<Biana's POV>

I nervously fidget as I wait for Sophie to arrive.

I asked to hang out with her at my house but she hadn't arrived just yet.

After twenty minutes of waiting, I'm convinced she's not coming- but then the door bursts open and I see Grizel, who kicked open the door, and Sandor.. and Sophie hidden by the two giant, grey bodyguards.

"Hey Soph! What held you up?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"Oh, Keefe just dropped by for a while, he wanted to help Grady for a bit," she replies.

"I see.." I narrow my eyes, but quickly stop, "So, wanna play basequest? Fitz and Dex are upstairs.. 'cause inside here, the gnomes are too busy preparing for the winnowing gala," I tel Sophiel.

"Oh.. right. The gala. Hmph. Okay, let's play basequest," Sophie seems quite crestfallen at the mention of the gala. Weird.

But nevertheless, Sophie is here, the plan can unfold.

                                                                                        ***

After basequest, I bring Sophie up to my room and plead to her- if we can do makeovers on each other. She hastily and half-heartedly agrees. 

We actually have. a good time.. and I feel kinda bad for agreeing to Fitz's plan. So we braid each other's hair, paint each other's nails and giggle about boys... which leads up to the topic I'm assigned to chat to her about.

"Yeah! And then Keefe pulled out the most beautiful drawing- it seemed 3D- of us in an embrace! It was such a sweet gift!" Sophie sighs dreamily, informing me about all the times (a bajillion) that Keefe gave her something.

Jealousy flares up through me, though I guiltily comfort myself with the thought of Dex. At least he cared.. but that just made me feel worse...

"I'm going to be so.. so lonely tomorrow.. At Fitz's gala I'll have no-on to talk t- wait... didn't you make the top 100 of his list?" I fake not knowing.

"Fitz's gala? Don't worry, I'll be there," she responds hesitantly.

"Oh really?" I feign confusion, "I thought you liked Keefe..?"

Sophie starts to splutter and stutter, then she sighs, "I don't kno- I mean YES I like Keefe.. but Fitz deserves another chance.. please don't tell Keefe!" she turns her wide, brown puppy eyes onto me and I can't help but say, "Okay, I won't,"

                                                                                              ***

Later that day...

"Fitz, please! I don't want Keefe, and you don't have to ruin anyones' life by doing this! Please! " I plead, tears springing to my eyes. 

Fitz wanted to take Sophie back, send an anonymous letter to Keefe saying Sophie was at the gala, then make me go to Keefe and comfort him.. then eventually start to sorta "seduce" him into loving me instead.

My head hurts from all the confusion from trusting my untrustworthy brother, and from betraying Dex and Sophie and Keefe at the same time.

"OKAY FINE!," Fitz throws up his hands, defeated, "Do what you want, but one thing is going to be clear: I. Will. Have. Sophie. By. Tomorrow. Night. But okay,  fine, I won't do anything to Keefe," he runs his hand through his hair. 

I know my brother, he won't go back on his word.

At least I think so..