So... I am very very very very sorry that I didn't update sooner.
I also realized that I never gave these works ages. So here you go:
Fitz-17
Sophie-16
Keefe-16
Biana-16
This is the second to last chapter!
Almost done. I also forgot to add a disclaimer, so: I do not own these characters. Sadly.
I tried to make this a long chapter...
CHAPTER 12
"Foster?" a soft voice called.
I looked up to see Keefe standing awkwardly in front of me. I hid my tearstained face behind my hair.
"What do you want?" I choked out.
"Fitz told me..." he began.
"Mr. Alden didn't talk to you, too?" I sniffed.
He sat down next to me.
"Why would you think that?" he asked.
"B-because, you're popular, and cute, and I'm just...me." I mumbled.
He put his arm around my shoulders.
"Just you? Sophie, you are amazing! There's a reason I'm the president of your fan club."
I looked at him.
"What?" he asked.
"You called me Sophie." I said.
He smiled softly.
"You called me cute." He smirked.
Had I said that?
Oh no. Please say I didn't.
"Did I?" I asked.
"Yep." he said, full on grinning.
I blushed.
"Awww, Foster, you're cute too." he winked.
Did he just...?
Cute?
I started to smile gently.
"See? The Keefester can get you to feel better again." he said.
"So sure of yourself." I responded.
He pulled me closer.
"I-I have to tell you. Before I loose my nerve." he started.
I stared at him. Was this what I hoped it was? Did he like me?
I wish.
"Yes?" I asked
"I-" he was cut off by the door opening
"Sophie?" Grady's wide eyes took in the scene in front of him.
My wet cheeks and red rimmed eyes.
Keefe sitting next to me.
Keefe's arm around my shoulders.
His eyes narrowed.
"What's going on here? Is something wrong? Why aren't you in school?" he asked.
My smile faded.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
I told him the story. Halfway through, my voice broke and I started crying again.
"Sophie, it's gonna be ok." said Grady, nudging Keefe out of the way so he could sit next to me.
"You should go talk to Biana and Fitz." Keefe piped in.
"He's right." Grady mumbled.
I couldn't see Keefe, because he was behind Grady, but I knew he was probably smirking.
"Sophie, why don't you come with me into the kitchen. I'll get you a piece of mallowmelt." Grady said gently.
"What about Keefe?" I asked.
"It's okay, Foster. I'll wait out here." Keefe told me, glancing at Grady.
"You sure?" I asked.
"He's sure." Grady said, pulling me inside.
I sent Keefe an apologetic look as Grady closed the door.
"Keefe? Really?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked innocently.
"You know exactly what I mean." he said, raising an eyebrow.
I sighed.
"Fine. Yeah. I like him. Happy?" I grumbled.
"No. First of all, what's with the attitude? Second, you can do so much better than that boy." he grumbled.
"No! He's sweet, and he actually cares and-" I was cut of by Grady sighing. Loudly.
"Fine. If you like him that much, then... I won't hate him." he said.
I could tell that was the best offer I was getting.
"Yay! Thank you, Grady! Now about that mallowmelt..." I said.
"Yeah, yeah." he grumbled , but I could have sworn he was suppressing a smile as he went to the kitchen.
He came back with two paper plates of mallowmelt.
I have him a hug and stepped out into the porch.
"Here ya go." I said, handing a plate and plastic fork to Keefe.
I wonder what he did while I was inside.
KEEFE POV
When Grady opened the door, I decided that the universe hated me. I had just worked up the courage to tell Sophie about my massive crush on her.
I can't believe she thought I only talked to her because Alden told me to.
I can't believe Biana would say that to her. I mean, I've known Biana for years, and she isn't that type of person. I'll have to hear the full story later.
I can't believe she called me cute.
Sophie Foster. Called me. Cute.
I heard Sophie start to cry again, and snapped back into reality.
She had been telling Grady the story of... this big crazy mess.
"Sophie, it's gonna be ok." said Grady, nudging me out of the way so he could sit next to Sophie. Ouch. I know he cares about Sophie, but still.
Oh well.
"You should go talk to Biana and Fitz." I said.
"He's right." Grady mumbled.
Wait. Was Grady agreeing with me? Thank you, photographic memory, for helping me remember this moment forever.
"Sophie, why don't you come with me into the kitchen. I'll get you a piece of mallowmelt." Grady said to Sophie.
"What about Keefe?" she asked.
Aww. She does care.
"It's okay, Foster. I'll wait out here." I told her, glancing at Grady. I didn't think he wanted me in his house
"You sure?" she asked, looking at me with those eyes.
Man, her eyes got me every time. Big and brown, with flecks of gold.
"He's sure." Grady said, pulling her inside and snapping me out of my daydream.
She sent me an apologetic look as Grady closed the door in my face.
Ok, then.
I heard Grady's muffled voice from the other side of the door.
"Keefe? Really?" he asked.
Wow. Grady really hated me.
I would have kept listening, but I felt someone tap on my shoulder.
I spun around to see a very uncomfortable looking Tam standing there. Ugh.
I frowned. Sophie hangs out with him a lot. Maybe she likes him. I did see them laughing in that park bench Saturday.
Was I jealous?
Maybe.
"Keefe, right? I was hoping to talk to you." Tam said.
"Um, sure. Just a question though, shouldn't you be in school? " I asked, confused.
"Yeah, well there was a small incident. Some of the kids that go to Exillium... Yikes. But that isn't important. I saw you here and I remembered that I wanted to ask if..." he trailed off, mumbling something unintelligible.
"What?" I asked.
He took a deep breath.
"Are you and Biana dating?" he asked.
Wait. What? He doesn't like Sophie?
"No. She's like a sister to me, and I'm pretty sure she got over her crush on me a while ago." I responded.
He sighed in relief.
"Thanks, dude. See you 'round." he said.
Huh. Maybe we could be friends.
He flipped his bangs out of his face.
Maybe not.
He waved and walked away. I sighed and sat on the porch. What was taking Sophie so long?
The door opened and she stepped onto the porch, her golden hair gleaming in the sun. She had two plates of Edaline's famous mallowmelt, making her even more beautiful.
"Here ya go." she said, handing me a plate.
I smirked and took it.
SOPHIE POV
"So... We should be getting back." I said, once we'd finished our mallowmelt.
"I guess so." he grumbled.
We stood up and began walking to the school. On the way I tripped and fell on the sidewalk. Not because I was looking at Keefe or anything. Pffft.
"Ouch." I said, dusting myself off.
"Did you have a nice trip?" Keefe asked, his voice shaking with barely contained laughter.
I glared at him from the sidewalk where I was laying.
He smirked.
"That's not even a funny joke." I said.
He laughed.
"It is to me."
I sighed.
"Could you at least help me up? Please?" I whined playfully.
"Well, since you asked nicely...no." Keefe smirked.
I glared at him, and he sighed.
"Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine. The things I do for you, Foster." He said, grabbing my hand.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. He didn't let go of my hand, and I was fine with that. We walked back to school, talking and laughing.
Keefe had made me feel a lot better.
...
When we reached Foxfire, Biana was pacing around the library, where we met to study.
When she saw us, a look of relief came onto her face.
"Sophie! I am so sorry! Please let me explain!" she said.
"I'll just..go." Keefe said awkwardly, before walking out of the library.
"I am so sorry. Stina... Stina was telling the truth. Our friendship did start with my dad. Once I got to know you though, I really like you. You're one of the best friends I've ever had. I just hope you can forgive me... " Biana explained, staring at the floor.
I walked over to give her a hug.
"Of course I can forgive you. I was only upset because I thought my best friend hated me." I said.
"We're still best friends?" she asked hopefully.
"If you want to be." I said.
"Yes! So, now that we're friends again, are we going to talk about your obvious crush on Keefe?" Biana asked excitedly.
Well, she moved fast.
"I thought you liked Keefe." I mumbled, dreading her answer. I couldn't like Keefe if she did, it would make me a terrible friend.
She giggled. Uh oh.
"Well, I used to like him. Then I saw how he looked at you. At first, it was annoying. Then I met Tam. He's just- wow. So, I was thinking... Could you introduce me?" she asked.
She didn't like Keefe. What a relief. (Hey, that rhymed. I am a true poet.)
"Of course! You can come over to my house after school." I said. Biana beamed.
"I just had a brilliant idea!" she said suddenly.
"Why am I scared?" I asked.
Biana cackled evilly.
I gulped.
"Tam has a sister, yes?" she asked with a truly terrifying glint in her eyes.
"Yes..." I responded hesitantly.
"We should set her up with Fitz!" she said.
"That's... actually a good idea." I said.
"No need to sound so suprised." she said, jokingly insulted.
"He would be so cute with her!" I squealed.
"Who are you talking about?" came a voice from behind us. A voice I would recognize anywhere.
I turned to see Keefe and Fitz walking into the library.
Biana and I looked at each other.
"Nobody." we said at the exact same moment.
Keefe raised an eyebrow.
"Anyway... You guys want to come over this afternoon?" I asked.
"Aww, Foster, of course I'll come. I know you can't get enough of me!" Keefe said, smirking.
I rolled my eyes.
"I would love to go, Sophie." said Fitz, proper as ever.
"Great!" I said.
The rest of the day passed at a snail's pace.
...
One more to go!
I will have my ships get together.
Yay!