Fallin' For You-Part 4

TWELVE

"So now what?" Tam asked, turning to Jensi. "You know the way out of here, right?"

"Not exactly," Jensi bit his lip. "I only know the way to my house from here, but I'm sure we can figure it out from there."

Sophie shrugged before pointing and saying, "Lead the way Mr. Babblos—because I'm just now realizing how cold it is out here."

The three of them laughed before Jensi led them through the pile of leaves, into the woods, and right back out again. When they'd emerged, they'd ended up on a sidewalk.

"My house is right there," He said, pointing to a house probably a mile away. "Do you want to go there or try and find our way back to the school?"

"Why don't we go to your house?" Sophie asked, shivering. "Then we can regroup and try and find a way back home."

Tam nodded. "Good plan,"

And so, they walked to Jensi's house—which only took twenty minutes—and thankfully the door was open.

It was warm and toasty inside, and it was beautiful as well. Every decoration was somehow swirled and pretty, and everything seemed comfortable and homemade.

Sophie loved it.

"Do you guys want some hot chocolate?" Jensi offered, leading them into the kitchen. "My parents aren't home right now—they're probably still looking for my bother—but I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

"Uh, sure," Sophie said, deciding to sit at one of the stools at the bar. "So...Jensi? What exactly happened to your brother?"

Jensi tilted his head as he poured the packet into the milk. "We're really not sure. I think he was being bullied about something and just ran away. It was when he was sixteen. The last time I saw him was when I was ten."

"Wow," Tam and Sophie breathed just before Jensi put the cups in the microwave.

"Yeah," he nodded. "It's been six years," He pulled out his phone and showed them a picture of ten-year-old Jensi, and a boy—who Sophie assumed was his brother—but the picture must've been taken when he was moving because his face was a bit blurred.

"Well, it's sad that you haven't seen him in so long," She said, truly feeling bad for him. "Are you okay?"

Jensi shrugged. "Yeah, it's a little sad but...life goes on, you know?"

Sophie smiled and nodded, taking a sip of her drink. "It does,"

It was awkward for a little longer before they started talking about Thanksgiving break and what they were doing.

"We're all going over to the Vacker's, right?" Tam asked, setting his empty cup in the sink.

"I am," Sophie said at the same time Jensi said, "Yep!"

"Do you know if Fitz is coming back?" Tam asked.

"I would think so," Sophie said. "I mean, it is his family's dinner."

"And what about..." Tam glanced at Sophie. "Keefe?"

Sophie bit her lip, for some reason she didn't want to say anything. She had no idea if he was coming for Thanksgiving. She hadn't asked, and he hadn't told her.

"Um, I...I don't know," She said, taking a sip of her cup that was so obviously empty.

Tam shrugged. "I was just wondering; it'd be kind of a bummer if he didn't come. For other people, that is." He added the last part quickly.

Sophie nodded. "Yeah...it'd definitely be a bummer,"

§§§

"You're back," Edaline said as Sophie walked into the kitchen. "I was really getting worried."

After talking for a little longer, Jensi's parents finally showed up and drove the three of them to the school so they could get their cars.

"Yeah," Sophie said with a yawn. "Sorry, we got lost in the woods,"

Edaline cocked her head to the side. "Woods?"

Sophie nodded, yawning once again. "Yeah, but we were fine. I think...I think I'm going to go to bed." Sophie's eyes suddenly became very droopy and she almost fell over. "Goodnight Edaline,"

Edaline blinked at Sophie like she'd just come home with a bag over her head. "Uh, goodnight Sophie."

And then she watched as Sophie stumbled up the stairs and into her bedroom.

When Sophie got in her room and shut the door, she changed into a giant t-shirt and yoga pants, grabbed Iggy and Ella, and snuggled under her blanket.

Before the went to bed, though, she pulled out her phone and went to her contacts. She scrolled until she reached the contact name, The Keefester, and clicked on it.

The phone rang and rang and rang. Sophie was hoping to the moon and back that Keefe would pick up his phone.

But, instead, the voicemailbox lady started to speak in her ear: "...At the tone please record your message. When you finish recording you may hang-up or press one for more options."

The beep sounded in her ear, and Sophie decided that leaving a message would end up being better than not doing anything at all.

"Hey Keefe," She said. "I know it's late and you're probably asleep, but...I was just wondering if you were coming home for Thanksgiving...?" She paused, taking in a breath. "Well, I'll talk to you later. Bye!"

So, I know I'm depriving you of Keefe, but I have a PLAN hehe.