Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-47.144.239.92-20190927210232/@comment-43957690-20190930224423

"Don't! You'll just worry her!"

'''But before Ro could do anything, the imparter buzzed. Someone was hailing him. Ro smiled. '''

'''"Your girl's calling you." '''

Chapter 8:

Sophie's POV

'''Sophie didn't know why. She had a feeling that she needed to talk to Keefe. So that was why the two of them were leaning against the fencing of Silveny's old paddock as the sun retreated behind the horizon. '''

'''Sophie plucked an eyelash, remembering when Silveny had first entered her life. Back then she'd been innocent, hopefull, and well... happier. Keefe had been different, too. But looking at him now, she wasn't sure that all of the changes were for the better. '''

'''She allowed her photographic memory to recall how he used to look, plugging the details into place. He used to wear nice clothes- not becasue he cared, but because he'd fooled himself into thinking that they would bring favor into his parent's eyes. Now, he didn't even try. His garments were dirty and wrinkled, mostly without color, and they hung on him in the wrong way, as though he'd lost some weight, not in a good way. '''

'''His hair was entirely the wrong kind of mess. It was oily and unstyled as though he hadn't showered in forever. He used to laugh. That was gone, too.'''

'''But worst of all were his eyes. They were broken and devoid of life. '''

'''"So," Sophie started. "You okay?"'''

Keefe just stared at the ground, cold and quiet.

'''"Hey." Sophie placed a hand on his shoulder. "Talk to me."'''

'''"What do you want me to say?" His voice came out raspy and hoarse, as though he was battling a sore throat. '''

'''"I want to know if you're okay." She told him, barely more than a whisper.'''

'''"I'm fine." His voice carried no emotion, something dangerous for an empath.'''

'''Sophie slid her hand down his arm and squeesed his hand. She didn't try to enhance his Emathy, knowing that it would be too powerful for him to handle. '''

'''"I'm here, Keefe. I want to help you." '''

'''"You can't fix me, Foster. I told you that before." He still wasn't looking at her. Sophie was tired of this. '''

'''"Maybe that's because you've never let me try." she squeezed his palm, but he didn't respond. '''

'''They stood there in silence for a while, and Sophie knew that whatever Keefe was facing was something truly terrible. Maybe she didn't understand right now, but when she did, she was going to do everything in her power to save him. She couldn't loose him again. NOt when too mutch was already at steak.'''

It was getting dark.

'''"I know you're hurting. I can't possibly imagine what's wrong, but I will fight for you." She let those words sink in.'''

'''"Let me help you. If not for you, do it for me. Please." '''

'''Keefe finally looked at her, and his eyes scared her a littl bit, the way they carried no emotion. He let out a little cough that Sophie realized was supposed to be a fake laugh. "You're a smart girl, Foster. But that's not going to wo--" '''

'''And then Sophie Turned on the puppy eyes. She hated doing that. It was manipulative, but right now Keefe needed some manipulation. He stopped in his tracks, his mouth gaping. '''

'''"I didn't know you could do that." he stammered. '''

'''Sophie hid a smirk. "It only works on you."'''

'''Keefe ran a hand through his hair, but it didn't help his bed head. "Alright." he he said, trying to sound passive. "I'm letting you torment me. But i have one condition."'''

'''And then he looked at her, this time with scepism. "I can tell something's bothering you. If you tell me, I'll let you help. Maybe."'''

'''Sophie should have seen this coming. Of course he'd turn it around on her. But if this was what would let her help him then she'd do it.'''

'''"I'm unmatchable." She declared bluntly. '''

'''Keefe's reaction was different that she'd suspected. He didn't stammer, or gape, run his hands through her hair. He just looked unapologetically confused.'''

'''"I'm sorry." he told her. "But, uh. No offense, or anything, but... why does that bother you? I thought you didnt care about that stuff."'''

'''She bit her lip, but then decided that he needed to know. "I guess... because ever since I told Fitz about my... feelings," she handled that word elicately. "I just wanted us to be a good match." '''

'''"Oh." '''

'''Sophie felt better after letting those words out. So she decided to release more, realizing how rediculusly easy Keefe was to talk to.'''

"I was afraid that he wouldn't want to be with me anymore. When I told him he said it didn't matter, but... I don't know. Ever since that moment... when he told me and I told him... every little thing matters so mutch more.  These stupid fancy clothes... this makup. I know it's not me."

'''"I know." Keefe said. "I mean... not about the unmatchable thing... the feelings. I'm an empath." He blanked out, realizing that that sentence was just... terrible.'''

'''Sophie laughed. "I'm glad you're feeling better. Now... is there something you wanted to tell me?"'''

'''A cross between a sneeze and a burp escaped Keefe's mouth. "Yeah. There are a lot of things."'''

"You know what I mean."

'''He shook his head, a ghost of a smirk back on his face. "If I'm beign honest... I don't think it's a problem anymore."'''

'''Sophie delved into those words, knowing that they were true. She smiled, and leaned against his arm, trying to escape the cold night.'''

"Then don't tell me. And don't make me rescue you again, kay?"

"No promises, Sophie."

'''A grunt from behind made Sophie jump out of her skin. Keefe did the same. They turned around in unison, seeing two people. Grady and Fitz.'''

'''Both were wearing a look of malice. "Sophie can I talk to you for a moment?" Fitz's crisp accent was sharp on her ears. '''

'''"Sure..." she didn't know why she sounded so... dissapointed.'''

'''"And, Sophie, say goodbye to that boy. I want to have a talk with him. Privately." Grady's hands were on his hips and he seemed to be battling the urge to hurt someone.'''

Keefe let go of Sophie's hand, and that look was back in his eyes.

'''The look of someone who didn't have anything left to live for. '''