Sophie turned the small box over in her hands, her stomach twisting with something between nervous anticipation and curiosity. She glanced up at Keefe, who was watching her with that signature smirk—though there was something different this time. Something softer.
"Are you going to open it, Foster, or are we just going to stare at the box all day?" he teased, nudging her with his elbow.
She rolled her eyes but pried the lid open, her breath hitching as she saw the ring inside. It was gold, warm and gleaming under the light, with a deep red gem set into the band. The stone caught the glow of the setting sun, flickering like fire. It was simple but undeniably beautiful.
But it was the words engraved on the inside that made her breath catch.
"I like a challenge."
Her fingers traced the words as a memory surfaced—their first kiss.
Keefe’s voice broke through her thoughts, his tone light but laced with meaning. "I thought you'd want to remember our first kiss. I said I like a challenge, you leaned in and confessed your undying love to me by kissing me—"
Sophie groaned. "That is not what happened."
He ignored her, grinning. "—which I enjoyed, by the way. If you'd like to express your gratitude by giving me another—"
He didn’t get to finish.
Because before she could overthink it, Sophie leaned forward, pressing her lips softly to his.
For a second, Keefe went completely still, like he couldn’t believe what had just happened. Then, before she could pull away, his arms wrapped around her, holding her there like he never wanted to let go.
When she finally did, she smirked up at him, feeling oddly triumphant. "There. Happy now?"
Keefe blinked, dazed. "I mean, I could use another just to be sure."
She rolled her eyes, but warmth still tingled in her chest as he gently took her hand, turning it over so her palm faced up.
"It's a promise ring," he said, voice softer now. "I'm promising to love you. If you'll promise it too, of course."
Sophie felt her heart stumble over itself. Keefe Sencen, the boy who joked through pain, who acted like nothing ever truly scared him—he was standing here, offering her something real.
She curled her fingers around his. "I promise."
His smile this time wasn’t cocky or smug. It was just happy. "Good. Because you’re officially stuck with me now, Foster."
She looked down at the ring on her finger, its red stone catching the light, and knew—this was just the beginning.
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I saw another author do this oneshot prompt, SO ITS MY TURN GUYSS