A/N: *peeks out from behind the curtains* Hey folks, are you all still with me? lol
Thanks muchly to those of you who reviewed the last chapter encouragingly. It's good to know I didn't stuff it up totally, and my nerves are based on the fact that I tend to under appreciate my abilities sometimes. No, that's definitely not me blowing my own horn, as I'm rather unlikely to do that, either. This is what comes from being a cynical pessimist for the past *shrug* twenty years or so...lol
This chapter is the "aftermath" of the last one. (although that's not really the right word, bit melodramatic, really, but oh well.)
Fear not, I'm getting back to Naomi/Emily in the next chapter. ;)
Disclaimerino (HA! Ned Flanders eat your heart out with ketchup. Or barbecue sauce. Whatever.): No, I don't own skins. But if I did... *dreamily stares off into fantasy land*
(As usual, all mistakes are blamed upon the iPad I type this on.)
Emily Fitch had just finished getting dressed, after waking up refreshed, which made a usual change to her nights out with Katie, that usually ended in Emily not being able to brave the following day until well into the afternoon. She picked up her mobile and checked her messages. The first one was from Naomi:
"Morning, Emily. Am glad to hear you will be there. Look forward to it. Text me when you get there and I'll come meet you. :) xxNaomixx"
And the second, from Katie.
"Katie shum. Call me? -K"
Her sister only reverted to the language they made up as children on a few occasions. The first was, of course, when they were talking amongst themselves without wanting anyone else to know what they were saying, and the second, was when Katie knew she had fucked up and pissed Emily off.
She searched her contacts and dialled Katie's number. After a few rings, it was answered.
"Hey, Emsy."
"Hi, Kay. What's up?"
"I need to talk to you..." Katie said, and from her voice, Emily knew her sister enough to know that something wasn't quite right.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah... I just... Need some advice."
Emily laughed. "You? Need my advice? That's a laugh!"
"Emsy...please. I'm serious." Katie's voice faltered, and the smile faded from Emily's lips. She knew that it must be something big, because it was rare that Katie would admit to needing Emily's help.
"Where are you? Home?"
"Yeah."
"Alright. I've just got dressed, so I'll be there in like twenty, ok?"
"Ok..." Katie said. "Emsy?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"What are sisters for? See you soon." Emily hung up.
Emily left her flat and walked the distance to her sister's flat, using her key to open the door.
"Katie? Where are you?"
"Balcony." Came the almost inaudible reply. Emily made her way out onto the balcony to find Katie sitting in one of the deck chairs, with her knees pulled up to her chest. Emily didn't fail to notice that she was wearing the same clothes she had been in last night. She also noticed her sister's expression, which was deep, contemplative, and almost afraid.
Emily sat down beside her. "What's wrong, Katie?"
Katie turned to Emily, and flung herself into her sister's arms. Emily hugged her close as she sobbed into her shoulder. She held her twin and let her cry, because even though Katie had been bossy growing up, she also knew when Emily needed comforting, and would hold her no matter what, until her tears would stop. So, Emily did the same for her sister, because there weren't many times that Emily remembered her sister going to pieces like this.
"I'm so sorry, Emsy. For giving you so much shit when you came out." Katie said, in between sniffs and sobs.
"Shhhh... That's all in the past now, Kay." Emily soothed, as she stroked her sister's hair. "What's going on?"
"Last night... You remember that brunette last night that I told you to go after?"
Emily laughed softly. "The one you told me to throw myself at, before I ditched you?"
"Yeah. She came and sat with me."
"Oh? Did you tell her she had the wrong twin?"
"No." Katie sniffed. "We talked, well, she doesn't really say much sometimes, so..." She nestled her head into Emily's shoulder, enjoying the sisterly comfort. "She came home with me."
"What?!" Emily said, clearly shocked. Her sister never brought anyone home after a night out. If she was about to shag a bloke, it would be a stolen quickie somewhere, or in the back of a car, or in some spare room at a house party.
"We just talked... And then... She kissed me." Katie admitted, feeling the tears threatening to spill. She wasn't sure herself what was worse, the memory of how she had treated her sister when she came out, or Emily's possible reaction to what Katie isn't herself yet sure of.
"Did you kill her?" Emily laughed.
"Emsy." Katie half-snapped.
"Okay, sorry. So, she kissed you. Then what happened? I mean, save me the dirty details, because...ew, you're my sister, and I don't need to picture that."
"We didn't do anything else, Ems. But..."
"But?"
"Wespentthenighttogether." Katie rushed out. "She slept with me, in my bed. She only left about an hour ago."
"Katie, what are you trying to tell me? It's ok, it's just me."
"I... Think I'm attracted to her."
"Oh?"
"Look, I don't fucking know, ok? You're the gay one, not me, and I'm confused as fuck, here." Katie snapped, and Emily could see her sister's usual demeanour returning. "So, try and help me here, ok? I don't ask you to do this often."
"I know. Sorry, Kay. It's just a bit of a surprise, that's all." Emily said, kissing the top of her sister's head. "You could do worse, she's not bad looking."
Katie laughed slightly. "Ems, that's not the point. I'm freaking the fuck out, ok? I don't know what this means."
"Well... How did it feel when she kissed you?"
"Um...okay, I suppose." Katie said, hesitantly, which led Emily to believe she wasn't being entirely truthful.
"Kay... The truth?"
Katie groaned. "I've never felt that before. It was the best feeling I think I've ever felt, and that scares me."
"Why?"
"Because I'm not you." Katie admitted, before tears overtook her again. Emily held her sister and rocked her gently.
"Shhh... Katie, it's ok to feel like that. You know it's not wrong, yeah? I know mum didn't drill that shit into you like she thought she did."
"Yeah, but..."
"So, you kissed a girl and you liked it. Nothing to be ashamed of, Kay."
Katie nodded. "It's more than that. I wanted to do more, but was too scared to."
"Katie Fitch, you raging lezzer, you!" Emily laughed, and Katie couldn't help but laugh at the joking tone of her sister's voice.
"Do you have any advice, or are you just going to take the piss?" Katie said, quietly, sadly.
Emily hugged her sister close. "Okay, why were you scared?"
"I don't know... I wouldn't know the first thing about how to shag a girl. I thought it would be bad form to be on the phone to my sister for tips, during."
Emily laughed out loud at that. Katie couldn't help but smile at the throaty laugh. "So? Let her do it first... Remember what she's doing, and then do it to her."
"That's it?"
"It's sex, not rocket science, Kay. Some of it will just come naturally."
"Right."
"Then, after your done, we can buy you a BIG rainbow flag and hang it in your bedroom window."
Katie poked her sister in the stomach. "Bitch." She laughed.
"Ah, there's my sister. Welcome back." Emily grinned, hugging Katie close. "Seriously, Kay. It's no big deal. I can lend you my box if you want."
"You still have the box of fannies?" Katie laughed.
"Well, by the time mum threw me out, James was already surfing the Internet for porn, why should he need my BOF?" Both twins laughed heartily at this.
"Right, I should have guessed."
"Did you get her number?"Emily asked.
"Yeah... She left it scrawled on my mirror in red lipstick."
"Wow. Classy." the younger twin giggled.
"She's a bit mysterious and... well, dramatic."
"And she's hot?"
"Oh yeah." Katie admitted. "I'm not used to appreciating the female form, but she's fit alright. Why do you think I was trying to push you to her last night? You think I'd let my sister shag some random ugly bitch?"
Emily laughed. "I'm glad you came to me, Kay." Emily said, leaving another kiss on her sister's temple. "It means a lot to me that you felt ok to talk to me about it."
"Yeah, well... I'm sorry for being a bitch last night. It was a bit of a low blow."
"Yes, it was."
"Were you ok?" Katie asked. "Was Naomi respectful?"
Emily looked at her sister, brow furrowed. "How did you-"
"Effy is her best friend, Ems. We saw the two of you go last night."
"Right." Emily nodded. "Actually, she was. Very respectful. I was pretty upset, so she took me out for some air, and then we went and had pancakes."
"What the fuck? Pancakes?" Katie scoffed.
"Mmhmm. Pancakes, syrup, bacon, sausages, the works. And you know how I love a good plate of pancakes. Her idea of cheering me up, I guess."
"And she didn't try anything?"
"No, she was friendly, but definitely not trying anything on. I got her number, though. And I'm going to see her tomorrow."
"Fast work, Ems. And you were all 'I don't want to shag anyone' last night, as well."
"Well, she was the one who asked me out." Emily admitted.
"To what? Movies? Lunch date?"
"Folk festival at Brandon Hill."
"A folk festival? Jesus. Sounds like it's going to be hippie hell." Katie laughed.
"I think Naomi might be involved, somehow. Just a hunch." Emily said. "You know that colourful bus I told you I see on my rounds?" Katie nodded. "It's Naomi's. She lives in it."
"Oh, wow. And to think I almost dragged you away from her last night." The elder twin replied with just a hint of sarcasm. "Effy stopped me so I didn't." She says, after a beat.
"I'm glad she did. Naomi made me feel better than I've felt in months."
"Great, so you end the night feeling awesome and I wake up today feeling confused as fuck. Right pair we make, eh?" Katie joked.
"Yeah," Emily chuckled, "but you're my sister, and I love you, so I'm glad you called."
"Thanks for coming, Ems."
"Anytime."
Both sisters sat on the balcony for a while longer, Emily's arm protectively wrapped around the older twin. She thought to herself how strange it was, usually it was Katie in this position. But it was clear to her that Katie needed comfort, remembering back to how alone and scared she felt when she herself had the realisation that she was gay. Granted, Katie hadn't been the most accepting, but after she had, Emily knew she had her support.
"Want me to make you a cuppa, Kay?" Katie nodded. "C'mon, let's go inside."
The twins ventured back inside, and Emily went into the kitchen, setting about making coffee. Katie sat at the breakfast bar, and flicked through an old copy of Cosmopolitan that lay on the bench.
"So... What's Naomi like?" Katie asked.
Emily picked two cups off the sideboard and filled the kettle. "She's different. She was... She made me feel at ease, talking to her, like I could tell her anything."
"Do you like her?"
Emily blushed at the question. She knew she did, but was unsure of telling Katie. She underestimated her sister, though, who picked up on it.
"You SO do!" Katie grinned. "Ems, that's great."
"Why is it great?"
"Because... Babe, it's been long enough, yeah? I know I might have been a bit harsh last night, but what I meant stands. It's about time you stopped moping and met someone." Katie said, a little gentler than she had put her words the previous evening.
"I'm not moping, Kay, I'm over Charly. I just...l haven't wanted to meet anyone."
"Well, either way, it's about time. You deserve so much to be happy, Ems. I want you to be happy, yeah?"
Emily placed a hot cup of coffee in front of Katie. "I know, Kay. And you know I want you happy too."
Katie sighed. "I know." Katie wasn't sure what that meant anymore, after spending the night with Effy. She was always so sure of herself, and now she wasn't, and that bothered Katie somewhat.
"Just see what happens, Kay. It's the only way you'll know for sure." Emily said, gently. "If you need to talk, I'm here for you."
Katie nodded.
"So... are you going to call her?" Emily asked.
Katie thought for a little bit too long about how to answer.
"Katie... I think you should. You'll never know, otherwise." Emily said, gently. "If you find out its not for you, I'm sure she will understand."
"I tell you what," Katie said, "I'll call Effy, if you make an effort with Naomi. I mean a real effort, too, none of that half-hearted shit. If you like her you should go for it, I mean that, Emsy."
"Ok."
"Ok?"
"Yup. You call Effy and I'll approach Naomi with an open mind." Emily said, holding out her hand with her pinkie extended. "Twin pinkie swear."
Katie rolled her eyes and held out her pinkie, watching as Emily linked the two together and tugged gently. "You're such a kid, Ems."
Emily raised an eyebrow at her twin. "I don't hear you complaining."
"Ha."
"You should go take a shower, Kay. You look like microwaved shit, and you smell of something, and it ain't roses, babe." Emily said, looking her sister up and down for effect.
"Gee, thanks. Love you too, sis." Katie scoffed, as she walked off to the bathroom.
Emily took her coffee out to the balcony and sat back down in the deck chair. She was still surprised at Katie. Not shocked, not upset, just surprised. But the main thing that surprised Emily, was that Katie had confided in her, rather than trying to ignore her emotions. Either Katie has grown up somewhat, or Naomi's friend Effy really did a number on her.
Emily sipped her coffee, looking out over the urban sprawl. The usual mass of rooftops and chimneys, with the occasional tv antenna thrown in for good measure. Emily knew she was only a few streets away from Naomi's, and she felt a desire to see what the gorgeous blonde was up to this morning.
She pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialled Naomi's number. It rang a few times, and then went through to voicemail.
"Hi, you've reached Naomi. Clearly I can't make it to the phone right this second, I might be painting or passed out from too many spliffs. Leave a message, or call me until I wake the fuck up!"
Emily giggled as she ended the call and tried again. It rang a few times, and was then answered.
"Naomi's mobile..." The phone had been answered by a cheery sounding female voice.
"Um... Hi. Is Naomi around?"
"I can get her for you, dear. Whom shall I say is calling?"
"It's Emily."
"Naomi! Phone for you love!" The voice shouted, again, cheerily. "She'll not be long, dear. I'm Gina, by the way, her mother."
"Hello, Gina, nice to speak to you."
"Here she is, love." Emily heard a muffled conversation before Naomi's voice came on the line. "Hello?"
"Hi... It's me. Emily."
"Emily! Hi! This is a nice surprise. How are you?" Naomi replied, and Emily could hear the brightness in her voice.
"Good, thank you. Listen, I just wanted to call and thank you again for last night. It really meant a lot to me. You didn't have to do that for someone you barely know, and-"
"It was a pleasure, Emily. I mean that. I'm just... Glad I could make you feel better."
"Oh, you did. Listen, I'm at my sister's right now... I was wondering if I could come by for a little bit... Maybe we could chat or something?"
"Well, I was going to do some painting today..." Naomi mused. "But sure, you can come around."
"It's no trouble?"
"Not at all, Emily. I'd love to have your company today."
"Alright, well... I'll be over soonish." Emily said.
"I look forward to it." Naomi replied, and Emily could hear the smile in her voice.
"See you soon, then. Bye." Emily said, before hanging up.
"Who was that?" Katie asked, as she came out on to the balcony, wrapping her hair in a towel.
"Naomi. I'm going to go visit her."
"What, now?"
Emily nodded. "She's working on painting the bus today, so I'm going to keep her company."
"Wow."
"What?"
Katie shrugged. "It's just nice to see you get out some, that's all."
Emily blushed. "Shut up, Kay." She laughed. "Alright, I'm off. If you need to talk, call me, yeah?" She said, as she stood up and pulled her sister into a tight hug.
"Thanks, Emsy. For everything." Katie replied.
And with that, Emily left her sister's flat, and started walking to Naomi's bus.
Reviews are welcome, as always. :)
