Sofie's First Secret
1115 Words
Sofie
Knock “Sofie!”
Knock “Sofie!”
Knock “Sofie!”
I laugh opening the door fast “Sheldon!” But then I freeze seeing Clint and Webb standing behind Delaney. They both look amused and I step back so they can come in.
Webb passes me and I can smell the fresh soap from his recent shower. His soap leaves a forest clean scent I am starting to recognize. Delaney calls out from the table “how was practice?”
Clint answers “long. We had to run extra laps and other stupidity thanks to some of our teammates. Something smells delicious.”
Webb grins “yeah me.” I laugh and he turns to look at me his eyes dancing. Playful Webb is a total surprise when he shows up. Colby said he’s like that a lot but all I’ve ever seen in classes we’ve shared is serious can’t crack a smile Webb Jameson. “He should be used to my smell since he lives with me.” He leans in and whispers loudly.
Clint is ignoring him completely as he talks to Delaney about her day. Webb gives me a raised eyebrow with a sideways glance in their direction. I hand Webb my essay and he starts reading it. “Not bad. You’re not as hopeless as I thought.” He says teasingly. More surprising behavior. He hands me his part. “You wrote this and think mine was not bad. I am terrible at this after reading yours. You could write books.”
He shakes his head “yours is funny and I can see the ‘Sofie’ part of it shine through. Makes it…easy to read.”
“I don’t believe you, but I’ll let it slide.” My timer goes off and I walk over to add the garlic knots to the oven. Ten minutes later, Webb is showing me a paragraph to change when someone bangs loudly on the door.
Recognizing that knock I frown. “Great.” I mutter and see Delaney grin. She knows who it is too. “He has a sixth sense I swear.” The guys look confused.
I open the door and Bennett steps in grabbing me in a big hug. “I missed you Bitty.” Not my nickname too! I almost groan. He lets me go and stops still as he catches sight of my table. I see Delaney wave “hey Benny” as Webb narrows his eyes and Clint looks curious.
“There are boys sitting at your table. In your apartment. Two of them.” Bennett says staring at me. I roll my eyes.
“Yep, two boys each in a chair. Are we writing a Dr. Seuss book? Seriously Bennett. I’ll introduce you.”
“Yeah, you will Bitty.”
“Webb Jameson, Clint Mitchell this is Bennett Riles, my brother. Clint and Webb are our writing class partners.”
Both stand to come shake my brother’s hand. Clint “I thought I recognized you. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Webb “your brother is Bennett Riles? That is…hard to believe. Honored to meet you too.”
Bennett “why is it hard to believe?” He sounds wary.
“Because she’s so tiny and you’re a tank. I see the resemblance with you standing together. Just surprising.” Webb shrugs.
“I got shorted in the gene pool of our family.” Webb chuckles at my joke and Bennett quirks a smile.
Just then another knock on the door. I almost groan. Bennett is going to have a field day.
“Colby’s here.” I say heading to open it.
“Who’s Colby? And is Colby a girl?” Bennett asks sounding exasperated.
“Our photography class partner and their friend.” Delaney tells him.
“Peppermint!” Colby exclaims as he walks in. He squeezes me in a side hug and my brother narrows his eyes. “Oh hey I know that guy. You are Bennett…..Riles. Wait a minute.” Colby looks down at me eyes wide. “This is my brother, Bennett. This is Colby Sterns. He’s a big teddy bear until you mess with his girlfriend, Ava.”
Bennett relaxes which was the goal. He steps forward and shakes Colby’s hand.
“You staying for dinner Benny?” I ask him.
“I smell lasagna so what do you think?” He gives me a look and I know he’s also here for watching the guys. I shake my head at him as he plops on the couch and grab my phone in the kitchen.
They are our writing partners and kind of friends. Chill out. Except Clint might have taken Delaney on a date or two now.
I am the definition of chill Bitty. But if they bother you, I will strangle them.
Geez Bennett I swear! Like they would bother me. It’s me remember. No Greek gods who have their pick of the litter are going to pursue me.
Bitty, you have no idea how special you are.
Yeah…I’m soooo special.
I pull lasagna pans out. After I cut the pasta, I go to grab my oven mitts, but I see Webb and Colby have them on. “Here Sof, let us. They’ve got to be heavy.” Webb says softly. They pick the pans up.
Bennett watches and relaxes a bit. I even see the beginnings of a smile. I elbow him in the side. “What?” I whisper.
“Saw something that gives me hope.” He says softly. He’s so weird.
Over dinner, the guys warm up to each other and by the end they are talking and laughing like old friends. I fill the empty lasagna pan with water. Webb comes behind me and shuts off the water. “Come eat dessert. We’re doing the dishes later.” He tells me sternly.
“Bossy! Remember this is my house.”
“Yeah well you worked way too hard on dinner and should not have to do the dishes too. That’s the rule at my parents house. Besides if you protest, I bet I can convince your brother to hold you over his shoulder while we wash them.” Is this the same Webb Jameson who couldn’t speak to me three years ago?
Bennett chimes in “No convincing needed, just say the word.”
“Traitor!” I tell my brother as he smirks at me.
Once the dishes are done, the guys file out.
Bennett's voice comes out accusingly "So how long have guys been coming to your apartment?" I turn and he gives me the stern dad eyes.
Great!
- Writer
