Hi everyone! So I don't know how this happened but I somehow managed to delete the old version of this story which had 5 chapters written.. Not to worry, but I've decided now that 3 years down the track I'll finish it!

So here it is, Chunk of Change. Lets go back to where it all began..

'Fucking hell,' she thought. 'What on earth am I even doing here?'

The sound of a thumping baseline filled the sweaty, hazy air in the small underground club in Bristol. She recognised the heavy electro sounds of the Crystal Castles song 'Baptism', and smiled slightly that the club was finally playing something decent. Sweaty bodies around her danced without a care in the world; most of them too high or drunk to worry. She was trying to make her way through the crowd and up the set of stairs to the street, but it had proven difficult. The tiny basement club was packed to capacity. She battled her way through the crowd, ignoring sleazy boys dancing obscenely with her and groping her as she pushed past.

They hadn't intended on going out clubbing tonight. It started off just being a few beers at the pub in the afternoon with Effy, then Cook came along and before they knew it the three were completely shit-faced, Cook had hooked up with his dealer, and the trio decided the pub scene wasn't quite what they needed that night. It was always that way with Cook and Effy. The three would go out; get fucked up. Always. And it was starting to shit Naomi Campbell off. They were her best friends, no doubt about it. But she felt like she was never going to be able to live up to her full potential if she kept up her wild partying habits.

Naomi had big dreams for the future. She wanted to save the world, she didn't know how really, but she knew she wanted to do something worthwhile with her life. She was a somewhat eccentric girl. She wore bright, patterned clothing and chunky jewellery that always made a statement. Her white blonde hair was in a short bob, longer at the front. She didn't think she wasn't anything special to look at; she was pale, and in her opinion, plain. Not like her best friend Effy.

Elizabeth Stonem was one hell of a girl. The punk/goth/rock look she chose suited her right down to the ground. She never left the house without heavily applied eyeliner and mascara and of course her signature military style boots and a skimpy outfit to match. It was because of Effy that the girls, and Cook, were able to get into the nightclubs, even though they were still only 17. Effy was gorgeous and had the most stunning blue eyes that Naomi had ever seen. She could make any man, or woman for that matter, melt at her fingertips, and she was so used to it that getting her own way was just a way of life for her. Effy never wasted her words, even when she sang. Her singing was beautiful; Naomi never failed to be amazed at the lyrics that seemingly were pulled out from the air when Effy began to sing at random moments. Effy had a love for partying that far outdid Naomi's, and it was only narrowly matched by Cook's wild ways.

James Cook was Effy and Naomi's best friend. A loud mouthed, trash talking young man who drank and swore more than the entire Royal Navy combined, Cook was a good hearted boy deep down and always looked after his girls. Cook lived for babes, booze and for playing his guitar. He and Effy always messed around with music, and the two often discussed starting an actual band. Cook would strum along on his guitar for hours when they were sharing around a few spliffs, and Effy would hum along to the music and sing random lyrics that came to her head. Naomi thought they were both fabulous and talented, but like everything in Cook and Effy's lives, it didn't end up going in any solid direction. They just didn't have the commitment to trying to start a band. Minimal effort seemed to be a running theme with the two.

The news her mother Gina had broken to Naomi earlier that week had been a shock. Her estranged father, who she had never met, had died of a heart attack. Naomi was surprised when Gina broke the news; she hadn't realised anyone who knew her father would have known how or where to contact Gina and Naomi. But, the news reached them, and although Naomi wasn't saddened by it, she had been talked into going to the funeral tomorrow with her mother.

'She's going to fucking kill me if she finds out I was out tonight,' Naomi worried, as she finally reached the stairs and made her way up to the fresh air of the street. 'I wonder where Effy and Cook disappeared to...' Her thoughts trailed off as she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath of refreshing night air. The main effects of whatever pills Cook had handed out to her had worn off, and she now felt tired and grumpy; typical of a come down, as she scanned the street in vague hope of finding her friends. It was with surprise that she actually spotted Effy's long, teased and crimped brown hair just a few metres away from her. She gratefully made her way to Effy and sat down beside her on the pavement, not caring that she looked '3am trashy'.

Effy barely moved her head as she glanced at Naomi and offered her the smallest of smiles. 'Hey.'

'Eff, I'm ready to get going soon. It's late and I have to be up at 8 for this stupid funeral...' She leaned over and took a cigarette from Effy's pack, lighting it and inhaling the familiar, calming smoke. 'Have you seen Cook anywhere?'

Effy inhaled and exhaled slowly, not caring that she didn't answer straight away. 'He said he was going to meet me back here after he went inside to find you. Something or other about a house party.'

Naomi didn't reply. It was fine for Cook and Effy; they were both quite well off money-wise, Effy especially. They had all finished college and neither Effy nor Cook had applied for university the following year. They had no direction, and were content to spend their parent's money and continue to live aimlessly for god knows how long. Naomi loved them both but knew she had to at least try to grow up a bit now college was through and go travel or do university. It wasn't the partying that bothered her so much as it was the sensation of drifting through life with no direction.

She was about to say something when a loud voice broke through the crowd.

'Naomikins! There you are Blondie! Alright you two, I've got a nice little party lined up at some super fit bird's place, and there's still some of Cookie's special goodies to go round! Ready to get going soon then?'

Fed up, Naomi stood up. 'I've been trying to find you both for at least an hour! It's already late; I really have to get home... Can we please just leave?'

Cook laughed and grinned at her, then realised she was serious. Effy said nothing; just continued to smoke.

'Oh come on Blondie don't be such a wet blanket. You got plenty of time til you have to be home, you can pull an all nighter; I've seen you do it loads of times!' Cook pulled Effy to her feet, who gave him the slightest disapproving look.

Naomi bit her tongue and finished her smoke, crushing it under her red pointy ballet flats.

'Cook its fine, let her go home. She has shit to do tomorrow that she probably wants to be somewhat sober for.' Effy's voice sounded bored and disinterested as usual. She too was feeling the effects of the come down, however she was keen to continue the party and reach the breathtaking peaks of the chemical highs once again. For Effy, too much was never enough.

'I'm going to get a taxi okay? Cook, stop being a prick,' Naomi decided and punched him lightly on the arm, unable to stop a smile creeping onto her face as Cook imitated her. 'My God you are SO annoying sometimes!'

'Hey, there's no need to address me by my proper title Naomikins, leave that for rest of the world, alright?' Cook winked at the girls and laughed at his own stupid God joke.

Both girls rolled their eyes at their best friend, and Naomi collected her things into her bag. She pulled out her phone and dialled the number for taxis, but it rang out. 'They must be flat out at this time of night.' Still feeling quite drunk, even though the drugs had worn off, she stumbled slightly and dropped her phone as she missed her handbag completely.

'Shit!' she swore, as it bounced into the gutter and onto the road. Without thinking, she stepped forward clumsily, stumbled once again, and had a moment of panic when she realised she was on the busy road. She quickly reached down for her phone and was about to step back onto the curb when she was distracted by a Cook swearing loudly behind her, not sounding at all like his self. She swivelled just in time to see him reaching out to her, metres away, and yell her name. Startled she looked slightly to her left and found herself facing a bright set of headlights. Then she saw nothing.

-x-

I would REALLY appreciate any reviews! Feedback is fuel for the mind so if you can spare a moment I would appreciate your opinions :)