Chapter Six - Confidence

Sookie had a new boyfriend. I was still getting used to it since I didn't really like the guy. My crush on Sookie had slightly diminished over time, like crushes tend to do when nothing is happening on either side, and now we were just friends; just really good friends. And while it wasn't the ideal situation as far as what I had wanted, it was still something I wouldn't give up for the world.

That didn't mean I couldn't hate the guy she was with. He was a douche. I'd never met Bill, the guy she was dating when we first met, so I didn't know if this was a pattern for her or not. All I knew was that when she wasn't looking, the guy ogled her, and every other female in sight, like they porn stars. Apparently subtlety wasn't in his extremely limited vernacular, nor was it in him to remember Sookie's name, since it definitely wasn't the same as a talking pig called 'babe.' Pam hated him too. I asked her why she even introduced them, and she claimed that he was different before his and Sookie's first date, and now he was letting his ass show.

My relationship with Pam was actually awesome. We'd both gotten too drunk the night we met, and made out a little in her room, but I passed out when she tried to do a striptease. I woke up on the bed, and found Pam on the floor, still half dressed.

We talked about it after, and both agreed that we would just remain friends with no benefits - which was just what was called for, really, since it would have led to a whole new set of complications. Crowded complications too, since she seemed to have a range of friends with various benefits. I didn't need to just be another number on her rotation. Apparently Sookie had given Pam the same request she gave me. It wasn't unreasonable, and really, I didn't like Pam enough in that way to have a relationship with her. She wasn't interested either.

Since then, we'd just become friends who had once made out when we were drunk. It wasn't a big deal to us. Outside of Sookie, Pam was my only other good friend. She was encouraging me to find a girlfriend. Well, in Pam's mind she was encouraging me to get laid. I hadn't met anyone I was really interested in.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out to check it. It was a text from Sookie.

Are you ready? I'm almost there.

I sent her back one letting her know I would be waiting for her outside, then got my shoes on, and headed out. We were going to her ASL class so I could watch her present her final. Sookie was going to perform a song in sign language, but she would be in a group with her classmates.

Sookie waved at me as she pulled up, and I ran around to the other side and got in.

Are you nervous? I signed.

All she could do was nod.

Don't be. Just focus on me, and you'll be fine.

"Right, like focusing on you will make me less nervous," she signed, rolled her eyes, and then started driving again, effectively ending the conversation.

It took about ten minutes to get to her class, and we had a little spare time before it started during which she took me to Niall. It was wonderful to see him again, and we hugged before jumping right into a conversation about how I was and what I'd been doing.

I took your advice and moved out of my aunt's house. I live alone now, and it's not so bad.

"That's wonderful, Eric," he signed. "And I see you are dating Miss Stackhouse."

What? No, we're not dating. Just friends.

"My mistake," he said with a smile. "I'm about to start the class, but feel free to sit anywhere."

I looked for Sookie and made my way to her. She was talking to a small group of other students, both signing and speaking. It was a rule in Niall's class, she'd told me. When you are in his classroom, you sign, and speak. It helps the learning process, and makes it become second nature.

I noticed a pretty redhead in another group casting glances at me often, but didn't think much of it. I assumed I was just the new guy in the room and she probably wondered who I was. Sookie introduced me to her classmates, and I was able to quickly see that her having me as a tutor definitely helped if the skills of her friends was any indication.

When Niall called the class to attention, Sookie pulled me over and had me sit next to her. I looked around a moment and saw the redhead looking at me again, so I offered her a smile and a small wave. She blushed and turned her head to focus on what Niall was saying. I couldn't be totally certain, but I was pretty sure I had just flirted.

After a few announcements, Niall called the first group up to perform their song. Sookie wasn't in that group, and she got rather fidgety watching them, so I took her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. She squeezed back, then patted my knee to let me know that she'd be just fine. The next group up included the redhead, who didn't take her eyes off me for the entire thing. I'll be honest, it was kind of hot in a way.

Sookie's group was up next, and I forgot all about the redhead as I watched her sign better than any of the other five students in her group. It was a proud moment, and I was so happy she got through it without passing out that I stood up to give her a hug before she sat back down.

They all had to take a small written test after that, so I left Sookie's side and caught up more with Niall until the class was over. He gave me some information about a few potential jobs, and I doubted I would seriously look into any of them, but it would be worth it to see if one of them interested me.

The students were allowed to leave as they finished their tests, so when Sookie handed hers in, we left the classroom together. As soon as we were in the hall, she exploded with energy and began signing, asking me how she did, and what I thought.

Fantastic, I signed. You were wonderful! I'm very proud of you.

"Let's go get some celebratory ice cream," she signed, and tucked her arm into mine, but as we started walking, she stopped suddenly and looked over her shoulder.

We turned around, and I saw the redhead from her class walking up to us.

"Eric, this is Sophie," Sookie signed. "Sophie, this is my friend, Eric."

"Hello, Eric," Sophie signed, then turned to Sookie and spoke without signing, and I couldn't get a clear read on her lips.

"Okay, Eric, I'll be right back," Sookie signed to me. She headed back down the hall to her classroom, leaving me alone with the red head, who was now eyeing me up and down curiously.

"Are you two dating?" Sophie asked me, signing again.

No, we're friends, I signed back.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"Would you like to take me to dinner tonight?"

I was pretty surprised by her forwardness, but then I thought, well, she's attractive, and she obviously finds me attractive. I'm single, she's single. Why the hell not?

And that was the train of thought that led me to invite Sophie along for ice cream, which led to she and I hanging out after Sookie went to work, which led to dinner at some fancy restaurant Sophie picked.

"Do you work out often?" she asked. Her signing was as good as Sookie's, so it was really easy to communicate with her.

Not really. I lift really heavy boxes a lot, and I run, but that's it.

"Well you look really good," she smiled.

Thank you, I signed. She'd been complimenting me all day, which was... nice. I wasn't really used to the attention, and here I was getting it from a hot woman. That never happened. It was a nice change of pace, and after dinner, she surprised me by saying the most forward thing she'd said all night.

"I want to have sex with you."

And that was how I ended the day naked and sweaty on my bed next to Sophie.

It was one hell of a day.

~oOo~

Eric... sweet, kind, thoughtful, awesome Eric, was dating Sophie Ann, the biggest bitch I'd ever met. She actually seemed nice and normal when she was around him, but it had to be an act, because I had never seen her that nice to anyone before. Not even Niall. I also knew for a fact that she only took ASL because her father made her take a college course, and she was told it would be easy since she knew French.

When Eric invited her to join us for ice cream, I almost smacked him, but then I saw the way he was around her. He smiled more, and let her touch his arm and brush his hair away from his face. It was... flirty. I'd never seen him like that. Even though I thought she was a bitch, she wasn't really doing anything wrong with Eric, so I didn't feel too bad when I left them alone to go to work.

That was, until I met Eric for breakfast the next afternoon and little miss Sophie was with him, holding his hand, and doing the walk of shame.

Well, fuck me.

A/N:

Sorry for the wait, guys! Got a little lost, and had a hectic week, but thanks to a kickass friend with a great brain, I'm back on track. Thanks for reading!