Meant to Be

Chapter Twenty

Several awkward minutes passed until a boy with violet eyes, pale skin, and curly caramel hair rushed into the room.

     "Sorry I'm late," he apologized, sheepishly scratching his head. "I kinda got lost." Sophie smiled. No one suspected he was Fitz.

     After Evlin explained the new name idea, Fitz chose Noan.

     "Alright," Evlin said. "Let's head back up to the bedroom." Sophie and Fitz shared a subtle glance and smiled. Evlin's bossy personality gave her away.

     As Sophie turned away, she noticed Draven staring at them. He had clearly seen her and Fitz make eye contact. Yet, Sophie had a weird feeling that it wasn't why he was staring. She decided to shrug off the feeling and worry about it later. He was probably just trying to figure out who they were.

     Once everyone had settled in, they decided to play a few games. Sophie used this as an opportunity to study everyone.

     Evlin was bossy and outgoing. She clearly knew her way around. Aden was confident and snarky. He was always cracking jokes. Kelsey was smart and tended to try to keep the peace. Rian was trying to act cool and confident, but he seemed a little on the dorky side. In the most lovable way, of course. Draven mostly kept to himself. When he did talk, it was usually just a sarcastic remark.

While everybody was absorbed in a strange Elvin game called Absorb, Sophie caught Fitz's eye and brushed her hair behind her ears on both sides of her head. When Sophie and Fitz were planning, they decided it would be a good idea to have a small signal to tell the other person that they needed to talk.

Sophie announced to the group that needed a glass of water. Fitz, or "Noan", said he wanted one too. They both dashed out of the room as quickly as they could without being suspicious.

"What is it?" Fitz asked quietly once they had put some distance between themselves and the others.

"I'm pretty sure I have everyone figured out," Sophie said. Fitz grinned.

     "Me too," he replied. "It was pretty easy."

     "Evlin is Biana, Kelsey is Linh, Rian is Dex, Aden is Keefe, and Draven is Tam."

     "Exactly what I was thinking," Fitz said. They quietly high-fived and walked back to the room.

     Sophie waited a few minutes before exclaiming,

     "I think I figured it out!" Everyone turned to look at her.

     "Are you sure?" Evlin asked. Sophie nodded.

     "Then point to who is who." Sophie turned to each person and confidently stated who she thought they were.

     "Now, everybody go outside except you, Shore," Evlin instructed. "Then, come in one-by-one. If she guessed correctly, nod. If she was incorrect, shake your head." Everyone filed out of the room.

     The first person to come in was a smiling, almost smirking Evlin. She nodded. So did everyone else, except for Aden and Draven.

     "Wait," Sophie said after Aden, the last person shook his head. "Does that mean..." She trailed off. Aden nodded again. Sophie felt her jaw drop. That meant that.......

SHE DIDN'T WIN THE MALLOWMELT!!!!