Healing Sophie

22

Chase had never really known what it felt like to have a family. His parents were always more like drill sergeants and he had no siblings. When he met Victor and Theo, his life changed for the better. He was overweight and academic-minded in high school which paved way for lots of bullying, but his two best friends always made sure he went unharmed, even if their methods were a bit extreme at times. He even remembered a time when Theo planted a stink bomb in someone's car for him. They were family.

His actually 'family' wasn't so great, unfortunately, and he had the pleasure of getting to see them the next day at their Thanksgiving gathering.

Nothing motivated someone to clean quite like judgmental parents coming to visit. Chase was on a bit of a trip trying to ensure that the house looked perfect and that the food was perfect and that everything was just perfect. God, he hated that word. It had plagued him all his life. Little did his parents know, he was absolutely far from perfect. If only they knew just how far.

Chase sighed and wiped down the counter for the fifth time. It was going to wither down if he kept going at it.

"Are you going to tell us why we're here?", Theo asked with boredom lacing his voice. His three roommates sat at the kitchen table, watching Chase scrub away at every surface he found.

Chase finally sat down and sighed. "I need to talk to you guys about something." They all remained silent and his nerves shot up. "My parents think I'm still a law major."

They all blinked and Victor broke the silence. "They don't know you changed to a film major?"

Chase scoffed. "They would have an aneurysm. They're coming over tomorrow and I would like them not knowing to remain a thing. Please." He looked at them all with begging eyes.

Sophie grabbed his hand. "We won't say anything. But... Maybe you should tell them. Maybe they'll understand."

He gripped her hand back and shook his head.

"They won't. They never do."

Sophie stood in the kitchen, boredly cutting up vegetables for Theo. He got to do all the fun stuff, like seasoning and cooking. She was stuck with yucky broccoli that she didn't even like.

"Your face is going to freeze like that, Bambi." She looked up and stuck her tongue out at him.

"I'm bored."

"We're almost done." Sophie sighed and grabbed a piece of broccoli, throwing it at Theo. He gracefully caught it in his mouth and winked at her. She giggled and finished cutting veggies before moving over to Theo. She lifted her arms. "Up."

He smiled and lifted her up, placing her on the counter beside him and returning to cooking.

She sighed. "I'm nervous for tomorrow."

He gave her a sad smile and squeezed her thigh. "It'll be okay, Bambi. We'll all be here right by your side to help."

She smiled. "Are your folks coming?"

He nodded. "They are. I think you'll love my mom, she's very sweet and sassy just like you."

Sophie gasped playfully. "I am not sassy."

He pinched her side and she laughed,  swatting him away. He smirked and grabbed a spoon full of homemade mashed potatoes, holding them to her lips. "Open."

She obeyed and opened her mouth, letting him feed her. The potatoes were perfectly fluffy and buttery. She let out a "Mm" in delight.

"What did I tell you about moaning like that, Bambi?" His eyes were dark and playful and it made her want to play back.