cascade | kotlc

6. Midterm Presents

--- June POV ---

"So, Biana. You like Sophie," June stated.

Biana turned scarlet. "Uh, yeah. Was I really that obvious? Because if I was, then Fitz and Keefe probably noticed, and Dad and Mom and probably Sophie too-"

June shushed her. "I'm more perceptive," she said, tossing her hair. "For one, I noticed you'd stare at me sometimes before, and I'm not stupid. I can see you glaring at Keefe or Fitz when they get close to Sophie and how awkward you act when you're around her, like you don't know if you want her to notice you or not, so you just kind of end up standing there awkwardly, and honestly it's pretty funny. But seriously, if you really want her, go for it. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

Biana stared ahead. "I'm a Vacker, June. Vackers can't be bisexual. I have a legacy, and I don't know how my parents will react if - if they find out I'm... bi. Would they get mad at me? The rest of the elvin world would ostracize me. There's no law against being bi, but it's shunned by most elves. I don't feel safe announcing my feelings, and God, June, please don't tell anyone. You can't let anybody know. I feel horrible, I'm supposed to be a proper lady, but I'm just not, and I hate it. Please, June, please!"

June rubbed her temples and sighed. "You won't be alone."

"What?" Biana asked, momentarily confused. "Oh - you don't mean-"

"You won't be alone," June said firmly. "You'll see."

Leaves rustled behind them, and they heard people saying something. Either Sophie got Keefe and Fitz, or the boys had reached base.

Biana glanced at June. "Can you please not bring this up? Just let me... think for some time. Please."

June nodded. "We're in a game right now. Let's go."

--- Sophie POV ---

Sophie dashed through the dense trees before running directly into Keefe.

"How did you do that?" Keefe demanded. "You ran straight to us, like you knew where we were."

"I" -- she racked her brain for a credible excuse -- "heard you."

"Heard us how?" Keefe cocked his head, glancing at her hand on his arm, then back at her. Sophie jerked her hand away, afraid Keefe would detect her emotions and bust her secret. "You're hiding something, Foster."

"She probably just heard you crashing through the bushes like a sasquatch," Fitz said coming to her rescue, though he keeped his eyes over her shoulder, a small smile coming onto his face. "I think the whole world did. The girls certainly did."

"You're just mad because you lost," Biana teased, catching up with them, June behind her, looking at her with a mixed expression. "I can't believe Sophie tagged you both on her own. She can be my basequest partner anytime." She grinned, and Sophie couldn't help smiling back, and Biana seemed to light up.

June chuckled. She always did that when she noticed something embarrassing, and Sophie wondered what it could be this time. Did she realize something?

"Do my eyes deceive me, or is that Sophie Foster?" Alden asked behind them.

"We've missed you around here," Della added, rushing over and wrapping Sophie up in her arms

Sophie sank into the hug, swallowing the emotions rising in her chest. She hadn't seen Alden or Della since she moved to Havenfield, and she hadn't realized how much she missed them. She took a deep breath to clear her head and her nose tingled. "Whoa, you smell like smoke. Is there a fire?"