OMG guys… can my lovely readers get anymore lovely? That's a rhetorical question, because the answer is obviously no. You guys are as lovely as readers get! I couldn't imagine a fandom without the readers. Just as books need their authors, we authors need our readers! And readers need their books… so to throw in a little biology terms, would this be considered a circle of mutualism? Or would it be commensalism? Wow… I feel like this is a 'which came first, the chicken or the egg' situation. Lol, I just wanted to shout out to a very special reviewer (he/she reviewed on my FoxFire Academy story, but… I didn't read it until today… and it was posted July of 2016… and it is now February of 2017… apologies…), and he/she is…
NightWarrior410! I am so happy that you see us authors as a circle of friends! That's really not just us though, anyone who loves KOTLC (no matter who the ship is, I'm a loyal Sokeefe fan and I have Sophitz friends who I absolutely adore) is considered to be part of the Keeper family. To be honest, I love everyone who loves Keeper. I'm thinking of how to put this as I type, but… the Keeper fandom is like a community of non-related family. KOTLC, the fanfic authors, the reviewers… they were a safe haven for me. I love Keeper with a passion I just can't put into words. I'm grateful for Keeper and for Mrs. Messenger for writing it, because it got me through some tough stuff. It was a sweet escape. You don't have to be an author for you to be our friend! I love writing, and I always write – not just for me – but for everyone. I try to write stories that make people feel inspired and imaginative. To sum it all up into a small chunk, I want everyone to feel good about themselves when they read my fics. One theme that I hope people picked up on from this fic is that everyone has flaws, and those flaws make us beautiful. I wove pieces of myself into Miette; I put my flaws in her, because I'm not afraid to share them. I embrace the flaws that I was given.
Wow… I just realized how off-topic this got… but oh well. Whoever reads this author's note, I hope that you embrace the imperfect, wonderful, unique, quirky flaws that you have. I think that the most confident people out there are the ones who look at their flaws and say, "You know what? I love you flaws. You make me, me. There's no one else exactly like me, and that makes me special." So… if anyone read this, can I ask if you want to share a fun flaw that you have? It's totally optional, so don't feel as if you have to say. On with the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Keeper. I'm not Shannon Messenger, a super cool author who's my role model. And I am not Alessia Cara, who sings Scars to Your Beautiful.
I glared for so long at this guy, I swear there were holes in his head from my non-existent laser-vision. I stood up and dusted myself off. I was not going to take the bait. "Look, she's a little wuss… won't even stand up for hersel–" Screw it, self-conscience! I am not a wuss! I whipped around and slapped him straight across the cheek. Where did all this bravery come from? Hm. I'll call it the Elf Effect. I would've never dared to hit someone before! I mean yeah, I'd think about it… but really, I've only taken action now that I moved here. Oh, I forgot to mention… my hand hurts! I had tingles and stinging all over my hand! OW! Oh gosh, why did I think it looked good to fight back?! How come it looks so good in the movies?! I do NOT feel like a boss right now! I was screaming in my head, and I'm pretty sure I'm crying in front of my classmates right now. I don't really know, though, because I'm too busy thinking about my hand and the pink handprint on the guy's face. But really… I'm busy thinking that maybe it wasn't such a good idea to hit him. My hand hurts, I tell you! Okay, I'm done whining. And I'm done fighting, apparently, because now I'm being leap-crystalled (or whatever it's called) back to the orphanage.
With my fabulous luck, Tam and Pretty Boy Fitz were hanging out all over Tam's and my bunk. Sophie and Star Girl Biana were with Linh on her and Elaine's bunk. I glared at Tam. "Body odor is not attractive. Stop stinking up my bunk." I puffed out angrily as my cloaked coach told me to take the rest of the day off. The coach snapped, "Don't huff at me! You brought this on yourself. Don't bother returning until you clean up that attitude of yours, which should at least take until tomorrow! So come back the day after tomorrow." He stormed out, and as he did so, I stuck my tongue out and blew a fart noise at him. "Serves him right… I wasn't at fault. It was the tall guy. He provoked me." Tam laughed noisily. It was a frightening sound; it was somewhere between a bark and a strangling noise. It sounded like he was forcing a laugh. Which, by the humorless light in his eyes, I assumed was the truth. I glared all the same. Darn… why am I in such a foul mood? Oh yeah! I'm suspended from school. On my first day, no less, and I've never been suspended. First day or no. I climbed up the ladder to my bunk and kicked Tam off of it… literally.
I laid face down in the pillows. It was comfortable and hard to breath at the same time. Tam snickered, "I suppose you'll just have to take the same vacation as us Foxfire kids, and you'll just deal with the consequences when you're back." I couldn't even muster up enough energy to snap back with a witty retort. I just groaned into the pillow and laid there. Elaine bounced into the room, her hair sticking up in all directions, as if she'd been shocked with lightening. I looked up. She was holding the paralyzing thingy. She had a big smile on her face. "I changed it! Now, it electrocutes you instead of paralyzing you! Is this not great?" I nodded slowly. Honestly, was being electrocuted better than being paralyzed? Elaine held it out to me and begged me, "Please try it! Pleeeeeeease?" I stared at her eyes. She was making a puppy face. How could I say no to the doe eyes? I ducked my head. If I did this, then I'd be willingly submitting to being electrified.
Man… I might make her feel bad if I don't try it. I sighed and took it. It made a soft zapping noise and heat thrummed in my hand. I found myself smiling. "It's… it's warm! This isn't so ba–" It zapped me and I fell over. I shivered and coughed, before I sat up. My hair was sticking up all over. I could feel it. And I was being shocked whenever I touched anything. Tam laughed quietly. Then he lazily reached down and held out his hand. I eyed him warily. I grabbed his hand with a smirk. If I was shocking things, then he'd be a recipient of it too! Feel the electricity, Bangs Boy! My skin tingled and he yanked me up. I patted his head (don't get any ideas, it's not like I'm being a softie! He just, like, helped me! Yeah… that's why!) and watched as his hair stood up to brush my palms. I giggled – his hair was soft! – and ruffled his hair a bit more. He laughed, and it wasn't quite as dry as before. A small bit of humor flickered in his eyes and then he sat up, his bangs covering his face. He cleared his throat and looked away, pushing me from him. I frowned and looked away too. "Awwwwww! Tammy-wammy has a cruuuuuuuush!" Fitz's perfect laugh, mixed with Linh's teasing words, filled the room. I felt my face heat up as a blush made my cheeks and ears burn. I glared at them, and then gasped when I saw my flushed face in the mirror. I slapped my cheeks nervously and glanced bashfully at Tam. His ears were only slightly red, but I guessed it was from anger.
"SHUT UP! WHY WOULD I LIKE A HUMAN LIKE HER?!" His words definitely hurt. I was wounded; I mean seriously! Anyone would be hurt! I just happened to start crying… no biggie! I'd just say he scared me with his outburst! Yeah, that'd keep me from being called a crybaby… I trembled and then backed up. Why was I such a crybaby? I cry when people yell, even when the shout isn't directed at me… I sniffled and went into the bathroom. I slammed the door and locked it. "I hate you too Tam!" I sobbed. I didn't really feel it though… I felt like someone just gutted me. I blew my nose, too upset to be embarrassed about the loud honking. I'd probably be embarrassed when I looked back on it though… I hiccupped and rubbed my eyes. I should start planning revenge! The memory of Tam's face last night though filled my mind. He had been so grief-stricken… WAIT, WHAT?! Why am I feeling sympathy for the enemy!
A soft knock sounded. "Mimi? Er… Miette? I… uh… I don't hate you… I mean, I don't like you… not like, I mean… What I mean to say is I don't love you, but I don't hate you! You're… a nice person. So, I um… you know what I'm saying? Right? I… I'm…" Tam's voice was so awkward, and I found it endearing. I didn't catch the last bit though. I got up and opened the door. "What?" My nose was stuffy, and I kind of started to feel self-conscious about it. There wasn't snot on my face, was there? Tam scratched his neck and he leaned his forehead on the doorframe. "You… I like you. I shouldn't have, uh, said that I didn't. So… I'm sorry. Don't expect me to repeat it!" He sighed heavily and my body moved on its own. I hugged him tightly and hiccupped. "You're forgiven… I guess…" He stood there awkwardly and then patted my back. Linh's 'awwwwww' filled the room with Fitz's snicker. Biana sounded annoyed as she snapped, "So what? Sophie and Fitz hug and no one goes 'awwwwww'! What's the big deal?" Tam stopped patting my back and then just hugged me with one arm. He nudged me and gave a half-hearted gruff tone as he said, "Get off me. You're gonna leave snot on my shirt." I squealed in indignation and disappeared in the bathroom to blow my nose.
He kept his back to the others and watched me. Was it me or did he have a sort of… fondness in his eyes? And why was that small smile so cute? Nah… I've just watched too many rom-coms! Later, when everyone was gone and Elaine and Linh were hogging the bathroom, I found myself watching Tam watch the clock. He seemed to be half-dozing, but I knew better. He was going to pretend like he was sleepy to hide his haunting nightmares from the other two. Elaine and Linh got out of the restroom, and Tam and I went next. I dug out my purple toothbrush and cinnamon toothpaste out of my small bag. I brushed my teeth, keeping an eye on Tam out of the corner of my eye. Finished my brushing and spit. I rinsed my toothbrush and put it away, and then sighed. I wiped the toothpaste from the corners of my mouth and then looked at Tam again. He spit and did the same as I with his toothbrush, and then turned to stare at me.
My face heated up and he mumbled, "You'll… uh… help me again, right? With the… eye-drops…" I nodded and he gave a small grin. "You… mean what you said, right? You… aren't going to judge me…?" I shook my head. "I like you. I know you're good, even though you try to hide it. You don't have to hold up the bad boy persona around me." Tam visibly swallowed. He gave a small nod and his voice cracked, "Ye-yeah. Thanks…" I beamed at him. Linh's voice called, "Okay you two, save your flirting for tomorrow! Since Miette has tomorrow off, we'll all go to the beach! She can borrow one of my swimsuits. I have a gray bikini that is so perfect for you! The top is ruffled and there's a cute bow on it that is yellow and cyan! And the bottom is so cute too! It's perfect for you, the bottoms are like a pair of shorts. It has a yellow and a cyan stripe on each side! Totally cute!" I called out in thanks and then looked up at Tam. I faltered.
Tam's face was bright red and his eyes were wide. His hand was clenched on the door handle, his knuckles turning white. "No! Linh, she can't wear that! Guys will stare! She can wear a one-piece! And board shorts! And a shirt too!" Linh cackled. "Are you jealous?" I found myself eyeing Tam's reaction. Priceless. "Thanks Linh! That's perfect!" Tam stuttered and wobbled over to his bunk. He flopped down and I could almost see his sanity floating away. I would tease him forever for this! When everyone was asleep, I retrieved the somnalene from my pillowcase and climbed down the ladder. Tam opened his eyes and stared up as I put the drops in his eyes. He sighed and then murmured, "I'm lucky… you care so much… about trash like me…" I brushed his hair with my fingers and then tapped his exposed forehead with my index finger. "I can't let you believe you're trash. You're amazing, and as much as I hate to admit it, precious." Tam touched my hand and then whispered, "You're so happy… how do you do it?" I grimaced. "I haven't always been this happy. I was… depressed. Borderline depressed. But that taught me that when it's over, there's paradise to look forward too. I'm so lucky that I had the best parents to support me. I can tell you're struggling, and… well… you don't really have parents to lean on. I don't want to sound insensitive…" He squeezed my hand. "My parents were jerks to my sister… because she had trouble controlling her hydrokinesis… and so they disowned her… but I couldn't stand for that. I was shamed with her, and we ran away. I hated how they favored me." I stared at him and then kissed his cheek. "Don't read too deeply into that. I just… dunno. I'll help you up if you fall… so don't think there's no one there to help. Linh's here for you too. And Fitz. Biana, Sophie, Elaine, and that Keefe guy too. I can tell. We've got your back." He released my hand and then smiled.
"I know."
Whew… sorry I'm so late! Finally, I have summer vacation! Free time! Yeah! I tried to make it long, and I'm afraid it got too serious… next chapter is the beach though! Who wants Tam to be jealous? I do! Look forward to a fun chapter next!