CHAPTER 7

I look at myself in the mirror and my jaw drops. My hair curls softly at the bottom and falls lightly down my shoulders. My chocolate brown eyes are framed with thick dark lashes due to some volume mascara that Biana used. Thankfully, she kept everything else natural. A pink blush highlights my cheeks, in hopefully a less embarrassing way than normal. Biana stuck with a natural lipstick shade, but made sure to use lip liner to slightly overline my lips, making them look bigger.

"Biana, you are a magician!"

She smiles proudly. " I know!" Her smile turns evil. "Now let's show the boys!"

"Wait WHAT?"

"Show us what Biana?" Dex's voice asks, as the three boys file into the room.

"Hopefully something more interesting than Fitz's fortnite avatar. It's so boring, like who wears a plain BROWN shirt. And don't get me started on th-" Keefe's voice trails off.

I slowly turn in my seat.
"What do you guys think!" Biana asks them.

"I- uh- ummm- " Dex stumbles, blushing bright red.

"What Dex is trying to say is you look hot Foster," Keefe clarifies. "Which I 100% agree with by the way."

Bianas' eyes narrow. I blush deep red, probably ruining the natural look we were going for.

Fitz finally looks up from his phone. "Oh wow. You look good Soph."

My stomach flutters. It's hardly a sentence, but for some reason, Fitz managed to increase my heart rate by 90%.

The boys keep staring at me. This is really awkward. I don't know what to do. Thankfully, Biana saves me.

"Fitz stop hitting on my friend!"

Fitz rolls his eyes. "Whatever. So, do you guys want to stay for dinner?"

"OH YEAHH then we can finish our game!" Biana claps her hands again.

"I would but I need to babysit my siblings tonight, because my parents are going out to dinner," Dex grumbles.

"Oh yeah, they're triplets right?" Biana asks.

"Yep! Rex, Bex and Lex. My dad thinks he's soo funny."

We all laugh before a loud honk interrupts it.

"Looks like my dad is here. I'll see you guys at school tomorrow!"

"Bye Dex!"

"Byeee!"

"Bye Dexy-Poo!"

After Dex leaves, I wash the makeup off with a wipe Biana hands me, and tie my hair into a ponytail. We walk downstairs and find the boys playing hungry hippo.

"AHA IM WINNINGGG," Keefe declares.

"NOT FOR LONG!"

Biana rolls her eyes and pulls me into the kitchen, where Della is taking plates out of the cupboard.

"Hey mom, Sophie and I can help set the table."

"Thank you guys. Also Biana, there's a surprise waiting for you in the dining room!"

Biana looks intrigued. With speed, she takes half the plates and gestures for me to take the others. We go to the dining room, where we find Alden talking to.. Mini Alden?

"ALVAR!" Biana yells, jumping into his arms.

"Hey Biana, it's been too long!" he says, twirling her around before setting her down. His cobalt eyes find mine and he holds out a hand.

"I don't believe we've met before?" he asks.

"No, I'm Sophie Foster. I just started going to Foxfire."

We shake hands and his grip is strong. I quickly remove my hand. My nose gets a whiff of a smoky smell.

"Why do you smell like smoke?" I ask him.

He narrows his eyes at me.

"It must just be Della's cooking. I better go help her," Alden says, unaware of the staring contest going on between me and his oldest son.

"So Alvar, what are you going here?" Biana asks him.

He finally breaks eye contact with me.

"Oh, we had an unexpected weekend off, due to a snowstorm."

I must look confused, because Biana quickly tells me "Alvar goes to school on the east coast, so they get a lot of snow."

Huh that's weird. Why would Alvar take a 6 hour flight for just a weekend off? Oh well. Not my place to intrude.

"ALVARRR!" Fitz voice tells.

Alvar hugs him and Keefe at the same time.

"What's up little brothers?" he asks, winking at Keefe, who beams at him.

"Nothing really! I didn't know you were coming here!"

"It was all very last minute," Alvar reveals.

"Dinners ready!" Della yells from the Kitchen. Me and Biana quickly finish setting the table, with the help of Keefe and Fitz. We sit down and eat a pizza casserole ("One of Dellas specialties," Alden says) and talk about school and work.

"How is your big project going, Dad?" Alvar asks Alden.

"He won't tell us anything about it," Biana complains.

"That's because it's top secret Biana, you know this," Alden chuckles.

Top secret?

"Dad works for the FBI," Fitz says, noticing the look on my face.

Ohhh that makes sense.

"But I will, say Alvar.." Alden starts.

"Yes?" Alvar says, almost leaning in on his chair.

"It is going quite well! In fact, I'm expecting a raise in the near future!"

"That's great honey!" Della says. Alvar looks slightly disappointed.

"Who's ready for dessert?"

"ME! I AM!" Keefe jumps.

Della laughs. "Yes I know Keefe, I made mallowmelt especially for you and Sophie!"

"What's mallowmelt?" I ask.

Everyone gasps.

"You've never tried Mallowmelt?!" Fitz asks.

I shake my head and blush.

"Well then today is a special day for you. Once you try mallowmelt, there's no going back!" Keefe tells me.

I doubt that but ok.

Della brings out a huge cake that looks like it's made of chocolate chip cookie, with butterscotch frosting spread in vertical lines going down. There's a huge pile of whipped cream in the center. My jaw visibly drops. Alden chuckles.

Della slices it and hands the first piece to me.

Everyone crowds around as I put a bit into my mouth.

"Oh my god. This is amazing!"

"I told you so!" Keefe says smugly.

Della cuts slices for everyone and we keep chatting. Soon enough, everyone's plates are cleared and it's time for me and Keefe to leave.

"Are you suree you don't want to stay for a sleepover? We can do another makeover and play more games!" Biana asks me.

I laugh. "Maybe next time Biana!" and then blush. Did I just invite myself over? But she smiles and tells me she can't wait.

Della hands my two slices of Mallowmelt. "Give this to Grady and Edaline."

I nod and thank her for everything. She pulls me into a hug and tells me I'm invited anytime I want to their house. I do a quick goodbye wave at Alvar who just nods. Alden tells me he'll come over soon to discuss a few things with Grady.

"Bye Foster!" Keefe says before walking to a black car.

Weird. I thought his parents and Biana's parents were friends. Why aren't they coming outside to say hi?

I hear a honk and see Edalines blue car.

"Ok bye guys!"

"Bye Sophie!"

I get into the car and Edaline rolls down the window so we can say bye one last time.

"So how was your first day Sophie?" she asks me.

"It actually wasn't that bad!"

"See, I told you!"

I laugh, filled with a warm feeling.