Enemies to... Lovers? - By SilvenySlays :)

~The Disaster, Chapter 5~

(Keefe's POV)

My eyelids fluttered open. A wave of exhaustion washed over me. I felt drained, like someone had sucked all the life out of me. Suddenly, everything came rushing back, and I shot up from laying down, just to be rewarded with pain in my head.

I was in the Healing Center. The room was pretty familiar. But it felt as gloomy as I did.

"Keefe, you're not supposed to be sitting up yet." Elwin scolded as he walked into the room. I ignored him and scanned the room.

"Where's Foster? Is she okay? Did something..." My voice cracked. "What happened?"

Elwin's face flashed with an emotion... Wait. What emotion was that? Worry?

I paused, staring at my hands. Why couldn't I feel Elwin's emotions?

"What happened to my Empathy?" I whispered, my eyes begging for Elwin to tell me it was just a side effect or something.

Elwin sighed heavily, closing his eyes and then opening them to focus on me. "They're not gone. Just... Misplaced."

"Where..." My voice trailed off when I answered my own question. "She...?" Elwin nodded when I wasn't able to speak again.

"Something's happening to her. Something I can't even begin to understand. And..." Elwin's voice cracked. "Keefe, to be honest, she's not okay. I know you want me to say that, and I want to say that too, but... Empathy doesn't belong in her genetics. And it's hurting her."

"Where is she?" I breathed, tears blurring my vision as I stumbled out of my cot and searched frantically around the Healing Center. I found her laying in a cot, her face peaceful, even though I felt the opposite. The second I walked into the room, Foster shot up in bed, fear and panic etched onto her face.

She stared into my eyes with the same expression I imagined I had on my face. "Keefe... How... How am I-" Her words turned into a groan as she clutched her head. Elwin rushed over with an exilir and after a minute or so, she calmed down.

"How am I feeling your emotions? By the way, you don't have to be worried. Maybe I just manifested another..." Her voice trailed off when me and Elwin shared a look. "What happened while I was asleep?"

"When I touched you... I think your inflicting was so strong that you took my Empathy. And it doesn't belong in your genetics, Foster. It's hurting you." I whispered, fear bubbling in my stomach as a tear rolled down my cheek. "I'm so so sorry. I always mess everything up."

"No you don't." Foster gave me a smile. It melted my heart, because she'd never given me a smile like that. "You don't always mess everything up. You were trying to help me. And..." She sighed. "I know I've never said this before, but I'm really glad I met you, Keefe." In that moment, she reached over and wiped the tear off my cheek.

Our eyes met, and for a second, she glanced at my lips. Then she took her hand off my cheek and stared down at her lap. "I'm sorry for stealing your Empathy."

I shrugged. "It sucks not being able to figure out what you're feeling, but the priority is getting this ability out of you so it doesn't keep hurting you. For now, rest up, Fos-Boss. You're gonna need it."

"Okay, visiting hours are over. I need to run some tests." Elwin said.

Just as I was heading for the door, Foster's voice called out, "Hey, Keefe?" I turned around. "I'm sorry for being such a jerk lately. And I'm sorry for thinking you tried to prank me. Thanks for worrying about me. It means a lot."

I grinned. "No problem. Just get better, and you can make it up to me that way." I turned back towards the door, and just as I reached for the handle to close it, I whispered, "Love you." If only she could've heard it...

*Oh, young love. Am I right?

I hope that was interesting! Also, I looked it up, and apparently today is National Buy a Book Day. I totally followed that one today, cause I went to Barnes and Noble. You can bet I went crazy in the Barnes and Noble aisles like a kid who just ate ten cupcakes. I think that's just a bookworm thing or something. Or maybe I'm just weird.

Anyway.

Bible verse for today! "For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever." Psalm 117:2.

I'll post tomorrow, don't worry!

TEAM FOSTER-KEEFE FOR THE WIN!

-SilvenySlays :)