A/N Keefe's P.O.V! It might be a little off, so, um, yeah

I paid a little extra attention to my hair and uniform that morning. I was still a little (okay, a lot) freaked out by getting caught by Grady last night. I'm honestly sure I had a heart attack. And I couldn't stop thinking about Sophie. She'd obviously be mad at me for getting her in trouble, but how mad? Would she still want to date me? Not that we'd actually called it that yet...

When I stepped off the Leapmaster, I decided to wait for Sophie. So I leaned against the wall and started thinking. What would I say to her? Maybe I shouldn't have come to school. Maybe I should've given her some time to sort things out. She probably wouldn't want to talk to me- maybe she wasn't even allowed to.

I was about to leap home when I felt something on my shoulder. I turned my head a little and saw Sophie's face, her chin resting on my shoulder. That contact was enough to get a powerful reading of her emotions, and... she didn't feel mad at all. How is that possible? So I played along.

"Tricky Foster." I said as I turned around to face her. She put her arms around my neck and pulled me closer- though it didn't take much effort.

I was wondering if we were even going to talk about last night when she said in a playful voice: "You got me in trouble."

I swear I was going to apologize. I had it all planned out. But her mood was so happy and bubbly, I knew that wasn't what she wanted to hear. So I went for humor.

"Did I now? Wouldn't be the first time."

"Or the last."

She had a point. "Fair enough. How bad is it?"

I was barely listening as she complained about her new rules. All I could focus on was her face as she tried to look mad about Grady but was holding back a smile. The only thing I heard was when she said that there was absolutely no kissing around Grady. So I pretended to scan the room, then pulled her closer so that our faces touched.

"I don't see Grady." Yes, it was cheesy. But she was so beautiful. She hadn't put on makeup this morning, and I could tell she hadn't slept well. But that didn't change a thing. And I wanted to kiss her so badly it hurt.

I definitely heard when she said Edaline had called me her boyfriend. I liked the sound of that. "So... I have permission?"

"Do you need it?" Yes, actually. It's either permission from Grady or death from Grady. But I didn't say that.

"Not a bit. But it's nice to have it." I tilted my head a little so that my lips met hers softly. She surprised me by stepping up on her tiptoes, kissing me back. It was a kiss better than even the ones we'd shared last night, or when she decided to go public. That was probably the happiest I'd been in months. But this was better.

After a minute, I felt her lips curving into a smile. I pulled back a little. "Enjoying this?" She didn't answer, just pulling me back down. I didn't mind a bit. I kissed her like she was the only thing that mattered in the world- because she was.

And then, of course, Dizznee came and told us orientation was over. Foster freaked, saying Grady would consider this skipping a class. That must have been one of his rules. Bummer. As Dex left, he threw a remark over his shoulder that neither of us expected- "you guys are pretty cute together." Of course, he made sure we knew that Biana had made him say that.

"Did you hear that, Foster? We have Dizznacker's approval!" I was cracking up. It must have taken a lot of guts for Dex to say that to Sophie.

But all too soon, Sophie was gone to her sessions and I was alone in the hall.

Yes, of course I ditched. Did you honestly expect me to go to class after that? Really.

So I made my way to the bench where I'd met Foster and laid down like I had been that day all those years ago. I closed my eyes, my mind an endless replay of our kiss. How long I had dreamed of that kiss. I never really believed it would happen- just hoped. And hoped. And hoped. And hoped. Maybe I should've been braver. But it worked out pretty well in the end, didn't it?

When the bell rang for lunch, I startled awake. I guess I'd drifted off. I stood up and ran my fingers through my hair before heading for the cafeteria. When I got there, I remembered it was Linh and Bangs Boy's day here. I sat in the chair next to Fitz, who was next to Linh. There was an empty seat on my left, and then Dex. The empty seat was for Foster, obviously.

Suddenly, I saw her coming in. She looked like she was looking for us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. I turned just in time to see Fitz and Linh see Sophie and exchange a glance. Fitz nodded, and then... pulled Linh into a kiss?

Back the T-Rex up. WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON? Oh, I know exactly what's going on. But I don't have to like it. Fitz is trying to make Foster jealous, or make himself feel better, or something stupid. But Linh? I thought she was nicer than this. He must've fed her some story.

I honestly couldn't look away. It was disgusting. How could he do that? How could she? I thought we were friends. But I guess that's over- at least for now. Finally, I tore my eyes away. I realized Sophie was standing behind the chair I saved for her, staring at her ex and Linh. She seemed shocked, and confused.

When she met my eyes, I shrugged. I hadn't had any idea either. She looked back at Fitz and Linh. She looked like she was trying not to cry. Whenever she cries, something breaks inside me. It feels awful and I can't stand it. So I stand up and take her hand, guiding her gently out of the room.

Once we're out in the hallway, I notice Dex and Biana followed us. Bangs Boy didn't- no surprise there.

We talked for a minute- yes, I had put together that Fitz was doing it to hurt Sophie. But I wasn't going to say so. Turns out I didn't have to, Biana did it for me.

Sophie seemed... shellshocked. She wasn't really talking. Her emotions were... I don't know how to describe it. She was a mess. So I told her we could do whatever she wanted to do- even though I knew I would die if we ditched PE.

Luckily, she decided to go to PE- but halfway there, she started crying. What did I tell you about when she cries? So I sat down on a bench with her and tried to give her space. Apparently that was wrong, though, because she leaned on my shoulder. I automatically wrapped my arm around her. She cried for a while longer while I internally panicked. What was I supposed to do?

Finally, she spoke. "I don't understand. Was he trying to pay us back? Did he just want to hurt me?"

I hesitated for a moment, deciding how much to say. "I think it's his twisted version of payback. You break up with him and start dating me, he starts making out with Linh in the middle of the lunchroom."

"Did I really hurt him that much?" Her emotions flooded with guilt, and I mentally kicked myself. This was all wrong. I was all wrong.

"No, Sophie." I tightened my arm around her. "It's okay. It isn't your fault. It's Fitz's decision- and it definitely didn't gain him any popularity." Which was mostly true.

"What about Linh? She's just fine with that?"

"I don't know. He's probably twisted the story. I guess he would've had his pick of girls, most of them have had crushes on him since they met him." Why did I say that? She picked up on my tone.

"Keefe, I'm-"

"No, Sophie." I interrupted her. "This isn't about me. I don't need a bunch of girls who have silly shallow crushes and only care about a family legacy and good looks. Why would I?" I pulled her closer. "I have you."

She started crying even harder, and I nearly screamed at myself. Why was I so bad at this? "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" I pulled away, holding her gently by the shoulders to search her face while I read her emotions.

"Keefe... I love you so much. But I don't understand you. Literally every girl in the school has a crush on you- no one cares about your family- and you still... you still..."

No. Did she really think that way? Did she not understand that if I didn't have her, nothing was right? That my life meant nothing without her? How many times had I laid awake all night just picturing her face? I was the one who didn't deserve her- I was the one with the evil murderer mom who tried to kill her. So I tried to explain it to her.

"Sophie. Those girls... that's not love. It doesn't matter at all. I love you. I love you because you are talented and powerful and beautiful and completely your own person... and I know you don't believe me- I can feel it- so I will keep telling you so until you do." It was true. It was all true. And there was so much more. I could continue that sentence for years and never run out of reasons I love her. But she was crying even harder now. I could feel the shift in her emotions, though, and I think she had started to get it. So I squeezed her tighter and whispered in her ear.

"It's going to be okay, Sophie. Someday it won't matter to you what anyone else thinks. It doesn't matter to me."

"I know, and that's why I feel so bad that it does matter to me! It shouldn't!"

"It isn't bad to care what people think. You have a lot riding on you, and I wish you'd take some of the pressure off yourself. But... that's what I'm here for."

I felt her nudge her head into the crook of my neck. "You are pretty good at that."

"I'm good at everything, Foster. Keep up." I laughed, then realized: "You know it's time for PE, right?"

She sighed. "Do we have to?"

"No. But I figured you wouldn't want to cross Grady."

"Ugh... fine."

I waited for her to stand up first, and she eventually did. I stood up with her and wrapped my arms around her waist. She leaned back so that I had to tighten my grip to keep her from falling. I laughed and spun her around. As I did, she held her arms behind her like she was flying. After a few turns, I pulled her in tight and hugged her close to me. Then we parted and walked hand in hand to PE.

The coach made his announcement- Foster was adorably eager to pair up with me- and I started making plans. Hydrokinetic... that's a good reason to have her over to the Shores of Solace. When I proposed the idea to her, she seemed doubtful. I could tell she wasn't sure if Grady would go for it. But she promised she'd ask, and we went to study hall together.

The second we stepped into the hallway, I saw them. Fitz and Linh. She was practically sitting in his lap, and he had his arms curled around her and was whispering in her ear. I couldn't decide whether I was more disgusted or angry.

Yes, it was stupid. Yes, there was no actual reason. Yes, it was jerky of me to drag Sophie into a confrontation with her ex. But I did it anyway. I pulled Sophie to the spot across from FItz and Linh.

"Keefe." She hissed at me. "What are you doing?"

"Just saying hi!" I said it loud enough for anyone to hear. "I mean, they are our best friends, right?" The giggling prodigies around us clearly knew what was going on- and they were loving it. But so was I.

But Sophie seemed nervous. "Not now, Keefe." She whispered in my ear. "It's not worth it."

"Yes." I whispered back. "Yes, you are worth it." Avenge is a weird word. But if I can hurt Fitz for what he did to Sophie in even the tiniest way, it'd be worth it. Even if I get beat up in the process.

So I sat down, pulling her into pretty much the same position Linh was with Fitz. I have to admit, I would've liked it under different circumstances. Okay, who am I kidding. I liked it under these circumstances.

But Fitz seemed irritated. "What are you doing?"

"Just sitting across from my best friend!" I stressed the last words for the benefit of the prodigies now staring. "With my girlfriend!" It looked like I was holding in laughter, but really I was tense. I clearly didn't do a very good job of keeping it out of my voice, though, because Sophie could obviously tell.

"So, Fitz... how was your day?" I asked in an extra-friendly voice with a big grin.

"Wonderful, thank you." Fitz spat, pulling Linh even closer. He was getting mad, and Linh was looking nervous.

"Good, good. I see you and Linh are... close." Keefe smirked.

"Closer than any girl would willingly get to you." Fitz retorted.

I barely heard the whispers around me through the rushing in my ears. But I made a motion to Sophie. "Is that so?"

"Keefe, stop it."

I heard Sophie, but I didn't respond to her. Instead, I said to the whole hallway, "But I'm having so much fun!"

Fitz gritted his teeth at me. "How does it feel to be the second boyfriend? The second kiss? The second best?" It took all my energy not to jump up right then. But if he thought he could hurt me like that, he was sadly mistaken. You can't hurt someone with words they tell themselves twenty times a day. So I kept up my super-friendly act.

"I don't know! How does Linh feel about being just the payback girlfriend?"

"She isn't a payback girlfriend."

"Really!" I lifted my eyebrows in fake surprise. Then I turned to Linh. She was involved too. "Then tell me, can you explain his sudden interest in you right after his breakup with Sophie?"

She didn't falter, looking me dead in the eyes. "Who says he waited until after Sophie?"

No. She's kidding. I mean, I couldn't help but wonder, but... "You're kidding, right?"

I looked at Fitz, who was staring at me with a smug expression on his face. He transmitted to me, Nope, not kidding. You going to do something about it?

I couldn't help it- I jumped up. Sophie nearly fell to the floor, but I didn't look at her.

"You have a problem?" Fitz asked coolly.

"No, but you clearly do." I retorted. I heard more whispers, and no one was looking anywhere else except for us now.

Fitz stepped close to me, his hands balled into fists. It took all my willpower to keep my arms coolly crossed across my chest.

Fitz turned to where Sophie was, still on the floor. "What about you? Just gonna let your big strong boyfriend save you? Not gonna say anything? Don't care that this is all your fault?"

I glanced back to see Sophie curled up on the floor, looking very small.

I barely contained my fury. "Don't you dare talk to her." I said quietly but with an edge sharp enough to kill.

But now it was Fitz's turn to grin. "And why not? We are best friends, after all!" He turned again to Sophie. "Feeling any... regret? Don't tell me you didn't get jealous when you walked in. And if you have any conscience, you'd be feeling a boatload of guilt right now."

I could feel her mood plummet into guilt and despair. This needed to stop now.

"Shut up." I edged closer to Fitz and spat the words in his face.

"Make me." Fitz grinned and started to say something else, but I balled my fist and pulled back my arm. I was going to punch him, even if he did used to be my best friend. He could not hurt Sophie like that and walk away feeling like he'd won. But before I swung, Sophie grabbed my arm. When had she stood up?

She whispered in my ear with a scared expression. "Stop, Keefe. Don't. Please."

I looked at her for a long moment. Did she really want that? Of course she did. She didn't want to hurt anyone. I was the one with the stupid pride and temper. She'll be fine. "You're sure?"

She answered immediately, her surety obvious. "Yes. He's horrible, but he's not worth a fight."

She was right. She was always right. I was always wrong. I unballed my fists, and ran out of study hall before I broke down completely. I don't know how far I ran, holding back the stinging in my eyes as my vision blurred. I slammed into a wall and crumpled to the floor, shutting down my brain. I didn't want to think or feel anything right now. So I closed my eyes and let the tears come.