Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-75.25.52.26-20190727210155/@comment-43311054-20190827231005

Chapter 5

Sophie straightened as Fitz grabbed her hand, trying to find the Cognate ring as he said, “Sophie, I’m such an idiot. An idiot.”

Sophie’s jaw tightened as she struggled to keep her cool. “I know you think you are, Fitz. But why would you ever say what you said? I thought you actually cared about me.”

Fitz looked away and cleared his throat before he continued speaking. “I do. I really do. And I don’t know why I said that. Please forgive me, Sophie.”

Sophie’s jaw dropped and she yelled, “Seriously?! That’s all you’re going to say?! Just ‘forgive me?’ Really? You aren’t going to explain anything? Anything?! I really thought you were actually going to explain yourself, to make things right! I believed we had a chance!”

Fitz looked at her earnestly, gently saying, “And you really think we don’t? If that’s true, then why hasn’t your mind blocked me out? You still trust me, one way or another. And I trust you completely. I only said that on instinct. I was just afraid of what my family would think. But I’ve done some thinking, and I don’t care anymore. It doesn’t matter what they say. All I care about is you. And I feel so awful about everything I did to hurt you. Really.”

Sophie sighed. “I believe you. I just don’t know how things can really be the same now.”

“Sophie, trust me. Just trust me.” Fitz took her hand and this time she didn’t stop him. A small smile flitted across her face without her permission. He squeezed her hand once more as Biana called her from the hallway, releasing it as she walked away.

When Sophie got to Biana’s room, Biana immediately started talking. “Sophie, do you—wanna talk about—anything?” Sophie shook her head and smiled.

“Just give me a makeover or something. I really don’t wanna talk. I’m okay!” Biana smiled and clapped her hands together, leading Sophie into her giant bathroom as she endlessly ranted about what hairstyle Sophie could wear.

When Sophie got home, Keefe was standing in her living room, waiting for her. A frown flitted over his face when he noticed the smile lingering on her lips.

“Hey, Sophie. I decided I’d wait here for you in case things got hard. I guess everything went okay,” he asked as the two walked to Sophie’s room.

“Yeah, everything’s good,” Sophie said as they sat down. “I forgave him and we’re good now.”

Keefe’s mouth hardened slightly as he said, “You already forgave him? What happened?”

Sophie related the short conversation, and by the time she was done Keefe looked angry, and she knew he was when he yelled, “Seriously? You forgave him that easily? He barely said anything aside from ‘I’m sorry I was an idiot’ and you already don’t care! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s part of the almighty Fitzphie. It doesn’t matter how many times he hurts you, or how bad it hurts you, or how perfect his life is, you’re always gonna forgive him and forget me.”

Keefe ran down the stairs and grabbed Ro’s arm as he shouted, “Candleshade!”

Sophie shouted after him, “Keefe! Stop!”

“No, Sophie. I’ve been waiting a while to tell you this, but I’ve liked you for a long time. And as far as I can tell, you need to know. Bye, Sophie.” He stepped into the light and faded away.

And for once, Sophie didn’t have a single thought in her unstoppable brain. Her mouth fell open and suddenly a warm rush filled her body. An involuntary smile took over her face and she felt the familiar rush of blush heat her face. She twisted her hands together and her mind flashed to all those moments that he’d hinted at it. She couldn’t believe how blind she’d been.

And then she froze. What was happening? Didn’t she like Fitz? Or had she just been too blind to really notice how she felt about Keefe? And there she stood for hours, overthinking everything about her relationships until she couldn’t think any more.