"Foster!" someone screamed in Sophie's ear the next morning. Sophie nearly went flying as she shot up and out of her bed.
"Are you serious Keefe?" Sophie grumbled as she struggled to find her way out of the sheets that had went flying with her.
Keefe laughed and light suddenly flooded the inside of the sheets as he lifted the edge and smirked at her. "You weren't waking up. Besides, you should be happy. Gigantor wanted to slap you awake but I didn't let him."
Sophie sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Your useless."
"And handsome."
"Whatever."
She laughed as she crawled towards where Keefe was holding the edge up, sighing as she laid on the soft carpet of her room.
Keefe sat beside her, staring at her.
"What?" Sophie asked, annoyed yet happy.
Keefe shrugged. "Your just adorable when your stressed. That worry line on your forehead says it all."
Sophie scrunched her nose at him, making him laugh. Oh gosh, his laugh. Keefe's laugh always made her heart flutter and right now, in this moment, it was as prominent as ever.
"Whatever. Now, what are you doing here?" Sophie asked, getting back to the topic at hand.
Keefe smirked as he stood, walked to the table, and threw a box at her. "Go ahead. I'll let you be."
He flashed one more smile at Sophie, which made her heart race, and exited Sophie's room.
Sophie sighed, opening the box and finding a packet in a folder along with bags of clothes.
As quick as she could, Sophie threw on the clothes, which consisted of a flowing red tunic, black leggings, and black boots. She also tied her hair up in a bun, adding tints of makeup to her face as well.
Once she was done, Sophie plopped down on her bed, prying the folder open. Inside, she found headshots of the Neverseen along with their last location and a letter from the Collective.
Dear Miss Foster,
If your getting this, then this means that you accepted our mission. Thank you. As you know, Mr. Sencen is coming with you as well.
Inside this folder, you will find pictures of the Neverseen members the Council needs kidnapped. Lady Gisela, Fintan, Vespera, and Ruy.
Hope that this won't be to hard to complete. You will not return to Havenfield until the time comes. Thank you for understanding.
Yours truly,
The Collective
"Read the letter, huh?" Keefe asked from the doorway.
"Yup," Sophie said without looking up from the letter. "Interesting, isn't it?"
Keefe sat beside her, skimming the page. "I guess." He paused, like he was hesitating. "What I'm about to tell you, you must never repeat. Ever."
Sophie put the paper down, taking Keefe's hand in hers. "You can tell me anything."
He blew a breath out of his lips. "So I like someone."
Sophie's heart deflated. Yeah, she was dating Fitz Vacker but she felt like Keefe being with anyone but her would break her heart.
So being the good friend she was, Sophie said, "She must be the most luckiest girl in the world."
Keefe laughed hesitantly, a blush peppering his cheeks. "I guess so. I've liked her since the day I met her."
Sophie looked away, willing herself to not cry. She'd always know that this day would come and here it was. But there was something she had to do first, before Keefe would slip though her fingers.
"Keefe?" she asked meekly.
"Yeah Foster? You alright?"
Sophie looked at her hands and took a deep breath. "Before you say anything, know that I...I..."
Keefe gently raised her chin, forcing her to look into the eyes she would never admit she'd dream of. "I what?"
"Keefe, I like..."
"Hey Sophie!" A very familiar voice called from the door. "Oh hey Keefe."
Keefe laughed, taking his hand away from Sophie's chin. "Well, well. If it isn't Wonderboy."
Fitz chuckled, making his way to Sophie's side. "I just wanted to visit you before you leave."
Leave.
That word sent a jolt of excitement throughout her body. She would be leaving Fitz and be with Keefe until their mission was complete.
"Sophie?" Fitz asked, taking her hand and cupping her face in the other. "Are you alright?"
Sophie tried to keep a straight face as she muttered, "Yeah. Fine. Perfectly fine, Fitz."
He offered his movie star smile. That smile used to make her swoon but now, a sneaky smirk would make her heart race.
Fitz's eyes flicked from her to Keefe, a shadow covering his eyes. Suddenly, Fitz pulled Sophie in, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
After a moment, something seemed to bother Fitz. He must've realized that she wasn't kissing him back so he pulled away, clearing his throat.
Keefe cleared his throat from behind them, both of them turning to look at them. Fitz looked annoyed, thankfulness in Sophie's eyes.
"We should get downstairs Foster," Keefe said as he put all of Sophie's stuff in her box. "Pretty sure the Collective's waiting for us."
Sophie nodded, internally grateful for Keefe. She stood and followed him out, Fitz trailing behind them.
When they made it downstairs, they found Team Valient, the Collective, some of the Council, Edaline and Grady, Lord Cassius, and the rest of their friends waiting for them.
"Hello Miss Foster and Mr. Sencen," Mr. Forkle said as he pulled a leaping crystal from his pocket.
Quickly, he handed it to Keefe. "Use this when you're ready to get Ruy. I'm sorry, but we must get back to the hideout. There's a problem."
"What kind of problem?" Sophie had to ask.
"One you don't need to concern yourself with," Squall said before she followed the rest of the Collective out of Havenfield.
After they were gone, Grady laughed through his tears, "Weaklings. They just couldn't say goodbye to you."
Sophie laughed, wiping away her own tears before grabbing her family in a hug. Edaline gently ran her fingers through her hair and after a moment, Sophie's parents forced themselves to step away.
"If you stay any longer, I'll be tempted to lock you in your room," Grady teased as him and Edaline stepped aside let Lord Cassius hug Keefe.
The two Empaths clung to each other, soft sobs shaking Keefe. After a moment, Cassius pulled away and put his hands on Keefe's shoulders. He whispered something to Keefe, who nodded, and hugged him again before exiting the room.
Team Valient hugged Sophie. "Be safe," Biana whispered in her ear before letting Dex hug her.
"Be careful and kick butt for us," Dex laughed, brightening Sophie's spirits.
Wylie just nodded to her, his eyes telling her all she needed to know. Time for revenge. And don't hesitate.
Surprisingly, Stina hugged Sophie. "Better be careful Moonlark. And maybe break a few things for me."
Sophie laughed. "I'm pretty sure that's his job." She hooked a thumb towards Keefe, who was laughing along with Dex.
Stina shrugged. "Whatever. Keep him in check, ok?"
Sophie nodded. "Got it."
Finally, after a long goodbye from Fitz which consisted of him begging her to let him go and threatening Keefe, Sophie turned to Keefe. "Ready?"
Keefe smirked. "Always."
He reached for her hand, sending sparks up her hand the second they touched.
Before they knew it, Keefe lifted the crystal to the light, a path of light appearing on the ground.
"See y'all later," Keefe said with a smirk before gently pulling them into the light and glittering away.
*~*~*~*~*
so sorry about the very late update! we've been trying to write but with the trimester ending and T's love triangle (hehe) we've been very busy. hope this was good and tell us if it was rushed at all.
lysm!!!
~E