I felt like I was going to puke. I had locked myself in the bathroom and was sat in front of the toilet, hugging my knees against my chest. I was sobbing with my head buried in between my legs. Lotor had left for work a couple of hours ago and I was just letting all of my pent up emotions out. I didn't want to stop seeing Keith. He made me feel valid, important and happy- emotions that Lotor rarely made me feel.

Lotor wouldn't know if I snuck out whilst he was at work. I could do that but then there was the issue with Keith himself. Keith was going to question the flinch and my absence and I had no excuses lined up. Tomorrow. I'd sneak out tomorrow.

-

"Your eyes," Lotor's hand brushed my cheek as I avoided his gaze completely. "They're red. Have you been crying, love?" Instead of answering, I stared down at the floor. "Is this because of last night? You need to understand that that Keith doesn't care about you. He probably thought you were annoying and wanted to stop seeing you anyway."

"But he didn't seem... he liked me." My voice was pathetically quiet as Lotor pushed me backwards harshly. I almost tripped over my own feet but caught myself just in time.

"He doesn't like you. No one likes you except me. I am the only person you're allowed to talk to; do you understand?"

"Why though? It would be my fault if he ended up hurting me. I want to see him. Please let me see him, Lotor?"

"Lance, why aren't you listening to me? You aren't allowed to see him for your safety."

"No, maybe you should listen to me for once!" I didn't know where my newfound confidence had come from but somehow it allowed me to stiffen and glare at my boyfriend. "Keith's different. I didn't see him for one day and he worried. He actually cares about me and- and it's not like I'm cheating on you. I should be allowed to have friends."

"I think you need to be reminded of your place. You're below me and you should listen to me. I know what's best for you." I had backed up against the wall and Lotor had his chest pressed right up against mine. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides and I knew what was coming next but that wouldn't make it hurt any less.

"I'm my own person, Lotor! I should be allowed to choose who I talk to." At that point, I was begging myself to shut up. I was just digging myself a hole and it was going to make my punishment so much worse.

"No, you shouldn't. I'm protecting you."

"You aren't! You're-" Lotor shoved me backwards so hard that my head fell back and the world started to spin.

"Do you like him more than me, huh? Are you going to leave me for him? Is that what you want?"

"No, no-" Lotor's face was just getting closer and closer until I could feel his breath against my face. I squeezed my eyes shut, the trepidation finally surfacing and making itself known.

"It sounds like you prefer him to me. Am I not enough for you? Does Lance think he deserves more than me? You need me. Keith's going to hurt you and then you'll come running back to me, begging to be taken back. No one will treat you like I do. Do you hear me, Lance? No one."

"I'm sorry!"

"You should be. I need to punish you for this. You talk back to me like you're on my level. You see someone behind my back. I really should break up with you after this."

"Please don't. Please-" Lotor's hand grabbed my arm roughly and he started to drag me towards our room. "I said I was sorry. Just don't- don't do this! I won't see him again, I promise."

"I'm sorry, Lance. I know you understand..."

-

I searched the sides for the spare key Lotor usually left but I couldn't find it anywhere. I even opened up every single one of the draws but to no avail. It would have made sense if he hid it from me. I let out an exasperated sigh, turning to face away from the counter. I had to think of a way to contact Keith so I could speak to him one last time before Lotor took him away forever.

I knew I had his number tucked away in one of my old books but I didn't have my phone. I had shoved the napkin away just in case I ever had the opportunity to text Keith or if there was some sort of emergency. Lotor had hidden my phone somewhere, most likely in our room. Subconsciously, my legs took me up there and my hands started to filter through our draws. I eventually found the phone at the bottom of Lotor's underwear draw but it was dead.

I plugged it into Lotor's charger and sunk down onto the bed. I had Keith's number in one hand and the phone in the other. I typed out a quick message.

Hi, Keith. I'm just texting you to say I won't be able to talk to you anymore. I didn't want you to worry or anything so I thought I'd text you. I would have rather done it in person but I'm not exactly allowed out or not anything haha

Keith started to type, the speech bubble appearing on the corner of the screen. Eventually his message popped up.

Who is this? Lance?

Me: Yeah. Don't text this number again.

Keith: No? Why can't I text you again?

Me: Just don't

Keith: Please don't go, Lance?? I thought we were friends

Me: We are but I can't talk to you anymore

Keith: Why are you leaving me if we're friends?

Me: I have to, alright?

Keith: No. Not alright. I'm going to miss you

I heard a car door slam outside and scrambled onto my feet, shoving the phone back into Lotor's underwear draw and putting the napkin back into the book. I laid down in bed to pretend I had just been having a nap.