~Sokeefe Forever (Part 1)~

~Chapter Three~

(They're thirteen now)

Sophie picked up her phone and hit the answer button.

"Hello? Who is this?" Sophie asked.

"This is Keefe." Keefe replied. Sophie's face lit up.

"Did you change your phone number or something?" Sophie asked. "I haven't heard from you in a while."

"Oh, um... Funny thing... I lost my phone trying to get on a horse. It kinda stomped on it... But now I have a new one and I wanted to make sure I still had your phone number memorized." Keefe explained.

"You have my phone number memorized?" Sophie asked.

"Oh, um... Yeah, you know, photographic memory." Keefe mumbled. But it sounded like a lie.

"Oh, right, I forgot." Sophie realized. "Well, it's nice to hear from you. By the way, I've visited your house every day to check on you, and you weren't there. Where have you been for the past week?" She asked. Keefe cleared his throat.

"Um, well, I've been on a trip with my parents. Apparently they've decided to take me somewhere fun to make up for all the bad parenting." Keefe mumbled.

"Oh, Keefe, I'm sorry." Sophie whispered. "Well, my parents can take care of you again if you need to run away and feel like a rebellious teenager. We have popcorn."

Keefe laughed.

"Thanks. You're a good listener. Maybe I'll take you up on that." Keefe decided. "Actually... Can I come over now?"

"Sure. Lemme just tell my parents. Maybe you can sleep over." Sophie said.

"Cool. I just need to be away from my parents." Keefe muttered. "Text me if I can come or not, and I'll be ready either way."

"Okay."

**********************************************************************

"Wow, you packed quickly." Sophie noticed as Keefe came into her house with his sleeping bag. He nodded.

"I already had everything cause of the trip." Keefe explained. "Now, where's the popcorn?"

"Edaline's making it. Well... She's microwaving it." Sophie mumbled, making them both grin. Grady came into the room.

"Hey, kiddos. I set up the projector in the backyard, if you wanna get comfy and watch a movie while Edaline brings over the popcorn. I set up all your stuffed animals and pillows, Sophie." Grady explained.

"Thanks, Dad." She hugged him as she walked by, and then she helped Keefe get settled next to her sleeping bag. They finally picked a movie as Edaline came out with the popcorn and candy.

"Have fun, you guys. If you need anything, don't be afraid to come in and ask us. It doesn't matter what time it is." Edaline told them.

"Thanks, Mrs. Ruewen." Keefe said, taking a popcorn bowl from her.

"My pleasure, Keefe. I know your parents aren't the best right now, but if you need to talk about anything, I'm here. I mean, I know you have Sophie for that, but... You know, I want to help you any way I can." Edaline said quietly.

"Thanks." Keefe repeated. Edaline nodded, kissed Sophie's forehead, and then left.

"Huh... So that's what a mom is supposed to act like." Keefe mumbled. Sophie couldn't help taking his shoulders as their eyes met.

"Keefe, I'm sorry about your parents. But I think you need something to distract you. Do you want to dye Iggy a new color?" Sophie asked.

Keefe's face lit up, giving Sophie all of the answers she needed. She sprinted upstairs, grabbed the dye, and grabbed Iggy, finally sitting back down next to Keefe.

"Okay, which color?" Sophie asked.

"ALL OF THEM!" Keefe shouted.

"Perfect. Here ya go." Sophie gave him three different bottles and she took the other three colors, making sure Iggy didn't eat the dye as they combed it through his hair.

Finally, they gave him a bath and blowdried his hair, which was so hilarious they collapsed on the floor. Then Iggy was the poofiest thing in the world, and they were able to pet his fluffy fur as they watched the movie. Thankfully, Iggy's stomach could handle popcorn and candy, even though he was a bat.

"That was pretty fun." Keefe said when the movie had ended and Iggy had fallen asleep.

He didn't realize, though, Sophie had fallen asleep, too. And her head was now on his shoulder. At first, Keefe blushed at their position. Then he glanced around to make sure Grady and Edaline weren't watching. He checked the time. It was almost 1:00 am. He glanced back at Sophie's beautiful face.

"Sweet dreams, Foster." Keefe whispered. "You deserve them."