Naomi
I'm 12. I'm walking down a long white corridor lined with rather shabby looking lockers. It's nothing like the rather posh school I just left behind in London. There's a bunch of girls hanging about outside a classroom. I walk closer, and that's when I notice her. She's beautiful. Doesn't quite belong with the rest of these loud mouths, I can tell that instantly. But the girl standing next to her looks too similar not to be related. I catch myself gawking at her. Strange feelings start running through my body. She looks up, I look away, I look up, she's being dragged off in some random direction by the similar girl.
I'm 13. That girl slips into my thoughts as I sit in a rather boring science lesson. I saw her today, in the hallway, she had cut her hair. It sat just above her shoulder. I could see the nape of her neck. Her pale skin glistening under the fluorescents. That feeling of confusion I always got when I caught a glimpse of her flooded back into my soul and I turned and walked the long way round to class so that I didn't have to pass her. I should not be feeling this way.
I'm 14. I found out her name today. 'Emily'. It suits her I think. I shouldn't be thinking about whether the name suits her or not. I went on my first date last night. Well it wasn't really a proper date. We went to the cinema, sat in silence for a few hours. He tried to hold my hand, I tried to free it! He lent in to kiss me and an image of 'Emily' flashed before my eyes. I moved my head to the side and his lips settled on my cheek.
I'm 15. I'm out at a club. Most of our year seems to be here. 'Emily' is here. When I say here, I mean I can practically touch her. This is the closest we have ever got. She smells almost as good as she looks. A hint of strawberries I think. She is looking at me. Shit. She is looking at me. She is speaking! Concentrate Naomi, you fucking moron. I shake my head slightly to clear the fuzzy feeling I have in my ears. I guess this is a bad move as she looks disappointed. All I can manage is "I've gotta go…over there" as I stumble off, my face turning a deep pink. If I had spent any longer there I think I may have done something I'd regret. She corners me later. Plants a kiss smack bang on my lips, holds it there waiting for me to respond, and when my brain and body refuse to work in sync she pulls away, gives me the cutest look and stalks off. I go and kiss the first boy I can find. Some sweaty mong. Her sister is glaring at me. She definitely saw the kiss Emily gave me. Fuck. She is walking over. Fuck fuck fuck. "Stay away from my sister you dirty lezzer."
I'm 16. It's my first day of college. I don't immediately recognise anyone as I walk into the hall, so I take a seat at the back, alone. Some random guy keeps shouting "babe" in my direction. I throw some dirty glances at him, inform him that I am not a 'babe' and proceed to be as sarcastic as I can. Some nervous looking woman is reading out names. I look around trying to locate those students who are claiming the names. I actually try to suppress a giggle as she stumbles over some girl's name, and then says "sorry, you're foreign!" As my eyes survey the room I spot her. Her hair is no longer the glossy chestnut colour I am so used to on her. She has dyed it a really bright red. And my god it fucking suits her. "Emily Fitch". She raises her hand. 'Fitch'. I never knew that. The woman gets to the end of her list "Naomi"…wait for it…"Campbell?" There are roars of laughter at my name, but all I can think is shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. "Same fucking form" stumbles from my mouth as I stare at her. How am I supposed to deny my feelings for this girl if I have to sit in close proximity to her every day, breathing in that scent.