Page 20 of How I Ruined Everything by Kissing My Roommate

"Of course," Elena smirked, her gaze flickering back to Sophie. "And who’s this?”

Before I could turn, Sophie came to stand next to me, Elena’s eyes surveying her with suspicion. I felt myself start to tremble, my hands clenching at my sides. But before the spiral could take hold, I felt a warm, firm pressure against the small of my back.

“Hi, I’m Sophie. We’re roommates.” She stepped half an inch closer, her hand an unwavering anchor against my spine. Her blue eyes gazed at me, silently asking if I was okay.

“Roommate?” Elena looked a little suspicious. “Wait, aren’t you the girls’ soccer team captain?”

“Yeah, that’s me.” Sophie looked upbeat, but I was shaking. She looked down at me, her expression steady and full of a quiet, fierce support that cut through Elena's toxicity. “Iris and I were just going to see the sculptures. Right, Iris?”

She was trying to get me out of there, sensing how uncomfortable Elena made me.

“Yeah.” I took a step back, not facing Elena as I turned. “See you around.”

We walked away, Sophie’s hand lingering on my back just long enough to ensure I was steady. As we stepped out into the cool night air of the sculpture garden, the shame of the past felt smaller, like a distant, unimportant sketch compared to the vibrant reality of the woman beside me.

"You okay?" Sophie asked softly as we reached a secluded bench near a stone fountain.

"I am now," I admitted, looking up at her. "Thank you for that. That was Elena, someone Riley knew…she saw my meltdown and…” I dragged in a breath, doubts filling my head.

“Iris, it’s okay. We don’t have to talk about it.” She squeezed my hand and I felt weird, keeping the fact that we were dating from everyone.

I took the escape route as we explored more sculptures together. Sophie showed interest in everything, but as I watched her, full of life and joy, unmarred by the past, I wondered if I’d ever be good enough for her.

The afternoon sun was streaming through the tall windows of the Fine Arts corridor, casting long, golden rectangles across the linoleum. I was walking back from my advanced painting seminar, my portfolio bag heavy on my shoulder, but my heart felt lighter than it had in months. I was still riding the high of the gallery date—the memory of Sophie’s hand on my back a constant, warm pressure in my mind. The thing with Elena had shaken me up, but after Sophie came to my rescue, I’d forgotten about it.

I was thinking about what to get for dinner—maybe that Thai place Sophie liked—when the air in the hallway suddenly felt cold.

Twenty feet ahead, near the vending machines, stood Riley.

She was leaning against the wall, laughing at something a guy next to her was saying. He was tall, wearing a varsity jacket, his arm draped casually over her shoulders. The sight of them—so effortless, so normal—sent a sharp, familiar jolt of nausea through my stomach.

I immediately ducked my head, clutching the strap of my bag tighter. Just keep walking. Don't look up. She hasn't seen you.

"Iris? Is that you?"

The voice stopped me mid-step. I closed my eyes for a fraction of a second, bracing myself, before looking up.

"Hey, Riley," I said, my voice sounding flatter than I intended.

Riley stepped away from her boyfriend, a small, practiced smile on her face—the kind of look she used when she wanted to seem like the bigger person. The guy stayed back, looking bored as he checked his phone.

"I haven't seen you around the studios lately," Riley said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I heard you were... hiding out in your room."

"I've been busy," I replied, already moving to step past her.

"I heard that, too," Riley said, her tone shifting. It was lighter now, almost conspiratorial. "Word travels fast in a place like this. People are saying you're trying to make things work with your roommate. Sophie Mercer, right? Are you interested in her?"

I froze. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of a reaction, but the mention of Sophie’s name in Riley’s mouth felt like a violation. "It’s none of your business, Riley."

"Oh, I'm not judging, Iris. Really," Riley said, stepping closer. Her boyfriend glanced up, sensing the shift in energy. Riley lowered her voice, her expression softening into something that looked horribly like pity. "I just... I think you should be careful. Sophie is a star. She’s the 'Golden Girl.' She’s used to things being easy, bright, and fun."

I felt the old shame beginning to prickle at the back of my neck. "What’s your point?"

"My point is that you aren't exactly 'easy,' are you?" Riley tilted her head, her eyes scanning my face with a clinical coldness. "I put up with the moods, the silence, and the constant 'artist' drama because... well, you were an experiment for me. It was new and intense, so I had the patience for it. But for someone like Sophie? Someone who lives in the sun? She’s going to grow bored of the gloom eventually, Iris."

The words hit exactly where Riley knew I was most vulnerable.

"You’re a lot of work," Riley continued, her voice a gentle, devastating whisper. "And once the novelty of dating the 'mysterious roommate' wears off, Sophie is going to realize that she’s stuck with someone who is constantly waiting for the world to end. Don't lead her on just because you want a rebound to get over me. It’s not fair to her."