Anytime Foster I'm Always Here

-Shining In The Starlight-

A/N: (Sophie and Keefe's Outfits)

Sophie's POV:

Tonight is going to be incredible—or at least, that's what I tell myself. A great dance, surrounded by friends, celebrating something that should feel effortless. But no matter how much I try to convince myself, I know there's something missing.

At least I've got my priorities straight: flats, no matter what Biana says about heels. She insists they're a necessity, but I don't see the point of torturing my feet in the name of fashion. Especially not with my ankle still healing.

I reach into my closet and pull out an ice-blue dress, the fabric catching the dim light in soft waves. The moment I see it, my breath stills. That color—the exact shade of Keefe's eyes—hits me harder than I expect. Memories flood in. Those mischievous glances, the unspoken words carried in a single smirk, the way his gaze always softened when he thought I wasn't looking.

I miss him.

I swallow hard and shake my head. No, tonight is meant to be special, and even though he's not here, I can carry him with me in this small way. I let my fingers skim over the fabric before slipping into the dress, smoothing it against my skin as if it might somehow make me feel closer to him.

Edaline helps me curl my hair, her hands gentle as she works, shaping strands into elegant waves. When I finally stand up to grab my things, she turns to me with that look of quiet adoration only a mother can have.

"You look beautiful, sweetheart."

Her words are soft, warm, wrapping around me like a familiar embrace.

I manage a small smile. "Thanks, Mom."

Downstairs, Grady is already waiting, standing by the door with his arms crossed, a fond smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"You look like a princess, kiddo."

My chest tightens. I recognize the emotion behind his words—the unsaid hope that tonight will be good for me, that I'll find a little bit of happiness.

I force myself to smile back. "Thanks, Dad."

We climb into the car, and I drop my things off at Biana's before heading to the forest grove—the place where everything started.

The moment I step onto the path, it feels like stepping into a memory. The grove is exactly as I remember—the air tinged with the scent of pine, the soft hum of distant conversation, the glow of twinkle lights strung between the trees. It's breathtaking. For a moment, I let myself stand still, drinking it in, allowing the past to settle around me.

This is where we danced. Where we laughed. Where, for one fleeting night, we existed in a world entirely our own.

Biana, Fitz, and Dex are setting things up—Biana dazzling in a sparkly pink dress, Dex sharp in a blue suit paired with a floral tie, and Fitz effortlessly polished in black with teal accents.

"Hey, guys," I greet them.

"Hey, Soph. You look gorgeous," Biana says, eyes wide with admiration.

I smile. "Thanks. Where is everyone else?"

"Linh and Tam are on their way, Marella is dropping her stuff off, and the new student should be here soon."

"Okay, cool. Mind if I turn on the music?"

"Sure. Hey, Dex, Fitz, help me grab some snacks up top?" Biana asks, and the boys follow her to Fitz's car.

I walk toward the speakers and press play. "I See The Light" from Tangled fills the grove, the melody slipping through the trees like a whisper of something old and familiar.