Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Say Something

Another school year had ended. Sophie had been approached by Magnate Leto, who had given her exciting news: given her great progress in her ability training sessions and hard work in other classes, she was being given the opportunity to skip level six and jump into her Elite levels a year early.

"Although technically it isn't a year early, since you probably would have been finishing year six right now if you'd been born here," he reminded her. "So, what do you think?"

Sophie looked at Grady and Edaline.

That would mean moving out a year earlier than expected.

"You have to make this decision, sweetheart," Edaline told her softly. But Sophie saw the tears in her and Grady's eyes.

"Can I have some time to think about it?" She finally asked.

"Of course."

Fitz, when she told him, thought it sounded like a great opportunity.

"It's a lot to consider," he told her, "but you can still see Grady and Edaline as much as you want. Plus," he said with a grin, leaning in to kiss her, "you'd be so much closer to me."

Sophie giggled and tugged on the front of his tunic, bringing his face down for another kiss. "Don't get any ideas, mister," she told him.

"Of course not," he agreed. "Not until we're ready."

You see? She told herself. We have so much fun together. Why are you even entertaining the thought of his best friend?

"So, you're going to Keefe's Winnowing Gala tonight?" Fitz asked.

"Yeah. He said he wanted a friend there."

"Oh, please. Keefe will be friends with anyone if they'll sit still long enough."

"Not Tam."

Fitz laughed. "No, you've got me there. But other than that, I suspect the real reason is because he knows there will be lots of girls there ready to throw themselves at him. He'll want at least one sane girl there. So any time some weird girl is obviously driving him crazy, he can have you to talk to instead."

"Won't he have to dance with everyone? It's not like there'll be much time for us to talk."

"Yes, but he can determine how long he dances with each girl."

So then, he could spend most of the evening dancing with Anabel and making Sophie feel superfluous.

And jealous.

Ugh, why was this so hard?

Fitz stepped closer. "You know, I'm almost tempted to leap home to Everglen tonight. I can't go to the Gala, obviously, but I could hide outside and catch a glimpse of you in your gown. I'm jealous I won't get to see you in it."

Sophie giggled. "Sorry."

"It's okay. I've got the rest of eternity to see you dressed up." His arms snaked around her waist and drew her in closer. "Have fun tonight. And protect my best friend from his crazy fangirls, okay?"

"I'll do my best."

There was so much warmth in his eyes as he ducked his head down to kiss her that it made her swoon a little.

But not enough to prepare her for what came next.

Fitz kissed her deeply, his hands warm as they pressed into her back, drawing her close. When they finally broke apart, he brought one hand up to her face and fervently whispered, "I love you, Sophie."

And Sophie just...froze.

She tried to say it back.

But she couldn't find her voice.

Say something!!!! Her head was screaming.

"I—" nope, that wasn't enough. "Fitz..."

Sophie watched as the steadfastness of Fitz's gaze dulled slightly. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I've wanted to say it for a long time, but I waited, thinking maybe it would be too overwhelming since you were so worried about us not being matched, and—"

Sophie shook her head and took his face in her hands, kissing him to silence him. "You don't owe me any explanations. You have every right to tell me how you feel. I just...wasn't expecting it."

He nodded, but the unspoken words between them were clear.

They'd been dating for over a year.

If her immediate, joyful response wasn't a hearty "I love you too," then...

Then what?

Sophie lowered her gaze, hating herself for the pain she saw in his eyes. "I just...I don't take that lightly. And I don't want to say it until I'm absolutely sure I mean it."

"I understand."

"Fitz, I—"

"No, you don't have to explain anything to me. I wouldn't want you to say it if you weren't sure you meant it."

But the question of why, after all this time, she still didn't know if she meant it hung heavy in the air between them.

"Are you mad?" Sophie asked in a small voice.

"No. I'm not mad."

Sophie looked in his eyes and didn't see anger in them. But there was sadness, and a strangely guarded look she hadn't seen since...

Since they'd first started dating and he kept finding her confiding in Keefe instead of him.

She cared too deeply for Fitz to say something she wasn't sure she felt, but also cared too deeply to be happy to leave him hurting like that.

The problem was, there wasn't much she could do about it.

So she leaned up on her toes and kissed him, softly, before saying, "I'll see you tomorrow?"

Fitz nodded, not quite meeting her eyes. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Sophie didn't know what else to do, so feeling guilty, she leapt home with tears in her eyes.

"You look beautiful, kiddo," Grady said as he and Edaline came in to check on her while she got ready. "So grown up," he added in a choked voice.

Sophie, who had just finished letting Vertina walk her through fixing her hair and makeup, turned to look at her parents.

Edaline was wiping her eyes. "He's right, sweetheart. You look amazing. Red really is your color."

Keefe thinks so too.

"Do you think..." Sophie's voice trailed off.

"Do we think what?" Grady asked.

"Do you think Fitz and I are...meant to be together?"

Grady and Edaline shared a look.

"Well...that's hard to say," Edaline told her. "He's always been important to you, and he's been very respectful and it's obvious that he cares about you. If you're asking us if we'd be happy to welcome him into the family, then the answer is 'of course'. But...that means nothing if he isn't who you want to spend your life with."

Sophie sighed. "I don't know what I want anymore."

Grady grumbled something under his breath.

Sophie could've sworn she heard him say "That Boy".

He hadn't called Keefe that in a long time.

Edaline reached out and rubbed her back soothingly. "It's okay if Fitz is who you want. But...it's okay if he isn't."

Sophie felt like she might be sick. But instead, she took a deep breath and smiled. "I guess I should get going."

They walked her up to the Leapmaster and they each kissed her cheek as she called down the crystal for Everglen.

Then she stepped into the light, headed to her first Winnowing Gala.

To Keefe.