You're the Reason// A Sokeefe Human AU

Part 13

(Finally updated! Here you go!)

"Happy birthday, Sophie." Fitz said warmly, handing her a neatly wrapped present which she placed near the others. She smiled warmly back at him and his teal eyes, which continued to gaze at her softly. Strangely enough, though, his soft gaze didn't make her heart do somersaults or flutter as it often had in the past.

She realized he wasn't simply gazing at her but also patiently expectant of a response. Oops.
"Thank you." She stammered, swiftly brushing back a strand of her hair. She glanced back at the present he gave her. It had cute elephant wrapping paper, which reminded her of Ella.

"I like the wrapping paper you chose." She said, unsure of what else to say.
"I thought you might." He said, with a slight smile. He began to excuse himself, but stopped walking when he was next to her. "Also," he said, suddenly leaning in to whisper in her ear, "I think you're really going to like what I got you." Sophie resisted the urge to scratch her ear which was now irritatingly ticklish from his breath, or rub the goosebumps that shot up her arm. She simply stared blankly ahead. If he wanted to flirt with her he could at least do something more original. And by that, she meant something that didn't make her want to scratch her ears off. What she once found attractive she somehow found irritating. Was something wrong with her?

Keefe cleared his throat from behind them, casually stepping between them. "Not as much as she's going to like this." He said confidently, placing his own gift on top of Fitz's.
Fitz glowered at him, but stopped abruptly after Sophie noticed. Sophie laughed nervously, patting both guys awkwardly on the shoulders. "I'm sure both of you chose great gifts. It isn't a competition, anyways.." Fitz's shoulders relaxes slightly and Keefe just smirked. "But if it was a competition, I would definitely win." Keefe remarked.
Sophie shot him a glare, and received a half apologetic smile in return.

"Yeah right." Biana said, with Dex trailing behind her. "I think we all know that I would definitely win best present." Sophie knew one thing was for certain- she would most definitely win largest present. Dex had to help her haul the ginormous- well, whatever it was. It was almost as tall as he was. Fitz looked stunned, and Keefe wore an impressed expression. Dex looked tired, and to be fair he probably was worn out after hauling that thing around everywhere.

"What on earth is that?" Sophie asked incredulously, observing the wrapped concoction Biana and Dex- well, mostly Dex- placed before her.

"You'll see." Biana winked.

Tam and Linh brought presents of their own. Linh's gift was small, Sophie assumed it was some sort of jewelry. Tam's gift was not much bigger.
Then came Marella, Sophie's parents, well- everyone's parents, really. Yeah, there was a crowd. And they were all there to celebrate her birthday. It was a bit overwhelming? But also, Sophie was flattered. Flattered that anyone showed up, really, then on top of that receiving so many gifts.

  And then Sophie began opening presents.

All was going smooth. Linh's gift was, as she though, jewelry. She received other amazing gifts, some she would use, and others things that would probably sit in her closet for a decade. She was grateful nonetheless. As mentioned, everything was going wonderfully.

Until.

It was time to open Fitz and Keefe's gifts.

"Open my gift first." Fitz said, sliding it towards her.

"Let her choose." Keefe said, crossing his arms. "It's her birthday, not yours, Fitzy."

The room took on a grim silence, even Dex paused in cutting the cake. The two red balloons by her foot seemed to stand idle.

Sophie laughed nervously. "Sure, I'll open it."
She tore the wrapper off, revealing a glinting silver necklace. Silver didn't look that good on her, and to be honest she wasn't expecting a necklace, but it was still a kind gesture of him to get her anything at all. She didn't want to seem ungrateful, so she thanked him.

"You're welcome." He said with a smile.

Sophie unwrapped Keefe's gift, and woah. She hated to admit it, but he definitely outdid Fitz.
It was all stuff she actually liked! Hot chocolate, a blanket, and..
A teddy bear?

"What is this?" She said, laughing with amusement as she lifted the scruffy brown bear out of the bag.
"I recorded a message in it." Keefe said. "You have to tap the arm- but wait! Don't do it right now. Later." He said hastily, as she was about to press the button.

"Okay.." she said, her mind racing. Why did he want her to listen to it later?

Sophie noticed that Keefe was still staring at the bag on her lap.
Maybe she forgot something? She dug into the bag and felt something rough. Upon further inspection, it happened to be a canvas. It was a beautifully renditioned portrait of her. Her chest tightened. She had never thought herself to be beautiful before, but she looked very pretty in this portrait. The light hit her face in such a way that the gold flecks in her eyes positively shone, as well as her general complexion.

Sophie met Keefe's eyes, and instead of saying a word, she got up and hugged him.

"It's beautiful. I love it."

Keefe went still for a moment, but then hugged her back, resting his head on her shoulder. "I wasn't sure if you would like it. I'm happy you do, though. Really happy."

"Hey lovebirds," Biana shouted, as they instantly fell away from each other, "there are other people in the room!"

"Anyways, thank you." Sophie said timidly.

"No problem, Foster."

(Sorry to cut this chapter short! That's it for now. Thank you for baring with my slow updates and reading!)