They stared at her, openmouthed. She shook her head.
"Stop staring like a bunch of sasquatch and I'll go over to Havenfield later."
"This is from your dad?" Sophie asked quietly. Stina shushed them.
"Listen, I will explain later. Okay? This is apparently 'important'. Besides, Granite and your special friends will be there."
"What special friends?" Fitz asked.
"You know," Stina said, delicately picking a piece of food from Sophie's tray," Sophie's special someone and a couple others."
Apparently she'll still be a jerk to them. "If you are talking about Keefe, he is not a 'special someone' as you refer to him."
"Whatever you say, Sophie Foster," she said, and walked away. People glanced at them.
Sophie rolled her eyes. "She is a jerk."
"But there isn't something different between you guys?" Fitz asked hesitantly. She shook her head.
"Why do you ask?" Biana asked. Fitz didn't respond, which made Sophie curious.
"What do you think Stina wants?" Dex asked. Sophie looked around, seeing eyes on her.
"Let's just see what she wants later," Sophie said, "Meet up at Havenfield after you change."
During study hall, Fitz, Biana, and Dex sat with her. The goblin school bodyguards glared at them, and Sandor glared back at them.
Sophie, Fitz transmitted.
What? she asked him.
Stina is looking at you.
What? she said, looking behind her. She was.
What does she want?
How am I supposed to know, Fitz?
He turned red. Maybe you can transmit to her?
Yeah, that's not happening. she transmitted. He grinned. Biana started to poke Sophie, and pointed to her head.
What? Sophie asked her.
What are you guys talking about? she thought.
Later, Sophie transmitted.
After school, they went to their homes to change. Sophie had to do so quickly, and when she came back downstairs, there was Linh, Tam, and Keefe. She smiled.
"Hi," Sophie said, "Do you know what this is about?"
"I have no idea," Tam said shaking his head, "But they just told us to come here."
They heard a knock on the door. Sophie went down to open it . . . and there was Stina.
"What is she doing here?" Tam asked in disgust. Sophie grimaced.
"That is something that I would like to know too."
"Geez, I'm on your side," Stina yawned, tossing her cloak on a hook. Tam yanked Sophie to the side.
"I hate her," he shadow-whispered, "She seems to be a jerk to you. I do not like that."
She is indeed. Thanks, though, Sophie transmitted, The first time I met her, Dex made her bald -
Tam burst out into silent laughter. Linh looked up.
"How did you make him laugh?"
Sophie whispered what she told Tam, and she giggled. Stina glowered at them, and Keefe seemed disgruntled.
Tiergan walked into the room, holding a stack of scrolls, and soon the Vackers and Dex arrived.
"There is a recent development," Tiergan said, frowning, "But the news is about the same - Wylie is not yet better. The Neverseen are out there."
"Oh, can I tell the recent news?" Keefe said, raising his hand. They all looked at him. "There are even more damages done to Alluveterre, its been completely ransacked," Keefe said with a grave face. Tam glared at him; Keefe had stolen the leaping crystal from him, and Tam seemed to not trust him still, with him leaving them. "And I'll let my man Tiergan say the rest!"
"Well," he sighed, "We have put Ms. Freeman into the care of or gnomes. Ms. Foster, I guarantee that she is under full protection. And no, you can not see her." he said as Sophie's mouth began to open. Linh patted her on the back. "The reason why Ms. Heks is here is because her father has forced me to let her work with us." Stina glared at him. He put up his hands. "It is what has happened, Ms. Heks. Anyhow, we'd better get going."
"Wait, I need to tell you guys one more thing," Keefe said.
Thank you so much Waves-Of-Writing for those kind, kind words! I am so glad you are my first follower and second reader. I really am honored! Keep on being awesome! And no, I am not Shannon Messenger.