Kotlc in a high school context!

Chapter Seven- Sit With Us?

The next day, when Sophie was driven by her godmother, Edaline, to school, she could already tell that it was going to be a crap day. 

Her eyelids flickered with exhaustion- she had only arrived at Edaline's and Grady's home right before midnight, soaked through and dripping water onto the carpet. Her godparents, though sympathetic, were determined not to let her education suffer from her 'family issues'.

Through the window, the sky was a bright grey, casting weak shadows on the world like a bleached-out gothic artwork.

 Sophie had borrowed her godmother's dead daughter, Jolie's, clothing, and although it made Edaline misty-eyed, she was grateful to have stuff to wear. Jolie's stuff was cool, too. It made Sophie kind of reflective, wearing it, thinking about Jolie touching the same fabric she was touching. It was less uncomfortable than you would think.

Staring moodily out the window as they approached the school grounds, the last thing she wanted to do was see everyone after she had kissed Fitz. She had reflected on her choices overnight, and she didn't really know him that well, and agreeing to be his girlfriend was definitely a step too far.

She definitely was very attracted to him, and had a crush on him, but she felt like they were skipping the dating stage of their relationship. She didn't even know what his favourite colour was!

"Thanks for driving me, Edaline. And for everything else, too," said Sophie, getting out of the car.

"Have a good day, Sophie," replied Edaline from the front seat, her auburn hair curling around her shoulders. Her eyes grew misty. "You look so mature in Jolie's old outfits."

Sophie smiled sadly. "Bye."

"Hey Sophie!" greeted Dex at the front gates, his dimpled out in full force.

Sophie felt a pang. He really didn't have many friends.

"Hey Dex," she replied, infusing as much enthusiasm as humanely possible into those two words.

"Tutoring after school still on?" he asked, casually draping an arm over her shoulder.

Sophie shrugged him off, smiling. "Of course. But can we have it at yours? My parents kicked me out of the house."

Dex stopped. "Sorry what?!"

Sophie tugged out an eyelash. "I really don't want to talk about it, actually."

"That's... fine."

There was a silence as they neared the art building. Sophie's heart fluttered as she caught Fitz and Keefe walking the opposite direction to her and Dex. She hesitantly waved to them as they passed.

"Hey Foster!" called Keefe, smiling.

"Hey beautiful," said Fitz, stopping suddenly. Without warning, he pulled Sophie into a warm embrace and her face was squished unceremoniously against his white shirt. Luckily, she hadn't worn any makeup, or there would be a Sophie-sized beige splodge in the centre of his torso.

"Woah woah woah..." exclaimed Keefe, running a hand through his hair as Sophie was released, blushing, "What happened? Since when did you two even know each other?"

Dex was staring at her like she had just sprouted tentacles.

"No...It isn't a big deal, don't worry." A sick feeling spread in her gut. Why did she feel like this?

Fitz ruffled her hair, making her spring away in irritation. "Of course it's a big deal! Sophie agreed to become my girlfriend," he announced.

Keefe made a mangled gasping noise.