Biana POV:

Sophie is alive, and I'm sitting next to her. I told her about Tam, but now it's just awkward silence. I can't help myself. I launch myself towards her a grab her in a hug. "WHA-" She was startled at first, but then she hugged me back. 

We sat there just like that for a minute, but then I moved and slapped her. Not hard, but not soft. "Oww- whyyyy?" She whined, clutching her cheek. "That was for leaving," I slapped her again, "that was for all the tears you brought me," I slapped her again, a little harder, "and THAT, was for all the hurt and anxiety and many more stuff you brought Keefe."

Her eyes welled up a bit, but then she looked away, swiping at her cheek. "I probably deserved that, and I deserve more, because I am a worthless, no-good, clumsy, horr-" "SOPHIE." She stopped, but her face was now wet and her eyes puffy.

"Sophie, you are none of those things! People make mistakes, and you shouldn't hold it against yourself. Here's what you really are: you are priceless, beautiful, mistake-making person. Mistakes are the way you learn, and life is the test. Sure, you will fail, you will fall, and you will have your moments, but getting back up again is the most important part. Think of all the times you got back up, kept fighting." 

She stared at the wall, thinking probably. "It might not seem easy to get up after a mistake, or you might not want to. You might want to stay down, talking about yourself the way you just were. All the times you got up, it was thinking about us. You are kind like that. You have to learn to be kind to yourself." I wrapped her in another hug, but we ended up cuddling on her bed, she eventually fell asleep.

(A/N Everyone!!! Biana's words are true!!! Anyone who thinks about themselves like Sophie, remember Biana's words, and remember that you are loved.)

Keefe POV: 

I crashed down on my bed. What good thinking and reaction I had earlier, telling Foster what I did. I turned and screamed into my pillow, my eyes welling up with tears. I just got her back. I can't just sit here, wallowing in guilt, though.

I have to apologize. I would bring her something. Something she loves... I pulled out my old home crystal to Candleshade and examined it. I could bring her some Mallowmelt. Yup, I'll bring her some sweets. That's what she'd want.

I raised my crystal up to the light, stepping into the beam and letting the light whisk me away.

~<------------------------------------------------------------->~

The cold and glum tower that used to be my home loomed over me, but I didn't stop to take in the memories. None of them were good, anyway. I hurried over to the leapmaster, calling out Mysterium and stepping to the light, pulling my cloak hood over my head.

The bustling city was just as I remembered. Full of life, full of people. They didn't even realize I was here. Even if they did, they wouldn't recognize me anyway. I brought my [insert name of cube-y thingy they use as credit cards] so I could pay. 

I walked to the patisserie, keeping to myself, but taking in the sights. I was passing Slurps and Burps when I decided that I would go in to get some Sea-See and Teal-Tuffs, maybe some youth if they had any. 

I open the door, and the weird thingy sounded to let Kesler know a customer had entered. Kesler wouldn't recognize me. I was about to turn the corner and ask for my supplies, but a squeaky voice sucked all my confidence out of me.

It was Dex, and it sounded like he'd been crying. I wanted to comfort him for his worries, but I still turned back trying to go back out, but Dex was apparently planning on coming to me. His eyes widened as he saw my handsome face peeking out from behind the hood.

"K-Keefe..?" He whispered, scanning my figure. I couldn't stay, so I dashed out the door, but Dex ran after me. Turns out he has a lot of stamina, because he ran after me for 4 minutes, and I eventually started to slow down.

He yanked my hood down and moved Infront of me so I couldn't run anymore. After some huffing and puffing, he spoke again. "It really is you..." He confirmed, a bit of confusion in his eyes.

I finally got to examine him better. He had grown taller, almost taller than me, and he looked more strong, less baby-fat. I just hoped his iconic dimples remained. 

He wrapped me up in a hug, squeezing all the air out of my lungs. "Why did you leave, Keefe? Why did you run when I saw you?" He asked, a hint of sadness in his voice. I couldn't see him, but it sounded like he was crying.

"I ran because I'm not planning to stay long..." I avoided the first question, not sure about his feelings on the topic of Sophie. He let go of the hug and I gathered my courage to ask the question that was pecking at my brain.

"When we were in the shop, it sounded like you were crying. Were you?" He looked away and swiped at his eyes. "Well, me and Biana... We're dating, and she went missing 3 days ago. It was so hard, because you, one of my best friends, had gone missing, too." He answered solemnly.

I checked my watch, an expression of haste plastered on face the moment I saw the time. "Dex- uh, I have to go! Don't worry, you'll see Biana soon!" I ran away right then and there, leaving him in a state that saddened me. I had to get Sophie's Mallowmelt, though.

I quickly got her Mallowmelt along with a couple of other treats, and ran back to the apothecary. Dex was still at the counter. I ordered regardless. "Keefe-" he said, handing me my stuff. "Please don't leave..." I wish I didn't have to leave, but my life in the Lost Cities was over.

"I'm sorry..." I grabbed my crystal and leaped away.

That chapter was sad 😭. At least sad/mad/annoyed/into the story means that I'm doing my job! I really hope you can tick all of those boxes off the list! The next chapter will be...

A BONUS CHAPTER!!!

Remember when Amy got Fos-boss some Mallowmelt while she was being emo about hospitalized Keefe? Do you wanna hear about her adventures on the quest to get Mallowmelt? No? Well, you have to, so deal with it!

XX-Mimi❤️