The air between Maddie and Sophie crackled with an energy that neither girl could understand. It was these moments that seemed to be fate moving their story further. Maddie had felt it that day in Dev's when she had leaned in to kiss Sophie over the counter. Even though they had been interrupted, it was this feeling that had led Maddie to just ask the brunette out already. At the same time that it was a relief, it was also a bit frightening because you relinquish any control of what would happen next.
But she had to tell her the truth. She just had to.
Finally Sophie just shook her head while looking into her lap. She lifted her head and looked Maddie in the eyes. Then she started to laugh.
Maddie didn't quite know what to do. Of all the reactions she had expected, this was the most bonkers.
"What's so funny?" Maddie asked confused.
Sophie finished up her chortle and turned towards her girlfriend. She took Maddie's hand and squeezed it.
"That is a relief. I thought that you were going to tell me you'd gotten into trouble or summat. Had myself worked into a state" Sophie explained. She leaned over and gave her a peck on the lips. Getting up Sophie went to look at herself in the dresser mirror. Grabbing a brush she started pulling it thru her hair.
"Don't you want to know what she said?" Maddie asked stunned.
Sophie turned around to face her.
"You can tell me, but I can't imagine it was too nice" she finished cleaning herself up and sat down next to Maddie who was still on the bed.
"Go on I can take it Maddie" she urged the girl who was clearly struggling with what to do next. "It's nothing that I haven't already told myself" she smiled assuredly.
Maddie told her about the night before from the moment when she saw Sian on the loading dock.
"So how did she look?" Sophie asked her.
"Well, just like you told me before. All blonde hair and legs, she was all dressed up I guess for a date" Maddie answered.
"She was always the one that got all the attention. People always wanted to talk to her and chat her up. Looks like that hasn't changed" the brunette confirmed.
Maddie's head burned with a million thoughts. She didn't understand what was happening. None of this made any sense and it made Maddie want to scream.
"Did you hear me Sophie?! That mare chased me down and tried to warn me off you. She called you a lying cheating cow and none of that bothers you?" Maddie asked frustratedly.
Sophie shrugged her shoulders. Then she smiled broadly. She reached up and tucked a stray hair behind Maddie's ear then placed her hand on Maddie's shoulder.
"And she wasn't wrong" Sophie paused composing her next response carefully. She looked straight into Maddie's eyes. That look burrowed right into Maddie's soul.
"Maddie, I did lie, and I did cheat on her. Like I said it became crazy and I let it get worse. I really hurt her. She has every right to be angry" Sophie finished.
"But Soph, I don't care what she says. You can't be judged for what you did at 17" Maddie urged.
"But Maddie, I can't make her forgive me" Sophie replied.
She stared at the number on her phone. Stared as if it would hold the answer of what she would do next. Her fear was palpable and she hated herself for it.
After leaving the Rovers with Sophie's number she had been so sure of what she was going to do. Sian was going to call Sophie out. How dare she continue to sit on such a pedestal in this neighborhood, Sian fumed. Storming down the cobbles she realized that she still had no idea where Sophie lived. She didn't relish the idea of facing Sally or Kevin either. Especially Kevin Webster, who had pushed his daughter so hard that she quit school and ended up working full time at Dev Alahan's shop. He had stood up in that church and pushed her toward considering the commitment that she was making. Such a hypocrite, Sian might have even spat in his face. Even after all this time.
Then she had looked up and saw the bald gnome head of Norris Cole. She had hurriedly dashed into a ginnel. The last thing she needed was that little gossip whore getting wind of her return to the cobbles.
It was funny how she still remembered some of these side alleys. She had known them from the early days when Sophie and Sian had still been closeted. Sian remembered how her entire body used to buzz as she waited for Sophie. It had to be love that she felt for her best friend and a girl. It was undeniable.
"You can't stay here young lady" she heard a voice take her out her thoughts.
She turned toward the voice and saw the earnest face of Roy Cropper.
"Roy!" she exclaimed. Of all the people to see in Weatherfield, she knew that Hayley Cropper would be able to help her. She was the kindest woman on the street and Sian knew that she could advise her.
"Do you remember me Roy?" she asked as she approached him. He paused for a moment and looked toward the sky as if it had the answer. Then he nodded and looked back to her.
"You are the girl who was dating Sophie Webster" he smiled an enigmatic grin.
"Yes" she paused trying to keep herself in check. She didn't want to scare him. "Roy can I ask you a favor?" she asked pushing a smile onto her face.
"Well, I do have to get back to the cafe" he said uncertainly.
"Can I please talk to Hayley? Is she working at the factory today? I really need her help" she asked urgently. She knew that Hayley would know what to do. Hayley always knew what to do.
Roy's face went dark. His face fell to the street before he looked back up.
"I'm sorry. There's no way that you could know" he said assuredly. "Hayley isn't here. She died early this year. Cancer" he nodded confirming the worst news.
Sian felt her breath knocked out of her body. She stopped dead in her tracks.
"I'm so sorry Roy" she said automatically.
"Yes, well…" he said awkwardly. They both stood there unsure of what to do. Sian's head fell. Her whole body slumped as her energy left her. "Are you alright? You looked distressed even before I told you about…" he stopped as if he couldn't say it. Not twice in a row at least.
"I just thought…" she paused and then caught herself "...I'm fine. Fine." She folded her arms in front of her. "I'm sorry for your loss. Hayley was the best of us" she said as she pulled herself together.
"She always loved you girls. I know that it didn't work out, but sometimes she said that anytime you suffer a disappointment or setback, put your head down and plow ahead" he finished up.
"Thank you, Roy. I'll go and let you get back to the cafe" turned around toward the exit way from the ginnel.
"Sian Powers!" she heard from behind her. She turned back to Roy Cropper.
"It hurts to let go, but sometimes it hurts more to hold on" he said before turning back to the back door of the cafe.
Sophie clasped her girlfriend's hand.
"Now what do you say I go get some takeaway and you can clean up because I am starving babe" she asked.
Maddie nodded. She leaned over and languidly kissed her girlfriend suddenly. Pulling her lips away she whispered "I'll never leave you Soph" softly. Without another word she got up and went into the bathroom.
Sophie grabbed her jacket and wallet. She heard her phone stir with a text message. Reading it, she poked her head into the bathroom.
"Babe, I have to go talk to Dev about next weeks rotor too. So take your time. I'll be back soon" she said as she ran out the door.
As she hit the street, she hated herself for lying slightly to Maddie about her plans. But she didn't want her girlfriend to get wound up again. She would fill her in after it was over. This was a thing that she had to do herself.
She read the text message again. "The park bench. You know which one" it said.
Sophie shook her head as she headed down the cobbles. Sometimes she never understood how God worked but she knew that everything had a reason.
A/N: I know that this is long! But I had a lot of ground of cover, folks. Like what you're reading? Then let me know with a review. It makes the world happy.