CHAPTER 1

SUMMARY: Set 3 years in the future, the girls have just finished college and are both due to start at different universities in a few months' time. Their relationship is no longer a secret and the girls are far more relaxed in public than they used to be, but they currently still live within the constraints of their parents' presence. Having both saved up money from part-time jobs, the girls have decided to go away somewhere for a few days, to enable them to spend some quality time alone, together, before they head their separate ways for university term-time.

It was a sunny Friday afternoon and the girls were just loading their suitcases into the boot of the car. It was only a small, slightly rickety old car but it did the job, and Sophie had come to love it, in its own way. Her parents had bought it cheap and Kevin had done work on it himself, as an 18th birthday present for Sophie. Amazingly Rosie hadn't minded, in fact, it was her idea – she had grown up considerably over the last few years.

Sophie: "Sian! We're only going for a couple of days!" She laughed through her words, as Sian lugged her heavy case – which was almost twice the size of Sophie's – out of the house and dropped it on the floor by the car. Sian often stayed round these days and it made more sense for her to do so, so that they could simply pack the car and leave.

Sian: "Yeh well, girl's gotta look good! And I wanna be prepared, didn't wanna forget anything!" She flashed her trademark smile.

Sophie: "Yeh, apart from maybe how small this boot is!"

They both stood, arms folded and looking quizzically at the car boot before them.

Sian: "Right, it's fine! Nothing's impossible!" She laughed and clearly didn't really believe what she had just said. "Come on, take your bag out for a minute, let's get my bag in first..."

Sophie obliged and removed her bag from the car. For a brief moment she simple stood and chuckled to herself, watching the petite blonde girl as she struggled with the weight of her bag, before caving in and helping her.

Sophie: "Come 'ere you're gonna hurt yerself if you're not careful!"

They lifted the bag between them and dropped it into the boot, before shuffling it round to make room for Sophie's bag.

Sian: "See! Your bag'll fit in there easy!"

Sophie lifted her own bag relatively effortlessly and after using some force managed to squeeze it into the space that was left.

Sian: "Et, voila!" She waved her arms, gesturing towards the boot.

Sophie: "OK! I'll let you off this time!" She playfully jabbed her girlfriend in the ribs before grabbing her cardigan to pull her in for a brief, yet tender kiss.

As they embraced, Rosie hopped out of the front door and wolf-whistled, "Get a room you pair of saps!"

The girls pulled away from one another, and uttered in sync with smiles on their faces, "Shut up Rosie!"

Rosie: "Well I've gotta get all the wind-ups in while I can, while I'm home! You know I'm not gonna be here when you get back? I've got work again on Monday." Rosie had now moved into a flat in the city centre as her modelling career had started to take off – nothing major, but enough to get her standing on her own two feet.

Sophie: "Oh...OK..."

Rosie: "And for what it's worth the two of you are actually quite cute together..."

Sophie softly intertwined Sian's fingers in her own before placing a gentle kiss on the back of her girlfriend's hand.

Rosie: "Scrap that, you two are sickening!" She laughed before turning on her heels to go back inside. As she walked away she shouted behind her "Do you two love birds want a cuppa before you leave?"

Sophie: "Errm..." She looked to Sian for approval, as she knew they ought to set off soon.

Sian: "Yeh please Rosie...Soph says yes too"

Rosie tutted loudly before trotting back inside, with the girls close behind.

Half an hour had passed and Sophie looked to her watch.

Sophie: "We really ought to get off soon..."

Sally: "Oh, OK. Have you got everything?"

Sophie: "Yes!"

Sally: "Have you got your toothbrush?"

Sophie: "Yes mum!"

Kevin: "Have you got toothpaste?"

Sophie: "Yes dad!"

Sally: "Have you g-"

Sophie: "YES MUM! We've got everything!" She chuckled as she spoke, as Sian too giggled to herself.

Kevin and Sally's faces turned to ones of resignation.

Sophie: "Right!" She moved towards her mother to give her a goodbye hug.

Sally: "Oh we'll come out to the car love" She places her hand on Sophie's shoulder to usher her towards the door.

As they piled out of the house they all exchanged hugs and well wishes, before the girls hopped into the car and drove around the corner, waving out of the window as they went.

Sian: "Aw bless yer mum, she's so sweet!"

Sophie: "Yeh...she tries!" They both laughed.

Sian flicked through the radio stations and settled for one which was playing "Russian Roulette" by Rihanna.

Sophie: "Nice choice..." She glanced over the Sian briefly.

Sian: "I thought so" She winked back at her girlfriend, "Devon here we come! It's gonna be a long journey!"

TO BE CONTINUED...