After a good hot shower, Sophie immediately passed out. Almost as if instead of her muscles being tired from a workout, her brain was simply put, fried. Strange dreams followed, complete with flying, trying to run and various characters from her hometown of Weatherfield.
As Sophie roused from her deep sleep, she remembered the day before's events and shut her eyes again tightly, almost like if she didn't open them, it wasn't true. She slowly got out of bed, looked around for her phone, and sighed deeply. Finding the phone in her pants pocket, she plugged it in to the charger, waiting for the onslaught of messages and missed calls. All of which she was sure weren't going to be from the one person she wanted to hear from, Erinn. "Oi, I'm a masochist aren't I?" Sophie thought as she watched her phone flash to life. Missed calls and texts from Ryan and Chesney (her mates), Dev (her boss), Rosie, her mom, even one from Kevin who a few months ago gave up texting after the death of his baby mama, Molly Dobbs. Texting only got him in trouble he thought, unbeknownst to his family.
Sophie called Dev back first since it was about work. Dev had called to ask if Sophie could work an extra night, because it was Dev and Sunita's anniversary, but seeing as Sophie slept through it, she apologized and promised to make it up to him. Sophie then texted Ryan and Chesney to tell them that she was okay after the talk with Erinn. Ryan and Ches had been there for Sophie during the 3 long tortuous Erinn years, and she knew they would be concerned.
Group message
To: Ryan C, Ches B
Hello gentlemen. All is not well, but let's get pissed tonight to prove we are alive :)
Sophie knew that drinking wasn't the answer but it would be nice to get giggly and out of her own head for a while.
From Ryan C: Down! Can't wait
From Ches B: It's on like Donkey Kong. You don't need someone who treats you like that
Sophie smiled at the sentiment but what she really wanted to do is run to Erinn's house and make her love her. Force the issue. "Oh, just stop Sophie," thought Sophie and headed downstairs.
Sally was in full buzzing mode going back and forth in the kitchen, chattering on and on about work, Kevin, Tyrone, anything there was to talk about. Sally stopped mid sentence when she got a really good look at Sophie.
"Are you okay Sophie? You look terrible!"
"Thanks mom. Yeah I'm fine, just had a rough night of sleep, that's all. Can I have the butter for the toast please?" asked Sophie. Sally and Kevin both knew about Sophie's orientation or at least that she liked both boys and girls, but knew nothing of Erinn and their .. "thing". Sophie was actually embarrassed that someone could control and manipulate the great Sophie Webster, so she kept it a secret from her parents and everyone outside of her close friend circle.
Sally went on about how Sophie probably needs a new bed and how much that's going to cost now that they have another mouth to feed, even though it was the tiny mouth of Jack, Kevin's son. Sophie did a good job of nodding at the right parts and grunting a yes or no when Sally required an answer, but otherwise blocked it out.
"Where is dad anyway?" inquired Sophie, hoping for a short response but knew better.
"Oh who's to say with that man, you marry someone and you think you know them, then one day you realize that…" groaned on Sally as Sophie quickly lost her appetite. Sophie resisted the urge to ask where her sister was, but figured Rosie was still asleep after working late into the night.
Sophie stood and put her dish in the sink, gave her mom a hug which actually shut her up, said "Have a good day mum," and trudged up the stairs to get ready for a long shift at Dev's. Maybe all the stocking shelves, magazines and junk food would distract her from reliving the day's previous events. "As if," thought Sophie.
The day dragged on and on, but listening to snippets of other people's troubles and arguments that came into the shop sort of made it interesting. Just when you think your life is bad, there's always worse. As Sophie was looking at the latest Hello! magazine, the door opened and there was a disheveled looking Kevin walking in with a baby carrier.
"Hello Soph, where's the brown sauce?" asked Kevin.
"Over that side dad. You okay? You look.."
"I feel like I'm getting older by the day Soph. Taking care of an infant by myself, under your mom's scrutiny? Tough one. It is only… HER scrutiny right? Soph? I mean we're.. okay, yeah? We're good?" asked a weary Kevin.
"Oh yeah dad, I mean it still blows my mind, but you know, life goes on and that...I'm sure mom and Rosie will come around. Eventually."
"Thanks Soph. You know I love ya. Even if I don't have time or strength to show it right now. You'll always be my little girl, you know that right?"
"Yeah dad. I love you too. Here's your change."
"Keep it kiddo," said Kevin with a wink. And just as quickly as he appeared, he was gone.
"Like I thought. It could always be worse," said Sophie aloud to no one.
Day turned to night and after about the millionth phone check to see if Erinn had come to her senses, Sophie was ready to leave to get ready for a night out with her lads. After a quick convo with Sunita, Sophie ran out the door. She knew Sunita understood her and cared for her, but Sophie was not in the mood to get all upset again reliving the conversation of the day previous. This was supposed to be a fun. To wash away all the residue of past turmoil and to let loose. Ryan and Ches never got along fully, something about a girl in their college they sort of fought over, which Sophie was sure not to talk about when it was the 3 of them. Of course Soph didn't mind getting the dirt when it was one on one with either lad, but the subject was dropped when it was the trio out for a night. Sophie made her way to her house and with a quick nod to her parents, ran up the stairs to get ready for the night. Kevin and Sally didn't have much to talk about these days without a quarrel, but both exchanged questioning glances. Kevin shrugged and walked out of the kitchen and Sally went about finishing dinner.
Upstairs Sophie went through her closet and even though it wasn't a "night out" night out, she still wanted to look fresh and carefree, maybe some of it would rub off on her attitude as well. And yes as shallow as it sounds, sometimes it is better to look good than to feel good. Sophie laughed at that thought. "Maybe this dark cloud will go away now," Sophie thought to herself.