After Effects

Chapter 27

After the elephant ride, Keefe lead me to Calla's tree. Underneath it there was a long blanket and a beautiful jar. He opened it and there was a stew inside that I recognized.

"I know I'm no Foster, but I remember some of the steps you did when you made it," he shrugged.

"You made Starkflower Stew?" I asked with a laugh.

He blushed and nodded slightly.

I leaned over and kissed him.

"You're amazing, you know that?" I asked.

"I knew for a while," he teased.

I shook my head with a smile on my face and Keefe and I started to eat the stew.

"You forgot to put the purple plant in, and you forgot to grind the vanilla beans," I added.

"Thanks for pointing out all of my mistakes Foster," he laughed.

"It's still delicious," I added.

"But it's not the original," he laughed.

I leaned over and poured some of mine into Calla's tree.

I felt Keefe staring at me.

Suddenly self conscious I asked, "What?"

He stared intently at me, "You think of the sweetest things. And I just feel so lucky to be your friend, and maybe something more." 

I didn't know what to say and looked at Calla's tree.

"Sophie," Keefe whispered.

"Yeah?" I turned over so I could see his face.

"I know this is kind of soon, but I really, really love you and--"

"No." I shouted alarmed.

"What? I didn't even finish what I was going to say," he looked at me like I'd grown three heads.

"No, I'm not marrying you. I'm not ready," I shivered.

Keefe started laughing.

"What?" I asked sternly. Was the thought of marrying me that shocking?

"I was just going to ask if you would be my girlfriend. You know, make it official," he said with a big smile.

"Oh," I looked to the side, suddenly embarrassed.

There was an awkward pause before Keefe added, "So?"

"Keefe I--" but I never got to finish my sentence. 

"Sophie!" I heard Dex call.

"What happened?" I asked quickly, running towards him.

He was crying, and blushed when he noticed Keefe standing close behind me.

He wiped his eyes and choked out, "Sorry for interrupting. I'll come back at another time."

"It's fine. I have to go anyway, see you soon Soph," Keefe whispered, giving me a hug, a kiss on the crown of my head, and he walked away.

"What happened?" I asked Dex.

"Bex is sick, and--" his voice broke as he started sobbing.

"It's okay, Elwin can make it better," I said, rubbing his back.

"It's not like that. She's sick, like really sick. It's something that Elwin hasn't seen before and--" He looked away.