Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-75.25.52.26-20190727210155/@comment-43311054-20190822010403

Chapter 4

Sophie blinked open her eyes to find an ice blue blob in front her of her face. As the colors returned to shapes, she realized that Keefe was still there, staring at her. She realized he must’ve gotten her to the bed after she’d passed out. Keefe looked truly happy when she registered his face, smiling as she twined her fingers with his.

She whispered, “What happened?”

He replied, “You were so overtired from the overwhelming night you had that when I sent the calming emotions you just fell asleep. I was worried at first, but I’m glad you finally woke up. It’s technically tomorrow now, you know.” Sophie raised her eyebrows. Keefe continued, “Yeah. You were REALLY tired. I guess that makes sense, going off of your track records of stressing and sleeping. Especially because of what’s going on with Bangs Boy right now, Fitz just kinda broke you.” Sophie felt fire in her heart. It had been just yesterday that she’d promised Edaline she wouldn’t break, and she was going to try to make her breakdown right.

She announced, “Today I’m going to see Fitz.” Keefe raised his eyebrows. Clearing her throat, Sophie continued, “I have to make this right. If he’s going to be a jerk, he’s a jerk. I’ll get over it. If not, then he’s going to have a lot of apologizing to do.” Keefe smirked, squeezing Sophie’s hand before he walked away.

Sophie called, “Wait! Are you leaving?”

Keefe replied, “Yep. Gotta make sure dear old Daddio isn’t worrying about me. Call me afterwards, okay Foster?”

Sophie smiled slightly and nodded, waving as he walked out of sight. Then she sighed, facing the day ahead of her as she told Biana she’d be coming over. Sophie had assumed that Dex or Keefe would’ve told Biana about what happened, and she knew she was right when Biana took the hint and promised to notify her brother.

Sophie showered and put on the plainest, least frilly tunic and pants in her closet and made no effort with her hair or makeup. It hung flat against her face, and the fire coloring her cheeks and eyes made up for her makeup-less face. She made sure to keep the teal necklace in one of the pockets with a throwing star so that if Fitz asked where it was she could show him just how upset she’d been. And when she finally stepped into the light to go to Everglen, she’d never felt more determined.

At least until she realized that Fitz was standing by the gate instead of Biana and that what she was about to do was real. Her steps were slightly less confident than they had been, her legs shaking as she strode to the gate. She held her chin as high as it would go, and curled her hands into fists behind her back. Her mind flashed to an image of the teal heart, unbroken, and the rage returned to her face. Fitz must’ve noticed that, because he paled suddenly and ran his hand through his hair quickly.

Sophie hadn’t meant to sound cold and hard, but her voice had an edge to it when she said, “Fitz. Hi.” She was emotionless, and the color faded slowly from her cheeks. When Fitz looked like he wanted to cry, Sophie felt a tinge of remorse for feeling triumphant.

Fitz opened his mouth, the word seemingly changing shape in his mouth as he said, “Sophie.” The word sounded hopeful, soft, and heartbroken. Suddenly she felt a little queasy, and she rubbed her knot of emotions as a turmoil boiled under her skin. She nodded, her facade not as stony as it had been seconds before. She tried to hold onto her last shred of determination as she tripped over herself behind Fitz on the way to his room.

As soon as the doors were closed, Fitz said, “Sophie, I’m so, so, so, so sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. I really didn’t. I was scared and confused and I was just really worried for you. I’m sorry for leaving. I just figured it would make it easier for you.” And then Sophie cracked, her knot of emotions unraveling. She just barely saved herself from inflicting, taking deep breaths and pressing her fist into her stomach fiercely.

“Well you know what? It didn’t. I’ve been a complete mess since then, you know. Do you wanna know how I’ve felt? Take a look at this! This is how I’ve felt,” she said, her voice rising as she pulled out the broken necklace. Seeing the cracks spreading through it made Sophie break all over again, but she was through with it. She stared Fitz down as his eyes finally wandered to the necklace. And then something unexpected happened—a tear slipped past Fitz’s perfect eyes. The teal blurred and Sophie realized that she was starting to cry too.

She whispered, “This is what happened when you left me.” Fitz reached for her and she stiffened, involuntarily pulling her hand away as she continued, “I know you’re going to immediately think that everything will be perfect, but we really need to talk about this. About us. About being Cognates. About our relationship in general. We need to talk.” Fitz sat down on the bed and offered Sophie a spot next to him, and she took it.

After one last glance at the broken teal heart, Fitz said, “We do need to talk. About everything.”