Checked back after uploading 'Compare Lessons', and found out 27 people had already clicked on it. Thanks a lot, guys. I'd also like to thank the people who bookmarked the story, it's much appreciated. English is not my native language, so the Manchurian slang sometimes escapes me – working on it though. Reviews are always appreciated, thanks for reading.

Chapter II –

Friday evening had arrived relatively fast. Too fast. Part of Sophie didn't want Friday to come, since she knew for a fact she was going to have a fit having to witness Ryan drooling all over Sian. On the other hand, she was quite certain Sian would cuddle up to her at some point. For some reason she couldn't describe, Sophie loved being physically close to the blonde. Perhaps it had something to do with her fragrance. Not that there was any chance of testing it, but Sophie had a theory that she could recognize Sian's scent out of dozens of people – if not more.

"Here we go." She encouraged herself, before ringing Ryan's doorbell. "It's all cool."

"Hiya!"

Sophie immediately started smirking. She had mentally prepared herself for seeing Ryan's face, but it was Sian's instead. The smile suddenly felt natural, and she gave the blonde a bear hug. Some fruity scent engulfed her as she buried her face in the nape of Sian's neck. She felt Sian's hands roam over her back, before pulling away.

"You look dead hot." Sian winked, checking her best friend out, "Not making an effort for Ryan, are ya?"

"No, not at all." Sophie said. At least that wasn't a lie.

"Right." Sian mumbled, pulling her friend inside, "Look, I figured that it'd have been really awkward if you would have had to sit here watching a DVD while Ryan's snogging my face off?" Sian had a mischievous glint in her eye, "So I sort of took care of that."

"Oh." What the...

"I made Ryan invite Ben." Sian said proudly, "Apparently, he fancies you, Soph. And I thought, perhaps a double date is the ideal opportunity for you two's to get to know each other."

This is going to be a disaster.

"That's, um," Sophie was in a loss for words, "Thoughtful?"

"You are welcome, beautiful." Sian grinned, "Come on in, Ben and Ryan are gaming. We phoned for pizza and all, let's go get cosy!"

Without waiting for a reply, Sian grabbed Sophie's hand and pulled her into the living room where the boys were sitting. Ryan barely acknowledged Sophie's presence. Instead, he smirked at Sian and patted a spot next to him on the couch. Ben on the other hand, hadn't taken his eyes off Sophie the second she walked in the room.

"Come sit, gorgeous." Ryan smiled at the blonde, "You can bring me good luck."

"You go on and play your game." Sian giggled, "I'll sit here with Soph for a bit. Unless she wants to go sit with Ben and bring him some luck." She gave Sophie's hand a wee squeeze, "Hm?"

"I wouldn't mind." Ben shyly admitted, "You look beautiful tonight, by the way."

"Thanks." Sophie managed to bring out.

She didn't care much for Ryan's behaviour. In some psyched way, she could understand why he sometimes behaved so hostile towards her – it was only natural he wanted to have some alone time with Sian when he could get it. If I'd be dating her, I'd spend every second with her as well. Sophie thought, before trying to focus on something else. Sian was oblivious to the entire situation, and pulled Sophie down on the couch. Ever since the girls had set foot into Ryan's place, she hadn't let go of the brunette's hand. Sophie tried her hardest to pay attention to the shooting game the guys were playing, but focussing was pointless. Sian's thumb had started to rub small circles on her hand, and she doubted she'd pay attention to a pink elephant in the room. She suddenly became very aware of Sian's breath on her neck.

"You want to share?" The blonde whispered gently.

"Wha?"

"The pizza." Sian clarified, "I mean, we got three, but just one pepperoni? And I seem to recall you are a fan of those, young Webster."

"Oh, yeah." Sophie smiled, somehow happy Sian remembered her tastes in pizza, "It's not like I could finish more than half. Got to watch me weight and all."

She had meant it as a joke, of course. It had slipped without her realising saying it. When Sian sat up and gave her a confused look, she did realise something was up.

"Your weight?" Sian said incredulously, "Babe, you look dead hot." To emphasize the point, she settled back down in the couch, cuddling up to Sophie, "Soph, you've got a body to kill for."

"I think you're confusing me with Rosie," Sophie smirked, "You know, the perfect ten."

"Oh, sod off." Sian laughed, "I wouldn't touch your sister with a six foot pole."

"But you would touch me, then?" Sophie blurted out. Sian gave her a funny look, so she quickly added "With a six foot pole, that is."

"I'm pretty close right now, and I don't see a pole." Sian remarked, nuzzling the brunette's neck. "You and your insecurities, Soph... It's well funny."

"Right, can you stop the lezzer talk?" Ryan frowned, "Babe, can you get me a soda?"

"Get it yourself." Sian winked, "I'm comfy right here."

The couple looked at each other and Sian giggled. She got up anyway and patted Sophie's thigh gently.

"What would you like, Soph? And you, Ben?"

"Eh, coke is alright for me." Sophie said.

"Same." Ben chirped in.

The second Sian got up and walked over to the refrigerator, Ben paused the game and slid next to Sophie on the couch. This seemed to please Ryan enormously. He set down his controller and leant back in the couch until Sian came back.

"Seems like you'll have to come sit here, babe." He smirked at Sian.

"My pleasure!" Sian said, passing round the drinks, "That pizza man is late."

She nestled in the couch with Ryan, resting her arm over his stomach as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Sophie felt Ben's arm sneak around her shoulder as well. If that's supposed to be subtle... She glanced to the side and noticed how Ryan had set up the DVD. The introduction was barely playing when he leant in and kissed Sian. The blonde smiled into his kiss and leant further into him, deepening it. Oh puh-lease. Sophie was so occupied looking at the happy couple, she didn't notice Ben getting up.

"Hey, where you off to?" Ryan said, pulling back from Sian, "Sophie that boring?"

"Ryan." Sian slapped him playfully, "Don't be nasty."

"No man, just need the bathroom for a wee second."

Ben left the room, causing Sian to cough and sit up straight again. Sophie was secretly happy the blonde didn't want to make out with Ryan while she was the only other person there. The teenager got up and pulled his trousers up higher.

"Think I heard the pizza guy arrive." He announced, "Back soon."

He dug in his jeans pocket to retrieve some money, and left the two girls by himself. Sian waited until he was out of sight, and leant closer to Sophie.

"Isn't Ben gorgeous?" She whispered, "He's been telling Ryan he really digs you, Soph. And I saw he had his arm around you and all, dead romantic. You like him, don't you?"

"He's alright." Sophie nodded.

"I'll make sure you two's get some privacy later on." Sian winked, "I know you are a tad bit shy, babe. And God knows how hard it must be to want to make out and not being able to."

It's not Ben I want to make out with... Sophie thought to herself, desperately trying not to think of her kissing Sian instead. The blonde took Sophie's mesmerized stare as a good sign, and patted her knee approvingly. The boys nearly simultaneously returned, Ben hurrying to sit next to Sophie again, and Ryan carrying the pizza's.

"Spicy with extra cheese, pepperoni and pineapple one." Ryan pointed at the boxes, "God knows why you like pepperoni so much." He snorted at Sian, "It's awful."

"Soph likes it too." Sian retorted, putting some slices on two plates, "And she's got amazing taste."