Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-37824398-20181215160506/@comment-38473830-20190215225203

Chapter Three

“Do you want to talk?”

'''Sophie looked up with a start. “Mom! When did you get here?”'''

'''Edaline stood in the doorway of her room, holding a plate piled with custard bursts and a glass of bright green lushberry juice. “You’ve been moody all day. Is it about the Unmatcheable thing?”'''

'''Sophie shrugged. Her first instinct was to deny it, but the custard bursts smelled like cherry and chocolate and goodness. And Edaline was Edaline. And there was a lump in Sophie’s throat, the kind of lump only a mom can remedy. And the lushberry juice was cold and sweet. And Sophie wanted to talk to Edaline, she really did.'''

'''“I don’t know what Fitz will do if he finds out,” Sophie said helplessly, looking at Edaline, who was suddenly on her bed next to her. She did not say ‘when he finds out’. She said ‘if he finds out’. A part of Sophie still thought it had to have been a mistake.'''

'''“If he doesn’t want to be with you once he knows what comes along, he’s not worth your time.” As always, Edaline was right. “You deserve to be with a boy who treats you right.”'''

'''“Or girl,” Sophie added, thinking about her time as a human. She still wasn’t sure if there were LGBTQ elves. If there were, no one seemed to care.'''

'''Edaline looked Sophie in the eyes. “You deserve someone who sees you for you.”'''

'''“Thanks, Mom.” Sophie didn’t know what she’d do without Edaline. “Where’s Dad?”'''

'''“Oh, Grady’s on T-Rex duty.” Edaline laughed. “Can I hug you?”'''

'''Sophie loved that Edaline was intuitive enough to ask her. “Yes. Yes, please.”'''

And so Edaline did, and for the first time in weeks, Sophie felt a little better.

'''Sophie chewed on her brattail. Even after all the years in the Lost Cities, the taste still made her think about sausage. She liked it when they served it at Foxfire.'''

'''“Apparently, there’s a party at Nevershore this weekend.” Biana was heavily made up, as usual, and her excitement was obvious. Sophie couldn’t remember whose estate Nevershore was, there were too many.'''

'''“A party? But… Tam… ” Sophie faltered, unsure of what to say. But Tam is with the Neverseen? But we need to get him out, not party?'''

'''Keefe rolled his eyes. “Live a little, Foster! Not only are we super awesome evil-fighting purveyors of awesomeness, we’re also teenagers. Teenagers party. It’s a thing.”'''

'''In all her Elvin years, Sophie had never been to a party like the one Biana was talking about. A party with kids and just kids. She’d been to formal events, sure. But… parties?'''

'''“You’re coming, right, Sophie?” Biana clasped her manicured hands together. “Please? I need another girl.”'''

“Am I invited?” Sophie asked awkwardly.

'''Biana laughed. “It’s not like that, Sophie. You just go, you don’t need an invitation.”'''

'''Sophie shook her head, confused. “I don’t get it.”'''

'''Keefe laughed. “You wouldn’t.” '''

'''Keefe was sitting on the far end of the table, the farthest possible from Fitz. Sophie was positioned awkwardly in the middle, across from Biana. Dex wasn’t at Foxfire that day. He was probably out with Tinker.'''

“Okay, I guess I’ll go,” Sophie said hesitantly.

'''“Great!” Biana squealed. Her excitement gave Sophie a twisty feeling in her gut. What had she gotten herself into?'''