A Storm Is Brewing

Developing Pt.1

As I flew home from my short, spontaneous trip to London, I couldn't help but think of the way in which things had begun; it felt like a love story—one that only exists in movies.

That short trip had allowed me to see many layers of Leah, from the thoughtful part that planned the New Year's Eve, to the awkward part that had her sitting on the end of the bed that night, and to the nervous part that had her panicking every time we almost went there. She had promised to see me soon, and I was hopeful that she had meant it, but I was enough of a realist to know that neither of our lives included a lot of free time.

I went straight home from the airport, not wanting to deal with the millions of questions that Rhys would have or the knowing looks from my dad. Instead, I opted to spend my night texting Leah, acting like I hadn't just spent two full days with her.

Sophie
I'm home safe x

Leah
Good. All okay back there?x

Sophie
Yeah, all good. How're you feeling?x

Leah
I'm okay. Is it weird that I miss you already?x

Sophie
Not sure, possibly x

Leah
Sorry x

Sophie
I'm winding you up😂 I miss you too x

Leah
I probably should warn you that I struggle to tell the difference between someone being serious and someone winding me up🫣x

Sophie
You probably shouldn't have told me that, I'll spend my life winding you up now x

Leah
Your life? Wow! Commitment!x

Sophie
Omg, I meant like I'll spend loads of time😂x

Leah
So you don't see this going anywhere?x

Sophie
No! I didn't mean that!x

Leah
It looks like it's easy to wind you up too x

Sophie
Touché, Leah, Touché x

Leah
When do you leave for the cottage with your family?x

Sophie
Tomorrow x

Leah
Is Liv going?x

Sophie
No, just the four of us x

Leah
Where is it?x

Sophie
The middle of nowhere, haha. What will you do for the new year?x

Leah
Mum will throw a party. She says every year she's not having one, but then she accidentally invites enough people around for it to be a party. So, do you get a signal at this place?🤔x

Sophie
She deserves one this year, after Christmas! I hope so, why?🤭x

Leah
I hope so too x

Sophie

You can be quite cute, you know that?x

Leah
Shut up🙄x

Sophie
Lucky for you, I'm going to sleep now. I'll message you tomorrow?x

Leah
Night Soph, talk to you tomorrow x

Sophie
Night x

I'd never really been one for New Year's Eve, especially not the type of night that involved travelling with my divorced parents and brother to a remote cottage. This year, though, my biggest worry was that Rhys would mention Leah in front of mum, more so given that I had spent a few days in London with her. Mum's lack of understanding for any type of relationship other than heterosexual ones had always been the most risky part of us spending time together, but I wasn't sure I was ready to tell Leah that yet.