Sophie - Your Childhood Friend

Author's note: Sorry if the story is progressing a bit slow. Trying to establish the characters a bit more before getting into the steamy stuff ;D. Also, I'm a bit of a foodie so please bear with me. Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback and comments, I really really appreciate it. I'm trying to reply but it seems its taking a while to go through. Enjoy!

Part 2: The Deal

Sophie sat up when he left, and quickly adjusted her clothes feeling flustered and a little agitated. She tried to compose herself before he returned.

Jason returned to the living room, the faint creak of the door hinges fading as he stepped inside. Sophie was sitting cross-legged on the couch, her arms wrapped loosely around a throw pillow. She looked up as he entered, her cheeks still faintly pink from their earlier encounter.

"Who was it?" she asked, her voice a touch uneven despite her attempt to sound casual.

"Just some solicitors," Jason replied, rubbing the back of his neck as he walked past her toward the kitchen. "Wanted to talk about switching internet providers or something. Told them we weren't interested."

Sophie nodded, her fingers absentmindedly picking at the pillow's edge. She felt like the room was still charged with the energy of what had just happened. Her heart hadn't quite settled, and the lingering warmth of his touch was hard to shake.

Jason grabbed his water bottle from the counter and leaned against the kitchen doorway, his gaze settling on her. "You alright? You've been kind of quiet since..." He trailed off, gesturing vaguely toward the wrestling mat.

Sophie let out a short laugh, though it sounded more nervous than amused. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... catching my breath."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Uh-huh. You sure? You look like you're still trying to process that I won."

She threw the pillow at him, her grin breaking through her flustered expression. "Please. I let you win, obviously."

Jason caught the pillow with ease, chuckling as he tossed it back onto the couch. "Sure, Soph. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Her smile lingered, but the tension in her chest didn't fully dissipate. Part of her wanted to laugh it off, to return to the easy banter they always shared. But another part couldn't ignore how close they'd been—or how her pulse had raced for reasons that had nothing to do with competition.

"So... rematch later?" she said, trying to steer the moment back to safer ground.

"So soon?" he asked looking at her in concern. "You don't want to rest up a bit more after that devastating loss I handed you?"

"Shut up, Jason! You're so annoying," Sophie huffed, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder and lifting her chin with an exaggerated air of defiance. "Plus, you distracted me."

Jason smirked, leaning slightly closer. "I don't know, Soph. You seemed to enjoy the distraction."

Her jaw dropped, and her face turned a brilliant shade of red. "I did not!" she shot back, her voice a touch higher than usual. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, but the way her gaze darted away and lingered on the floor for a moment betrayed her nervousness.

Jason caught the subtle tell and chuckled, clearly amused. "Sure, sure. Whatever you need to tell yourself."

Sophie glared at him, the heat in her cheeks refusing to fade. She looked away sulking slightly.

Jason stepped closer and placed a hand gently on her shoulder, only for her to shrug it off with a sharp motion. "Aw, come on," he said, his tone softening. "I'm sorry I teased you."

She turned back to him, her glare sharp enough to cut glass.

Unable to resist, Jason reached out and gently tapped her on the nose with his fingertip. "Boop," he said, a playful grin spreading across his face before he burst into laughter.

"That's not funny!" Sophie protested, her tone indignant as she tried to maintain her scowl. But the corners of her mouth betrayed her, twitching upward despite her best efforts.

Jason's laughter only grew as he stepped back, arms raised in mock defense. "Oh, come on, you can't stay mad after a boop. It's scientifically impossible."

Sophie let out an exasperated sigh, finally breaking into a reluctant smile. "You're such a dork," she muttered, shaking her head.

"Maybe," Jason shot back with a wink, "but at least I'm a lovable one."

She rolled her eyes, her annoyance all but forgotten as she shoved him lightly. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he quipped, dodging her half-hearted attempt to swat at him."Don't think this changes our deal."

"Our deal?" she asked hesitantly. What did he mean? Did he mean--? Her heart fluttered at the possibilities.

He raised his eyebrows. "The dishwashing? For a week? Don't tell me you forgot about it already. I won like less than 5 minutes ago."

She turned pink, in all the excitement she had forgotten all about the bet they had struck. She groaned audibly. Of course, that deal. She sank further into the couch as the memory hit her. "Ugh. I totally forgot about that."

"No way," Jason said, laughing as he stepped closer. "A deal's a deal. You lost, so dishes are all yours for the week."

"Great," Sophie muttered, covering her face with her hands. "Guess I'm not getting out of this one, huh?"

"Not a chance," Jason said, plopping down on the armrest of the couch. "You're on dish duty, starting tonight."

She peeked at him from between her fingers, her face still pink. "You're lucky I'm nice, or I'd 'forget' to rinse everything properly."

He rolled his eyes. "You do that already."

Sophie grabbed the throw pillow again and began smacking him. "I do not! Take that back!"

Laughing, Jason wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her onto his lap, keeping her arms at her sides. Sophie's pulse quickened as she felt his embrace.

"How about this? Since you pinned me first, even though that was a practice round and I was totally off guard from your unprovoked blitz attack.." She gave another annoyed huff. "I'll treat you to that burger place you wanted to go anyway. The Stackhouse?" he finished.

Her eyes widened, and she stopped squirming for a moment, completely caught off guard. "Really?" she asked, her voice softening.

Jason nodded, a sly grin on his face. "Really."

Sophie blinked, then gave a small, triumphant smile. "Fine, you're off the hook... this time."

Jason chuckled, not letting her go just yet. "I'm sure I'll regret this, but I'll take it."

Her heart raced a little faster, but she tried to ignore the way his proximity made her feel. "You better," she said, her tone softening but still playful.

Jason met her gaze, his expression shifting just slightly, something unspoken hanging in the air between them. For a brief moment, everything felt different—closer, warmer. Sophie's breath hitched, but she quickly looked away, a little flustered. "Okay, okay, you can let me go now," she muttered. "I have to change."

"What's wrong with what you're wearing now?" Jason asked, genuinely confused.

"What's wrong?!" Sophie exclaimed, throwing her arms out in exasperation. "I'm in my yoga pants and a sports bra! I'm not going there dressed like this."

Jason blinked, baffled by her reaction. "You wear that all the time. Besides, it's not like we're going to the Ritz-Carlton, Soph. It's just a burger joint." He sprawled lazily on the couch, clearly unconcerned.

Sophie shot him a pointed look, her arms crossed. "It's a sit down restaurant, I don't exactly want to walk in looking like I just rolled out of bed."

Jason chuckled, unbothered. "You look fine. Who's gonna care at a burger joint? Besides it's college, everyone looks like they just rolled out of bed."

He grinned. "Besides, those yoga pants really work for you."

She rolled her eyes and quickly turned so he wouldn't see her blush. "I'm changing." She purposely swayed her hips as she left, giving him a view of her perfectly shaped butt.

A few minutes later Sophie stepped out of the room, now dressed in a casual jacket over a croptop, and a miniskirt that showed off her legs. Jason looked up from his phone, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than usual.

Sophie enjoyed the hungry look in his eyes as she sashayed past him. "We going or what?" she asked as she strutted past him.

Jason stood up, stretching. "Alright, alright. After you."

They headed out the door, the cool morning air brushing against their skin as they made their way to the burger joint. The short walk was quiet at first, but Jason couldn't help but glance at Sophie every now and then, appreciating how effortlessly stylish she looked, even for something as simple as lunch.

As they walked to the burger joint, Jason kicked a small stone on the sidewalk, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the quiet evening air.

"You know," Sophie said, breaking the silence, "I still can't believe we're both here, living together, at the same school." She looked at him with a playful grin, but her tone softened with nostalgia. "Feels like just yesterday we were arguing over who'd get to sit shotgun on the way to the movies."

Jason snorted, remembering those days. "And you always insisted it was your turn, even when we both knew it wasn't."

Sophie shrugged, feigning innocence. "I was the oldest, so I had seniority."

"Right, seniority," grumbled Jason. "You were also the one who always ended up dragging me to do everything with you. Never thought I'd actually follow you here. To a college campus, of all places."

"How's life back at home?" she asked tentatively, she knew it was a touchy subject with him.

Jason let out a sigh, the weight of the question hanging in the air. "Same," he muttered, kicking a pebble out of his path. "Nothing's really changed."

She glanced at him, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "How's your dad?" The question was timid, almost hesitant.

Jason's gaze shifted upward, his eyes fixed on the sky, as if trying to avoid the reality of the answer. "Drunk on his ass, I s'pose, if he hasn't run out of beers..." His voice trailed off, a mix of resignation and bitterness. The muscles in his neck tensed.

Sophie's heart sank at his words, but she didn't press him further. She knew better than to push. Instead, she walked in silence for a few moments, the weight of their past hanging between them.

She had known about Jason's struggles at home, but hearing it from him—seeing it reflected in the way he carried himself—was always a harsh reminder. She'd grown up with her own set of pressures, but there was always a constant in her life: her parents' expectations and the unspoken demand for perfection. Jason didn't have that luxury.

"You know you don't have to do it alone, right?" Sophie finally said, her voice soft but steady. "I'm here, Jason. I always will be." She hooked her arm around his and leaned her head on his shoulder.

He glanced over at her, offering a faint but grateful smile. "I know, Soph. I know." He relaxed at her touch.

They both fell into a comfortable silence again. It was the kind of silence that came from years of friendship, a bond that didn't need words to be understood.

Part 3. The Stackhouse

They reached The Stackhouse after a short walk, the faint hum of early-morning chatter drifting out as they pushed open the door. Despite it still being before 11 a.m., the place was already buzzing with college students, many likely still riding the high of a late-night study session or looking for a hearty brunch at the hip new burger place.

The hostess, a twenty-something girl with blonde hair that fell perfectly in waves over her shoulders, greeted them with a practiced smile. Her eyes swept over Jason, lingering a second longer than necessary, before glancing at the way Sophie was hanging on to him. The brief flicker of approval in her gaze wasn't lost on Sophie, and her grip tightened subtly on Jason's arm.

"Two for lunch?" the hostess asked, her voice light and sweet, though there was an unmistakable edge of flirtation in her tone as she looked Jason up and down once more.

"Yeah, just a booth is fine," Jason replied, completely oblivious to the subtext of the interaction, offering his usual easygoing smile.

The hostess nodded, still smiling at him with a gleam in her eyes. "Right this way," she said, leading them to a booth near the back of the restaurant. Sophie felt the hostess's gaze on her as she walked ahead, her eyes lingering just a moment too long.

Sophie took a seat, her eyes narrowing slightly as the hostess gave Jason another flirty smile before heading back toward the front. She didn't miss the way the woman seemed to watch him a little too closely, as if hoping for some kind of reaction.

Jason, however, was blissfully unaware. He slid into the booth across from Sophie, casually running his hand through his hair as he settled into the seat, still smiling as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Sophie watched him for a moment, feeling a twinge of jealousy stir inside her, though she quickly shoved the feeling aside. She tried to focus on the menu in front of her, but her gaze flicked back to Jason, noticing how he didn't seem to care at all about the attention from the hostess.

For some reason, that made her feel both relieved and slightly frustrated.

Sophie leaned back in her seat, folding her arms across her chest. "You didn't even notice how that hostess was practically drooling over you, huh?"

Jason, looked at her with wide eyes instantly intrigued. "Really? Was she hot?" he asked with a grin.

Sophie snorted, looking at him like he was from another planet. "You're so clueless, Jason."

"I'm just here for the food," he said, grinning as he looked up from the menu. "And to make sure you don't end up dragging me into some weird conversation about feelings or whatever."

Sophie rolled her eyes, a half-smile tugging at her lips. Despite herself, she found his complete indifference to the situation oddly comforting. "You're lucky I like you, or I'd be jealous right now."

"Why would you be jealous?" he grinned wickedly, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction.

Sophie immediately felt her cheeks heat up, the color spreading across her face. She shifted in her seat, trying to hide the warmth rising in her neck. "Don't be stupid," she muttered, picking at the napkin on the table. "I'm just saying... it's a little hard to ignore when some random girl is checking you out like that."

Jason's grin widened and his eyes caught a mischievous glint. He took his foot out of his sneaker and brushed up against her legs.

Sophie's eyes widened as she felt his foot slide up her calves under the table. "What are you doing?" she hissed, her voice low, trying to sound annoyed, though there was a nervous edge to it. "Cut it out."

His foot paused for a moment, and he leaned in slightly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Come on, Soph, you're acting like we're in middle school again. You used to be the one doing stuff like this."

Her face flushed deeper, and she shot him a glare, though part of her couldn't suppress the slight thrill the attention brought. "I was a kid back then," she said quickly, trying to regain some composure. "And that's not what's going on now."

Jason raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the effect he was having. "Are you sure about that? Because you seem pretty flustered."

Sophie huffed, trying to steady her breathing. She pulled her legs back slightly, creating some space between them. "You're impossible," she muttered, crossing her arms.

Jason leaned back, a satisfied smile on his face. "It's just a little fun, Soph. You know you like it." His tone was teasing but also oddly light, as though he didn't fully realize how much he was affecting her.

Sophie, trying to hide her unease behind a dismissive front, rolled her eyes and picked up the menu in front of her, pretending to focus on it. "Whatever," she said, avoiding his gaze. "I'm not even gonna dignify that with a response."

However the playful glint had not left Jason's eyes and he was clearly not discouraged. He stretched out his leg further and parted her legs traveling slowly up her thighs. Sophie let out a small gasp and quickly looked around to see if anyone had heard. She felt his foot slowly come to rest under her skirt on the crotch of her panties.

"What-" she began.

"Hi, what can I get for you guys today?" asked a waiter, startling Sophie, who was breathing a little fast.

Jason looked up at him seemingly unaffected. He put down his menu. "I'll get the Rye & Shine Burger with fries and an ice water."

"Very good." said the waiter nodding before turning to Sophie who was looking flustered. "And for you?"

"Aherm, I'll have.. the.." she felt Jason's foot under the table rubbing against her panties. "I'll have.. the." her face turned pink as she felt the heat rushing between her legs. "The ... El Diablo .. with a water." she finally said with a squeak. She bit her lip to stop herself from letting out a moan.

The waiter eyed her with a concerned glance but didn't mention it. "Excellent choice." He took their menus. "I'll be out with those waters in a moment."

As soon as he left Sophie let out her breath. "What was that Jason?!" she hissed, "You almost made me ..."

"Made you what?" he grinned, his foot still rubbing between her legs, causing her to squirm. She clenched her thighs involuntarily, her breath hitching in her throat. She could feel her panties slowly becoming damp.

She looked around again. "What if someone sees us?" she said nervously.

"Relax, we're at the back, no one's going to see us." he said unconcerned. "Besides, I bet they'd enjoy the view."

She tried to glare at him but his foot felt too nice between her legs. "They'd better not."

Jason moved his foot away, causing her to feel relieved yet also disappointed. "God, you're such a tease." she said annoyed and frustrated.

"Good things come to those who wait." he said wisely.

"You're so full of it."

He laughed.

The food arrived, and Sophie's stomach gave an appreciative growl as the burgers were placed before them. The aroma of sizzling mushrooms, the earthy notes of fennel, and the subtle richness of goat cheese filled the air, making her mouth water instantly. Jason's burger, stacked high with mushrooms, fennel, goat cheese, and arugula on rye, looked absolutely delicious. Sophie's own burger was a fiery contrast, with pepperjack cheese melting over spicy jalapenos and habaneros, the chipotle aioli adding an extra kick, and caramelized onions adding a hint of sweetness—all nestled between fresh romaine lettuce and soft, toasted bun.

Jason took a deep breath, clearly savoring the smell. "This is definitely worth the wait," he said, lifting his burger with both hands. His eyes flicked to Sophie, who was eyeing her burger with eager anticipation.

Sophie bit into her burger first, the heat from the jalapenos and habaneros hitting her immediately, balanced by the smooth, spicy heat of the chipotle aioli. "Whoa," she mumbled between bites, the mix of flavors both bold and intense. "This is exactly what I needed."

Jason grinned, already enjoying his own burger. "Yeah, it's like a flavor explosion in your mouth," he said, taking a bite of his more subdued, but equally satisfying, mushroom, fennel, and goat cheese creation. "Definitely the right choice for today."

"Hey, let me try some of yours," Sophie said, motioning for him to hand over a piece of his burger.

"Seriously?" Jason raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of his lips with just a hint of exasperation. "I swear you do this every time."

"Come on..." she whined, leaning forward slightly. "I'll let you have a bite of mine. Fair trade."

Jason chuckled and shook his head. "I don't know, Soph. You're already getting the better deal here." But despite his words, he cut a small piece of his burger and handed it over to her.