FOR A FEW minutes, it was just silent. Everyone was staring at Sophie, who was staring at her toes. Finally, Keefe asked, "Now?"

Sophie cracked a slight smile. "You that excited to get rid of me?"

"What, no, Foster! Just wondering what day I have to style the Hair." Keefe said, trying to lighten up the mood.

"But why, though, Sophie? Why are you leaving?" Biana asked.

Sophie made sure not to include It's because Fitz hates me now and I can't face him in her explanation.

"I just realized, even after all this time, I don't belong  here." Sophie said, her voice barely higher than a whisper.

"Fitzy's gonna need you, especially after Alvar's Tribunal." Keefe pointed out.

"I'd never thought I'd ever say this, but I agree." Tam said.

"See, Bangs Boy and I are best friends! He loves me." Keefe said.

"Fitz doesn't need me. He had Biana, he has Keefe, he has all you guys! Nothing's gonna convince to stay, just letting you know." Sophie replied, sitting down on her bed.

"When are you leaving?" Someone asked.

They all looked around, and they person they saw...

Or people....

Were Grady, Edaline, and Mr.Forkle in the doorway.
———————————————————————-
"Who's going where?" Grady asked.

No one said anything.

Sophie transmitted a It's better when we're alone to all of her friends, and so they quickly said bye and left. Sophie tried not to notice the look on Keefe's face.

Sophie led them downstairs and everyone took a seat.

"So, young lady, what were you guys talking about?"

"I...erm... was talking to my friends... and I told them that I was going back to the Forbidden Cities permanently." Sophie murmured.

"You're kidding, right?" Grady asked.

Sophie's mouth didn't seem to work, so she spoke her head.

Edaline had tears in her eyes. "But why?"

"Because... all this time, I was striving for a place to fit in... a place where I belong... but then, I realized that I would never belong here, and what better place to be in other than the place I grew up in?" Sophie said.

"And, after all this time, I'll never fit in. That's why I'm a misfit. I know I don't belong here, and I don't belong in the Forbidden Cities either, but I know there I'll be happy."

"Why aren't you happy here?" Mr. Forkle asked, and Sophie was surprised because that was the first time he had talked ever since he came barging in the door with Grady and Edaline.

"I am but.. in between school and the Neverseen... the stress has been overwhelming me."

"I understand, Miss Foster. I know you've made your decision, but I still hope you might decide to stay." Mr. Forkle replied.

He got up to leave, leaving Grady and Edaline with Sophie.

"I'm sorry." Sophie started.

"Oh, Sophie, you have nothing to be sorry about. I hope you'll be happy there." Edaline said, wrapping Sophie up in a hug.

"Me too, Mom, me too." Sophie said, tears filling her own eyes.

"I agree with your mom, but now we're getting to the point, so when are you leaving?" Grady asked.

"I'm sorry to rush things, but maybe later today or tomorrow."

"Okay, but how are you going to get there?" Grady asked. "I don't think I have any light crystals that lead to the Forbidden Cities."

"Oh, I'm not going to need any light crystal."

"Then how are you going to get there?"

"I'm going to teleport there."
——————————
"So it's that bad, huh?" Keefe said, plopping down on Sophie's flower carpet. "You're leaving today?"

Sophie had no idea why she had invited only Keefe over, especially when Grady wasn't happy about it. Maybe because he understood her better than anyone else.

"No, actually, I'm leaving tomorrow. I have to say bye to all my other friends and teachers and classmates."

"So, when are you going to tell me why you're leaving? Especially on such a short notice."

"I told you, Keefe, it's because I don't belong here."

"But, Foster, you know you can't lie to an Empath. Is it because of the Fitzer?"

"No," she said, crossing her arms.

"Ooh... I can sense your mode sinking! So it is because of Fitzy!"

She sighed. "Maybe?"

"Look, Foster, you know Fitz doesn't blame you! It's just because he was angry at the moment..." Keefe trailed off.

"Keefe, I know you're saying this because he's your friend. But you're just lying to yourself. You know how angry he was." Sophie said.

"He was just caught in the moment! But, Foster, I hope you know, I'll miss you."

"Me too, Keefe."

"Are you going to say bye to Fitz?"

"I don't think so. I don't even think I'll be saying bye to any of our friends we saw today."

"Well... I'll see you later!" Keefe said, about to leave.

"Wait!" Sophie said.

"Yea Foster?"

"I'll miss you so, so much." She said, wrapping him up in a hug.

Keefe's arms were stiff until a few seconds later he hugged her back. "Same, Foster."

——————————
Saying bye wasn't so hard. But the hard part was explaining to everyone why she was leaving about five bajillion times.

Before she knew it, she was at Havenfield's cliff, getting ready to teleport.

"Bye, Mr. Forkle."

"Bye, Biana."

"Bye, Keefe."

"Bye, Marella."

"Bye, Tam."

"Bye, Linh."

"Bye, Wylie."

And there was the last one she dreaded to say.

"Bye, Fitz."

"Bye," said a crisp accent.

Sophie knew the good thing to do was turn around and say bye or something, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

Ignoring Fitz, she jumped of the cliff.

She felt her heart break when she heard "Sophie, wait!"

While falling, she took a deep breath.

She had taken her last breath in the Lost Cities.

Now, it was time to take her first.

Where?

In the Forbidden Cities.
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Hello! I had a super hard time writing this chapter (maybe it was because it was so sad?).

Please please please tell me if you were confused!

Btw, Sophie NEEDS to jump off cliffs in order to teleport. Then she pictures the place she wants to go, so on and so forth.

Please share, vote and comment! I update (or try to) at least twice a week!

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Thank you!!!