Sophie couldn't believe that had just happened. She had kissed Keefe Scencen. That was pretty unbelievable. The kindest, most handsome guy actually still liked her back. She stared into his serene ice blue eyes, feeling herself falling, falling into the depth of those oceans of blue...

"Sophie? This could get really, really messy. You know my mom will find out about us and use you against me, or against others," Keefe whispered to her.

Sophie's eyes welled up with tears. Why couldn't she just have a normal life, where nobody was trying to kill her, where nobody had implanted DNA inside if her?! It wasn't fair that this was the life she was forced into living. She couldn't even have a relashionship that messed everything up.

But she couldn't let the Neverseen ruin something this special. She just couldn't.

Keefe rested her head on his shoulder. "Let's take a walk," he said softly. Sophie nodded.

There were beautiful glowing plants all around, and it made the scene even more romantic.

"Keefe, what is Fitz going to say?" Sophie wondered. Keefe sighed.

"Well, Fitzy is g probably gonna get...upset. And I'll probably lose my place as Best Friend with him. For a while, at least."

Sophie scowled. Fitz didn't always have to be so mad about her life. She could decide wht to do with it.

She looked up at Keefe, his wavy blond hair perfect, his ice blue eyes beyond beautiful. He cared about her. He cared about her feelings. He let her be independent.

Fitz wouldn't.

"Keefe, I want to tell Fitz...now. I can't make this pile up and be a huge problem in the back of my mind that I know I need to do but I keep getting scared to do it. So it has to be now," Sophie said, her voice cracking with emotions.

Keefe hugged her tightly. He pulled out his Imparter. He shaking handed it to her.

This was going to be absolutely terrifying. I mean, Sophie was practically saying, "Hey, Fitz! Guess what, I fell in love with your best friend and I don't like you anymore. Oh, also I kissed him. Hope you don't get mad- bye!"

But at least she mustered up the courage to say, "Hail Fitz Vacker."

And soon his perfect face showed up in the screen.

"Fitz..." she started.

"Yes?" he said in his crisp accent. He smiled, as if he was happy to see her.

"Fitz, we can't keep being Cognates if I keep this from you. So I have to tell you something."

Concern flashed over Fitz's face, and beside her out of sight from the screen, Keefe swallowed.

"Fitz, I really like you. As a friend. And I think...we just can't be anymore than that," Sophie said.

To her surprise, Fitz nodded.

"Yeah, I know. You already told me, remember? At least until after the war. Don't worry about it."

Sophie shook her head. He wasn't getting it.

"No, I mean, like...ever."

Silence.

Sophie refused to look at Fitz as she said, "I...really like Keefe. I kissed him tonight."

More silence.

"You...what? Sophie? Sophie??"

Sophie forced her gaze to Fitz's face. He was hurt. And betrayed.

"Sopgie! No, this is a joke, right?! Your just kidding. You haven't even kissed me."

Words fell out of his mouth as he rambled on. Sophie took a deep breath and stopped him by saying firmly,

"No. I really did. And...please accept that Fitz."

Then Keefe stepped in to the camera.

Fitz stared at him with no sign of emotion. Then he said softly to Sophie,

"But were Cognates."

Keefe took Sophie's hand.

"But...we are soulmates."