This was an interesting chapter for me...
I hope you enjoy because I'm not too sure how I feel, but I soooo know where this is going.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"I'm Emily." She extended her hand out to meet mine. "Emily Fitch."
"Naomi Campbell." I replied, reaching my hand out to shake hers. I felt a jolt of electricity, almost like a little shock the moment the skin of her palm met mine. I smiled weakly before withdrawing my hand. "But no jokes about my name, promise?"
"Aye-aye, Captain." Emily laughed. She glanced over at me. "Do you not have anything to take notes with?" Emily questioned as she eyed the front of the room to see if the professor had arrived.
"No, I didn't even have time to grab my purse this morning. My flat mate drug me out of bed." I said, chuckling lightly and tracing the lines on the wooden table.
"How rude of her!" Emily exclaimed. I giggled at the sudden change in her face. "Well, never mind, I'll give you some paper and a pen. It's all you really need." She reached around her shoulder to dig through her bag.
I sat there and nodded, continuing to trace the lines on the wood. My pocket buzzed and I pulled out my cell to see what Effy wanted. Is it sad that I already knew it was her? Well, no, she's the only one who talks to me, anyway.
From Effy: Sorry 'bout that late reply, Naomi. Say, babes, I ran into the darker haired twin. Shes coming to our party, tonight.
I sat there, mouth agape. "Something wrong?" Emily had asked and she handed me a pile of blank paper and a pen.
"No, my flat mate just being her weird self." I said. I quickly pressed the buttons of my phone to type out a message to her.
To Effy: You're still so set on thinking she's a twin… Funny. Her "twin" is sitting next to me in Psychology and doesn't want to go. ;) Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't want to get pissed.
From Effy: NO WAY. Beg her to come to our party ;)
To Effy: I don't beg, especially when it's more like YOUR party as opposed to OUR party. I got to pay attention, turning the cell off. Bye Effy ;) PS: I'm so not begging, just to spite you.
I shut my cell off before shoving it into my pocket as soon as the professor entered the class.
I never realized how long these stupid classes were. I had been taking notes on the brain for the last almost two hours. I was kind of glad Emily had lent me paper, because we really did need it, even if I was doodling random shapes in the margins.
"Can anyone explain the effects of cocaine on the human brain and the severe consequences it can have?" The professor called out.
My head shot up from staring at my notes and the professor looked directly at me.
"Can you?" He asked, pointing his finger in my direction.
I simply nodded before looking around at all the other students in the class. Everyone remained silent.
"Well… explain?" The professor questioned.
"Your brain absorbs specific neurotransmitters daily. Cocaine inhibits your brain from the reuptake process…" I started. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair and glanced to the left to see Emily look at me with concern. "Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls the brains "reward and pleasure" centers. With cocaine use, the dopamine in your system is building up, causing euphoria or a "high" feeling. However, too much dopamine can cause hallucinations. Too much cocaine can cause you to start eventually falling in and out of consciousness…" I held my breath for a moment, remembering the night Eryn died. "You can slip into a comatose stage and your body can completely shut down. It can kill you, over time or in the same night you take it. Especially, if it's not 100% pure…" Tears were slowly rolling down my cheek. I glanced around the classroom, seeing everyone's eyes on me. "Excuse me." I quickly said, standing up from my seat and running out of the classroom.
I found the nearest lavatory and dry heaved over the sink. I'm glad there was only fifteen minutes of class left, so I doubt I missed anything important.
Why did I have to look up in shock? Better yet, why did I have to relive that night in front of everyone, and TWICE in one day? First the dream, now this. It's like she was this never-ending cycle, forever engraved in my brain. She was twisted in my veins, invading my dreams. How could I not be over something like this? It's been a year, a whole whopping 365 days.
There was a soft knock on the bathroom door, followed by an even softer voice. "Naomi? Are you okay?" There was a pause for about thirty seconds before they spoke again. "Can you unlock the door?"
I pulled myself away from the sink to unlock the door to the lavatory. I was standing face to tear-stained face with Emily.
"The professor sent me to make sure you were all right." Emily said while chewing on her lower lip. "So, are you all right?"
"I will be." I replied, wiping tears away with my cardigan sleeves.
"I know I'm a complete stranger, Naomi… but if you want to talk about it…" Emily started.
"I've just had… a bad experience with cocaine, that's all." I said quickly. I flashed a weak smile before exiting the lavatory. "And I know I'm a complete stranger, but I eavesdropped on you yelling at that 'Katie' figure over the phone. Not wanting to go to a party, hmm?"
"Ugh, Katie's always trying to drag me to parties so she can get pissed and shag a boy. I swear, for twins, we're nothing alike." Emily shrugged. So, Effy wasn't joking that she had a twin sister…
"Well, I say you should go to the party…" I suggested.
"Why do you say that?" Emily questioned instantly.
"Because, I'll be having no fun watching everyone get pissed by myself, now would I?"
"Wait, you're the girl's flat mate?" Emily raised an eyebrow at me.
"Guilty as charged. Although, I may not be as guilty as Effy made me out to be to your sister…" I looked around the hallway. "Or maybe I am. Who knows? I'm apparently just the gay flat mate, right?"
"That's all I was told." Emily said, chuckling.
"Oh, bugger… then I am guilty." I smiled widely. This was insanity. Not even Effy could make me smile after talking about Eryn, and I hardly even talked about Eryn to Emily.
"Well, maybe I'll give this party a go." Emily said with a hopeful smile.
"Just… well," I said, stuttering over my words, "I should probably go… wash up. Yeah, that. Heh… so maybe see you tonight, yeah? I guess your sister can just text Elizab-… erm, Effy… and uhm that'll be all set."
Good one, Naomi. You're making a complete fool out of yourself in front of this girl.
Emily nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I'll uh… consider it. You know, so you won't be so bored."
I smiled once more at Emily before excusing myself towards the entrance of the school. An hour or so long walk was in order.
18:40
"You fucking missed it." I exclaimed loudly as I entered my flat. "The teacher fuckin' asked ME, ME SPECIFICALLY, a question about cocaine. I had a nervous breakdown in front of everyone. There is no way I'm going back to that class."
I walked into the kitchen to see Effy smirking. Why was she smirking? No, seriously, she needs to stop smirking.
"What?" I asked looking side to side, shrugging my shoulders and giving her that 'one cocked eyebrow with my lips to one side' face.
"A) I thought your class ended at 3:45 and it's like almost 6… and B) you agreed to get super wasted with me tonight." Effy said in a low voice. Her smirk widened as she slid a beer across the kitchen table. "So, start now. Katie is going be arriving shortly."
I sighed loudly, "Effs… I really haven't had the day to be pissed in front of people I've never met."
"You've met the sister, the red-head. There ya' go. You know someone. She's coming, Katie just texted me." My smile beamed, but I quickly changed my expression to look less interested. "Panda's already on her way, too. Besides, this is like an all girls slumber party. Can't get too rowdy, got classes tomorrow. Remember when we had those slumber parties? I'm making brownies as we speak."
"PLEASE tell me that you didn't lace the brownies with anything. I need comfort food." I said, patting my stomach. Seriously, let's just all get fat now so I can hate my life even more.
"Okay, is our little fight this morning still both'rin you?"
"No. It wasn't our fight that's got my heart racing at 10 times the speed. It's the fact that twice in one day, I've thought about Eryn. I hardly ever think about her… it must be… it must…" Fuck me. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Look, Naomi, I wanted to… it's just… she was my sister, you know. I don't want to relive it, either. I know you're hurting, but so am I. I just wanted to forget about it, okay?" Effy said looking at me with begging eyes, "It's one thing that Tony had his accident, and then Eryn… the next thing you know I'll be in a psych ward."
"Effy don't talk like that… However, it has officially been ONE full fuckin' year without her…" I said, almost like I was talking to myself, telling myself to get over it. Trying to convince myself that maybe overhearing Emily's conversation with Katie got me interested and that I could just move past Eryn and start something new with someone… someone with red hair… someone who makes me smile like a madman or like a fuckin' looney. Either one works, really, as long as I'm smiling. You know, she kind of did that to me. Made me smile. Hell, I just met the girl three hours ago, and already, she's got me on my toes.
"I know it's been one year, Naomi. I'm trying to move past this. Maybe you should too." Effy argued. "Look, you know I love you. I just want to see you smile, again."
"I think I'll take that beer now." I grabbed the beer off of my side of the kitchen table before popping the tab open and chugging it.
I smiled as I already felt the lightheadedness that I got whenever I drank alcohol (of any sort) fast. Being as skinny as me, well, I can get buzzed pretty quickly. Though, when it comes to getting me shitfaced, I'm a bit like the Great Wall of China.
I knew Effy was right, that we've both got to push past. I can't believe I had even forgotten that today was the day that Eryn died in my arms, in my bed, wrapped up in my arms and with our legs entwined, whispering that she loved me before never waking up.
Bad thoughts, Naomi. Bad thoughts.
I finished through the first beer can before crumbling it up and throwing it into our sink.
"That's the spirit." Effy smirked before sliding another one across the table at me.
"I'm still not touching those brownies." I said before gulping the next beer down.
"That's what you think." Effy smiled as we heard a knock at the front door. "Would you be so kind as to… get that? You know, brownies need to be checked on."
I groaned loudly as I walked towards the front hallway of our flat. Opening the door, quickly and letting it swing open, I saw Pandora.
"Howdy Doody! Whizzer, Naomi. Are you pissed already? Your arms are all like jelly!" She exclaimed.
"What? No, I'm not!" I protested.
"Well then what in the bollocky name of bugger are you? Tired? Are you tired? That's no way to start a party. Where's Effy? She said we could make brownies and lick our bowls out!" Pandora shouted in my face.
"Did someone say brownies?" A voice with a lisp asked coming from behind Panda. "Oh hey, you're Effy's lezza roommate, yeah? Katie Fitch." She nodded her head at me before breezing past Panda and me. "Oh right, that's Emily my twinsies. Cept she's a lezza like you. Make nice or something, okay?" Katie fucked off into the kitchen as Emily climbed up the stairs behind her, a shy look playing across her face.
"Holy wow, Naomi! Are you two going to be making monkey?" Panda asked. My cheeks flushed red.
"No, Panda… Just go see how those brownies are coming, yeah?" I pointed towards where Katie had just walked off.
"You betcha!" Pandora excitedly screamed before running towards the kitchen as well.
I smiled at Emily as she slowly walked into the house. "Oh hi, Emily right? Blimey, you look just like that Katie figure who just entered my house, rudely." I joked.
"Hello, Naomi." Emily said, smiling.
"Glad to see you took it into great consideration that I would be… bored." I nodded my head.
"Looks like you started the fun without me." Emily pointed to the beer that was settled in my hand.
"Two beers ain't nothin'. C'mon. You've yet to meet Effy. That crazy character, that was Panda. You'll warm up to her, I promise." I grabbed Emily's arm and led her into the kitchen.
"And this," I said, stumbling a bit from the alcohol, "Is Elizabeth FUCKING Stonem."
"Effy." She corrected as she shook Emily's hand. "Cool if I call you, Red?" Emily shook her head. "You's and Naoms play for the same team, ya 'know?"
I rolled my eyes and groaned. Of course, that would be the first thing Effy would bring up. Sexuality. It's not like she was all straight either. Effy definitely had a hint of bi-curiosity somewhere in her.
"You're one to talk, Effy." I retorted.
"What? I don't play for the gay team!" Effy argued.
"The bisexuals have their own team?" Panda asked, wide eyed.
"Okay, okay. This conversation is over." Katie butt in, "I want to try these brownies, and I want to drink this alcohol."
Emily laughed at her sister's attempts to get super pissed. Did she know Effy hadn't invited boys over? It's one thing that it's a school night and another that every time boys were involved at one of our 'parties' something always went terribly wrong.
"The brownies are laced with drugs." I whispered to Emily as she eyed the brownies. "Just so you know."
"Well, better have the time of our lives at this…erm… get-together?" Emily raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, better have fun." I replied grabbing two brownies, handing it to her. We "cheers"ed our brownies before taking giant bites out of them. Emily winked at me as we finished our treats.
She pulled me out of the kitchen and into the living room where Effy and Panda were setting up a game of Twister. Oh lord…
"Twister!" Panda pointed out, "It's brill! It's going to be twist-o-matic, baby!"
I felt the effects from the drugs settling in. What have I just gotten myself into? Just ten minutes ago, I was opposing to Effy putting MDMA in the brownies because of what happened to Eryn. Just ten minutes ago, I wouldn't have thought to eat these. Yet, Emily was a mystery I wanted to find out, even if that meant getting high with her. I would have never thought that someone could get me to consume a laced brownie as quickly as Emily did. I was about to ascertain the sweet disposition of one Emily Fitch.
Well, this ought to be an interesting night.
I was thinking some Keffy might have to be in order. I also feel bad, Panda's kind of the fifth wheel if that happened. What do you think? And if anyone got the TWO "The L Word" References, I give you all of my kudos. :) Continue? 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2...