Chronicles of Panchali - The 100th Selection

Bonus Chapter; This isn't Right 💔

(So... uh... I'm an idiot and I officially hate myself right now because HOW DID I JUST REALIZE I FORGOT TO PUBLISH THIS?!?!?! 

*Takes deep breath*

Anyway, this is from Keefe's point of view so enjoy!)

As if the day couldn't get any more stressful, of course the last person Keefe wanted to see appeared at dinner.

As he looked at her, his mouth turned dry and he wanted to go up to her and hug her so badly, ask her what she was doing here, but he already knew the answer. It had never been a secret that she liked Fitz. The two had even started dating a few months back. But once Fitz got accepted to the selection, he'd broken up with her over a letter, not even meeting her in person. Personally, he told Keefe it was because it would've been even more heartbreaking, but Keefe silently thought to himself that Fitz shouldn't have entered the selection because he was already in a relationship.

That day, Sophie cried on Keefe's shoulder because of his best friend. No amount of mallowmelt calmed her down, and she fell asleep quickly that night, tears still drying on her wet cheeks. The next morning, Keefe had to leave. After all, he was selected too. The last he saw of her was her face looking out of her house, her warm brown eyes desperately telling him to stay. He might've too, had not his father pushed him into the crowd that was waiting for him, shoving cameras and microphones in his face.

He knew he shouldn't feel the way that he felt; he was in the selection and she was his best friend's ex. It was because of her that he entered, not able to stand his crush with his best friend and knowing that if he stayed, he could get in between them and ruin a happy relationship. But now she was back, and Keefe didn't know what to think.

That night, Keefe couldn't sleep. He got up silently, arranging his pillows to make it look like he was still in bed, just in case Ro came. But as he creaked open his door and started sneaking down the hallway, Ro stopped him.

"Nuh uh." She started pushing him back. "You are not allowed outside, lover boy."

Keefe pushed her away. "I - I need some space."

She searched for him, a little worry showing through. "You know that doing this isn't going to help anything right? If you really like Sophie, you should tell her."

"I can't do that to Fitz," Keefe told her, still walking down the corridor. "And I've gone like this for so long, I can still keep on doing it." He peered around a corner and turned. "Plus, we've been acting for so long for such a bigger thing, I think I can do something as simple as this."

Ro didn't argue, as much as she looked like she wanted to punch Keefe in the face.

"Well, I don't know about that, but what I do know is that if your friends don't, my father will surely have my head if I fail to protect you, not only physically, but emotionally. Which pains me considering how dramatic your emotions can be."

Keefe faltered at that, but then resumed pace, refusing to look his bodyguard in the eyes. "What does it matter?" He whispered. "If I'm the reason everything is going wrong in the first place. If I just weren't here, then maybe my mother wouldn't have any leverage and maybe, everyone won't have to suffer so much." Keefe swallowed a sob that had built up in his throat. "I'm not worth that much. Even Sophie just came here for Fitz and Linh for Tam. Why would anyone come for me?"

Ro looked as if she didn't know if she wanted to punch him or hug him. Instead, she settled on slowing her pace and keeping up with him.

She opened her mouth to say something, probably something sarcastic that wouldn't really help Keefe feel better, but then another voice spoke down the hall.

"Why would you think that?" Keefe looked up to meet the eyes of someone he didn't want to talk to, who was obviously listening the whole time. "And plus, what makes you think that I came here for Fitz, and not you?"

Keefe flailed for a response, "I-".

"And we are not handing you over to anyone," Sophie declared firmly, a beam of moonlight shining on her blonde hair and illuminating her sparkling brown eyes. The golden specks were ever more visible. "Because you are worth it. You're an amazing friend and one of my closest."

Keefe mockingly pressed his hand to his chest, pretending to faint in horror. "Not your closest?"

"That would be Dex," Sophie smirked, walking up closer. Keefe barely registered Ro moving away, pumping her arms up and down in a silent cheer.

Before Keefe could even reply, her lips met his and they kissed. Keefe's eyes widened as they did, feeling the sparks between them, knowing it was right. He almost sunk deeper before realizing where they were and pulling away abruptly.

Sophie stared at him in shock, her brown eyes reflecting hurt, and then embarrassment.

"No!" Keefe stopped her from going. "This just isn't right, Sophie, I hope you get that. You're my best friend's ex-girlfriend, and I-I'm in the selection." Before she could reply, he turned around and walked away, all hope evaporating as he lay down in bed again, her face of hurt repeating in his head. He didn't even care as the feeling of suffocation took him over again; he deserved it.

What had he done?

He thought back to the conversation he had with Alvin and Aiden during the meal. Maybe it would be better for me to join the 3rd caste. At least then, I'll stop hurting my friends.

(A/N: Hope y'all enjoyed this... now... I - uh - gotta go... walk my fish? Yeah, that! It's name is Nemo and- *Runs away*)