the folder, amusement coating his expression. "Oh..OH..oh that's funny." He laughed.
"Allura dear, come look at this." He was full out laughing now, his goatee twitching. "Adam you too." The two walked around either side of the desk and glanced down.
"What's the problem..?" Adam asked. Allura's face lit up and she burst out laughing. She pointed at something on the folder and Adams eyes widened.
"Oh lord.." He barely whispered.
"Oh lord is right!" Allura laughed. "Oh my godddddd."
"Maybe you should change that..?" Adam asked Alfor.
Alfor shook his head. "No can do, what's in the system is permanant. I wish I knew beforehand."
Keith took a chance to look at Lance who for once was looking at him without anger or a scowl. He seemed almost concerned, much like Keith felt.
Keith shrugged and Lance cleared his throat. "Wh-what is it?"
Adam looked at Keith. Sorry he mouthed and Keith furrowed his eyebrows. What was wrong??
"Well." Alfor said. "The thing is..Keith's model is uh.."
"It's you Lonce!" Allura blurted out before she doubled over in laughter again. "Isn't that hilarious?? Cause- cause you two h-hate each other AHA."
Keith's heart stopped. Like he actually couldn't get any air, and he couldn't move. His face felt hot and he felt sweat starting from the peak of his temple. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lance with a slightly similar take on their situation. But he was way more dramatic, falling into the chair and holding his hand to his chest.
His eyes were wide, and Keith didn't dare turn. He just closed his eyes and scowled. "What."
"Sorry, but I can't change it now. What's in the system is in the system." Alfor explained.
Keith groaned inwardly and didn't open his eyes. But Lance had a more...explosive approach..
"Alfor you can't do this!! Lura, do something! This is insane!!! KEITH! It's Keith!! Do you know what this means for my reputation?!!?"
"Well I don't like it either." Keith mumbled.
"He might rig my photos or-"
"Lonce, calm down, it's only until the next edition of Altea Magazine comes out. You two settle your difference for a few months and do well, you might make the cover!" Allura reasoned.
Alfor nodded. "She's right. It shouldn't be that hard, don't be childish."
"He might ruin my portfolio so that I don't get hired for any shows!!" Lance whined.
Keith glared at him. That made no sense whatsoever, Keith could get fired for that. Did Lance not have a single brain cell in that big head??
"Speaking of portfolio..you two should start working on it. You don't have forever." Adam added.
Keith looked at him, almost pleading for help. Adam would know what to do. He always did.
But Adam shook his head in sympathy. "You can do it." He whispered.
"Come on, I'll take you to your new studio." Allura said, already taking Lances hand.
Keith glanced at Adam one more time before following them. He knew he would actually miss him.
"Well it's bigger that's for sure." Allura said, hands on her hips as she took in the new studio. It was true, the studio was almost twice the size of Keith's old one. He could imagine Nyma up there on the podium and in the white sheet but with almost a twinge of sadness he realized she wasn't his model anymore.
He had Lance, and he was sure Nyma was better.
Lance had already started sulking in a corner- arms shoved so deep in his pockets that his shoulders seemed to bend awkwardly. He didn't seem to care. His frown was so deep it looked like it might fall off his pointy ass chin.
God what a baby. Keith rolled his eyes. He knew he'd be doing shoots for an annoying asshole, but he wasn't ready to babysit.
"Oh, come on cheer up a bit." Allura said, trying for a smile. Neither of them returned it. She frowned. "You have the rest of this week to get the portfolio in so you better get started."
She glanced at Lance. "It's really not that bad.. Don't be so dramatic." She smiled at him before leaving, her fluffy hair flowing out the door.
Neither boy moved after that, instead standing at different sides of the room, arms crossed, hands in pockets, deep scowls on their faces.
After about ten minutes Lances legs started hurting. He sat down on the floor but still didn't look at Keith.
"Lance, come on. Let's start." Keith finally spoke, not making eye contact.
"OH sure, like I'm going to work with you."
"Oh my god Lance I don't know what your problem is-"
"My problem? MY problem?-"
"Yes, you're problem. Your dumb rivalry crap that's put a huge rift between us and now we can't do our work, I don't know about you but I need money so if you could just-"
"Nope, not working with you." Lance glared at him.
Keith clenched his fists. Maybe he had a little problem with his anger, but right now he didn't need this. Lances attitude and his annoying whining.
"Fine, take pictures of yourself, asshole." He grabbed his bags and stormed out.
Lance twitched. "Yeah you too Mullet!" He called, but the door was already slammed shut. He frowned.
"Whatever." He mumbled before getting up and grabbing his own bag. He sent Allura a quick text that it wasn't going to work before heading to his pickup truck. He was surprised to see Keith with his earbuds in walking down the sidewalk, without his bike.
Keith didn't turn around, and Lance knew his presence wasn't know. Maybe that's why he gave Keith the finger behind his back before getting in his truck.
_________________________________________
Hah HAH HAHA
Sorry this chapter was definitely not as good as previous ones :( idk man
Also sorry I was so late eek its been almost a week and a half now...
I hope it wasn't too bad and you guys enjoyed it..?
Qotd: favorite weather, season, month etc.
Aotd: a tie between the calm after a storm when it drizzles and it's cool, and summer nights. Favorite season is definitely fall and I like October cause state fair comes and I love Halloween XD
Love ya guys!! Next chap should be out soon <3
SNS out