Keefe survives
Sophie squeezed Keefe's hand for support as they walked down the hall to lunch. The fact that they had to reveal their secret relationship today didn't do wonders for Sophie's stomach. The level of queasiness increased exponentially the closer they got to the table, and she felt ready to puke once they arrived.
"Don't worry Foster, it'll be okay. Plus, I'll take over if you feel about to toss your cookies." She was grateful for the support, but it didn't make her less nervous about everyone's reactions.
"Ok... I'll try. I just really hope they can be happy for us."
"They will be. Most of them are already in relationships so they'd have no reason to be mad. But Grady is another matter..." Sophie's face softened. Keefe was right, their friends would be jumping up and down. Well... not Tam, but still. Even though he tried to hide it, she could see how nervous Keefe was to face the overprotective father in all of his glory. Sandor would probably side with Grady and hand him a sword which definitely wouldn't help.
"Keefe, Edaline would never let anything happen to you—"
"You think Grady would hurt me?"
"No! I'm just saying... Edaline would be the one to convince him to let us be together. Besides, Grady really wants me to be happy, and if I tell him that you make me happy, he might be less likely to call you That Boy." Keefe's mouth twisted into a smirk, but his eyes didn't sell it.
"Time to reveal our relationship, Foster. You ready?"
"Will I ever be ready?"
"No. So just go and show them what you got!" Sophie wished she could take some of Keefe's enthusiasm to calm her mounting nerves.
As soon as they sat down, everyone's eyes immediately went to Sophie and Keefe's twined fingers. Fitz glared daggers at the almost nonexistent space between them, and Biana looked like she was about to explode.
"So... I... um... well..." her cheeks flushed, and it seemed impossible to make a coherent sentence with so many people watching.
"Spit it out Sophie!" Biana's squeal rang through the cafeteria and everyone became so silent you could hear a pin drop. Great. Just great. Now the entire school would hear about their news.
"Keefe, I can't." He winked at her, and took charge. Thank god for his outgoing nature. Somehow, he wasn't embarrassed in the slightest even though all of Foxfire was hanging on his every word.
Keefe got up, and climbed into the table. What was he doing?
"So! Everyone, Sophie and I are dating! Would you be so kind as to join me on this table my love?" Biana almost fell off the table with excitement, and Fitz's glaring got ten times worse. Tam's eyebrows had gone up higher than Sophie thought possible. Dex and Linh just gave them sweet knowing smiles as if they had suspected this for years. The nerve this kid has to call her his love in front of the entire school! Some part of her brain found it kind of sweet, but she told it to shut up. There was no WAY she would climb on a table with Keefe. The only thing that could come out of that would be embarrassment and most likely a prank. With a glare at Keefe, her face got even more flushed as she climbed up beside him.
"What are you doing?" Sophie hissed, acutely aware of the amount of people staring at her right now.
"You'll see. Have faith in the almighty Keefester!" Wrapping his arm around her, Keefe pulled her close.
"Now that our relationship is out in the open, we can do this!" Sophie didn't have time to think before he dipped her and kissed her passionately.
Everyone else faded away, and they were alone. Wrapping her arms around Keefe's neck, she lost herself in his soft lips, the way his arms held her strong but still gentle. Everything about the moment was perfect, and a soft sigh escaped her mouth as she moved her lips in sync with his. By the time he brought her back up, people were squealing and yelling. A huge mob of people surrounded their table, and they had gotten so preoccupied with the kiss that neither of them had noticed.
"Alright everyone! Go back to your tables! I understand that we are awesome and rule the world and all that, but we would appreciate a little privacy!" Sophie could have kissed Keefe again for that, but her friends faces demanded an explanation. At the very least, they deserved that.
•••••••
Her parents had wanted to know why Keefe was invited to dinner, but Sophie insisted that it was a surprise. Grady couldn't stand surprises, especially ones that had to do with THAT BOY. Edaline kept giving her raised eyebrows and suggestive smiles. She probably already knew what was about to happen.
Sophie had worn a dress that was more Biana's style than hers with a ruffled ice blue tulle skirt and a silver bodice that shifted and sparkled in the light. She had even let Vertina walk her through a twisted bun with a few golden curls falling down her back and framing her face.
The doorbell rang, and Sophie ran to answer it before Grady could. Keefe stood out in the cool night air, looking really nervous... and hot.
The Hair was its usual messy style, but somehow shone more, and made his warm ice blue eyes sparkle.
"Excited to see me, Foster?" He opened his arms, and she hugged him tight.
"Keefe! I'm so glad you're here!"
"Yeah, and about to get killed."
"Don't think like that! I know you're nervous, and you have a reason to be, but I'll be here the whole night, okay?"
"Okay. I just wanted to say, you look beautiful tonight. As always..." Sophie's cheeks heated up despite the cold night air, and she had trouble forming a sentence.
"So do you, Keefe."
"I'm beautiful?"
"Um... yeah. Who said boys can't be beautiful? Besides, if you ask me, beautiful boys are underrated." Her rambling only resulted in further blushing on her part and snickers from Keefe.
"I'll take it, Foster."
"That's a really long hug... are you going to let go any time in the next century?" Grady looked murderous, and glanced at Sandor for backup. The goblin just smiled mischievously and looked at the ground. At least Keefe didn't have to worry about Grady getting his hands on goblin weapons.
Quickly backing away, Sophie's cheeks turned a dark shade of maroon, while even Keefe looked slightly flustered.
"Um... yeah. Thank you for inviting me here, Mr. And Ms. Ruewen." Starting off with politeness was always a good way to begin the night. Sophie gave Keefe a nod of approval, and his shoulders relaxed slightly.
"So... Keefe. Why don't you come in and sit down?" Edaline conjured a table, and everyone sat down, awkwardly staring at the table and staying silent. The entire meal consisted of Keefe trying to be overly polite to compensate for whatever chaos was about to ensue and complimenting the food. Then Grady would grunt, and continue to ignore Keefe.
Edaline had decided that the circle of awkwardness had to end. "So, Keefe. Why did you decide to join us today?" He tensed up, and Sophie took his hand in an attempt to calm him down. He squeezed back, and took a deep breath.
"Well, I came to tell you something... about... um..." Sophie had never seen Keefe so scared and flustered, not even when he had been in front of the whole school.
"It's okay, Keefe. We've already guessed why you're here. You are dating Sophie, and you came to ask our permission to marry her." Edaline smirked. His mouth dropped open, and his cheeks turned the reddest Sophie had ever seen them. Why would her parents joke around like that? They could tell how nervous Keefe was, and they obviously weren't helping. She would have to have a little talk with them, after she saved Keefe of course.
"No one said anything about marriage!" Sophie interjected, as Keefe took her other hand in his.
"So you don't deny that you're dating." He didn't look as bloodthirsty as expected, and Sophie was grateful that he didn't use his fork as a weapon.
"Um... no."
"Alright then, we need to have a little chat." Keefe shot a 'help me or I will die' look at Sophie, and she nudged him forwards toward Grady.
After the door to Grady's office closed, Edaline cornered Sophie.
"Soooooo, how long?" She gave her one of those knowing motherly smiles that no teenager wants to see, and put her hands on her hips.
"Well, two weeks. But... I meant to tell you, I just didn't think it was the right time, and–"
"It's okay Sophie. I'm glad you finally made up your mind about which boy would make you happy. We always knew it would end up being you two." Sophie was not expecting that, but was very glad for the support. She could only hope that Keefe was doing as well as she was.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Keefe stumbled out of the room looking slightly gray but overall alive. Sophie had to resist running over to him and giving him a hug... Grady was watching.
"Did he agree?"
"Thank you so much for the food! I promise, I won't let you down." He addressed the last part to Grady, and he gave a curt nod in return.
Sophie walked outside with him, and he lifted her by the waist and twirled her around. Startled, she began to laugh.
"Does that mean he agreed? I hope so–"
"Yes, Sophie he did. His only condition was to never break your heart and always do my best to make you happy." Before she could reply, he set her down and gently kissed her. "And that's how I'll start." Sophie's heart melted as she stared into his loving face.
"I like that idea."
Keefe raised his crystal to the light, and glittered away, leaving Sophie staring after him and imagining all the different shades of perfect their relationship would be.
A/N- this one was so long! It was 1704 words... yeah I didn't really feel like splitting it up. Have a great day:)
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