I ended up losing my voice for a few days and I'm so over being sick. I know this story is frustrating sometimes. It's like stop and starts but this is where it's all leading. It'll get there. Also, who knew I'd love writing Rosie so much? Not me, that's for sure! Enjoy :)
Sian was getting ready for another shift at the Rover's but was very distracted by thoughts of Sophie Webster. She hated seeing someone so sweet so upset. Sian didn't want to pry but she was so curious. If that Erinn person hurt her in any way, she would be out for blood. She of all people knew that no one deserves to be dicked around by someone just because they could be.
Sian was serious when she said that she would be there for Sophie whenever she needed her. She felt so alone and sad when things ended with Darren, besides the fact she was getting withdrawal symptoms something awful. She moved right in with her father and didn't want to talk to him about it, she was already dead embarrassed as it was. Sian knew that Sophie had a good support system with her crazy parents and her even crazier sister and her friends Ryan and Ches. She hoped that Soph would take her up on wanting to talk and let Sian be there for her. She just had to see if there was anything there for them and it was killing her not knowing. So many hits and so many more misses so far with Soph, it was beyond frustrating. Sian put on her shoes and grabbed her keys, checked her phone one last time in case Soph had tried to get in contact and set off for work. It was an early shift, and she looked forward to being off early to check up on the brunette who she had left in quite a state. If she wanted checking up on that is. Sian started to text Sophie but figured whatever was going on was probably occupying her, so she focused on getting to work and getting the shift done.
Sophie lay sprawled out on her bed in her dressing gown listening to music coming from her computer. What it was she didn't know, she wasn't really paying attention, she had her thoughts elsewhere. She never imagined her life without Erinn, even during the depths and miserable lows being in any kind of relationship with her had caused. When Sophie had sworn off of the red head and then run into her at a bar or club, she'd smile and at least ask how things were, she was human after all and even if someone treats you like shit, you kind of have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Who knows what wars are raging inside their minds to treat people like that. Sophie had many weaknesses as stated before, and Erinn was definitely one of them. She honestly felt a break from her however. This was different.
Sophie wanted to lay there forever but she knew no one would allow it. She already had Ches and Ryan and Rosie blowing up her phone. She was loved and she knew that, but she couldn't get over the feeling of being used and especially by someone who had meant so much to her. Meant. In the past tense. Sophie didn't see anyway around it. Erinn had to be in the past tense.
Sophie sat up and decided to take things head on. She wouldn't call out sick like she planned on doing, she would work her shift like nothing had happened. No one knew after all, so no one would be prying into her troubles. And like she had noted before, problems were easily forgotten about during a work shift, watching the crazy people of Coronation Street come in and out, mid-conversation, mid-dilemma. A distraction now would help her approach things with a new perspective. Like the Sian thing. What was the Sian thing? Sophie's brain was too all over the place to focus on anything, as she was still hungover and confused. She continued to get ready for work and ready to not think of her problems for a few hours.
Rosie Webster took her customary 2 hours to get ready to just be on the street. She wasn't going out or into town, she was going to find Sian but as always it was such a production just to get her out of the house.
She was relieved she had intercepted Sophie before she went inside the Webster home and confessed to her parents. Who knows what would have happened if old Sally and Kevin knew about this? Who knew what Rosie herself would be doing if Sophie hadn't have been so calm? She knew that it would be some huge event that would get Sophie to finally be done with Erinn, but she never quite guessed this. "The sooner she was done with her the better," she thought.
Rosie stepped out of the Grimshaw home and walked the short distance to Sophie's work. She had errands to run but she definitely had an agenda for the day. First was to check on Soph.
When she walked in, Sophie kind of sighed and dropped a shoulder.
"Rosie, I'm fine. Please just leave it for now yeah?"
"Oh Sophie don't be so dramatic. I'm here to pick up some um…" Rosie scanned the nearest shelf. "These crisps. And this tin of soup. It's not all about you yanno."
Sophie didn't move to ring up her sister even though she held out money to pay for her items. She knew that she was there to check up on her. She just wanted to go back to it at a later time, not forget, but just put it off for now. And with Rosie here she it all threatened to flood back into her memory.
"Fine Rosie but I'm okay. I just want it to get back to normal now. At least for the next few hours. Is that okay with you?" asked Sophie handing Rosie her change.
"Yes of course you cow. I'll see ya later though. Maybe dinner?"
"Maybe. We'll see how I feel. Bye Rosie," said Sophie trying to give her sister the hint.
"Oh all right all right. Bye," said Rosie walking back out onto the cobbles. She couldn't help but smile, for she had pictured Sophie a crumpled mess, crying on the floor or something. "She's always been the dramatic one," thought Rosie with a quick hair flip.
She knew that it would be too early for any normal person to have a shift at the Rover's now, as it was just opening up. The elder Webster sister would check in with Sian in a few hours. First she wanted to run into town and do a bit of retail therapy. She was celebrating! Sophie had left Erinn for good. And that was just as good as any other reason to go buy some new clothes on Jason's credit card.
Sian was due to start her shift in about 30 minutes but paused as she walked near the Corner Shop. "Was Sophie in there? Geez why is this store so stressful? Why didn't I just text her? I'm giving her space. She needs space. Right? I mean wouldn't I want space? Gaaahhh!" Sian was walking up to the door about to open it, and stopped, then turned around to walk away, stopped herself again and spun around and walked to the door. Did this about 3 times in a row and finally just said, "Screw it," and walked inside.
"I'll be with you in a second!" called out Sophie from the back office.
"Okay!" called out Sian who was so red and sweaty from nerves, she had to fan herself with her hands.
Sophie poked her head around the wall of the office. "Sian?"
"Hiya Soph," said Sian in her raspy shy voice that she had.
"Um.." Sophie was her usual mix of emotions at that moment. She was embarrassed that she had a breakdown in front of Sian, sad that it hadn't yet happened for her and the blonde, kind of annoyed that more people were checking up on her, and happy that Sian was there. For her. "What can I," Sophie's voice cracked. She cleared her throat. "What can I help you with?" Sophie mentally kicked herself. "Thank her, you numpty!" her brain screamed at her.
"Sophie I just.." started Sian.
"Sian I wanted to…" also started Sophie.
Sian knew how upset Sophie was earlier, and she didn't want to bring it all up again, especially not now seeing how "normal" Soph looked. She didn't look upset or like she was harping on it, she looked just as embarrassed as Sian was sure she herself looked.
"You first Sian."
"Sophie. Hi. I just wanted to say hi," she didn't want to actually SAY that she was checking up on her, she just wanted to show herself and let Sophie know she was thinking about her.
Sophie smiled at Sian. "Hi Sian."
There was something going on there. Sure they were just saying hi but they were speaking volumes with the intense looking into each other's eyes.
Sian smiled back. "I uh, also came in to buy…" she scanned the nearest shelf.
"Haha, don't bother Sian. Rosie just came in and did the same thing. I get it. Come here."
Sian blushed even harder (if that was possible) and walked the few steps to the counter. Sophie held out her hands and Sian put her hands out to be held.
"I wanted to say thank you Sian. You were very helpful to me this morning. You didn't pry, you didn't question, you just were there. And I needed that, more than you'll ever know."
Sian's heart raced and threatened to leave her chest cavity it was beating so hard.
"And I appreciate you checking up on me, but I've been fine for a few hours and I really don't want it to come back up to the surface while I'm at work, so if you don't mind can you just leave me to it? I don't mean to be rude…"
Sian's heart dropped at how quick the mood had seemingly turned. She pulled her hands away, and sarcastically gave a laugh.
"Yeah Soph, sure. You're welcome," she said as she walked backward with her hands up in the air. She turned around at the last moment and walked out the door back onto Coronation Street.
"No wait, Sian! I didn't mean it like that!" Sophie yelled after Sian. She debated for a split second running after Sian. "Of course you ninny, GO GET YOUR GIRL!" her head yelled.
Sophie took off from behind the counter and out the door. Sian was walking towards the Rover's as Sophie caught up to her.
"Sian! Sian, wait!"
Sian turned around with a hurt look on her face. "What Sophie? I got the message. Look if you don't want me to help or interfere by trying to be there for you, I'll just leave you alone."
"No, Sian you've got it all wrong…"
"Okay then enlighten me. I didn't have to go in there just now you know? I was debating all morning, and then you just basically tell me to get lost. Sorry for trying to help," Sian said as she crossed her arms.
"Sian, I appreciate you helping, it's just that… that… you know….. I'm not good at talking things out. It's all still pretty fresh, and I haven't even tried to wrap my head around all this, I just need some time. My routine back for a bit, does that make sense? It's not your fault, I appreciate the concern, I DO! I just can't talk about it right now," Sophie said as she put her hands on Sian's upper arms. "I mean Rosie had just come in and checked on me and I feel like I'm being analyzed."
"Well I didn't know she did that, I didn't know she knew. I wasn't trying to do that," said Sian softening up a bit.
"I know that, I probably could've said it nicer to you. I'm just a jumble right now. And I really need to get back to the shop. You work tonight yeah?" asked Sophie motioning to the Rover's.
"Well I work in a bit. Early shift. I said I'd be home tonight though…" Sian trailed off.
"Okay well then let's make plans to meet up soon. I probably won't be that great of company tonight anyway. I'll text you okay? That okay?"
Sian was back to a racing heart and a sweaty neck. "Yeah that's okay. Take as much time as you need. I'll give you your space Soph. I'll see you… later?"
"Yes, yes you will," said Sophie turning back to the shop. Sophie smiled to herself and thought "Pheeewww, nice save!"
Sian watched Sophie walk back to the shop. Whatever it was between them was electric. Even the misunderstandings and the quibbles. Sophie Webster excited her like she never had felt before. She had to have Sophie in her life and she promised herself then and there she would do what it took and if it was to leave her be for a bit, she could do that. She didn't like it, but she would do it.
Rosie got back to the cobbles a little past lunch hour and had many bags to put back in the Grimshaw house. On her way there, she saw Ryan Connor walking down the street, head down as usual.
"Oi Ryan."
Ryan stopped in his tracks and put on his cheeziest grin. "Alright Rosie? To what do I owe this pleasure? And believe me, this is a pleasure."
If Rosie could roll her eyes any harder they would've come out of her head. "Cheeky. I wanted to talk to you about Sophie's birthday party. I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Oh yeah, it's in a couple of days right?"
"Not just a pretty face are ya Ryan?" Rosie had zero interest in this smarmy young fellow but knew how to work him to get him to do what she wanted.
"That's right. There's a lot more to me, you should give us a whirl sometime."
"Sorry Ryan, I only deal with men, not boys. Meet me in the Rover's in one hour and we'll discuss my sister's party. Cheers."
"Oh going to dismiss me that easily aye Rosie?"
"Yeah, do one. See you later," said Rosie with the fakest of smiles.
Rosie had Chesney's number in her phone from back in the days when they would confer about Sophie during the Erinn time.
To Chesney:
"Oi. Ginge. Meet me in an hour at the Rover's to talk about Sophie's birthday"
She thought that boys were basically the worst at planning things but if she got them both in cahoots with her, they could distract Soph and mislead her thinking there wasn't a party when there was one waiting for her. Surely Sian would be working by then, and if not then she would soon. Also, she knew Soph would be at work still. No chance of her walking in and seeing them conspire.
She however knew she would go to the Rover's earlier than the boys to hopefully catch Sian so they could have a one on one chat. She was dying to find out what she saw and grateful for her being there for her baby sis.
Sian was cleaning up behind the bar during the slow part of the day, the post-lunch shift, when she heard the door open and felt the cold gust of air from outside and in walked.. was that a movie star? No, just Rosie Webster, dressed like Marilyn Monroe trying to be incognito.
Sian couldn't help but giggle. "Alright Rosie?"
"Alright ta. Let me have a club soda please."
"Sure thing." Sian knew that she wanted to talk to Rosie, no, was DYING to talk to Rosie about Sophie, assuming she knew what had transpired between her and Erinn. Sian in no way had a right or even a good segway to get to ask about it however.
"So.." Rosie herself was DYING to talk to Sian about what she had seen when she was with Sophie earlier in the morning.
"Yeah.. so.." Sian glanced at Rosie who still had her sunglasses on. "Take those off, I can't take you seriously with those on. Sorry," Sian said with a grin.
"Right, so this morning? With Sophie? Tell me everything."
Sian looked at Rosie straight in the eye after she removed her glasses. Was Rosie after the goss? Or was she really concerned? "Of course she's concerned," thought Sian, and proceeded to tell Rosie all that she could remember.
"Wait wait, back up, why were you there in the first place?" asked Rosie, interrupting Sian after about 15 minutes of story. Rosie took a sip of her drink and set it down. She wanted every last detail.
"Oh, well.." Sian wasn't sure she wanted to say why she was there, but she figured she might as well let it all out now. If she were to get Sophie in the end, she would tell all. "I wanted to talk to Sophie. After she chased me after me, she wanted to talk and I blew her off. We ended up kissing and.."
"YOU DIDN'T!"
"Rosie shhhh! I'm still at work yanno!"
"Oh who cares, there's no one in here anyway. Go on!"
"Okay, after that I was dying to know what she had to talk to me about, but I knew she was with Erinn in town. I dunno I guess I just wanted to see what she had to say?"
"Wow, gutsy move Sian! I like it."
"Um thanks? Well then after we got back here, she was crying pretty hard and she walked into her house. I told her I'd be there for her. Then earlier I saw her in the shop and she kind of told me to get lost, but then apologized and said it's because she doesn't do well with expressing her emotions."
"Oh yeah babe! She like.. was the weirdest kid ever. She wouldn't ever be sad or cry, she'd just have some comment and brush it off, then it'd come out months later. Soph isn't lying there. Don't take it personal. The fact that she said that to you, means she wants you to understand. That's a good sign," Rosie said with a grin.
"She promised to text me later, but I know how that goes. I hope you're right though honestly. It's almost as if.. oh I don't know.."
"What?" asked Rosie finishing her drink.
"Like I'm made to work to get with her. I can't describe it Rosie, when we are together it's so easy and fun, but everything else is in our way and not letting us be happy. I'm so determined now. After seeing her upset like that, I want to be the one that makes her happy."
"Awwww babe! Totes heart-eyed emoji right now! You can make her happy, and from what I've seen you do. I want this to work out for you two. Honest. Especially after what Erinn has done…"
Sian saw this opportunity and was going to take it. "Yeah what exactly did happen? I mean you don't have to tell me, but I dunno, she was so upset."
"As much as I think she should tell you herself, oh screw it, you'll know soon enough. Last night…"
The girls were interrupted by Chesney who blew into the Rover's and looked a little disheveled.
"Alright Ches?" asked a disappointed Sian. She knew Rosie wouldn't tell now that one of Sophie's friends was here.
"I came as fast as I could!" said Chesney slightly out of breath. Not all women scared Ches but Rosie sure did. She saw what she has done to others on the street when they crossed her. When he got her text he set on his way and quickly.
"Oi, you're 10 minutes early, but that'll do. Fancy a drink? On me of course."
"No ta, too early, but I will take some water. Cheers Sian," said Ches pulling up a stool. "Alright so what's the plan then?"
"What plan?" asked Sian handing Chesney some water.
"It's Sophie's birthday in a few days, and I wanted to throw a party, but I was thinking of a surprise party. We have to wait until Ryan shows though,"said Rosie examining her nails. Both Sian and Chesney let out a collective sigh, which lead Rosie to start giggling. "Oh alright alright, but he is Sophie's mate you know."
"Yes yes we know," said Chesney lowering his shoulders a bit. Sian shook her head as she walked to the end of the bar to help a customer.
"Well don't get too excited. Anyway, what's the deal with that girl.."
"Don't ask," said Chesney looking at his phone.
"Oh okay, and your sister?"
"Don't ask."
Ryan walked in at that moment with a sly grin. Not only was Sian in there but Rosie Webster as well. Any young lad's fantasy had asked to meet up at the local. Ryan couldn't help but feel cocky.
"Alright ladies? Ches."
"Hello Ryan," said Sian and Chesney flatly and in unison.
"Alright kiddos, enough with the pleasantries, let's plan this party!" said Rosie way too enthusiastically for how they were all feeling.
After a good couple of hours of meticulous planning, they all had the plan ingrained into their heads. Rosie wanted to make sure that they didn't screw it up, especially Ryan, so she repeated herself often. Even had him repeat it back to her. Much to Ryan's annoyance. He still thought it was a turn on however.
They let Sian finish her shift and Rosie, Ryan and Ches walked out together to plan for supper.
"Okay, and don't forget.. not a word gets leaked!"
"Yeah yeah, okay," said Ryan.
"Don't worry about me," said Chesney motioning towards Ryan. Ryan saw what Chesney was implying and laughed it off.
"OI, WHAT'S THIS?"
Suddenly all three heads whipped around toward the yelling. Rosie spoke first. "Sophie! Don't get excited…"
"Have you told them? HAVE YOU?" yelled Sophie getting closer and getting more incensed the more she got closer.
"Told us what?" said Chesney with that scared look in his eye again. Webster woman ain't nothing to mess with!
"Yeah Sophie told us what?" asked Ryan genuinely confused.
"Sophie.. Sophie! Calm down!" said Rosie walking towards her angry sister. She didn't want Sophie to say anything she would regret, so she tried to get closer to quiet her. "Sophie, it's not like that honest."
"Oh I see, this is you caring is it Rosie? Telling all my friends about the hugest mistake and hugest regret in my life? Thanks a lot Rosie, why don't you tell Norris while you're at it!"
"Okay Sophie, calm down, it's not like that, honest," said Chesney.
"So you're telling me no secrets were shared then?" asked Sophie her rage still at the surface.
The three of them looked at each other. "Well…" It's true a secret WAS shared but it wasn't the one that Sophie thought. They didn't want to lie to Sophie, not when she was in this state.
"Oh Sophie stop it…" said Rosie. Just then Sian poked her head out of the Rover's, hearing the commotion outside.
Sophie locked eyes with Sian. "Oh of course! This is just perfect! Thanks a lot Rosie. Never speak to me again. Everyone just leave me alone!" With that Sophie stormed off. Sian moved to run after her as did Ches, but Ryan and Rosie stopped them.
"No, let her cool down, I'll handle it later. Remember you three, no leaks!"
"NO LEAKS!" the three of them repeated half-heartedly. The plan sounded solid and like fun but having to answer to Rosie was the last thing they wanted to do. The three of them all watched Rosie walk away towards the Grimshaws and waited until she was out of earshot.
"Aye? What was all that then?" asked Ryan.
"Something happened this morning with Erinn, something bad," volunteered Sian.
"Oh yeah like what?" asked a curious Ches, feeling his own anger building within himself.
"I don't know, look long story. I've got to get back to work. I'll fill you two in later. See yas!" said Sian ducking back into the Rover's.
Ryan and Chesney were left standing there and had nothing constructive to say to each other, and even though they were confused and even Ches was angry, he didn't feel like getting into it with Ryan now. Katy was dating both of them and they just had to be okay with it, until she chose one of them, IF she chose one of them that is.
Ryan chose to end the awkwardness first. Did a half salute towards Ches and headed home. Ches closed his eyes and slumped down a bit as he walked home. He was going to catch Sian on her way out of work and find out just how badly he had to murder Erinn. Chesney had had enough of that redhead for one lifetime. "She's the kind of person that give us gingers a bad name," he thought as he walked into his house.