"Ah, the good old gym," Sophie said, crinkling up her nose as the smell of soggy socks and sweaty armpits filled the air.
"Technically," Dex said. "It's new—but I don't understand how on earth they got it to smell so bad in such little time."
"It's because of the football team and cheerleaders." Fitz told them as they sat down in their new spot in the bleachers. "For some reason they're making us practice early—even though football season doesn't start until fall."
"You're on the football team?" Sophie asked. "Or are you a cheerleader?"
Fitz laughed. "Me and Keefe play football," He said with a smile. "You probably didn't hear a lot about it because we weren't really friends then—and our season was cut short because our team stinks."
"But," Keefe said, wiggling his eyebrows. "Maybe if you came to our games we'd have better luck,"
"Doubt it; I'm about as lucky as a black cat," Sophie said with a laugh. "But I might—if I have time."
"Cool," Keefe said, before turning his attention to Coach Axelene, who came to the middle of the new gym floor.
"Welcome back to school, students," Coach Axelene said, smiling at everyone. "For this lesson today, we'll be going outside and walking the track. I decided we'll do something simple since I'm sure your teachers are giving you a lot of work."
"Tell me about it," Marella said, rolling her eyes. "Mrs. Galvin gave us five packets to do for homework tonight,"
"Really?" Dex asked as they all got up from the bleachers and followed everyone to the football field. "She didn't give us anything."
Marella laughed. "Probably because she was too focused on Sophie destroying her classroom,"
"I didn't destroy her classroom," Sophie mumbled, walking farther ahead than everyone else. "I just shattered glass on the carpet,"
It seemed no one was going to come up to join her in solitude during the walk—until twenty minutes into the exercise.
"Are you lonely?" Fitz asked as he joined her.
"A little bit," She said, smiling up at him.
Fitz smiled back at her. "I thought so—that's why I joined you. Plus, they're talking about why whether or not tacos can fly,"
Sophie laughed. "Oh, didn't you hear? Flying Tacos are the hottest topic now,"
"Really? Then I'd better get myself a flying Taco. Maybe it'll rid Biana of all her dresses and make-up."
"I don't know," Sophie said with a shrug. "She might get herself a flying taco to kill your flying taco."
"Maybe," Fitz said before staring ahead.
Sophie looked up at him, realizing that he'd gotten taller over break, and his pretty teal eyes had become brighter and more vibrant.
He was honestly the handsomest boy she'd ever laid eyes on.
"Hey Fitz," She said after a minute. "I have a random question..."
"What?" Fitz said, looking down at her.
"Where do you plan on going to college?" She asked.
Fitz thought for a second. "Honestly, I haven't put much thought into it—which is really stupid since I'm a senior next year. I'll either stay around here, or maybe go to London."
Sophie tilted her head. "Why London?"
"Well, my family came from there, so I think it'd kind of be cool to go back to where it all originated. You know what I mean?"
"That makes sense," She said before nudging him with her arm. "I bet there'll be plenty of broken hearts if you up-sticks and set sail for London."
Fitz laughed. "Maybe—but I bet you won't be sorry,"
Sophie shrugged, a smile on her lips. "I don't know..."
"Really?"
Sophie laughed. "I think you think I hate you more than I do,"
Fitz shook his head. "I don't think you hate me, I just—never mind,"
"No, what is it?"
Fitz sighed. "It's just...you're always with Keefe, so I never really have a chance to just talk to you, or hang out. And I know that might sound selfish, but—"
Sophie grabbed his arm, stopping him. "I'm free after school on Friday,"
Fitz's eyes got even brighter as a wide smile spread across his face. "Really?"
Sophie nodded, a laugh in her tone. "We can go straight from school to...well, wherever."
Fitz nodded, his smile growing wider. "Alright, we can talk details over the phone—if that's okay,"
"It's perfect,"
Thankfully, the whistle blew and everyone ran inside, saving Sophie from any possible awkwardness. But as she walked to her next class, she couldn't help but feel extremely giddy.
She had actually asked Fitz Vacker out on a date.
§§§
"Edaline!" Sophie called through the house when she got home. "Edaline! I have something to tell you!!!"
Edaline walked into the living room—where Sophie had been yelling from—looking intrigued. "What happened?"
"I have to be completely free after school on Friday," Sophie told her.
Edaline gave her a pitying look. "Sophie, I'm sorry, but there are some buyers coming by and we might need your help."
Sophie gave her mom a pleading look. "But Edaline—Friday's really important to me,"
"Why?" She asked. "What's going on?"
"Nothings technically going on," Sophie said, looking at her feet before mumbling, "I finally asked Fitz out and he's taking me on a date after school."
But Edaline didn't jump up and down like Sophie had expected, instead she asked, "What ever happened to Keefe?"
Sophie looked at Edaline like she was crazy. "What do you mean?"
Edaline sighed. "Nothing—never-mind. I guess we can survive one afternoon without you. Though I'm sure Grady's going to want to talk to Fitz before he takes you out. So expect a Ruewen/Vacker dinner sometime this week."
Sophie groaned before hugging her mom and running up the stairs. She entered her room and flopped on her bed, only to look out her window and see a poster board in Keefe's window.
Sophie walked closer to her window and saw what the sign said:
So, I heard you and Fitz are going on a date. Told Ya!
Keefe had told Sophie that Fitz had liked her and that he wouldn't tell her until she hinted that she liked him. And she had. Today she'd asked him out on a date...and he'd said yes!
Sophie took out a sheet of white paper, and wrote: Yeah, whatever! Before taping it to her window.
And very coincidentally, her phone rang and Fitz's name was on her screen. She answered the call with a, "Hey Fitz,"
"Hey Sophie," He said back, and Sophie couldn't help but imagine him smile as he said her name.
"What's up?" She asked, lying back down on her bed.
"Oh, well I was wondering if we could talk about what we're going to do on Friday," He said.
Sophie nodded. "Um...what do you want to do?"
It was quiet on the other side before Fitz finally said, "Well, I found this really cool bowling place, or we could go roller-skating, or see a movie, or get something to eat, or—"
"What do you want to do?" She asked him.
"Uh, we could see a movie, and then get something to eat, and then go roller-skating...if you want to."
Sophie smiled. "It sounds perfect,"
Sophie could almost hear a breath of relief from Fitz before he said, "But Biana gave me strict orders to bring you by my house after we're done. She wants to show you something."
"That's fine—well I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Sophie said, ready to eat some dinner and got to bed.
"Yeah, I'll see you then,"