𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧

Chapter One

"Hey, Sophie."

Sophie jumped at the sound of Fitz's accented voice ringing through her ears.

"Hey, Fitz. Everything okay?" She asked. Sophie shut her memory log and shoved it back into the drawer of her dresser.

"Yeah... I just... I know you said we would be better as friends but... I feel like I made a mistake. I think I still want to be with you. If that's okay."

"I-I-Ummm..." Sophie was torn, of course, she wanted to date Fitz, but deep down she had a feeling it just might not work out. If that was because she wasn't ready or because Fitz and her just... Weren't perfect, Sophie didn't know. But she didn't want to hurt his feelings, and this might be the only chance she had. She needed to take it. Needed to see if this was meant to be. Needed to find out.

"Okay," She agreed, "But, you promise all this match-making stuff doesn't bother you? For real. Be honest with me. And yourself. Do you really not care?"

"I don't. Not anymore." Fitz stepped closer to her, and Sophie was now aware of how close they were. She could feel Fitz's breath on her lips. Fitz drew his lips closer and closer towards hers. Sophie should have been excited, she should have been overjoyed. But she wasn't. Sophie was... Afraid.

"I don't think I'm ready for that yet," She confessed, backing away. Fitz looked a bit hurt, but he didn't say anything else-or do anything for that matter.

"Well... I should probably go," Fitz said.

"Yeah..." Sophie was a little hurt to see him go, and a tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered that it was her fault, but she tried to shake it off. Fitz was probably just busy, that's all.

No, he isn't.

Sophie decided to ignore that.

Then Fitz pulled out his pathfinder and leaped away. Sophie barely had time to mumble goodbye before he was gone. Sophie turned around to her desk and noticed a small necklace. It was the beaded one. Each one of the beads had a different flower, painted in remarkable detail. Sophie smiled as she put it on, and she brushed her finger over the beads.

She didn't know why she liked the feeling of wearing Keefe's necklace, but that was the least of her problems.

Sophie left the house and headed to the Panakes tree with Sandor, it was a chilly winter day, and Sophie had bundled up in a beanie, warm pants, and a thick jacket. Her soft blonde hair was loose and just past her shoulders, and it blew all over the place in the cool wind.

"Hey, Foster, miss me?" Keefe asked, startling her from her thoughts.

"Keefe! What are you doing here?"

"I just came by to say hello. Oh, and I wanted to give you this."

Keefe handed her a wrapped present, it was shaped as what Sophie assumed was a canvas. She slowly tore open the paper and blinked away tears when she saw the memory Keefe had drawn for her. It was a drawing of them together on the flight with Silveny. Sophie was blushing--as always, and her light blonde hair was loose and beautiful. Keefe's arms were wrapped around her waist, and he was looking into her brown eyes. It was like looking at a photograph but drawn by hand. Sophie would have to hang this up in her room later.

"Do-do you like it?" Keefe wrung his hands together, and he gave a nervous smile. Sophie didn't trust her voice to speak, so she just threw her arms around him. At first, Keefe was surprised, but then he sank into the hug, squeezing her in his arms. Sophie didn't mind at all.

Keefe whispered something she couldn't hear, but Sophie could have sworn she had heard I love you. But that was impossible... Wasn't it?

Keefe must have felt her emotions turning, so he let her go, even though Sophie didn't want him to.

"Glad you like it," There was a hint of pink on Keefe's cheeks. Sophie smiled. Making someone blush was kind of fun. Maybe that's why Keefe did it so much to her. Or maybe...

"You okay Foster? Your emotions are... Um... I can't tell."

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine, I just... Can I tell you something?" Sophie asked.

"Of course. What made you think you had to ask?" Keefe smirked. Sophie responded with a soft smile and a playful eye roll.

"I-" She played with her fingers, "Got back together with Fitz." Gosh, why does saying that feel so... Depressing? What was wrong with her?

"Oh. That's... I'm... Happy. For you. I um... I hope it works out," He smiled, but Sophie could tell it was painful and forced.

"Yeah. Me too," Sophie said, wishing she didn't sound so bored or tired. Why wasn't she more excited? She and Fitz were together again, and matchmaking didn't matter. Why did she feel like there was something... Missing. She didn't feel like that before. Had she? Is that why she was scared to kiss him? Maybe... No, she and Fitz had to work out. They were meant to be together. Right? Yeah. Totally, she thought sarcastically. UGH! What was wrong with her?!

"Are you sure you're okay?" Keefe asked again.

"You tell me," She held out her hand, Keefe hesitated before taking it. His brows pressed together like he was trying to solve a math problem, and Sophie was about to give up and say never mind when he whispered.

"Confusion, fear, uncertainty, and... Regret?" He said softly.

"I..." Sophie knew she could confirm all three of the first ones but... Regret? What does regret have to do with anything? What was she regretting anyway?

"Now you're even more confused. And afraid." Keefe dropped her hand, and Sophie looked away, staying silent, lost in her thoughts.

"Sorry. Did you not want me to say anything?" Sophie couldn't miss the concern in his eyes as he said it.

"No. It's not that, I just-I've had a hard day that's all."

"Oh. Maybe I should go."

Sophie wanted to tell him not to, wanted to tell him to stay, but her lips wouldn't make the sound. So she nodded.

So he pulled out his pathfinder and leaped away, but just before he was gone, Sophie shouted,

"WAIT!"

But it was too late. Keefe was already gone.