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Fitz’s birthday party. He was officially turning 18, but Sophie was regretting her planning decisions. She was going to break up with him then. Yes, on his birthday. Yes, Sophie knows she's an awful person.
Biana managed to convince her to break up with Fitz—which was surprising, considering they're siblings—but she said Sophie had to pick a date and stick to it, no matter what. That date happened to be Fitz's birthday. It's not like she intended to break up with him on his birthday. She picked the day at random with a dart to a calendar. But, she had to do it. Fitz wasn't a bad boyfriend. Of course he wasn't. But…he just wasn't what Sophie wanted anymore. Hopefully he'd understand that.
Sophie stood next to Fitz by his cake. She watched as all their friends sang happy birthday, Fitz's big grin illuminated by the candles.
“Make a wish,” Keefe shouted in his ear.
Fitz squeezed his eyes shut like a little kid and blew out the candles. I wonder what he wished for, Sophie thought. Fitz looked down at her, a twinkle in his teal eyes that made her feel especially guilty. Sophie managed to smile back, though it was tight and a little uncomfortable.
Keefe clapped his hands, smiling so wide, you'd think he was the birthday boy. “So, what'd you wish for?” He bit his lip in anticipation.
Fitz's eyes never left Sophie's as he whispered, “No telling, Keefe. Birthday wish rules.”
Everyone let out a collective “Aww” at Fitz's response. Biana tugs at Sophie's arm, directing her attention to her. She raised an eyebrow that seemed to ask, “Well?” Sophie loved Biana, but she desperately wished she didn't remind her of what she needed to do.
Sophie looked up at Fitz, who was still staring at her. Oh God. “Fitz, let's… go to your room.”
Fitz's eyes lit up.
Oh no, that's not what I meant.
“Yeah,” he replied. “Let's go.” Fitz grabbed her hand and pulled Sophie along. They went upstairs, leaving the rest of the group.
Once they were in Fitz's room, he closed the door and pressed Sophie against it. His lips trailed across her neck. Sophie knew the gesture was romantic, but it felt…wrong. “Finally, we're alone,” he muttered against her skin.
“Um, Fitz?” Sophie stuttered. She gently nudged Fitz's shoulders until he leaned back. His cheeks were flushed. “Can we sit?” She nodded toward his bed.
A hint of confusion flashed in his face, but Fitz quickly wiped it off. He held onto Sophie's hand and sat on the edge of his bed. Too restless to sit, Sophie stood.
She wrung her hands in front of her. Fitz had that same look in his eye from earlier, so she said it quickly. “We need to break up.”
Fitz's face fell immediately after. “I— What?” He stood, coming closer. Sophie took a step back. She didn't want to be too close. Her heart couldn't take it. “W–why? Did I do something wrong?”
The very opposite. “No, no, no,” Sophie reassured. She tugged at her eyelashes. “It's just—” Oh God, how was she supposed to say this? “I don't… want you anymore.”
Fitz scoffed and Sophie could see the anger building. “So, what? You don't like me anymore?”
“No, i— I like you, but… not as a boyfriend. Not anymore.””
Fitz turned away like he couldn't bear to look at Sophie. “On my birthday, of all days?”
“Um.” Sophie searched for a response. “I know, I know. I didn't want to do this on your birthday but”—her mind flashed to Biana—”it's complicated.” She wrung her hands in front of her. “Happy birthday, by the way.” Oh shit. Wrong response.
Fitz turned away from Sophie, crossing his arms over his chest. “Okay,” Sophie said. “That was the wrong thing to say, I'm sorry. Um… it's not you, it's me—”
“And all that other bullshit, right?” Fitz cut her off. Sophie knew her words were an empty consolation, a cliche phrase that made nobody feel better, but it could've helped. “You know that's bullshit, don't you, babe?”
The use of the pet name only made Sophie's heart break further. Fitz's eyes filled with tears. Oh no. Sophie desperately wanted to step forward and comfort him—a thing she was never really good at in the first place. Whenever she tried to comfort someone, she always found a way to make it awkward—which was the last thing she wanted to do in such a sensitive situation. “Sh–should I—” Sophie started, but Fitz interjected.
“Don’t,” he demanded. “Just… get out. I'll make up an excuse for you later.”
Sophie opened her mouth to say something, then promptly shut it. Nothing that came out of her mouth at that moment would help. So Sophie turned away and walked out.
She practically sprinted down the stairs, where Della was starting to walk up.
“Oh, Sophie!” Della called out with a smile aimed at Sophie. “Is Fitz up there? We were gonna unwrap presents.”
Sophie only ran quicker down the stairs. “Yeah, he's there. I have to go!”
“Sophie? You okay?”
“Perfect!” Sophie ran through the living room, grabbing her bag. As she stopped to open the door, Keefe called out.
“You messed him up that bad, Foster?” The comment made everyone in the room laugh, but it hit Sophie the wrong way. Her mind wandered back to Fitz, crying in his room, which Della must've discovered by now.
Sophie knew Keefe didn't mean it the way he said it, but she couldn't help getting a little mad. “Shut up, Keefe,” she snapped. “What would you know anyways? It's not like you've ever had a girlfriend.”
A bit of hurt flashes through Keefe's eyes, but he brushes it off. “Geez, Foster. Harsh.” He says it with a playful tone, but Sophie knew better.
She also didn't care right now. Before anyone else could say anything, Sophie got out of there.
***
Fitz couldn't believe it. Sophie, the girl he loved, just broke up with him. On his birthday of all days.
What the fuck?
Fitz sat on his bed, trying to hold back the tears that keep threatening to come out. His heart pounded in his chest. Where were the signs? Biana had told him there were signs when someone was about to break up with you. Distancing, less affectionate, etc. But Sophie hadn't portrayed any of those signs prior. She had acted normal up until today.
“We need to break up.”
A knock on the door. “Fitz? Are you in here?” His mother was at the door.
Even if she had seen anything, this was the last Fitz wanted her to see.
“Fitz?” She called again, this time opening the door. When his mother saw him on the bed, head in his hands, she stepped inside. “Fitz? What's wrong?”
Fitz turned away. At the sound of his mother's voice, the tears filled his eyes once again. He felt his bed sink as his mother sat next to him. Her hand rubs circles into his back.
“Fitz,” she said again, her voice more firm. “Look at me.” Della waited until Fitz looked up and met his eyes. Tears rolled down his cheeks. “Love, what happened? Was it Sophie?”
Fitz sniffled, nodding his head. He looked away again, letting out a soft sob. His heart ached, and he felt almost embarrassed that his mother was seeing him like that. But he could tell Della didn't care. Why would she? “She brought me up here to break up with me,” Fitz admitted, his voice breaking. “I just… I can't believe it. It was so… sudden…”
“Some people just… lose feelings,” Della reassured him. “It's nothing about you.”
Fitz scoffed, turning away and wiping the tears away. He couldn't help but feel like he had done something to cause this sudden breakup. Fitz knew he had some… issues. Especially with his anger. But he had never purposely lashed out at Sophie, and even when he did, he apologized relentlessly.
Wait.
Was that why?
Was Fitz too overbearing for Sophie? Was the love too much?
But it couldn't be. Sophie acted the same way.
Oh God, Fitz felt awful. He suddenly had an awareness that his mother was right next to him. He risked a glance and Della had a knowing frown on her face.
“Um, I just came up to let you know that you could open your presents, if you want.” His mother stood and walked towards the door. “Do you want me to ask them to leave?”
Fitz sighed. He couldn't ask them to leave now, that wasn't fair—to him or his friends. Fitz couldn't just wallow in his own misery while his friends were waiting for him. This was supposed to be a happy day. It was his birthday, for god's sake. He stood from his bed and ran a hand through his hair. “No, I'll come down.”
Della smiled at him and Fitz made himself smile back. “The feeling won't last forever, Fitz. I can promise you that.” Then, she walked out.
Fitz took a deep breath, put on his best smile, and walked out too.