< Keefe's POV >

I wake up feeling good.
Lunch at Sophie's house is always a treat. Edaline bakes and cooks like it's an art form- way better than anything I ever got growing up. She's like the mom I wish I'd had. The one who actually cares.

I start my morning bath feeling chill and refreshed- until suddenly-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAH RO!!! WHAT DID YOU PUT IN MY HAIR VITAMINS AND SOFTENER?! IT ITCHES LIKE I HAVE LICE!"

I'm clawing at my beautiful, glorious locks, completely panicking. The itch is unbearable. From outside the bathroom, I hear Ro's unmistakable evil cackle.

"YOU'RE ABOUT TO BE FUNKYHAIR MAAAAN! I MIXED BLUE DYE IN IT- IT MAY ITCH AT FIRST, JUST PUT SOME CONDITIONER AND IT'LL GO AWAY!" she yells through fits of laughter.

Ugh. Of course she did. I furiously slather my head with conditioner and glare at the mirror.

My hair is now blue. Blue. With full-on icy spikes.

...Actually, it kinda rocks.

Now that the itch is subsiding, I admire the transformation. It's bold. Dramatic. Kinda Keefe-ish. Fine. Ro wins this round—but not the war.

I pull on a dark blue tunic and crisp white pants to match my new hairdo.
Then, with the stealth of a goblin ninja, I sneak a certain bottle of balding elixir and a vial of gut-wrecking stomach bacteria off my shelf... and slip them into Sophie's favorite drink. Just a tiny amount.

A little payback never hurt anyone.

I stop by my craft desk and finish painting the sculpture I've been working on all week. Carefully, I place it in an icy blue gift bag and scribble on the front:
For Sophie, Edaline, and Grady.

I say goodbye to Ro (who is still laughing way too hard) and leap to Havenfield.

The pastures smell like sunshine, wind, and mildly chaotic animal fur. It's perfect.

I stroll toward the front door to knock, but before I even get close- BAM. A wild SophieTornado knocks me straight onto my back.

"Woah! What happened that you're so eager to see me?" I laugh, hugging her back way gentler than she tackles me.

"Just missed ya," she says with a casual shrug- like that wasn't the most adorable thing she's ever said.

Then she blinks and stares.
"WOAHHHH- YOUR HAIR!"

She bursts into uncontrollable giggles, which makes me grin.

"Yeah, I'm still at war with Ro. Let's just say her favorite amoebas might mysteriously vanish soon," I smirk.

"Hahaha! Come on in, Funkyhair Man," she teases, skipping back inside.

Grady and Edaline are setting the table when I walk in, their arms elbow-deep in dishes that smell like heaven.

They look up- and instantly start laughing.

"What happened to your hair, Keefe?" Edaline chortles, eyes twinkling.

"Ro," I say flatly. "This is her latest masterpiece. But trust me- she won't be showing her face for a week after what I've got planned."

We all laugh as I join them around the table. Then I remember the gift.

"Oh- right! I brought something for you guys."

I hand the bag to Grady. He opens it and carefully lifts out a sculpture: the three of them—Grady, Edaline, and Sophie- sitting side by side, arms around each other. Peaceful. Like a real family.

Edaline's eyes go soft, and before I can blink, she's hugging me.

"Oh, Keefe... I already love you like a son. You're so sweet," she says, patting my shoulder.

Grady nods, smiling. "Keefe, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad you and Sophie are together. You're a genuine and kind guy."

He slings an arm around me in the kind of dad-hug I didn't know I needed.

"Thanks, Keefe!" Sophie grins, pecks me on the cheek, and plops into her seat. "We should eat now- I'm starving!"

The food is everything I hoped for- warm, comforting, and totally delicious. But it's not just the food.

It's them.

Sophie. Edaline. Grady. The weird chaos of Havenfield. This house, this table—it's the one place in the world I feel totally safe.

I used to think I'd never have something like this.
But somehow, against all odds... I do.