"Can I please be done, Dad?" Sophie begged. She had been working with the new murcats all day, and the protective clothes she had to wear to avoid getting scratched were hot and stuffy.

Grady considered. "I guess so. But help Edaline in her office sometime today."

Sophie sighed. She would rather help with the animals than sort dusty boxes in Edaline's 'office' any more. But this was her punishment for Grady walking in on her and Keefe kissing yesterday night. Sophie didn't really get why that was punishment-worthy- and neither did Edaline- but Grady insisted. Besides, she'd probably be doing this stuff over the weekend anyway. She would just normally have her friends over doing it with her.

She trudged inside, peeling off the full-body suit over her regular clothes. She decided to wait to shower until after helping her mom, since she would get covered in dust.

"Hey, mom? Grady said I should help you-" She stopped, peeking around the door to Edaline's office. Expecting her mom to be in there working, she was confused to see her standing in the doorway with a funny expression on her face.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Sophie?"

"Uh... Grady said I should help you in here-"

"It's okay, I don't need help. You can go ahead and get cleaned up. I'm sure you have homework for Monday."

"Uh... okay, thanks!" Sophie was grateful, but still slightly confused.

So she walked up the stairs into her room, stopping short when she opened the door. Keefe was calmly laying on his stomach on her bed, propped up on his elbows, feet in the air. He seemed to be drawing something in a notebook.

"Keefe?" Sophie whisper-hissed. "What are you doing here? Grady is literally going to kill you!"

"Only if he catches me." Keefe looked up, flashing his trademark smirk.

Sophie groaned, then remembered what she was doing. "I will be right back. You stay there and don't get caught."

"You're fine, Foster." Keefe said nonchalantly, looking back to his drawing.

"No, I'm not. I've been wearing a airproof suit while being attacked by murcats for three hours. I'm going to shower."

"Fine, fine. I'll be here, wasting away and very likely getting caught and killed."

"Keefe."

"Yes?" He looked up innocently.

"Hide if you have to." And she stomped over to her closet, digging through it to decide what to wear. Suddenly, arms wrapped around her from behind and started sorting through the hanging clothes.

"This one." Keefe said triumphantly, pulling out a red and white tunic and black leggings.

Sophie laughed. "I can pick out my own clothes, you know. Besides... I just wore this. Yesterday."

"Was it really yesterday? Oh well. I liked it."

Sophie blushed in spite of herself. He hadn't said anything about liking that outfit. So she pulled it off the hanger and grabbed the leggings, ducking under Keefe's arms and stepping into the bathroom.

She quickly undressed and showered, taking only a couple minutes. Then she stepped out and carefully dressed in the outfit Keefe had chosen, drying her hair.

She was about to put on a little makeup when a knock came at the door.

"Are you dressed?" came Keefe's quiet voice.

"Yes." So he opened the door and took in the sight of the makeup in her hand.

"What are you doing that for?" he asked, confused.

"Um... to look nice?" Sophie laughed.

"Eh, you don't need that." he said firmly before taking it out of her hand and setting it on the bathroom counter. Then he walked out of the bathroom, going back to sitting on her bed. She laughed and followed him. She noticed he didn't close his notebook when she approached.

"Can I see it?" she asked, pointing to the sketch.

"Not done." he answered.

"Okay. So... what do we do now?"

"I suggest talk quieter."

"Good idea." She giggled softly and sat down beside him. "Any word from our friends? I've been cut off from the outside world."

"Actually- yeah. I went to Everglen. Figured Fitz and I should talk, after what... happened."

"You mean when you nearly beat each other up in study hall?"

"That's part of it. But... he's my best friend and I don't want to lose that. So I figured a long conversation would be a good idea."

"So what did he say?"

"That's the thing. We never talked. It... actually, it's probably easier to show you."

It took Sophie a second to realize that he meant she should watch his memory. So she concentrated and pushed her consciousness into his.

I thought you had to put your hands on my face?

Nah, I guess I don't need physical contact anymore. Used to your mind.

Cool. Gotta admit, I never was all that cool with Telepath Grabbiness. Although I didn't mind it with you.

Sophie felt herself blushing. Focus, Keefe. Can you pull up your memories?

Yeah. She watched as he concentrated for a second and brought one memory to the front.

The memory was obviously at Everglen, and it seemed to be that morning. Keefe had apparently just leaped onto the property when he saw Fitz and LInh.

You hid? Sophie accused.

Maybe. I didn't really want to talk to them together.

I guess that makes sense. Sophie went back to watching the memory. Fitz and Linh were sitting on a bench to the side of the house. As Keefe crept around to the side for a better view, Sophie saw that they were talking. She couldn't hear the words, though.

After a minute more of this, Fitz started to seem agitated. It looked like Linh was asking him questions he didn't want to answer. Keefe ducked behing a nearby tree to hear the conversation.

"-tell Sophie?" Linh asked. Sophie froze when she heard her name.

"Because Sophie was doing the same thing. I found them several times 'just talking.'" He put the last words in air quotes. Oh no. They must be talking about why Sophie and Fitz broke up.

"And then Sophie told you?"

"No. She didn't even have the decency to do that. She made up some nonsense about being unmatchable and not wanting to date me anymore. I shouldn't have believed her, but I did."

Sophie gasped out loud. She sat up. "Tell me I just imagined that. He did not just say that."

"Keep watching." So Sophie concentrated on Keefe's memory again.

Now, Linh was standing up. It almost seemed like she was mad- but Linh didn't get mad- did she?

"I don't believe you! Sophie would never do that!"

"I didn't think so either." Fitz said sadly.

Linh looked crushed as she sat back down. Suddenly, Fitz's Imparter lit up. Sophie couldn't see who it was, but she saw Linh go slightly pale.

"Why is Marella calling you?" She asked, clearly trying to stay cool.

"Uh... probably just a homework question or something. I don't know. I'll call her back later." Fitz was visibly pale.

"I think you should call her back now." Linh pushed. Sophie could only watch, horrified.

"No, I-"

"Fitz. Call her back." Sophie had never seen Linh this suspicious or pushy. She was probably on edge after realizing that Fitz had been cheating on Sophie to date Linh.

"Uh... okay." Fitz tried to act casual, but Sophie could tell he was super nervous.

He sighed, then pushed a button on the Imparter to answer the call.

Sophie heard Marella start to talk, but Fitz quickly cut her off.

"Hi Marella! Long time no see! Can I help you with something?"

"Huh? Long time no see? Oh. Funny."

Fitz laughed a little too loudly. "Oh that's right! I saw you at school, right? Were you there?"

"Uh... yeah. I was there. We-"

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Fitz yelped. "Say hi to Linh, Marella!" He pointed the screen at Linh, who had gone pale as a sheet.

Only silence came from the Imparter. After what seemed like hours, Marella continued in a different tone. "Hi Linh. Look, I have to go. My mom needs something." And she hung up.

Sophie stared as Fitz cringed and slowly turned toward Linh, not meeting her eyes.

"That was weird." He offered. "She didn't even ask the homework question. Her mom must be having a bad day." He almost continued, but Linh held up a hand.

"Fitz."

He cringed again. "Yes?"

"I need you to tell me the truth. Right now."

"The... the truth?"

"Yeah. If you know what that is. Most people consider truth to be not cheating on the girl you were cheating on your girlfriend with."

"No, Linh, I wasn't-" Fitz was visibly panicking.

"Truth. Now."

"So the truth is..." Fitz sighed. "Look, I didn't want to tell you because I knew it would make you uncomfortable. After Sophie and I broke up, Marella started acting weird. She would call me and ask silly questions like had I seen her notebook or did I want to sit together at lunch. And she did try to sit with me at lunch and study hall, until she saw you. Then she got all upset. Apparently she had been under the impression that she and I were dating, when we definitely weren't. It was crazy complicated, and I thought it was over. Apparently not. I'm really sorry Linh, I should have told you." By the end of this, he was looking much more relaxed and apologetic.

Linh stared for a moment. "She thought you were dating?"

"I guess so. I didn't want to shut her down. I guess I was being too nice, I should have been clearer. I'll apologize to her tomorrow at school."

Now it was Linh's turn to look guilty. "I'm sorry, Fitz. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that. I trust you, and I'm really sorry I doubted you. Can you forgive me?"

"Only if you forgive me for not handling things right." Fitz offered a small smile.

"Deal." And Linh leaned over and kissed him softly. Fitz put his arm around her and kissed her back. The memory cut off there.

Sophie couldn't speak for a minute. Keefe just stared at the wall.

"She believed him." He said eventually. "I stopped watching after a few seconds. She was still there when I left."

Sophie looked at him. "She is too trusting."

"Definitely."

"Should we tell her?"

"Tell her what? I mean, she saw the evidence. If she didn't believe it then, do you think she'll believe it from us? She isn't exactly out biggest fan right now."

He was right. But Sophie couldn't help punching a pillow. "How could he make that up so smoothly?"

"I always knew he was good at talking. He got himself out of detention any number of times. Never helped me out, though. I never noticed, 'cause he had me convinced too. He'd make up some excuse for why he let me take the fall every time."

"I guess he did that with me too. He always seemed so... real, though."

"He's good. Alvar's like that too. Sleazier, though. Fitz managed to pass it off as charm."

"What about Marella?" Sophie asked after a minute. "She seemed upset. What do you think Fitz told her?"

"Probably that he'd broken up with Linh. She seemed upset when she saw her, like she wasn't expecting that."

"But she still went along with the story."

"Yeah. She probably assumed there was some reason. But I assure you there will be fireworks at school on Monday."

"Can't wait." Sophie deadpanned.

Keefe laughed. "This has been fun. I wasn't even planning to show you the whole thing. You don't need that too."

"I would've made you show me."

"You can be pretty persuasive..."

"Never mind. I don't want to have anything in common with Fitz."

"None of the bad things."

She raised an eyebrow at him.

He continued. "I mean, you do have a couple things in common..."

"Keefe!" Sophie pretended to be offended.

"Let me finish! You both have little sisters, you both like custard bursts... yeah, that's all I got."

She laughed. "Good. And never compare me to him again."

"Fine."

"At least we have a whole day at home left before we have to see them." She offered.

"Yeah, and I won't be going back there for any more apologies. Once was enough."

"I wonder what Marella's thinking. I still can't believe she'd do that."

"I can. She's been dreaming about Fitz for years. Her opportunity comes..." He snapped. "She takes it. Kind of like me, now that I think about it."

She glared at him, trying to hold back more laughter. "I told you not to compare me to Fitz!"

He laughed, and at that moment the door creaked open. At any other time, Sophie would've laughed at the panicked look on Keefe's face- but she was sure she looked the same.

"Grady is wondering where you are, honey. I can stall him for five minutes, but he'll probably come up here after that." Edaline whispered, peeking around the cracked door.

"Thanks, Mom." Sophie said, relieved.

When she was gone, Keefe let out a breath he had been holding. "I just nearly died of a heart attack."

"Good thing you didn't. I would be very sad."

"Hmm... you would have to give me mouth-to-mouth to save me, so... maybe it'd be worth it."

"Keefe." Sophie warned. "No. It would not. Besides, if you want to kiss me, all you have to do is ask."

"I have to ask?" Keefe looked wounded.

"Figure of speech."

He laughed. "Good." And he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a kiss. Sophie could feel his heart still beating a little too fast from their scare. All too soon, he was pulling away.

"What?"

"Do you want to get caught?" he glanced at the door.

"Are you scared of Grady?" She laughed.

"Of course I am! He is very scary!"

"Maybe to you."

"I'm the one he would kill!"

"Good point. You should probably go then."

"Mmh, I guess so." He seemed reluctant, so Sophie stood up. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. He was already standing up, though, and Sophie pulled a little too hard. His momentum made him stumble, falling onto her and knocking them both to the floor. They scrambled up quickly, both bright red.

"Sorry." Keefe mumbled.

"It was my fault. See you Monday?"

"Try tomorrow." Keefe said, his smirk returning. He pulled her into one last long kiss before stepping over to her huge window and levitating out.

She watched him leap home and sighed. She still felt like she should call Linh. But she knew Keefe was right, Linh wouldn't believe anything she said. Just then, Sophie's Imparter lit up with an incoming call.

A/N What color is your hair? Mine's black. Don't tell me if you're uncomfortable, just curious.