Once again thanks for the reviews!
This chapter is a bit longer than the previous ones; mainly because I wanted to get this whole part over with in one go. I'm not good at writing long chapters because I get bored of the same situation for too long so if I've babbled a bit I can only apologize!
Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 8
She always found it easy to run from things that scared her. Run from situations when they got difficult. When there was an inkling of her actually getting hurt...she was gone, just like that. Sprinting off into the distance like a woman possessed.
Now, however, there was no running. And she was shit scared. Scared to picture herself sitting on a stage and playing and singing. Scared of her dreams coming true. Scared of being successful, getting her own hopes up, and screwing everything up. Scared of being a fuck up.
But there was no backing out now. She had agreed with Mr. Bailey, "Call me Jonnie, please," he had insisted on the phone the other day as they arranged dates and venues, that she would definitely play at a bar slash night club on a date a few day from now. Nerves were now bundling permanently in her stomach, tying themselves in knots that she couldn't untangle.
Fuck sake, she cursed as she struck another wrong chord in the song she was currently learning. Jonnie had advised her to have around 10 songs ready for performance, not likely that she would play that many but just in case, and to play more popular songs that the audience would recognise at first and move into the less known songs as she grew more popular.
It made sense in a way, but Naomi's sense in music was possibly the strangest she'd ever come across, made up of a series of songs none of her friends had ever heard of. Indie if she had to label it. Not that she believed in labels.
Labels.
That made her thoughts turn another direction.
Emily. Gay Emily.
'Gay' was a label wasn't it? Naomi didn't believe in being 'gay'. Not that she would refuse to accept that other people were, nor did she mean it in a homophobic way. People could call themselves whatever they liked for all she cared. What she meant was that she wouldn't call herself 'gay'. Or 'bi'. Or even 'straight'. And that contradicted everything she had said in the past few weeks, which in turn contradicted everything she had spent years in Spain trying to figure out. After 4 whole years of thought on the subject, she had come to the conclusion that sexuality was a label, and she believed people set out in this world to find love, not choose it.
And she felt guilty for going against her own beliefs out of fear what others would think. She never cared before. But suddenly, in light of the return of those Fitch twins, she was suddenly a quaking ball of nerves and it sickened her. Sickened her that once small red-head had such an effect on her.
"Christ!" she shouted aloud, slamming her guitar on her bed in frustration.
"Everything alright dear?" Gina asked, popping her head around the door frame.
"Frustrated," Naomi mumbled. She didn't want to tell her mum what was truly on her mind, even if the woman did know everything about her and could read her like a book.
"Ah yes, love does that doesn't it?"
Naomi's mouth dropped open in surprise, but Gina had disappeared in a way that was totally 'Effy-ish'.
Ridiculous, she thought sitting back down on the bed and running a hand through her hair.
The common room was pretty empty when she entered College the next morning. There were a few tossers sitting on the sofas as she walked in, who wolf-whistled at her as she walked in to which she flicked them the finger, but apart from that and a mass of bright red hair at a desk in the corner.
Emily was hunched over a pile of textbooks, occasionally scribbling down notes and swearing or often than not. After a rather loud series of profanities, along with the tearing out of the entire page from the notebook she was working from, Emily sighed, resting her head in her hands staring at the books.
Naomi approached her, cautiously at first, before telling herself to get a grip and striding over to the desk.
"You alright, Ems?"
'Ems'? 'EMS'? So you've given her a fucking nickname you twat, you've spoken to her all but twice Naomi you fucking idiot.
Ignoring the rants of her inner monologue, Naomi pulled out at chair and sat down beside the red-head. Emily averted her eyes from the pages of the textbooks and gazed at the blonde beside her. Naomi noted how stressed she currently looked, the beginnings of dark rings forming under her tired looking eyes.
"I've got this Spanish coursework that needs finished by last class, but it's too fucking hard. I stayed up all night trying to get it done only to realise I'd completely misread the question and wrote a load of bollacks."
She finished speaking with a heavy sigh and returned to gazing at the books and her now blank page, pen sitting on top of the paper, waiting to be used.
Before Naomi had time to even think about what she was about to do, her mouth moved of its own accord and her brain went blank as 3 words spilled out of her mouth.
"I'll help you."
And it was out there now, in the open. Her offering to help, cold exterior all but melted in the presence of Emily Fitch.
"You don't have to...I mean it's hard and...You don't even do Spanish and..."
"Emily," Naomi cut her off, chocolate brown saucers averted once again from the pages to watch her, "I lived in Spain for 4 years, Spanish is easy-peasy-lemon-squeasy, I'll help you out."
'Easy-peasy-lemon-squeasy'? Christ Naomi you're on a roll of embarrassing things to say today aren't you?
She didn't allow her embarrassment show through the genuine smile she sent Emily's direction.
Emily just sent her a simple, "Thanks," as she set about starting the work.
Emily, to Naomi's surprise, was a lot more fun to be around than she ever let on. Many times they had to stop working completely because they were laughing so hard, making fun of mispronunciation-mostly on Emily's part-and Emily's Spanish teacher's wacky teaching style.
Lunch bell came and went, neither of the two girls moving from their seats. Eventually Naomi left to get them both crisps and drinks from the vending machine at the far end of the common room. She passed Effy, who had no doubt been watching then intently by the look of the smirk plastered smugly across her face as Naomi passed her.
"Sweet," she simply said, though it almost sounded like a jibe to Naomi.
"I'm helping her with coursework," Naomi replied.
"Uh-huh," was all she heard as she watched Effy's retreating back in disbelief.
Typical.
Thrilled to bits. That's all she was.
Thrilled that not only was Naomi helping her, and had been most of the day, but she was being nice as opposed to her usual sarcastic bitchy self. A glimmer of her former self shining through.
And they had laughed, and talked and chatted, and she sat so close to her. So very close Emily could feel her breath across her face. Could count the eyelashes lining her perfect eyes. But she's straight, Emily, so keep your pervy thoughts to yourself. Don't ruin this.
Naomi returned to the table with two cans of coke and to packets of crisps.
"I didn't know what to get you," she said, throwing a packet of salt and vinegar Walkers at her. Emily smiled.
"These are my favourite anyway."
Now Naomi smiled at her. The second genuine smile Emily had seen from her today. She knew because it reached her eyes, and made them crinkle a bit at the sides.
Emily had noticed many other things about Naomi that morning. How her nose crinkled as she thought over things, how her brow furrowed when she was confused, how her hair fell around her faced when she was buried in books, how her laughter seemed to bubble up from somewhere deep in her throat but still sounded like music to her ears. Emily was falling, she knew it, and she didn't want to stop falling.
"Naomi, babe!" Cook called from the doorway as he waltzed into the common room, accompanied by Freddie and JJ.
"You weren't in Politics, I waited for you and all yeah? Where've you been?"
Naomi blushed ever so slightly, a gorgeous rosy colour filling her pale cheeks.
"I-uh, I was helping Emily with coursework."
He sent a wink Emily's direction and continued laughing along with Freddie and JJ, sitting on the now empty sofas. Emily hadn't realised how empty the common room had become and wondered how long she'd been alone with Naomi.
"You didn't have to miss your Politics class for me," she said quietly, feeling her own cheeks staining red.
"No, no I wanted to help," Naomi replied, brow crinkling ever so slightly as she packed her own books into her bag.
Emily smiled, regarding Naomi with fondness.
"There's the old Naomi I know," she whispered quietly.
Not quietly enough it appeared as Naomi's eyes snapped to her, the ghost of a smile whispered across her pretty face. They stayed silent for a few moments, eyes locked, before Naomi broke the silence.
"You just need to write your conclusion, text me if you need any help."
And with that she left, leaving a crumpled piece of paper on the table, Naomi's small neat writing plastered on it in black ink. Under the numbers was Naomi's name a cute drawing of a smiley face.
Naomi (=
Emily slipped the paper into the breast pocket of her shirt and packed her own bags, leaving the common room with a small smile on her face.
Saturday morning was upon Naomi sooner than she would have hoped. As she lay in bed trying to untangle the knot of nerves in her stomach, catch the butterflies floating inside her in a net and swallow the sickly feeling building in her throat her phone buzzed on her bedside table. She picked it up and checked who it was from.
Unknown number.
She pressed the 'Open' button, squinting at the tiny text on the screen through the light from her phone in the darkened room. Oh the joy of curtains to block out the light of day.
E: Hi Naomi, its Emily. Thought id text so you can save my number (:
Naomi didn't know why she was smiling, but punched back a reply anyway.
N: Thanks :D coming to my gig tonight?
She collapsed back on her bed, closing her eyes as she waited for the reply. She wasn't sure why she felt so eager for Emily to be there, Emily would no doubt bring Katie and that could be disastrous. Her phone buzzed soon enough and she quickly opened it to read Emily's message.
E: You're playing a gig? Thats awesome! Of course im coming, cant wait (:
N: Great, thanks (: starts at 7, friends get free entry and drinks all night! Should be a blast lol :D
Naomi decided that it was time to get up, showered and allowed the day to pass.
And it did. Far too quickly for her own liking. And far sooner than she anticipated she found herself raking through her wardrobe and perched in front of her mirror. It took a while but she finally settled for dark skinny jeans that complimented the curves of her hips, a long white t-shirt, black waistcoat and black converse. Makeup wise she tried to keep it natural, pale foundation and very little blusher, but dark smokey eyes and plenty of mascara. She straightened her blonde hair, allowing it to fall past her shoulder blades, back-combing the top of it ever-so-slightly to add a little volume. Pleased with her efforts, she headed downstairs, knowing Cook was waiting for her as she heard him call at her door a few minutes ago.
She ran into her mother in the hall.
"You look stunning love," Gina said appraisingly, taking in her daughters appearance, scanning her outfit, her hair-do and finally resting her eyes on her daughters face.
Naomi snorted, "You're my mum, you have to say that."
"Smoking babe, you look hot Naomikins!" Cook exclaimed, standing in the kitchen doorway.
Gina threw her daughter an 'I-told-you-so' look, smiling lightly as she breezed past the pair and up the stairs, carrying a basket of fresh washing.
"Good luck love," she called as Naomi and Cook snapped the front door closed behind them.
"Ready to rock and roll?" she asked her best friend with a smile.
Side-stage was stuffy and sweaty. Naomi didn't like the feeling at all. Nerves were nestled securely in her stomach, being tickled feverishly by about a million butterflies making her feel sick. She pulled at the collar of her t-shirt once again and fiddled with her hands like she always did when she was nervous.
I can't do this. Why the fuck did I agree to this? Christ.
"Naomi?"
The stage door opened and Emily's head appeared around it. She stepped through it, walking towards Naomi carrying a bottle of water.
"I brought you this in case you..." she began, holding the bottle of water up but pausing when she caught sight of the blonde.
"Are you alright? You look really pale."
And the nerves and butterflies were moving upwards within Naomi, constricting her lungs until she couldn't breathe. She could fee tears welling up in her eyes and she spluttered, bending over to try and gain control of herself.
But two small hands pulled her upright, turning her to face the petite red-head. Emily grabbed Naomi's wrists moving her hands until one was placed on her chest, just below her shoulder and the other was placed on the side of her abdomen, around her lower ribs. She placed her hands on the same places of Naomi's heaving chest and abdomen.
"Breathe Naomi," she whispered, "Breathe like me. Deep breathes."
And slowly but surely, Naomi felt her breathing level out, and normalise.
"Easy see?" Emily said softly.
"S-sorry," Naomi spluttered, feeling mortified that she let herself get so worked up.
"Panic-attack," Emily stated simply with a shrug of her shoulders, "I used to get them all the time, no biggie."
Naomi allowed a small smile to grace her face while Emily removed her hands from her torso and Naomi realised with a start that she was still clutching Emily and removed her hands instantly.
"Now drink," Emily said firmly, thrusting the bottle into Naomi's hand and turning to leave. "And good luck up there."
Naomi broke into a grin.
Good luck indeed.
Emily's spirit was lifted as she returned to the group. She'd touched Naomi without her flinching away like she was diseased. It felt good to be able to help out, after Naomi had helped her with her coursework it was the least she could do right?
"She alright up there?" Cook asked as she sat down at their table.
She forgot that Cook had probably twice as many rights to be concerned about Naomi than she did. But she felt the need to keep Naomi's little incident to herself, partially selfishly because it was a moment she alone had shared with the blonde and part selflessly as she wasn't sure Naomi wanted everyone to know about it. She would tell Cook if she wanted to, it wasn't Emily's place to meddle with their relationship.
"Fine," Emily replied with a smile, "Just gave her a bottle of water to drink, you know?"
Cook nodded but fell silent as the room darkened and a guy with shaggy dark hair and glasses appeared behind a microphone after placing a chair and a lower microphone centre stage. He cleared his throat.
"I have great pleasure in introducing tonight's act, the every lovely, Naomi Campbell!"
The crowd broke into a series of cheers and wolf-whistles as Naomi appeared on-staged, looking nervous, the loudest of which came from Cook, and made Emily cringe a bit. She looked utterly adorable though, fiddling with her hands as the crowd cheered.
'Adorable' huh?
Naomi took a seat, swinging the strap of her guitar over her shoulder and adjusting its position. Her voice was shaky as she spoke into the mic.
"Uh...thanks."
She gave the crowd a small smile.
"The first song I'm going to plays is...well it's a classic so you're all going to know it anyway."
She took a moment to adjust her grip on the guitar once again before pressing on the strings and strumming out the first chords of the song. Emily recognised the tune, vaguely, but couldn't place its exact tune because Naomi had added her own touch to the song, with Emily admired to no end. The blonde was very talented.
Naomi leaned forward towards the mic and allowed her sweet voice to fill the room.
"You say
we've got nothing in common.
No common ground to start from
And we're falling apart
You'll say the world has come between us
Our lives have come between us
Still I know
you just don't care."
Emily smiled as the crowd cheered. She loved this song, and somewhere deep within her she placed the lyrics along her situation with Naomi. They would never become anything if they shared no common interests. No common ground. She vowed to find something she could share with Naomi, even if it just resulted in friendship, some Naomi would be better than none. She was pulled from her musings as Naomi's sweet voice exploded into the chorus, sending shivers up her back.
"And I said
'What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?'
She said
'I think I remember the film and
as I recall I think we both kinda liked it.'
And I said well that's the one thing we've got."
Naomi turned out to be very popular with the crowd. Her songs went down well with everyone, particularly a spectacular rendition on 'Don't Stop Believing' which had everyone in the bar singing along. Emily was beginning to feel buzzed from the alcohol she had consumed and was cheering, shouting and clapping along with everyone else.
Eventually, Naomi spoke into the microphone again; her voice quite obviously calmer and more confident than it had been at the start.
"Okay, this is the last song I'm playing tonight..."
The crowd erupted in a series of 'Aww's and 'Boo's. Naomi laughed into the microphone, a sweet and chiming laugh, and continued on.
"It's called 'Bohemian Like You'...you've probably heard it before..."
The first chords rang out as Emily bopped, along with all the other nutcases, in time with the music and Naomi's voiced sounded once again.
You got a great car
Yeah, what's wrong with it today?
I used to have one too,
Maybe I'll come and have a look.
I really love
your hairdo, yeah
I'm glad you like mine too,
See what looking pretty cool will get ya?
So, what do you do?
Oh yeah, I wait tables too.
No, I haven't heard your band,
'Cause you guys are pretty new.
But if you dig on vegan food
Well come over to my work
I'll have them cook you
Something that you'll really love."
It was catchy and bouncy and Emily really liked it. She laughed and shouted along with the song until she glanced up on stage and saw Naomi staring at her in particular. She shot her a grin, which Naomi returned before starting into the chorus.
" 'Cause I like you
Yeah I like you
And I feel so Bohemian like you
Yeah I like you
Yeah I like you
And I feel...Whoa ho woo!"
Just a few notes:
The whole part on Naomi's ideas about sexuality is also my own belief, as far as I know it's not a very common belief/idea but that's why I used it so please don't bash it! Or I might become offended and stop updating :P
The songs in the chapter are called 'Breakfast at Tiffany's-Deep Blue Something' and 'Bohemian Like You-The Dandy Warhols' in case anyone was wondering. They're great songs, check them out (:
Finally, thoughts on how the stories progressing so far? It's always lovely to read your ideas and reviews so help me along here. I am very inexperienced so your help is always appreciated! Please? Pretty please? Thanks :D
Over and out.
