A/N: Hello... I'd like to thank everyone for the reviews I've been getting. I'm glad you are all enjoying the story so far.
So, what to tell you about this chapter...Nah, you've just got to keep reading! Can't give ALL the secrets away, y'know?
Bit of Goo™, maybe... And a little humour.
So, enjoy...
Disclaimer: I do not own skins. I built a water slide!... Inmyminecraftgame... :-D yeah, I'm easily amused. Any and all typos...eh, you know how this one goes...
(Emily POV)
An alarm broke me out of my slumber, and at first I thought I was dreaming, because it didn't sound like my alarm. I lifted my head to look around and a voice brought me back to consciousness. Shit, there was a girl in my bed. Think, Emily... I flick through the sketchy memories of the previous night... Drinks at the pub with Effy and cook and...oh. Naomi. Now I remembered.
"It's ok. It's my alarm." said a sleepy Naomi, beside me. "It's only 8am."
I grumbled and turned onto my side, burying myself into the duvet. "8am? That's an ungodly time to be awake on a Saturday."
Naomi laughed slightly. "True, but we have somewhere to be… or did you forget what you told me last night?"
I smiled. "No, I didn't forget. I'm just not a morning person." I said, poking my tongue out. She kissed me softly, and then smiled. "What?" I asked.
"I'm still here." Naomi said, sleepily, her blue eyes half open and looking into my own. "Sorry… that doesn't make much sense, does it?"
"Not really…"
"Hmm." She said, sitting up and leaning against the headboard. She slid her fingers into her hair and shook out her wavy locks. "I'm usually long gone by now. You're the first girl I've woken up with and not left behind…"
"Oh. Should I be…flattered?" I asked, cautiously.
"If I were you... This never happens." she pauses, her brow furrowing. "What have you done to me, Emily?"
I look at her, puzzled. "What have I done?"
"Yeah. You have me preoccupied all night, with the way you just exist… you look at me with those awfully gorgeous eyes of yours that say so much. You kiss me with sweet warm soft lips, and not only that, last night was incredible. And I've never wanted to wake up next to someone like I wanted to wake up next to you this morning."
I swallow. "Never?"
She shook her head. "No. I'll be honest. I'm a bit of a loner. Effy insisted I go out last night because she said she couldn't forgive herself if I spent another Friday night with my nose in a textbook. I only went out to get her off my back, and then… you and Katie showed up."
I cuddled into her side as she spoke. "When your eyes met mine, it was like I got hit by a steamroller… albeit one wearing a low cut purple top and fantastic red hair." Naomi smirked. "But the result was still the same. I zoned out a bit. Everything sort of... Got knocked out of me very suddenly."
"I know." I whispered.
"How?"
"Similar thing. Although replace 'loner' with 'couldn't be arsed going out after a full day of lectures but my annoying twin dragged me out anyway' and you've about got it. And that top isn't mine, by the way, it's Katie's."
"Looks good on you, though." Naomi grinned.
"Thanks, I'll have to tell her you approve." I smirked.
"So…" Naomi mused.
"What does this all mean? I mean… what are we doing?" I asked. "Because I don't know about you, but I'm…"
"Confused? Makes two of us, Em. I don't do randoms, and I don't even like to think of this as that…"
"Why? This is sort of random…"
"No, I mean random hook-ups, not random in the sense of me being naked in bed and then less than twenty minutes later I'm on your doorstep. No, this…" she entwined her fingers with mine, "…is something entirely different. I've never felt so strong a need to be with someone, it's like you captured me and wouldn't let me go…"
I leaned over and kissed her softly. "It's ok." I wrapped my arms around her and held her to me. "Naomi, why do you think I asked you back here last night?"
"You didn't want to sleep alone. At least that's what you said…"
"Mmm, and it was partly true. But…" I lay my head on her shoulder , "…truthfully? I felt empty when you left me. It's why I watched you until you turned the corner. And then when I tried to sleep, I couldn't. I had you on my mind, but it wasn't enough… I needed you here."
"Oh." Naomi contemplated this for a moment. "Talking on the phone wasn't enough…"
I shook my head. Her eyes met mine. "I don't regret last night."
"Neither do I." Naomi smiled a shy smile.
"I have another question…" I said, carefully. Naomi nodded for me to continue. "Why were you so…reluctant last night?"
Naomi sighed. "It's going to sound silly."
"Try me?"
"I don't sleep with many people. It has to mean something for me, otherwise… other than physical release, what's the point? I might as well just masturbate and have done with it." Naomi sat up and shook her hair out. "But to be with another person like that…to give yourself to someone… it's many things. Physical. Emotional. Spiritual. Intimate. Not only that, it involves a lot of trust…"
My mind flashed back to last night.
"Trust me, Naomi." I had said. And she had done. She had trusted me with herself and given herself to me.
"You knew you could trust me." I said, quietly.
"Yes." Naomi answered. "And…" she screwed up her nose, "…I'd hate it if you thought I was just after a one-nighter. And shagging someone you barely know is sort of desperate. N-not that I think you are…" she trailed off. "Sorry. Word vomit. I'm not desperate either, if that's what you're thinking. I just…have my principles when it comes to this sort of thing." Naomi looked at me. "What?"
I cleared my throat. "It doesn't sound silly. Actually, I think it's rather admirable."
"You do?"
"Yeah. That's why you spouted off all that stuff you learned about me… you didn't want us to be total strangers. That, or you were being a smartarse." I smirked.
"The first one."
"Right." I said, before falling silent. Ever feel like you're sitting on something important? The one thing that might change who you are, or your life? Gently I kiss her forehead. "I feel something."
"Leg cramp? They can be a right bitch…"
I laughed loudly. "No! Not a leg cramp. I mean… for you."
Naomi stared at me. "You don't know me."
"Didn't we do this last night?" I smirked. "Blonde, beautiful loner who studies politics, rarely goes out unless she gets dragged out, has no qualms about running through the streets of Bristol at night, almost tripping over shit in the process to spend the night in the company of someone she just met... And who is taking me to meet her mother later. I also might need a little more to go on, but I think, after last night I can add good in bed as well."
Naomi smiled and held her hands up in surrender. "Ok, point proven. Only because I know what you mean." I looked at her, her eyes looking bright and honest. She squeezed my hand. "I feel something for you, too." She leaned over and kissed me slowly. "I knew when I woke up next to you earlier this morning. For the first time I woke up next to someone and didn't have the urge to sneak out."
"Oh?" I ask, somewhat amused.
Naomi nodded. "I think it would have hurt you. And me. I couldn't bear that. So, I watched you sleep for a while, and then I fell back to sleep myself." the blonde said, quietly, taking my hand in hers. "Emily, I don't know what is going on here either, but each minute I spend with you makes me want many more minutes more with you." Her thumb lightly rubbed the top of my hand.
"Naomi…" I whispered.
"Yeah?"
"How about we just see where it takes us?" I asked, tentatively.
Naomi nodded. "Seems like a good idea."
"Of course it is. I thought of it." I grin, poking my tongue out.
"Be careful with that tongue… I might make you use it."
I groaned How did she know to say things that would get me…there? I leaned over and kissed her slowly.
"You're bad, Campbell." I giggled. "So what do I wear for this gardening lark?"
"Ah, nothing too fancy. Jeans and a tshirt will do."
"Right."
"We can go together… and go past my place first, I've gotta change and pick up some stuff. I've seen your place, you may as well see mine. Thanks for, you know, not being a serial killer and all…"
I laughed. "Likewise. Now… I'm gonna go shower… feel free to make coffee or tea if you want some, there should be milk in the fridge. Just… check the date and give it a sniff first, never can be too sure…" I explained, kissing Naomi on the cheek and then wriggling out from under the duvet. I crossed the bedroom to the bathroom door and heard a low whistle. I turned to Naomi, who was laying on her side watching me. "Like what you see?" I grinned, leaning against the doorway.
"You're gorgeous." Naomi said.
I blushed. "I won't be long." I grinned, and shut the door behind me.
I stepped under the warm spray and let the water trickle over my skin. Last night had been so different, so intense… I wasn't sure what any of it meant. I felt a hot sensation flood through me as I thought back to what had happened. True, I had just wanted to sleep with her and nothing else. But then she got me in the one spot that drives me insane, and I couldn't help myself.
I grabbed a sponge and squirted a little shower gel onto it. I worked it into a lather and then rubbed it over my skin, inhaling the fresh fruity scent of strawberries. I rinsed myself off and turned off the water, stepping into a giant black bath towel. I walked back into the bedroom to find my bed already made, and I heard movement in the kitchen. I slipped on an old faded pair of jeans that were ripped in the knee, and pulled on a grey tshirt. I brushed my hair out and tied it back, letting my fringe hang over my eyes like it always seems to.
I walked out into the living room, the smell of fresh coffee invading my senses.
"Coffee?" Naomi asked. "And you were right about the milk… pretty sure it was growing stuff."
"Ew. Yeah, black and two then. Sorry about the milk, I guess I forgot about it. Will this do?" I ask, looking down at my jeans/tee combo.
"Sure. Though you look better naked." Naomi grinned. "You might want to wear sneakers."
"Cheeky." I smirked, shaking my finger at her. "And thanks."
Naomi grinned back at me. We stood there awkwardly, drinking coffee until Naomi's phone bleeped into the silence. Naomi checked the message and then chuckled.
"What?" I asked, curious.
"Bloody Effy." she said, smirking, "'Looks like someone had a good night after all.' and a smiley face."
I blushed as I giggled. "That reminds me. How did we not manage to cross paths before, seeing as we both know Effy?" I said, as I leaned against the counter.
Naomi shrugged. "No idea. You're also at Bristol uni?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Studying English lit. Strange that we haven't met sooner. Maybe it's your lonerish tendencies." I smirked.
"Quite possibly. Eat. Sleep. Study. Attend lectures." Naomi counted off.
"Surely you're not THAT boring? All the time? What do you do for fun?"
"Well there's the co-op, and…" Naomi paused as she thought. "…I like to think about the places I'd like to see." she stopped to think again, biting her bottom lip. "Actually, that's pretty much it." she said, quietly.
I screwed up my nose and shook my head, smiling. "Naomi… all work and no play…"
"I know. But hey… I'm always open for new experiences." she smiled, genuinely.
"Good, cuz I have a feeling you're in for some."
"So are you, meeting my mother. And not even after an official date, as such." she joked.
"Can't be any worse than my mother." I groaned. "Come on, then… hadn't we better get going if we are dropping back past yours?"
"Yeah."
(Naomi POV)
The first thing I noticed, when we got outside, is that Emily's hair is about a billion times brighter in the sunlight. That, and she looks rather adorable when she smiles. I know I'm observant, but man, that smile alone can break hearts, I'm sure of it.
"I keep telling Katie to come and pick up her bloody car after a night out, but she always manages to leave it until the afternoon…" Emily said as we left her flat.
"Yeah? Bit of an eyesore, isn't it? I mean… lime green?"
"Be thankful its not leopard print!" Emily laughed as we walked down the street. I felt her fingers link with mine as we walked. It gave me a queasy feeling, but not an uncomfortable one. It's something I think I could easily get used to.
I looked around the street, surprised by the familiarity of it. It was actually part of my neighbourhood. Emily Fitch and I are practically neighbours. I chuckled to myself.
"What?" asked Emily, curious.
"I didn't really count how many streets I walked through last night… but you live closer to me than you think. We're almost neighbours."
"You didn't count?"
"No. I was a bit preoccupied." I grinned.
"Oh." Emily smiled, as she squeezed my hand in hers.
We turned the corner and continued walking up the street.
"Naomi?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you busy tonight?"
I thought for a minute. The only thing I'd planned on was burying myself in coursework. Again.
"Um… not really, no."
"Hmm. What's your favourite food?"
"Ha. Easy… Garibaldis." I grinned, thinking of the humble little biscuit.
Emily laughed, "Ok… second favourite food, then."
"Mmm… Indian."
"Well, then. I know just the place. Have dinner with me tonight?" she asked, looking over at me as we walked.
I smiled and nodded. "I'd love to." I turned into my street. "Nearly there."
"Around 7, yeah?"
"Sure. Here, this is it." I stopped in front of my building. "C'mon… you've shown me yours, I'll show you mine."
I led her up the stairs and walked to the end of the hall, opening the door, giving it a slight shove as I entered my flat.
"Door's a bit sticky." I apologised, showing her in. Thankfully the place was cleaner than usual. "Uhm… make yourself at home. If you feel like another coffee, I promise the milk in the fridge is fresh, I bought it yesterday. I'm just gonna… you know… freshen up a bit."
Emily smiled her sweet soft smile. "It's ok, take your time."
I moved into the bathroom and shut the door. I stripped off my clothes and stepped under the shower, making sure the water was nice and warm.
Emily. The thought of her filled me as the water ran over my warm skin. True, I had fully intended on sleeping alone last night, but when she asked me over, so sweetly… I couldn't say no. Wild horses could have tried to stop me, and got nowhere. There was a knock on the door. Shit! I froze as a trickling sensation flooded through me. "Yeah?"
"I forgot to ask… did you want a coffee as well?" came Emily's muffled voice from behind the door.
"Uh… yeah. That'd be great. Thanks."
"How do you want it?" She means the coffee. She means the coffee. She means the coffee!
"White with one."
"Done." I could almost hear her smirk from behind the door. I stuck my head under the running water, trying to drown out my thoughts, and it worked, mostly… but the thought of Emily remained.
Never had I met someone that had this effect on me. The fact that I didn't know her well did nothing to abate the seemingly all-consuming need I had to be around her. It actually hurt when I had said goodnight, a strange emptiness that came over me. Wait a minute, hadn't she said the same thing?
I grabbed the shower gel and squeezed a bit out, reaching for the sponge I soaped myself up and let the scent of vanilla flood my senses. Funny, I thought to myself. Vanilla certainly doesn't match strawberry.
But it certainly goes with it.
I rinsed myself off and shut off the water. It was only when I stepped out of the shower, that I realised my predicament.
"Bollocks!" I yelled, without thinking.
"Are you ok?" came Emily's voice from outside the door.
"Uh… yeah. It's just... there's no towel in here."
I could hear Emily snicker on the other side of the door. "Oh. Where do you keep your towels, then?"
"Ah, in the linen cupboard in the hall. Second door to your…"
"Got it!" Emily replied. A quick knock on the door came before she opened it slightly, holding the towel round the corner.
"Thanks." I said, grabbing it and drying my hair. "So, I have to warn you, my mum is a bit… out there." I finished drying my hair and wrapped the towel around me, looking up into the mirror to see Emily standing in the doorway, her brown eyes looking me up and down. "Fuck!"
"Is that an invitation?" she asked, with a sly grin, as she blatantly eye-fucked me.
I laughed nervously, and raised an eyebrow. "Depends how good dinner is." I said, looking into her eyes.
We nervously stared at each other for an awkward few moments of silence. I felt my heart beating hard in my chest, both from the shock of her being there, and from the lust that was snaking its way around inside me.
"I… should… get dressed." I stuttered, moving to walk out of the bathroom.
Emily held her position in the door for a second. She closed her eyes and inhaled. As she exhaled again, she opened her eyes, now a darker shade of brown. "Vanilla." she whispered. I nodded slowly, and she smiled, stepping aside to let me pass. Although I'm not sure how my legs just didn't give way right then.
As I passed her, her finger slid down my arm, and as it trailed across my fingers she linked her fingers with mine and pulled me close to her, claiming her lips with mine in a deep, raw kiss. A whimper left my throat as I kissed her back, my lips dueling with hers. Her hands reached to my shoulders and pulled me closer as we kissed passionately.
We only broke apart when I heard my phone ringing. "Shit. That'll be mum." I walked into the living room and picked it up.
"Hi mum."
"Morning love. Are you coming to help out today?"
"Yeah, I'm coming, we're just about to leave now."
"We?"
"Oh yeah, I'm bringing a friend."
"Sorry, did you say a friend?"
"Yes, an actual friend." I rolled my eyes, and Emily giggled.
"Alright then, the more the merrier, then. See you soon, love!" and with that, she hung up.
For a moment I stared at my phone. It must have been a long moment, because I received a text message.
"Ahem. You need to get dressed. xEmsx" it said.
I looked up at Emily who stood there giggling. I could feel myself blushing.
"Uh… right." I muttered, walking into my bedroom and shutting the door.
I dressed quickly, settling on old cut-off jeans and a checkered shirt. I tied my hair back loosely and grabbed some socks, opening the door and leaving the room.
I rounded the corner to the living room and saw Emily looking through my bookshelf, trailing her finger over the spines of each book, her head cocked to one side as she read the titles.
I quietly walked over as I folded up the sleeves of my shirt and stood behind her. Her finger stopped on one of the spines, and then she spoke.
"I've never read this one…" she said, her voice impossibly husky as she pulled out my dog-eared copy of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. "I've seen the film, though. Weird." She turned around to face me. "Looks like you've read it quite a few times, though." she looked down at the book, fingering its old cover.
"Once or twice." I said, my voice cracking slightly. I cleared my throat. "Would you like to borrow it? It's a little hard to follow in places, but it's a good read."
Emily nodded. "Yes, thank you."
"I'll bring it later. Right now, though, we need to get going."
"Oh." Emily said, before looking to the kitchen. "Your coffee."
"Shit! I forgot. Uhm… well…" I looked around the kitchen for my travel mug. "Ah!" I exclaimed, finding it in the cupboard. I gave it a quick rinse and then poured the coffee Emily had made me into it. "There!" I smiled.
Emily giggled, as I sipped the coffee.
I nodded, surprised. "Might just have to keep you around, Fitch. You make coffee just the way I like it." I smirked. The blush spread fiercely across Emily's face. "Right. Shall we?"
She nodded, so I grabbed my keys, slipped on my work boots and we left the flat.
The walk to the co-op was short, possibly shorter than the walk between Emily's flat and mine, but honestly, I wasn't paying attention. No, I was occupied with two things. The feel of Emily's hand in mine, and the damn good coffee she had made me. I mean, I only ever bought the instant stuff, but this actually tasted like coffee, and not something like desiccated dirt. Just then, a thought occurred to me.
"Erm… my mum is a little… odd."
"Odd? How?"
"She's into the whole…alternative lifestyle stuff."
Emily mulled this over for a minute. "She's a hippie."
"Ah… yeah." I frowned.
Emily laughed. "Like I said, compared to my mother, I'm sure she's lovely."
"You think?"
"You haven't met Jenna Fitch." Emily said, matter-of-factly.
"Right." I said, as we turned the corner. "It's just up here."
A/N: The next chapter has cameo appearances!
OoOoOoOoohhh... I hear you saying...
HA! No clues. Gotta keep you interested SOMEhow. ;-)
Review if you wish.
Until next time...
~GN~ xo
