The Prankster Team (A Keefex Story) [DISCONTINUED]

A Confrontation

Finally got to the fluffy studying part, but well, mixed with even more angst because wow I'm on a roll.

"I just remembered something," Tam began, looking up from his notes. "My Universe mentor suddenly swapped yesterday, and my new one won't tell me why there was a swap."

"That's weird," Fitz remarked. "Usually, it's the student who swaps. Who was your mentor, anyway?"

"Lady Belva. To be honest, she's always unsettled me, and my new mentor seems nice, but I'd like to know why there was a swap in the first place."

Keefe winced at the name of the mentor. He felt arms wrap around him in a comforting embrace, unlike the tight grip that she'd had on him.

The gesture didn't go unnoticed by Tam. "Did something happen?"

"Uh..." Keefe laughed nervously, cringing at how terrified he sounded (and probably looked). "about that..."

So, how exactly was he supposed to say what had happened? He didn't really feel like talking about it either.

"Lady Belva harassed Keefe during detention, and we told Magnate Leto," Dex explained. "So I'm assuming that's why she's gone."

I mean, that's a pretty simple way of explaining it...

"She harassed you?" Tam asked in disbelief. "Are you okay?"

"I'm..." he was about to say fine, but he knew that Dex would call him out on it. "Better. It's better knowing that she isn't there anymore."

Sophie pursed her lips, and Keefe could feel guilt radiating from her. "The dancing mentor? I did notice that was weird... but I didn't think it was that bad."

"It was, I was there," Dex said, rubbing circles against Keefe's back. Unfortunately, it meant that he could also feel the sorrow coming from Dex.

"Let's not talk about it," Keefe said.

Fitz nodded. "Okay, we can start studying then."

Surprisingly, their studying session started off pretty well, considering the fact that there were eight of them there, and it was easy to get sidetracked. They were also spread out between three different levels, so they couldn't even all help each other with the same work.

But naturally, they eventually got bored and started to veer off topic. It almost felt like they were talking more than usual, and Keefe suspected that they were doing it to distract him. He didn't necessarily need it, but he appreciated the gesture nonetheless.

"Wait, Marella," Linh called out. "You're good at Elementalism, right?"

"It's one of my better subjects, why?"

"Come over here, I'll show you the question."

Marella went over to sit beside Linh. She rested an arm on Linh's shoulder as she looked over the work. There was a smile on her face as she began to explain some of the work.

Hey Keefe, are you actually okay? Fitz transmitted. You don't have to hide all your pain from me, okay?

Keefe turned towards him, startled. He didn't realize that Fitz had moved to sit next to him.

I am doing better, and I mean it. I've... been occupied by other stuff, anyways. While he for the most part had an answer to what he'd been discussing with Fitz the day before, it was still something he had to adjust to. But even then, I've been working through it.

I know I haven't been the best friend, but I just want to let you know that if there is something bothering you, I am willing to listen to you. I do love you, even if I don't tell you that enough.