Mostly, Sorscha looked down at the ground as she explained her love for Clodagh. Once she'd finished, she took a deep breath before finally looking over at her parents. They were smiling. Her Dad winked before cheekily saying "love, we've seen you with Clodagh. Every time she knocked on for you, your whole face lit up." Her Mammy nodded and said "she's a lovely girl" proceeding to pause momentarily, a frown taking over her face. "So, her parents have forbidden her from speaking to you?" Sorscha shrugged "yeah, they don't want me corrupting their daughter. She feels the same way I do and she told me that she's always felt the that way, I didn't influence her." She paused before simply adding "I miss her."
Her Mammy sighed heavily "oh love I know. Maybe I could talk to her parents?" As lovely as that idea was in theory, Sorscha didn't believe that you could simply talk people out of their bigotry. "It's ok Mammy, we'll figure something out." Sorscha smiled warmly as she realised that her parents really did love her, no matter what.
That evening, Sorscha spent a little bit of time talking to George and telling him all about his send off. She'd never really had a solid belief in an afterlife, but she didn't want to believe that his wonderful soul was really gone. Where did all of his love and energy go? Eventually, Sorscha had settled on the idea that George now lived amongst the stars. The idea that George's starlight was shining down on them all and leading those who needed it most to safety was the only thing that soothed her pain.
Monday was hard. Things felt so different now that George had been laid to rest. Sorscha noticed that nobody shouted or glared at her when she walked through the corridors. Usually, George would have been by her side but now, she was a solitary figure. Even her former tormentors had been struck by the difference, forced into contemplating just how fragile life really was.
At lunchtime, Sorscha was determined to be brave, if only for the boy who had taught her what that actually meant. It didn't take her long to locate Clodagh and as soon as she'd caught her eye, she knew that she'd made the right decision. The brunette was sat in the dining hall but when she spotted Sorscha, she didn't need to be told where to go. The two girls met once again underneath the old oak tree and immediately embraced each other.
For a moment, there was silence. As soon as Clodagh inhaled deeply, the floodgates opened for both girls. This was the first time they'd been able to comfort each other since George's death and as they held each other tightly, both of their hearts shattered all over again. "I've missed you so much, I'm so sorry I couldn't save him" Sorscha words were punctuated by the sobs that had taken over her chest. "It's not your fault Sorscha, please don't blame yourself. I've missed you too, I can't be without you, especially not now."
The two girls finally released each other, immediately holding hands instead. In that moment, neither cared who might see them or what tales people might tell. As their lips connected, just for a few seconds the pain that had ravaged both of their bodies dissipated completely. Sorscha knew that she'd do anything simply to love Clodagh, it was as easy as breathing. She needed her like she needed oxygen.
She needed to fight for her breath.
YOU ARE READING
NOT A PHASE - (TNN - SORSCHA)
Fanfiction**COMPLETED** An interpretation of Sorschas potential struggle.
