Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-43620158-20191006014306

Chapter 1:

“So, What was so important that you had to drag me out of elvin history to tell me?” Fitz asked. “I mean, thank you, but couldn’t it wait until lunch?” “No.” Sophie said, choking out the word. “I want to hear your response. Just you, no friends making faces, making you give me an answer that isn’t really true.” “Sophie— What?” Fitz asked, his face full of confusion. Sophie realized then how strange this would seem to him. She had run into his elvin history session, told the teacher that Magnate Leto needed to talk to Fitz, and dragged her boyfriend out of the room, explaining quickly that she needed to talk to him. Now they stood facing each other in the hallway where Keefe usually ditched class, as it was dawning on Sophie that she hadn’t really thought this through. But I have to tell him. She thought. I have to know what he’ll do. She took a deep breath. “Yesterday, I went to the matchmakers with Grady and Edaline.” She said. Fitz’s teal eyes brightened and he took her hands. “Thank you, Sophie. I know that had to be really hard for you. So did you get your packet.” “That’s the thing.” Sophie said, rushing her next words to get them over with. “They said, because I don’t know my genetic parents, that they can’t match me.” “What?” Fitz said, disbelief printed across his face. “I’m unmatchable, Fitz. Guaranteed to be a bad match, no matter what, because they can’t effectively match me without knowing who I’m genetically related to. I hailed Mr. Forkle already, and he said that he can’t tell me who they are, no matter what. So, I guess what I’m saying is, do you still want to be together? Are you willing to be a bad match?” “I don’t— I can’t— Sophie…” Fitz stared at her. “I can’t be a bad match. I can’t do that to my family. Our reputation has suffered so much already— I’m really sorry, Sophie.” He said. “I really like you, and I know you’re going to hate me for this, but I just can’t….” He broke off, and ran away down the corridor. For a moment, Sophie stood there, shellshocked. Then she crumpled, falling to the floor and sitting there with her arms wrapped around her knees, sobbing. But then there was someone beside her, giving her a hug and helping her to sit on a bench, whispering in her ear that it would be okay. When her eyes cleared, she saw that it was Dex, with Keefe, Lovise, and Ro standing behind him. “What happened?” Dex asked. “You okay?” Keefe asked. “Do we need to get Elwin?” Lovise asked. “No.” Sophie said. “It’s alright. It’s just that Fitz—” she broke off again, sobbing. Why? She thought. Why does he care about his reputation so much more than me? She shut that thought down immediately. Sophie refused to be one of those girls who let her love life become her whole life. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. “So, is the Mysterious Miss F. going to tell us what happened or do we have to guess?” Keefe asked, giving her a smirk, although it seemed like he was trying not to say anything, and his face was tight, as if he was attempting to keep himself from smiling. Knowing that it was a terrible idea, but unwilling to deal with Keefe’s professional-level question ducking, Sophie opened her mind to his thoughts. Stupid, stupid, stupid, shouldn’t have said anything, can’t flirt with her, she’s happy with Fitz. Keefe’s thoughts were a jumbled mess rushing through her head, and she only caught a few pieces. Doesn’t matter how I feel. Fitz needs her. Have to listen to Alden, he’s right, I can’t lose her.

Thoughts? 