KOTLC: Sokeefe Short Stories

Truth or Dare (Part 4, Keefe)

Keefe was in a daze. He had just kissed the girl of his dreams, and it had been awesome! When it had been Keefe's turn to kiss Sophie, he didn't know what he was doing. He was just standing in front of Sophie trying to work up the courage to kiss her, when he felt her kiss him. At first, Keefe just stood there kinda tense as he didn't know if he was doing anything right. But after the first few moments, something took control of him. Some deeper instinct overcame all his fear, and he just kissed her back, savoring every moment with her. Her kiss had felt so... safe. It basically said, "you belong here, and you always will. Feel free to be yourself."

Then she had wrapped her arms around him, and Keefe not knowing exactly how to respond to this, checked her emotions. He found in her a mix of joy, excitement, and freedom. Also peace and security, and just pure happiness. Keefe hadn't believed that he could ever make Sophie feel this way, but here he was, doing just that. Why not make it even more memorable? So Keefe put his arms around her back and pulled her in closer as every single fear and doubt melted away.

The last thing Keefe could remember clearly, was him feeling like something was piercing his back, like very sharp, and very cold. He wasn't aware of how long he and Sophie had been like this, but with whatever presence was breathing down his neck, the moment sort of lost its momentum. At least to Keefe. Sophie? Keefe checked again one last time, and it seemed as though she could do this forever. Keefe wanted  it to last forever too, but he forced himself to pull away.

The moment he did, pain and longing struck him in his core. It took Keefe a small second to realize that the pining was coming from Sophie. Keefe hated himself for breaking the moment, but he tried to calm her by tucking a piece of her hair that had come loose from her elegant hairdo, behind her ear. Then he stroked her cheek a couple of times for reassurance, and then he gently undid himself from the embrace, and started to walk away. The feeling of loss and longing struck him again, but he forced himself not to look back.

But everything else after that was just a big blur. Keefe remembered listening to Sophie as she described each kiss, and when she described Fitz's as bad, Keefe was in an internal conflict.  On one hand, he was sad that his best friend was going to be hurt by this, but also kinda glad as that meant that this might be what finally takes for Keefe to finally have a better chance at winning Sophie over.

And when she described Keefe's kiss as the best, Keefe was astounded. The reasonable and more confident side of his brain already knew that she thought he was awesome from her emotions earlier. The dumber and more timid side of him was stunned that she could ever, or would ever for that matter, ever think of him that way.

Keefe felt that presence again, and this time he knew it was Fitz's glare directed at him. But Keefe didn't meet his gaze. Keefe just looked down at the floor and then at Sophie, flashing a shy smile. But it immediately faded as Sophie just looked at him, her emotions a mix between conflict, guilt, and plain numbness. Her face was what you would expect to see on someone who has given up, and her eyes were full of sadness and pain.

Fitz! Sophie describing his kiss.... that is what this is,  Keefe realized. She is upset that she hurt Fitz. Keefe let loose an internal sigh, as he felt his happiness from the kiss earlier deflate.

A few moments of awkward silence filled the air, and Keefe was somewhat aware of Biana telling everyone that they should probably call it a night. Everyone agreed, and then they headed up to separate rooms, one for girls and one for boys. Fitz stayed behind, muttering something about needing to use the bathroom or something. Wylie had to head home early. Some assignment from the Council. He gave Linh a peck on the cheek goodbye, and light leaped away. Ro went out to go check on security, and Keefe headed right to his room with Tam right in front of him, and Dex just a step behind. They reached their room, and started to unpack their things in silence.