CHAPTER 12
Sophia’s Pov
I stepped into the party, the lively atmosphere engulfed me. Jason greeted me with a warm smile, expressing his delight that I had made it. He introduced me to his friends – Molly, Adrian, and Kyle. I took a seat, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Hey there, glad you could join us!" Jason said, his easygoing demeanor putting me at ease.
As I settled in, they encouraged me to grab a drink and join them. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should indulge, but decided to join in on the fun. After all, it was just one drink, right?
"So, tell us about yourself, Sophia," Molly chimed in, her eyes curious.
I smiled, feeling surprisingly comfortable in their presence. "I'm a freshman majoring in creative writing. I've always been good at expressing myself through writing."
Jason nodded in agreement, adding, "Writing is a beautiful craft. It takes a lot to put your thoughts and emotions into words."
Molly's mischievous grin took center stage. "Hey, do I sense some kind of sexual tension between you two?" she teased, winking at me.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Oh please, Molly! Jason's a nice guy, but I'm here for the college experience, not for romance."
Jason chuckled along, adding, "Well, you heard her. No hard feelings, I promise."
Adrian offered me a drink, which I politely declined. "I don't drink, actually."
Kyle chimed in, playfully nudging me. "Come on, don't be a party pooper. It's just one drink."
After a moment of consideration, I relented and agreed to have a drink. "Alright, one drink won't hurt."
As we continued chatting, Molly steered the conversation into the realm of politics, particularly the fight against the Black Lives Matter movement. She cracked jokes that kept us all laughing, even though the topic was serious.
"I mean, can you believe how convoluted the whole situation has become?" Molly exclaimed, shaking her head.
I nodded in agreement, feeling the passion in the room. "Absolutely, it's like a tangled web of opinions and misinformation."
Jason leaned forward, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It's important to approach these discussions with an open mind and really listen to different perspectives."
As the conversation continued, I found myself engaged and surprised at how comfortable I felt sharing my thoughts with these new acquaintances. The energy of the party, coupled with their friendly banter, created an atmosphere that was both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.
Before I knew it, time had flown by and the party was in full swing. I couldn't help but smile as I looked around at the people around me, realizing that maybe Jason was right – I did need to let loose and have some fun.
As the conversation about Black Lives Matter came to a natural pause, Kyle suggested that they switch topics. "Alright, enough of the heavy stuff. Let's switch gears, shall we?"
They all chuckled in agreement, the transition from serious discussions to lightheartedness was surprisingly seamless.
Adrian, always the one for spontaneity, piped up, "How about a game of truth or dare?"
I raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Truth or dare? Isn't that a game for kids?"
Molly grinned mischievously. "Oh, we don't play it like kids. Trust me, you're in for a ride."
Jason leaned in with a playful glint in his eyes. "Sophia, you're gonna love it."
Curiosity piqued, I shrugged. "Alright, why not? Let's give it a shot."
And so, the game began. We formed a circle on the floor, the energy electric as we prepared for our first adult version of truth or dare.
Adrian took the lead. "Alright, I'll start. Molly, truth or dare?"
Molly didn't hesitate. "Dare, of course."
Adrian smirked. "I dare you to do your best impression of a famous celebrity."
Molly chuckled and then slipped into an exaggerated impersonation of a celebrity's signature strut, causing us all to burst into laughter. The ice was broken, and it was my turn.
"Jason, truth or dare?" I asked with a grin.
He didn't flinch. "Dare."
I scanned the room for inspiration, then settled on a challenge. "I dare you to text someone random in your phone and tell them you've won a dancing competition and they have to give you a congratulatory dance move."
Jason laughed heartily. "You're evil, Sophia. Alright, here goes nothing." He pulled out his phone and sent the message, his face lighting up with amusement.
As the dares and truths went around, the game took unexpected twists. Adrian was dared to call his crush and leave a voicemail confessing his admiration, causing both embarrassment and laughter. Molly shared a hilarious truth about her most embarrassing childhood moment that had us in stitches.
Then it was my turn again, and I found myself looking at Kyle. "Kyle, truth or dare?"
He smirked confidently. "Dare, of course."
I thought for a moment, wanting to bring some spicy energy to the game. "I dare you to give the person to your right a sensual back massage."
Molly raised an eyebrow at Kyle, clearly intrigued. He chuckled and agreed, scooting over to her and offering a playful yet surprisingly skilled massage that left Molly blushing and giggling.
As the game progressed, we delved deeper into our personal lives. Jason admitted to a secret crush he'd had on a celebrity for years, causing us all to tease him mercilessly. Adrian shared a hilarious story about a disastrous first date that ended in spilled drinks and awkward silences.
Eventually, it was Molly's turn again, and she looked at me with a sly grin. "Sophia, truth or dare?"
I chuckled, feeling a mixture of anticipation and excitement. "Dare, bring it on."
Molly's eyes gleamed mischievously. "I dare you to kiss the person on your left."
I turned to find Jason sitting beside me, his expression a mix of surprise and amusement. Our eyes met, and a playful smile tugged at my lips. Without overthinking it, I leaned in and planted a brief yet surprisingly electrifying kiss on his cheek.
Leaving the lively atmosphere of the party behind, I mentioned to Jason that I was ready to head home. Unexpectedly, he offered to drive me, and at first, I hesitated. I didn't want him to know that I was staying with Henry. However, he insisted, citing my slightly tipsy state and the potential danger of taking an Uber alone at night.
Reluctantly, I agreed, allowing him to take me home. During the drive, the city lights blurred as my thoughts wandered. Jason's question about my college choices snapped me back to reality.
"You got into more than just UCLA, huh?" he inquired, casting a sidelong glance at me.
I smirked, my playful side emerging. "Yeah, Harvard and Brown also accepted me."
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Harvard and Brown? Why choose UCLA then?"
I leaned back, a mysterious smile playing on my lips. "I have my reasons, personal ones."
Jason grinned knowingly, his tone light. "Ah, the reasons. Could it be family or love?"
Caught off guard by his perceptive insight, I chuckled softly. "You've got quite the detective skills."
He winked, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Years of practice, my dear."
As we pulled up in front of the house, a mixture of relief and a twinge of disappointment washed over me. The night had been unexpectedly enjoyable, and I wasn't quite ready for it to end. Jason turned to me, a friendly smile on his face.
"Thanks for hanging out, Sophia. I had a blast."
I returned the smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie. "Likewise, Jason. It was fun."
Before I could react, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on my cheek. Caught off guard but oddly pleased, I laughed and stepped out of the car, making my way to the front door. Stepping into the house, I was greeted by a surprising sight.
Henry was seated in the living room, his eyes fixed on me as I entered. I froze momentarily, my heart racing. I hadn't anticipated him still being awake, let alone waiting for me. His presence magnified the events of the night, making me hyper-aware of my own actions.
"Hey, Henry," I greeted, attempting nonchalance.
He studied me for a moment, his gaze unreadable. "You're back late. That wasn’t our deal"