KotLC One Shots

Ms. Forkle (SFiD 3)

Warning: Unlocked and books previous spoilers ahead.  

Disclaimer: All character and locations belong to author Shannon Messenger from her ongoing book series "Keeper of the Lost Cities."  As for the song it is "Set Fire to the Rain" sang by Adele and posted on YouTube with lyrics by the channel Pillow.

Keefe's POV

          Dex was in some sort of lab above Slurps and Burps, rocking the mad scientist look as he chuckled with wide periwinkle eyes and a white coat.  I watched him squirt a single drop of some shiny purple juice into the mixture and it puff out, filling the room with the smell of feet.

          I grinned.  "Hey, pass me some of that would you?  It's been a while since I ticked off everybody's least favorite council member."

          Dex froze, turning to look at me slowly while his dimples pulled a Houdini and disappeared.  "What are you doing here?"

          "I've been gone three years and I don't get so much as a 'Hey, how ya been?'" I touched a hand to my chest, pretending to be insulted.  "Harsh."

          "She's not going to be happy to see you..." Dex muttered, shaking his head.

          I stared at him, suddenly serious.  "By she do you mean Foster?"  Some part of me hoped he would say yes, though I knew he wouldn't.

          "Not Foster, no... Forkle.  Forkle won't--"

          "I thought you said she?"  I asked wonderingly.

          Dex gave me a look.  His How Stupid Are You? look.  "I did," he stated, rubbing the bit of dark stubble on his chin.  "Of course, I did."

          "Okay... what about Foster?"

          Dex froze again.  "Foster?"  He broke into manic laughter.  "Nope.  She's not gonna feel a thing about you being back.  Not a single thing."  He continued to laugh while my face reddened.

          My hope died.  "How could you not tell me about Sophie?  How dare you laugh about Sophie!"  I yelled at Dex angrily.

          A dark look passed over his face and--

Twelve Minutes Later...

          "You look awful," said my best friend after three years of zero contact.

          "Yeah, I probably should have come here first-- I could definitely take you in a fight.  Who knew sweet little Dexy could hit harder than a Sucker Punch?"  I held an icepack over my right eye, having neglected to visit the physician first.  I wasn't ready to see Elwin or the little picture in his office of a beautiful girl in an embarrassing mastodon costume.  

          "Well, can't really blame him can you?" Fitz asked.

          "Wha-- you don't even know what happened yet!" I protested indignantly

          "Don't need to.  You're kind of a prick."  Fitz said matter-of-factly.

          "That's rich!  Look who's talking?  You broke Foster's heart with all your nonsense, never even attempted to contact your best friend, and I'm the prick?  Please, you're a grade A pain in the--"