Chapter Two

Before Fitz had left, he kissed Sophie for a LOOOOOONNNNGGGGGG thirty seconds. But to Sophie, it had felt like an eternity. A very blissful eternity at that.

The memories of the past days would be forever etched into her memory, after all she did have a photographic memory.

The morning of the Solstice that the Vackers' threw at Everglen yesterday, Sophie and Fitz had confessed their feelings for each other, after receiving their Matchmaker Scrolls, in a very strange, but oddly romantic way. The Councillors had decided that Fitz and Sophie should get theirs a day later than everyone else's and had replaced the Matchmakers roll of picking their matches.

So with the comfort of all their friends and family around them, Fitz and Sophie picked up their scrolls slowly, anticipating the moment.

"Open it up already!" Biana urged. Her Match list had came along with everyone else's and she had insisted on waiting for Sophie's and Fitz's to arrive first before they open theirs, but Sophie was curious too about who would be on their scrolls, so she insisted that they shouldn't hesitate.

Keefe had been Biana's number one out of 100 and Biana had been number one on Keefe's as well.

The couple squealed in delight as Keefe lifted Biana up causing another round of giggles.

Linh had been number 32 on Dex's and Dex had been number 53 on hers. Biana had been number two on Tam's list and he had also been number two on hers. Sophie was upset for Tam since he was the only one that didn't have anyone that he knew or liked on his scroll. They hesitantly passed their scrolls around to show each other and Sophie remembered each and every one of the match lists. Except for hers. And Fitz's of course. Theirs hadn't arrived yet.

So when they were delivered, Biana, Tam, Linh, Keefe, Fitz, and Dex had woken her up at the crack of dawn just so that she and Fitz could open their scrolls. The friends had slept over at Everglen that night so then they could all see Fitz and Sophie open their scrolls. They were all so excited that Sophie got up immediately, not caring that Fitz was staring at her with his gorgeous, impossibly teal eyes. She was still staring at Fitz when Biana had started to yell.

"Open it up already you two love-birds! I'm pretty sure that Keefe over here can feel all of the anticipation radiating off of everyone."

"Actually," Keefe replied, "I can't sense your emotions without touching you. But Foster's emotions over there I can. And that's a LOT of admiration for Fitz you're throwing at me there Foster!"

Sophie blushed. Having an Empath around was really annoying. Especially since it was Keefe. He was the only one that could feel her emotions without having physical contact. Other than his dad of course, and even thinking about Lord Cassius sent shivers through Sophie's body.

Sophie snapped out of her dreamy staring contest with Fitz, who looked just as uncomfortable as Sophie felt.

"Okay come on already!" Biana complained. "We don't want to watch you two staring at each other all day!"

She took a quick glance at Fitz and shrugged. I might as well get it over with, she thought. As she and Fitz both carefully pulled off the red satin ribbon that held the scroll together off, the rest of the group had started complaining and whining about opening them faster.

Sophie paused for a moment. Was she really ready to find out her matches? The questions in her mind were interrupted by a very familiar accented voice. That belonged to the boy who she wanted on her scroll. Not that she would admit it.

"Stop stalling," Fitz teased.

"I will if you will."

And with that they both tore the ribbon off and unfurled their scrolls.

Sophie was confused. She looked at Fitz and he seemed as confused as she was. On her scroll was only one name.

1: Fitzroy Avery Vacker

2:

3:

And so on. For the next 97.

You're the only one on my list, Sophie transmitted to Fitz.

Same! Fitz replied.

Keefe looked from Sophie to Fitz and back to Sophie when they started laughing like crazy.

"So…" Biana started. "Are you guys going to show us your matches or what. They glanced at each other. Then Fitz tackled her to the bed and started kissing her, long and slow. When they pulled away from each other, Sophie had the biggest grin on her face ever.

"I think I'm scarred for life," Dex said.

Keefe was covering his eyes while Biana and Tam stared at them with shock. Linh looked like she was blushing.

Keefe slowly took his hand away from his eyes, mouth agape in surprise, while his eyes betrayed the rest of his expression. Hurt? Jealousy? Betrayal?

"You two never told us you were dating!" Keefe yelled. That explained it.

Wide-eyed, Sophie started to explain, then was interrupted by a madly blushing Fitz.

"Oh no we're not dating! Or we weren't! I mean we were! I mean…" Fitz stammered then groaned, unable to explain.

"Why don't you guys just look at our match lists?" Sophie said, struggling to get out from under Fitz's muscular body. He was now 18, he hadn't gotten his first match list when he was 16 because he wanted to get his at the same time as Sophie's. He was secretly hoping that Sophie would be on his list. She insisted that he get his but he had dismissed her.

They all scrambled to get the lists, racing to the middle of the room.

They all stared at the paper and all looked up at Fitz and Sophie at the same time, who were cuddling on the bed now.

"So…" Tam broke the silence. "What does it mean?"

"It means…." They all turned around to see a smiling Alden and all twelve Councillors grinning unmistakably at the couple on the bed kissing, cuddling, and laughing.

"That they are officially engaged."