4. Sophie #2
“Nervous?” she asked. “I know you don’t like crowds.”
“Well, Maya’s going to be here, so I guess I’m okay.”
Sophie smiled, conversing to distract me. “So, how’s your art going? I know we don’t talk about it, but I see you painting all the time. Are you trying to get into a gallery.”
I was surprised she knew so much about the world of art, but I nodded.
“Yeah. For now, I’m making progress on my portfolio, which I need to graduate.
” I told her about the pieces I’d recently submitted to a few smaller online galleries and the upcoming interview I’d landed with an independent arts magazine.
"The pressure is on for the post-graduation gallery show.
If I don't secure that, the last four years feel like a waste".
Sophie listened with an intensity that made me feel entirely seen. “You’re amazing. You’ve already accomplished so much.”
"What about you?" I asked. "I assume the pro scouts are already breathing down your neck."
Sophie sighed, a small, weary sound. "They are.
But that's not what I want, Iris. Everyone expects the pro career because it's the 'logical' next step, but my heart is set on the non-profit sector".
She explained her dream of using sports to mentor kids in underprivileged communities, using the discipline of the game as a tool for empowerment.
"The visibility I have now… I want to channel it into something with actual purpose, not just more trophies".
Seeing the person behind the "Golden Girl" persona—the girl with a heart for service and a quiet burden of expectation—melted the last of my defenses.
“I never thought you’d want to do something like that, but it suits you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. You’re a good Samaritan, Sophie. It’s just like you to want to help people and make them open up.” In many ways, she’d brought positive changes to my life too.
Before I could go on, Mark came toward us. “Hi, you both.”
Before I could go on, Mark came toward us. “Hi, you both.”
Sophie straightened instinctively, shifting so she was half in front of me without even realizing she was doing it. The gesture landed somewhere warm and dangerous in my chest.
“Hey, Mark,” she said easily. “You surviving?”
“Barely,” he replied. His eyes flicked to me, curious but not unkind. “Can I steal Iris for a second?”
My pulse jumped. Sophie glanced at me, checking—always checking now.
“I’ll be right here,” she said, squeezing my hand once before letting go.
That simple act made my face heat.
Mark led me a few steps away, closer to the kitchen where the music dulled into background noise. Someone laughed loudly behind us. A red cup tipped and spilled. Normal party chaos. I felt like I was standing under a spotlight anyway.
“I, um—” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I wanted to say sorry. For… before. The whole boyfriend thing.”
Mark’s mouth curved into a knowing smile. Not smug. Just patient.
“Yeah,” he said. “I figured that was coming.”
“I shouldn’t have assumed,” I added quickly. “Or projected. Or been… like that.”
He waved it off. “It’s fine. Really. We’re cool.”
Relief rushed through me so fast my knees almost went weak.
Then his tone shifted—still calm but grounded. “There’s something else I wanted to talk about. You and Sophie…are you dating?”
“Yes.” I would usually hesitate, but this time, I said it loud and clear. I didn’t want her to be my secret, despite my reservations. And I felt a little jealous of Mark.
“Good for you. Sophie really likes you, you know.”
“I know.”
Just so we’re clear,” he continued, leaning against the counter. “Sophie’s my best friend. We’ve known each other since we were kids, and I can tell she’s crazy about you.”
I opened my mouth. Closed it again.
“But,” he added, not unkindly, “if you break her heart because you’re scared of your own feelings, I won’t sit still. Got it, Hart?”
The room seemed to tilt.
I nodded.
“Good,” he said, clapping my shoulder once. “Now relax. You’re doing fine. Just keep doing whatever you both are doing.”
Across the room, I noticed that Maya had already hooked an arm around Sophie’s elbow, tugging her toward the balcony doors. Panicked, I followed them wondering what my best friend was doing with my new girlfriend.
Outside, the air was cooler, quieter. Maya leaned against the railing, studying Sophie with an intensity that cut through the party buzz. I observed from a distance, listening in.
“So,” Maya said, “you like her.”
Sophie laughed softly. “Yeah. We’re going out.”
“I knew it,” Maya’s voice was high. “I totally thought she’d run away, but Iris must like you if she agreed to date.” There was a pause. “You probably already know, but it takes a lot for Iris to trust. She’s a mess at the moment.”
Sophie nodded immediately. “I know.”
“But she’s worth it,” Maya continued. “What you see as walls? That’s trauma. Real stuff. She’s not pushing you away because she doesn’t care. It’s because she does. Please be patient with her. I promise under all that grumpiness lies a heart of gold.”
Sophie’s expression softened. “We’ll go slow. I won’t push her, Maya.”
“Good,” Maya said. “Because every time Iris lets you see one inch, it feels like a mile to her.”
Sophie exhaled, thoughtful. “Then I’ll walk miles.”
My heartbeat echoed in my head. Sophie was patient with me, she was nice, she was kind and wanted to help others. In other words, she was just the kind of person I needed.
When they came back inside, Sophie found me immediately. No hesitation. No games.
She stood close—close enough that our shoulders brushed.
“You okay?” she asked quietly.
I nodded, still a little dazed. “Yeah. I think… I think I am. You got a warning from my best friend?”
Her smile was small but real. “Yeah. And you got one from Mark.”
“He’s protective of you. Are you sure he’s not your boyfriend?” I teased.
“Oh, I’m sure.” Sophie took my hand, holding it tight. “Because my girlfriend is right here.”