Hey Readers! Lumi has given me permission to low-key write a chapter for y'all, which she'll probably re-write later.
Until then, enjoy,
Chapter 8; In Which Sophie makes a Realization
SOPHIE'S POV
I watched as Lumi kissed Dex's forehead, and Dex turned a shade of red like Biana's lipstick. Biana was giving Lumi fangirling looks, and- I have to admit, I was too. Dex deserved this, but Lumi?
I don't know.
"Hey, Sophie, are you alright? You've been staring at that picture Keefe painted for you for like, ever." Biana nudged Sophie out of her endless thoughts and growing jealousy of Lumi. It had been just 12 weeks since the Parathon exploded, and the gnomes had already re-built it, but it took longer to build because, well, it was in space.
"I'm fine. It's just-" I was interrupted by a knock on the door. I interanlly groaned.
"Who is it?" Biana half-yelled to the very large door, and the person behind it.
"It's Lumi, can I come in and talk to you?" Lumi voice echoed from behind the door.
I had a quick thought. I jumped up and dived under the bed in a flash, and of course, like the good friend she was, Biana didn't question it.
"Sure, come on in!" Biana said cheerfully. Lumi stepped in, and sat down on Biana's bed. I coughed after dust stirred around. It burned my lungs.
"Is someone in here?" Lumi asked, sounding suspicious.
"Nope, no one is in here. Not a soul! So, what did you want to talk to me about? Is it about Dex?" Biana giggled. I internally cringed.
"Yeah, but um, you can't tell Sophie." Lumi waited for Biana to nod. She went on. "I, um, well I... I'm jealous of Sophie. And I think Sophie hates me. I could feel it."
"Wait... You're an empath?" Biana gasped.
"Mr. Forkle triggered another one of my abilities. It's cool, but also it feels like I can't trust anyone anymore." She gave Biana a death glare.
"Wow- um, wow okay, so you don't trust your own sister?" I felt Biana jump up.
"No that's not what I meant, I- I don't like having all of these abilities. I wish I was just normal. Like Sophie."
"That's it!" I thought, jumping up.
And hitting my head on the bar. I wobblily and awkwardly stood up. I caught glance of Lumi's startled expression. I got close to her face and made my points clear. "I'm normal? Do you have any idea what normal even is? I don't want to be normal! I want to be a warrior, I want to be an outcast. If being an outcast means to help save the world, then I'll chose outcast than 'normal'." I set my hands on Lumi shoulders and watched tears swell in her eyes.
"It's hard." She whispered. It came out as a squeak, but it still meant so much.
"I know- but life itself is hard. I know firsthand, and you do to. So does Biana, and Dex. Just beacause it's hard doesn't mean it's not worth doing. When you see the looks people give you, youself you earned those looks. Those shouldn't be a reminder about how weird you are- but how incredibly brave you are."
Lumi smiled.
"Oh my gosh!" Biana squealed. "Congrats on a life-long friendship! At first I was getting worried that you were going to end up like Keefe and Tam. Also- Sophie," Biana reached for Sophie's head. "You have dust bunnies all over you."
They all laughed at how ridiculous she looked, but their laughter was interrupted.
Fitz burst in.
"Keefe is missing."