Finally getting to the one I actually enjoyed writing...

Sophie looked around and immediately understood why she hadn't seen him on the way in. He was standing in a dark corner, alone, as far away from the other prodigies as he could get. To the average passerby, he was a lonely, sulky kid who didn't want to have anything to do with anyone. He glared at anyone who dared look at him, but when Sophie's eyes met his, they sparkled and he smiled, nodding her over. She smiled back and made her way over to him.

They stood awkwardly, about a foot apart, starting at each other for a moment.

 "Oh, come here," he said finally, pulling her into his arms. She was perfectly comfortable there, there was nothing wrong with a nice, friendly hug.

 "I missed you, Tam," she said quietly. He pulled her away from him.

 "Yeah, we haven't talked in a while, have we?"

 Sophie shook her head. "Sorry about that. I've been pretty busy lately. Grady and Edaline have been needing my help more than usual."

 Tam nodded, and then they were silent for a moment. "Soooo... how'd you get away from Linh?" Sophie asked eventually.

He shrugged. "She ran off with Biana as soon as we came in. Why?"

 "You never go anywhere without her. It's just strange to see you so... alone."

 Tam's eyes softened and he reached for her hands. "I'm not alone," he promised. "You're here."

Sophie felt strangely touched by the words, feeling like a fire was burning in her heart and spreading slowly to the rest of her body.

"Good morning, prodigies," Magnate Leto began, signaling that morning orientations had started.. It wasn't at all the monotone voice of our their old principal, who was now Councillor Alina, but he didn't sound particularly happy, either. Then again, who would be on a Monday morning? "As you all know, midterms are only four weeks away. Also, three level fours manifested over the weekend. Congratulations to Paige Westle, Kimberly Jhonson, and Blice Finning. So did one level three, Mavis Belle, and a level two, Clark Benn. Congratulations to you both. As a final announcement, Foxfire will be hosting a school dance on Friday for levels three through six. Levels one and two, we have something planned for you for next week. Have a good day, everyone."

Tam gently poked her shoulder and Sophie snapped out of her trance. "You good?" he asked.

"Yeah," she said, but she said it too fast and her voice was too high. "I'm fine," she continued, even though there was no reason to even try.

 "I may not be an Empath," Tam said. " And I wouldn't want to be an Empath. But I know you're lying."

 "No, I'm not," Sophie argued.

Tam sighed. "Sophie, just tell me what's wrong," he said, tightening his grip on her hands, which she had forgotten he was holding.

"I - I just realized I have a..." she took a deep breath. " I have a crush on someone."

Tam's eyes widened. "Who?"

Tam said it: WHO?

 Him, duh- 9

 Fitz- 13

Keefe- 15

Someone, but she doesn't say yet- 16