A/N Hello. I am new to this so if I have made mistakes please help by pointing me in the right direction! Also I am not sure how to access Beta readers (I am blonde, which might explain!) I have written a short piece about the lake scene, I chose to use a scene already written and just add my own thoughts as I have not written anything before ever. There is more to come but I wanted to test the water with an initial chapter. Any comments are welcome. Thanks :)
Disclaimer: I do not own anything!
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"Can we go somewhere?"
"Where?"
"Anywhere."
And that was how it started. The first time she'd ever came to me, and god it scared me. Instinct took over and I knew where to take her.
Standing there, the lake looked just as beautiful as I remembered. It was the serenity that drew me here time and time again and that's what drew me here today. Somewhere away from everything, where Naomi would hopefully feel free to be herself under the non-judgemental presence of the lake and wildlife.
I always find it intriguing that Naomi feels the need to face the world behind a protective front. I think she is a strong person, she has the strength to fight for her opinions, the conviction to not let this world pass her by but actually live in it and make her presence known. But she seems to lack the strength to admit she wants friends. The cheery welcome before I cocked things up at the underground party hinted of this. It is like she feels that it is a weakness, or maybe she is trying to protect herself. Normally she appears to need and care for no one, preferring to be alone. But then today she needed me, I think. I believe this is a hint of the real Naomi, the person I fleetingly knew before the "incident" in middle school and before her front was reinforced following Katie's vicious rumours and my selfish silence. I mean she was always a bit of a loner and very opinionated, she kept away from most but she had a few friends. My sister's actions following our brief kiss seemed to intensify her front and drive her away from people. Now, ironically I may be the one to cut a doorway through this exterior, to see the real person behind the peroxide blonde hair and unsmiling blue eyes.
I turn and begin to undress when she hesitantly utters "I didn't bring a swimming costume."
"Neither did I" is my response, followed by "the sun won't shine forever", I hope she relaxes a bit; it could be awkward if she refuses to swim too and that's really not the point of this trip.
Hmm, she still isn't buying it; "someone might be looking" is the harsh reply. "Honey, your body ain't that special", I hope to put her at ease. She falters before hissing "don't look ok?"
But how could I not look? I know I'm playing with fire here, but slowly I turn to watch her undress, the smoothness of her back is so inviting as she lifts her top, almost beckons me to touch and kiss her, feel her soft skin against my lips, my fingertips.
She turns, sees me watching. I could be in trouble here. She's crossing her arms in a vain attempt to avoid the feeling of exposure. She catches my eye and her lips break into a grin, "you were looking!" she proclaims.
Relief rushes through me, "no I wasn't" I insist, despite the fact I blatantly was. We playfully bicker about whether I was perving and the end result is me being pushed in the lake. Jesus it's cold! She joins me and exclaims my sentiments. It's much too cold for a long swim, so we splash each other a bit before making hasty exits.
Slightly self-consciously we shuffle our belongings into the woods slightly, and begin to attempt to dry ourselves. Naomi collects some sticks and begins to make a small fire while I set up a blanket and roll us a splif. I also produce a bottle of vodka, obviously needed for warmth!
As I finish the splif and begin to light it she casually asks me if I'm alright. The mere question alone makes me falter slightly, no one ever asks if I'm alright, normally that question is directed at Katie. The fact it's uttered from Naomi's lips doubles the reason to be surprised.
I smirk into the splif and take my time in responding. Naomi however grows inpatient, begins to wave in front of my face and incredulously asks me if I'm deaf. I phrase my response carefully, "you know that's the first time you have asked me something?"
"What? Today?" she states quizzically. I think my meaning is lost on her, despite the finality I try to instil in my answer: "ever".
"Well, answer it then. You alright?" God she's got some cheek. I maintain the light mood by telling her "I'm having the worst time of my life. The weather is shit, the company's even worse." Thankfully she's smiling, understanding the playful tone of my response. "Well" is all she says before taking another swig of vodka.
I stoke the fire a little more as we make small talk about the forest and then, possibly spurred on by the exchanges between us, I take her hand. I just sit there holding it, gently rubbing her fingers. She must have noticed and I could have sworn out the corner of my eye I saw her glance down and smile. The fact that she doesn't pull away mixed with the weed is giving me confidence, I want to be closer to her. So I suggest blow backs. Typically she is dismissive and sarcastic at first before conceding to let me "disappoint her".
I notice a look in her eyes as I place her hands around the splif and draw her near with gentle pressure on her neck. Did I see that look at Pandora's party? What is going through her mind? The intensity with which she's looking at me makes me anxious and as we finish the blow back a small, nervous smile creeps across my lips. Her eyelids seem to be heavy and her gaze forced downwards. When she finally meets my nervous gaze there is a new certainty behind her stormy blue eyes.
She looks at me for what feels like eternity. I gaze at her, noticing her blonde hair curling as it dries, the lack of make-up from our arctic exploits in the lake and the shabby green jumper. She looks so natural, relaxed and real, there is no front here now, I can see just Naomi. She is so beautiful she takes my breath away.
And then she's kissing me.
