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Chapter 16

"Oh! And Sophie!"

"Yes?"

"Keefe came and dropped this off for you." Biana said, producing a humongous bouquet of flowers. 

"He really went overboard, didn't he?"

"I think it's cute." Biana replied wistfully. "Tam doesn't have a lot of time, especially since you know, he's always busy with the Black Swan though."

"Does it effect your relationship?" Sophie asked.

"Not really. I know he's only doing it for out future. It's hard sometimes, though."

"I can understand that."

"I should stop moping. Here you go!" Biana dumped the entire bunch of flowers into Sophie's arms, causing Sophie to stumble. 

"I don't think you should have given this to me without proper warning." Sophie said. 

"Sorry!" Biana exclaimed, and grabbed it back. 

"It doesn't matter now. You can give it to me. I'll . . . find somewhere to put it."

"Okay then! Thanks for dinner."

"It's no problem, really." Sophie traveled outside, because there was no way that the flowers would fit inside. Handing it to Flori, one of her close friends and old bodyguards. "Could you help me find somewhere to put these? Keefe gave them to me, but I don't think they'll fit inside."

"Of course. I'll plant  them for you, if you would like. 

"That would be great. Thanks, Flori." Sophie was going to hug the gnome, but stopped when she remembered she had just handed her a giant flower bouquet. "Call me if you need anything."

"Will do." Flori replied.

Sophie headed back inside to find Biana and Arina eating their purple leaves. "So how are they?"

"They're really good." Arina said, reaching for another.

"Eat slowly, Arina. You don't want to choke on your food." Biana said.

"Sorry." Arina stopped for a second and then slowed down. She glanced at Sophie. "Aren't you going to join us?"

"Yeah." Sophie replied, and came to the table, eating her fill. After they finished eating, Biana and Arina rushed upstairs again, leaving Sophie sitting by herself. a knock at the door came, and she rushed to open it. Standing there was Keefe, yet again, with a small necklace dangling from his fingers. "Hey."

"Hey. Did you like the flowers?" he asked, grinning.

"They were way too overkill. But they were nice." Sophie replied, "Are you going to come in or not?"

"Still as bossy as ever, Foster."

"You're so funny." Sophie said sarcastically.

"I know I am. But anyways, the reason I'm here is because we should have a sleepover!"

"That would be fun, not going to lie. But Arina sleeps in my room too, so that isn't going to happen."

"She doesn't have her own room?"

"I didn't think Biana had any space at the time. But I guess now that I think of it, Biana still has a lot of empty space." she said. "I can ask her. But for now, no sleepovers."

"You're so boring." Keefe said.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing." he replied, bopping her nose. "I almost forgot the reason I was here. Here you go." he handed her the necklace she had seen earlier, but this time she got a better look at it. It was identical to the one he had given to her before he ran off to the Neverseen.

"Is this . . . ?" she trailed off.

"Yeah. But this time, it has a leaping crystal to my place."

"Can't you make me a necklace without a leaping crystal for once?" she joked.

"Do you not appreciate my ever so kind gesture?"

"It's a good alternative. But why would I need it?"

"Who knows? Maybe in case Stina or Nova comes along. You could run away from them."

"Thanks." Sophie said, and kissed his cheek. He blushed. "Am I seeing things correctly? The one and only Keefe Sencen is blushing?"

"Stop being such a tease." he replied, blushing an even deeper shade of pink.

"Payback for all those years." Sophie said, and stuck her tongue out at him.

"That was just me being me."

"Are you sure? I feel like most of you teasing was directed at me."

"Maybe. Anyways, can I put this on for you?" he asked, pointing to the necklace she was holding.

"Sure." Sophie lifted up her curtain of golden locks and Keefe gently closed the clasp.

"There."

"It's pretty."

"You don't even know what it looks like on you. But I do agree with you." Sophie was going to say thank you, but his imparter rang. "I have to take this." He stepped outside, and Sophie took a seat at the table again. A few minutes later, he came back inside.

"Who was that?"

"Aww, Foster, are you jealous?"

"No." Sophie said rigidly.

"Whatever you say. On a real note, though, I have to go pack up the stuff I brought to Biana's house for the sleepover."

"You were serious about that?" Sophie asked.

Keefe nodded, and gestured to a pile of pillows and blankets outside.

Sophie stared for a moment, "Fine, you can stay for tonight."

"That's what I was hoping you'd say." he smirked.

"You can sleep in one of Biana's guest rooms."

"Aren't you going to sleep with me?"

"Keefe!" Sophie yelled. 

He thought over his words, "I didn't mean it like that. Just seeing if you were going to be a good hostess and spend time with your boyfriend."

"I didn't even know you were coming! Fine. Since you're so insistent." Sophie said, "I'll go ask Biana if you can stay."

"I'm sure she won't have a problem with it."

"I need to make sure anyways." Sophie went upstairs and knocked on Biana's door. "Biana?"

"Um, yes?"

"Can I come in?"

"Arina! Hide the stuff! Just a second! I'm . . . changing?"

"Okay then?"

A few moments later Biana opened the door and Sophie saw both of them frazzled.

"What are you two doing?"

"Nothing! So, what did you need to ask?"

"I wanted to ask if Keefe can stay for tonight." Sophie said, and Biana raised an eyebrow. "It's not like that. He wanted a sleepover, but Arina's already sleeping in my room and I don't want to keep her up. He already brought all this stuff, and I didn't want him to have to go home since he was already so prepared."

"Oh right. I forgot Arina's still in your room. I'll ask the gnomes to arrange another room for her. Keefe can stay in your room."

"I . . . thanks."