ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛꜱ ~ kotlc

42~ Part 2

 Later that day, Sophie was determined to try again. Her plan had failed earlier, but she'd make up for it. Well, the hug was nice. Very nice.

But she had to get it over with. She shouldn't wait too much longer.

She walked out to find Keefe pacing underneath the Panakes tree, and some of the petals got caught in his messy blond hair. Sophie couldn't deny how adorable he looked. But she did have to wonder, why was he pacing? Was something bothering him?

"Keefe?" she asked hesitantly, and his gaze snapped over to her. His cheeks looked flushed, and the usual confident glint in his eyes was gone. He looked... nervous? But why? Was he all right?

But he grinned at her, casually brushing the petals out of his hair. "Hey, Foster. Do you need something?" he asked, walking up to her. Sophie couldn't help but stare into those deep ice-blue eyes of his. When he smiled, it seemed to light up the room. So why was she unable to speak at the moment?
Keefe frowned, possibly sensing the change in her mood. "No, I'm good. I just wanted to check on you," she blurted out before she could think better of it. Well, she wasn't lying, It just wasn't the whole truth.

He cocked his head to the side, but he didn't ask her anything. He instead gradually reached for her hands, the nervous look in his eyes returning. He gestured behind him. "I... I found a cool place while I was walking around. Is it alright if I show you?" he asked, and Sophie nodded. He led her along, and Sophie did her best to ignore the knot in her stomach. She shouldn't be nervous. But something seemed off. Keefe was normally never nervous like this. What would cause him to be like that?
Soon enough, they had arrived in a beautiful open area. There were vines everywhere, covered in what looked like small twinkling stars. But they were flowers, flowing with the wind,

and still woven with dew, creating a canopy that looked like a shimmering gossamer lace. The place felt vaguely familiar. Sophie still thought it was one of the prettiest places she'd been too. And that was saying something.

"The Grove, right?" Sophie abruptly remembered as Keefe pulled back the vines, revealing a perfect clearing. Keefe nodded, avoiding eye contact with her.

Sophie was about to ask him if he was okay, but she just happened to trip over one of the toadstools. She latched onto Keefe for balance, and his arms were suddenly around her waist. She felt her face flame in embarrassment. "Are you okay?" Keefe asked, and she nodded. She didn't feel like moving away from him though.

"I think we're good now, Sophie," he said, actually calling her by her first name. He must be serious if he was doing that. So she begrudgingly pulled away from him, but she still held onto his hand. In case she almost fell again, and just because she wanted to.

A strange thought came to Sophie's mind. This place was the perfect place to tell Keefe how she felt about him. It was nice and quiet, and had that sort of romantic aura to it. But something told her that Keefe had something to say to her first. So she'd wait, and hope it wouldn't have something to do with seeing her only as a friend.

They stopped walking, now surrounded by the glowing white flowers. Neither of them spoke, just enjoying each others' company. But Sophie couldn't take it. She needed to tell him.

"Keefe-" she started, and yet at the same time, Keefe also said her name. They both stopped talking, and Sophie turned around to face him. There was a certain awkwardness in the air now.

"I- You can say it first," Keefe mumbled, and Sophie shook her head. "No, you can. You were the one who brought me here anyway." Keefe frowned. "Are you sure? Because I could definitely wait," he said. "Keefe, you can do it. I insist."

Keefe slowly nodded, looking straight into her eyes. "First of all... please don't hate me," he whispered, and Sophie reached for his other hand. "Keefe, I've already told you this. I will never hate you. I promise," she said.

He took a nervous breath, and stepped slightly closer to her. "Sophie..." he trailed off, seeming to not know what to say. "I know that we're all going through a lot right now, with the Neverseen and all, and you're not looking for a relationship. But I really just want to tell you that... I think you are amazing. And gorgeous and kind and... perfect. To me. I wouldn't have it any other way. I understand if you don't return the feelings, since, you know, we're best friends. But I like you. I don't think like is even a strong enough word to describe it. I love you. And I know I can't do anything to change how you feel about me. You're an independent girl with her own feelings, and you don't need any boy to look out for you. You could handle it yourself. But I just wanted to let you know. I'm always here for you, no matter what. I hope I didn't say anything too awkward because you mean the world to me, and I don't want to lose you. I don't want my feelings getting in the way of things. Of us."

Keefe quickly looked away from her after he said it. Those words. Those amazing words. Could Sophie be dreaming? But she really knew she couldn't imagine something so great. The look in Keefe's eyes said it all. She thought her heart would burst from her chest.

"Keefe," she whispered, turning his head towards her slowly. She cupped his cheek in her hand. "I love you too," she said. Keefe slowly blinked at her, as if in shock. His blue eyes did look surprised.

She smiled at him. "I couldn't be making this up. Believe me, I love you. So much. But if we do try this, it could get very... interesting. Especially if Grady found out," she said, and Keefe smiled. He looked relieved, and he leaned his forehead against hers. "I understand if you don't want to. We could just stay like this for now. Until it's over," Keefe said.

"I think I'll take my chances," Sophie said, and Keefe smirked, his daringness returning. He stepped closer to her. "Sophie. Can I kiss you?" he asked, his voice hesitant. She smiled. She must have lucked out with Keefe.

Instead of answering him, she closed the distance between them and kissed him. 

This one's shorter, but I hope the quality makes up for it.