(Just so we're clear, I do have a plot, but a lot of it isn't as fleshed out s o o o o o...,..)
This is kinda a very poorly written chapter, but I haven't updated in a while ;-;

Dex sighed.  Keefe really hadn't been joking when he said his pants would be a bit too big.  And everyone could tell when they arrived back at the lunch table.  Thank whatever generous elf had invented belts.

Fitz, of course, was the first to comment on it.  "Nice costume change."

"Nice costume change."  Dex mimicked.

"I actually kind of like it even more."  Biana said.

"Yeah," Linh agreed.  "Rule of fashion: if it's loose on the bottom, it should be tight up top."

"And vice-versa," Sophie added.

Keefe smirked at him as though he'd known the girls would be proud.  Dex's face flushed and he decided to hide it by taking a massive bite of the food he'd grabbed.

"You should really flounce the shirt out a bit though." Biana said.

Keefe, of course, took it upon himself to do so.  Though it was probably because Dex was still chewing and, well, for the whole act they were putting on.

Lunches at Foxfire, he decided, were too long.

.-.

"Dex!" Sophie called, waving her arm over her head.

She did realize he could already see her running at him, right?

Dex and Keefe pivoted so that they were facing the girl when she got to them, having successfully made her way through the crowd of prodigies all ready to leave the school.

"Sorry," she said as she caught her breath, "but I have a few questions."

"Sure," Dex said.  He forced himself to focus on Sophie as he felt Keefe move to stand behind him and casually hug him from behind, resting his chin on the Technopath's shoulder.  "What's up?"

"And a protective Keefe appears."  Marella said from behind the two, smirking as Dex flinched at her voice.

"Hey, you scared my boyfriend, you meanie!"  Keefe pouted.  His arms became tighter around Dex and the boy wondered if the blond had realized, or if it was just pure instinct.

The girl snickered and held out a box to Sophie with an intricate mark of two hearts which looked like they'd been delicately scorched into the lid.  "This look good?"

Sophie's face lit up as she took the box, studying it for a moment before surprising Marella with a hug.  "It's beautiful.  Thank you."

Awkwardly, the Pyrokenitic patted her on the back.  "I gotta go home, but yeah.  Hope she likes it." She pulled away as she said the last part, adding a wink before walking away.

Sophie's cheeks tinted pink.

"Is that for who I think it's for Mysterious Ms. F?" Dex couldn't tell, but it sounded like Keefe was smirking given the teasing tone to his voice.

Sophie rolled her eyes.  "Can I ask my question now?"

"We're ready anytime."

She hesitated a moment before asking as if she wasn't sure if it was a good question.  "Have you guys experienced a lot of discrimination?  I know there was that guy who made fun of you in the locker room, but was there anyone else?"

Dex shrugged.  "Not hugely."

"While we were shop- ow!" Keefe grumbled as Dex elbowed his ribs.

"While you were shopping what?"  Sophie asked suspiciously.

"Nothing."  Dex said.  "Just some woman being a freak, but she got kicked out for it and I doubt she'll do it again."

"Yeah, because you started crying."  Keefe snickered, shrinking down to avoid Dex's hands as they flew back and attempted to smack his head.

"Are you okay?"  Sophie's brows furrowed.

"I was faking it," Dex reassured her.  "It wasn't that bad."

"Okay..." She said slowly.  Her fingers traced over the markings Marella had made her.

"Why'd you ask?"

She looked from side to side before whispering, "Biana and I are thinking about going public."

"Aww!"  Keefe cooed as he stood back up straight.  "I'm so proud of you two."

A soft smile made it's way onto Sophie's face as she looked down.  "Shut up."