Page 15 of How I Ruined Everything by Kissing My Roommate

“Nervous?” she asked. “I know you don’t like crowds.”

“Well, Maya’s going to be here, so I guess I’m okay.”

Sophie smiled, conversing to distract me. “So, how’s your art going? I know we don’t talk about it, but I see you painting all the time. Are you trying to get into a gallery.”

I was surprised she knew so much about the world of art, but I nodded. “Yeah. For now, I’m making progress on my portfolio, which I need to graduate.” I told her about the pieces I’d recently submitted to a few smaller online galleries and the upcoming interview I’d landed with an independent arts magazine. "The pressure is on for the post-graduation gallery show. If I don't secure that, the last four years feel like a waste".

Sophie listened with an intensity that made me feel entirely seen. “You’re amazing. You’ve already accomplished so much.”

"What about you?" I asked. "I assume the pro scouts are already breathing down your neck."

Sophie sighed, a small, weary sound. "They are. But that's not what I want, Iris. Everyone expects the pro career because it's the 'logical' next step, but my heart is set on the non-profit sector". She explained her dream of using sports to mentor kids in underprivileged communities, using the discipline of the game as a tool for empowerment. "The visibility I have now… I want to channel it into something with actual purpose, not just more trophies".

Seeing the person behind the "Golden Girl" persona—the girl with a heart for service and a quiet burden of expectation—melted the last of my defenses.

“I never thought you’d want to do something like that, but it suits you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. You’re a good Samaritan, Sophie. It’s just like you to want to help people and make them open up.” In many ways, she’d brought positive changes to my life too.

Before I could go on, Mark came toward us. “Hi, you both.”

Before I could go on, Mark came toward us. “Hi, you both.”

Sophie straightened instinctively, shifting so she was half in front of me without even realizing she was doing it. The gesture landed somewhere warm and dangerous in my chest.

“Hey, Mark,” she said easily. “You surviving?”

“Barely,” he replied. His eyes flicked to me, curious but not unkind. “Can I steal Iris for a second?”

My pulse jumped. Sophie glanced at me, checking—always checking now.

“I’ll be right here,” she said, squeezing my hand once before letting go.

That simple act made my face heat.

Mark led me a few steps away, closer to the kitchen where the music dulled into background noise. Someone laughed loudly behind us. A red cup tipped and spilled. Normal party chaos. I felt like I was standing under a spotlight anyway.

“I, um—” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I wanted to say sorry. For… before. The whole boyfriend thing.”

Mark’s mouth curved into a knowing smile. Not smug. Just patient.

“Yeah,” he said. “I figured that was coming.”

“I shouldn’t have assumed,” I added quickly. “Or projected. Or been… like that.”

He waved it off. “It’s fine. Really. We’re cool.”

Relief rushed through me so fast my knees almost went weak.

Then his tone shifted—still calm but grounded. “There’s something else I wanted to talk about. You and Sophie…are you dating?”

“Yes.” I would usually hesitate, but this time, I said it loud and clear. I didn’t want her to be my secret, despite my reservations. And I felt a little jealous of Mark.

“Good for you. Sophie really likes you, you know.”

“I know.”