Starstruck [KotLC]

Chapter 12

Sure enough, the next morning Magnate Leto's booming voice announced the party to all of Foxfire at orientation. Not many people were surprised, thanks to Marella's big mouth and love for gossip. The news had spread like wildfire overnight, and everyone had been talking about it even before orientation had begun.

"So," Fitz casually asked me, "has anybody asked you to the party yet?"

"Nope," I replied grumpily, "and I honestly hope nobody does. I don't really want to go."

"What?" Fitz asked, taken aback. "I think it would be a good way to keep your mind off of everything. It could be fun..." he trailed off, seeming disappointed.

"I mean, I'll obviously go if someone asks me. I wouldn't just turn them down. But I doubt anyone will." I sighed, my thoughts all focused on Keefe. This time, I didn't even bother pushing them away. They seemed too unavoidable at this point.

"Oh, Sophie. Trust me, you will get asked by someone. Open your eyes. There are a lot of guys that would kill to bring you to that party." He looked at me longingly, almost as though he put himself in that group.

I backed away, extremely confused. All Fitz wanted was friendship, nothing more. Right? Or maybe not...

I backed up another step, trying to gather my thoughts. In the process, I managed to step on someone's foot from behind me. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean..." I turned around to meet a pair of familiar periwinkle eyes wincing. 

"Oh. Sophie. Hey. I should've known that was you." Dex smirked weakly. "I've... been meaning to talk to you. Can we go somewhere private?" 

I stood frozen, feeling Fitz's stare burning into the back of her head but nodding anyways.

Dex led me to a deserted hallway I'd never seen before. We sat on the lone bench in the corridor and he sighed. "Look, Sophie. I don't even know where to start. I really like you. Like a lot. I hear every guy talk about you, some saying some gross things you'd never want to hear, and others insulting you with names that are so stupid and most definitely inaccurate you'd laugh if you heard them. But I never found these things funny. Some guys would say things similar to things I thought daily. "Wow, isn't she stunning?" "Have you ever seen a girl quite like that?" "I want her in my life."

I like you so much, I don't think I can put it into words. I even asked Keefe to detect what I was feeling but he couldn't describe it either. It took me a long time to work up the courage to say this, but... Sophie, will you go to Oralie's party with me?"

My mouth flew open. "I-I-I... Dex... I'm really sorry... I just-"

His face fell in udder disappointment. "Don't be. It was stupid of me to ask." He said, his voice cracking on the last word as tears spilled down his face and he got up and rushed away.

"No, Dex! Wait!" 

Just then, somebody slipped in next to her on the bench. "Fitz? How much of that did you see?"

He made a face, then admitted, "Pretty much everything." He scooted closer, putting his arm around my shoulders as I rested my head on his chest. A hoard of butterflies erupted in my stomach, reminding me of how much I like Fitz. How had I failed to remember this while Keefe and I were dating?

"I'm a horrible person." I declared into Fitz's shirt.

"So am I." Fitz agreed.

"Why are you guilty?"

"Because of what I'm about to do." Sophie didn't have enough time to ask what he meant before Fitz blurted, "Will you go to the party with me?"

"Wow, you are horrible."

"I know."

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Double update today :)

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