Chapter 17.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

"Sophie!" I yelled as I raced to catch the brunette up. She had taken to striding away off down the promenade in a rather moody way before I could even try and counter the words that had slipped out of my mouth like word vomit. "Just stop and talk to me!" I called. I knew I sounded desperate but can you blame me? She didn't seem to respond though and quickened her pace if anything. She was clearly irritated. You and your big fucking mouth, Powers.

"You didn't tell me," I heard her say as she continued to walk. Her voice was surprisingly level and I'd almost expected her to shout, though when I thought about it, the tone was definitely a sour one. I groaned lowly. It was never meant to be this damn difficult. All those worries I'd had about university were just flooding back and hitting me like a ton of bricks.

"I know, Soph," I attempted gently. "I didn't think it mattered," I added for pure need to get her to turn around and talk to me. I knew I was pleading but I was closer to Sophie now. Had she slowed down? Finally I caught up to her and fumbled for the back of her shirt. A feel of relief swept through me as my fingers closed around fabric but my happiness was short lived as it was soon yanked away from me at the motion of her spinning around to face me.

"You didn't tell me!" She shouted but quickly brought a hand up to clasp over her mouth, a sadness filling those beautiful eyes of hers. I swallowed hard and felt my heart drop into my stomach at the sight in front of me. I had done this. I had made her cry and for the first time I saw Sophie's emotion of sadness. It was so scarily beautiful. The way her lashes were glistening with the tears that had doused them; the way her eyes sparkled with the unshed water that was threatening to spill down her cheeks.

Slowly, careful not to startle her with any sudden movements, I leant forward and buried my hand into the back of her hair, easing her closer and finally bringing her head against my shoulder. I knew she had finally succumbed to how she felt and cried as I heard the breath hitch in her throat and watched as her shoulders began to shake. Then I felt her hands clasp into the front of my top and pull slightly. My other arm came up around her as my lips came into contact with the top of her head. Her hair smelt so nice. Apples with just the faintest hint of chlorine from the pool we'd had a dip in that morning.

"Babe," I whispered eventually, moving my lips to rest and press against her temple. I heard her sniff then felt her fingers loosen on my shirt. "It didn't seem like I needed to tell you," I managed in a soft voice when she pulled back and wiped her hands over her eyes. "I thought-"

"A holiday fling?" She asked sharply, her voice more aggressive than I was comfortable with. I stepped back and shook my head.

"Of course not!" I responded honestly, leaning out for her hands. She let me take them but didn't look at me and merely took to gazing to the side out at the ocean. In the low lights littering the esplanade I could see her eyes shining with the unshed tears she'd refused to let go. "Sophie," I whispered as I took a step closer. Now or never. Tell her, you idiot before you completely cock it up. "You're not a holiday fling," I murmured. I saw her gaze shift a little closer to me but there was tautness to her lips.
"Sophie you're really specia-"I began but was cut off by a low laugh. She pulled away and shook her head.

"Don't you dare," She whispered, her throat working as she fought to get the words out. I knew I looked completely perplexed. Surely the news hadn't hurt her that much. Right? "Those words come out of your mouth and you're making a promise you can't keep," She muttered. I frowned.

"It's not my fault, Sophie," I defended. I knew what I'd said had come as a shock but Cardiff was there on my UCAS form in black and white and I knew with any luck my scores from my A levels would let me in when I got back. I could see the hurt in her face. She looked like she was going to say something but then merely shook her head and turned away.

"Sophie?" A voice called from my right and I turned sharply to see Rosie and one of her fellas on the pavement beside the road. I stepped back. "Sophie?" The older brunette's voice sounded sharper now. She looked around, desperately trying to look for a way to get down from the raised pavement split from the esplanade with a flower bed without walking to the next flight of steps. Shockingly, she leant down and pulled off her shoes and quickly began to scramble through the flowers. Welcome to Cost Blanca didn't look so good in flowers when Rosie had now destroyed the A.

The younger brunette had finally turned to look at her sister with shock all over her face. It seemed me, the fella and her little sister were utterly taken aback. "She's crying," Rosie announced as she got closer to Sophie who quickly turned away again and covered her face. Instantly I felt the older Webster girl's eyes baring into me. I shook my head. It wasn't my fault. I had to tell Sophie sometime. Just not the best, eh? My head taunted. God I hated it sometimes.

"What the hell have you done?" Rosie snapped as she moved closer to Sophie and lay a hand on her back only to have it shrugged off.

"Nothing!" I implored. I got death glares from both of the sisters but Sophie's was rather more tear filled. I sighed and pushed my hand back into my hair. "I'm going to University in Cardiff,"

"So?" Rosie asked, looking now confused, exchanging glances between me and Sophie. "That's only like a bus ride away," She said simply. I gawped. God, I could see where all the brains had come from now. Sophie had got Rosie's share.

"It's in South Wales, Rosie," I corrected her. She scoffed. I could see Sophie welling up again.

"Soph, please," I begged, taking a step closer. "We can talk about this," I assured her, stretching out my hand but she merely ignored it.

"I don't want to talk anymore when I know the moment we get off that plane you're moving over a hundred and fifty miles away," She stammered before taking a step back. I felt my lips part. She pursed her lips and looked upward, a ragged breath entering through her mouth as she thought. "I hope you had fun trailing me along," She whispered finally before turning and beginning to run off down the esplanade.

"Sophie!" I yelled, desperate to run after her but Rosie's hand was on my waist, stopping me.

"You've done enough," She hissed, staring down at me. "Have a good rest of your holiday, Sian," She whispered before pushing me away and making to go over her sister.

I stood, mouth open and feeling tears brim in my own eyes.

Thanks for reading :D review?