A/N: Hello, it's been awhile I know but here's a semi lengthy update to make up for it. I promise to update again. Soon. Oh and a line break means it's a new scene in case that's confusing. Oh and thanks you soooooooooooo much for the reviews. It's nice to know what you all think of the story.

Chapter 2

Her eyes snapped open as a door closed with force down the hall. The walls are thin here, she noted, turning on to her side as she closed her eyes again hoping to sleep for another hour. The trip with Cook was not long but it was emotionally draining. Everything nowadays seemed to tire her with ease. She didn't have the energy she once had, she didn't care about much either. That's what happens when you fuck up she thought. You realize you're shit and nothing you ever do will be good enough.

She sighed in frustration when her phone started buzzing. She let it go to voicemail, not wanting to speak to anyone this early. She knew she had to register for her courses as well as purchase her textbooks but she also knew it could wait until later; registration deadline was at 5 and the library didn't close until 8, accommodating students with a late night schedule, which is what Naomi had in mind.

When the phone started buzzing again, she sighed in frustration thinking it was probably Cook worrying over her.

"Cook, like I said, I'll be fine. Now could you please fuck off so I can sleep? I promise there are no strange men in my bed." She couldn't help but smirk at her own wit.

There was a silence on the other line and her brow furrowed when it remained that way. She looked at the screen and almost dropped the phone when she read the name on the screen. Emily.

She stared at the screen torn between hanging up or clarifying to Emily what she had meant by her comment. She swallowed nervously as she put the phone next to her ear waiting for the redhead to respond.

She sat there for what seemed an eternity waiting for a response from the other end. She didn't know what to say. She wasn't sure why Emily was calling her unless she wanted to yell at her or if she called to stay in this awkward silence that she knew made Naomi uneasy.

"Why did you leave?"

If it hadn't been for Caller ID, Naomi wouldn't have guessed that it was Emily's voice. Her voice usually husky and energetic was small and broken. She felt shame wash over her knowing she was the one who caused her pain. She didn't know what to say. What could she say? "Sorry, just felt like leaving and avoiding you?" No. She couldn't do that. Naomi knew Emily deserved a better answer than she could give.

Her mouth opened and closed several times as her brain tried to process the words. She was struggling with herself. It was always like this with Emily. She could never think properly around the redhead. She hated it.

"Dunno," she shrugged, instantly regretting her words knowing all too well how it made Emily angry.

"You don't know?" the other girl questioned. "You don't fucking know? Are you daft or what?"

Naomi sighed, sitting up on the bed, already anxious for the fight to end. "Emily-"

"Don't you dare speak to me like that. DON'T."

Naomi clenched her jaw biting the inside of her cheek. Great, she thought, now she wants to talk.

"How could you leave without even saying goodbye? Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

"Could've fooled me," she muttered.

"What?" Emily shrieked.

"Why do you care? You weren't even speaking to me. So why the fuck Emily would you expect to me to say goodbye when you didn't even want to look at me? Don't pretend to care about me when it's obvious you don't."

She stopped, knowing her emotions were getting the best of her. She didn't want to fight with Emily. She was tired. So sick and tired of arguing and fighting, she was done. That's why she left before Emily returned from her shopping trip with Katie.

"Fuck you. What right do you have to say I don't care when you're the one who cheated!"

And there it was. Naomi knew she would say it. It's what she did whenever she was extremely upset these past few months. It never stopped hurting when she did say it. She knew it was stupid to think that her mistake hurt her more than it did Emily but she never meant for it to happen. Emily was the only girl she had fallen for the way she did. She was perfect in every single way. When Emily was around she felt better. She felt whole. She would never forgive herself for causing Emily the pain she had but she also knew they were stuck and there was nothing she could do about it. She had tried and failed every time.

She cleared her throat, swallowing the lump that had developed. "How could I forget when you remind me every chance you get?" she said with a coldness in her voice. "I tried. I did everything I could to show you how sorry I was. I didn't go out. I didn't do anything but try and be there for you so you could see I meant it when I said I loved you. But you didn't do anything. You ignored me. You couldn't even bare to be in the same room as me."

She heard sniffles but continued. "I'm sorry I fucked up. I'm sorry I ruined us." She wiped the tears as they fell onto her cheeks, sniffling as she prepared to say what she had practiced. "If you don't love me anymore that's okay. I don't deserve it. Or maybe we just need time apart from each other. I don't know Emily but I'm tired and I don't want to argue anymore."

She hung up unable to speak anymore looking at her mobile until the screen turned black. She sighed, wiping the tears from her cheeks, her eyes looking around the furnished flat, across the room towards the empty room that Emily had planned to turn into a dark room for her freelance photography. It was the smallest room in the flat, enough space for a bed and a dresser. Naomi had gone to see the flat on her own, Emily unable to find the free time she needed to accompany her to see the place. They planned how they would decorate each room, what colors they would use to paint… Everything.

The only thing Naomi had ever planned that meticulously had been what courses she would take in college to prepare her for uni. But ever since she had met the redhead she found herself thinking of other things. Emily made her want all the cheesy, sentimental things that romantic comedies presented to the masses: a soul mate, someone she could love for the rest of her life. It both thrilled and scared her to want someone the way she wanted Emily.

She stood up gazing outside her window, it was late morning but it was gray and rainy. She leaned her head against the window pane closing her eyes and letting the cool glass soothe her. She had things to do and worrying about what was wasn't going to help her. She had resigned herself to this possibility. A life without Emily.

She heard her before she saw her, the way she spoke about the ignorant clerk behind the register that brought her the wrong book for her course. She found it amusing the way she sat down, throwing the bag she carried on the cafe table mumbling how they were all tossers. She looked up, her hair was bright...of the bottled variety, but it suited her. She noticed the way the girl drummed her fingers on the table, chewing the inside of her cheek as she looked into the distance; the girl was in another world, the way her features softened suddenly, her palm flat against the table. She watched as the girl remained that way for several minutes despite the commotion of students entering and exiting the cafe. She wondered what the girl was thinking of. She wondered if she was alone in the world like she was. An outsider looking in. A stranger. A freak.

She thought about approaching her, she felt drawn to her for some reason. It went beyond the girl's physique though she didn't have a problem with that. The girl was attractive but there was something else. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on about the girl. She placed the open drawing pad back into her own bag, dropping her mobile in the process. She cursed out loud, pushing herself away from the table, reaching under it to retrieve the phone. She decided she would walk over and ask the girl a random question about the university, pretend to be lost even though she knew her way around campus; she made sure the campus map was engraved in her mind. It always paid to know where all of the exits were situated in case of some kind of emergency. It made the getaway less complicated. If need be, the last thing she wanted to do was run around the university like a headless chook. Slipping away unnoticed was more her style. When she stood up she noticed the girl was no longer sitting. She looked around, walking towards the table where the girl sat before only to find it empty.

Sighing to herself, she slung the bag over her shoulder and walked towards the bookstore hoping to find out if she could somehow persuade the bookstore attendant to give her the information she sought. She pulled out the 20 dollar note she had stashed inside her pocket earlier that morning. She held it up to the attendant and smiled sweetly.

"Excuse me Miss, the blonde girl that was just here… She dropped this." She said as she waved the note gently in front of the woman…

"What's wrong wif ya Blondie?"

Naomi looked up to see worried blue eyes staring at her. She knew better than to hide anything from Cook, he knew when something wasn't right but she tried to out of habit.

"It's just my coursework," she shrugged.

Cook set down the container of Chinese food on the table, leaning over. "You're clever, that's not it."

Naomi chuckled lightly leaning back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Maybe I'm not as clever as you think I am. I'm all beauty no brains."

He grinned back at her, taking a forkful of noodles and chewed slowly giving her the time she needed to admit whatever it was that was bothering her.

"You're spending too much time with Elizabeth."

"What?" he said with a full mouth, causing Naomi to scrunch her nose in disgust.

"You can't help but study me now. Just like she would."

He smiled knowing what she was referring to. "She's good for me."

Naomi nodded her head, seeing the way his face lit up when he thought about her. The pair were involved during their time at college but neither Cook or Effy, as she was called, were willing to admit their feelings. It wasn't until a bloke at a club made a pass at Effy that Cook took action. He punched the lad and it was only Effy that was able to control him from killing him the way Cook attacked him. From that day forward, they were inseparable. She was glad they had one another. They were the same in a way, but different in her opinion.

"Babe, what's wrong?"

She sighed knowing she couldn't avoid the conversation. She stood and disposed of the empty takeaway cartons before placing her plate in the sink. She turned, her hands behind her on the sink gripping on to them.

"I'm having a tough time Cook."

"Wif?" he asked concerned.

She ran her hands through her hair frustrated. "Do you know how long I lived in a house full of people I didn't know because mum wanted to help anyone she met off the street?"

Cook smiled remembering how free spirited Gina could be. During college, Naomi would always complain about the latest vagabond her mother would bring. With a house full of (literally) strange people, Naomi would more often than not, stay over Cook's to "avoid the craziness" which always ended in an impromptu house party at his place.

"Yeah, 'memba the one who looked like Jesus?"

She grimaced. "How could I not? He slept in my bed while I was still in it!"

They laughed until Naomi became silent again. "I moved in with Emily after that. I've never really lived on my own Cook."

Cook waited patiently while she sorted out her thoughts; pressuring Naomi would get him nowhere.

"I'm not broke but it would be easier if I had someone move in. There's a spare room I could rent out."

"You want a nobody off tha streets livin' in 'ere?"

"I don't know what else to do. I can't pay for everything on my own. I need help."

"You coulda-"

"I'm not asking you for money, you know that."

"Naomi..."

"I'll post an ad on campus. It'll be a student just like me, trying to survive," she tried to assure him.

"I don't like it."

"I know you don't," she smiled softly, knowing how protective he was of her. "But I need to do this. Believe me, I don't want to but I can't afford everything."

He nodded shoving more food into his mouth. "Emily asked about ya." He looked up, noticing the way her body froze, arms crossing in front of her. Nothing further was said regarding Emily or Bristol as she cleaned up the kitchen. They sat together on the couch later in the evening, one of his arms wrapped around her shoulder as she fell asleep, an intimate gesture but Cook knew Naomi needed the comfort. He knew she had a lot on her mind with her studies, the break up and so he hugged to assure her. He shifted to be more comfortable as he grabbed a blanket and covered her with it thinking about what she said and deciding that he would help her out in the only way he knew how to.

"No Cook...no-wait, just listen yeah? It's all taken care of." She walked up the last flight of stairs slowly, adjusting the strap on her shoulder whilst juggling the coursework she was struggling to shuffle back into place after dropping them two floors ago.

"Yes I'm still eating." Naomi rolled her eyes. "You worry more about me than my mum."

She chuckled softly when Cook laughed out loud. "I'm serious Cook, it's all sorted. I got a couple of phone calls, I've seen a couple of the girls around campus and they're in the same boat I'm in- young and broke."

"So you're tellin' me, two babes will be livin' wif each other, taking showers and-"

"Woah, who said anything about takin' a shower with anyone?" she could practically hear him smirk on the other end.

"Well ya know, coz you like p-"

"Cook!" I swear, sometimes it's like he's a twelve year old hormonal preteen.

"Chillax babe yeah? I woz just messin' wif ya."

She moved the books from one arm to the other, reaching for the keys in her pocket to unlock the door setting her bag and books on the kitchen table. She turned around to close the door and shrieked when there was someone standing in the doorway. She heard Cook yelling, asking if she was alright. The girl stood outside of the doorway, hands up in a friendly gesture. Naomi took a couple of breaths still reeling from the shock and ran a shaky hand through her hair.

"Sorry," the other girl said nervously.

"Naomi? Who's that? You ok?"

She chuckled into the phone, "I'm fine, hold on a sec."

She kept her distance from the girl, making sure she wasn't dangerous. It was a Saturday night after all and even though she had come out of work, the rest of the campus was partying. The last thing she needed was a drunk tart looking for a fight. "Yes? Can I help you with something?"

She tried to inject venom into her question but realized it probably meant nothing since the other girl just witnessed her scream like a school girl.

"I'm here to see about the spare room, there was an ad on the bulletin board in the rec room and well I heard a couple of girls talking about it and I couldn't let the opportunity pass up and I thought I'd come see the owner right away and I didn't mean to scare you-"

Naomi raised a hand and shook her head, hoping she would stop the excessive speech. " S'okay, not your fault I leave doors open. Um, come in."

She watched as the girl walked in and closed the door gently behind her. She was taller than her and had piercing green eyes, the kind of eyes that made her feel unsettled for some reason. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun but it didn't make her any less pretty. She wore black skinny jeans and a grey v-neck shirt. Naomi wasn't checking her out but she couldn't help but look.

"Are you a student here, um, sorry I don't know your name."

"Naomikins I'm still here," she heard Cook say.

"Shit, sorry. Look, I'll call you back in a bit."

"Is she mint babe?"

"Fuck off," she whispered before ending the phone call. "Sorry," she said to the girl. "Friend of mine likes to check up on me."

"Nothing wrong with that," she grinned. "I wish I had someone who bothered to know how I was."

Naomi noticed the slight Irish accent she had, but it was masked by the loneliness in her voice. "I'm Naomi by the way."

The other girl extended her hand forward, taking a tentative step towards her. "Kelly, pleased to make your acquaintance."

Naomi smirked at her formality and couldn't help but wonder if this girl was her age or older.

"Would you like a tour of the place Kelly?" she smiled softly.

"I'd be delighted."

Two hours later after countless cups of tea and all the Geribaldi biscuits in her pantry, Naomi felt comfortable with Kelly. They spoke about their uni courses and she found out Kelly would soon transfer into one of her classes after discovering she had signed up for the wrong class. Kelly told Naomi about the current job she held and her plans post graduation. They both discussed their recent relationship problems, Kelly going into more detail than Naomi. She didn't feel like opening up to anyone about Emily still, not even Cook. She knew she wore her heart on her sleeve but to actually voice her pain knowing it was her own fault to her seemed ridiculous.

Kelly was bisexual and Naomi wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. On the one hand, at least she wouldn't have a straight girl getting drunk wanting to "experiment" with her in the middle of the night but she certainly didn't want a roommate to think she was available, not that she was attracted to her. Of course she had looked at her and there was nothing wrong with her, as Cook would say, she was "mint" but that was it. She was just a pretty face. Naomi knew the only girl she could ever love was Emily even if she couldn't be with her.

It wasn't until Kelly's phone started ringing that Naomi realized how late it was.

"Shit, look at the time. That went by quickly."

Kelly looked down at her phone with a frown, silencing the call.

"Everything okay?"

She looked up startled as though she'd forgotten where she was. "Yeah, sorry- that was just the owner of the building I'm in now."

"Oh," she said looking at her not really sure what else to say.

"He sold the building to some investor and all the tenants have moved out except me. I have shitty luck when it comes to finding things," she said sadly, placing the phone in her pocket again.

Naomi chewed the inside of her lip, pensive before getting up, extending a hand to the other girl, helping her up as well. There was something inside of her that made her hesitate, maybe it was Cook's voice repeating all the gory scenes from every horror movie ever made when meeting strangers but she smiled nonetheless, assuring herself that she was just overreacting.

"The room is yours if you want it."

The other girl looked up in shock. "Really?"

She nodded her head amused by the look on Kelly's face. "Rent is due on the first of every month and we can split the rest like groceries or something unless you have any diet requirements."

Kelly threw her arms around the other girl saying thank you over and over again before releasing Naomi from her grip. "You have no idea how grateful I am."

Naomi smiled back at her feeling like she'd done something right. "You're welcome. You can move in when you like. I don't have a spare key right now but you can call me and we'll arrange a time for you to move in. At least until I can go and get a key made for you. "

"Thank you so much Naomi," Kelly smiled. "I'll call you tomorrow then. I can finally get this prick off my back about the flat."

Naomi laughed and followed Kelly to the door, the other girl turning around as she opened it, leaning over to hug the blonde once again. "You're amazing," she said.

Naomi looked elsewhere, the way Kelly looked at her made her nervous for some reason. Get a grip Naomi.

She heard someone clear their throat, she thought it was Kelly but when she looked towards the door, across the hall, holding a single bag in hand stood Emily, her red hair stuck to her face. She couldn't make out the look on the redhead's face. She couldn't believe she was there! The last conversation they had was weeks ago.

"Emily."

She followed Emily's gaze to where they had sat on the couch and it dawned on her then what it looked like. She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat and tried to speak but couldn't. She knew she missed Emily but she hadn't realized how much. She wanted to throw herself on her and kiss her but she knew it wouldn't be right. So she stared. She let her eyes roam, she knew she was perving but she couldn't help it. It was always like this when Emily was around. She couldn't think, she'd forget how to breathe—every single cliché under the sun that existed- that's what she felt for Emily. Time hadn't erased that, not even her fuck up had ruined that for her at least.

"Hi," Emily finally said, her brown eyes staring back at Naomi.

She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and suddenly remembered Kelly hadn't left. Never had she wanted to kick someone out quicker in her life.

"Um so call me later yeah?"

She almost slapped herself when Emily raised an eyebrow at her. Bad start. Bad start.

"For the apartment," she hastily added, hoping Emily wouldn't jump to conclusions.

"Yeah," she heard the other girl draw out the word before leaving slowly, walking past Emily.

It wasn't until Kelly left that Naomi felt slightly less nervous. She could hear the rain outside, girls screaming that their hair was wet and boys howling at the moon like idiots. She heard the clock on the wall tick away as they both just stared at each other. Naomi played with the hem of her shirt nervously, looking at Emily not sure what to say. She wanted to wrap her in her arms and say how happy she was to see her and she was sorry for walking away but she didn't. Fear and pride wouldn't let her.

Emily placed the bag on the floor and walked past Naomi looking around, taking everything in. "It's as nice as they said it would be," she said in that husky tone of hers that Naomi loved.

Naomi nodded before squeaking out a quick "yes," in response.

Emily turned around, her hands inside the pockets of her jean jacket, as she looked at Naomi seriously. "We need to talk Naoms."

It was everything she could ever hope for. She almost skipped to her car outside as she felt one step closer to getting what she wanted. Nothing bothered her, not the pouring rain, not the drunk leering frat boys shouting obscenities at her- she didn't have a care in the world. She felt a connection with the blonde. She felt like it could be the start of something. She had lost track of the time talking to Naomi. She hadn't felt that free, that good in such a long time. She knew better than to get attached so soon but there was something... something she couldn't explain. But she felt that all too familiar feeling in her stomach again-excitement, happiness, fear-all rolled into one. She couldn't explain it, there weren't enough words to describe it but it was the start of something new… something electrifying.

She had to control herself. When she threw her arms around the blonde and inhaled her sweet, scent- vanilla and something else completely intoxicating, it was hypnotic. She wished she could have stayed that way but she let go. She knew her time would come. The redhead that showed up later on threw her off but it didn't seem like Naomi was interested. She seemed uncomfortable and so when she looked up to Naomi's and soon to be hers window and saw from a distance the two of them flailing their arms around looking angry, she knew she had nothing to worry about. Everything would work to her advantage just like it had before. Who knew? Maybe she could even keep Naomi.

As always your thoughts and opinions are much appreciate. Until next time :)

x Beck