Title: Bloody Marathon 1/?
Rating: PG-13, for some swearing
Pairing: Naomi/Emily
Word Count: 2383
Disclaimer: Not mine :( And thus is the reason for my constant gloomy mood.
Summary: My version of Naomi falling in love with Emily. My first fic, so go easy on me. Comments and constructive criticism appreciated!
Naomi's Point of View
I could feel my heart start cracking the thin layer of skin on my chest as it beat faster and harder with every step. It felt like we had been running from the abandoned house for hours now. Jesus, I'm out of shape. I could tell Emily was getting tired too as my house finally appeared in sight, and I felt an immediate wave of relief wash over me. I slowed to a walking pace to try and steady my breathing again. Looking to the right of me I saw Emily mirror my actions and she slowed her stride to match mine. I blushed as I realized how my heavy breaths practically muted the tiny red head's next to me. For someone with much smaller legs than mine, she never fell more than a few steps behind me the whole way. Impressive. I really need to get to the gym more often. I sound as though I have the lung capacity of a 70-year-old man with severe emphysema. Fucking smoking's starting to have an effect on me and that fucking tequila didn't help anything...
I'm torn out of my thoughts by a deep raspy voice. "What was that?" I breathed out, not hearing what she had said over the loud sounds of my uneven air.
"I asked if you were alright." I looked up to meet her smiling brown eyes. "Do I need to call an ambulance?" Her mouth now wearing the same expression as her eyes.
"Fuck's sake. I'm just catching my breath. Give me a second, yeah? I'm not used to running for so long." I exhaled with a loud huff. "I never would've gone to that fucking party if Effy would've told me it was across town. I wasn't even paying attention on the ride over. Didn't seem like we were driving that long." I continued my gaze down the street while wiping a bit more sweat off of my brow. A little giggle turning my attention to the right side of me again. "What's so funny?" I asked as my confusion grew.
"It was only two blocks Naomi." The red head said as she continued to giggle.
"What?" I turned around to look behind us searching for some kind of evidence to help my argument. Staring at the empty road behind us I started to become more frustrated. "How is that possible? It felt like a bloody marathon."
Managing to stifle her giggles for a moment Emily gently wrapped her hand around mine and continued onwards towards my house. "Nai, that's what happens when you try to challenge Cook in downing '10 shots in 10 seconds'. He practices during lessons at college I'm sure."
"Fucking tosser. He promised he'd stop trying to get me to 'make his cock happy' if I beat his record. Wanker. Wouldn't have kept his promise even if I were to beat him." I exhaled another grumpy huff and lowering my head, I suddenly noticed Emily's hand still warmly pressed against mine. Remembering my usually cold exterior and obvious disinterest in others around me, especially the people in my level at college, I realized that I've never really had anyone hold my hand. Sure I've had a couple of dates with some random blokes when I was younger, but they usually pissed me off before we made it out of the cinema, so I guess I never really got to this part. The walking home holding hands part. And although this was definitely not a date, and Emily and I were strictly friends (apart from the drunken snog back in primary), I couldn't bring myself to let go of the petite girl's hand now holding tightly onto mine. It was different. I know I should've pulled away right then as to not let Emily believe that I may have changed my mind about the two of us, but I couldn't. It was nice. It was like cautiously stepping into a hot bath. Letting the warmth spread slowly up my arm, making it's way through my entire body I began to calm down quickly. Emily had that effect on me.
"Nai, Cook's word is about as good as Katie's taste in guys." The red head said with an infectious smile I couldn't help but stare at. We continued walking and talking as we made our way into my front yard, inside the front door, and quietly up to my bedroom trying not to wake my mum. And soon we were both on my bedroom floor laughing and mimicking Emily's sister's boyfriend Dann-o with our best impressions.
A comforting silence rested between us after a while and we both just lay there relaxing. I closed my eyes as I let my mind wander through tonight's events.
- -
Eff had somehow convinced me to go to a party at some vacant house her brother Tony told her about in his last email to her. Said it was perfect for a crazy night with friends because the cops never went by there. I rudely declined the first time she asked, only to be met with piercing blue eyes staring at me until I caved. I hated when she did that. Gave that 'I know all of your secrets' Effy look without saying a word. It was like she was seeing straight into my soul and bearing through my mind with those damn eyes just staring. I didn't even know what secret I had that she could possibly hold against me, but I could never say no when she gave me that look. It was like she knew something that I didn't know. Made me feel right uncomfortable every time too. So I went. The place was packed from wall to wall filled with people I knew mostly by face but not name. I didn't care enough to learn them. I did know a few though. Panda, Emily, and I were stood in a circle shouting to make conversation audible over the loud music blaring when Cook came from behind me. I felt him put his hands on my hips and start to sway to the beat of the music trying to pull me towards the dancing crowd with him.
"Fuck off, Cook."
"Oh, come on, Blondie! You want it, I want it. Stop fighting it, yeah? Promise I'm the best shag in all of Bristol." He said with a cocky grin.
"Not a chance, Cook. If you want someone to grind up against you all night like you're a fucking sex god, go find Katie. I'm sure she'd love some time with the Cookie Monster." I replied dryly, watching Emily try to hide her amusement. Her twin Katie was a slutty bitch and she knew it but she would never say it aloud.
"Aww, Blondie. You're starting to hurt the Cookie's feelings now. Just let me work my magic on you for 5 minutes and I guarantee you'll be begging for more. Come now with me here." He said as he started to pull me towards the crowd. He had only taken about two steps dragging me along when he was stopped by a small hand tightly gripping his wrist.
"Leave her the fuck alone, Cook. I mean it. She said no." I turned around to see an angry Emily with her one hand still tightly around Cook's wrist and the other clenched into a strong fist by her side. What the hell was she doing? It was very sweet I must admit. No one has ever stood up for me before. But it was just Cook being his usual dick-self and here was tiny Emily ready to fight him for hassling me. I couldn't stop the small smile that appeared on my face at the sight of the small red head, her face growing almost the same shade of red as she got angrier. Cute. What the hell Naomi?Focus.
"Well fuck me." Cook said as he began to laugh at Emily's reaction.
"Whizzer, I've never seen Ems so mad before Eff." Panda whispered as Effy quietly appeared next to her to see the unfolding scene.
"Ha ha, she's got it bad for you ain't she Blondie?" This game of his only getting more interesting as Emily gritted her teeth and started to take a forceful step towards him. Do something Naomi!
"Whoa, Ems. Hey, it's alright." I said as I stopped her from probably breaking her hand on Cook's face. My hands firmly on her shoulders now, I looked at her until she met my gaze. "Thank you," I said with a shy smile, "but I can handle him. What's it gonna take then Cook?" I said as I pivoted to look at him.
"What's that, love?" Cook said with a pleased look on his face.
"What's it gonna take for you to fuck off? I'm not going to shag you and you're obviously not going to stop trying. So what do you want?"
"10 shots in 10 seconds!" Cook shouted without skipping a beat. "Straight tequila. You beat my record, and the Cookie will let you be. But if I win, little mermaid here minds her own fucking business and you dance with me."
Naomi listened and considered taking the bet. "You mean you're not gonna demand I shag you if I lose? That's not like you, Cook. Such a gentleman you are." I said with my most sarcastic tone. The bloody wanker probably didn't even think of that.
"That's me, Babe. Besides, I have confidence that dancing is all it'll take for you to come with a loud scream before the song's ended." He said as he wriggled his eyebrows with a cheeky grin. He was alright. Right disgusting annoying pig he was, but could be quite funny when he wanted to be. He was harmless really.
"Deal." I said as Cook jumped up with a cheer and ran out of the room to go get a bottle and glasses.
"Naomi," Emily whispered as she pulled me close to her again, her face serious. "Don't." She said in an almost inaudible voice, sadness washing over her.
"Em, relax. It's fine. I'll take a few gulps and this'll all be sorted. I'll go nuts if he keeps pestering me all night. Tequila sounds amazing right now." I said with a reassuring smile.
"But what if you lose? You're such a lightweight." She said in a still quiet voice.
"I won't, okay? Don't worry, yeah? I'm a fish when it comes to tequila." I said teasingly trying to get Emily to loosen up. It worked.
- -
"Alright, Blondie, get to drinking! Time starts when the first glass touches those lovely lips." He said with a wink while raising his arm to look at the watch on his wrist. Here goes nothing...the first one went down smoothly immediately warming my throat. The second one tasted a bit different, but I didn't allow myself the time to think about it. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Stop.
A loud mixture of voices penetrated from the living room through the kitchen as feet shuffled quickly running around like madmen. What the fuck? Everyone's attention was drawn to the other room to try to figure out what was happening. Soon, Freddie and JJ barreled in from the other room and into the kitchen. Freddie shouting, "Police man! We've got to go!" as he started to push everyone towards the side door.
I was a bit dizzy already from the tequila, I don't know how I managed to get outside. It was only until I had gotten into a steady rhythm did I notice that Emily was still beside me. She must've led me in the right direction because I could barely keep focus with the houses and mailboxes moving animately like they had come to life. Fucking tequila, making me wheeze like an old man.
- -
I opened my eyes then just a bit as I sat up on my elbows. I wanted to ask Emily why I was still faster than her when we were running. Didn't make much sense now that I thought of it. "Hey Ems."
"Hmm?" She replied, eyes closed like mine were a few seconds ago with a peaceful look on her face.
"How did I manage to stay ahead of you when we were running away from the house? I had just drank loads of tequila. Might want to think about making fun of me again for catching my breath when I beat you even with a handicap" I said slightly smug as I stared at her waiting for a reply. A smile slowly crept up on her face, eyes still closed.
"Well, your legs are much longer than mine to be fair." She said with a giggle. "Oh, and 8 of those glasses were filled with apple juice." She said with another giggle as one eyelid crept open so that she could look at me.
"You're joking right?" I said with complete disbelief.
"Afraid not. I dumped the tequila and filled it with the juice as fast as I could. Would've changed all of them if Cook had taken just a bit longer trying to set the timer on his watch." I continued to look at her in utter disbelief and amazement until we both broke out into a fit of laughter. My sides were seriously aching by the time we started to calm down. "So I really am just that out of shape?"
"Afraid so." She said with an adorable grin reaching her eyes.
"Oi, shut up!" I said as I playfully shoved her. "Well at least Cook likes my 'shape' just fine." I said as I stuck my tongue out at her.
"That makes two of us." She said blushing. I just stared for what seemed like forever willing her to meet my gaze. Finally, two brown eyes met two blue eyes and I couldn't help but think of how she looked rather beautiful, even after running a bloody marathon.