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Chapter 4

Soon after Sophie and Biana's heartfelt, moment  Arina pranced down the stairs giddily.

"Sophie, let's play now!" she called.

"Of course, Ari. You wouldn't mind if Biana played with us as well, would you?"

"Nope," Arina replied.

They followed her upstairs and spent the day together. The next time Sophie looked outside, it was sunset.

"Arina, I think it's time for dinner and then you should go to bed, alright?"

"Okay." Arina replied, stifling a yawn.

"Let's go." Sophie said. She was going to tell Biana to come with them to eat, but she was already asleep. "Ari, why don't you go downstairs, okay? I'm going to get Biana settled into bed."

"Sure, but don't keep me waiting for too long!"

Sophie slowly picked up Biana, not wanting to wake her up. She inched to Biana's room and then set her down on the bed.

"Goodnight, Biana." she whispered as she left the room. "Arina!" Sophie called.

"I'm downstairs, Sophie!"

"Sit down at the table, I'll bring your food out in a few minutes." Sophie replied. She went to the kitchen and prepared a plate of something that looked like blue French fries. If she was going to be completely honest, she didn't know the names of most of the food she cooked. "Here you go, Ari."

"Thank you!" Arina said, and quickly dug in. Sophie, exhausted from her day of fun with Arina, ate slowly. She savored the taste of nachos with extra cheese. When they both finished, Sophie collected their plates and washed them vigorously.

"Time for bed, Ari."

"Don't I need to brush my teeth?"

"Yes, of course you do." Sophie told her. "Follow me."

Arina brushed her teeth as well as Sophie, and then they went back to Sophie's room.

"You can sleep on the bed. I'll sleep on the floor." Sophie said.

"Why don't we just share? I'll sleep here," Arina said, pointing at one side of the bed. She hopped on and patted the other side. "And you can sleep here."

"Okay, if you're sure." They got settled into Sophie's bed and Sophie felt Ariana's breath on her cheek.

"Sophie, am I burden to you?" Arina asked.

"Arina, what are you talking about?" Sophie questioned, turning to face her. When she did, she saw a tear drip down onto Arina's chin. Sophie was surprised at how much her energy had changed.

"I feel like you don't want me here."

"Arina, I know you knew that the original plan was for you to move to the Forbidden Cities. But I want you to know that if you stay here it only makes me happier."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Sophie whispered, pulling Arina close. As the girl fell asleep, Sophie assessed whether or not Arina was asleep or not, and then drifted off into the oblivion.

The next morning, Sophie gently got out of bed and found Keefe sitting with Biana at the table, both of them speaking in hushed whispers. She strained her ears to listen.

Are you sure that Fitz should talk to her? She seemed upset yesterday.

Yes, I'm sure. It's because of you and him that she's upset.

I know why Fitz would make her mad, but why would I make her upset?

Maybe your new girlfriend, Keefe.

What is it with everyone thinking I have a girlfriend?

You know what we're talking about, Keefe.

I'm telling you, I don't- Keefe stopped mid-sentence as he saw Sophie peering down at them from the doorway of her room.

"Hey, Foster! You're awake!" he exclaimed, quickly covering up his conversation with Biana.

"Sophie, why don't you come join us?" Biana asked.

When Sophie descended downstairs, she plopped down at the table and said, "What's up?" Biana wrung her fingers.

"Well, Sophie, I thought that it might be a good idea for you to talk to Fitz. And Keefe."

"And what for?" Sophie asked, looking away slightly.

"Maybe it's time you made up with them. They've been missing you." Biana replied.

"Sure, Fitz not contacting any of us shows he misses us. And I don't understand why I need to 'make up' with Keefe when our relationship is just fine."

"No offense, Foster, but whenever we get together you emotions don't feel fine to me."

"Stay out of this, Keefe." she told him sternly. He only raised his hands, which made Sophie smile only the slightest.

"But Keefe told me-"

"Biana, I don't want to hear it! The relationship between Keefe and me isn't at all strenuous. I'll meet with Fitz, but meeting up with Keefe isn't necessary."

"Sophie, please. Can't you meet with both of them? It would make me feel a lot better."

"Why do my relationships bother you so much?"

Even after Sophie started arguing, Biana kept her cool.

"Because we're all friends, Sophie. And friends look out for each other."

"I think Fitz and I stopped being friends a long time ago. But if it makes you feel better, fine. I'll meet with both of them, but only separately." Sophie said. "Who knows what will happen if they get into such close proximity with each other." she muttered.

"Okay, then it's settled. I'll have my parents set up a meeting for you two." Biana said, clapping her hands.

"Why don't you do it?"

"Well, Fitz doesn't really want anything to do with me now that's he dating Novaline. It's like she's trying to make him forget us, which is pretty weird." Biana said. "Just let me hail them real quick. Biana stepped out of the room, leaving Keefe staring at Sophie while she looked anywhere in the room except at him.

Biana came back into the room with a grin and said, "Okay, it's scheduled for tomorrow."

"And at what time?" Sophie asked.

"After lunch, they said. Just meet at Everglen and you and Fitz can talk."

"Whatever. I'm going to go wake up Arina."

"Who's Arina?" Keefe asked, puzzled. Biana was about to respond, but Sophie replied faster.

"My friend. And she's more of a friend than you and Fitz have been to me, that's for sure." Sophie said. "We can meet in two days."