The Foxfire Formal Ball

Chapter 8: Goodbye

"What?!" Sophie exclaimed. "I can't leave now."

Sandor placed his hand on her shoulder. "I agree. I won't allow it."

Mr. Forkle shook his head. "We can't wait much longer. We need Sophie. Our moonlark."

"I need to at least say goodbye," Sophie said defiantly. She wasn't going to leave her new world behind without telling her loved ones where she'd gone. "Can I have at least another week?" She pleaded.

Mr. Forkle let out a long sigh before nodding his head. "I always admired your spirit, Sophie. You can have one more week. That'll be pushing it, but we'll do. Sandor, I want you to be at Sophie's side at all times. I have a feeling the Neverseen are preparing for another attack."

"Understood," Sandor said. "I won't let anything harm Miss Foster."

"Thank you," Sophie said. She felt relieved to have some more time, but she still had a sinking feeling in her stomach. How would she say goodbye?

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The question still haunted her when she woke up the next morning. How would she tell Edaline and Grady? How would she act normal around them until she was ready to say goodbye?

"Sophie!" Edaline called. "Breakfast is ready!"

"Coming!" She called back, walking down the stairs. She didn't really want to eat with them, and was tempted to ask Edaline if she could conjure her breakfast up to her room. But she knew if she did ask, they would know something was wrong and worry about her. However, she ate in silence to prevent choking up, knowing it would be one of her last meals with Grady and Edaline. Breakfast was held in silence until Edaline spoke up.

"Grady and I were thinking of taking you to Atlantis to go shopping for gifts for your friends."

Sophie let out a gasp. "I forgot that was today!"

Grady laughed. "Hurry up and eat so we can go."

Sophie nodded, scarfing down the rest of her food while thinking of all the possible gifts she could give her friends. Then another sinking feeling occurred when she remembered she'd have to tell them goodbye too.

This was going to be hard, she thought.

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Sophie crashed on her bed, tired from all the shopping. It had been a long day in Atlantis, and she was almost too exhausted to even go back to Foxfire. She laid on her bed, thinking and worrying about her goodbyes.

How am I ever going to say goodbye? She thought. Then another thought emerged. Maybe I won't.

Memories of her kidnapping and Grady and Edaline's mourning flooded back.
It would be heartbreaking to say goodbye, but even more heartbreaking to let Grady and Edaline think she died again.

She had made up her mind. She was going to tell them. Now.

"Grady? Edaline?" Sophie as she hurried down the stairs.

"Yes?" They both responded from the living room.

Sophie took a deep breath. "I have something to tell you." A lump in her throat was already forming and tears sting in her eyes. "I...I have... I have to leave and join the Black Swan."

"Oh, Sophie!" Edaline said, tears streaming down her cheeks as she held Sophie in a warm hug. Grady stood aloof, with a perplexed look.

"I may not trust the Black Swan," he said. "But I trust you. If you need to go, then I'll let you." He wrapped his arms around Edaline and Sophie, hugging them both.

Sophie nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks now. "I'll miss you guys. I love you." She sniffed.

"And we love you," Edaline and Grady said in unison.

Sophie held onto them tightly until Grady and Edaline let go. "We're late for our meeting with your mentors," Grady said. "We should go."

Sophie nodded. "I'll go get my gifts."
She had done the hard part. She had said goodbye to Grady and Edaline. Now she had to say goodbye to her friends.

***Authors Note****
Sorry for taking so long to update everyone! There's only a few more chapters left for me to write, and then the story's over. I aim to have it done by the end of July.
And thank you for reading and voting as always! Don't forget to vote for this chapter!
Also, comment what gifts you think Sophie should give everyone! I may use your idea. :)
Thanks once again!
~InkheadWriter