I had been at GHS for about two and a half weeks now, and it was a Thursday which meant I had a busy schedule- my only resting periods at lunch and then a meeting with the Science Club after school. They asked me to join after they realized Matt was my brother and since then I hadn't missed a meeting.

After getting pushed through mobs to my morning classes I found myself in the precious library, my only sanctuary other than the science room. I wasn't suprised to see Keith leaning on my usual table.

"Hey." I said. He glanced up from his phone and grimaced.

"Hey."

"Why are you here?" I only asked because the answer changed every day.

"I decided it's time you met Allura and Lance."

"Your other friends?"

"No Pidge. Not friends." He narrowed his eyes at me and I smiled.

"Sure." I nodded. "So when do I meet them?"

"Now." He said looking at his phone again. "They're downstairs come on."

As I followed him through the large hallways and down the steps I tried to make conversation. "Don't you have classes?"

Keith shrugged. "We're skipping- well.." He paused and rolled his eyes. "Hunk, Lance and I are. Allura somehow got an "academic pass." Whatever that is."

"I guess being the principal's daughter come with it's perks."

Keith sighed. "Pretty much." He opened the double doors into the main hall downstairs. I spotted a small group of kids.

"Hunk skipped?" I asked Keith as we came closer to them. I hadn't known Hunk for that long but he didn't seem to me like a guy that would go along with any form of rule breaking.

Keith smirked. "He was reluctant."

The teens had heard us and they turned. I had seen them around but to be honest, up close they were way more intimidating.

Lance and Allura I mean.

But in two different ways- Allura'a stunning eyes and powerful glance made me shiver. Clearly she was used to having power, but her kind smile let me know she didn't use it against people.

Lance on the other hand scared me just cause I could tell straight away from his grin he was reckless. He bounced on the balls of his feet and tossed his hair. He already seemed way too energetic for my taste and that was a little nerve racking.

"Hello Pidge, I'm Allura, Keith's told us so much about you." Allura said sweetly smiling at me. I nodded and smiled back. How could I not?

Lance winked at me and I frowned. "Hey, I'm Lance." He shot a strong pair of finger guns at me and I winced. "But you can call me sharpshooter, thats what my friends call me."

"No, they really don't." Allura patted his back. Lance dropped his shoulders dramatically.

"Way to kill my groove babe." He pouted. She laughed at him. I couldn't help but notice Keith's deep scowl.

I looked to Hunk, who was uncomfortably squrming in the corner. He waved at me.

"So Pidge, tell us about yourself." Allura smiled.

"Um.." What should I say?

"I like peanut butter. And peanut butter cookies. But not peanuts." I blurted before my brain could catch up.

They stared at me, unblinking, heavy gazes. I mentally packed my bags- there goes by potential friend group. Good going Pidge.

But wait a second.

Where was my usual confidence?

I remembered Matt noticing my bravery, and never faltering confidence.

"It suits you, what with you being all small and stuff, hah."

Then Keith, only letting me stick around for it.

"I like your spunk."

I subconsciously let my small hands slip to my hips. I shrugged. "My number one comfort food." Keith's small smile appeared and Hunk nodded.

"Peanut butter cookies are my specialty, I should make you some at some point."

"They are to die for." Lance emphasized, leaning against Hunks broad shoulder. "But so is anything Hunk makes." He grinned at his friend, and Hunk smiled bashfully.

Keith nodded. "That's true."

Allura clapped her hands with a small bounce on her heels. "Something in common!"

"So is that you're real name?" Lance raised an eyebrow. "Pidge?"

Hunk elbowed him so hard I felt it. I couldn't help but chuckle.

Lance shook. "Not what I meant I swear! Just like, I'm assuming it's a nickname. It's cool either way though." He stuttered, hand gestures flying everywhere.

"I get it." I said. "It is a nickname, from my older brother. My real name is Katie but uh, I'd prefer you didn't call me that."

He held up two thumbs. No questions. Lance was a real bro. I smiled at him.

"Okay, I'm really enjoying this. I am but..its almost time for sixth period.." Hunk said staring at his phone. "I think-"

"It's okay Hunk, we have a good half hour." Allura said sweetly.

"It's okay for you. You have a pass or something." Hunk said.

Allura nodded. "True."

Keith uncrossed his arms. "I'm not going back anyway, I'm leaving."

"Oh cool, is your mom picking you up? Dentist appointment?" Hunk asked.

Keith cracked his knuckles. "Sure."

"You're skipping aern't you?" Lance asked Keith, eyes narrowed.

Keith's bottom lip fell a little but eventually answered Lance. "No.."

"Yes you are!" Lance stalked over to him, pointer finger poised. "It's almost like you don't care about your education. At all."

Keith held his gaze. "Isn't that obvious."

Lance frowned. "Keithhh." He whined. "If you don't get a good career you'll end up on the streets and if we can't stay friends, what will I do without your mullet???"

A faint blush started up on Keith's face but he frowned and pushed Lance away. "Shut up, no matter what I do, I'll always be smarter than you. I'm not the one you should be worried about so leave me alone." He glared at us before walking away, hands shoved in his pockets.

"What. Just. Happened." Lance said, faint tears in his eyes. Some rock music started blaring from Keith's loose earbud as he pushed out of the school doors.

"Don't worry about it babe, that's just Keith." Allura said, grabbing for Lances hand. He squeezed back.

"Yeah, you're super smart man." Hunk smiled at him, giving him a small side hug.

Lance just stood there in shock. He watched Keith run through the rain.

Then he shook his head and turned to us arms wide. "So, let's plan Pidge's initiation!"

I didn't know what surprised me more- that they had an initiation, or that Lance could bounce back so quickly.

"Initiation?" I asked.

"No, we don't have that." Allura said, amusement leaking in her smile.

"Party pooper." Lance frowned. But then he grinned. "But come on, at least a party!"

"You're planning it." Allura shrugged.

"Yesssss." Lance laughed.

"Can we go now? Plan it later?" Hunk asked checking his phone again.

"Yeah yeah, let's go you big baby." Lance laughed before taking Hunk away, who waved at me with a smile.

"I'll take you back to the library." Allura said before starting off.

~~~~

We were almost to the library now, and I needed to get my question off my chest.

"Allura?"

She stopped walking. "Yes Pidge?"

"Well, I was a little surprised back there. With Keith..leaving like that."

Allura's face fell. "Oh yeah." She sighed.

"Keith has always had anger issues, and somehow him and Lance always fight. If, like back there, Keith's just blows, or if Lance does. Or if they mutually almost kill each other."

"But Lance seemed like he genuinely cared about Keith's education."

"He does. And Keith cares about him, I can tell. I think he has feelings for him too. But I doubt it'll change how they act around each other." She tried for a smile.

I nodded like I understood.

I didn't.

"Pidge, I'll have Keith drop off the details to you for Lances 'initiation party' alright?" She asked when we arrived at the library.

I nodded. I was beyond grateful. I wasn't alone anymore. I couldn't help but reach for a hug. I was happier when she hugged me back.

"Bye Allura." I said. She waved at me.

"Bye Pidge."

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polishedperidot

Hope u enjoyed it! Thanks for the request! Hope anyone else who read it also enjoyed it!

As always, continuations or requests? Let me know! <3

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