Ok just a quick note to say thanks as always to everyone that has read, alerted, messaged and reviewed. I got a couple of messages asking me to explain some of the phrases I use like for example what does "what's the craic" mean? It just means how's it going, what's happening etc. I forget not everyone is Irish and understands what the feck I'm talking about all the time. So if in doubt just send me a message. So here you go, chapter seven, enjoy :)

Chapter 7: Naomi

I woke up early greeted by the sound of what at first I thought were raindrops on my window. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes quickly realising it was pebbles softly hitting my bedroom window. I could hear someone calling my name. I jumped up out of my cosy canopy and rushed towards the window, opening the curtains I saw Emily standing below a wicked smirk on her face, an eyebrow raised.

"I'm Naked aren't I?" I cringed chewing my lip and grabbing my duvet for cover.

She pouted, "Not anymore, I was enjoying the view from here."

"Perv" I teased.

"Exhibitionist" she giggled "I couldn't not look. Have you just woken up or were you deliberately ignoring my calls?" she asked.

Damn I'd forgotten about this mornings dive. Sofia had been ringing again last night so I'd put my phone on silent.

"Sorry Em my phone was on silent."

"It's ok, I was just ringing to let you know Effy has to take the kayak group this morning and we won't be going out until after she gets back. I was thinking I could teach you the basics out in the bay while Eff is out with the tour if you're up for it?"

"Aye definitely count me in." I smiled I'll meet you down at the shack in a wee while then."

"Sweet, I guess I'll go and let you put some clothes on." She winked before heading off down the beach.

Kissed and saw me naked all within twenty-four hours not quite how I had planned to woo Emily. I had hoped the first time she saw me naked would lead to something a little more than a diving lesson. That the first time we'd kiss would not have been cut short by an interruption. I wondered what would have happened if they hadn't come along would I have been able to stop myself from dragging her up to my room in some sort of caveman move. Would she have stopped it, I hoped I meant more to her than just some quick fuck. That kiss, closing my eyes I could picture it perfectly, the softness of her lips, and the warmth of her breath, even now it makes my body tingle. I'd fought the urge all day. I wanted nothing more when Georgie showed up with Cook and JJ than to take Em in my arms and kiss her recklessly. I wanted her to know that I wanted Emily too and was prepared to fight for her but of course such pure abandon is not how Naomi Campbell does things, no better to brood and sulk like a petulant kid than to show my true emotions. It had been the perfect end to a perfect day. How often can you say that you swam with an eight foot prehistoric shark while snorkelling a shipwreck and then to top it all got to lock lips with the most beautiful person you'd ever met all in one day. Yep yesterday was a good day.

I deleted the voicemails without listening to them, I knew what I'd hear, silence. That's what she does just rings and doesn't say anything it's starting to fucking creep me out. I wish I'd never given in to her advances it fucked up everything. Sofia was the closest thing I had to a real friend. My constant summer's spent in far away lands never really went down all that well with the kids in my school, they saw me as this stuck up opinionated rich kid which was fine by me I never cared much for them anyway and preferred my own company. Don't get me wrong I wasn't unhappy far from it, I just didn't have anything in common with my other classmates different morals, different ideals. Sofia had just moved to Galway from Dublin, she was different. She liked the way I didn't try and fit in. She followed me around striking up conversation whenever she could, sitting next to me in class and partnering up with me in projects. I eventually gave in. I was pleasantly surprised we got on quite well. We became great friends that year, going out in Dublin with her old friends any weekend we could get up there. We spent our time wasted, dancing our way through the clubs of Dublin and Galway escaping from everything and everyone. I did care for Sofia, I still do but not in the way she wanted me to. She never hid the fact she liked me, we kissed often when we were fucked but I always stopped it before it went any further. Then one night she scored some MDMA and coke from her mate Deco, we did a line of coke in the apartment while getting ready to go out. She talked me into dropping a bomb and after maybe Thirty minutes a line of MDMA as well so it would kick in as the bomb dissolved in our stomachs. I'd never done a bomb before and I'm blaming it for the resulting nuclear disaster that ensued. Now I'm not going to say the drugs clouded my judgment because they didn't I knew exactly what I was doing, If anything it made me more aware. If I had been confused about my feelings for Sofia before I no longer was. I wanted to fuck her but nothing more and that I did. A night long fuck-a-ton, I knew she was in love with me but I just couldn't stop myself any girl would have done Sofia just happened to be there. Right time, right place, wrong girl. I'm not proud of it, I'm ashamed of how I acted I guess that's why I just ended everything with Sofia. I couldn't even handle fighting to stay friends seeing how I'd hurt her each time she looked at me was unbearable so I do what I do best and ran away. The phone calls and texts became less frequent and now all I get is white noise. I should change my number, I should talk to her but I never do. Now there is Emily and the fear that some day things between us, could be like how it is with Sofia now, is crippling. I know it's different with Em, I feel when I'm with her, it's not numb. I'm just so scared I'll lose her, seeing her with Georgie was what jerked me into action and now I'm unsure of how to proceed. I want her but do I want her enough, enough to risk losing her forever. I think I do.

I got showered and dressed in record time so I leisurely made my way down to the shack didn't want to seem overly keen although any time spent with Emily was precious. I found Freddy sitting at the counter books and charts spread out everywhere. It all looked quite chaotic.

"Hey Freds, what's going on here then?"

He looked up and flashed that cheeky McClair smile

"Hi Naoms, just studying for my skipper entrance exams, if I don't pass these I can't get onto the course in September. Sorry about ruining your plans for this morning."

Smiling back I replied "No bother hi, your exams are way more important besides you didn't we're going out when Eff gets back. Is Em here?"

"You're a lot more understanding than Effy was and yep Emily is out back."

I found her crouched over some oxygen tanks I wanted to wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her hello but I fought the urge still unsure if we were there yet, if last night meant all I thought it did.

"Hiya, whotcha doing and more importantly how can I help?" I grinned as she turned towards me beaming that beautiful smile.

"Hello you" she said looking around at me with that impish grin "Fully clothed this time I see."

"Oh fuck off you," I laughed "ye surprised me ya wench I only remembered I was naked when it was too late. I'm never going to live this down now am I?"

"Not if I can help it, " she teased "so are you ready to learn how to dive like a Fitch?

"Eejit!" I chortled "Bring it on little mermaid." Though I was a bit apprehensive about doing it, there are few things in life that we keep in our bucket list; scuba diving was part of that list. My new mantra, as with Emily, just dive in.

"Not only fish get hooked." She smiled "It's addictive this diving malarkey."

"I don't mind getting hooked on it, you know how much I adore the ocean." Nothing compares to the majesty of the sea. It's seductive. All that thrive in it fascinates me. It always has.

"Good" she grinned, "because it's extremely alluring."

We brought everything down to the pier where she talked me through the assembly of the scuba gear, pointing out what everything was and what exactly it did. She explained how surprisingly, scuba diving doesn't have much in common with swimming. Feeling comfortable in the water is more important than swimming ability.

Once geared up, air cylinder on my back, fins and mask ready we entered the water. We didn't bother with a wetsuit as we weren't diving deep today and the water temperature was sufficient enough to keep us warm. We tried different things underwater for around thirty minutes ranging from how to communicate, breath, hold the mask, remove water from mask, control ear pressure etc. We also practiced different situations such as when one loses her breathing tube, how to get other one, how to ask for help. Balancing was a big problem and that was resolved by adding weights. I marveled at Emily's underwater karma as I struggled to find my underwater equilibrium. Among other tasks, I learned how to go up and down in water by controlling our breathing, to make a controlled emergency ascent in the event my air supply is interrupted, and to retrieve and refasten my weight belt. She wanted me to feel as comfortable and sure of my capabilities before we ventured into deeper water later this morning.

"You're really good at teaching this, you explain everything so clear and concisely." I said when we had gotten back to shore.

"Thanks, your ability to pick it up quickly helps. You catch on fast Campbell, I thought you'd be a lot slower." She laughed reveling in any opportunity to tease me.

"Bitch!" I giggled, "Last time I say anything nice to you."

"I'm sorry, what can I say I enjoy teasing you, it's one of my favourite things to do."

"Glad I can be of assistance so." I said rolling my eyes and grinning widely.

We headed out of the bay later that morning. The sun was sending out its warm rays that tickled my skin when I stepped into it from the shade. I joined Emily and Effy at the front of the boat. Effy was being very quiet, Em had mentioned something about an argument with Freddy earlier.

"So ladies, where are we diving today?" I asked cheerfully

"One of the ship wrecks. Conditions are amazing; flat water, small swell, and very little wind today" replied Emily

"The one we snorkelled at horseshoe bay?" I asked

"No a different one, it's a little deeper lies on the other side of the bay at the back of the island." Effy answered

"Is there a lot of ship wrecks in the area then?" I asked intrigued

"Aye at least twenty in and around this coastline, most were sunk by submarines during the war and some local fishing trawlers lost during storms. We even have two wrecks linked to the 16th-century Spanish Armada and a separate late 18th-century French armada, dispatched to assist Irish rebellion efforts. The two shipwrecks, one of which is definitely a warship, are laying two hundred meters apart in just four meters of water." Emily informed me.

"Tell her the story Em." Effy said

"What story?" I asked looking at Emily.

"Well the rumour is that the Fitches in the area are descendants from that French Armada ship, apparently three brothers who were aboard survived and swam to shore. One of the brothers married a local girl settling in An Chorrain which is were my family come in while the other two brothers settled in two of the other surrounding town lands and that's the story of how the Fitches came to Ireland."

"It does carry some truth as the name Fitch is of French origin and means iron point. Could have been the name for a workman who used an iron-pointed implement which would fit in with the story," Effy added.

"Wow, that's some back story, I wish the Campbell family history sounded half as interesting."

"Or the Stonem's" added Effy.

"It's probably not even true and just a tale my granddad concocted for us kids." She smiled. "There is something about shipwrecks though that captures your imagination."

As we descended the mooring line hand-in-hand, my lungs expanded as I inhaled shallow sips of cold, dry air. I could hear the sound of my shaky, rattling breaths cutting through the silence. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a cluster of dull, gray fish swimming between tendrils of algae draped across a rotting log. The wreck came into view. I had to remind myself to breathe as I took it all in. It was massive and overwhelmed by coral; fish were swimming all around us. The weightlessness of floating with neutral buoyancy is an indescribable experience. It was quite a tricky thing to master, and it took a little practice but once I got the hang of this whole swimming, breathing, not freaking out under water thing, it became very pleasant.

Once we had found our bearings, we headed off exploring. The wreck lies fairly broken and listing to port blessed with bright rays of sunshine, I marveled at the intact bow with its safety rail still attached and a massive housed anchor on the starboard side. Swimming over and down the foredeck I could see winches, anchor chains and capstans fitted to an intact deck, as if on the day the boat was lost. Where the bow had broken away, we could see within the below decks untouched hand-lamps and the machinery that once drove the huge capstans above. A figure began to swim toward me, Em, pointing out things I'd miss unless I knew to look for them. She showed me these marvelous little worms called Christmas Trees and Feather Dusters. They come in all colors, and when you got close to them, they retracted their plumage and disappeared into their hard shell. When the "threat" was over, they came out again to feed on the organisms in the water.

A ray came towards me just as if I'd called it to. Such a gentle creature, soaring gracefully over my head as I just stared at it in disbelief. It was massive. I was completely lost in this underwater world utterly captivated by its beauty, by all the wonders it held. I was lost in my musings until I felt someone take my hand. I looked up and saw Em smiling; it was time to head back to the surface. She pulled me along to where Effy was waiting for us. There we re-inflated our BCDs and headed back to our world.

When we surfaced I couldn't stop smiling that was the most awesome thing I'd ever done. I wanted to get another tank and go straight back down. Em had been right it wasn't just fish that got hooked. I knew the moment I touched the seabed I was home.

Clambering back on board the boat Emily and Effy were eager to find out what I thought of my experience

"Well, how did you enjoy that?" Em asked

"Judging by the smile on her face I'd hazard a guess that she bloody loved it." Laughed Effy

"It was fucking unbelievable, just amazing. Any chance we could get another go today?" I asked although I knew my chances where slim they had lots to do before the party tonight.

"Sorry Naoms no can do. We've got to get back, I've got to do another sound check while Effy has to do a final check on the lighting."

"Can't blame a girl for trying eh." I smiled

"Next week we'll check the Spanish and French Armada ones, maybe even start teaching you the techniques for going into a wreck"

"Sweet, that would be incredible. Thanks guys I really appreciate this."

"We enjoy it." Grinned Effy "You're ok you Blondie."

"Aye, I think we'll keep you." Giggled Emily

"Wow such compliments. I'm moved, truly I am." I sniggered

"Eejit" Em smiled "Now ye two can make yourselves useful and sort the equipment while I get us back to shore."

Back on dry land Effy went off to see Freds at the shack saying she would meet Emily at the plant later.

"Is she ok?" I asked Emily when she had gone. "Is everything ok with her and Freds?"

"I don't know, I hope so for Effy's sake." She said sounding concerned "Things are a bit tense between them right now, Freddy isn't going to be going to the same school as her in September if he gets accepted into this skipper course."

"Oh…so it's a distance thing." I said

"Partly, it's difficult to explain Effy can be so dark and intense sometimes. When they first got together she couldn't handle the rawness of it. All the feeling, the needing someone. She didn't want to be in love. She went a bit AWOL for a while, things got really fucked up but they got through it. Freddy is the one constant thing in her life and I think that she's just scared that the dynamics will change when she moves away and he stays here." She paused and sighed, "I'm sure they'll be ok though."

I offered to go with her and help with the finishing touches but she insisted I chill at home until later as there wasn't much left to do the others had finished most of it this morning. It was a little awkward being alone now I wasn't sure how to act around her. No more so than when we found ourselves outside my house and she was readying to leave. Should I kiss her, I want to but does she and what will it mean.

We were leaning awkwardly against the wall both of us unsure what to do or say next.

She turned to me and smiling said, "I should probably get going."

"Umh… Yeah they'll only give you a hard time about trying to avoid the work," I mumbled turning towards her giving her a small smile.

She grinned wickedly winking before placing a quick kiss on my cheek

"I know what you're thinking and this doesn't have to be awkward or weird. I like you… a lot but I'm not going to push you into anything you're not comfortable with or ready for. I'll wait… however long."

She started walking up the track turning and adding, "because you're unlike any other girl Naomi." I smiled after her how could one person be so fucking perfect.

Walking down the village late that afternoon you could feel there was a real buzz about the place, an atmosphere full of anticipation. The evening was mild and sticky, the students had descended on An Chorrain, people spilled out from the pubs onto the streets the sound of music, laughter and banter filled the air. I could barely contain my excitement, tonight was going to be incredible I could feel it, everyone could. I had thought we'd have to help out behind the bar and even man the door but the local pubs had leant some of their staff free of charge which meant we were free to enjoy the night however we chose to.

People where already beginning to queue outside I found Effy sneaking in the back entrance to the plant just as I turned the corner

"Great minds think alike eh," I laughed

She looked over grinning, "I did not fancy trying to explain to the orderly queue forming why I was allowed entry and they weren't."

"Yeah I hadn't expected to see a queue forming already. Doors don't open for another couple of hours." We'd arrived early for the customary ritual of pre party drinks. Everyone else was already there. I found Emily on the stage setting up the last of her gear, the place looked amazing under the lights. Everything white was glowing purple and the tags on the walls just leapt out at you.

"Excited about entertaining the masses?" I asked

She jumped down of the stage and gave me a quick hug and smiled "Nervous as fuck but a couple of drinks should help counteract that. Place is looking good eh"

"Aye it's lit up so beautifully. Looks deadly!"

A couple of hours and several drinks later the doors where open the crowd was building and we'd moved backstage while a local DJ warmed up the crowd with his set. We had promised Emily and the others we'd wait before taking anything and all come up together when they'd finished their set, another tradition apparently.

Emily and the others were getting ready to go on stage so we made our way out to the bar Cook barging his way making a path through the sea of people. The drink of choice was a vodka cocktail served in neon orange plastic cups complete with purple tinged ice cubes and glow straws it looked so cool under the lights. The dance floor was filling with neon limbs, everyone had come wearing white as the posters had advised and had already started taking advantage of the free UV stuff on offer. They had grabbed glow sticks, slapped on the UV paint, glitter, lipsticks and eye shadows. Many already covered in glowing markings drawn on with highlighters. The vibe was alive and growing.

All around me, music blasted, the dance floor exploded full of energy, full of people. I have never experienced anything so free, easy and enjoyed. No one wasn't moving; everyone played their part, magic. The flashing lights radiated in every possible color thrashing in all directions adding to the atmosphere. The odors of expensive perfumes blended in with the smell of alcohol and sweat, creating a stimulating aroma that lingered in the air. That's when they came on stage. The first chords unleashed on to a rapturous reception, a thrilling mix of surging rock with Gothic undertones garnering a huge cheer.

And in the morning I'll be waiting,

For your never-ending wave,

For our passage to arise,

How can I explain? Yeah.

You came home for the endless summer,

On the way, saw a different color,

In the street, got a secret to repeat,

In my mind, you're the ephemeral night.

The perfect song to remind everyone of the summer of their lives. The soundtrack to their summer I knew then this song would forever single-handedly bring my heart back to Ireland and Emily. There's no denying the energy and vibrancy that the band exuded in a live setting.

I looked to Effy "What the fuck?"

She simply smirked and shouted into my ear, "Aye they don't just play Irish music."

They sounded amazing, they were incredible from the start playing everything from the piano dominated, understated guitar, bursts of bass and an off-the-wall drum rhythm of Coldplay's "Clocks" to the foot-stomping beat, guitar tapping strums and chorus charging blissful folk-pop hook of anthemic proportions of "Charlie Brown" To the arrow hitting perfect bull's eye of a guilty pleasure that is "Sex on fire" and onto the Gut-wrenching, foot-stomping punk of "Standing in the way of control"

The crowd adored them screaming along. The full-bodied anthems greeted with air-punching delight elating everyone.

They Slowed things down with the beautiful instrumental "brazil" I heard someone describe it as the sound of little fluffy clouds. They brought things back with Emily's power-vocals against the upbeat backdrop of soulful clapping, drum beats, and piano riffs that is the "dog days are over" The combination was positively addictive. They exploded outwards with the monster track "block rocking beats" leaving my body and nerves a mashed mess on the dance floor. I love this song it catches your mind, your soul and your body. Next was an awesome mix that made for perfect summertime listening MGMT's "Kids" and "Time to pretend" Finishing with the upbeat, euphoric mix of synths, distorted guitars and melancholic lyrics "Punching in a dream" Furious guitars, poppy synths and thumping drum beats blend seamlessly throughout amidst a barrage of smoke and flashing lights, the capacity crowd chanting along adoringly. A gig to remember, justifying the hype and igniting hopes for what the rest of the night would hold.

We ran backstage to congratulate them on a fucking awesome set. "Well you're full of surprises." I said to Em grinning widely.

"I didn't realize you could play everything incredibly well."

She giggled, " I cant but I'm flattered you think so."

"You were awesome Em. You must be buzzing after that."

"I am, the crowd were amazing, one of the deadliest gigs we've done."

"Did someone mention their buzz?" interrupted Cook grinning wide-eyed "If you'd like to follow me into my office the others are waiting too." We followed him to the back of the plant were he handed us each a white dove pill.

Effy placed hers on her tongue, swallowed and smirking said, "let's go fucking mental shall we."

I chewed mine to taste it. I wanted some intimate contact with the substance I was about to share my mind with. It tasted awful.

"Now just to wait for it to kick in." Emily said as we all went back in to the plant.

After about forty minutes I experienced a rush to the head. I could already feel it. The corners of my mouth started to lift up, creating a big semicircle, a Cheshire grin. Followed minutes later by the most unbelievable surge of energy and gentle warmth rushing through my body. It was so brutally intense; all I could do for several minutes was inhale and let the breath come out as one long howl of indescribable joy. Many around me joined in. It seemed as though half the plant was just hollering in joint ecstasy. The perfect word, No other could have described what I was experiencing right then and there. Beyond words. The entire message was contained in a scream and the most intense smile my face had displayed in ages.

Emily bounded up to me asking "Are you ok? Have you eased up? You were rather tense." I just grinned my face off.

"I feel like hugging everybody," I shouted.

"Then do!" She yelled, flinging herself around my neck. Christ, that felt so good. Hugging felt like the most rewarding, comforting and uplifting experience. This was the part I liked, for a person such as myself, usually quite conscious of personal space and physical contact the effect was magical. Black lights flashing, hearts racing, and thunderous bass all around me.

"The music sounds so surreal. I feel like I can taste the sounds." Emily shouted grinding her body against mine her head hung back arms wrapped around my neck.

The DJ's skillfully interweaved everything from prodigy to The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Music fueled by throbbing beats over rattling bass. They had transformed those once dolefully thrusting alone on the dance floor into a human fusion of sweat and enthusiasm. The music too was surrounding me in trance-like comfort. The sound spoke to every nerve in my body. Emily went to get us some water I stayed on the dance floor the bass was in sync with my heartbeat and the lights were flashing everywhere. My senses were in a state of complete magnification and I loved every minute of it.

Effy appeared behind me hands on my waist moving with the beat yielding to the inebriating powers of the music. Smiling happily, highlighter in her hand drawing something on my forehead. Someone had drawn the word sweet on hers.

I was doing the I'm trying to run away from you dance from an English guy when Emily appeared behind me taking my hand leading me outside to safety.

"Thanks for that." I smiled as she handed me my drink.

"You looked like you needed saving." She grinned. We were outside now leaning against the factory wall. It was nice to get away from humidity and body heat and escape into the cool of the night.

I looked to Em smiling, she was looking into my eyes and half turning to face me, I felt my heartbeat pound away. Another amazing wave of warmth shot up through my stomach to the top of my head. I felt my entire body vibrating with pleasure. I just looked into her eyes. This wasn't like with Sofia I wasn't confused by the intensity of the attraction or uncertain of how much of this was real.

I moved in front of her pushing her back against the wall I trailed a finger down along her neck, over her chest and down her tummy hooking my thumbs inside her shorts, pulling her into me. She gasped out loud and I felt her fingers scratch down along my back leaning in I kissed her ever so softly. Her lips, parted slightly and I felt her tongue run along my lip before her teeth gently gripped my bottom lip tugging it softly. She flipped me over, pinning me to the wall and kissed me hard, our tongues touched sending a jolt through my entire body. My turn to gasp, she stopped and pulled back smiling she whispered "Is this ok?" I answered with another kiss a moan escaped her as my tongue found hers. My fingers played with her hair while my free hand rested on her hip tugging her closer. We stayed like that our breathing fast her hand cupped my breast a finger circled my nipple I gasped again. She pulled back our foreheads touching trying to control our breathing. She took my hand and laced her fingers with mine whispering

"We should stop before I get to carried away."

I sighed "Aye we should probably get back before they notice we're missing."

"Don't look so disappointed, do you even realize what you're doing to me? Do you know how hard I'm fighting the urge to just throw all caution away and fuck you right here and now?" She giggled, "sorry to be so crude but you make me crazy Naoms."

I laughed, " I know about as hard as I'm fighting the urge to beg you to do just that." I wasn't lying I wanted her more than anything right now but we both didn't want to rush things. She took my hand and we went back inside. She smiled looking into my eyes with an amused grin

"You know you've got the word 'Emily's' written on your forehead?"

"I wouldn't look so smug" I grinned back "You've the word 'Naomi's' on yours."

"Fecking Effy!" we both said in unison.

As soon as we entered the dance floor the music and the lights slammed my senses and sent my body into overload. The music sounded more real, as if it was inside my head playing only for me. Stepping back on the dance floor the crowd swallowed us in. Our bodies moved to the music without even having to think about it. The music was perfect and the crown around us seemed to be in perfect harmony with the music and lights. The vibrations of the music shot up through the ground sending shivers throughout my body. The very vivid vibrations caught me off guard, they gave me chills.

Effy came up to us beaming and asked me "You're all loved up, right?" I answered with an ecstatic grin. She opened her arms wide, and gave us both a huge hug. There was something so pure and loving about the whole atmosphere, it was overwhelming.

That night, the plant with its glowing walls and neon accouterments was a haven for all those with a fondness for dirty dance beats and the sheen of a stranger's skin. We were covered in paint and dancing up a storm to the best music in the world. We were literally glowing in the dark. Emily had on a silver rayon t-shirt and I couldn't stop touching her. It was perfect, the music, the lights and the beautiful girl dancing in sync with me, hands on my waist holding me tight to her, planting the softest kisses down along my neck. Closing my eyes wrapped up in her I could feel the beat surging through my body. I wanted to stay like this forever.