"Sophie!  Sophie!  Wake up!"  

Sophie popped open her eyes as she felt herself being shaken, but quickly shut them again at the bright sunlight.  She felt hands grab her and immediately was shaken again.

"What?"  She said, groggily.  Dex's periwinkle eyes came into view.

"Sophie!  It's April Fool's day, remember!  We need to trick Keefe."  Dex said as he dumped a bunch of things that looked like nexuses with rings connected to them on Sophie's bed.  Sophie sat up, and started sifting through the bracelets.  She found a teal one, and thought of Fitz's eyes.

"What are these for?"  She asked.

"For you, remember?  We're going to trick everyone else into thinking you're a pyrokinetic."

Sophie instantly became awake.  Now she remembered.  When she told Dex about April Fool's one day, he came up with the plan that he would make Sophie fire bracelets to trick people into thinking she manifested as a pyrokinetic.

"Oh yeah!  How do they work?"

Dex grabbed one, and put it on his wrist, adjusting it so each ring was on each of his fingers, connecting to the bracelet on his wrist.  He pushed a button on it that was disguised as the nexus jewel, and the rings immediately went invisible.

"You press this to make the rings go invisible, so it looks like a regular nexus." Dex explained, fiddling with the bracelet.

"But I already have two nexuses that can't be taken off."  Sophie said.  How was this going to work?  Her nexuses could only be taken off by Elwin, and there was a nonzero chance he would take them off for a silly prank.

"I talked to Elwin, and he said he'll take them off.  But only for today, and you can't do any light-leaping."

"Really?" Sophie was shocked.

"Yup.  He told me to take you to his office as soon as we were done." Dex replied.

"Then let's go right now!"  Sophie cried, jumping out of bed to her closet where she grabbed some clothes, then ran to the bathroom.  Dex chuckled.  

"Glad you're excited.  Which colors do you want?  I made a bunch, just in case some of them don't work over your gloves.  I made them in different batches, so some work and some don't.  You'll have to test them to see which ones work or not."  He said.

"Teal." came Sophie's reply as she stepped out of the bathroom, ready for Elwin.

Dex handed two of them to her, and Sophie slipped them over her gloves.

"How do they light up?" She asked, after she pressed the "jewel" to make the rings disappear.

"Curl your hand into a fist, then slowly unfurl it."  Dex explained.

Sophie curled her fingers into her fist, then slowly, slowly, unfurled her fingers.  All of the sudden, she felt an intense wave of cold, and a ball of fire appeared about 6 inches off her palm.  She yelped.

"Are you okay?"  Dex asked, pulling out his imparter to hail Elwin.

"Yeah, sorry.  It's just so...Wow."  Sophie said said, unable to describe how she felt.  So...powerful.  She waved her hand, shocked to see that the flame just moved around with her movements.

"What, how, um, uh, how do you put it out?"  Sophie asked Dex.

"Curl your hand into a fist again, but don't unfurl it until you feel the fire gone."

"Does the fire burn?"  Sophie was scared to make a fist, scared that the fire would burn her.

"No.  It's actually cool.  Feel it." Dex replied.  Sophie took off her glove, before running her hand directly through the flame.  She shut her eyes, but sure enough, didn't feel any heat.  It was if she were touching cool mist.

"Awesome!"  She said.  "Now let's go find Elwin."

------------------------------------------At Elwin's office at Foxfire--------------------------------------------

"Okay,  Sophie.  Now I need you to promise me that you won't light-leap."  Elwin said, holding the key above Sophie's nexus on her left hand.  "Then I can unlock these."

"I swear on the River Styx."  Sophie said, jokingly, half expecting lightning to flash in the distance.  None did.

"What?"  Dex asked, confused.

"Sorry, it's a human thing.  Now, I promise to not light-leap-"  

Elwin smiled, and unlocked both her nexuses.

"-unless we're running away from the Neverseen."  Sophie added quickly.

"Sophie!"  Elwin said, trying to be angry, but ended up laughing.

"Fine.  You can go pranking." He said when he composed himself.

"Bye Elwin!  Thanks for everything!"  Sophie and Dex shouted before light-leaping away to Everglen.

-------------------------------------------------------At Everglen----------------------------------------------------------

"Sophie!"  Biana cried, running to Sophie and hugging her.  "Hi Dex!  I'll go get Fitz and Keefe."  She said, before running back to the house.

"Okay.  Remember, we're going to play base quest.  Whenever it turns out to be you and Fitz, you have to say you're not feeling well.  If Fitz tries to help you, then you get angry and then summon the fire.  But you have to act surprised, so it looks like you didn't know what was happening." Dex said as soon as Biana left.

Sophie nodded.  She and Dex had been over the plan a TON of times the past few days, to make sure it was perfect.

"Okay.  I'll transmit to you when it'll be the right time to yell April Fool's, and you'll tell me in your thoughts whether it is or not.  When it is, we both yell April Fool's!"  Sophie said.

"Okay, Now-" 

"I call Foster!"  Keefe yelled as he ran to them, followed by Fitz and Biana.

"What?  No way!  You had her first last time.  It's my turn to have her for base-quest.  We can have girls against boys."  Biana complained.  The two continued arguing, until Sophie turned to Dex.

Me and Fitz?  We can start pranking.  She transmitted.

Sure.  Why not?  Ask him.  Came Dex's reply.

Sophie opened her mouth to ask Fitz, but he beat her to it.

"How about me and Sophie?  We're cognates, and we haven't done it in a while."

"Fine." Biana grumbled.

"Ugh.  But I call her next round.  And you guys quest first."  Keefe said.  Biana, Dex, and Keefe ran off, to go find their base.

Sophie = Italics                                Fitz = Bold Italics

Just me and you.  Fitz transmitted.

Yup.  Sophie replied, feeling butterflies in her stomach, from the nervousness.  She had to do this well, otherwise the April Fool's plan would be a complete fail.

Ready to go?

Sure.  Let's get this show on the road!

I'm just going to guess that's a human thing.

Yeah.  Sorry.

Fitz started running, and Sophie followed.  Being the faster runner, Fitz surged ahead of Sophie, and he waited for her to catch up.

Now or never.  Sophie thought.

"I'm not feeling that good."  Sophie said, clutching her head when she caught up to Fitz.

"Like what?  Should we stop playing?"  Fitz asked, concern in his teal eyes.

"I don't know.  My head is pounding, and I feel like I'm on fire."  Sophie said, unclasping her cape to add effect.

"Let's go back to the house.  I'll transmit to the others and tell them to stop."  Fitz said.  "Alright, I told them, so let's go back."

He motioned for Sophie to walk back, and she did, but pretended to trip and fell over.  She groaned, and clutched her head.  Just then, Biana, Keefe, and Dex found them.

"Are you okay Foster?"  Keefe asked, his usual smirk gone, replaced by concern.

"Yeah, I think."  Sophie said, before standing up, but falling again.

"I can carry you if you want."  Fitz said, half joking.  Dex caught Sophie's eyes and nodded.  Do it now.  He thought.  Sophie gave the slightest nod in return.

"NO!  WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK I NEED HELP ALL THE TIME?  IT'S ALWAYS, 'CALL ELWIN' OR 'I'LL CARRY YOU' OR 'ARE YOU OKAY?'!  I CAN DO FINE ON MY OWN, THANKS FOR ASKING!"  Sophie "exploded."

Keefe, Biana, and Fitz's eyes widened in surprise.  None of them expected that.  Dex, though, was trying hard not to laugh.

"It's okay Sophie.  Just calm down, and we won't call Elw-  I mean, you won't need help." Fitz said, slowly stepping towards Sophie.

"THERE!  YOU SAID IT AGAIN!  YOU WERE ABOUT TO CALL ELWIN, WEREN'T YOU!"

Fitz tried to say no, but he was too scared.  Sophie hated to admit it, but she could tell she was scaring her friends.  She curled her hands into fists, and brought them up, where everyone could see.  She forced herself to smile as she slowly, slowly, uncurled them to reveal the flames.  Biana yelped, and ran away, probably to call Della or Alden.  Keefe and Fitz both jumped back, quickly followed by Dex, who was trying to mirror their reactions.

"Well, well.  Look who's scared now."  Sophie grinned maliciously.  She stroked the fire with her opposite hand.

"Isn't it beautiful?"  She asked, trying to maintain character when she saw Fitz's face drop, and Keefe cower in fear.  

They're really believing this.  Sophie thought, not sure whether to be happy or terrified by the thought.

"Now, Fitz.  As punishment for you trying to 'help me', I'm going to do something to Keefe."  Sophie said, just as Keefe's eyes widen.

"No.  No.  No, Foster.  I'm your friend.  Why are you doing this to me?"  Keefe said, his voice shaking.

Sophie looked at Keefe. There were tears falling off his face!  Tears!  Sophie had never seen Keefe cry like this before.

She looked at Dex.  Tone it down.  You're even freaking me out right now, and I know what's happening.  He thought.  

I'm scaring myself.  Sophie said.

"Bye, bye Keefe!"  Sophie said, and she cocked her hand back to "throw" a fireball at him.  Biana appeared with Della and Alden at the moment, and they looked horrified.  Dex was smiling, knowing what was coming next.  Keefe was still crying, but not as much.  Fitz's face had no expression, and he kept his eyes glued to Sophie's.

Don't do this, Sophie.  Keefe is your friend.  He has always had your back.  He's been there to comfort you, and always makes you smile when you're sad.  Imagine him not here.  Imagine you being exiled for murder, by yourself, with no one there to make you smile.  Because that's what's going to happen if you kill Keefe.  I don't care if you join the Neverseen, or if this is "by accident", because that's where you'll be when this is all over:  Wandering around with no friends, and living with the guilt of killing your best friend.  Fitz's normally soft eyes were so full of hatred, Sophie felt her eyes tear up.  Prank or not, this was going way too far.

"Well, I don't care Fitz.  Keefe is now gone."  And with that, she threw her arm forward, just as Keefe screamed, and she heard his thoughts..

Keefe's life flashed before his eyes, all memories of him with Sophie:  Meeting Sophie and taking her to Elwin.  Cheering for her to "make Fitz look pretty in pink" at her first splotching match.  Being trapped in the void with her the first time she teleported.  Holding her to make sure she wouldn't fall off Silveny after drinking the limbium vial to save Alden.  Her sleeping next to her window when they had "window sleepovers".  When he could only think of her after joining the Neverseen.  When he came back from the Neverseen, and she was the only one who trusted him.

Sophie.  I know you can hear me, but here's the truth:  I love you.  I have no idea what you're doing, but I love you.  You have been such a great friend up until now, but I want you to know that you killed me knowing I loved you.    Keefe thought, his eyes full of sadness.

He was prepared to die, but then nothing happened.  He felt no fire, no intense heat, didn't feel the fire melting his body.

There was silence.  Keefe looked at Sophie, who was in tears, sobs racking her body, as Dex tried to comfort her.

"This was a bad, bad, bad idea, Dex.  I shouldn't have agreed to it.  Who cares if it was suppossed to be a stupid prank, they actually thought I would kill Keefe!  My friend!  I'm-"  

Keefe felt all the sadness disappear as he heard Sophie say his favorite word.  THe dots started connecting in his head.

"Wait, Sophie did you just stay this whole entire thing was a prank?  Like for... April Fool's day?"  Keefe said.

Sophie nodded, but she still cried.  "It was, and I'm so so so so sorry, guys.  It was stupid.  I don't know why I ever thought of it in the first place.  I just got into character and couldn't stop!  I didn't know it would get this out of hand!  I'm so so so so sorry!"  Sophie wailed.

"Wait!  Foster don't apologize, that was AWESOME!  I totally forgive you, by the way!  I mean, how did you do it?  I didn't even think you'd have the guts to do all that acting!  I mean, like, WOW!  That was-"  Keefe started ranting, but stopped when Biana wrapped him in a hug.

"I thought you were gonna die!"  She said.

After Biana was done, Keefe turned to Sophie.  "Really, how was it done?"

"Well, these 'nexuses' are actually one of Dex's inventions that makes 'fire', but is actually cold, and isn't harmful at all.  I also can't throw it or anything, just make a ball of it."  Sophie explained with a smile.

Dex, Keefe, and Biana smiled too, knowing it was all and act.  But Fitz didn't.

"Wow, Sophie.  I didn't know you had that in you.  It was so...real.  I actually believed it."  He said quietly.

"I know, and I'm so sorry, I don't know why I ever did it.  It was stupid."  Sophie admitted.

"Stupid doesn't even begin to describe it."  Della said.

"I know, and I'm so sorry."

"Which means that you'll get exiled for attempted murder.  Let's go."  Alden said, no emotion in his voice as he grabbed Sophie roughly by the arm.  "You're getting another tribunal tomorrow, but first, you'll be spending a night locked up in a straight jacket."

"Wait, it wasn't real.  The fire was fake!  It's all a prank!  The fire is harmless, and can't hurt anyone!"  Sophie tried to explain, but it was useless.

"Too bad, because April Fool's!"  Alden cried, his face lighting up in a huge smile.  Sophie gasped.

"You knew?"  She asked.  "Who told you, Dex?"

"Yes, Dex did tell me, and him and I planned this part out."  Alden sheepishly admitted.

"Dex..."  Sophie growled.  Dex was too busy laughing his head off with Keefe, Biana, and Della.  "Best April Fool's ever!"  He exclaimed.

"Did you know, Fitz?"  Sophie asked.  Fitz shook his head.  "No, and its actually my turn to apologize.  I told you some pretty hurtful stuff back there."

Sophie felt her heart shatter, remembering Fitz's words.  "It's okay."  She forced herself to say, but this would be something she would never, ever, forget.

"Now, it's time for dinner.  Would you all like to stay?"  Della asked.

"Yes please!"  Sophie, Dex, and Keefe chorused.  

"Allrighty, then!  I baked some mallowmelt."  Everyone cheered, and followed Della inside.  All but Sophie and Keefe.

"Sorry Keefe.  I just want to say I'm sorry.  You're too much of a friend for me to kill, and I'm just sor-"

But Sophie was cut off when Keefe kissed her.  When they pulled apart, Sophie was breathless.

"Don't be sorry.  I finally told you something I've been meaning to say for a long time.  And I'm not sorry for saying it, so you shouldn't be either."  Keefe said, and they grabbed each other's hand, sprinting together towards Everglen.

Okay...  a)  Sorry for the SUPER long chapter.  I couldn't stop...  b)  That was so sad what Fitz said when Sophie was about to "kill" Keefe, and even sadder when Keefe's life flew by!  It was SO hard to write!  😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭  c)  I don't normally ship Sokeefe, but I thought it would be right.

I know this was kinda weird...

But thanks for reading my story!  I really appreaciate it!

-Pi-                  😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃