A/N-
You are all angels. seriously. I want to kiss all of you! Thank you so much for the absolutely lovely reviews. They give me the inspiration to write every free moment i get so i can post as often as possible!
I seriously was planning on only posting once a week when i started this. Obviously that didn't happen. But you guys don't mind, do you?
If you'd rather me space out my posts let me know, if not i'll just keep writing and posting whenever i get the chance :)
I think that's it for today's ramble, soooo enjoy the chapter :)
Disclaimer: Skins isn't mine. Though if it was, skins fire most definitely would not exist.
It wasn't easy. Not by a long shot. But I did what Alex said. For the first time since I met her, I didn't go to see Naomi during every free moment I had. I was more than tempted, especially having to walk past the cafe on my way home from school, but I managed. Barely.
Naomi didn't text me all weekend. I tried not to let it get to me, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. It hurt to think that she really didn't want me. It hurt a whole fucking lot. But I didn't let it get to me. I stayed away and waited for her to make the next move.
Katie could tell something was going on with me, but I refused to give anything away. I didn't want her to get involved and end up making things worse. She practically interrogated me every day, but I still refused to say anything. She was actually in the middle of one of her question sessions when I finally got the text I was waiting for.
I tried not to be too overly excited when I saw Naomi's name pop up on my screen, but it was no use. My heart was pounding a million beats a minute as I opened the message.
I know I'm the last person you want to see any more, but I'd really like to talk if you'll let me? Please. I don't want whatever friendship we built to end the way it did. I'm at the cafe until 8. Come by please?
I stared down at my phone. It wasn't exactly the offer I was hoping for, not even close actually, but I'd take what I could get. If nothing else, I'd at least get a little bit of closure. I didn't text her back, or even say goodbye to Katie, I just picked up my purse, threw on a coat, and walked out the door.
I was confused when I walked into the cafe. There was a beautiful brunette girl standing behind the counter in Naomi's place. I hesitantly walked up to her. She was eyeing me with an blank expression on her face.
"What can I get you?" She asked.
"Uh, is Naomi here?" I asked, trying to look into the kitchen for any sign of the blonde. The girl in front of me eyed me up and down, an unsettling smirk on her face.
"You're Emily," She said when her eyes met mine.
"Yeah," I said uncertainly, "and you're..?"
"Effy," She offered me her hand and I slowly shook it. "Naomi's behind you by the way."
I turned around and saw Naomi sitting at one of the tables. She had headphones in her ears and was tapping an unrecognisable beat while she looked down at a book.
I took a steadying breath before walking up and sitting across from her. She didn't notice me until I reached over and yanked the headphones out of her ears.
"Emily," She said, obvious surprise in her voice. Her face went from happy relief to sadness before she glanced down at her lap, "I didn't think you would come."
"Yeah, well. I did," I said, making sure not to let my voice show how many emotions I was feeling. Unfortunately that resulted in me sounding very hostile and Naomi visibly flinched. "You said you wanted to talk. So talk."
"Yeah," she said quietly, I felt a little bad for how obviously uncomfortable I was making her, but didn't relax my crossed arms and blank expression. "I really like you Emily. A lot more than I probably should. But there's so much you don't know about me, about my past." She glanced up at me, but only for a second before looking back down at her lap, "I've got baggage in every sense of the word. So much fucking baggage that will probably never go away. I guess," she took a deep breath, "I don't want you to have to deal with all my shit. That's why I push you away and won't go out with you, that's why I think it's best if you don't come here any more."
I'm pretty sure if she physically reached into my chest and ripped my heart out it would have hurt less than her words. I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry until I didn't have any tears left, but I didn't let that show. I wasn't letting her off that easy.
"Don't you think it should be up to me whether or not i want to deal with your baggage? Can't you tell me what it is that is so terrible that you're telling me you never want to see me again?"
"I'm," She said with a deep breath. She glanced up at me and I prepared myself for whatever she was about to tell me. She tore her eyes from mine and looked down at her hands, "I'm sorry." She said quietly. The last bit of hope I had was shattered as I watched a tear fall into her hands. That was my last straw, a very unattractive sob escaped my throat and the tears started cascading down my cheeks.
"Me too," I whispered, trying to look into her eyes one last time before leaving. But she still wouldn't look at me.
I picked up my bag and went to leave the cafe, unfortunately I opened the door and walked straight into something, or rather someone.
"Emily what the fuck happened?" Katie demanded, looking over my face. I could only imagine how pathetic I looked.
"Nothing Kay," I said, trying to compose myself, "can we just go home, please?"
"Fuck that! Is that Naomi?" She asked, pointing into the cafe behind me, "Is she the one who made you cry?"
I shrugged in response and Katie's entire body tensed up and a furious look took over her face. She shoved past me into the cafe before I had the chance to stop her. I heard Naomi say a strained and confused 'Emily' before the door closed behind Katie.
I opened it just in time to hear Katie shouting at her, "No I'm not Emily. I'm Katie Fucking Fitch. And you messed with the wrong fucking girl."
"Katie stop," I said, grabbing her arm and yanking her back. Naomi had a look of complete confusion on her face as she looked between us.
"Fuck off Emily," Katie spat at me. And shit, she was in full out Fitch Bitch mode. Her nostrils were flaring as she looked down at Naomi, and she tried to yank her arm back but I wouldn't let her.
"This has nothing to do with you Katie, just leave it okay?" I begged her, giving my best puppy dog eyes. Her expression softened and her body relaxed. When I was sure she was calm I released her arm. "Let's go." Katie nodded and I turned to walk out the door, but instead of following me, she turned around and gripped onto Naomi's hair. I had a millisecond of jealousy wash through me that Katie got to feel those beautiful blonde locks before me, but it was gone the second Katie yanked Naomi's head toward her. Naomi stumbled onto the floor like a rag doll. The only reason her head didn't smash against the tile was because Katie had a death grip on her hair.
"Get up you fucking bitch." Katie demanded, yanking at Naomi's hair harder.
"I would if I could!" Naomi shouted, "Fucking OW!" she was clawing at Katie's hands but Katie kept holding on.
"Let the fuck go of her!" Effy shouted, running up behind Katie and grabbing her arms. Katie struggled, but Effy grabbed her in just the right way and she let go, sending Naomi crashing to the floor.
"Fuck are you okay?" I asked, running up and crouching down next to her. She propped herself up on her hands and nodded her head.
"Yeah, I'm fine, your sister has quite a grip," She said with a half smile, rubbing where I'm sure her scalp was feeling very tender.
"Here let me help you up," I offered, standing up and holding my hands out to her. She didn't take them though, she just scooted herself along the floor until she was leaning against the chair she had previously been sitting in. "Naomi?" I asked, the completely pained expression on her face sending a jolt of sadness and fear through my body. She didn't just look sad, she looked downright humiliated.
I was distracted from Naomi by the sound of Katie struggling against Effy's hold on her. "Katie for fuck's sake calm down!" I yelled, turning to look at them.
"You need to leave," Effy said when Katie had relaxed enough for her to let go, "Right fucking now." Katie glared at her, but something in her tone must have scared Katie because she turned to me with a huff.
"Come on Ems," She said as Effy walked up to Naomi and crouched down next to her. I ignored Katie, instead keeping my eyes on the two blue eyed girls on the ground. I watched as Effy slid her arms under Naomi's and used every bit of strength she had to lift Naomi into the chair. I felt like I was being suffocated by the realisation that rushed through my body. It all made sense. Why she never got out of her stupid chair, why she was so cold towards me when I tried to get her to dance, why she refused to go out with me. I looked down at her legs, noticing for the first time how still they were. Naomi self consciously tried to cover her them. One look at the shame in her eyes and I knew the absolute truth. She was paralyzed, and for some fucked up reason, she didn't want me to know.
Honestly, i'm like beyond nervous about how you guys will react to this, so i'm actually actively asking you to review and let me know what you think.
Even if you hate it, please let me know so i can have something to work with so i know what you guys like.
you're all fabulous! have a great day :)
