Sentry of the Arcane: Befall

Chapter Eleven: Sophie

Benen comes into my room through the connected doors while Laurel's finally finished with braiding my hair. "Hello, Benen," I greet formally, nodding at him. I immediately notice that Fitz isn't with him, but don't mention it at that specific second. I then stand up and properly dust myself off, feeling refreshed already.

Laurel, on the other hand, blushes deeply. "H- hi, Benen," she says shyly, waving softly as she looks at her feet in embarrassment.

He waves at her happily, which makes her blush more.

I feign shock. "Laurel!" I exclaim. "You two haven't even started flirting yet! Why are you blushing so much already?!" I laugh when both of them blush the color of a ruby. After I calm down, I ask, "Hey, where's Fitz?" Laurel smiles slyly at me, but I put a finger to my lips to silence her teasing. She pouts, but doesn't say anything.

"He's actually sleeping," Benen says, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. I raise an eyebrow at this, but don't question him. "The levitating thing was really draining for him."

"Oh," I simply say. "Okay."

Benen nods. Before the silence can become awkward, the male Altruistic gently grabs Laurel's hand. "I just need to talk to Laurel for a moment," he says, blushing when Laurel does first. I nod and just look at myself in the mirror, noticing that I don't look tired at all.

After doing so, I look over at the conversing Altruistics. They're whispering so quietly that I can't hear a single word of what they're saying.

But I don't miss the time where Laurel's eyes widen. Like they're practically bulging out of their head.

And how she puts a hand over her mouth after she gasps. Loudly.

She then lets out a giggle before whispering something back happily to Benen. He smiles and hugs Laurel before she can do anything. Blushing, she hugs him back tightly, savoring the hug. I can't help but smile at them. It's a miracle of how they aren't a couple yet. But they are the cutest things ever...

Blushing, she walks over to me. "You are like the sister I've never had," she suddenly blurts out, hugging me. I can't help but tear up as I return the sisterly embrace. After we both pull away, she says, "Benen told me... that... he really likes me. He likes me!" she repeats in more of a gasp than a sentence.

I squeal and hug her. "Well, it's about time he told you!" I say jokingly. After I pull away, I ask, "And what did you say?"

"T- that I do too!" She shrieks in excitement, holding her face in jovial disbelief.

I hold her wrists and jump and down with her squealing.

Benen looks uncomfortable in the background until he looks over at the door, "Fitz! Thank God, I thought that I'd be here alone!"

I hear the admirable chuckle that I cannot seem to forget and blush immediately. "So, does anyone care to explain how I heard squealing in my bathroom as I was taking a shower?" Fitz asks, smirking. "It sounded like it was right outside my door."

Benen smirks as well, both boys laughing when Laurel pouts. Smiling softly, I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear and say, "Sorry, did we disturb you?"

Fitz begins to red the slightest and say in almost a breath, "No, not at all." We both then stare into each other's gaze, my mind taking in every part of his teal eyes and finding myself practically being swallowed into them.

And I would've still been in my daze if it weren't for Laurel and her snapping. I shake my head and get back into reality, smiling sheepishly at the female Altruistic before looking at the two boys, who had decided to talk in hushed voices near the door again.