The Foxfire Chronicles- Comrades and Classmates

Chapter 10- The Mysterious Miss F

     "Music is a form of art." said Mr. Tamboro, explaining their upcoming project. "I realize that some of you will have done a similar project in art, but that will be good practice. I want you to go home tonight, and draw something that you think represents you. It must involve music in some way, but you can choose how best to incorporate it. It could be just be the design of your drawing, or an instrument itself, but it has to include music." Sophie thought it was a little odd to be doing an art project in band, but she supposed his explanation made sense. Sort of.

     Mr. Tamboro wrapped up his instructions, "Anyways, have it done by tomorrow to present. Just pack up your instruments, and hang tight until the bell rings. I'll see you tomorrow!"

   After the band teacher spoke these words, all of the students rushed to get up, and pack all of their stuff. Flutes were really quick and easy to put away, so Sophie was able to be done and just waiting by herself in no time. She wished Dex wasn't with the orchestra right now, so that she actually had something to talk to. 

    Surprisingly, as if Keefe had sensed her emotions, he walked over to her, a smirk the size of Texas plastered across his face. "Hey Foster." he said. 

   Sophie was secretly happy to be talking to Keefe, but letting him know that would just get to his head. "Hello, Keefe."she responded.

  "Soooo", he said drawing out the word. "What are you gonna do for your project?" he asked, cocking his head. 

    Sophie bit her lip. "I really don't know." she said thinking. "I might just try to figure out a way that some instrument represents me."

   "Really?" Keefe asked sounding surprised. "I would have thought you might have gone with a rose, or a tomato."

   "A tomato?!" Sophie asked offended, before realizing, "Hey! It's because I blush so much, isn't it?"

   "Okay, okay." Keefe said holding his hands up. "You're not a tomato. But definitely a rose." he said smiling, and Sophie found herself realizing that she actually really liked it when she talked with Keefe.

  "Why a rose?" Sophie hesitantly asked.

   Keefe's grin faltered for a second. "Well, um, roses are nice, and they blush a lot. Like, all the time. And they're also really. . . pretty."

Sophie really hated her current coloring. She probably did look like a tomato. For a moment she thought he actually meant it, until he hastily continued,  

   "See! Your face just turned red!" he draped an arm across Sophie's shoulders quickly and said, "Still got it when I can make Foster blush!"

     Who was she kidding. The kid couldn't be sincere to save his life, he had just been joking around. She should have known. That was SUCH a Keefe joke. Sophie swatted his arm away, and tried to look defiant. She mostly failed, because it was actually really hard to be taken seriously when her face was tomato, or rose, red. 

     "Well then what are you doing for your project?" Sophie asked, crossing her arms, still offended by his teasing.

     "Unlike you, Foster, I have secrets." He said winking. "You'll find out soon enough."

       Sophie raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, I don't have secrets?" she asked, confused. "Everyone does."

        Keefe grinned and pretended to gasp. "Foster! You have secrets from me? Your one true love!?"  

       Sophie's cheeks flushed crimson. "Keefe!" she whispered fiercely. "People will hear you."

        Apparently Keefe thought she was hilarious. 

    "OOOOOH!" he called loudly(to Sophie's horror), making several students stare. "Look guys! The mysteeeeeeeeeeeerious Foster! No. Miss Mysterioso! NO! THE MYSTERIOUS MISS F!" Keefe cried, cracking up at the nickname. "Ha!" he said collecting himself. "I'm calling you that from now on, and no arguing."

      Sophie face palmed, and the students gradually looked away. "Heaven help me." Sophie muttered under her breath.

     Keefe smiled. "Now that I have a nickname for you, I need a nickname from you!" he suggested unhelpfully. "I can help. Oh! What about Lord Hunkyhair!"

     Sophie raised an eyebrow at him, though she was smiling. "I'd think we'd better just stick with Keefe."

      Keefe laughed, a sincere sound. "Keefe it is. Nice, sensible Keefe.  It's just . . . Are you sure you don't want to call me Lor-"

      "Keefe." Sophie said, laughing exasperatedly. 

       Keefe grinned. "Just checking." he responded, and Sophie noticed a skinny, pretty girl glaring at her. She had frizzy hair, a crowd of girls surrounding her, and a murderous expression. Sophie quickly looked away, not wanting to mess with her. Keefe got her attention again. "Hello? Earth to Foste-The Mysterious Miss F." He said waving in front of her. "So-"

    Keefe was cut off by a group of guys. Sophie recognized some of them from Keefe and Fitz's table. "Hey Keefe! Common bro! The bell is gonna ring soon!" One called to him.

    Keefe gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry." he said, looking like he truly meant it. "I'll see you tomorrow though. You don't want to miss my presentation."

     Sophie smirked. "I wouldn't dare." she told him teasingly.

    Keefe's smile got wider, and he sauntered off towards his waiting friends.

    Sophie shook her head smiling, thinking about how ridiculous Keefe was. Had he meant what he said about the rose? No. Of course not. Sophie decided that she had better pick something totally unrelated to plants for her project, and it would not be any shade that the human body could blush in. She had loads of ideas! Heaps of them! It would be as easy as pie.

                                      .........................................................................................

"I. Have. No. Ideas!" Sophie wailed, slumping forward in her desk. Iggy scrambled off of her lap quickly, startled by her sudden movements. There he sat on the floor spitefully glaring up at her. Sophie laughed. "Sorry little guy." she said, scooping him back up, and onto her lap. 

    Sophie had been brainstorming for the past hour, but she couldn't think of anything creative for her band project. To make matters worse, Iggy scurried over, and plopped himself right on top of her list of ideas. To be fair though, her "list" was mostly just a bunch of scribbles and doodles. 

   "Iggy." Sophie sighed impatiently. The little squirrel finally scampered off of her paper, jumping down. In the process, he managed to knock over her flute case, which was lying on the ground. Sophie cocked her head, thinking. Huh. she thought as inspiration struck. Not bad Iggy. 

Hey Readers,

Any guesses on what Keefe's presentation is? For all of you wondering: TAM AND LIHN WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE NEXT FEW CHAPTER(yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!)! Comment how you feel about that. Okay so, I'll be updating real soon, so I'll announce this week's commentor/contributor then. Thanks so much for all of your support! As always, I'll write ASAP. Thanks again,