"Naomes, what is going on?" Emily whispered, her chocolate orbs glistening with fear.
"Shuuuush, just stay quiet, everything will be fine," Naomi shushed back, her body shielding the trembling red heads as they lay like weak, petrified rabbits, the fox circling the burrow waiting for its much deserved meal.
"NAOMI CAMPBELL THIS IS THE POLICE, MAKE YOURSLEF KNOWN TO US!" At the sound of the ear pounding voice from down stairs Naomi wrapped her arm tighter around the redhead while subconsciously pushing her further underneath the bed they were shielding under. Not that it would do much good, Naomi knew there was nothing she could do, they knew she was here and wouldn't leave unless she was going with them. She could feel the Emily's warm tears dripping onto her hand and girlfriends erratic heartbeat as she pressed herself closer into Naomi's side. Little did she know that would be the last time she would ever hold the woman she loved again, as seconds later the heavy thud of numerous boots came charging up the stairs coming straight into the bedroom before pausing. Both her and Emily's breathing shattered the silence like a fog horn calling out to the lonely night. One pair of feet lowered the rest of the owners body to the floor, a pair of murky eyes staring right into her pupils and for a second nothing happened, it was as if the officer was sizing her up as if to say 'come on do something daring, you've lost anyway' but before Naomi could register what was going on the officer grabbed the arm that wasn't around Emily and dragged her with force out into the open for everyone to look at, the only thing that made Naomi realise this was real was the sting of the carpet burns along one side of her torso…and Emily's screams, she couldn't forget Emily's screams.
"Naomi yoo hoo, anyone there?" Naomi jumped slightly as she noticed Mike's mantic hand waving.
"Haha almost lost you their," He joked as Naomi smiled back at him.
"Anyway, what do you think?"
"Huh?" Naomi mumbled as she had no idea whatever Mike was referring to, really got to stop zoning out like that Naomi scolded herself as it was getting painfully clear that moments like this had been happening more frequently recently, getting in the way of her daily life and not just making her jolt awake in a mess of sweaty, breathless fear like it had been doing previously.
"Coming round to Dom's tomorrow night?" Mike reminded her as he wiped down the weights machine he had been using, making sure to ever so slightly compliment himself for breaking his personal best on bench presses. He had to admit he liked Naomi joining him in the gym, not only was she pretty good company but had a good bit of strength in her too. However today she seemed a bit out of it, like she had something worrying on her mind and Mike had a good idea who/ what it was that was making his dear friend act so strangely.
After the whole fiasco with Katie those few weeks ago he had to admit things had been kind of hard at first but it had nothing to do with him and eventually managed to get a bit of normality back into their lives after a few jokes here and there and a few trips to the gym. He remembered how when Naomi quickly departed he took the sobbing Katie into his flat, sat her down and waited patiently for her to spill. Eventually she came round telling him how Naomi was Emily's ex-girlfriend, the one who went to prison and fucked her little sister up she had told him about when they first starting getting serious. To be fair he really couldn't put any input into the whole situation as he'd only ever met Emily a handful of times and each time she never really said much, so before meeting Naomi he had to just take Katie's word for everything. Now though, Naomi was his friend and he wasn't going to do anything stupid based on his girlfriend's word to screw it up. What did strike him as slightly odd was the fact that Katie rarely did talk about her sister and reason for her to go off the rails a bit, in all the two and a half years he had known Katie she had only ever mentioned that Emily had gone a bit mental and it was because of some past relationship. And even now when he knew more of the situation Katie still refused to tell him anymore than he needed to know which was quite out of character considering she'll whine for forty five minutes about something as mundane as a shop that didn't stock her size in a certain type of shoe. He didn't quite understand it but he was sure that if she desperately wanted to talk to him about it she would.
"Erm, who?" Naomi asked, still slightly dazed from her previous day dreaming.
"Dom, he's a good mate of mine, has that flying V I showed you. Just got the new Assassin's Creed game and I can't be arsed buying it myself so a load of people are going round to his to take advantage," Naomi sighed, it was a nice offer and the few times she had met Mike's friend they were pretty alright bunch of people but at the minute she just wanted to go home, have a shower, get out her sweaty gym clothes and curl up in bed till she had to be back in work on Saturday.
"Listen, I know you're going to refuse but you can't cause I already said you agreed to come so you don't really have a choice. Plus you need to work on your technique if how you shit are on the play station at the shop is anything to go by," Naomi rolled her eyes but had a slight curve as she thought back to many times when they weren't busy and would sneak into the back to play on whatever games Mike had to hand. It bought a smile to her lips as it made her realise even more so the lengths Mike was going to not only be her friend but also to help her get back to being a normal citizen in society.
"Alright, alright I'll come,"
"Ha ha too fucking right you will," He grinned, "Now come on Campbellator, let's see if you can beat my shoulder press record," Naomi pushed him aside with confidence as she knew she'd beat him, she always did.
Naomi had another twenty minutes or so before she needed to leave to meet Mike at his place then going to Dom's from there. She was just pottering about the kitchen doing menial things just to keep her busy; she could hear the TV in the living room blasting away and as Lucy was out for the night with colleagues, which only meant that Cook would be in front of it most likely snoring his head off. After five minutes or so should hear movements followed by the toilet flushing and within another couple of minutes Cook's drowsy body came into the kitchen grabbing a beer from the fridge.
"You want one," He mumbled as he opened the bottle with his teeth, something that always made Naomi cringe. She shook his head and Cook shrugged his shoulders before leaning up against the counter taking a generous sip.
"Should you really be drinking that, don't you have work in a couple of hours?" She asked, anything to break the awkward silence that loomed over the two
.
"Nah, got night off, was thinking maybe we could go out, get a few in us. That new club has opened just down from Keith's, probably filled with a load of Round View's lot, but worth a look, huh?" Naomi thought it was odd that Cook had made such an offer, considering he'd been pretty much avoiding her since their little talk in that beer garden. Maybe this was Cook's idea of an apology and Naomi did feel kind of bad as she would have to decline, but then thought it was probably best, going on a drunken night out with Cook when so much was still up the air could only end badly.
"Sorry, hanging around with Mike and his friends tonight," She couldn't help but notice the slight disappointment in Cook's eyes, however being Cook he quick picked himself back up, putting back the bravado which he had let fall for those short few seconds.
"Nah its cool man, thinking I might meet some of the lads at Keith's anyway so…" Then it went quiet again, the tension almost suffocating but both of them were too afraid of what could happen if they tried to break free so they continued to wallow in the silence.
"Right well, erm…..enjoy your night." Cook shot before disappearing back in front of the TV, not even staying round for any reply from Naomi, not that she had one worth listening to. Naomi grabbed her leather jacket from the banister before quickly descending the stairs and out the front door. She didn't think it matter if she was early at Mike's, what she couldn't stand was being in that place that was her home for any longer than was necessary.
When she arrived at Mike's, she was as she expected ten minutes early but when she rang the door bell and Mike opened it with a huge grin on her face she knew that it didn't bother him one bit. She led her up the stairs which led into a spacious kitchen come living room.
"Just make yourself home dude, just need to grab some things," He called as he disappeared off into another room.
Naomi hadn't been Mike's flat before, despite how long she had known him but she figured the reason for that was because Katie had occupied the place and Naomi didn't even want to think the conclusion of such a meeting again. It was plain to see that Katie had well and truly made herself home, with various feminine touches being made to an otherwise rather neutral place. She got up and looked at the mantle piece with various picture displayed along it. Some were off Mike and other people, there were people she recognised as friends others she didn't know, but the majority of the pictures were of Mike and Katie each picture showing a common theme of loved filled eyes and cheesy smiles. She smiled as she saw for herself how much of a sap Mike was. She moved over to a side table that was placed next to the smaller of the two sofas, on it a simple desk light and some that fuck annoying dried smelly stuff that you put in bowls, she always hated the stuff especially when Emily thought it be a good idea to put some in her room which became 'their' room over time.
However also on the desk was a sliver photo frame, Naomi picked it up and smiled as she saw Katie and Mike squashed between a smiling Rob and Jenna Fitch, their smiles surprisingly genuine, a spotty James getting his scraggy blonde hair ruffled by Mike. Naomi felt herself sigh when she saw her, that red hair that was a bit darker than she remembered but still looked dazzleing, snow flake skin, button nose and velvet chocolate eyes staring back, looking very much at home with her sisters arm around her and the rest of her family look ridiculously happy and care free. Something that Naomi never saw once the entire time she was part of their lives, it didn't take a genius to see what the main cause behind their past misery was. When Naomi heard Mike's foot steps coming back into the room she hastily placed the photograph and launched herself back on the sofa, trying incredibly hard to look like she'd been sat in that exact spot the entire time. However she couldn't seem to get anywhere comfortable, she pulled out a fluffy purple cushion that was trapped beneath her and looked at the girly design with a questioning look.
"Fucking Katie," Naomi looked up to see Mike giving the cushion a disapproving gaze, "bloody hate the things, but she says its necessary, I've just decided to go along with it as it's the only way to shut her up." Naomi chuckled throwing the item back onto the sofa and walking toward the door with Mike in tow, almost falling on his arse as he tried putting one converse on while make the short journey to the exit.
After a quick trip to the off license to get a couple crates of fosters and a bottle of jagermeister that Mike insisted they purchased, followed by a rushed ten minute walk they found themselves outside a rather up market terrace house.
"Jeez Mike, what does this guy do?" Naomi asked in astonishment as she walked up the small pathway, the buildings grand architecture looming over them.
"He's a chef at that posh place up by Katie's office, only been once and that was with Katie and her office chums, proper up your arse affair it was. But don't worry this guy is cool, makes great pizza and nachos too." Mike assured before pressing the buzzer.
With in seconds the navy door opened revealing a skinny guy wearing a pair of retro, thick framed glasses with a course red beard and hair to match.
"Alright Mike?" He nodded toward Mike stepping aside to let the two of them in.
"And you must be Naomi?" The guy said with a warming smile, "Nice to meet you, I'm Dom," He finished extending his hand giving hers a firm shake.
"You guys are gonna love this, just got a new TV too so we're set for the night."
"Aw, sweet dude," Mike replied in an over Americanised tune as they were led along the terracotta hallway and into a snug front from, in the centre a vintage coffee table with various snacks and drink laid out on it.
"Where's everyone else," Mike asked as he helped himself to a handful of Doritos.
"They're all coming together, stopping off to get some booze before coming over I think," Dom replied as he took the crates of beer from both of them and taking them through a stone archway into what Naomi presumed was a kitchen judging by the sweet aromas that came swirling out of it.
Both Mike and Naomi followed him, being greeted by an impressive yet balanced layout of stainless steel appliances and oak counter tops. Behind a solid wood centre island a woman popped up, still facing away from them as she bought something out of the oven.
"For fuck sake Dom, don't leave me alone in this bloody kitchen, remember what happened last ti-" She cut herself short when she turned round and saw they had company.
"Alright there Hannah, see you've still got the same old way with words," Mike greeted moving toward her, his arms opened engulfing her in a hug. She smiled as she reciprocated before pulling away and poking her tongue out at him revealing a dark tongue piercing.
"Fuck off," All them began laughing until she turned to Naomi, obviously waiting for somebody to introduce.
"Oh shit sorry, Hannah this is Naomi, Naomi Hannah,"
"Ah yeah, so your Mike's awesome new employee he's been telling us so much about, hopefully this guy isn't too much of a bastard of a boss," She chuckled as did Naomi who replied with,
"Doesn't matter if he's my boss or not, he's still a daft twat," They all laughed as Mike did a crap job at pretending to be offended.
"What's this, get at Mike day?"
"Ah, shut ya silly idiot. No Katie?" Hannah finished before digging out a pizza cutter so she could cut up the delight she'd just bought out the oven.
"Nah, the idea of playing games all night and listening to metal music isn't exactly her scene, but she's gone to pick up some friend from the train station and going out with them or something, so it's just me and Kurt Cobain over here," He nodded over at Naomi and her Nirvana tee shirt she was wearing.
"Ah I see, well everybody grab a drink and lets get started before the other fuckers come over and hog the TV and eat all the food," She motioned toward the living room.
Naomi wasn't sure how long she'd been the here but she didn't really care as she was having too much of a good time to be worrying about the clock. As she sat squashed between a guy called Rich and another called Alo, watching Alo make an absolute embarrassment out of himself as he was just generally shit at the game.
"Alo you're fucking useless, you know that?" Rich moaned as Alo died, yet again.
"Just because you've got a bloody degree from Cambridge, doesn't mean you can talk down to us commoners,"
"I haven't even mentioned that once tonight, and I'm not talking down to everyone, I'm talking down to you,"
"Fine, you do it if you're so bloody good," Alo huffed before throwing the controller and reaching over to grab a slice of pizza that just seemed to constantly multiply.
Naomi laughed at the two before getting up quickly asking them if they wanted a drink,
"Yeah, cheers Naomi," The two said in unison without taking their eyes off the TV screen.
Naomi wandered through the collection of people, all pretty much just chilling out and conversing as various collection of rock oldies were being played from the hi-fi system. Looking back on everyone enjoying each others company made her realised how much she actually missed Cook and his crazy banter, despite being an uncontrollable prick half of the time he still was good just to sit down and talked to over a few beers. She sighed as she entered the kitchen and opened yet another box of beer and grabbed three then started to search the counter tops for a bottle opener.
"Hi," Naomi looked up to see Hannah had just walked in.
"Hey," Naomi smiled back before turning back to her search.
"What you looking for," She asked, coming round the centre island toward her.
"Bottle opener," mumbled Naomi as she moved various empty bottles and boxes.
"Silly fuckers, every time this happens, you would've thought something as precious as a bottle opener they'd look after." She joked as she herself started to move stuff about as well.
"Ah, found it!" Naomi exclaimed when she moved a black beanie out of the way, "thanks anyway," Naomi said as she opened the bottles.
"No problem, listen Naomi," Naomi paused turning round to look at her, slightly confused at the woman who looked like she really wanted to talk to her about something,
"This is gonna sound kinda weird but…you look familiar and it's been bugging me all night, we haven't met before have we?" She asked and Naomi was slightly taken back as she was pretty much one hundred percent sure she'd never seen this woman before, but she racked her memory anyway,
"Erm….I don't think so, sorry." She chuckled.
"Oh, cause I swear I've seen you before. Ah forget, anyway how's everything with Mike and the shop,"
"Yeah its pretty good, just nice to have some money if I'm gonna be honest,"
"Yeah, don't I bloody know it. I own a vintage shop and remembered when I first started out it was like pulling out your own finger nails. So, I'm guessing that you've met Mikes girlfriend if you're at the shop, bloody crazy about her he is, kind of cute really." Naomi chuckled and nodded, not really wanting to go into detail about how she actually knew Katie.
"Actually I was the reason that Mike met Katie. Yeah, the magazine Katie works for was doing a stint on vintage clothing and got into contact with me, surprisingly me and her clicked and one day Katie was organising a shoot to be done at mine and Mike just so happened to be there. I tell ya it was funny, she dismissed him straight away as he really wasn't her type, everyone could see that from a mile off, but Mike didn't give up and eventually Katie agreed to go on a date with him if he agreed to leave her alone afterward, and the rest as they say is history." Naomi smiled as she thought about it and she had to be honest it was kind of cute, in a overly sickly sweet kind of way.
"Hold on, that's it!" Naomi stood back slightly as Hannah looked as excited as a kid at Christmas,
"You don't by any chance know Katie's sister?" Naomi's eyes widened, looking like a dear in the flood lights. Oh shit she thought, what possibly could the Fitch duo have said about her to them lot. Naomi decided that it was safe to say she'd never be allowed back in that house again.
"Yeah Emily, there's a picture of you in her house," Hold on, what? Naomi thought, did she really just say that.?
"You used to have blonde hair," Naomi nodded not quite sure if this whole situation had made her go barmy and she was so desperate to sort everything out with Emily that she's now started to incorporate her into general conversation.
"Yeah that's it, it's on her hallway table, I see it every time I walk in." Naomi was starting to freak out as she was pretty sure now that Hannah wasn't just mind fucking her.
"So how do you know her?" Naomi didn't quite believe that this woman could be friends with Emily and not know even the tiniest hint about her.
"Erm…..just from collage…..you know years ago," She stuttered slightly afraid but at the same time intrigued what Hannah was going to say next.
"Oh right! Yeah, she used to have an orange scooter, you two are on it in the picture," Naomi was sure that she must have looked like a fish as her mouth was open with astonishment as she couldn't quite believe that Emily would have a picture of them together, even now.
"So I'm guessing you guys haven't seen much of each other," Hannah asked, bringing Naomi back to reality, or what she thought was reality after she had been told such information.
"No, not really,"
"Ah well, you should come see her some time. Me and Katie are always going over to London to see her," Emily lived in London? Naomi could fell her heart slam against her ribcage and goose bumps erupt over her at the thought of knowing where Emily was. However she quickly stopped herself from thinking such things, Emily was happy now, had moved on and that picture was just a reminder of happy days and not of what was to come. Emily had a life and Naomi had hers, they were separate and not meant to collide.
A loud crescendo of voices came from the front room, signalling that someone had either had a great success or an epic fail, the latter being confirmed when Naomi heard a,
"Alo stop trying, you're fucking useless at this game," Naomi watched as Hannah sniggered at them all and proceeded to walk into the front room, leaving Naomi alone with her currently rapid thoughts. However her thoughts were soon broken by two voices calling her,
"NAOMI, WHERE THE FUCK ARE THOSE BEERS?" Naomi rolled her eyes grabbed the beers off the counter top.
Naomi quickly checked her phone as she and Mike stumbled out of the house, Mike throwing both Dom and Hannah a lazy wave with one arm, his other wrapped around Naomi's shoulder as she steadied his muscular form.
"Good night, crazy right?" He slurred.
"Yeah, crazy," Naomi agreed but for completely different reason as she dwelled on Hannah's words.
Eventually they Naomi managed to navigate Mike's body to the alleyway that led to Mike's Bikes and ultimately his home, however by then he was passed out snoring loudly in her ear as she dragged him down the street.
Naomi knocked on the door and gave a shy smile when a tired looking Katie answered the door in her fluffy pink dressing gown.
"I er…think this is yours," Naomi said as she managed to pass Mike over to an annoyed Katie, who was surprisingly able to keep him steady, something told Naomi that she had plenty of practice in this situation. When Katie didn't reply, not that she was expecting anything; Naomi thought it would be best for her to make her exit.
"Right well, I'll be off now, bye." She waved before spinning on her heel.
"It's a bit late, its probably best if you say, fuck knows how you got this home in the first place," Katie motioned to Mike's drunken form. Naomi could tell that this wasn't really an offer she wanted to make and that Katie's morals seemed to have stepped forward and forced to do the right thing. Naomi smiled at the gesture,
"No you're okay, the walk will do me good, thanks anyway." She finished turning around not expecting anything but stopped when she heard Katie speak,
"Thanks Naomi," and the door then closed. Naomi paused and took in a lungful of air and smiled before continuing on her way, all the while completely unaware of another pair of chocolate eyes that were watching her from the spare bedroom window.
