Thank you to everyone who has read the first part of Saving Sophia.
The next part of the story gets more into consensual, nonconsent with substance use, so I've submitted it to that category. Please feel free to leave any constructive feedback or comments on the story -- I read everything!
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Traffic was a nightmare from the apartment building to the Sigma Tau house. When Sophia and Claire arrived at 9:45 PM, they walked across this short lawn, staring at people sitting outside on the porch or lounging on the grass. Everyone had a red Solo cup, and they saw sleeves of them sitting on tables next to huge frat brothers at the door. A heavy bass thumped from behind the wooden doors and grew louder as they walked closer.
"Ladies, welcome to the best party you will find in the South, Sigma Tau!" the first guy said. He was tall with a backwards baseball cap.
The second guy put his hand out to Sophia and Claire. "I need to check your college IDs and take your phones. We don't want anyone recording inside. Too many problems with people getting wasted and filmed."
Sophia and Claire exchanged nervous glances. Claire shrugged and handed over her phone and ID. The guy handed back a small paper tag.
"Keep that tag with you and hand it in at the end of the night. Your phone will be safe--trust us."
Sophia's hand tightened around her iPhone. The bouncer stretched out his hand, but she hesitated. Her stomach knotted at the thought of being disconnected from the outside world, especially Joe.
Sophia took a step back and shot a text to Joe.
Sophia: made it safe, baby. Traffic is insane. Major accident on Loop 10. They're taking phones at the door, so I won't be able to text until later. Love you and sorry about earlier.
"Come on, house rules," the bouncer said, wiggling his fingers.
Sophia's hands were sweating, but Claire nudged her shoulder. "It's fine. We'll get them back when we leave."
Sophia handed over the phone and took the tag.
The two bouncers smiled as they opened the heavy wooden doors. Sophia's heels clicked against the polished hardwood floors as she stepped inside. The room opened up with high ceilings and a wide staircase along the right side wall. The smell of beer and artificial pine cleaner hit her nose. The room was swimming with people, some standing around and chatting while many were dancing to the thundering music coming from massive speakers around the room.
Claire grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the center of the room. "Holy shit, this place is unreal."
Sophia suddenly felt dozens of eyes on her. She reached down and pulled her micro skirt lower, suddenly remembering what Joe had said about her outfit being too revealing.
Joe was probably right. My ass is hanging out in this thing every time I take a few steps. And I really got girl?
Her long legs were catching stares, and she could see people whispering about her.
"They're staring because you look hot," Claire said, nudging her with her shoulder.
Sophia felt her body relax. She knew she looked good and what was wrong with that?
Still she felt bad about Joe. She talked to Claire the whole way in the Uber and started to realize she was breaking Joe's trust when texting Brad. Her insecurities and need for attention made her do something she knew was wrong in the back of her mind. Claire put it to her in a very simple way -- would Sophia be upset if Joe was texting some random girl from work? Sophia would have been devastated had it been true. She also worried about Brad pushing her too far. She would never cheat on Joe, but if Brad got to inappropriate, there was no telling what Joe would do.
God, Brad's hot with those muscles, but Joe would totally wreck him in a fight. Like, my man literally does MMA three times a week - he could probably snap Brad like a twig. Even though... fuck, not gonna lie, something about two guys fighting over me kinda gets me going. But nah, I don't need that drama right now.
Her new plan was to take a quick circle around the party and explain to Brad they couldn't text any longer.
A broad shouldered guy with a UGA football shirt approached them with plastic cups. "Ladies, welcome to Sig Tau! You look thirsty."
Claire shook her head and pulled Sophia passed him. "No thanks. We're good."
The guy shrugged and moved on. Claire whisper-shouted to Sophia, "We get our own drinks. Bottled beer is best. We don't take cups from anyone. We stay together all night. Got it?"
Sophia nodded with a smile and the tension in her body relaxed even further. At the kitchen bar, they popped open two Coronas, clicked the bottles in a toast, and took baby sips. No sooner had they returned to the living room and started dancing that Sophia heard a familiar voice.
"Sophia! You made it." Brad shouted over the music. He held a cup in hand and glided around dancing students to reach her. "I grabbed this drink for myself, but you should have it."
Sophia smiled. "I'll stick with my beer from now but thanks. By the way, we need to talk about something..."
Brad was a broad shouldered guy, an inch shorter than Joe and not as toned, but he had deep dimples when he smiled that Sophia couldn't help but like. He had on a sleeveless tank top and skinny jeans that showed off his toned physique.
Sophia enjoyed all of Brad's attention, but she never gave into them. Some of his text messages bordered on inappropriate, and Sophia knew, deep down, it was wrong. After Josh, her own self-worth was dismal, but Joe had helped with restore her view of herself. And she was breaking his trust by cheating on him, not physically but emotionally.
Brad reached out and gingerly took the bottle from Sophia, replacing it with the red cup. "You don't want some cheap shit. Trust me, this is just a shot of vodka with mostly juice. Way classier for a hot girl like you." As she focused on the cup, his eyes dragged over her long legs. "You gotta be careful at these parties. Some real fuckin' creeps around here. Lucky I found you first."
Sophia continued her smile as she stared at the cup. It smelled like juice but she didn't know much about alcohol. What should it smell like? When she glanced over for Claire, like she needed her best friend's permission or assurance, she saw her speaking with a tall guy with a thin mustache.
"Go ahead, take a sip and tell me if you like it," Brad said. Sophia was still staring into the cup and Brad caught the eye of Steven, his brother who he had told to distract Claire. Brad gave him a subtle nod.
"I really need to talk to you privately," Sophia said, hoping to give him the news gently.
As she took a sip from the cup, Brad turned and waved towards the study by the staircase, separated by French doors. "We can talk later. You gotta meet some friends."
His hand on the small of her back guided her forward. He slid the door open, and she stepped into a smaller room with worn leather couches, bookshelves, and a desk in the corner. Twenty people were packed inside.
"Sophia!" shouted Sarah as she ran the short distance across the room.
Sophia grew up in Florida and didn't have the Georgia accent like Sarah. She also didn't have Sarah's huge breasts that currently overflowed a tightfitting summer dress. Sarah mashed her chest into Sophia and air-kissed each cheek.
