A/N Guess who had computer problems again? Me! So, basically, for a while, my computer hasn't been charging. Over the past couple weeks I've had a couple big events that I'll explain in detail more below, but basically I was gone a lot of the week and couldn't buy a new charger until today. Except I didn't buy a new charger. Turns out my computer was the problem, so I had to buy a new computer. On Mother's Day. Thanks, mom. I'm sure today was lovely for you. Money and stress. *all of the sarcasm* Seriously, though, I'm dedicating this chappie to my mother, who puts up with all of my computer issues, and just issues in general.

LIFE UPDATE THAT NOBODY CARES ABOUT: So, I went to another dance competition, which is why I didn't update. Buuuut... I got a scholarship! For people who aren't familiar with this kind of stuff, basically, I did an audition with some choreography we learned, and the judges liked me, so next year, I get to come back to the competition's workshops (classes with the judges) for FREE! And not just the one where I live. Next year I could go to all of their regional if I wanted to. Of course, I won't, but I'll probably be going to more that one workshop next year, which is pretty cool.

Reviews time:

ChickenLuv8: Thanks! We only see Valin for a pretty short time and he doesn't have much personality beyond liking Sophie, so it was pretty hard to write his character. I'm really glad you liked the idea of him as a telepath.

lovelunalovegood: Ha, yeah, Valin is pretty gross. What Sophie can do for her friends in KotLC is astounding. Thank you!

malaynamonkey2004: Thank you so much!

OMG: Thanks! The fact that there's so little known about him makes him really fun (but really hard) to write.

TheBooksAreBetterThanTheMovies: Thank you, I hope you like this next chapter! I love your username, by the way.

TheAnonymousAuthor03: Thank you! Right now this is a Foster-Keefe, but as the plot moves on it will shift back and forth.

Sorry this chapter is so short, but I needed a setup for the next couple of chapters. Here you go:

"What's with the water on your shoe?" Keefe asked as Sophie rushed back over.

"It's not water."

"Please tell me Valin didn't pee on your foot," Keefe said skeptically.

"He didn't pee on it," Sophie answered exasperatedly. "He drooled on it."

Keefe raised his eyebrows in disgust. "Yeesh."

"It's better than pee," Sophie said.

"It's still gross," Keefe said. "Anyways, how'd it go?"

Sophie sighed. "Not well. I going to have to-" she wrinkled her nose- "go on a date. With Valin."

"Um... I don't know if you remember, but you kinda... you know... have a boyfriend?" Keefe said skeptically.

"Yes, I remember that I have a boyfriend, Keefe," Sophie drawled sarcastically.

"So?" Keefe asked. "You can't go out with him!"

"I know that!" Sophie snapped. "But he was going to blab to the interrogators otherwise. He's trying to bribe me."

"What?" Keefe shouted. "He's tried to bribe you? That's insane!"

"I know," Sophie said. "It's horrible. Using a stupid ultimatum to get me to like him or whatever... he doesn't actually like me. If he actually liked me he'd help me because he wants to see me happy."

"He doesn't," Keefe said. "He wants to see himself happy."

"Duh," Sophie said. "He's being selfish. It's incredibly misogynistic of him. You know what the worst part is? He showed that he actually has some brains in him. If this actually escalates, we might have to get some help from him."

"In exchange for what, your hand in marriage?" Keefe scoffed.

"Are you... jealous?" Sophie asked, tilting her head curiously.

"No." Keefe shook his head. "I just think it's horrible that he's doing this. Why aren't you angry? He's forcing you on a date. He bribed you. He's taking advantage of you. It's hurtful."

"Listen, I'm not happy about it either," Sophie said. "It's not right, and it's unfair that he's using something I care about as bait. I'm going to get out of it, just you see. You've just got to let me do this on my own. I don't need to be protected from idiot boys."

"I know," Keefe said, his face softening. "You're the strongest person I know, you don't need to be protected. It's just... this whole thing is weird. I don't really know how to handle it."

"Of course," Sophie said. "But please just let me deal with it."

"I will," Keefe said.

"Anyways, how'd it go with Stina?" Sophie asked, changing the subject.

Keefe wrinkled his nose. "Terrible."

"What happened?" Sophie asked, slightly afraid of the answer.

Soon enough, Keefe cringed. "Er... I think it's best if I just show you. Come into my mind and see."