Chapter 7: Sophie

KEEFE!

KEEFE!

KEEFE?

Sophie sent out the blaring transmissions into the world. Her mind was still reeling from Mr. Forkle's news. How could Glimmer escape? And more importantly, did Sophie really have to meet with Oralie? She really wasn't excited about that...

But at the moment it didn't matter. The more important thing was making sure Keefe was okay. Why wasn't he responding?

KEEFE!

KEEFE!

KEEFE!

If Keefe didn't respond in a few minutes Sophie was going to have to give up...

Foster?

Keefe! Are you okay?!

Yeah, I'm fine. I... just thought I would never hear you talk to me like this again. Are you even angry?

OF COURSE I AM! YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T LEAVE ME EVER AGAIN! I TRUSTED YOU!

I know but-

WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT? I DON'T CARE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'VE PUT ME THROUGH!

Foster-

NO! DON'T FOSTER ME! YOU DON'T DESERVE THAT ANYMORE!

I know.

The soft confession brought Sophie back to her senses.

Sophie, I know I don't deserve that anymore. Actually, I don't even deserve you. You are such an amazing, selfless, incredible person who doesn't deserve someone like me.

But Keefe-

No. You don't. And I left for a reason okay? These new powers are too terrible and I just need to be away from everyone forever. Please don't reach out to me anymore. I won't respond.

Keefe, you can't! You don't understand! I want you to be here. I want you to be here...with me. I mean you know next to me, actually talking to me in my face. I HATE having to talk to you like this and...I need you to come back.

I know Sophie, but It just... won't work.

Wow. Just wow.

Keefe?

Yeah?

You just called me Sophie.

Silence passed.

Oh. I just um....

Seconds ticked by.

It's okay Keefe. I... like it when you call me that. It seems like you're serious.

Sophie's cheeks brightened with the realization. And confession.

Well, I didn't mean for it to come out like that... but I wanted you to feel like I meant it.

And that was all that mattered. Keefe still cared about her even though he left.

Keefe, I have an idea ok? Please just listen to it and hear me out.

More silence passed.

Then Keefe responded with a soft word.

Ok.

Keefe, just... stay as long as you want. But please promise me that you will come back. Even If you are the same as before... come back. I need you.

Sophie... you don't need me. You are such a capable person who can do anything you want to do. You don't need anyone. But... okay. I promise.

Sophie blinked, surprised. She thought that Keefe would fight her harder to stay.

Thank you, Keefe.

Even more silence passed between them but this time it wasn't awkward. It was...Sophie didn't know how to describe it but whatever it was made her cheeks warm again.

Keefe finally broke the silence.

I better get going if you want me to be good when I come back.

Yeah okay. Oh and Keefe? I have a question for you.

I'm listening.

This was going to get very awkward. But she was going to do it anyway.

Um, what did you mean when you said that you care about me more than I will ever know?

Sophie...it means exactly what it says. You will never understand how much I...

It seemed like his mind shifted word from word until it settled on one that was... disappointing.

How much I care for you.

Sophie vaguely remembered saying goodbye and heading downstairs but everything was kind of... blurry. She didn't know why she was disappointed. It made exactly no sense. But Sophie reminded herself that there were other things she needed to worry about more. Like updating her friends.

Plus she was scared to talk to them after so long.

And that's why she trudged outside to meet her friends. Not because she was disappointed. That had zero factors in it. None.

But she forced herself to look up and... almost barfed.

So. Many. People.

Right in front of Callas' tree, there was Dex, Fitz, Biana, Linh, Tam, Stina, Marella, and Maruca covered in gorgeous clothing, making Sophie even more aware that her hair wasn't even done.

Awkward.

"Hey, Sophie!" Dex walked over and gathered her in a hug.

"My mom told me what happened. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," Sophie replied surprised. "I didn't realize you already knew!"

"I didn't, not until just before I left to come over here," Dex admitted. "But don't worry. I didn't tell anyone else yet in case you were wondering."

Great.

"That's fine. Thank you."

Sophie slowly walked over to everyone else.

"Well you might be wondering why I called you all over here but honestly it's really hard to explain right now." Sophie turned to each friend, looking them all in the eye.

"I guess it would just be easier to show you one at a time so... here goes."

Sophie grabbed out the letter from her pocket before she could change her mind and handed it to Fitz.

After what seemed like forever he looked up and stared at her. Sophie was surprised to see all the emotion in his eyes.

Most of all... Jealousy?

What was he jealous of?

Unless...

Fitz spoke up, "Well that explains a lot. I have to go. Bye."

"Wait what? Fitz!"

"It's fine. I just need to... take a moment." Fitz took one last look at her as he held up his crystal and glittered away.

Sophie was speechless until someone put her hand on her shoulder.

Biana spoke softly as Sophie turned around. "It's not your fault. Fitz is just struggling with a lot of things right now and needs a break, although whatever was in that letter didn't help. I might be able to understand better if you let me read it."

Sophie handed her the letter reluctantly.

Biana sniffled, her teal eyes getting watery after looking at the words. "That makes a lot more sense now. I'm sorry and when you talk to Keefe again tell him to come back."

"I already did," Sophie grumbled

"Why am I not surprised anymore?" Biana sighed. "I really got to go now. See you soon."

"Seriously?" Sophie muttered as Biana glittered away. Why did everything keep getting worse?

Fortunately, the rest of her friends had far fewer emotional responses. Linh cried a little and Dex even shed a few tears but everyone else was mostly confused. And annoyed.

Especially Tam.

"Why did he literally leave again?" Tam stormed. "Does he not seriously understand that he never solves anything by running away?!"

Sophie softly put her hand on Tam's shoulder.

Tam stiffened from her touch.

Sophie blushed and dropped her hand as Tam smiled apologetically.

"I already made him promise to come back soon but I totally agree with you. I just... wish that things weren't like this," Sophie said quietly.

"I know," Tam muttered.

"Tam, did you hear that Glimmer escaped?" Sophie asked suddenly.

Tam and Linh gasped.

Shoot.

Sophie didn't realize that Linh was listening.

"Oh. I guess you didn't," Sophie muttered. "You might want to check with Tiergen about that. Maybe you could help us look for him!"

"Way ahead of you," Tam said as he pulled out a crystal and put his arm around Linh.

They leaped away without another word.

One by one, everyone else left without anything else to say... leaving Sophie to her thoughts.

Fitz seriously needed to chill. What was up with him?!

Sophie took a deep breath and sat down. Honestly... this was NOT the time to worry about friend problems. She could do that later. Now it was time to finally talk to Oralie and address the issues Sophie was trying to ignore.