Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

I'm Trying (Keefe POV)

The next day, their friends all gathered at Havenfield to revel in the break from school.

He hadn't told anyone about his plans that night--not even Fitz-- and wasn't sure he was going to.

"It's nice being on break from school without having to risk our lives for anything," Marella commented.

Keefe smirked. "You could always go wander too close to the gorgodon enclosure if you're feeling nostalgic."

"Sure," Marella countered. "After you."

Keefe laughed. Marella was so fiery and feisty, it was a wonder they had all been so surprised when she manifested as a pyrokinetic.

"You know I went by the Healing Center the other day just to see Elwin?" Foster told them. "I haven't had to see him in so long, I actually started to miss him."

"That's not entirely true," Fitz pointed out. "You tripped and sprained your wrist at Everglen a couple of months ago, remember?"

Biana laughed. "Yes, and we had to hail Elwin and have him bring her an elixir."

Everyone started laughing at that. Keefe couldn't stop himself from staring at her as he pictured it. For a girl who constantly managed to surprise him, she was also endearingly predictable.

And he loved her for it.

Stop that.

She's in love with your best friend.

No matter what her heart felt...her head felt something different.

"You know," Foster said, rolling her eyes at them, "if you're all going to laugh at me then I'll change my mind about inviting you to stay for dinner. I was going to suggest we make starkflower stew together and eat out here under the Panakes."

Oh.

That would have been nice.

Maybe he could hail Anabel to reschedule...

But no.

Sophie was dating Fitz.

Fitz, who leaned in and kissed her cheek before telling her he couldn't stay. "Biana and I promised we'd be home for a family dinner tonight. Now that I'm not living at Everglen anymore my parents seem to be a lot more emotional and insist on having us together as a family as much as possible."

"I promised Linh I'd go with her to Atlantis to buy another pet," Tam said, looking at his sister with a slightly exasperated expression. "Apparently the murcat isn't enough, and Tiergan insists he doesn't care if she brings in more animals."

Linh gave her brother a slightly evil looking smile--as evil as Linh's innocent demeanor could ever look--and Keefe wondered just what sort of animal Tammy Boy was in for now.

"And I'm going with them," Marella announced, "to help make sure Tam doesn't talk her out of getting what she wants, no matter how annoying he finds it."

Tam rolled his eyes, but Keefe didn't miss the way his lips curved up at the corners as he looked at Marella.

Yup. There was definitely something going on there.

"I can't stay either," Keefe told them, now wishing he hadn't made any plans.

Everyone looked at him expectantly. Apparently he was going to have to give more details.

Great.

He felt his cheeks warm as he looked down at his hands. "I have a date," he finally mumbled.

He heard everyone's sounds of surprise, but mostly what caught his attention was the mood shift Foster was flinging at him. He was actively avoiding looking her way, but he could feel her emotions nonetheless.