When Shadows find Light (SOTAM FF) ✔️

Answer - Sophie's POV

"Why does loving hurt so much?"

I watched Tam run his hand through his bangs, brushing them back out of his eyes. From the little café-esque style sweet shop, I had tried to imitate that of a person who simply didn't care or react to broken hearts. But I failed. I was broken inside. I remembered wondering if Tam had felt the same way, for I had snuck a glance at all of them, and he was longingly glancing at Biana with such a sad glance that I looked away.

And then, Tam had burst into my door, somewhat willing, almost knocking me over because of my close proximity to the doorway. I had just given up and collapsed on my flowered rug, crying. But the real question was, why exactly did he come?

Was it just because he wanted to help someone feeling down, or was it because he knew what this felt like?

Either way, it wasn't a good feeling, but his visit had toned down the extra emotions. 

"Tam?" I asked, mostly to break the awkward silence. "Yeah?" 

"Why did you come here?" I asked, waiting for an answer. His misty, silver-blue eyes flickered as I waited in anticipation. "Well, you see, uh..." he said, searching for the right answer. It seemed like he just came here instinctively, but I couldn't just assume that. I needed a real answer, and the last thing I needed was to grasp on straws.

He continued. "Well, Sophie, let's just say you're not the only one who feels like this on certain levels. It is, in fact, very nerve-wrecking to sit close to a couple of doofuses- or one doofus- that has shattered your insides." Tam informed, flicking his bangs out of the way. I hesitated for a moment, but then nodded in complete agreement. "Yeah, basically." I said, feeling a bit uncomfortable. For some reason, discussing this kind of thing with Tam, out of all people, felt pretty out of place. but it was nice, having someone who knew what this was like to talk to.

Tam sighed. "Of course, Keefe and Fitz must be pretty blind to this kind of thing if they didn't notice you before they got to the others." he said, picking at the hem of his tunic. I sighed. "Well, Tam, there's also me, who was informed that I am very, very oblivious to this kind of thing. So, I can't really blame them for being oblivious to me, unless they just knew and had this secret evil goal to break my heart." I said, reaching for my eyelashes. I gave them a good, hard, tug.

Tam shrugged. "I don't know, Sophie, but it kinda seems like they both still like you. They've been staring at you for the longest time with the weirdest looks on their faces." he suggested, leaning on the door entryway. I rolled my eyes. "Please. I'm pretty sure Valin is my number one now." I said.

"Come on, Sophie. It's not as if it's your last love." he commented, putting a tense arm on my shoulder for comfort. I sighed. "Yeah, not happening. Anyways, who would it be?" I asked, half to myself. 

I saw Tam shrug in the corner of my eye. "I don't know, Sophie, who would you want it to be?" he asked. He seemed to think back for a moment. "Actually, no. Don't think about that too much anymore. It's just gonna hold you back, you know?" Tam said. 

I sighed in defeat, but all my tears were gone and I suddenly felt much better. "Alright. Also, Tam?" I said, standing up straighter to look at him. "Yeah?" he asked, waiting. 

"Thanks for being an awesome friend." I said truthfully. It was all true. The small talk we had helped a lot. He let out a small grin. 

"No problem." 

He stood there for a couple of moments before shifting into a different position, seemingly trying to ignore the enlarging awkward aura circling around us. After a moment, he spoke up again. "Any who, I should be going now. People might be wondering where I ran off to. Well- never mind. See you later, maybe." he said.

After giving me a tiny, mock salute, he stepped out the door and eventually exited the house. I let out a huge breath and waited. I sat down at the edge of my bed. One minute passed, two minutes, five minutes, ten.

Then I got up, walking towards the door to twist the handle open. Suddenly, the beautifully designed knob twisted itself and Grady walked in.

"So, what did the Mr. Song do?" he asked, looking around and curling his fist in the protective dad way. I laughed softly, but it faded. "Dad, no need." I said, looking at his hand. "Also, please don't call him Mr. Song. He... well, just call him Mr. Tam or something. Please?" He grumbled, but his face was one of understanding and he relaxed. "Also, nothing happened. He just... helped me." I said, thinking. He looked like he didn't believe me. "Helped you with what? Schoolwork?" he asked sarcastically. I pouted and jutted out my lip.

"No, he helped me with... with... problems." I said, not knowing how to explain. Grady narrowed his eyes. "Is it about That Boy? I promise you, Sophie, I will--" he began. I cut him off. "No, dad, no need for that... at all...." I said, muffling out his words of hatred. "Well, technically it's about him, and it's also because of..."

My voice faltered. "Fitz. It's also because of Fitz." I whispered.

Grady raised an eyebrow. "Huh." was all he said. "I'll leave this to Edaline, okay, Soph?" he said, walking outside. "Just need to feed Verdi!" he called out. Although that was his obvious excuse to leave me alone, it helped to know that he understood. I looked outside and watched him wrestle the fluffy, feathered, neon green dinosaur. I let out a small chuckle. Maybe today wouldn't be so bad after all. Huh, I thought. Maybe that meeting with Tam wasn't so unexpected, then.

I turned away from the window and sat down at the edge of my bed again, fiddling with the edge of my waist-length cape. A tiny smile surged into my lips. It was nice and comforting to know that someone had my back. Tam was a great friend when it came to be.

A great person, overall. Although I didn't get an answer to my first and utmost important question, his visit helped.

I had that to thank him for.