Not really a fan of the end part of this chapter but I knew these were two big conversations she had to have. Also, it's hard to end a story! Wow, having a time with it, but it should happen soonish. Thanks again for the readership ! :)
Sophie slowly woke up uncertain of her surroundings. She heard a sound in another room, like a faucet starting and then stopping. She opened her eyes to see three candles burned almost to the table they were resting on. Soph suddenly remembered where she was.
"Sian?" asked Sophie lightly rubbing her eyes.
"Wakey wakey Soph," said Sian with a glass of water. She smiled at the beautiful sleepy girl trying to wake up on the couch.
The girls had talked for a bit more and during a quieter conversation, Sophie could not keep her eyes open and after lying down, she stopped talking almost mid sentence, much to Sian's delight.
"How long was I out?" asked Sophie trying to look at her watch with one eye, but couldn't see anything by candlelight.
"Oh about ten to fifteen minutes. Not that long."
"Come here." Sophie still hadn't sit up and wasn't going to just yet. She reached out her hand for Sian. Sian smiled and did as she was told. She sat down on the couch next to Sophie's hips. She joined her hand with the brunette. Both girls looking into each other's candlelit eyes. "Lay down." Sian went to lie down with Sophie by putting her back to her. "I'm sorry I passed out. It's been a long couple of days.. actually scratch that, a long couple of weeks."
Sian smiled as she pulled Sophie's arm around her waist. "It's okay. I watched you sleep and I have to say you are adorable."
Sophie still had her eyes closed and she grinned. "Thanks? I mean, weird Sian but thanks."
Sian giggled. "It's not too late yet but I really should get home soon. I hate to leave this though."
"Yeah me too, but we'll have many more nights like this. I mean, if you want to that is."
Sian not so gracefully spun around to face Sophie. "Of course I do. There is something though…"
"What?" asked Sophie opening her eyes and giving Sian her full attention.
"Well…" said Sian biting on her lower lip. She wasn't sure she why she was going to ask this now, or if she really wanted to know this answer, but the more she thought about it the more it bothered her.
"Go on Sian," Sophie said giving the blonde a small smile of reassurance.
"Remember that night, the night we first went back to mine? I was wondering…."
Sophie instantly felt flushed. She knew where this was going. "Why I turned you down?"
Sian was about to finish her sentence, but stopped and nodded at Sophie, not making eye contact.
"Sian, what I said that night was true. I don't hook up with girls like that, I can't just have like a hook up with a girl, there has to be more feelings involved. I don't know, it's hard to explain. Girls are so up here," said Sophie pointing to her head. "And guys obviously are so much.. down there," Sophie said with a giggle. "Does this make sense? I mean the girls that I've been with there was more things going on than just a one nighter."
"Was that how you thought of me? One night stand girl?" asked Sian, again not sure she wanted to hear this, still not making eye contact. She had watched Sophie carefully think of her answers but when Sophie replied to the questions, she looked down at and focused on a button on the brunette's sweater.
"Well...to be honest. Yeah kind of, I mean I always liked you as a friend, and I could tell something had happened with Ryan, I mean I saw you and him…"
"That was a mistake Soph," said Sian a little hurt that it was brought up again.
"No I know, please girl, you act like I haven't made mistakes. I'm just saying that, you.. I liked you. I know we had a like a weird flirty thing but, I didn't know you, not like I know now and well…" Sophie trailed off.
Sian swallowed a lump in her throat that had been forming since the mention of Ryan.
"I just.. I guess I liked you more than just a hook up. If anything was going to happen it was going to be proper, not just a sloppy one nighter." Sophie instantly started to sweat at her revelation. She never been this calmly forthright with Sian, or Erinn for that matter. This was unfamiliar territory for the younger Webster. "And plus, I didn't want you to regret it, or have it be a mistake, like you said Ryan was. I didn't want any awkwardness or avoidance. Although… haha that's how it turned out for a bit anyway didn't it?"
Sian smiled weakly. She was rolling around Sophie's answer. While she was sure that Sophie wasn't exactly saying she was acting like a slag, that's how it sounded to her. Sian reached out for the button she had had practically memorized by now.
Sophie lightly grabbed Sian's cheeks to make her look at her. "I really really like you, and I liked you then, I was just unsure. I didn't want you to just be a one night stand. I don't want you to think different than what I'm telling you now. I'm being honest." Sophie reached down for one of Sian's hands and put it up to her heart and made an X with Sian's finger. "Cross my heart," said Sophie smiling at Sian.
Sian couldn't help but smile back. "Alright you old softie, I get it. I just, I don't feel good about my choices I've made here. I left a world of shit back home and I don't want more shit here, you know?"
"I understand. I've messed up stuff here too. I can't believe I went back with.."
"Uh Soph, you don't have to mention her right now," said Sian with a playful grin.
"Haha okay, fair enough. So, are we alright? Do you believe me?"
Sian nodded. "Yes, and Sophie?"
"Hmm?" said Sophie through a yawn.
"Thanks. Thanks for not taking advantage of the situation. It… means a lot."
"Of course lady. Just as long as I get a second shot at it," grinned Sophie
"I guess we'll see won't we? Anyway come on Soph, I got to get home now, and you need to get into bed."
"I don't want to move, but I want my bed. Carry me."
"Oi! Get up lazy," said Sian starting to get up.
Sophie grabbed Sian's arm to pull her back next to her. "Before I forget.." Sophie leaned in to kiss Sian and Sian started blushing like crazy as she leaned back in to Sophie. Sophie's heart did about a billion flips as their lips met. Sophie pulled back first but was pulled right back by Sian with a hand to the back of the brunette's head. Sophie smiled at this gesture and switched sides as she went back in to kiss Sian. It wasn't getting heated but it was definitely as if they needed a reconnection. It was all about this kiss and this moment in time for them. Sophie's tongue made an appearance but it wasn't forceful or probing, she just wanted a taste of the blonde and Sian responded with a light groan. Sian pulled back first and went back in for a peck.
"We better get going home before we christen this couch and burn the place down with these candles," giggled Sian touching her own tingling lips.
"Alright, you spoil sport. Let's go." Sophie finally sat up and instantly regretted it. Her left arm had started falling asleep and she didn't have her bearings yet, and still had to put the candles and glasses up in case Amber randomly showed up the next day. She huffed and puffed around the flat, sighing as she cleaned up.
"Oh okay, let me help," said Sian rolling her eyes sarcastically at Sophie's mini temper tantrum.
"No it's fine, I'm pretty much done. I just want my bed," said Sophie in a fake whiny voice.
"You're such a baby Soph, haha it's annoyingly endearing."
"Thanks? Anyway let's make sure we don't forget anything," said Sophie doing one last sweep of the area they had occupied for the past couple of hours.
Sian and Sophie met at the door. "Oop, now before I forget," said Sian grabbing Sophie's cheeks as she leaned in for a kiss with a bit more force than before. Sophie dropped her bag and the keys she was holding onto and reached out for Sian. This kiss was quicker and with more passion but still not even close to how they were behind the Rover's.
When they finally broke the kiss, Sophie was smiling like a lunatic with her eyes closed and Sian was blushing so much her chest looked like it was sunburned.
"To be continued?" asked Sophie finally returning to Earth.
"Deffo," said Sian grabbing Sophie's hand to lead her outside.
After locking up and walking to where they were to split up to go to their respective homes, Sian reached out to hug Sophie and Sophie reciprocated and rested her head on Sian's shoulder.
"Do I want to know what Rosie was doing earlier with the boys?" asked Sophie pulling away.
"Not now, no," Sian giggled. "Text me. Babe," as she turned and started the walk home.
"Of course," said Sophie watching Sian as she walked away. As much as she hated this sight, this was different now though, this might actually be heading the right way, or it seemed to be at least. Sophie smiled and looked to her front door. Her smile quickly faded into an eyeroll as she thought of Sally Webster behind that door, either ready to lay into our Soph or ignore her. "Talk about a lose-lose situation," thought Sophie. She took one last look hoping to see Sian in the distance and managed to watch her turn the corner. "Nothing can ruin this feeling, not even Sally Webster," Sophie laughed to herself.
Sophie returned home and promptly tried to walk upstairs avoiding any prying conversation with her parents. Just like she suspected however both Kevin and Sally were waiting for her in the kitchen.
"All right Sophie what is going on here? No getting out of it this time. Out with it!" Sally started in first walking quickly from the kitchen.
"Mum I…"
"You come in and out of here so much, I feel like we are running a hotel. We deserve answers! Are you in trouble? Is something illegal happening? Go on Soph, tell us!" said Sally her voice getting louder.
"Well it's just that…"
"This is mine and your dad's house. You can't just come and go as you please, not pitching in on things, not coming home for dinner when you said you would. All of this stops now!" said Sally getting closer to Sophie.
Just then Kevin walked out of the kitchen. "Alright Sal, lower your voice, you'll wake Jack. And anyway, you have barely given her a chance to answer." Kevin turned to Sophie. "Go on Soph, answer her." Kevin wasn't as loud or demanding, but was also curious as to what was preoccupying his youngest daughter.
Sophie mulled this over for a couple of seconds. Should she tell all? Should she sugar coat it or just bold-face lie to them. She looked at her mum all red faced and then at her dad with a hopeful and quizzical look on his face.
"You probably don't want to know all of it actually, can't I just bullet point it for you?" said Sophie trying to keep the mood light.
Sally crossed her arms and let out a sigh.
"Okay okay, sorry. Look there's some personal things going on here, relationship stuff that I wouldn't feel comfortable saying to you. So let me just say that I've had a rough patch that has lasted me about three years and now it's all done with. This person used, discarded, used again and then betrayed me. Over and over for weeks, months, years. Don't you remember when my grades started failing? I was always 'sick'? Well that was what was going on," started Sophie, feeling a bit faint from actually having this conversation. She never imagined she would, not with Kevin and Sally.
"Who is it Sophie? Do we know him?" asked Sally after processing what Sophie had just said. She was heartbroken her little girl was getting treated this way, and wanted to know who it was in case she ever heard the name or better yet, saw them on the street.
Sophie sighed and couldn't help but laugh. "You've met them before. SHE has been here to dinner."
Sally looked at Kevin. She knew Sophie liked girls as well as boys but she never thought another girl would treat Sophie this way or that Sophie would let someone, anyone, to treat her this way.
Kevin looked back at Sally. While he knew more about Sophie's gender preference, and he put two and two together about Sian, he also didn't like the sound of this story. Another girl, a young woman was doing this to his daughter?
Sophie was hoping this would be enough to answer their questions. She was wrong.
Sally was the first to speak. "Sophie, you say you've ended this?"
"Yeah mum, I uh..there's someone, um, helping me out of this fog. Someone.."
"That we also know?" asked Kevin. He figured it was Sian he just wanted to make sure.
Sophie looked at her dad, thrown off a bit by his question. Kevin winked and gave her a huge smile. He wanted to convey that it was okay, she would be safe whatever she said. Sophie nodded back slightly and looked at her mum, who looked nothing short of upset.
"She's amazing mum. Like an angel."
Sally sat down on the couch. "All this time Sophie. You could have asked for help, I mean we could've… done what I don't know, but we could've done something."
"I know, that's why I hang out with the boys like I do. They helped me so much. Picked me up from the floor when I didn't care what would happen to me. I know you aren't a fan of Ryan but he really helped me. And Ches, he's had my back since we were five. They really got my mind off of things and just listened. Sometimes… sometimes you can't just unload this stuff on your parents. No offense," said Sophie still unnerved that she was actually relaying this to Sally Webster of all people.
"No of course Soph. We understand, don't we Sal?" asked Kevin putting his hand on Sally's shoulder.
"And now you say there's another girl? Someone else? Someone we know?" asked Sally breezing over the question posed by Kevin.
"Uh, yeah mum. Nothing has happened yet, but it's like we are meant to be. I can't explain it…"
"Is it.. is it Sian?" asked Kevin.
Sally looked at Kevin quickly. "You knew about this Kevin?"
"Well I had my suspicions. It wasn't that hard. Didn't you know notice Sian sort of milling around here, asking after Sophie?" asked Kevin. The conversation was now between the elder Websters. Sophie considered making a run for it.
"She asked after me? More than just the time I was sick?" asked Sophie feeling flushed.
"Yeah this morning, as me and your mum were going into work, she asked after you and then asked about… Erinn. THAT'S IT! That's who the girl is. It's Erinn!"
Sophie was trying to put the puzzle pieces together and then flinched and felt a sense of dread upon hearing the redhead's name. She had hoped she wouldn't have to hear or say that name again.
"What did she ask?" asked Sophie, her turn to be curious.
"Where Erinn lived and that," said Sally, still trying to sort this all out in her head.
Sophie knew she meant to ask Sian about how she was there in the morning outside of Erinn's house, but in her tired state forgot about it. Suddenly it hit her like a ton of bricks how tired she was. She wanted a hot bath and a long peaceful sleep.
"Okay I know this is all news to you, but I really really need a bath and some sleep. We can discuss it more in the morning if you need to," said Sophie suddenly feeling cold and weak.
"Sophie I just don't know if I can be okay with all of this," said Sally with a slight shake of the head.
"Mum, tomorrow yeah? I am about to pass out."
"Sure Sophie, goodnight love," said Kevin walking over and giving her a hug. "It'll be alright, I'll talk to her," he whispered in her ear.
"Thanks dad," said Sophie, letting go of the hug first. "Goodnight."
Sophie wasn't sure she had the strength to make it up the stairs, but got a small burst of energy as her phone buzzed in her jacket pocket. She had a huge grin pulling out her phone and reading the message.
From Sian P:
"Made it home. Thanks again for another lovely evening. :)"
Sophie's heart was doing gymastics by now and she stopped to lean along the wall near her bedroom and with her phone on her chest.
To Sian P:
"My pleasure. Thank you for being you :)))))"
Sophie made it to her room and decided to skip the shower. She changed into her PJ's and quickly got under the covers. Sleep was on its way, and she felt so comfortable. Sophie was looking forward to the next day and felt stress free. She hadn't felt that in a long long time.