A/N: I'm SO sorry for not updating. There's this HUGE school project that is consuming my life. I promise that after May 16th I will be alive again. XD

I tried writing from an adult's POV, and an adult I am not, so this will either be absolutely hilarious or extremely cringy. Forgive me if it's the latter. And this chapter is kind of for comical relief.

: Lol I'm assuming you mean glittery poop? XD
Q78: Oof thanks, let's see...
Guest: Thanks! I agree, I kinda think Flashback made Sophitz even harder to happen.
A very obsessed fangirl: XD and YES Team Foster-Keefe is the best!

SIX

GRADY RUEWEN

Teenagers are idiots.

I should know. I was one. I mean, obviously.

As I drove Keefe Sencen home, I could feel the tension between my little girl and That Boy.

I had not been told what had happened at this disastrous party, but I could glean that something was up. Della had taken Biana home early. The rest of the group left early too. And it was quite clear that everyone-Sophie and Keefe especially-were downright miserable.

See, this is why I told Eda that my girl should not be going to parties at this age. Actually, at any age. And she should stay away from boys.

Also at any age.

When we finally pulled up at the driveway of Keefe's house, I could practically see relief radiating off of Sophie. Keefe mumbled his thanks to me and exited the car. Before he could run into the house, Sophie slipped out and caught his arm.

I held my breath, listening closely. That Boy better not try anything funny-

"Keefe...I'm so sorry," my girl whispered, wiping her eyes. "This is all my fault."

Excuse me?

"No, Foster…" That Boy tore a hand through his hair. "I egged you on. It's my fault-"

"Let's not play the blame game," Sophie decided. "Once Biana has cooled off a little, we have to apologize. If' we're lucky, she will forgive us."

Keefe simply nodded, his eyes trained to the ground. I figured I'd given them enough time. I rolled down the window.

"C'mon guys, it's getting late!" I called, slightly more forcibly than I had intended. But it was pretty late for my Sophie to still be up-9:00 p.m.

"Okay," Keefe said. He hesitated, then patted Sophie awkwardly on the shoulder, glancing sidelong at me. Then he hurried up to his house.

Sophie returned to her seat beside me, and we drove in silence back to our home. I held in my burning questions, knowing it would be better if Edaline was there. She could handle this better than I could, even though I hated admitting that.

Edaline was waiting for us at the dining table. Concern crossed her brow as Sophie slunk into the house and tried to break it to her room.

"Nope, young lady," I said, grabbing her shoulder gently but firmly. "Come, sit with us."

We sat around the table silently, waiting for someone to speak.

Finally, Sophie sighed, testing the tension in the air.

"Mom, Dad…" she began.

"Yes, Sophie?" I urged when she hesitated.

"Um…" Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Sophie fidgeting with her eyelashes. "Things didn't go so well at the party today…"

"I noticed," I replied dryly. Eda nudged me and I closed my mouth.

"Well…" Sophie's eyes filled with tears. My heart ached as Eda and I flanked her, stroking her hair and listening as she spilled the whole story out.

I wanted to smash the table, and maybe That Boy's head, but that would just break Sophie's heart even further.

I wished I could hide Sophie away from all boys, all love, all of this crazy teenager stuff and keep her in our house, our precious little girl, forever. After all, we evidently hadn't shielded Jolie enough when she met Brant.

And now Jolie was gone.

I couldn't let that happen to my Sophie.

A/N: WOW I went dark with that ending. Sorry it was so choppy. But sadly, this shall get darker...