A/N: I will not be including many spoilers from Lodestar except for what I have learned about match making. Any news about the Neverseen (and Keefe!) are from my mind and not Shannon Messenger's and are totally made up (any connections to future books are completely coincidences). I hope you enjoy the first chapter!

*edited*

Sophie stared into her spectral mirror, ignoring Vertina's orders and chatty behavior. Every once awhile she seemed so loquacious that Sophie wished that she hadn't asked for Vertina to be moved into her room. 

She turned her gaze to her family crest.

After defeating the Neverseen, the Black Swan had left her alone, leaving no messages and no clues to where they were. She had eventually decided to try and forget about them and focus on the important things, like school and her family. She had recently come to the decision of changing her name to Sophie Ruewen-Foster.

Pulling her hair into the intricate ponytail that she usually wore on bad hair days she started thinking about Biana. The two girls were closer than ever now, almost joined at the hip. They had started talking more in level 5 when Fitz and Keefe had joined the Elite levels. Their secrets and ideas belonged to both of them and even the conceited Stina and overprotective Sandor couldn't change that.

Keefe had returned from the Neverseen after the group had been defeated- changed. The only thing that brought from his heinous, but depressed state was Fitz, who forgave him after a month.

Fitz had been angry at Keefe, but it also seemed like he had been afraid. The two boys were now happy again, but Keefe was still not the same teasing boy he once was.

Dex was different as well. He styled his hair now, stood straighter with confidence and had a positive attitude that almost talked to everyone, telling them that they couldn't ruin his day. He was on of the best Technopaths in Foxfire, maybe even in the Lost Cities. He was always there to give a helping hand, though seemed he was always too busy to visit her.

Anyways, Sophie thought, straightening up and brushing her ponytail one last time as she brought her thoughts back to the present. Fitz, Keefe, and Dex are grown-up now. Especially Fitz and Keefe. They're almost done with school. They don't need to worry about silly things like the past. They have the future to think about. They don't need to worry about me. I have Biana.

"Busy thinking about my brother?" Biana's voice teased from behind her.

She still wasn't used to the ghostly way her friend could turn practically invisible.

Sophie jumped, dropping the brush. "No!" She said quickly, her cheeks turning pink. "Ok, fine.... I was. But I was thinking about Dex and Keefe, too. And you." She bent down to pick up the brush, her back end accidentally hitting Vertina, causing the mirror to wiggle. She quickly stopped it from falling, making a huffing noise.

Even after these few years, she was still clumsy.

"Trying to see Elwin before everyone else?" Biana asked, grinning.

"Trying to turn into Keefe?" Sophie shot back.

Biana's grin disappeared. "No. I just know that you're nervous for the first day. And I was trying to.... cool your nerves."

Sophie sighed, setting the brush on her desk, next to the frizzy, yellow-haired Iggy, and worked on putting her charm bracelet on. "Why do you have to be so...so...." Sophie couldn't think of the word.

"Right?" Biana suggested, giving a smirk.

"Self- righteous!" Sophie exclaimed, crossing her arms. "Or maybe more like smug."

Biana just shrugged, tossing her long, curled dark brown hair over her other shoulder. "I don't know. It just happens. Now come on or we'll be late!" She grabbed her best friend's hand, pulling her up the stairs.

"But I forgot my satchel," Sophie protested, still not ready to go. She might be the mighty Sophie Ruewen-Foster, but the idea of failing school could still give her the jitters, especially since she was so close to getting into the Elite levels full time.

"I have it," a voice said from behind them. Biana had only succeeded in getting Sophie halfway up the stairs.

She turned around, glad to see Edaline holding up her bright, teal satchel.

"Thanks, Mom," she said gratefully. She didn't want to be an ingrate. That just wasn't the type of person she was. She shot a look at Biana before hurrying back down the stairs.

Biana crossed her arms and sat on the stairs, making herself vanish.

Sophie rolled her eyes before taking the bag from Edaline. Grady took his place next to his wife.

"We hope you have a great first day," he said, his eyes a little teary. They no longer tell her that she looks like Jolie, but Sophie can also tell by the look in her parents' eyes that she does still look like the girl that died in a fire almost 20 years ago.

"Yes," Edaline nodded, holding her daughter's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. The touch of her mother's handmade her feel warm all over- a feeling of happiness. "We hope you do well and can find all of your classes and get along with your mentors and-"

"I'll be fine," she promised, interrupting her. "Don't worry. Sandor guards the halls at Foxfire, remember?"

Ever since the Neverseen had been defeated, the Council thought it was unnecessary for Sophie, or any of her friends, to have a bodyguard. But, since Sandor had grown protective (a little too protective), he had decided to continue his job at a different location, as close to Sophie as he could be without actually being at Havenfield.

"Yes, I remember," Edaline sighed. "I just want to make sure you're safe."

"I know," she murmured, wrapping her arms around Edaline. "I promise, I will be." She pulled away, giving her father a hug as well, before walking back to the stairs. "Ok, Biana. I'm ready to go."

Biana reappeared at the top of the stairs. "Finally! I swear, sometimes you take longer to get ready than me."

She walked to the Leapmaster 1000, her eyes sparkling in the light. Sophie quickly followed, joining her under the lights.

Biana grabbed her hand, giving her a smile, one similar to her brother's, but one that was also her own. It always told Sophie that she could trust her. "Ready?"

"Of course," she let out a shaky breath. "I'm always ready. For anything and everything."

With a small nod, Biana looked up at the dangling crystals. "Foxfire!" She shouted, before the warm, tingly light carried them away.

A/N: I hope you like this chapter! I feel like I haven't written anything for awhile. By the way, first chapter is over 1k words!? How amazing! Hopefully, I'll remember to update. If I don't remember, remind me!

I have a feeling that this book may be as good as mallowmelt. But that's probably not possible. Anyways, give me some feedback and I'll make sure to read it!

(Word Count: 1116)