STANDARD DISCLAIMER: The characters of Effy Stonem, Katie Fitch, Emily Fitch, Naomi Campbell, Pandora Moon, Thomas Tomone and any and all other minor characters/locations from the television series Skins are the sole property of Company Pictures, and are used herein without permission or contest to their ownership for the sole purpose of personal, non-profit entertainment. Any and all minor characters that have not appeared in the television series, and this storyline, are the sole creation and property of the author and may not be reproduced without prior consent (if you want to post it, just ask).
A/N: Hey everyone! This is my first shot of a Skins fanfiction, so it goes without saying that it might be completely terrible. Please leave any reviews/comments/criticism that you can. It would be much appreciated! With that being said, ENJOY!
The sidewalk outstretched before her lay riddled with puddles. Petrichor and car exhaust were the first smells to pierce Effy's sinuses as she left the taxi. Only days before she was released from prison after serving a five year sentence. Thanks to her attorney and good behavior, she was granted early parole with a hefty two hundred fifty thousand pound fine.
Since entering the London streets again, her mind pondered the wellbeing of Naomi, her former flatmate who nearly died of cancer. The memories were almost as debilitating as when he disappeared. She remembered the pain in Emily's eyes when she finally learned what had happened. Effy caused her that pain. And for that, Effy could never forgive herself, for she knew that feeling all too well.
Effy arrived at her new flat swiftly, and fumbled for the keys. Given her fresh criminal record, this was the only flat she qualified for. As for a job, that's where she knew her manipulation skills would help out.
A sour smell perturbed her nose as she crossed over the flat's threshold. The interior was covered in a vomit green carpet and tacking furnishing. At least it's something, she thought. She strolled into the kitchen, her heels clacking against the decade old laminate floor. On the stove sat a navy blue kettle which she filled with water and set to boil.
While waiting for the kettle, she went to explore the "master suite" which was nothing compared to her old flat. Inside sat a full sized bed, an end table, a small closet, and a dinky bathroom. Plopping her purse onto the bed, she watched dust arise from the comforter. Digging inside her purse, she gathered the numerous pill bottles she was prescribed and walked toward the loo. Inside, she found a medicine cabinet and organized her pill bottles according to the time of day they were to be taken: morning, noon, night, and the bottle for emergencies.
A whistling came from the kitchen as she closed the medicine cabinet. Once more her heels sounded across the floor. She fixed a cup of tea and headed toward the couch and telly she had in the living room adjacent to her bedroom. Sitting down, she flipped the telly to the news and sipped from her steaming cup. A female voice echoed from the set recapping today's stock prices and current events. Effy grew bored of the reminder of her old life. With that, she sighed and resigned to her room, reaching into the medicine cabinet to down the nighttime pills, and climbed into the moth ball-smelling bed.
A phone call woke Effy up. She typically never answered calls from "unknown," but she figured, why the hell not?
"Effy!" the female voice screeched.
Confused by the tone of voice, Effy let out a nervous chuckle answering, "Yeah?"
"It's been too long and I heard you were out of prison! It's still quite bollocks if you ask me. We need to catch up, what do you say Ef?"
"Panda?" Effy asked.
"Of course! Your BFF, remember Ef?"
"Yes, I remember, Panda."
"Thomas and I are coming to London today, and I think it would be super-duper splendid if we hung out like old times."
The idea struck Effy off guard, but she wasn't completely opposed to it. "Sounds great, Panda. Where would you like to meet?" Effy could hear a squeal coming from the other end.
"Great! Tonight at the club on Cannon Street. It'll be heaps of fun!" Panda squealed and clicked off the line before Effy could agree.
Same old, Pandora, Effy thought. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table, 9:45 it read. She quickly rose and readied herself for today's job search. In yesterday's newspaper she spotted an ad for a banking position that she knew she could score easily. Doning a navy blue blazer, a messy bun, and light smoky eye, she clutched her purse and returned to the bustling London once more.
"Thank you sir, " Effy said shaking hands with the bank's CEO.
"I'm glad, Ms. Stonem. Welcome aboard. Just remember, any funny business and I will call the FSA," the CEO warned.
"I understand, sir." Effy remarked as she walked towards the exit of the conference room in the direction of the elevator.
I guess I could get used to this environment again, she thought. The down arrow illuminated in front of her as she anxiously waited for the elevator. The building reminded her of the past, but at least it was a job.
The elevator doors opened showing its sole occupant to Effy. A man her age stood next to her, his skin contrasted her pallor, the way his used to, and his smile revealed his sole dimple. Effy returned ha half smile and focused on the doors closing.
"What level, Miss?" the man asked.
"Lobby, please," she spoke through a smile.
"Katie, are you coming to Naomi's set tonight? It's her last one until after the holidays," Emily chirped.
"Yeah, sure, Ems," Katie replied reluctantly, the distance showing in her voice.
Katie sat in her room staring longingly into her mirror. Her hair was a mess of auburn tangles. She drug a paddle brush through her locks before giving up and lighting a fag. As she exhaled, she watched her sad, laden with black eyeliner and mascara, eyes. Not long ago, her old beau broke her heart and took most of her savings. Katie took one last drag before she extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray to her left. Might as well get ready for tonight, she sighed.
Fishing around her closet, she found a body con skirt and black blouse to match. A pair of black heels finished the look. Pulling a pink lip gloss from her purse, she dabbed a little on and headed out the door.
"Taxi!" she screamed. Not long after a cab greeted her.
"Where to?" the cabbie asked.
"The comedy club on Cannon, please."
"Katie's coming?!" shouted Naomi. "Why the hell did you invite her? You know that Panda and Thomas are coming and I don't want her to cause a scene. I know she'll just bitch at Panda for remaining friends with Effy. You know that, Em!"
"I know, Naoms, but I just wanted to get her out of the flat and have her make some new mates."
"I guess that's okay… After her breakup she has been pretty secluded and cold-hearted…"
"It'll be okay. Love you babes." Emily smiled and pecked Naomi on the lips before she returned to the crowed to meet Panda and Thomas.
"Emily!" screeched an over joyous Panda.
"Hi, Panda," she said hugging the vivacious blonde and smiling at Thomas who stood behind Pandora. "How have you been?"
"Super-duper splendid! I called Ef this morning and invited her to come hang out like old times!" Panda exclaimed.
Emily's stomach dropped. Hearing Effy's name took her by surprise. She'd completely forgotten about her ever since Naomi was in the hospital. A flashback of her pain clouded her mind temporarily, but after the past two years, she knew she forgave Effy. Effy was only doing what Naomi told her, and she respected that. It wasn't all her fault. "She is now?"
"Oh bollocks! Did I mess something up by inviting Ef?" Panda replied sheepishly and she watched Emily's face turn from happy to concerned.
"No, no, it's just that Katie's coming too, and I'm not sure how things will play out is all."
"Everything will be good, like old times! We'll all be friends again!" Panda squealed as she drifted back into her utopia-influenced world.
"She hasn't stopped talking about it all day," Thomas sighed.
"I believe you," Emily joked.
Just behind the chatter of Emily, Pandora, and Thomas came Katie. Her dreary presence affected everyone almost immediately.
"Sexy poo! How are you?" Pandora exclaimed, her energy disregarded the dulling presence of Katie.
"I'm okay, Panda. Long time, no see," Katie replied.
"That's for sure. Since Uni, right? Either way, it's been a long time. I'm really stoked that we get to hang out."
"It sure is, Panda," Katie replied taking a seat at a dimly lit table next to the group. Not long after Emily joined her twin.
"It's good to see you out, Kate," she remarked.
"Yeah, I guess so. It's weird to see all the old crew here, well not all of them.."
"Didn't you hear that Effy got out of prison the other day?" Emily asked.
"She did?" her shock engulfed her thoughts. What if she contacted Naomi, or Emily? I couldn't let her, she hurt them too much. She just let Emily get hurt with Naomi's situation. She SHOULD HAVE told her regardless. I can't forgive her ever. She's a wanker.
"EFFY!" Panda screamed.
"Oh shit," Emily and Katie whispered in unison.