strangers.

c h a p t e r | 7

It was around the middle of the third movie, and the boys were beginning to grow tired, when they noticed that one from amongst them was no longer awake. They turned and saw Sofia sleeping, resting her figure on Ian's shoulder, looking very comfortable. Quiet little puffs of air escaped from her slightly parted lips, turning slightly within her blanket at the overhanging silence. Ian peered down, saw her resting figure, and smiled softly to himself. He moved with caution, changing his position so she would be a bit more comfortable.

The other boys observed silently, watching the pairs' interaction with great interest. They watched as Ian carefully lifted up the girl's small figure, standing up to carry her to his room. Theo and Chris exchanged a knowing look with each other. The affection that Ian showed towards their new friend was evident, apparently to everyone except himself. The boys had never seen him behave like this towards anyone else, not in their entire time together.

Ian then walked out of the room, extra careful to shut the door slowly, trying his best not to make a sound. He walked away from the door, looking up when he saw the boys looking right at him.

"What now?" he whispered.

"It's nothing." Chris paused before speaking up again. "Where are you going to sleep tonight ?"

"I'll just take the couch, it's no big deal. Do any of you have a spare blanket by any chance?"

"Two things: a. Yes, I happen to have an extra blanket, it's in the closet. b. It would have to be a cold day in hell before Ian Parker, the Ian Parker, would voluntarily sleep on the couch. Wanna tell us what's up with that?" Leo asked.

" Well, incase you were absent the last ten minutes, let me remind you: There is a girl sleeping on my bed, you idiot. So, sleeping on my bed is no longer an option."

"Right." Jakob realized, thus dropping  their conversation.

Ian was then handed the blanket, and the boys collectively gathered the leftovers from their movie night. Chris and Jakob took their belongings, leaving in line as they whispered goodnight. Ethan was just picking up a remaining pillow, when he stopped by Ian's side.

"She's a keeper." he spoke, only loud enough for the older boy to hear.

"What ?" Ian asked, confused.

Theo started explaining. "Earlier today, when she first came and we told you to let us handle it, it was because we were testing her."

Ian still didn't understand."Huh ?"

"Me and the boys, when we were in Australia, there was this thing we used to do. If a girl one of liked was coming over, one of us would try to flirt with her, try and see if she was really loyal. Got rid of many that way." Theo chuckled

Continuing, he said," We did the same thing with your Sofia today. Decided to try and test her. You are as much my brother as Chris or Leo is. So I did for you you what I would have done for any of them. And in the end, when we did test it out, she didn't even bat an eye. Her only focus, the entire time, was you." He smiled.

Ian listened to him quietly, but on hearing the last few words his friend spoke, a small blush rose to his cheeks. "That's not true." He replied looking down, blowing away a stray lock of hair as he did.

Ian himself doubted his words being completely true, and Theo knew this too. He just didn't want to admit it.

"Oh yeah?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, you both seemed pretty comfy on the couch earlier ?" referring to when Sofia's upper half was resting on Ian's, their position oddly similar to cuddling.

Theo's remark resulted in him get a friendly punch on his forearm.

"Shut up." came Ian's voice.

Theo, in turn, started singing.

"Ian and Sofia,

Sittin' in a tree.

K-I-S-S-I -"

Theo was cut off with a large hand covering over his mouth.

"She," Ian gestured to the closed bedroom door behind them,"is also sleeping right there."

"So unless you want to walk away tonight with something worse than your bruised ego, then I strongly suggest we try not to wake her up."

"Awww,"Theo cooed."Is someone of scared wittle Sofia?" he teased, speaking as if he were talking to an infant.

Ian raised his hands in a mock defensive stance. "Hey- it might as well be your funeral. Don't make it mine too." He laughed.

Both the boys then went their separate ways, bidding each other goodnight as they left.

Ian tip-toed inside his room to grab a change of clothes and his toothbrush. He also decided to turn the ceiling fan on medium, checked that the curtains were completely drawn, and set out a spare glass of water on her bedside table. Interrupting his thoughts, he heard a voice from inside the room, call out in a quiet murmur.

She spoke in her sleepy state,"Red?"

"Shhhhh, yeah, it's me. You can back to sleep." He soothed, knowing she was talking in her sleep. He smiled softly to himself as she turned in the sheets, falling back into her slumber.

He gathered his things, and exited the room, switching the small night light on.

"Goodnight."