Kotlc Sleepover

Chapter [14]

Holy cow. This fic just went from like 1k views to almost 12k

*vibrates excitedly* THANKS GUYS

this entire thing was self-indulgent.

*whispers* it may have morphed into something else.

Also, before we begin, TW'S FOR THIS CHAPTER: MENTIONS OF PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE, PANIC ATTACKS, AND ARGUING.

Stay safe, loves.

Keefe's pov.

Oh no.

That was his only thought.

Oh hecking no.

He hadn't meant to flinch. It was a involuntary reaction, an instinct, something he had learned to control.

Apparently, not very well.

Keefe's stomach twisted and he tried to inconspicuously lower his arms back down to his sides. Everyone was staring, now.

Fitz looked shocked, eyes wide, hands hanging limp by his sides. He didn't seem too angry anymore, just a little frustrated.

But also concerned. Even though Keefe had made him angry, had made him freaking pissed, he was still concerned for him.

Which was the look most everyone wore, as Keefe's blue eyes traveled from one friend to the next. Marella was gripping the broom tightly, her knuckles white. Dex and Lihn both had their hands over their mouths. Tam had turned away, and Wylie looked shocked. Biana held her stomach like she might be sick.

And . . . Sophie.

Sophie studied him, her brown eyes calculating, softening into something like concern, suspicion, love, all rolled into one, and he didn't know how to feel. He felt trapped under her gaze, like his secrets had been spilled out in front of her and she was digging through them all with a quiet, careful mind, softly asking why he kept these things hidden.

Keefe realized he was shaking.

His heart beat loud in his ears, and his palms sweated as he struggled to think of something to say. But what good would that do?

Hey guys, sorry I just freaked out because for a second there I thought Fitz was about to hit me like my dad does, anyway, who wants to finish cleaning up?

No. Absolutely not.

Still, he had to say something. The awkward silence felt suffocating, way too much for Keefe's still-panicked brain. He needed noise and chaos to function. He thrived in it.

"Dude."

Fitz's voice snapped Keefe back to reality. He hadn't realized his friend was trying to get his attention, even though he had been waving his hands infront of Keefe's eyes.

"Uh, sorry. What?" Keefe asked nervously. He winced at his rough tone and cleared his throat.

"I was just asking if you were okay," Fitz said slowly, staring at Keefe with narrowed, almost suspicious eyes.

Keefe feigned a smile. "Of course! Never better!"

Liar.

"Keefe," Sophie said, and his head snapped to her. She was just a few feet away, and dizzily he recalled just earlier holding her hand after his stupid emotion-overload.

Had that been a good thing, if it had led to this?

"You're obviously not okay," she continued, and Keefe reminded himself that he should probably be paying attention.