Healing Sophie

2

"You're moving in with complete strangers?" Finn's frantic voice rang through the phone as Sophie drove to her new place.

"I would've been moving in with complete strangers anyways, Finn. At least now I know one person."

"Right, this Chase guy."

"Mhm, I have to go, I'm here. Come visit me?", she begged.

Finn sighed. "Okay, I'll be over there in an hour. Please be safe Soph. You know I worry," he said, panic lacing his words. As the phone call ended, she frowned at her best friend's concern. He always worried about her being by herself because of how small and timid she was. She was hoping college would change that and make her more confident.

Sophie anxiously walked up to the front door and took a deep breath. Last time she did this, it went quite poorly. Second time's a charm. She raised a small fist and knocked on the big, cherry-red door. It reminded her of the shirt of the guy from earlier, making her smile. As she took in the view of the beautiful house, her nerves began spiking. It was incredible, tucked away from the busy parts of the city with a small patch of woods surrounding it. It was spaced out from the neighbors, but still close enough to not feel lonely.

The door opened, unveiling the blue-eyed man himself. Sophie offered him a shy smile. "Hi, Chase." She was not used to talking to many people, let alone boys. He seemed friendly enough, though.

"Hello gorgeous, come on in and I'll give you a tour before you bring everything in," he greeted with a grin. His energy was contagious. He was like the sun incarnate. He closed the front door behind the two of them and guided Sophie into the foyer. "Let's give you a tour before you unpack, shall we?" She nodded and let Chase lead the way. She followed him to a large living room with huge windows and a cozy little reading nook perfect for rainy days. Another young man resided on the couch, deep in a video game, yelling vicious words. He was fully entranced and hadn't noticed the two of them walk in. 

"Your mother should have swallowed!", he shouted through his headset. Sophie let out a giggle and his head snapped up. "When did you guys get here?"

Chase shook his head. "Theo," he said sternly. "This is our new roommate Sophie. Please behave."

Theo hopped onto his feet and swept his gaze over Sophie before bowing dramatically. "Pleasure to meet you, Lady Sophie."

She giggled once more at the odd man. "You too." He was tall and lanky with dark brown hair cropped short, tan skin and mischievous dark brown eyes. His smile seemed to be permanently set in a devilish grin.

The three of them toured the remainder of the house, with Theo chatting their ears off. They skipped over one lonely room at the end of the hall and ended the tour at Sophie's bedroom door.

"Let us know if you need help with anything," Chase said. Sophie smiled in appreciation.

"I can be very helpful," Theo said flirtatiously. Chase whacked a hand against his head and they left Sophie to her own vices.

She opened her door and took in the empty canvas in front of her. A new start. Her own place to turn into a home. She wasted no time plugging in a wireless speaker and getting to work.

An hour and a half later, the room was a concoction of pink. The curtains, her blankets, her stuffed animals, and her decor were each their own shade and the fairy lights strung from the ceiling casted the space in a soft, magical glow. The only outliers in color were her guitar and keyboard, carefully set against the wall near her desk. The look was complete by a fluffy, worn out Mr. Hopkins laying on the bed. He had seen better days, as had she. Finn always fixed them both up, though.