6

Keefe's POV

I was walking across campus when I spotted the big, glittering sign advertising the Valentine's Ball. It caught me off guard—like a sudden reminder that the dance was coming up fast.

A part of me wanted to ask Sophie to go with me. She was smart, funny, and honestly, I couldn't stop thinking about her since that night at the party.

But then the doubt hit hard.

What if she doesn't like me back? What if I'm just setting myself up to get hurt?

I stopped for a moment, hands shoved deep in my jacket pockets, heart pounding.

The idea of putting myself out there scared the hell out of me, but not as much as the thought of never knowing.

Maybe I'd just have to watch from the sidelines this time — or maybe, just maybe, take a chance.

I glanced at my phone, thumb hovering over Sophie's contact.

Do I really want to ask her? Or am I just scared to hear the answer?

I shook my head, trying to push the fear away. She deserved honesty, at least that much.

Just then, I caught sight of her walking nearby, headphones on, looking as calm and cool as ever.

Suddenly, all the nerves twisted into something else — hope.

I took a deep breath, pocketed my phone, and started walking toward her.

"Hey, Sophie," I called softly.

She looked up, surprised but smiling.

"Hey, Keefe," she said.

I hesitated a second, then blurted out, "So... the Valentine's Ball. Would you... maybe want to go with me?"

Her eyes widened, and for a heartbeat, I was sure I'd made a huge mistake.

But then she smiled — a real one.

"Yeah," she said, "I'd like that."

Relief flooded through me. Maybe this was the start of something real.

Sophie's POV

I froze the second I heard Keefe's voice call out my name. My heart was already pounding from the nerves swirling in my stomach, but now it felt like it might just leap out of my chest.

"Hey, Keefe," I managed, trying to sound casual even though my hands were trembling slightly.

Then he said it — the words I wasn't sure I'd ever hear. "So... the Valentine's Ball. Would you... maybe want to go with me?"

My breath caught. My mind went blank for a second. Did he really just ask me? Was this real?

I looked up at him, searching his eyes for a sign that he meant it, that this wasn't just some joke or passing thought.

But no — he was serious. Nervous too. Just like me.

A smile spread across my face before I could stop it. "Yeah... I'd like that."

The relief and happiness bubbled inside me like a secret I'd been holding in for too long.

For the first time in what felt like forever, maybe things were finally starting to fall into place.

Biana was lounging on the couch in our dorm when I burst through the door, my heart still racing from the moment with Keefe.

"Omg, Bi, he asked me," I blurted out, barely able to contain my excitement.

Her eyes widened, then she jumped up, practically bouncing in place. "Wait, what? Keefe? Like the Keefe?"

I nodded, cheeks flushing. "Yeah, he actually asked me to the Valentine's Ball."

Biana squealed, throwing her arms around me. "I knew it! I knew you two were meant to be!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Shh, don't embarrass me."

She grinned mischievously. "Too late! This calls for a celebration — dress shopping, makeup trials, the whole nine yards."

I smiled, feeling a warm buzz of happiness. With Bu by my side, maybe this wasn't so scary after all.

"Alright, Bi," I said, "Let's get planning."

SOZZZZ I know this is kinda shortt, but the next chapter is sooooo SOKEFFEEEEEE  Keefe's POV