After the elephant ride, Keefe lead me to Calla's tree. Underneath it there was a long blanket and a beautiful jar. He opened it and there was a stew inside that I recognized.

"I know I'm no Foster, but I remember some of the steps you did when you made it," he shrugged.

"You made Starkflower Stew?" I asked with a laugh.

He blushed and nodded slightly.

I leaned over and kissed him.

"You're amazing, you know that?" I asked.

"I knew for a while," he teased.

I shook my head with a smile on my face and Keefe and I started to eat the stew.

"You forgot to put the purple plant in, and you forgot to grind the vanilla beans," I added.

"Thanks for pointing out all of my mistakes Foster," he laughed.

"It's still delicious," I added.

"But it's not the original," he laughed.

I leaned over and poured some of mine into Calla's tree.

I felt Keefe staring at me.

Suddenly self conscious I asked, "What?"

He stared intently at me, "You think of the sweetest things. And I just feel so lucky to be your friend, and maybe something more." 

I didn't know what to say and looked at Calla's tree.

"Sophie," Keefe whispered.

"Yeah?" I turned over so I could see his face.

"I know this is kind of soon, but I really, really love you and--"

"No." I shouted alarmed.

"What? I didn't even finish what I was going to say," he looked at me like I'd grown three heads.

"No, I'm not marrying you. I'm not ready," I shivered.

Keefe started laughing.

"What?" I asked sternly. Was the thought of marrying me that shocking?

"I was just going to ask if you would be my girlfriend. You know, make it official," he said with a big smile.

"Oh," I looked to the side, suddenly embarrassed.

There was an awkward pause before Keefe added, "So?"

"Keefe I--" but I never got to finish my sentence. 

"Sophie!" I heard Dex call.

"What happened?" I asked quickly, running towards him.

He was crying, and blushed when he noticed Keefe standing close behind me.

He wiped his eyes and choked out, "Sorry for interrupting. I'll come back at another time."

"It's fine. I have to go anyway, see you soon Soph," Keefe whispered, giving me a hug, a kiss on the crown of my head, and he walked away.

"What happened?" I asked Dex.

"Bex is sick, and--" his voice broke as he started sobbing.

"It's okay, Elwin can make it better," I said, rubbing his back.

"It's not like that. She's sick, like really sick. It's something that Elwin hasn't seen before and--" He looked away.

"The panakes can help," I reasoned.

"They already tried it. It made it worse, and it was my fault," he whispered as he sank to the ground.

"You couldn't have known."

"I was the one who was with her. I should've paid attention, I should've," he cried.

"What's wrong with her," I whispered.

"She's dying, and loosing her memories except for when she was with me before the hospital. She keeps screaming for me to save her, and I couldn't. I can't, and it's my fault. I was to caught up fighting with Biana that I didn't see her wander away." 

"What happened with you and Biana?" I asked suddenly.

"I think we broke up, I'm not exactly sure. You guys can gossip about it later, gosh. I shouldn't have came, I need to be with her," he covered his face with his hands as he just cried.

"I'm glad you did, come to me, that is. If anyone can fix this, it's you. You're the smartest person I know, Dex." I whispered, hugging him.

He sniffled before whispering, "She was trapped in there for a long time, you know? All alone, and scared. I wasn't there. She was screaming for me for who knows how long? And I wasn't listening. I never listen."

"Where was she?" I asked.

"She fell down this pit, and there was some poisonous gas coming from the flowers. The flowers were a sickly dark purple, they were almost black, and a yellow gas escaped them. I pulled her out with a branch, but by the time she was out, she was frothing at the mouth. I saw her eyes roll back, and I swear she almost died in my arms. I'm--" he cried harder.

"Do you know exactly where the spot is?" I asked.

"Yeah, why?" He asked.

"We should check it out, take samples," I said.

He gave me a look of worry before he sighed, "Alright. But we use telekinesis, and we don't touch anything."

A/N: I'll try to update tomorrow! And if I don't, sorry! But I probably will!

ANYWAY TODAY'S SHOUT OUT IS FOR:

KOTLC-Shipper-4-Life

Thanks for all the comments, votes, and adding my books to your lists! I really appreciate the extra publicity!!!

ANYWAY FOR EXCITING NEWS!!! I'M GOING TO REVEAL MY PROJECT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON!!! IT'S THE ORIGINAL WORK BY MUA!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*STAINS~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

DESCRIPTION!!!! I'LL POST WHEN IT'S UPLOADED!!! BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU ALL THINK!!! ;)

He looked at her with a dark intensity in his brown eyes.

"What makes you think you're so much better then the rest of us?" He asked stepping towards her.

She tried to back away, but couldn't move; she couldn't tear her eyes away from his gaze.

"Not now," Tamara desperately tried to change the topic.

"I-um," Emerson stammered.

"Just because you alter your appearance doesn't mean you're any different from us. Next time ask your rich daddy for the top brand contacts," he muttered as he turned to walk away.

"I'm not wearing contacts!" I defended, trying to hide my lie, and crossing my arms over my chest.

"Next time you lie, make it more convincing. Come on Tamara," he said not looking back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Enter Emerson Paige; not your typical high school teen. Walking through the halls, she tries to ignore the stares and whispers of her being a stain. Not only is her firey orange red hair unique, but her purple eyes create a unique profile.

It's like a giant target on her back separating her from society. Her parents are ashamed and keep trying to alter her appearance to make her 'normal'. The only thing keeping her sane is her best friend Tamara.

But then she goes missing, and Emerson begins to wonder how much more she can take before she explodes. Can she find her best friend and come to terms with who she is, or will everything she treasures crumble as she continues to run from herself and the truth?

Anyways, thanks for reading!!!

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AND AS ALWAYS, STAY BEAUTIFUL!!! <3

~Tapqueen101