Okay, don't be mad at me. I've been SUPER busy. School is totally HECTIC, chores STINK, and I've been doing some other non-fanfiction writing. I've had no time at all this year. So here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to give you guys this chapter (I know it's small, bear with me!) And I will try my hardest to get more out soon, especially since winter break is coming up in a few weeks. So I'm sorry again, I can't apologize enough.

The Not Date – Tam's POV

I was having the greatest time, and I mean that fully. I think I was dealt the short end of the life stick, considering the problems with my parents and going to Exillium and all. I'd had fun before, Linh would kill me if I didn't mention her, but never this carefree fun I was having with Sophie.

What made it better was that she saw right through this whole plan Biana had cooked up, and I didn't have to pretend that meeting up with her was an accident. Although, there was still that whole matter with my feelings, but I decided to put it out of my mind for the time-being.

"And so Silveny finally flew to the ground, but I was thrown into a bunch of her sparkly poop! Have you ever seen that stuff? But you wanna know the worst part? It happened in front of all of the Councilors!"

I laughed at Sophie's story, but mostly at her animated expression. She had a big smile on her face, her eyes were wide with excitement, and her hands flew around as she talked. She took a big bite of mallowmelt, and sighed with pleasure.

"This stuff really is good. But you're right, no one can ever top Edaline's."

"You sure can eat a lot," I said and smirked. Her cheeks reddened and she looked away. "I uh, I mean, I didn't mean, not in a bad way. I'm sorry."

She grinned. "It's alright. It is true, isn't it?"

"It'd be worse if you were just pecking at like a bird. That'd be awkward."

She punched me lightly on the shoulder. "You're awkward anyway, Tam."

I shrugged and smiled as she continued to eat the mallowmelt and talk with her mouth full.

"Anyway, what do you think-" she stopped abruptly and stared open-mouthed at something behind me.

"What, what's the matter?" I turned around in my chair. Coming down the street, his hands in his pockets, was Keefe. He was staring at the ground, but continued to walk forward. When he was only a few feet away, he stopped, looked up, and noticed us sitting there, staring at him.

His eyes widened. He seemed frozen to the spot on the street.

I turned back to Sophie. Her face had gone pale, and she just stared and stared at Keefe. I wasn't sure what motivated me more, concern or jealousy, but I jumped up and grabbed Sophie's arm. "C'mon."

We started moving down the street, when Keefe shouted out. "Wait! Sophie! Please! WAIT!"

Sophie stopped, and I was about to try to convince her to keep going, that Keefe wasn't worth it right now, when I looked at what she was staring at in front of us. I was so busy looking at her, I hadn't noticed that Fitz was standing 10 feet from us. We were caught in the middle of disaster.

Owlmoon of OwlClan: Thanks, I'm sorry for the long wait!

SequoiaBigandTall: Lol, thanks. Sorry for the wait!

booksaremylife: Lol, right? She's so cute. I want to make some mallowmelt soooo bad. I have the recipe saved, I just haven't gotten around to doing it. I like them. I pre-ordered Nightfall (OH MY GOSH, by the way) so I got that super swag pack with the full portrait. I drool over it a few times a day.

TEAM SOPHIE: I KNOW RIGHT? I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! Honestly, I think he was even better looking than Fitz or Keefe, but Keefe is still my fav.

CoCo: I know! I'm sooooo sorry for the long wait! Hopefully you're still reading!

Mysterous M: Ahhhhh, Tam. Wonderful, wonderful Tam. Did you, or anyone else, squeal when Sophie totally brushed off Fitz and Keefe when Sophie did that mind-winding thing in Nightfall? And Tam just totally moved them right out of the way. EEEEEEE

Dornbolt: Lol, I was a little disturbed by the whole thing, and I was kinda mad at Sophie. And I felt whole-heartily relieved when they realized they didn't like-like each other (my gosh, Shannon really killed Sodex. I almost feel bad for all the Sodex shippers). but it was definitely squeal-worthy, and the whole thing was just totally adorable (at least after the fact) Stick with your ship, girl! If I wasn't a die-hard Keefe shipper, I would probably ship Tophie too!