Reputations Matter Most | Fedex Fanfiction

Chapter 9

Fitz kept having to smile at a group of girls who were talking to him and trying to flirt with him.
He was tired of smiling at them. So exhausted of keeping up this act.
But he had to be seen as polite. His reputation sort of depended on it.

As Fitz looked at the girls and kept trying to keep up this friendly act and this conversation going, he was starting to get irritated.
That was until someone butted in.

"Fitz!"
Fitz looked up and Dex made his way over. Dex said his 'excuse me's as he made his way past the girls, having to shove past them.
Fitz couldn't help but genuinely smiled as Dex came up towards him.
"Hey! Uh, Sir Tiergan needs to see you. He asked me to get you." Dex said, smiling up at Fitz.
The girls all glared at Dex and Dex ignored them. Fitz smiled at Dex and then looked at the girls.
"Ah, sorry ladies. I can't keep Sir Tiergan waiting!" Fitz exclaimed, trying to seem as apologetic as he could.
"Oh it's okay Fitz!"
"Yeah, go on! We'll talk to you later~!"
Dex grabbed Fitz by his wrist and quickly walked off with Fitz.
"Cool! C'mon! Can't keep Sir Tiergan waiting!" Dex exclaimed.
Fitz smiled as he got dragged by Dex. He heard the girls scowl and begin to talk about how 'rude' Dex was.

Once Dex had dragged Fitz over to a more quiet spot, with practically no other prodigies, Dex let go of Fitz's wrist and smiled at him.
"You looked like you were suffering." Dex said, crossing his arms as he faced Fitz.
Fitz smiled at Dex.
"I was, thank you for saving me." Fitz said.

Fitz ran his fingers through his hair as he sighed.
"God, I feel like I was so close to snapping at them."
Dex laughed.
"Haha, I would've loved seeing that!" Dex exclaimed.
"And then the ladies would know you're not as perfect as you try to be."
Dex playfully punched Fitz in the shoulder.
Fitz rubbed his shoulder where Dex had 'punched' him.
"Mmh, my dad would kill me if I ruined my image." Fitz said.

Dex looked at Fitz.
"You care a lot about what your dad thinks, huh?" Dex questioned.
Fitz smiled softly at Dex.
"He's my role model." Fitz stated.
"And Alvar used to be my role model too, but when he... well, you know... suddenly our reputation was tarnished for a while and the pressure was on me to be the image of the family now."

Dex took a step forward and gently took one of Fitz's hands, holding it.
Fitz looked down at their hands and his heart did that strange fluttery feeling again. Fitz let out a soft breath as he tightened his grip on Dex's hand.
Dex looked up at Fitz, smiling at him.
"Well, I can always help you escape from being perfect if you need me." Dex said, smiling.
Fitz smiled back at Dex.
"That'd be great." Fitz said.

"Maybe you should come get me after my lessons before lunch starts, and then we can hide in the library or something."
Dex let out a laugh again.
"Haha, you really don't like those girls, huh?" Dex grinned at Fitz.
Fitz shook his head, squeezing Dex's hand.
"I really don't. Plus, I'd rather spend my time with you." Fitz smiled at Dex, taking a step closer.

Dex gulped as his cheeks turned red and as his heart began to beat like crazy once more.
"Really...?" Dex tilted his head.
"Really." Fitz nodded, feeling his own heart beat like crazy too.
The two stared into each other's eyes.
This amount of closeness was not good for Dex's heart. But... Fitz wasn't even this close with Keefe so... perhaps this meant Dex has a chance with Fitz?
Fitz's own brain became fuzzy and all he wanted was to get closer to Dex at this moment...

Suddenly, someone whistled as they stood a few feet away from them.
Fitz and Dex both jumped and let go of each other's hands as they looked over to the person who whistled.
Fitz scowled as he stared at the blonde Empath.
"Keefe!" Fitz scolded.
"Fitz!" Keefe exclaimed, with a huge grin on his face.
"You and Dex are getting really close~!"

Fitz grumbled and he looked at Dex.
Dex rubbed his neck nervously.
"... Dex, I'll see you around." Fitz said, gently patting Dex's shoulder.
Dex smiled at Fitz.
"See you when I save you again." Dex said.
Dex winked at Fitz and Fitz felt his brain short circuit as Dex walked off.

Keefe raised his eyebrows as he wrapped his arm around Fitz's shoulder.
"Uh... So you're a damsel in distress?" Keefe questioned.
"And Dexter over there is your Knight in shining armour?"
Fitz felt his stomach churn when Keefe said it like that.
"Seriously dude?" Fitz scowled at Keefe.
Keefe grinned. "What? Upset I ruined your moment?"

Fitz stayed silent and Keefe gasped.
"Oh my god, you are!" Keefe exclaimed.
"Shut up, it doesn't mean anything-" Fitz began.
"Fitz..." Keefe cut off his best friend.
"I need you to actually think about your emotions for once. You're in love with Dex Dizznee."
Fitz stared at Keefe and seen how Keefe looked directly into his eyes. He was being as serious as he could be.

Fitz bit his inner cheek.
"... I'm not-" Fitz began.
" You're going to that field to clear your head and actually think and feel your emotions Fitz." Keefe stated.
"It'll help, I promise."
Fitz felt how desperate Keefe was with the way he was staring at him and he groaned.
"Ugh fine! I'll do it! I promise, I'll do it." Fitz said.

"... Pinky promise?"
Keefe held out his pinky.
Fitz couldn't help but smile, letting out a small laugh.
"Haha... Pinky promise."
Fitz interlocked his pinky with Keefe's.
"Now if you break the pinky promise, I get to cut off your pinky!"

Fitz was horrified by what Keefe said and well... he was not going to break the pinky promise.

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Word count: 1013