Living in a Blur: a Sokeefe University/Road Trip AU

Chapter 2

Sophie stared at the DNA kit with mixed feelings. On the one hand, submitting her own DNA was completely optional for the purposes of the assignment. The class discussions would revolve all the data they received from the participants, but participation wasn't required. So she didn't have to if she didn't want to.

But if, somehow, somewhere, there was someone related to her biologically who had done the test before, the results would show her.

She could know, finally, about her biological family.

She wasn't sure if she was brave enough to submit her DNA to the program, knowing the information she might gain from it could change her life forever. It should have been an exciting prospect, and in some ways, it was. But for some reason, she just kept staring at it.

"It's not a bomb, Foster," Keefe Sencen said teasingly as he slid into the seat beside her.

She was about to make a comment on how late he was to class when she realized it was out of the ordinary for him to be in class at all. "Finally decided to show up?" she shot back.

"I happen to find this particular assignment," he said, gesturing to the DNA kits, "quite fascinating. Most biology lectures are boring and don't say anything I couldn't just read in the textbook, but I want to make sure my fabulous genes get submitted." He accented his "fabulous genes" comment with an exaggerated gesture to himself, and Sophie rolled her eyes. However, the motion drew her eyes instinctively, and she blushed as she followed the gesture, looking him up and down.

Yes, Sophie, he's hot. This has been established—and it is not a helpful thought.

He clearly noticed her blush as she looked away, focusing her attention on the DNA kit once again. "You look like you're deciding whether or not to commit a crime," Keefe remarked. "It's optional and completely anonymous, unless you actively choose to link it to your name when you get your results. You can do the assignment either way." Keefe had already opened his testing kit, though, preparing to carry out the instructions. "I, however, don't want to be missing out on having my own data in the analysis."

"Missing out? Yeah, you're making it sound super optional there," Sophie said sarcastically.

"I mean, if you don't care about missing out, it's totally optional," Keefe countered, though there was a challenging glint in his eyes, and in that moment Sophie knew she was going to give in.

"Fine then," she snapped, not even caring that she'd taken the bait and Keefe was totally smirking about it. She opened her testing kit, beginning to follow the instructions. "This is kinda gross."

"Yeah. A little," Keefe admitted. "It'll be worth it, though."

"You care that much about not missing out?"

"Yeah," Keefe said casually. Sophie had heard him speak casually a few times now, and that particular voice was just a little too nonchalant. "Besides, today's as good as any day to get up for class. I have a stupid environment test later."

"You're in that class, too?" Sophie asked, surprised. "Is there a reason we share so many classes?"

"I mean, if you want to explain to me what you're doing in so many 300 level courses, I might be able to give an explanation."

Sophie blushed. "I just like pushing myself. That's all."

Keefe's flirtatious, confident smirk was back, which made her blush in a whole new kind of way. "Well, you know what I say about smart girls."

"Uh... I don't."

"That a brain is the hottest thing a girl can have." He winked before he turned back to the testing kit he was currently sealing, lighting Sophie's cheeks on fire.