Chapter Text
Keith was trying not to stare at the boy in the water, honestly.
This section of the beach was mostly empty as it was almost completely hidden by trees and large boulders. Keith was sitting cross-legged atop one of the lowest boulders, a canopy of leaves shielding him from the afternoon sun, trying to read. The conditions would have been perfect; the air was warm and breezy, there were no mosquitoes, there was hardly any noise apart from the occasional chirp of a bird or rustling of a squirrel in the bushes, and it was early enough in the school year that he didn’t have a pile of homework to worry about. It should have been a perfect Saturday. But then... he showed up.
Keith couldn’t remember his name for the life of him, but he was splashing in the late summer waves with Hunk Garett. Hunk was in Keith’s English class, and they’d known each other since middle school, but the other boy was new. And he was cute . His thick, chestnut coloured hair had a slight curl to it, and his eyes had a twinkle that never went out. He would strut the halls with a bounce in his step, his brown skin looked soft and well taken care of, and his smile, oh, his smile...it shone like the sun, and was never gone for long. He'd never been one for crushing, but he might’ve paid this boy a little more attention than usual, had it not been for his apparent predisposed disliking to Keith.
He didn’t understand why, but the boy in blue swim trunks scowled at Keith more than he smiled. They only had one class together (personal fitness), but in the two weeks since school had started, he’d expressed his bitter feelings all too clearly. He was always on a mission to outdo Keith, and while he made sarcastic quips about all of his classmates, the ones directed toward him seemed more abundant and harsh. Usually this wouldn’t have upset Keith, but it was coming from someone who’d only known him for three days tops before making that judgement. Lots of people thought Keith was a loser and he didn’t care. But this guy was kind of being an asshole about it.
Keith heard a yelp and looked up from his book. Hunk had splashed the cute boy, and apparently the water was cold. That wasn’t surprising, it being almost halfway through September. Keith felt his stomach leap when the boy started laughing. He barely even noticed that Hunk had been shoved into the water, he was just so wrapped up in that golden voice.
After about five minutes of staring without even trying to look back down at his book, Keith decided it was time to pack up and go home. Reading was impossible when a sea nymph was tantalizingly near. He shoved his book in his shoulder bag, wrapped his flannel around his waist, adjusted the red beanie on his head, and walked across the beach. This would put him in a position where the two other boys would definitely see him, but it was the only way to get home. Besides, it’s not like they would talk to him or anything.
“Hey, Keith!” Oh, great. “I didn’t see you there!”
Keith waved in response to Hunk’s call from the water and quickly turned away, but that beautiful voice stopped him in his tracks. “Care to join us, mullet?”
Keith instinctively bit his thumbnail. “I don’t have my trunks…” he mumbled.
“What?” yelled the other boy. Keith was about to repeat himself when the two boys started running towards the shore.
“Oh no, oh no, he’s getting closer…” he thought. “ Keith, you gay fuck, DON’T stare at his chest...or his stomach...or his hips...man, he’s toned...SHIT! STOP IT KEITH STOP IT KEITH STOP IT KE-”
“What was your lame excuse?” The boy was only a few inches taller than Keith, but it was enough for him to feel intimidated. His smirk was making him weak; all he wanted was to get out of there.
“I, uh...I don’t have my trunks,” he stuttered.
“What idiot doesn’t come to the beach without his trunks?” the boy scoffed, casually stretching his arms behind his head.
Keith looked down. “I didn’t come to swim!” he snapped. “I just…” he shrugged and looked around. “I like the beach.”
The boy’s expression softened briefly, before a flash of confusion, a pang of anger, and finally a look of apathy. “Whatever. More beach for us. Have fun in your little hobbit hole or whatever, nerd.”
Keith felt his heart drop, but he just scowled, turned, and walked away. “You said ‘whatever’ twice, you ditz!” he called over his shoulder. He tuned out whatever protest spluttered out of the boy’s mouth.
“I’ll see you on Monday, Keith!” Hunk said. Keith didn’t respond.