flecks of gold like sunshine | KOTLC

Stay Away | Keefe

I'm glad that all that awkward mush is over. And, I guess, on the plus side, Sophie knows I'm her soulmate. So...yeah. But I also understand why she wants to wait. It would be unfair to Fitz. Their relationship hasn't even had a chance.

Sophie is blushing uncontrollably red right now, and it's so cute. Especially with that crease between her brows. I just want to reach out and smooth it out.

Yeah, that would be weird, bad idea, moving on.

"You know, we've barely touched the project in the past two hours," I point out, laughing, and Sophie chuckles at the realisation. "Nah, it's fine," she says, still laughing. "It's only due next Tuesday, we still have a couple more days." I nod, lying back on the floor with my hands behind my head.

Sophie gets up. "Well, I think it's time for me to go. See you tomorrow?"

I grin, standing up too. "Yeah, see you tomorrow Foster." Sophie smiles back - effectively making my heart turn to mush - but then looks back before she walks out the door. "Keefe..." She clears her throat, looking down. "I'm sorry."

I furrow my brows. None of this is her fault. It's Fitz freaking Vacker's fault. Apparently she doesn't know that, so I make sure she does. "Foster, it's not your fault," I say gently. "I told you. I've said it and I'll say it again. I'll always wait for you."

Sophie smiles sadly, nodding gratefully. "Okay. Thanks, Keefe. I'll see you." Then she rushes out, and I watch her silhouette walk away for a while, before she's out of sight.

Moments later, my annoying father is standing in the doorway. "Who was that?" he questions suspiciously, an eyebrow raised such that it disappears beneath his impeccable (and might I say disgusting, slimy and oily) blonde hair.

"Sophie Foster," I say casually, wondering why she's got my dad's curiosity all piqued. 

"Ah," he muses, then walks back out, but not before popping his head in one last time. 

"Stay away from her."

What?

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School the next day

I don't understand why my father asked me to stay away from Sophie. There's absolutely nothing dangerous about her. In fact, she probably wouldn't even hurt a fly. 

"Dude, why're you looking like you want to murder someone?" Fitz asks, jabbing me in the ribs, and I swat his hands away. Dex is with us (much to the annoyance of Biana).

"I...nothing." 

"Sure it's nothing."

"Ugh, whatever." Sometimes, Fitz knows me too well. I huff. "Well...it might be about Foster." Fitz expression clouds, and I know he's thinking that I like her. Which I do, but that's not the reason I'm concerned. So I quickly add, "My dad asked me to stay away from her yesterday. It was strange. I mean, he is normally already strange, but this was strange strange."

Fitz nods, no longer angry. "I don't know. Maybe he just doesn't like her."

I shake my head. "Don't think so. It was more like...he thought there was something dangerous about her." Fitz's eyebrows shoot up. "Dangerous? If Sophie's dangerous, I would have been banned from your house a long time ago."

I chuckle. "Yeah."

Fitz pats my back reassuringly, but Dex has a troubled look. "What's up, Diznee?" I ask, looking at him.

He looks up at me, searching my face. "Do you know about the accident?"

Accident? I shake my head.

Dex's eyes widen. "That's why your dad asked you to stay away from Sophie," he breathes, but I don't understand.

"He's the reason Sophie survived."

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A/N: *waves from behind couch* I promise to explain everything in the next chapter, really.