Sophie woke up with a start. She was going to throw up and she had to get somewhere to do so. She looked around and noticed that she wasn't at home or even in a bed. She was on a couch with a blanket thrown over her and a scrunched in Erinn. "Seriously what the shit?" she thought as she ran to the Erinn's bathroom. She almost didn't make it as she fumbled with the toilet seat trying to lift it up. She emptied out her stomach. The heaves kept coming and Sophie thought her toenails were trying to come up as well. It was just starting to become daylight and she had a slight chill wash over her body as she sat on the bathroom floor.
Bits and pieces of the previous night kept flooding back to her, she remembered the last round of shots and she kind of remembered the taxi ride home… then something else, but it was hazy and she was about to puke again so she focused on that.
When she finally felt like her stomach was completely empty, she rinsed her mouth out in the sink and took a look at herself in the mirror. Bloodshot, teary eyes. Bright red complexion. She shook her head and stumbled out of the bathroom. She looked at Erinn still asleep on the couch, and thoughts and visions of Erinn on top of her started to appear in her memories, but she just wanted to sleep more, and comfortably, so she walked to Erinn's bedroom and quickly got in her bed.\
About a mile away and 2 hours later Sian woke up dead set on finding where Sophie was. If she was at home, then perfect. If she was with Erinn, then she needed to talk to Soph once and for all to see what the deal was. Sophie had wanted to talk last time, but couldn't because of a prior engagement with Erinn. Sian felt she needed to hear it from Sophie herself that there was no chance. Or a chance. Whichever. This not finding the right time business is stopping today. She was going to go to the street to ask if Sophie was at home, and if not, then maybe she could get wind of where Erinn lived. She would need a last name, and from there hopefully get an address. Normally she wouldn't bother but she felt like this was one of the biggest leaps of faith she would ever take. And that includes letting her formerly abusive ex back in her home and back in her life.
Sian got out of the shower, quickly got dressed, dried her hair and finished her morning routine. She set off towards Coronation Street to stop by the garage to ask Kevin Webster if Sophie was indeed home.
She approached the garage and noticed it wasn't open yet. Sian looked toward the Webster house.. it was barely 9am, too early to go knocking, so she milled about for 10 minutes pondering what to do. Maybe she could hang by Underworld and hope to see Sally going in. Sian looked up and saw Sally walking to work. "Must be my lucky day," she thought to herself.
"Hiya Mrs. Webster," said Sian, her heart pounding in her ears.
"Oh hello Sian, and I told ya, call me Sally. You're up bright and early."
"Yeah thanks Mrs…. er Sally. I was wondering, is Sophie at home? I had a question for her.." Sian trailed off.
"No, she didn't come home last night love. She said she would be with her friend Erinn. I'll tell you what, I don't trust that girl, never have. She seems so.. can't put my finger on it, but something about her I don't like," gabbed Sally.
"Oh okay. I had a question for you then. You don't know her last name do you? I feel like I know her from somewhere," Sian lied. She mentally crossed her fingers hoping Sally could be of some help.
"Yeah it's Snyder. Her family is a bit weird too. Left her when she was 18 to move to Spain, lives all alone in a flat they pay for. So strange to just leave her on her own at such a young age. If Sophie had been left alone.." Sian kinda zoned out listening to Sally talk about Erinn's family life. She wanted to make sure she remembered the name Snyder.
"Okay thanks Sally. You wouldn't happen to know where she lives would you? It's kind of important. I mean if not that's fine.." Sian was absolutely mortified that she had just blathered that out, her face was a nice shade of crimson to go along with her heart that was trying to leave her chest. Luckily for her, Sally was distracted by Kevin walking along to the garage to notice Sian's almost complete breakdown.
"Alright Kevin, did you clean up after yourself then? I don't want to come back at lunchtime to a messy kitchen," chided Sally.
"Yes Sal, I did. I know how to clean up," replied Kevin carrying Jack in a baby carrier.
"Um Sally," said Sian trying to get the elder Webster's attention from glaring at her husband. "Erinn's house? I was just wondering because…" Sian hadn't thought that far as to what her excuse was going to be.
"Oh yeah, she's over at Gladstone Terrace.. just down Rosamund St. I better get in now love, see ya later," said Sally walking towards the factory.
Kevin was about to open the garage but stopped and looked at Sian. "You going to find Sophie?"
"Um well I had a question for her actually Mr. Webster."
"Call me Kevin," he said with a smile. "You and Sophie are… close?"
"Oh yeah, she's a great girl…...and a good friend!" Sian felt like she should add that on at the end in case it came off as too obvious.
"She sure is. I'll see you later Sian, yeah? Oh and… good luck," he said with a wink.
"Uh thanks Kevin." Did Kevin see right through her? Did he know? Sian had never felt so uncomfortable and so mortified in that short of time, and with such nice people. She thought she was hyperventilating. She pulled out her phone and looked up Gladstone Terrace. She was going to find Sophie and sort things out finally. But first she had to find out which flat was Erinn's. It was going to be a long morning.
Erinn woke up on her couch wedged between the back of her couch and the main cushions. She looked around her flat, surprised that she was there and not in her bed. Erinn slowly sat up and assessed the situation. She suddenly had memories of the night before and how she had manipulated Sophie in her drunken stupor. She had thought if she got a little tipsy, she would of course be with Erinn, that's what they did… got tipsy and had sloppy drunk sex. But this was different. Sophie was borderline belligerent and while Erinn didn't feel great about it, she did manage to get what she wanted. She wanted to lie down some more as the wobbles were suddenly hitting her, so she walked into the bedroom. Sophie was knocked out in her bed and an uneasiness settled over her. Erinn walked back out to the living room and sunk back in the couch. "What have I done? Am I that desperate?" she thought to herself, brushing away sudden tears. She knew she was drunk still and she calmed herself down enough to fall back into an unsettled sleep.
Sophie was awake but did not dare open her eyes. She did not want to puke again nor face this day for that matter. It was a strange feeling she had. She wasn't scared or didn't feel in danger, but she knew the reality of last night. Erinn had gone against her wishes and they had had sex after Sophie said no. Sophie was more hurt and annoyed than anything and wanted to gather up her strength before confronting Erinn.
She lay there a good 15 minutes trying to sleep more, but she knew she needed to get up and deal with this all. Erinn hadn't come into the bedroom so Soph walked to the living room and sat on the coffee table in front of the dozing redhead.
"Erinn… get up please." No response. "Erinn, wake up please this is important." Erinn started to stir a bit. "OI! ERINN GET UP." Sophie was becoming angrier by the second. She pushed a shaky hand through her hair.
"Sophie, please stop yelling. Let me wake up."
"I shouldn't even give you anything. Oh that's right you just take what you want don't you?" started Sophie.
"Wait wait, if this was about last night I wanted to apologize…" said Erinn sitting up rubbing her eyes.
"No. No apologies are going to fix this Erinn. I did not want to be with you. I don't want to be with you anymore. Don't you get that? Why do you think I came over here in the first place that one night? Because I had to have you? Even you knew I wanted someone else…. Anyway, that doesn't matter. What you did was wrong and I should just turn you into the police.."
"Hang on Sophie! Let me explain!" begged Erinn. She went to reach out for Sophie but Sophie stood up and looked shocked.
"You really think I'm going to let you touch me after last night? ARE YOU MENTAL? What do you think this is? Just take what you want and forget about other people's feelings?" yelled Sophie. "I wanted us to be friends Erinn, FRIENDS. I thought I knew you. I thought you knew about boundaries, but how silly of me aye? You've never treated me the way I deserved to be treated, and you know that."
"Sophie you are really going to get into this now? Let me start by explaining… well yeah I guess there is no explanation. I just need you Soph. I can't do this alone."
"I get that Erinn, that's why I was willing to be your friend and still be cool with hanging out with you. You've fucked that right up haven't ya? I don't even want to look at you to be honest. I can't believe you. Seriously."
"Sophie wait, let's just calm down. Okay? Please? I am truly sorry that it all went down like that, I didn't know what I was doing…" pleaded Erinn her head in her hands.
"Ha yeah right. I saw you ordering all those drinks, watching me for chrissakes! I'm not as dumb as you think I am." Sophie's whole body was shaking now including her voice and she was pacing the floor like mad. "I can't be here Erinn. Expect a call from the police."
Sophie started gathering up her stuff, like she had so many times before at this apartment. Running from there with hurt feelings and screwed up emotions, but this time was different. She had been taken advantage of in the worst possible way. Before it was to get an ex back or for drinks or for company. This time.. this time was different.
Erinn was watching Sophie fumble through the couch cushions for things that may have fallen out of her pockets, and when Sophie let out a "Fuck it," Erinn stood up and walked across the living room to let her search where they had slept for most of the night. Erinn's tears were quick and hot. She had really done it this time. She just wanted to be cared for and adored. Sophie seemed to do that without the controlling, and now she would never have that from her regardless. There was nothing left to do but watch her leave, and pay the consequences.
"Sophie, I am sorry. So sorry."
"Save it. Please. Just stop," replied Sophie curtly. She was putting on her shoes. The faster she got out of there the better.
Sian had taken Rosamund down to where she was told Erinn lived. She didn't know what to do now. She could knock on every door looking for Soph, or she could wait for a sign of them. Sian sat on the curb and stared at her phone.. should she text Sophie? Just as she was opening up her texting app, she heard a voice she recognized.
Sophie had opened Sian's door and slung her purse over her shoulder.
"Wait Sophie, please let's just talk about this! I'm so so sorry, I'm weak Sophie. I don't know what I'm doing! Please!"
"I TOLD YOU TO SAVE IT YEAH? I don't want to hear your sad sack excuses. I'm sick of this Erinn, you used me for your games for the last time, you understand? THE LAST TIME!"
Sian stood up and walked towards Soph's voice. She was just a few houses over. "Sophie?"
Sophie looked ahead of her towards the street. "Sian? What are you doing here? Wait what?"
Erinn was about to plead some more but saw Sian standing there. She tried to control her hysterics and asked one more time "Please Sophie, can we please talk about this? I swear I'll make it up to you.."
Sophie turned around to face a tear streaked Erinn. "Haven't you done enough? HAVEN'T YOU?" The last two words were enough to stir up some dog barking from Erinn's neighbors.
Sian was standing there just watching the interaction. Something bad must have happened last night.
"Um Sophie.."
"Sian not now please. I have to get out of here. I just want to go home," she said as she finally let the anger break. She felt sad. Sad at this fucked up situation. It had always been fucked up, Sophie would be the first to say so, but this.. this was mad! How did it ever get this far? She started to storm down the street and Sian quickly followed suit. The blonde gave one last look at the broken redhead as she was closing her front door. Sian couldn't help it. Her curiosity was piqued.
"Sophie I know you're upset but …"
"Sian not now, just… just be here please." Sophie said as she pointed to the space next to her. She slowed down her walking slightly and let Sian walk next to her. She felt a soothing presence with the blonde next to her but it was not enough to calm the storm of emotions she felt at that moment.
"Okay but if you want to talk about it, I'm here." Sian almost reached out for Sophie's hand but thought better of it as she saw the turmoil on Soph's face.
"Yeah thanks but I doubt I will. Sorry no offense."
"None taken. No problem," said Sian and continued her role as just being there for Soph.
Now there are mistakes and there are mistakes. And yes Erinn made the worst mistake, but the whole situation of starting back up with her in the first place was proving to be Sophie's biggest mistake. She was frustrated by Sian and not being loved by who she wanted to be loved by, Erinn included. Soph had wanted Erinn to want her like she had wanted the redhead for two solid years. And how she now felt about Sian.
On the silent walk back home, Sophie's anger had dissipated and was now replaced with sadness and guilt. Sophie was good at blaming herself for things, and she was convinced it was her fault that she got back into this in the first place. She started tearing up as she neared her house. She wanted her dad to hug her, she wanted Sally and Rosie cooing around her trying to make her feel better in their own weird way, and she wanted Sian to never know about this. "If only I had never gone over there that night..none of this would have happened. NONE OF IT," she mentally chided herself. She felt like the biggest idiot. How could she expect anything good to come from the Erinn situation? Her phone was buzzing like crazy in her pocket, but she hardly seemed to notice.
Sian however noticed the sound of first the phone and then the sound of Sophie sniffling and light sobs. She fought with herself on how to comfort Sophie, but decided on extending her hand out and placing it in Soph's. Sophie grabbed on and squeezed it in appreciation. Instead of asking what had happened, Sian was now concerned with comforting Sophie. The details would come later, if at all, and she realized what was the more important thing to do.
They made it to the Webster's front door, and Sian was feeling a bit unsure of how this was going to conclude. She reached out for Sophie in her silent crying, stood at her doorstep. Sophie paused and looked directly into Sian's beautiful blue eyes. She reached back out to Sian and hugged back.
"It's going to be alright you know Soph? It is.." whispered Sian in Sophie's ear.
Sophie couldn't help but start crying a bit harder.
"There you go, let it out. Let it all out. I'm here for you Soph. We all are." Sian backed out of the hug first to look at Sophie. She wiped tears away from the brunette's face and brushed hair from her face. "I'm here Soph. I'll always be here," Sian said as she looked at Sophie's just as beautiful blue eyes.
Sophie nodded between sobs. "Thank you," she said as she was hiccuping.
"O' course. Now go on, get some rest. Call me if you want later okay? Anytime Soph."
Sophie nodded again and went to go inside her house. She knew she was going to face both parents in a few seconds and started wiping her face and took some deep breaths. She looked back at Sian who was walking away but also looking back at Sophie. Sian waved and Sophie smiled back. She closed her front door and stood in her front hallway trying to compose herself. Even though she had done nothing wrong, she felt she was to blame and now came the difficult task of telling her parents just exactly what had happened and what to do next. Should she press charges against Erinn? What good would come of that. Yes she would be punished but Sophie never felt threatened, she was bigger than Erinn after all. It was definitely a question of broken trust and lapse of judgement and Erinn should be held accountable for that, but….she just didn't know. Sian briefly crossed her mind and it didn't feel so tense in her body, but then the thoughts came back of how it had all gotten so bad. Sophie wouldn't mind sleeping for a month, but she knew she needed help and badly.
Personal note: I knew when I started this story that Erinn would do something to Sophie worse than she had been doing, and it was pointed out that it was a bit forward and considered rape what had happened. I wasn't going to set out to do a courtroom drama with testimony and stuff, so while I mull around what exactly is going to happen to Erinn, maybe some thoughts as to what you all think is justice? No question, Erinn is really a piece of work in this story, and I think I know what I want to happen, but ultimately what I wanted was a nice moment with Sophie and Sian. Any comments or suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks again :)