'Wake up Kerrigan!'
Thud. Pat groaned as the pillow hit her on the top of her head. Growling in the back of her throat she pulled her duvet over her head, muttering a swear word filled suggestion to her tormentor.
Natalie smiled as she threw the pillow back on her bed. Pat was not a morning person. Nearly three weeks of sharing her cell had told her that. And like most people who hate the morning, she grumbled continuously when awoken suddenly. She looks so funny when she's grumpy, Natalie thought absent-mindedly. 'Come on woman, or you'll miss your breakfast. We know how disastrous that would be.' Natalie smiled again. The only thing Pat hated more than lack of sleep was lack of food. Natalie still remembered the first time she meet her Pat had stolen her lunch. Furious at the time, but she now found it a rather endearing memory.
Eventually, a grumbling Pat emerged from beneath her covers. Shooting Natalie a deadly look she began gathering her clothes for the day. She knew Natalie had gotten used to being glared at first thing in the morning. The last three weeks had gone oddly smoothly, thought Pat, she had even semi forgotten she was meant to be planning Natalie's funeral. Looking at Natalie standing by the mirror reminded her of the first evening and the close call they had had. Shaking it from her mind she tugged on her boots. Natalie had applied her cream herself from then on, neither of them wanting to be in that situation again. Now Natalie's bruises had faded completely and she was making the most of it. I will never take for granted the ability to move without wanting to scream, vowed Natalie in her thoughts. She knew she wouldn't keep that promise but still.
Like everyday since they had started sharing they spoke more than previously to each other and far less brutal insults had flown between them. To Pat's relief, Natalie hadn't brought up her family again. Pat had worried for the first week that Natalie would use it against her, but for some reason she hadn't. Still, she thought, best be on my guard, you never know with Buxton.
Returning to the dining room for lunch, they shared a table. The others had gotten used to this strange change without commenting, at least to them. Natalie had overheard a couple of whispered conversations to begin with, most not in her favour. Many thought she was up to something, maybe trying to win the top dog over. Some thought she and Kerrigan were shagging, the thought of which caused her to blush and quickly go out of earshot of that particular conversation. To be honest she didn't know what she was up to. It was true, being in with the top dog when being runner up did mean she could have full control of the wing. With Pat's consent anyway. But for some reason she didn't want to use her new…friendship…if you could call it that. She was certain if she tried anything, Pat would be on her like a tonne of bricks. She didn't want to lose this friendship, even if she didn't want to admit it, it made prison far more bearable with someone to talk to.
'Do you have any idea how many calories are in that Kerrigan?' Natalie remarked pulling a face whilst indicating Pat's massive bacon roll.
'No, but I'm guessing a lot. Your point?' Replied Pat. She was growing used to Natalie's comments on her diet, as it happened every mealtime. Natalie was such a typical fashion girl. From her obsession with calories, clothes and all things to do with her looks, she was in complete contrast with Pat's scruffy dress sense and large appetite. It suited Natalie though, thought Pat, as she couldn't imagine Natalie being any other way.
'How the hell are you not obese? You eat so much!' Natalie tutted shaking her head. 'And you are such a guy eating like that' she added as Pat scoffed.
'Again, your point?' Pat said muffled through her full mouth. As Natalie continued to shake her head Pat swallowed and said 'Would you prefer I eat lettuce and carrot sticks instead?' Her eyes teasing.
'Hell yes, rising at the crack of dawn, getting you doing laps in a pair of pink trackies' Natalie said picking up the joke. Pat pulled a face and they both smiled at the image of Pat wearing anything pink.
'Buxton, with that sadist approach you could rival Masterton' Pat said light-heartedly 'After all, you are her model con' she added playfully
'Don't remind me' said Natalie pulling a face 'I think she thinks I'm having a good influence on you, the opposite to her idea of the perfect con' she added smiling as Pat laughed. Pat had such a funny laugh, so more often than not she ended up giggling along with her, like now.
Returning to their cell Natalie smiled, how in the world had they gone from trying to smashing each other's skulls out to actually getting on quite well? Then again, they both had suffered blows to the head; Natalie chuckled quietly at this thought.
'What you smirking at Buxton?' Pat asked raising her eyebrows as she turned on the tap to fill her mug.
'Oh nothing' replied Natalie still unable to hide her smile.
'Liar' Pat replied mockingly narrowing her eyes at Natalie, who couldn't help but laugh.
'So cynical' said Natalie flicking some of the running water at Pat flirtatiously as she went by. As she crossed the room she was shocked to feel a cold trickling down her neck, turning she realised Pat had flicked a small handful of water back at her. Staring in mock outrage she quickly dodged round Pat and scoped a handful and quickly threw it down Pat's top.
'Aaah' Pat moaned as the chill reached her skin beneath her top. Frowning without heat she reacted the same way as they began hurtling water rapidly at each other, shrieking as each was hit by the chill. Suddenly Pat grabbed her water cup and emptied it over Natalie's head, drenching her hair and face.
'Aaaaah!' She shrieked as she felt how soaked she was. After recovering from shock she glared at Pat who was failing to resist giggling at Natalie's drenched state. 'You are so going to die bitch' Natalie declared without heat diving for the mug. Just as they were wrestling over the mug, the door swung open and Bodybag stood in the doorway, staring opened mouthed at the two soaked women before pulling herself together.
'What in flaming Nora is going on?' She demanded looking between them. 'We thought someone was being killed in here. Stop acting like a flaming pair of kids, dry yourselves off and do something blooming useful for a change.' She finished glaring suspiciously at the women before turning and slamming the door behind her. For a couple of seconds neither said anything, staring after Bodybag before slowly both began cracking up.
Eventually both were doubled up from their laughter; every time they nearly stopped one would laugh at the other starting it over again. After a while they slowly managed to calm down and Natalie spoke.
'Do you still the look on Bodybag's face?' She gasped, still struggling for breathe 'I doubt she has ever laughed in her whole life.' She continued as her laugh finally subsided.
'Aww poor her, she looks like she needs one' Pat replied before glancing down at the pool of water still in the bottom of the sink. Natalie saw this and their eyes meet as Pat raised her eyebrows suggestively.
'No, no, no!' Natalie squeaked retreating rapidly as Pat moved as if to flick her again. Backing up Natalie caught her foot on a bag on the floor, and as she stumbled backwards she grabbed at Pat's wrist pulling her down along with her. Natalie landed flat on her back, Pat landing directly on top of her, her only face inches away from Natalie's. So close she could feel the change in the pace of breathing of the blonde woman as they both registered their rather suggestive position. For a second neither moved, both breathing slightly harder as they continued to stare into each other's eyes unsure how to react to the sudden rise in temperature. Natalie could feel Pat's thighs resting on her own, could feel her own heart racing where there wasn't an inch between them and she was sure Pat could feel it too. Pat stared into the face of the woman beneath her, swallowing slightly seeing the badly hidden longing on Natalie's face whilst batting with her own.
Pat quickly scrambled off Natalie, retreating back from where Natalie was laying with a torn expression. Trying to shake off the awkward atmosphere she grabbed a couple of towels, throwing one at Natalie who had just got back on her feet. Pat moved over to the stereo switching it on and playing a cd, trying desperately not to look at Natalie, whose eyes she could feel on her. Natalie turned away, scrubbing herself dry with the towel, her mind spinning with what just happened. She couldn't digest just how much she wanted Pat. She's a woman, thought Natalie, I. Don't. Like. Women. Or did she? Right now, she really didn't know. All she knew was she couldn't help but imagine what would have happened if Pat hadn't climbed off her.
Pat snuck a glance over her shoulder to where Natalie was turned away drying herself off, looking away quickly as Natalie raised her top revealing a lacy black bra. Pat hurriedly went back to drying herself, thinking desperately of a way to break the awkward silence between them knowing the music blasting out the stereo wasn't helping.
'Who's dying?' Pat jumped as she realised Natalie had come level with her, indicating the stereo as it sung 'break through the surface, reach for my hand' rather high pitched.
'Within Temptation' replied Pat taken aback.
'Sounds like someone dying' Natalie said pulling a face.
'Hey, they are awesome!' Pat said defensively before adding 'I'd like to see you sing like that!'
'I used to want to be a singer.' Natalie said absent-mindedly.
'Oh yer?' said Pat raising her eyebrow 'Why didn't you?' she asked.
'Because it was a stupid child's dream' snapped Natalie causing Pat to recoil slightly. 'Sorry, but it is. Besides my parents kept reminding me that people would run from me singing' she added bitterly. Pat frowned slightly at this revelation, curious to hear of Natalie's childhood. Somehow she struggled imaging her as an innocent little girl.
'Do you know any of these songs?' Pat indicated her cd pile. Natalie gave her a puzzled look before she scanned the backs of the packets.
'This one' she indicated one on a packet with a woman's face on the front. 'Is it the one with the music video where she falls off a building?' she asked.
'Bring me to life?' Pat asked 'Yes' she answered as Natalie nodded. 'Ok then' she continued taking the cd off Natalie placing it in the stereo and pressing play for the second song. 'Sing then.' She was shocked to see Natalie pale before backing away.
'N…no…I don't s...s…sing' Stuttered Natalie looking as if she was hyper ventilating. Backing away further she stared wide eyed between Pat and the stereo as it blast out 'How can you see into my eyes, like open doors…' Frowning Pat stopped the cd, looking curiously at the woman before her, unable to make sense of it.
'You suffer from stage fright?' She asked disbelievingly. Of all people, Natalie really didn't seem the type to be shy of anything.
'I just don't sing.' Replied Natalie stiffly, slowly calming down from her panic. She glared at Pat, sure she was laughing at her for being so pathetic. She couldn't explain it herself, but something always clicked in her mind making her shake violently.
'What would I have to do for you to be able to?' Pat inquired carefully, now determined to see if Natalie's claim to being a terrible singer were valid. Natalie glared at her, knowing that she wouldn't give up.
'Disappear' she replied eventually faintly hoping Pat would leave it there. As expected, she didn't.
'Fine' she said climbing under her duvet covers on her bed and pressing play before disappearing completely beneath her covers. Natalie stared at the bulge in the covers, amusement underlying her fear as she looked back at the stereo. Drawing in a calming breathe and closing her eyes as she heard the first line approaching.
'How can you see into my eyes like open doors, leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb' she began keeping the fear just out of her voice. 'Without a soul, my spirit sleeping somewhere cold, until you find it there and lead it back home' she continued forcing herself to open her eyes and stare at a fixed spot on the wall opposite her. Beneath the covers Pat's jaw was hanging open, how the hell did she think she can't sing? She thought, she must be mental! Slowly she shifted from her hiding spot, seeing Natalie staring fixed on the wall. Just as the song got much louder Natalie's voice rose with it, the power in her voice easily reaching the notes Amy Lee sung.
Pat rose out of her bed staring open mouthed at the blonde woman who she could see visibly shaking as she sung with that amazing voice. As Natalie saw Pat appearing she stumbled slightly as she sung, just managing to hold it together, continuing to the end of the song as Amy Lee sung and held the final 'Bring me to life'. As she finished, Natalie looked startled at herself. She had never sung alone in front of someone before.
'Hey' said Pat softly as Natalie started shaking uncontrollably. 'I never knew you could sing like that! Your parents were lying bastards if they really told you that you couldn't sing.' She paused thoughtfully, an idea coming to her. 'Hey why don't you sing in that 'Prison Idol' thing they haven't stopped talking about?' she suggested.
'Are you mad?' responded Natalie panicking as a lump starting rising in her throat. 'I barely managed not having a nervous breakdown in front of you hiding out of view. Besides I can't even sing.' She declared turning away.
'Yes you can.' Shot back Pat, not letting this go.
'No, I can't' repeated Natalie 'You are just saying that because you are nice. Them lot' she indicated out the cell 'Will rip me to pieces.' She was shocked when Pat seized her shoulders swinging her round to face her.
'Look at me.' Ordered Pat 'You. Can. Sing.' She continued slowly 'Would I say you could if you couldn't?' she demanded. Natalie looked into her eyes, trying to detect her lying. Seeing nothing she concluded that she really did believe she could sing. She wasn't going to let it go, she was as stubborn as Natalie herself.
'Fine' she said eventually Pat letting her go 'One condition' she added quickly seeing an opportunity.
'Oh yer? What would that be?' Asked Pat cautiously, never sure about Natalie's deals.
'I get to borrow anything of yours when I want to. Clothes, shoes inclusive.' She stated. 'Deal?' As Pat giggled at the typical nature of Natalie's deal.
'Deal' she said laughing.
Username:2004206 Page: 6 18/05/2010